shakeadoo4495

I'm in college right now, but I don't know if I will be able to finish because of all the pain I'm in with my condition. I was diagnosed less than a year ago. I haven't given too much thought about how to train for the rest of my life.

I really hope not. People on the Internet are weird. I don't want to know what you're thinking lol

1964, Lyndon B Johnson

There are a few options for treatment. The first option is repeated lumbar punctures. This is the option most people use as it is the non-surgical option. However, repeatedly having a large needle inserted into your back does't come without risks. There is always a chance of infections, meningitis, and Post Lumbar Puncture Headaches. Headaches after a lumbar puncture are the result of the puncture not healing correctly and spinal fluid continuing to leak out. It is incredibly painful and can cause seizures. If it happens they will have to do an epidural filled with the persons blood to patch the hole in the spine. It isn't a fun time. In order for spinal taps to be an effective form of treatment they have to be done regularly to keep the pressure down which can interfere with normal life. Even though they suck I still have them done. I am going to have another one done soon. Pressure can build up very quickly though so spinal taps alone can't always save someones vision.

The next option is shunts. Shunts are tubs that connect and drain fluid from the brain into the abdomen or the heart. However they often become infected and have to be replaced over time. A lot of people find them to be ineffective for a variety of reasons. They are also incredibly painful to have put in.

There is a newer treatment that doctors are starting to use that is brain stenting. It is just like having a stent put in the heart, though there is a little more risk since the materials are made to go in the heart and are being put in the brain. It is having a lot of success. I am actually having a scan done to see if I qualify for this procedure soon. Not everyone does though so there are no guarantees that it will happen.

I have known almost 9 months. I get angry. I get sad. I get bitter. It depends on the day. But originally they thought I had MS so I try to look at that and remember that things could be worse. I am receiving very good treatment. I just answered a question about treatment that went into some detail. It all really depends on how things progress. It is relatively new diagnosis for something so long term so I try to keep in mind that anything can happen. There are still surgical options I can look at.