Well, we made the trip down to the Medical Center this morning. The doctor, who had terrible bed side manners told me that I have Occipital Neuralgia. This basically means that I have tension headaches that are caused by aggravation of the occipital nerve in the back of my head. So, the solution is what is called a "nerve block" and oral medication. The nerve block is a steroid shot in the back of my head, that will hopefully relieve some of the pressure off of the nerve. I go back for that on March 10th. This is a little terrifying to me.. but, they will numb the area with Novacaine (like when you go to the dentist), and then I'm not supposed to feel the actual shot of steroids. The doc said that it will not go into my blood stream, and so I won't have the usual side effects that go along with steroids. There is a 50% chance that one shot, or nerve block will do to trick, but, also a 50% chance that I'll have to go back for another. He said they have had a lot of success with the shot, and it's covered by insurance. PRAISE GOD! I'm also taking oral medications once a day to help with the pain from the headaches. I will start that tonight, and hopefully with the combination of the medicine and the nerve block, my headaches will go away. He also requested an MRI and MRA to just make sure that there is nothing else going on inside my head.. I go on Saturday for that. I am VERY scared. I have never had an MRI/MRA before, and am very claustrophobic. The girl who scheduled it said they could sedate me (hallejuah!) as long as I had someone to take me home. Thanks, Mom! The doctor said he thinks it will come back fine, he just wants to be sure. So, I go back for a follow-up with him after the steroid shot, and then re-evaluate things.
Thank you for praying for me today. I wasn't really nervous, and thankfully my Mom was with me to keep me calm and laughing. Continue to pray that the MRI/MRA will go fine, and that this combination of steroid shot and medication will be effective. Praise the Lord that this is all that my headaches are.. and not anything more serious.
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3 comments:
I prayed for you this morning. So glad to hear it sounds like it's something pretty simple. Keep me updated.
So glad that you got some possible answers- I hope this regiment works... and works after just the one shot. Will be praying for you with the MRI that you will feel calm and relaxed. Also- we are free usually on the weekends. However, Riyah's visitations start on Saturdays 10-4 next weekend, but that's just a few hours of the weekend.
You are in our prayers! Praise God that it wasn't anything more serious, and that it can be treated "easily". We love you!
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