So, for several months, I have been having a lot of vision problems and headaches. At first, I thought the headaches and vision stuff was just left over from all the autoimmune problems I was having last year (which in part is why I can’t accurately determine when I developed this pseudotumor problem). However, my vision got so bad, I began to think I had a genuine problem (also that my house might be haunted because my vision issues involved the walls, curtains, etc. seeming to move and roll around). Back in January, I scheduled a vision appointment. The tests showed something a little odd, so they recommended that I see a neurologist. Unfortunately, no appointment was available until mid March (the Monday of finals week, no less).

When I finally got to see the neurologist, he said there was about a 95% chance I’m suffering from a pseudotumor. So, he immediately started me on a medicine called Diamox. The instructions were to take three pills per day. Unfortunately, by Tuesday afternoon (my 5th dose), I was feeling really sick from all the side effects. I later found out that an allergy to sulfa runs in my family, and sulfa is in this medicine. Unfortunately, the doctor says there is no alternate medicine, there is just this one to treat pseudotumors. As this was finals week, I ended up bombing the exams set for Wednesday, as I was disgustingly sick. Of course, I stopped taking the medicine Wednesday, but it didn’t wear off until Wednesday night. Upon contacting the doctor, they said to start with one per day and work up until I’m comfortable. I found that if I am sure to eat very well before taking my pill, I have fewer side effects. I’ve worked up to two per day, although I still don’t think I can handle three per day.

Now, doing poorly in my classes from my health issues is bad enough, but I figured I would just focus on getting better and not worry about this one (although, considering my massive problems finishing all the readings due to headaches and vision issues, not to mention the final week medicine problems, my overall grades ended up not being that bad). So, I waited for my authorization to come through for both a brain MRI and a spinal tap (otherwise known as a lumbar puncture). One week passed and I hadn’t heard anything. So, the Monday after my original appointment, I called my insurance company to see why it hadn’t been approved yet. What did they tell me? They hadn’t received a request from the doctor yet. What? Every other doctor I’ve seen sends these requests within the first day or two of seeing them! Come to find out, this particular NEUROLOGY office sends all their requests to a committee for approval before sending them to the insurance company (and can therefore take up to two weeks). What? I thought the insurance company was supposed to be the one that took forever approving things!

Anyhow, I finally got the go to schedule my appointments early last week. I was able to get in for my brain MRI Thursday of last week, but I couldn’t get in for my lumbar puncture until today. So, as of right now, I am forced to lie down flat until tomorrow morning with considerable pain and stiffness in my back. Every time I have to use the restroom or change positions, it hurts pretty  bad (the numbness from the shots they gave have worn off). It’s strange because it is such a small puncture, but it goes pretty deep into the spine, I think. Anyhow, I am seriously hoping I won’t be too sore to sit through my classes tomorrow.

I called my doctor after my procedure this morning and asked if I needed to schedule a follow up, or if he would advise me over the phone. The receptionist said “oh, it looks like you have an appointment set up for June”. JUNE? I am not waiting another two months. Especially since the doctor doing the lumbar puncture said my spinal fluid pressure was abnormally high (something like 32 when it should be about 20, and that’s with me taking this medicine to reduce pressure). So, I tell the receptionist this. She takes a message for me to send back to the doctor’s nurse. Finally, tonight, they called me back and said they can squeeze me in tomorrow morning at 8:50 am. Ugh. I hate to get up so early, and I’m sure I’m going to be sore and stiff, but I absolutely need to see the doctor to get a proper course of treatment.

Now, what’s the most demoralizing part of this story for me? The most common cause of a pseudotumor is weight gain (or being overweight). Fantastic. So, this is partially related to my autoimmune problems last year, as that is what caused me to gain so much freaking weight. Not to mention, I found that the other cause of pseudotumor includes certain medications, especially antibiotics. What was I on nearly the whole time I was abroad that brought on all my original autoimmune problems? Antibiotics! So, it seems pretty clear to me that this isn’t just extreme bad luck, but is related to my horrible health ever since I studied abroad (although studying abroad is great, I just got horribly unlucky with the antibiotic part of it). I’m not sure if I prefer it all being related or not. Either way, it is horribly depressing, and I am trying to do everything I can not to sink into depression and despair from all of this.

The most positive and helpful thing that has gotten me through this has been my family. That includes both my lifelong family as well as my boyfriend (we are at almost 3 months together now). My family and boyfriend have both been extremely supportive. Today, my boyfriend has been next to me all day, getting me food and waiting on me. He is the greatest, sweetest guy, and I love him so much. I don’t know how I would get through all this without him and the rest of my family.