The Fabulous Migraine Underworld
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Update- migraines and fainting

4 posters

Go down

Update- migraines and fainting Empty Update- migraines and fainting

Post  sconesail Sat 27 Oct 2012, 6:37 am

Hi All,

I haven't posted for a while, so I thought I'd give you a quick update.

Good News: Dora is back from training and is doing really well. She alerts to the migraine symptoms as well as the fainting. She is actually a few minutes ahead of some of the bad symptoms such as slurred speech, hallucinations. She basically acts like she does during a regular alert, but instead of sitting down or blocking the path, she puts her paws next to me and tried to get my attention. It took me a while to figure out what she was telling me, but it is intresting that she can detect that too.

The fainting is still a huge problem, but Dora has prevented a good many of them by making sure I get to the ground first. She will not let me get up until she knows I won't fall again.

I know my brother probably won't ever truly grasp the fainting. He is a very nervous father. But he seems to be so terrified that I might faint, that he doesn't seem to want me around my nephew. I hope he will calm down. It is just frustrating that he is that scared of me. (the last time I saw my nephew, I had just entered his house and was waiting to be told where to go- and he literally said- "sit down somewhere, you can't faint here." His wife is calmer- but also much younger than my brother- and she seems ok with my being seeing and holding my nephew-as long as I am sitting. (he is a month old.) I don't know if John will ever understand the fainting. I do know that I still love my brother dearly, and I love my nephew. I will give them some time to get out of the nervous parents stage, try to explain to John that this isn't as scary as he thinks it is, and hope that helps.

I've had a few rough weeks head wise. It is pretty bad today. Fortunataely, I don't have anything I have to do today. So I will probably just take the meds and rest. The klonopin, ultram and tylenol 3 are helping some, but it is still pretty bad.

I'd love any thoughs or advice on anything.

pain free days,
sconesail

sconesail
Four Star
Four Star

Posts : 203
Points : 353
Join date : 2011-08-20

Back to top Go down

Update- migraines and fainting Empty Re: Update- migraines and fainting

Post  Jewishmother Sat 27 Oct 2012, 1:10 pm

I don't faint but I do lose consciousness with my migraines and with my grandson and with my neighbor's baby I am careful not to carry them around unless I am absolutely sure that I am not going to drop. I usually can tell if I am prone to dropping so when I am even feeling a little bit off I make sure that I am on the floor while holding them or playing with them. I am glad that Dora does pick up on the fainting before it happens so I would take cues from her and when she alerts you, try and pay attention to any symptoms she may be cuing into that you might be missing. That way you (and your family) will feel more secure when you are holding your nephew. It is also wise of you to give them some time to get over the nervous parenting stage............Leslie

Jewishmother
Two star
Two star

Posts : 70
Points : 80
Join date : 2011-04-10

Back to top Go down

Update- migraines and fainting Empty Re: Update- migraines and fainting

Post  Porsche Fan Sat 27 Oct 2012, 10:51 pm

scone,

i think it's going to take quite a while for your bro to adapt. he hasn't yet, so i wouldn't expect a quick turn-around. you SIL sounds quite accomodating. i see no reason why you couldn't be sitting and hold the baby.

as for the syncope, what's going on with electrophysiology and review of the vaso-vagal issues, postural hypotension, etc? glad to hear about dora, but she's not a treatment.

just an fyi, my EP changes some settings last month and made my pacemaker more aggressive. she made it's response threshold more responsive by 25%, which is significant. i'm getting paced at 90% of the time now. i've done some pretty vigorous activities which should have made me pass out, but the pacemaker was driving me at 120 bpm when needed.

it's not all sunny--my heart is working harder now which is causing a series of issues.

don't push your brother, but let him know your feelings. this is how "bad feelings" get started between family members.

good luck,
PF.
Porsche Fan
Porsche Fan
Four Star
Four Star

Posts : 352
Points : 394
Join date : 2011-05-16

Back to top Go down

Update- migraines and fainting Empty Re: Update- migraines and fainting

Post  sconesail Mon 29 Oct 2012, 3:00 pm

Hi All,

Thanks so much for the replies.

I know Dora isn't a treatment, but she is very good at alerting to the fainting, and even to the migraine symptoms. I can, at least walk down the street without worrying about what will happen. She helps a great deal.

I have an appointment with the cardiologist in Birmingham on Thursday. I hope he has some more ideas. It is also time for the loop recorder to come out and he can do that. My psychiatrist upped the klonopin a bit and sometimes that helps both the headaches and fainting. I just have to be careful not be a zombie.

