A humble & heartfelt Thank You!

WOW! So many comments, you have no idea how touching it is to see all your kind words and well wishes -   I sincerely thank each and everyone of you!

I have returned from the hospital in one piece. Well almost... It was one of the toughest ordeals I have had to go through, mentally and physically very draining.

One of the tests I took is called Lumbar Puncture (to diagnose brain and spinal cord disorders), and  unfortunately for some, (me included), the effect of taking fluid from your spine means you can get a severe headache for nearly 2 weeks afterwards That is exactly what I am experiencing now and the only way to get through this is by laying down, barely able to raise my head or it feels like it's exploding :-(

As you can imagine with a very active 3 year old at home, this is not the easiest of tasks. Therefore my Mum has flown in from Sweden, like a modern day Florence Nightingale  to help out. My gratitude to her is endless as she is cooking, cleaning, dropping Sean off and picking him up at nursery, grocery shopping and last but not least practising one of her many skills, reflexology, on me.

 The good news is that we have eliminated many illnesses including MS and other serious neurological disorders. 
We are still waiting for more test results to come back, but as of right now, my doctor has narrowed my symptoms down to a muscle disorder which we are trying to cure with different medicine, and my cocktail of drugs each night contains of nearly 15 pills. However, I don't mind taking meds as long as I never have to be separated from my family again!

Here are a few things I've learnt as an in patient at the hospital:

 - Basic health is something most of us take for granted - we should never do so!!

- Nothing can replace the love and support of family and friends

- Humour is the best medicine

 - Last but not least; whenever you feel that your life is not good - remember there are so many worse        off

Our Doctors and nurses are doing a fantastic job in difficult circumstances and often long hours (my thanks to the wonderful team at the National Hospital of Neurology)

This large scanner (MRI) used magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a very detailed image of the inside of my body, incl my spine, neck and brain

Admitted to hospital

After having tests done (EMG & nerve conduction studies) and seeing a neurologist on Friday, he decided I need to be admitted to hospital for a few days in order to take more tests. Uncertainty and fear are both understatements of how I am feeling as I am packing my hospital bag, about to leave my boys for a few nights.

Will update once I know more, but in the meantime, here is a little info about where I'm going:

"The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), Queen Square, is the UK's largest dedicated neurological and neurosurgical hospital. Celebrating 150 years this year, it provides comprehensive services for the diagnosis, treatment and care of all conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system and muscles. Services include specialist neurosurgery, a brain tumour unit, the Hyper-acute Stroke Unit (HASU), an acute brain injury unit, the National Prion Clinic, a pioneering neuro-rehabilitation unit, the UK's first interventional MRI scanner, the largest specialised neurosurgical ITU and the only neuromedical ITU in the country. Together with its neighbour, the Institute of Neurology, it is a major international centre for research and training"

Urge to gamble & increased sexual desire!

I am currently taking new meds for my Restless Leg Syndrome, that is originally prescribed for patients with Parkinsson, and only today I noticed something peculiar on the info leaflet.  


Today I am on my fourth day on Requip Ropinrole for my RLS (the previous one I took for nearly 2 months called Gabapentin for epilepsy, didn't help at all), and so far I haven't yet seen any improvements, so for the first time I decided to have a look at the information leaflet to see if perhaps it takes a while for it to kick in. To my surprise I read the following (too good not to be shared!):


" Some people taking Requip have had a compulsive urge to gamble. If you or your family notice that you feel an unusual urge to gamble or increased sexual desire urges, talk to your doctor"


 Hubby - you have been warned! LOL