General Medicine

» rrac29166 - Psuedo Tumor

My co-worker/friend/prayer partner has been diagnosed with a psuedo tumor. They (the doctors) have not told her much about it, and seem to be using her as a guinea pig. They are talking about placing a shunt. She is not sure she wants to go through this. Does any one have any research on a natural cure for psuedo tumors? Please help! We are desperate. I can't stand seeing her in so much pain and want desperately to find a way to truly help her.

-- posted by rrac29166

» Elaine Moore - Psuedo Tumor

In response to Psuedo Tumor posted by rrac29166:
Hi,
Could this be a pseudotumor cerebri that your friend has? This condition is related to a number of different medications, and frequently shunts are used to relieve cerebral pressure. Let me know if this is what you mean and i can find you more information.

» lesliea65265 - Psuedo Tumor

In response to Psuedo Tumor posted by rrac29166:

Hi! I've had this since 2005, six months after having my first child.
Many doctors don't know much about it. Basically, my third neurologist found a simple way to explain it- my brain was producing fluid that my body became unable to absorb. It kept producing the fluids, building up until it tried to get out of any thing it could- including my optic nerves.
This doctor, who is wonderful, ordered three lumbar punctures to withdraw the fluid from my spine and get my pressure back to normal. The pressure is what causes the headaches. Then, I was placed on Diamox 3x a day. I also lost pregnancy weight, and for some reason, weight loss helps in people who are overweight. Dr. Sher talked about a shunt, but he said it was only if we couldn't control this. We used other methods to do it. It wasn't a first choice.
I now can control my disease and am down to 1 Diamox a day. I know if I eat too much salt or eat out too frequently, it can flair up. If I'm under too much stress, I double up on pills. If I do have a flair up that can't be corrected in a few days, I can tell the symptoms (noise in my ear, pressure on the back of my neck and front of my head, yes, even pain in my eye), I call my neurologist and get in to for a lumbar. Then I'm good to go.
A lumbar puncture isn't that bad. They put a needle in one of your lower vertebrates and withdraw the fluid to a safe level.
I hope this helps!

-- posted by lesliea65265

» Elaine Moore - Psuedo Tumor

In response to Psuedo Tumor posted by lesliea65265:
It does sound like pseudotumor cerebrii, and it sounds as though you have it in good control. I know people who've had shunts put in years ago for this condition and it works well if you end up eventually needing one. I think if you do a google search on this condition, you'll find lots of good information particularly at the eMedicine website. Best, Elaine