MM3,
You know that it will be tough, but I know you can get through this. Yes, our kids sometimes have to step up and help us out it seems. I'm glad at least he is still at home to help you out. Mine is up in NYC right now so no help to me.

I'll say an extra special prayer for you tonight that you will do fine and it will go well.

Bless you.
Liz

MM3 -
Will be thinking of you today and hoping these tests reveal some answers.
Sending prayers your way!!
HUGS too.
Angie

Thanks guys. I can't believe I am this nervous. Seems silly really. I guess this is a different type of LP. They are actually doing the normal LP to check pressure and then injecting the radiologic dye into the LP site to do the CAT scan. The last time I had a CAT scan with contrast I had a slight reaction where my chest tightened, I felt lots of pressure and began to feel like I couldn't breathe. 12 doctors ran in and gave me some drug and made it all better. HOWEVER, they didn't list it as an allergy because they said my reaction was mild and they weren't sure I actually had an allergic reaction. So, I'm about to do this again and I'm not supposed to report that I'm allergic, but, what if I am? I mean people go into anaphylactic shock from this stuff??? Heart and lung failure! AAAAUUUGGHH!!! I guess the idea that this is going into my spine just makes me more nervous. When they're injecting it into your arm, if you have a reaction they just yank it out pump you full of "anti-allergic magic meds" and your all better. When you have a 80 foot needle in your spine that leads to your brain stem....IDK.

Okay....that's my scary crap for today. I'm sweating bullets. I'll update you later.

Love

MM3

MM3,
I'm so sorry you are having to go through all of this. I was told before they injected dye into me that I would feel tightness in my chest and a kind of warm feeling all over. So, hopefully you just had that "normal" reaction. I know if they hadn't warned me up front I would have freaked out. Hope that makes you feel a little better anyway. I will be praying for you.
Tiffany

Thinking of you, MM3. I won't be far behind, my LP is July 2nd and I'm not looking forward to it either.

But hopefully it goes well. I would at least mention what happened last time to the docs before they inject the contrast, so they can be ready.

Best of luck and I'll be anxiously waiting for an update to let us know how it goes.

MM3 - I would be very nervous too, but I will be praying that all goes smoothly for you today. That's awful that you're not supposed to mention the previous reaction you had, I would be very uncomfortable about that as well! Hopefully there won't be a reaction today and you get some answers.

MM3..
I haven't been able to be on here for a bit as I've been dealing w/my 9yr old and this newly diagnosed PTC and horrible meds (diamox) and the side effects.. I know that the Neuro's & doc's are all trying their best with their medical knowledge & technology & medicine, to help my daughter...but I'm not placing my confidence in them alone.. my confidence is that God is going to guide & direct our steps in dealing w/PTC & our daughter..
I just read that you're headed in for another LP..I'm sorry to read that you're suffering so and just want you to know that I'll be keeping you and everyone else here at DS in my prayers.. We have an awesome God that loves us and no matter what we're faced with.. He promises to go through it with us.. I don't know where you are in your belief in Jesus..but I know this much.. He will meet you right where you are in all of this...my ongoing prayers will be that each of us come to better understand that God has a much bigger plan and that although we might have to face illness, pain or crisis..We have a great Physician and healer, Jesus who can make us whole...Doctors and medicines can be ways that God uses to heal or treat certain illness, but God is also very interested in something far greater than our physical well being... He needs us to be "spiritually whole & nourished" and understand the "need" for Him..
I've read through soooo many posts here on Daily Strength.. and while so many wonderful people belong to this awesome network of support... We cannot receive the ultimate comfort, strength, peace and assurance without Jesus Christ..
I have also struggled with an ongoing condition.. It's never been outruled nor has it been properly diagnosed..some say I'm in "limboland" & have MS..but It's forced me to have to stay focused on the LORD and HIs plans for me...not the constant "symptoms" that I battle..
PTC is and can be horribly debilitating..I understand headaches & headache pressure as I've suffered w/them ..throughout my 2nd pregnancy.. it was absolutely horrible.. so my heart goes out to you and all the people here suffering..
I want to share one more thing about what I've noticed w/my daughter and the past 3years of suffering w/headaches before this recent diagnosis of PTC.. She has Peace and she is filled w/Joy...She is an absolute joy to be around her and the most absolutely amazing thing I witnessed during her MRI's and LP procedure was the level of confidence, courage and peace she displayed during it all.. She was not afraid.. The doctors were amazed and in awe of her peaceful assuredness..
Prior to the LP..in the ER room, we prayed for Jesus to fill her with HIS peace, give her courage and bring her relief from any pain or discomfort.. NOT only did Jesus do this.. HE removed any memory of the procedure!
I share all of this w/ you to encourage you to seek the LORD in this "storm"..and allow HIM to comfort you...because there are going to be times when He's the only ONE we'll have at a particular moment when we need or want to be comforted most. Family & friends will NEVER be able to be "always" with us at any given moment ...but the LORD promises to ALWAYS be there!
Please know that I'm thinking of you along w/everyone else here and please let me know how you are...
God Bless
DMarie

