The MRI results are back....

[stefanies]

So I had my MRI on Friday and got the report yesterday. Basically, nothing has changed. I still have damage to my cerebellum...which makes sense since that is the part that deals with balance and coordination and I'm still having issues with that. (My friend who is a dr helped me read the MRI, but honestly, it wasn't too hard to comprehend). I just started physical therapy again to help with that.
I'm a little upset. I assume it would have been gone by now, or at least smaller, but it is basically the same as it was in Feb. I see the surgeon next week. I wonder how he'll explain brain trauma after an MVD.
There is a line in there from the radiologist, who doesn't know what happened, just that I have TN, and it states, "Is there a history of head trauma??" Very comforting. You don't have to reply, just felt like venting. Luckily I'm on Cymbalta and it keeps me from crying all the time now! Good thing I'm on that now that I have these results!

[irishchick]

Stephanie, I am so sorry to hear about your results. Do they expect your balance and co-ordination to improve in the near future? I hope so hon, this is the last thing you need after an MVD. I am going back to see my surgeon in January about headaches since my MVD in March 2005. He neglected to dictate an OR report however, so I don't know what he will be able to tell me.

A med student told my that it isn't unusual for the C1 nerve to be damaged during the surgery, which coincides with my headache pattern. Fun wow.

I am thinking of you, in the meantime hold onto those walls when you walk!

Karen

[baywatcher]

Oh Stefanie, what a disappointing bit of news. I find my poor balance to be quite an annoyance, and sometimes more than an annoyance when it results in a fall. I hope that you're able to manage safely - it takes thinking ahead sometimes and so I send my sympathy and support. Was there any prognosis as to possible improvement in the future?

Hugs to you, wish it were more substantial help, Nancy

[stefanies]

Well, I see the surgeon on Thursday to see what he says. I'm curious to see what he says when he sees these results. I went into the OR with a normal brain and walked out with brain damage. I wonder what his answer will be. I'm sure it'll be something useless.
No one knows how much I will improve. My neuro said it can take years. I am now starting PT again for balance issues and continue to do stuff at home. My left side is fine, it's my right that is still weak and hard to manage.
It's just tough b/c I'm young and used to doing all these things like before and now I can't. It wouldn't be as bad if I was at least free of TN and ON, but to have to deal with all that pain and the balance issues is really rough. Thank God for psychologists! LOL

[Artist1]

You have really been through it. It just doesn't seem fair that you go through all of that and get additional problems. What do the Dr.'s say? I mean as far as what they can do for you, the prognosis, etc.

I know that its miserable when things don't go right. I have a spinal fluid leak that I think is being pretty persistant, as my MVD was in July. But my problems seem small compared to yours. I do hope that things go better for you soon.

Kellie

[stefanies]

Well, I see the neurosurgeon tomorrow afternoon. I am not looking forward to it. I need to know what happened to me during the surgery, but I have to ask in a way that doesn't come off as mean. But then again, he hasn't been the one suffering for the past 10 months.
My MRI showed that there is damage to my right cerebellar hemisphere. The report asks "Is there a history of trauma??"
The only trauma I had was from my MVD. Now it all makes sense. The cerebellum is the part of your brain that deals with balance, muscle tone, and all the stuff I was/still am, having issues with.
I'm wondering if I had an instrument dropped on my head. I can't imagine what else would do this to me.
I am starting another physical therapy session next week to help more with balance. I am better, but not near where I was.
I forwarded the report to my regular neuro and told her I would call her Friday to tell her what the surgeon said. I'm sure she is not happy with the report either. And this stuff, if it heals at all, can take years. That's what I have been told.
If I could have at least gotten rid of the TN, maybe that would make this easier. But I am on a higher dose and added Cymbalta. And I'm not loving the ON either.....no fun!