As to my bother, I will let him know my feelings and it may be that something is going on or they are scared for some reason. I am not going to push him. But he does need to know what is going on.

I have an IV set up for tomorrow.

Pain free days,
sconesail


sconesail
Four Star
Four Star

Posts : 203
Points : 353
Join date : 2011-08-20

Back to top Go down

Update- migraines and fainting Empty Re: Update- migraines and fainting

Post  Cluelesskitty Tue 30 Oct 2012, 3:14 pm

I am not feeling very well but wanted you to know that I read you spot and am cheering on Dora, Scone.

being alerted on something about to go amiss is very important, too. at the very least, you can be prepared, and that matter, too.

Good luck with everything else, Scone. Nice to hear from you!

Risa
Cluelesskitty
Cluelesskitty
Admin

Posts : 1534
Points : 1963
Join date : 2011-03-18
Location : BC Canada

Back to top Go down

Update- migraines and fainting Empty Re: Update- migraines and fainting

Post  Porsche Fan Tue 30 Oct 2012, 10:46 pm

Scone,

I do have a new suggestion.

I had to see a vascular surgeon for a couple things: 1., a carotid duplex ultrasound and 2., I developed a varicose vein in my right bicept. Due to the pacemaker's placement in the subclavian vein, we had to rule out some issues.

We thought I was developing vascular thoracic outlet syndrome, but it comes down to my body really not liking having the pacemaker leads inside the vessel (the sublcavian is a major vein leading de-oxygenated blood back to the heart). the leads have caused some decrease flow. as to why this venous growth has occured, some people's bodies develop collaterals to supplly blood around and obstruction.

Sorry for the technical. I was put through 4 vascular 3D ultrasound duplex studies. Chances are if I would have had this done years ago, it would have cut many years off the syncope diagnostic process. It might be worthwhile to rule in or out a problem with flow to the brain, or return of blood back to the heart.

This is much more direct testing (non invasive) than what CCF's syncope clinic does. Any good cardiovascular surgeon's office has this stuff.

Good luck. And your bro needs to grow up a bit. I too would be apprehensive with a new baby, but like I said there's no reason why you can't be sitting and hold the baby. SIL or even better your brother can be there with her to learn how to cope. He's being a tad unkind--maybe your dad should have a chat with him.

I'm glad Dora is not only a great companion but a working dog.

Best wishes!
PF
Porsche Fan
Porsche Fan
Four Star
Four Star

Posts : 352
Points : 394
Join date : 2011-05-16

Back to top Go down

Update- migraines and fainting Empty Re: Update- migraines and fainting

Post  sconesail Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:43 am

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies!

PF- I see my cardiologist today and already have the vascular question in the notes. I am hoping that either he or one of his vascular people might be able to check it out. (It has been four years, one more ultra sound won't hurt. I don't know why I faint, but I truly believe that not enough oxygen gets to the brain at times.)

As to my Brother, well he is still, my brother. I am going to see if Dad can talk to him. I've talked to both J and my SIL and I am going over to see him on Sunday (my b-day.) I will talk to him later. Though almost every mother I have spoken to who has a child or has had a kid recently has said- "He'll get over some of it at three months. Right now, he is still scared he or someone else is going to break the baby." I hope they are right. Still, I am going to be around at family stuff and I am betring he will calm down eventually. Meanwhile, I will try to schedule some times to see just my nephew and SIL!

Somehow, y'all always come through for me.

Pain free days,
sconesail

sconesail
Four Star
Four Star

Posts : 203
Points : 353
Join date : 2011-08-20

Back to top Go down

Update- migraines and fainting Empty Re: Update- migraines and fainting

Post  sconesail Sat 03 Nov 2012, 12:32 pm

Hi All,

The cardiologist had the flu and didn't think giving it to his patients was the best idea, so that appointment has been rescheduled for the fifteenth. Fortunately, Dad and I were only about 30 miles out of Montgomery, and my doctor is at the University Hospital in Birmingham, so we just turned around and went out to lunch. We had a very nice lunch. However, there is a great restaurant in B'ham that Dad and I go to whenever I have an appointment there and so we decided we would just go there on the fifteenth as part of his birthday present to me. It also gives me a little more to look up the vascular stuff. (PF-may pm you for more info.) So everything worked out.

As to my brother, I have no clue what to do anymore. I have spoken to Dad and he agrees with me. He said he will talk to John. Which is great.

Pain free days,
sconesail

sconesail
Four Star
Four Star

Posts : 203
Points : 353
Join date : 2011-08-20

Back to top Go down

Update- migraines and fainting Empty Re: Update- migraines and fainting

Post  Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum