I woke up this morning knowing and dreading having to go to therapy. By therapy, I mean physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Yes, it's recommended that I work with all three of them! I have been trying to learn my "new normal" after I had what was diagnosed as a Complex Migraine Stroke in August 2022. That day, I initially had pain and tingling running down the right side of my neck and right arm with a headache that was so painful. My wife and son made me go to the hospital ER despite my, "I just want to take a Tylenol and lay down." argument. Within a few minutes, I was losing strength on my whole right side and ended up being practically being carried into the hospital. At this point, I am now convulsing and my speech is so slurry that I'm almost incoherent. They treated me as a stroke victim and put me through MRIs and labs. They ruled out a "true" stroke... and sent me home worse than when I came in. I saw a Neurologist 6days later and was told she wanted to perform numerous scans & tests but since they were going to be outpatient, it could take a couple of weeks. In this appointment I was so bad she discussed the early onset of MS or some other neurological disorder but warned my wife that if ANYTHING seemed worse to get me into the ER and I would be immediately admitted per her notes. So, 12 days later I was admitted and stayed for 7 days being put through every test under the sun. Upon admittance, I had had a constant headache since the "stroke-like" incident, I could barely walk without assistance, my speech sounded like a two-year-old, and my strength on my entire right side was almost nonexistent, and I was so tired I could barely stay awake. And no physician or specialist could figure out what was wrong. They even brought in psych. Then finally, I was diagnosed with having had a Complex Migraine Stroke, Hemiplegic Migraine disease, Brocas Aphasia, and spinal fluid buildup in my brain. I was sent home with Depakote and told that I should get my abilities back soon. I was also told that I can't work or drive indefinitely or until my abilities return. It has been 5 freakin' months; 4 visits with neuro, not to mention, I've been seeing these damn therapists since early November 2022. I just don't see the point in working with them anymore. I have great days where I wake up headache-free and I have my right foot turned in just a bit so I'm limpy but I'm otherwise fine. But more often than not, I wake up to a wicked headache, I am slurring my words, I drop everything I touch it seems like, and I have absolutely no energy and sleep the day away. Regardless of the therapies I'm receiving, on the bad days I revert right back to my bad, initial symptoms. They are even looking at diagnosing me with Functional Neurological Disorder, which means "we know you have something neurologically wrong with you (aside from the Migraine diagnosis) but it's related to how the brain functions vs damage to the brain's structure." Ultimately, I'm screwed- no known exact cause or cure. Eff me right?! Anyways, my post for the day is I DID NOT go to any of the therapies and I sit here feeling sorry for myself. Happy Tuesday. Tomorrow is a new day, right?
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