I have to keep record of this somewhere
I had my WEB procedure March 10th, 2022. I noticed the headache I have had the last year seemed a little better the next day. I was discharged that afternoon.
The next day the headache was worse and continued to worsen until yesterday.
On March 16th I saw Dr Ho because my arm still hurt from the arterial line that was there and she scheduled an ultrasound the following day.
After the ultrasound I was taken straight to the ER where they explained that I had a 3 inch blood clot that needed immediate surgery or I might lose the arm. They were transferring me to Bergan Mercy where there was an arterial surgeon.
Their surgeon had another scan done and said that the actual blood clot was small, that the pain and swelling were from the artery being inflamed from the procedure.
Later I will comment on their pain "management".
I also told them about the head pain but felt that Both seemed trivial to all doctors and nurses there.
I was released again on the second day. I questioned Why would the artery be inflamed? Why did that not happen to everyone who had this procedure? My questions were ignored at best. I was told to use ice and tylenol for the pain and sent home.
The pain I was in was as close to unbearable as I have ever lived through. I knew without a doubt that if my family didn't need my income to survive together I would have killed myself. I don't have a gun and I didn't want to cause Dr. Gold any investigation if I overdosed so I thought I would find street drugs to use when I couldn't bear any more.
The head pain outstripped the arm pain during the next few days. By March 21st no headache medicine gave Any Relief At All. I have fioricet and excedrine and aimovig and imitrex on hand, the first 2 were dulling the pain a little until the 21st.
I called Immanuel Neurology and actually spoke to a human who advised drinking more water and seeing a doctor to check for a sinus infection.
I had wondered if steroids might help because I was told that the head pain after a WEB procedure and the artery pain were from inflammation. I sent this question through the My Chart ap (which they say is the best, fastest, way to communicate with your doctors office, and got no response. I did at least get a call back about the pain I was in 3 days later. They offered oxycodone which I already have and have told them has NO effect on head pain.
I went to the CHI Benson clinic where i at least felt i was treated with respect and concern. They did believe a sinus infection was possibly making things worse for me and offered Doxycycline. I asked if they would add a steroid and she readily agreed. I did not mention my hope that it might help more than a sinus infection.
I started the new meds that day and woke the next day with a "normal" headache. For the next 3 days this has continued. The headache does get worse as the day goes on but I have been more functional and feel I am controlling it with excedrine. I haven't thought about blowing my head off for 3 days. That's a plus.
The arm pain has either grown worse or more noticeable with the reduction of head pain.
I was very surprised to get a follow up call from Dr Singh who works with Dr Jani in neurology. I had net Dr Singh briefly in Immanuel ER before I was transferred to Bergan. He asked questions and LISTENED to my answers and says I should have another brain scan since the pain has now lasted so long.
I also got a call from a vascular surgery office because the Dr at Benson had actually called them. They scheduled me to be seen again on March 31.
