ESS & IIH

The results of the MRI are in and the doctor just gave me a call. He actually had the MRI's since Wednesday but has been looking them over and doing his research for the past few days trying to diagnose exactly what he saw. So here we go...

There are two things he discovered, and the second one is a result of the first one.

First, he found that I have Empty Sella Syndrome, also known as ESS. Here is a link that explains ESS:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000349.htm

So the second thing he found is Idiopathic Intracranial Hyptertension, or IIH. This link explains it pretty well and in lamens terms:
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch216/ch216c.html

So the next step is going to see a brain neurologist where they will more than likely do a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to see what the next course of action is.

I am not going to lie, I am uneasy about all of this because it involves my brain...but in another way I am glad the doctors found something so I can hopefully be treated. So many things I have been experiencing over the past year make sense now. I remember I blogged earlier in the year about being tired all the time and being naseous in the mornings and even thinking I was pregnant because of the symptoms. Then there are the daily headaches that I just figured were caffeine related. And then of course the ear problem. So in a way it's good to know I am not going crazy or just a wimp.

I also read that conditions associated with this IIH are anemia and ventricular heart problems...two things I have been diagnosed with and am on medication for...very interesting.

I will keep you posted.