A short while back, I wrote about the incredible headaches I was having. I had them every day for about three months following walking pneumonia. After months of both issues (since the beginning of the year), I only got back to work a few weeks ago. This is because my new neurologist found a migraine drug that worked. It’s called Qulipta. I take it every day, and then Nurtec as a rescue medication. Compared to before, I hardly have headaches, and when I do, they don’t last as long as they did before. Whew!

In the meantime, I was sent for an MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography – also known as a magnetic resonance angiogram). This is similar to an MRI, but it specifically examines the blood vessels, arteries, and other related structures. There’s only one place in the entire Coachella Valley that does this test, so the waiting list was pretty drawn out. From the first time I saw the neurologist (March) until I did the test (May), I had to wait another four weeks to see the neurologist and discuss my test results. Even then, my appointment was moved up due to a cancellation. This is either how healthcare is now, or it’s because of my cheap-ass insurance. 

In any case, I was expecting the doctor to tell me that nothing was found in my brain, and it was probably all psychosomatic. I’ve been used to this kind of answer from my past, back when I was trying to get a diagnosis regarding why my legs were so weak and achy (I could hardly walk), I had pins and needles down to my feet, I was dizzy, tired, and shook like a leaf. For years, I had a “probable” multiple sclerosis diagnosis before I was finally told it was CNS (central nervous system) lupus, which has symptoms that are nearly identical to MS. Once I got on the correct medication for that, my symptoms seemed a lot more manageable with the ton of meds I take. But before all that, I began to think I was just going crazy.

A few years into the whole lupus business, my eyes began to feel strained, and my vision had obstructions. It was in with one eye or both eyes. After some tests, I learned I also had lupus vasculitis in my eyes, and so began the immunosuppressants. More drugs! But the vasculitis went away because of those immunosuppressants, and I felt like I got lucky. However, just before my top surgery, I had to stop them and never went back on them. My then rheumatologist retired, and now I have a new one who took over all her patients. She doesn’t spend the same kind of time with me that my old rheumatologist did, but I have no other choice of rheumatologists anywhere in the Coachella Valley or up in the high desert. The new one hasn’t put me back on them, so whatever. 

Since the long stint of migraines, that straining pain in my eyes has come back. It’s not every day now, but it’s there again since the headaches. The Qulipta has not helped with that. But still, I’m glad the migraines are a lot less now. Counting my blessings, as they say.

Back to the neurologist. The day before yesterday, I finally saw her, and, as I mentioned, I expected to be told that those headaches were a figment of my imagination. But no, not a figment. I have an actual 4 x 4 x 4 millimeter-sized aneurysm in my brain, and it’s located in a very vulnerable spot.

Based on where it is (the Azygous A2 segment of the cerebral artery), if this thing were a 5 mm size, it would be more likely to rupture sooner rather than later, so it’s serious. To make things more complicated, the azygos anterior cerebral artery is a rare variant of the circle of Willis where the two A2 segments of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) join to form a single trunk. Apparently, only .4-1% of the population have this.

Even now, I’m not in the “do nothing and wait” category. Now I have to see a neurosurgeon and another doctor called a neurointerventionalist. I’m hoping I get the authorization for the neurointerventionalist first because they may have a less invasive option than brain surgery. I may just need a cerebral angiogram, which does hold some risks, but I guess I prefer it to opening up my skull! Ahhh!

So, that’s the long and the short of it. I mean, am I scared? Well, yes. It’s also inconvenient since I was told not to exert myself, pull on Ruby’s leash, or lift anything (even groceries), and I probably shouldn’t be driving either. At least not long distances (but that’s according to AI). 

Other than that, I am going in for a fourth back procedure on Monday (an epidural in my L-spine). But that seems easy-peazy in comparison to what’s coming. Yeah.