In a nut shell, I am neither better nor worse. Just different.

I am stronger now, basically over the hospital. I am starting to get back into dance classes, taking half a hip hop class here and there. Yay fun! 

On the symptoms side, I'm now mostly getting a chronic fatigue type feeling. Like I want to fall asleep all the time. It's kind of a new issue for me. I'm still getting the low level headaches, but no longer getting the severe headaches. To be honest, I wish I could trade back. The tiredness is really holding me back and trapping me a bit. I would swap the tiredness for occasional severe pain if I could. I can zen-work with pain. Tiredness is hard to power through when all I want to do is pass out...

I've finished researching the medication the headache specialists recommended at UCLA. They recommended I take small doses of Nortriptyline which is an antidepressant that has been found to help relax muscles in small dose. I'm always skeptical of medications, and with good reason. There are always side effects. 

Although the doctors say there are usually only mild side effects, it looks to me there are quite a few that I'd like to avoid risking altogether such as dependency, too sleepy or not sleepy, and crazy dreaming. (Those interested in more see here: http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=73553&name=NORTRIPTYLINE%20HCL)

So, I've decided to forgo the medication and seek other treatments such as, but not limited to, massage therapy or herbal natural remedies. Also, I'm looking into other possible causes for my headaches, such as a sleeping disorder or sinus infection. I will be meeting with a bunch of other doctors and getting a sleep test done.

If I had to guess, I'd put my money on a combination on my head pressure and a sleeping disorder as being the cause. And the blending is making it difficult to diagnose. I am making progress on narrowing down the answer, and I know it will come! I just don't know when...

Good thing I am blessed with a ton of patience :)

I am much healthier and stronger now. I am eating regularly, and starting to get outside and exercise again. I can't wait to take dance classes again! Went to UCLA medical to meet with Dr. Yamasaki and discuss possible other causes of headaches. She was cheerful and peppy, and made me do all kinds of silly tests like tapping knees, checking memory, and seeing if I knew what year it was. I thought today was the 12th, but otherwise passed all the tests including remembering blue \ horse \ cook as three words given to me at the start. Fun image! After much consultation with other doctors in the center, she returned with a gaggle of doctors to suggest that I have a muscle tension headache. I will be taking super small does of an antidepresant which has the effect of relaxing brain muscles over time. Takes about 3 to 6 months to determine whether or not it is working. And if it works, then it's done, and I don't need to take the meds anymore. Super cool and promising. I'm always wary of taking medication, and will be researching this one thoroughly before I put it in my mouth. On the plus side, it will cure my severe depression :D

I have gotten much stronger and can now walk by myself easy. I'm used to taking 7 dance classes a week, so my "slowness" has been maddening. Psyched to be strengthening quickly! I'm now back in my apartment. I forgot how good it makes me feel to see at the things I've built and all the items I've earned through personal growth.

The extreme flu symptoms, such as chills and hot flashes, have left. Yay! Starting to eat food regularly again. Watching entirely too much TV. It's been great to have Mom and Dad visiting me. I love seeing them <3 p="p">