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to all of you, but as it is, I am not feeling well. Truth be told however...things could have been much MUCH worse.

Razin...as you mentioned have faith in God. Well, I do have a strong faith in God. So strong, in fact, that last week when I was scheduled to have this test God was speaking to me constantly nudging me and telling me not to have it done. Here's how that happened...

Originally, I was scheduled for an ordinary CAT scan. However, the night prior to the scan I received a phone call from radiology asking if someone would be bringing me and staying with me for 24 hours after the test. As it turns out, I was to have a LP where contrast was to be injected into my spine and then I was to be contorted vertically head down so the contrast runs down to my brain. My husband was leaving town and wouldn't be home and my youngest was coming down sick. (Red flags #1 and #2) I was oddly very nervous about this test and I didn't know why. (Red flag #3) The day of the test I actually ended up going to the wrong hospital, forgetting that my doctor works through the hospital on the other side of town. I spent almost 30 minutes in the wrong radiology department before realizing I was in the wrong place. (Red flag #4 - Anytime something comes too hard, there is a reason why!!!) I managed to get over to the other hospital and they were willing to do the testing, however the radiologist asked to speak with me. He said that he noted that I may have had an allergic reaction during a prior scan with contrast and asked what happened. When I told him the story, he told me that based on what I told him he was almost 99% sure that had they gone forward with the testing that I would have had a SEVERE allergic reaction. I thought possibly that he was overreacting because after my last reaction the doctors told me they weren't even going to notate my charts that I was allergic, and I stated that I hadn't had a problem before. But, he said that is how it happens. One day, you just have a reaction and each time it gets worse. Because last time they had to give me medication to keep my lungs from closing up, his worst fear was that I would go into lung or heart failure. Combined with all the other red flags of the morning...I took this wonderful doctor's advice and am rescheduling this test.

I will have to take medication 24 hours prior to testing, and this time I won't be nervous. First, because, I know what they'll be doing. Second, because, I'll have the medication. And, third and most importantly, because I know God is watching out for me. I always listen to Him. Always.

Now, I am just leaning on Him because, after the graduation weekend (which was lovely by the way), I am truly ill. Lots of pressure and very tired. I am really nauseous. Still on 50 mgs. of Topamax daily but, it really doesn't help at all. Husband is going out of town again tomorrow and nephew is here visiting all week. All I want to do is lay in bed with the shades down and a bucket next to the bed. BLAH! So, I am well...but, not so well. But, I am thinking of all of you.

MM3

Oh MM3, I'm so sorry you are not feeling so great and then with your husband being out of town. I wish I could be there to help you out. You truly are amazing!

Thank God that those red flags came up and God placed the right radiologist in your path to keep you safe and not have a severe allergic reaction. I know that soon you will start feeling better, you are in my prayers. Many Healing Blessings, Jazzy