The BICH is back!

1 minute read time.

FormerMember

17 Sep 2011

No, it's not a spelling error. BICH stands for Benign IntraCranial Hypertension. It's a condition that I suffer from where the pressure of the Cerebro-Spinal fluid builds up and causes pressure on my brain. This results in severe headaches, dizziness, nausea (sometimes vomiting) and extreme tiredness.

The only treatment for this is lumbar puncture to relieve the pressure. Apparently there are diuretics available which work directly on the brain, but they are reluctant to prescribe them because of the severe side effects. I am lucky in that I have only ever had one lumbar puncture. I do get a flare up of the condition from time to time, but it usually settles on it's own, so fingers crossed that will be the same this time.

My problem this time is that the dizziness is really bad, worse than it has been in the last few flare ups.

Just have to take it in my stride! I need some luck in my life for a wee change, so maybe I will win the lottery tonight. First time I've bought a ticket since I can't remember when.

So, the dizzy blonde (all natural) will having everything crossed for tonight's draw hee hee.

Hope you are all having as good a weekend as possible.

Love, Christine xx

FormerMember over 13 years ago

Good luck with that ticket Christine, I hope you feel better soon. Ann x
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FormerMember over 13 years ago

Oh Christine, that is rubbish! I think you deserve some luck too and as our collective appendage crossing seems to have worked very well recently I will do a bit of it for you tonight.. will expect a share in the winnings though so I can get a hip replacement ha ha all these crossed legs are causing them problems :o)

I hope it goes quickly this time and you don't need a puncture (sure the dizziness isn't the vodka?)

Big hug and seriously, I hope you feel better soon

Little My xxxx
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FormerMember over 13 years ago

Christine, I am so sorry that the BICH has reared its ugly head again. dizziness is so awful, makes you feel so sick.

i hope that the lumbar puncture is carried out speedily and effectively.

good luck with the lottery

xx
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FormerMember over 13 years ago

Hi Christine ,

Good luck with the lumbar puncture. Hope the dizziness gets better soon. Look after yourself.

Take care and be safe Big Hugs Love Jackie.xx
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FormerMember over 13 years ago

Thanks everyone. I meant to mention also that this condition can cause blindness. Something I wasn't told. I only found out whilst talking to a man in the waiting room of the Southern General Hospital. His wife had just gone in to see the doc and he mentioned that her condition can cause blindness. I asked the name of the condition, but he couldn't remember the long title. I asked if it was the same condition as mine and mentioned the name and he said, "Yes, that;s it!" When I got in to see the doc I asked about this and he said that it was right enough, but I was lucky that I have the type of eyes that can withstand the pressure. Apparently that was the reason I was getting all the eye tests that I was. Nobody thought to tell me though!

Earlier I had been having some tests done by the junior doctor and he explained what benign meant. Apparently I have to worry if it becomes raised intracranial pressure. I asked what the symptoms of that would be, but he just kept saying, "You don't have to worry about that, you are being closely monitored". To this day I still don't know what the symptoms are and I am no longer being monitored. Scary indeed!

Little My, you might have a point regarding the vodka, maybe it's withdrawals. After all I am shaking from head to toe lol.

Thanks again for the lovely replies guys.

Love, Christine xx
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