Mike started a new medicine on Sunday to raise his blood pressure. The thought is if we can keep his blood pressure up (it is usually quite low when he passes out) maybe he will stop passing out. Well, his pressure went as high as 194/103! Way too high! He said he could hear his heart beating in his head, and it was painful in a different way than his everyday headache.
Early Sunday morning he woke up with sever pain in his head. This happens often and is always an indicator it is going to be a "passing out" day. Becka asked him to use the wheelchair in an attempt to keep him safe, which he did very willingly. He woke up Monday morning and the entire left side of his body felt very strange, tingly and numb-a new symptom. Then around 8:00pm as he was headed into the bathroom he fainted and was out for 13 minutes. Becka noticed his eyes were moving back and forth rather quickly, also a new symptom.
He is waiting to hear back from a new neurologist and we are hoping for an appointment sooner rather than later.
So this is day one of spring break...praying day two will be better!
Thank you all for your constant prayers and encouragement to them. So many of you have been such a big support. It helps them make it through day by day!
Please click here for a way to help the Durkees.
Blessings to you all!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Update on Mike
Update sent from Kathy, Mike's mother-in-law:
After passing out yesterday at the hospital and being sent to the ER for 3 hours...Mike is having a much better day. His head doesn't seem to be as bad today as most days. He had a really nice visit with a good friend today, that always is a moral booster! I think he is really looking forward to Becka's spring break which is next week. Don't think they have much planned but so far it will be interrupted by only 1 doctor app't. That will be a nice break from what seems to be their new normal lately.
As far as what is going on with Mike medically...the doctors aren't sure what to do next. His primary doc, who is a friend and a great guy, is going to try him on a blood pressure medicine. The thought is if we can raise his blood pressure, which is low and seems to drop a bit when he passes out, maybe it will reduce the episodes. I think it is just something to try because they don't know what else to do.
While in the hospital yesterday, the ER doc recommended he try going to a research hospital. Apparently they are the ones who will look "outside the box" and look at rare conditions. No one seems to know why putting his chin to his chest causes him to pass out, why his protein level in his cerebral fluid is so high, or why his cortisol level is so low. Doctors don't seem to be able to piece it all together. He was given the name of a new neurologist who is local and may do his follow up with him.
For now, we are thankful he is having a better day! One day at a time!
Please see the post below to receive information on helping the Durkees.
After passing out yesterday at the hospital and being sent to the ER for 3 hours...Mike is having a much better day. His head doesn't seem to be as bad today as most days. He had a really nice visit with a good friend today, that always is a moral booster! I think he is really looking forward to Becka's spring break which is next week. Don't think they have much planned but so far it will be interrupted by only 1 doctor app't. That will be a nice break from what seems to be their new normal lately.
As far as what is going on with Mike medically...the doctors aren't sure what to do next. His primary doc, who is a friend and a great guy, is going to try him on a blood pressure medicine. The thought is if we can raise his blood pressure, which is low and seems to drop a bit when he passes out, maybe it will reduce the episodes. I think it is just something to try because they don't know what else to do.
While in the hospital yesterday, the ER doc recommended he try going to a research hospital. Apparently they are the ones who will look "outside the box" and look at rare conditions. No one seems to know why putting his chin to his chest causes him to pass out, why his protein level in his cerebral fluid is so high, or why his cortisol level is so low. Doctors don't seem to be able to piece it all together. He was given the name of a new neurologist who is local and may do his follow up with him.
For now, we are thankful he is having a better day! One day at a time!
Please see the post below to receive information on helping the Durkees.
Monday, March 22, 2010
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