Some folks do very well with diamox, which keeps the cerebrospinal fluid under control in your brain, so to speak. I didn't do well with this med so I take neptazane which works the same way.
Other people need frequent LP's, while still other have shunts put in to continuously drain the fluid.
Being overweight seems to be a possible contributing factor, so of course losing weight could help. But, my pressure was high when I was 20lbs. lighter. How's that for denial.......
Anyway, there are treatments available. I think the hardest part of this condition is getting it properly diagnosed.
Dear Nancy:
I am a new member to this website, having been a former member on the Migraine website of About.com. I have read with interest your many, helpful postings (and Teri's!), and had a few questions about your experience with the Pseudotumor cerebri. Do you know if it is possible for intracranial pressure to excalate during Menses? I have suspected for many years that my migraines (hormonal 7-20 days per month starting with menses) are caused by excess fluid in my head. I am awakened from sleep by them. My specialist just did a pituitary MRI to rule out a mass (thank goodness), but I am wondering if fluid is accumulating at night in my skull to a point where it wakes me up, migrainous and nauseated, too late for a triptan to help. I am so relieved to see that diamox and the neptazane can help some patients without the shunt. I also read another post from a patient who had chronic sinusitis that was causing her migraines, but no runny nose, no fever, etc. I also have Hashimotos (like you!) and my temperature is always about 97-97.3. I am very thin (have PCOS and must stay thin to avoid cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc) but was taking Accutane back in the late 1990's for a while until I stopped due to terrible headaches. I guess my question is, can you have pseudotumor cerebri cyclically rather than 100% of the time? Thanks for any and all insights. My neuro has not ruled out the pituitary entirely since I have PCOS, hashimotos, ovarian cysts, endometrial/cervical polyps, and hormonal migraines.
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