Thanks to Ella for emailing me with this link. I was wondering how everyone has been doing. Wow, it's been a long time since seeing all your fabulous "faces" and names. I wonder what happened to our boards?
Well, life post-MVD still sucks a bit, but I am getting stronger. I started back to work sept 1st. I was supposed to only do part time for two weeks, but I am still not strong enough to do full time yet, so I am on disability half the day and work at my job 20 hours a week. Someday I'll get back there full time! LOL
I can't believe this week will be my 9-month post MVD anniversary! I thought life was bad before my MVD, I had no idea how worse it could get! So that was what I learned from this experience...it can always be worse...
I'm supposed to go see my surgeon this month for another MRI and see if the damage to my brain has resolved, but honestly, I don't want to see this guy, so I'm having a lot of mental struggles trying to decided if I should even bother going. I think I'd have to take a "happy pill" before I had to see his face again. I can't help blame him for ruining my life...even if it wasn't on purpose....
So that is where I've been. Anyone miss me?? LOL
Have a great Sunday!
Stefanie

Silly question of course you've been missed! Heck, I miss being able to talk to everyone here, including you!!!!

Life has really been rough without BT and being able to connect...enough of that.

You're back at work so thats a big step from where you were before! I'm glad your getting stronger. After what you've been through, some people wouldn't be where you're at now!

I can understand your apprehension about going back to the doc. Can and will your DH go with you? I think it would be good for you to have support.
On my front, my job *&#%!!!! Aside from that, another drug change (now Lyrica and lexapro)! At least my body functions better on this mix. I think anyone with this #%$^*&# condition should get an honorary chemistry degree!!

Well, thats it for the moment! I am sincerely glad to hear of your progress and I hope it continues for you!
Big hugs to you, Ellena

Hi Stefanie and Ellena,
Nice to see both of you.

Stefanie, I'm so glad that email address I had saved for you is still active. So many people that need BT have no idea that this site is here. I only had a handful of emails and I sent out the word to everyone I had.

I don't know if either of you have anybodys email, but if you do, you should let them know too.

We've come to depend on the support from people in this site and I know that I felt a real void when it went down.

Stefanie the fact that you are back at work even part time is a step in the right direction. At least you are managing to function now. If I remember correctly, you had bad balance problems, trouble walking and the last thing I remember was you and Missyjo discussing a pain you were having in your scalp (I think).

I'm not so sure I would feel comfortable going back to see your doctor either. Do you have any other options? Maybe some other neuro guy in your area? I would have trouble trusting this Dr. again too. It's hard to know if everything that happened to you was a result of something he did or if it was just bad luck, but why put yourself through a session with someone you have no faith in anyway.

Anyway, nice to hear from you. Glad your back and doing better.

Ella

I have wondered and wondered how things were going for you, and it's certainly good to hear that you are able to get around enough to work half time. How is that doing, is walking any easier (and safer) for you now? I'm sure you'd like to have some assessment of how much damage your brain received, and how much more progress you can expect, but for myself I know that I probably could not drag myself back to the same guy. It's one thing to know that sometimes unforeseen things happen, but to consider putting myself into those same hands again . . . ? Couldn't do it. How great though to think that we can be back in touch, maybe we'll be able to share more good news as things slowly move toward a real recovery. Hugs, Nancy

Ellena, sorry your job sucks. I lucked out b/c at my work they HAVE to hold your job for 6 months. Most places it is 12 weeks. But then the vice president knows me and said she would hold it as long as needed. So that is the only reason I still have a job. The sad thing is, I hate this company. I've been here 10 years and I don't like it. So I feel like I should love them for holding it for me, but I can't help but still hate them a bit for other reasons! LOL But right now, I admit I am grateful I didn't have to stay on disability longer and do the new job thing.
About the surgeon. Here's the deal why I "want" to go back to him. When I was all messed up and couldn't walk and stuff he wanted an MRI to see if I had had a stroke. Well, the report came back saying it was normal. He, the surgeon, read the CD and found the damage in two images. So if it weren't for him, I would be going insane as to why I'm so messed up on the right side. My regular neuro would have gotten just the report saying I was fine.
I spoke to my neuro this week and she wants me to go back just to at least tell him I am not a success and to have him read the film.
Joe would definately go with me...so that's not a big deal. My parents would come if I let them but I'm afraid of what they would do or say! LOL
The MVD helped the shooting pains in my TN, however, the atypical pains have been back. I still have the Occipital neuralgia from the second surgery, and have gotten a ton of nerve blocks. The first few helped a bit, but then seemed to stop. I may go for another one in a few weeks.
My walking is better. I am about 80% where I was before...which kinda sucks if you think about it. Yeah it is better, but it should never have happened in the first place.
I am currently working hard on losing the steriod weight. I gained about 45 lbs (and I wasn't big to begin with!) in 6 weeks and lost about 27. It's tough b/c I can't exercise like I could before, so it is slower.
And someday, I'll be ready for a baby! (The real reason I went in for the MVD in the first place!) Even if the baby has to enjoy Keppra while in utero! LOL
Hey, has Lexapro ever helped nerve pain? My whole family is on it for other reasons. I just read that Welbuterin is being studied for nerve pain, so that is good. The more drug choices the better I always say!
Sorry so long, but I'm at work, so I got time!

You know, they have me taking Lexapro for GAD associated with this horrendous condition. They upped the dosage to 20 mg a day after my last "work" induced round of anxiety. But sadly, the Effexor XR was great on all nerve pain, at least in my case! So, after having the best for me, my comparison with my current meds is that they aren't as good as Effexor but they are controlling the pain.

Plus, I'm left to wonder if I'm having the withdrawal crap associated with no Effexor. At times I start to space out and there seems to be nothing I can do about it except be spacey!!!

I'm sure I'm staring at unemployment in my near future!

Boy, I hope this makes sense.