Day 418

Poor Cassie...she did not have a good appointment yesterday.

After all the fussing I decided to go with Chris and Cassie to the appointment.  There we discussed how the insurance company is being an a**hole about the medication they want her to take so we can't get that filled.  Because she responded well to DHE during her hospital stay they've decided to give her the nasal spray version of it.  Now, we sort of have high hopes for this considering DHE is the only thing she has responded positively to but we understand that this isn't as strong as the IV version she had and can only be taken 2-3 times a week.  So, if she does respond well here are 2 scenarios it is good for:

1) It might give another medicine a chance to keep the headache away

2) She could take it before doing something socially and be able to tolerate attending.  For example, the movies; a trip to the mall with friends; a dance.

Now I know your thinking "school", but since she can only take it a couple of times a week I don't know if we can schedule school during her snorting...but we'll see.

Okay so that isn't a big deal right?  Well, I had suggested maybe another hospital stay to get the headache to zero and start again and was informed that they normally don't do that...the facility isn't set up for extended stays to try and find a medication regimen to keep the headache away.  So, they suggested a place that does such a thing...in Michigan.  Yup, Michigan...as in not near by...as in I see dollar signs.  But, before we can even think about doing something like that Cassie needs one more test done to complete her medical history.  You see, there is one test we haven't done yet because it didn't seem really necessary for her symptoms, but if we were to go to Michigan, or even to another headache place, they are going to want the results of this test in her file so we caved and decided it had to be done...a lumbar puncture.

A lumbar puncture is a fancy name for spinal tap and Cassie all but freaked out in the exam room when she heard it.  She's been steadfast against having one done and since it wasn't a priority we've let it slide because really...who wants one done?  So, Cassie was reassured that she can have a mild sedative (more Klonopin) to help relax her...but she wants to be put under.  LOL  Anyway, once those results come back then we can look at other options because...it's sad to say...they are running out in Lebanon.