Within the last four months, I have experienced a new kind of pain. It’s not from the Fibromyalgia I have. No, that feels like someone is taking an ice pick to my legs, over and over again. As unpleasant as that is, which is EXTREMELY unpleasant, this some how is worse. Worse than ice picks you might ask? Yes.
I have had headaches for the majority of my existence. They have usually stemmed from the fact that I have had chronic allergies since I was four and chronic sinusitis since I was six. I have had four sinus surgeries over the course of my 26 years on this earth. When these new headaches started four months ago, I naturally assumed it was my sinuses causing the pain: I was partly correct.
My Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (ENT) ordered a CT scan to see what was going on. By this time however, the pain in my head had changed and the frequency of my headaches had increased. Every time I had a headache, it felt like a semi-truck had ran over my head and this was occurring about twice a week. When the results of my CT scan came back, my ENT said that my sinuses were completely blocked and that my sinus passages were narrowing and that another surgery was necessary. However, the disappointing news was that my ENT felt that my headaches could not be 100% attributed to my sinuses, and that surgery could make my headaches worse. The headache problem had to be solved before surgery. So he referred my to a neurologist.
In between that time my headaches got worse. I was having headaches 3-4 times a week and not only was the pain as if my head had been run over by a semi, but then run over again by that same semi with some personal vendetta against me. The most frustrating part? Needing to see another specialist. That means more time waiting for relief and answers.
Upon seeing the neurologist, she ordered an MRI, started me on a medication routine and referred me to ANOTHER specialist because she couldn’t see back into my left eye, indicating a pseudotumor. I see this specialist tomorrow. Then I can finally see her again to know what is causing these headaches. This is of course assuming that the MRI and the work-up done by the ophthalmologist are conclusive in some way. In the mean time, the medication has been partly helpful, and partly not.
It’s really irritating that in today’s healthcare system that it takes this many steps to find a solution. In my case, while I am waiting months for that solution, I am in agony and relying on doctors to find out what’s wrong and to take care of me. My health and well-being is really in their hands, and I am being passed through a lot of hands. I am depending on them. At the end of the day, what other choice do I have?
Until next time,
Sam
A Forever Patient: A Day in the Life 