November 14 2014 I was working a normal 12 hour shift at work. I am a respiratory therapist. I was rounding with a dr and was explaining to him how all day I was having these eexcruciating pains on the right side of my head. He told me He thought I had a severe ear infection and to go to an express care and getxan antibiotic. So I did. Well my blood pressure was 220/140 so I was immediately sent to the emergency room. They admitted me and said the pain was due to the high Blood Pressure. 2 months and the pin was still so intense I was so sick. And my blood pressure even after 5 different med changes remained extremely high. In January of 2015 I went to the er because I knew I was having a stroke. I was treated and admitted. They finally consulted a neurologist and I had several mris done. Then she came in and told me I had trigeminal Neuralgia. I was scared but happy I finally had some answers. I remained in the hospital while she game her "cocktail" of meds trying to break the cycle. It helped enough that I didn't feel like I wanted die. At that time I started on trileptal and topamax. Which seemed to some what work for a month or so and then the severe pin returned. And I was referred to a neurosurgeon at Ohio State. Had more specific MrIs don't there. Met with the amazing dr there and he was very upfront with me. Where my nerve is touching there wasn't muchthe MVD surgeryccould do. So we added neurontin to my pile of medications. During all of this I also was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, and a fully occluded right vertebral artery. In March of 2015 I saw my neurologist again and she stopped the topamax and just left me on trileptal and increased the neurontin ( due to getting kidney stones). My blood pressure was still out of control so more meds were added for that. I was feeling like a med junkie and hated it. I then began having horible stomach pain and horrible menstrual cramps. In march of 2015 I went to the er and ended up having an emergency gallbladder surgery. Which healed up nice and quick. Go see the woman dr and was told I needed to have a full hysterectomy. And they believe that will help with my blood pressure and the stomach pains I was having. In October of 2015 I had that surgery. They were unable to finish it laparoscopic so I ended up being cut from belly button down. A 1 hour surgery turned into 4 1/2 hours. Needless to say my family was scared. Go home 2 layers preparing my self to hes and all be good. Nope nope I can't be the easy patient. I got a. Small infection that ended up having to cause 6 more surgeries. Wound vac, home health 7 days a week, more meds, more pain. I really didn't think things get worse. March of 2016 stomach is still not healed and my blood counts were all over the place. Sent me to a oncologist. Ended up getting iron infusions for 6 months weekly. Then was sent to an endocrinologist in which she diagnosed me with cushings disease. Which would explain the non healing wound, facial hair starting, and massive weight gain. It's now July of 2017 and I am not fully healed still. My trigeminal Neuralgia hates me, and my Cushings is cyclical so it acts up when it wants to with no warning. Yes I have good days but also a lot bad days. But I could not be doing this with out my support system. My family and friends and especially my son has got me through every step of the day. I still have a long road ahead of me. I cannot wait for the day for the dr to say Melissa you can return work! Now to find a stethescope that won't send excruciating sharp pains in my ear and head.
List of diseases and conditions from November 2014 till July 2017
Trigeminal and Glassophryngeal Neuralgia (Right Side) 2015 Dx
High Blood Pressure 2014 Dx
Trigeminal and Glassophryngeal Neuralgia (Right Side) 2015 Dx
High Blood Pressure 2014 Dx
Diabetic type 2 2014 Dx
Large Abdominal Wound post hysterectomy in Oct. 2015
Depression & Anxiety 2016 dx
Anemic 2015 Dx
Myleoproliferative Blood Disorder
Hiatal Hernia
Possible cyclical Cushings Syndrome / Disease
Right Vertebral Artery Occlusion
Enlarged spleen and liverclusion
Enlarged spleen and liver
If anyone wants to talk i talk I am always here email me at
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im on Facebook Melissa Bailey Salsberry
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