Yes, you read that title correctly. Where are we at with my IIH diagnosis 2 years on?
It really has been 2 years since I was diagnosed with IIH, or Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension as nobody ever calls it.
If you’d like to, you can read the first couple of posts I wrote about my symptoms etc here:
Where are we at with my IIH diagnosis 2 years on?
But let’s get on with where we’re at right now.
I saw my neurologist yesterday and it was ok.
You might recall I last saw him in January where he told me my optic nerves were still swollen. He also told me that losing another 10 kilos would probably sort that issue out.
I found that incredibly frustrating to hear, for a couple of different reasons.
- The connection between losing weight and the reduction in spinal fluid that is floating around my head is unknown.
- I’ve lost 25 kilos so far and it hasn’t made much difference. Other than I am significantly smaller than I was a year ago and so much hungrier #sendcarbs #andwine
So to be completely honest with, I’ve lost bugger all weight since January. In fact I put on 3 kilos over Christmas – hello ham and champers – put I did lose it fairly quickly once I stood on the scales and realised the numbers were moving in the wrong direction.
The neuro asked me yesterday how I lost it quickly.
My answer? “I basically just shut my mouth.”
He laughed at that, which made me laugh and then he hit me with some information. And the laughter definitely stopped. For a few seconds, at least.
“Look” he said, taking off his glasses and leaning back is his chair, “I know it’s a bit sh*t and I know it’s hard but I think 5 more kilos will do it. Maybe 7. If you can do that, I’m fairly sure I can get you off the medication.”
Now because humour is my default setting, I shot back with, “Well ok then. If getting back to my high school weight at the age of 44 means I can get off the drugs, I’ll do it. 5 kilos is totally doable. I can do 7 kilos if I don’t drink any water a week before weigh in day.”
“Well that’s cheating!” he laughed.
“Good point. So can we just stick to 5 then? Nobody likes a cheater.”
He agrees to 5 and then tells me he’ll see me again in 3 months. He would like me to be 3 kilos lighter by then and says, “Some people can lose a kilo a week. I’m just asking for a kilo a month.”
“Who are these people?” I jokingly, “I can GAIN a kilo a week, no problems. But don’t worry. I get it. I’ll see you in 3 months and because I’m an overachiever, I’ll be 5 kilos lighter.”
Yesterday’s #sharedmystyle outfit: French Connection Biker Jacket – details here | Jacqui E top (not current) | Katies jeans – details here | Easy Step boots (not current)
So that’s where we’re at 2 years on.
2 optic nerves still swollen, 25 kilos down, 5 more to go.
Once I’m there and I’m officially off the 4,372* tablets I swallow a day, do you want to meet up for a non-fat double shot hold the everything vodka latte?
I feel like we should have some sort of party to celebrate. Cocktails with Kirsten? What do you think? I know I’ll be ready for a drink by then!
*not the exact amount but some days it sure does feel like it
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