In Case You Have Wondered...

Where I have been here is the deal. Not this past Friday, but the Friday before, I was driving to work. I had had a headache the day before, but I had not thought much of it. I took some Tylenol at work, and after work I just came home, took a shower, and went to bed. When I woke up, the headache was still there, and it had brought a friend named nausea. Still I didn't think much about it, because I had been treated for a bad sinus infection just a week and a half before and was actually still on antibiotics. So, on my way to work, my right foot felt tired. I thought that was weird, but I set my cruise control and continued to work. Within 5 minutes the right side of my face began to become numb and droop, and I lost complete control of my right arm. It dropped dead off of the steering wheel. Fortunately, I was at a service station, so I pulled over. I thought I was having a stroke, and I felt like I was dying. I had to reach over with my left arm to put my Jeep in park and grab my cell phone.

My mind was becoming fuzzy, I was terrified, I called my husband in essence to tell him that I loved him and goodbye. I was in and out of consciousness and becoming more confused. While I was on the phone with him, I began to lose my ability to speak, so I told him goodbye, and I called 911. After that, I basically lost consciousness. I remember the fire trucks. I don't remember my husband showing up, before the ambulance leaving the site. My memory is sketchy at best. I remember pain in my head so severe it felt as if a knife that had been heated almost to the point of melting had been stabbed there.

I had a CT scan which was negative. I had an MRI and an MRA which was also negative. I was admitted to the hospital, because I had lingering neurological symptoms such as my speech. Later that night they did an EEG which was also unremarkable. At this point, I still have stuttering speech and expressive aphasia which means that I cannot think of the simplest words to express my thoughts. The neurologist diagnoses me with Complex Migraines. I have never even heard of these before. She says they are very rare, and they will often mimic strokes. Kendra was there when she came in, and immediately put her "Smart Phone" to work.

Here is what we found out.
Complex Migraines are very rare and are hereditary. Symptoms can last from a few days to weeks and can be lingering. Symptoms can often be confused with a CVA. Headache, profound weakness, dysphagia, slurred speech, weakness, and visual disturbances to name a few.

So, I am fighting the headache cycle, and trying to get in to see a neurologist. After not having any type of headache in over 2 years this is a huge learning curve for me. My speech is still really screwed up. I have a pronounced stutter, and I am having difficulty coming up with even the simplest words. (dysphagia) I have called the neurologist I saw in the hospital only to find out they do not take my insurance. So, I went to my private MD who referred me to another neurologist. He was full until May 1, which is just unacceptable, and it was to my MD as well whom I saw again yesterday. She called him, and they are squeezing me in with another physician in their group on Thursday morning at 0845.

So, there you have it. I have been reduced to a stuttering idiot for the time being. (I hope) It has got to let up soon as well as the headaches. They are coming and going. Unfortunately, coming more than going. So that is why I have been scarce for all of you that have noticed or that care.