ETV Failure Guinea Pig

The past weekend was one for the books.  I had another episode of sleeping the days away.  I was going to write this post with a morbid feel to it…because that’s how I’ve been feeling the last few days.  Then, a little while ago, I decided to hell with it!  I won’t.  Because doing so would be like saying I’m giving up.  Doing so would mean that I have given up on myself and refuse to fight.  I might not be able to eradicate this condition from my body but I sure as hell can choose how I am going to react to whatever it throws my way.

On Friday night, I was tired…more so than normal.  It was a long and hard week, so I wrote it down to that.  Also, my 5-year old daughter is still getting into bed with us and delivering some much-unwanted sleep disturbance.  Therefore, when I woke up on Saturday morning not because my body had, had enough sleep but because I had a pulsing throb in my head…I knew (before opening my eyes) it wasn’t going to be a good day.  I, however, did not expect it to be a repeat of my previous occurrence…as well as this time…

Needless to say, I slept all day on Saturday, Sunday and most of Monday (thankfully a public holiday).  My body rebelled against any form of housework.  I just about managed to shower and get back into my PJ’s.  Taking comfort in the solitude of my bedroom after going upstairs, just meant sleeping in my sons’ bed or sleeping on the couch…purely to be in the presence of my husband and kids.  I feel bad at these times because it feels as if sleeping is taking up the quality time I should be spending with them.  However, I literally cannot control it and no matter what I do at this time…my eyes refuse to stay open.  Brain tired and limbs refusing to move, I managed to skip lunch and dinner and with the odd cup of tea or glass of water, nothing else passed my lips.

My head was spinning and at least the headache was bearable and didn’t last too long.  I remember popping some Tramadol but nothing major, I’ve had worse.  I was so nauseous and feeling terribly seasick, just moving an inch made me want to hurl…I never did though.  Added to this, I’ve had a nagging little feeling at the bottom back of my head, just behind my ears, which throbs from time to time.  It’s more annoying than anything else.

Based on my previous experience I refused to subject myself to a visit to the Emergency room and thought it would just pass.  However, it’s now 6 days later and I’m still not feeling myself.  I’ve managed to get through work…just…and the only difference this time is that I am unable to concentrate fully on work (this is new).  I feel as if I’m struggling a bit and feel as if nothing is getting done.

I’m frustrated and more than this, I will admit…I’m scared.

OK…that’s where the morbidity stops!

I’ve decided that it’s no use worrying about this.  What’s my major concern? (You might wonder).  Well…I am growing aware that this is becoming more frequent and since I was told there’s a possibility of slipping into a coma, I’m seeking help.  I’m patiently waiting for a date to see a Neurosurgeon via the public health system.  I realize that this is going to take time and I probably won’t see him for a few more weeks…months even.  It’s not within my control…  All I need is confirmation that my ETV is still functioning as expected and that these sleeping episodes aren’t anything serious.

I haven’t experienced ETV failure before but I know what symptoms to look out for.  I am going to regard myself as a guinea pig to see where this leads to, for anyone curious enough to know or who possibly has an ETV as well.  From my interaction with others who have actually had these failures, I certainly have a reason for concern…only time will tell.  One thing I know for sure, if asked whether or not this is affecting my Quality of life again, my answer will definitely be YES!.

I’m left wondering if it really is such a good idea to disregard my symptoms above if they are void of any vomiting and persistent headache.

I’ll keep you posted as best I can…