Fiercely Independent Pam

Tag: VP Shunt

  • IIH Is A Scary Disease That Always Raises Questions at the ER- Especially About the VP Shunt.

    I don’t always talk about specific health issues I have. Sometimes, when something is going wrong, like with my shunt, I write about it. Having the shunt is because of my IIH- This was discovered in Florida when my eyes started to be difficult and I was diagnosed with papilledema, which is dangerous, sometimes permanent optic nerve swelling. It is treated with eye drops that are similar to eye drops used for glaucoma. I’ve been using these eye drops for a couple of years now. The doctor believes that beyond treating the optic nerve swelling, it is good preventative treatment for glaucoma since I have such a strong family trend. I constantly live in fear that the optic nerve swelling will be permanent and I will lose vision.

    Recently, I also was diagnosed with Giant Cell Artemis, where I lost a lot of my peripheral vision and it still hasn’t come back, despite having the VP Shunt. I am on high dose steroids (dexamethasone) and I just got a new medication after the prior authorization. Hopefully, I can start cutting back on the steriods.

    IIH is a scary disease, where you never know what is going to happen and the ER is always concerned with the VP Shunt.

  • My Love Affair with a Hospital: Adventures at MUSC

    Well it’s been a hot minute since I’ve added a new post. I have been busy with health stuff including making a transfer of sorts from a local hospital in Myrtle Beach to MUSC in Charleston. I love MUSC; I love the team centered approach, the willingness to think outside the box, and most importantly that they put patients ahead of profit. I went from needing another brain surgery to “just” needing a tune up of meds. Such a relief.

    So, I said my transfer was unique. I decided that I needed to make a change in care as I was simply spinning wheels at the local hospital. They were making calls and shot and hoping they would work. So, I decided to take a giant leap of faith and discharge from the local hospital and find a way to MUSC.

    Luckily, I have an amazing tribe (See here for a post dedicated to them). My dear friend answered the tribe “bat call” and agreed to bring me on Monday. It was a leap of faith for sure because there was no guarantee that I would be admitted, but I was and here I am! I cannot stress enough the importance of having a tribe- and do not be afraid of adding new people, sometimes they just need to be asked.

    Beyond the excellent care and better food, I love having a team of med students- attendings guiding my care. I hope my case teaches them something too. They all treat with care and understanding instead of the bare minimum just to check off a box. MUSC truly is a special place.

    Now comes my biggest hurdle, transportation. I no longer drive and rely solely on others to get around. Usually for any local trips, I am able to rely on the bus at my community. I also got a text message from a new local company that I recently tried that just purchased a wheelchair accessible van! Of course there is a fee, but I feel like that has opened some doors for me. Never stop looking for solutions.

    Until tomorrow, I am safe, pain is being managed, and transportation will work itself out somehow. It’s much easier to “keep the faith” when you are at a place like MUSC.

  • Medical Providers: It Only Takes One to Feel Better!

    Have you ever had the experience with medical providers where you feel like saying “WoW, how refreshing to not have to battle with your providers?” I am currently in the hospital awaiting a lumbar puncture and am so excited to state that this is my experience right now! The hospitalist comes in and wants to have a conversation about what is going on with me. He listens and does not put up his “guard” when I suggest something or ask a question.

    This is a treat of sorts. I am very aware that providers are unfortunately not like this as the norm. Too often, providers are either too busy/overwhelmed to take the necessary time with a patient. Or sometimes a provider simply doesn’t like the fact that a patient might actually know more about a specific condition than the actual provider.

    Michael J. Fox speaks about this situation and essentially says the patient dealing with a specific illness is the expert on that illness. Of course we need medical providers that are experts as well, but please do not discount the experience of the patient.

    This is super common with women being gaslighted to believe that their symptoms, including pain are not real. This can be too easily chalked up to anxiety, depression, or extra weight. It is so disturbing that even young, female providers do this often. I can totally appreciate the stress and enormous pressure of being a medical provider, but let’s meet in the middle and realize everyone is stressed out over a given situation.

    Tomorrow, I am scheduled for a lumbar puncture (LP). I am hoping to find some answers as well as a successful procedure with wonderful providers. I usually have excellent care with the Interventional Radiology (IR) department. They seem to love their job, as they are the “Macgyvers” of the medical world. Tomorrow also is the last day that my wonderful hospitalist is on my case. Fingers crossed that I find a provider that believes me and wants to partner with me for my care.

    So, I will wait and see. My prayers tonight are for a successful LP, that the LP provides information to direct care, and a quiet wish to be able to go home asap. What are your experiences with providers? How do you do to honor those that are excellent? What makes you draw the line and make a formal complaint? I’d love to hear from you!