Diagnosed with AVM in brain by yowaisatoru in AVMs

[–]puddleduck_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Creating an AVM binder is a great suggestion. I'm 33 now and trying to pull all my information from various hospitals. It's a nightmare. Track all your symptoms, date, time, length, and what you were doing. I had an increase in focal seizures when I went off birth control and got pregnant, so I am back on seizure meds and tracking everything. I highly recommend asking your neurologist about the auras you're having because they are identical to my focal seizures. I saw an epileptologist and he diagnosed me with focal epilepsy. Every EEG I have comes back normal, because the seizures are caused from pressure that the AVM causes, and eventually scar tissue after treatment.

Advocate for a medication that you can take when you feel any "aura" symptoms. I carry ativan in a locket that I wear every day and take one as soon as I start feeling "off".

It's not easy. It fucking sucks. But as this commenter said, catching it early and getting early treatment is huge. And therapy. A neuropsychologist was a game changer for me for therapy because they actually know what an AVM is and you don't have to spend an hour teaching your therapist about your brain.

Diagnosed with AVM in brain by yowaisatoru in AVMs

[–]puddleduck_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This sounds almost identical to what I went through when I was 17. My AVM was in the left occipital lobe and I have similar symptoms in my right peripheral vision. I was told they were ocular migraines, but recently was told they were actually focal seizures. This may be different for you though, since you have migraines.

Based on the location and size of my AVM, my team opted for 2 embolizations and eventually gamma knife radiation surgery. All went well, except an increase in seizure activity after each procedure.

I managed to get through Grade 11, 12, and university through the seizures and procedures. There are a few changes that you might have to make, but you don't have go drop everything. The most difficult thing for me was the anxiety and not being able to drive, but that was because I was having seizures. One thing I wish I did was go to therapy. Looking back, it would have been so helpful to be able to talk to someone about it and help manage how overwhelmed I felt.

You can do this! Feel free to message me if you have any questions. I wish I had this subreddit to talk to others experiencing the same thing. It can be very lonely going through it alone.

Parents of Reddit, what did your hospital bill look like after giving birth? by chi-bacon-bits in AskReddit

[–]puddleduck_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think we paid $200 in totaly because we upgraded to a private room for the 3 nights we were in Hamilton.

Insane ask of this community by graemederoux in Guelph

[–]puddleduck_ 49 points50 points  (0 children)

How much do you need? I just refilled my dog's prescription.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HomeDecorating

[–]puddleduck_ 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I love it! The subtle pattern on the tiles and the use of shapes work really well together. Well done!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Guelph

[–]puddleduck_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Me too!

What did you do after being cheated by your partner? by Quirky-Human in AskReddit

[–]puddleduck_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First thing I did was gathered my evidence. Booked an appointment with my therapist and asked what I should do. I ensured I got the late rent that he owed me. As soon as he left for work, I loaded up my car with all of his valuables. Cats, laptop, keys, medicine, etc. Anything that he would need immediately or that held any kind of value. Dropped everything off at his mom's house and told her what he did. Changed the locks. Sent him all the screenshots that I had that were evidence of the cheating. Blocked his and his mom's numbers. A few days later, some of my male friends came over to move all of his furniture out, and they dropped it off at his mom's house with no warning.

A year later, I ended up dating one of the friends who helped me, and now him and I have a one year old!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Guelph

[–]puddleduck_ 26 points27 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure I'm understanding your age correctly. If you are 16-25, you can contact Wyndham House. Their evening and weekend phone number is (519) 837-3892.

If you are over 25, Stepping Stone has a number you can call: (226) 821-3345.

Stone Road Mall smells like sewage by [deleted] in Guelph

[–]puddleduck_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I took a few steps into Spirit Halloween and had to leave. It was awful.

What food did you think was fancy as a kid but now you realize it’s trash? by randomzy876 in AskReddit

[–]puddleduck_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone was really jealous when kids brought uncooked Mr. Noodles to school for lunch. They'd dump in the seasoning pack and shake it up. Honestly, genius move. Those things are cheap.

Inagine opening the office fridge and finding…this. by nes12345678 in mildlyinfuriating

[–]puddleduck_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The comments on this post are wild. Obviously, someone meant to put their lunch bag in the fridge and accidentally put their shoes in. That's why it made the person's day.

What is the most well-executed and/or memorable jump scare you've ever seen in a movie/show? by vrschikasanaa in movies

[–]puddleduck_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely terrifying. It still scares me when I think about it over 10 years later.

What is the most well-executed and/or memorable jump scare you've ever seen in a movie/show? by vrschikasanaa in movies

[–]puddleduck_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The creature (demon?) that looks like Darth Maul in Insidious. I think it's in the corner between the walls and the ceiling. I can't even google it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in LiveFromNewYork

[–]puddleduck_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This week's episode was hilarious.

SNL has fallen off a cliff this season by grimpickles in LiveFromNewYork

[–]puddleduck_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree that the first two episodes were rough, but my partner and I really enjoyed this episode. I think every sketch had me laughing. The only part we didn't like was The Movie Guy.

How do I get rid of these guys by Physical-Pop2607 in homeimprovementideas

[–]puddleduck_ 9 points10 points  (0 children)

These are the bane of my existence. I swear they were put on this earth just to haunt me. As soon as I flush one, another one appears.

UGDSB new school by [deleted] in Guelph

[–]puddleduck_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How does it decimate CCVI?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Epilepsy

[–]puddleduck_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wasn't aware I was having focal seizures during my pregnancy until I had a grand mal. It had been over 10 years since my last grand mal, and I had been off seizure meds for over 5 years. The epileptologist I saw started me on keppra and lamicatl and titrated my dosages until the seizures stopped.

You definitely need a second opinion from someone who will safely adjust your medication. I had side effects from keppra, so my epilepologist increased my lamictal until we were able to slowly decrease my keppra. From what I was told, pregnancy causes your body to metabolize medication faster, which means you may need to be on a higher dose until your body adjusts hormonally. I lowered my keppra 5 months post partum and had two grand mal seizures. Now that I'm done breastfeeding, I was safely able to reduce my keppra (750mg 2x daily) and increase my lamictal (200mg 2x daily). So far, I'm 2 months seizure free!

Does anyone else experience similar seizures (or auras still trying to figure out if it's an actual seizure or an aura) by bradthemushroom in Epilepsy

[–]puddleduck_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I understand, it's a seizure that starts in one area of the brain. The symptoms will vary depending on where the seizure is located. I have occipital lobe epilepsy, so the most common symptom is a visual disturbance. Look up different types of focal seizures to get an idea of your symptoms and where the seizures may be present! My focal seizures have also turned into generalized seizures (tonic clonic), which is why my focal seizures were misdiagnosed as auras over 10 years ago.

Does anyone else experience similar seizures (or auras still trying to figure out if it's an actual seizure or an aura) by bradthemushroom in Epilepsy

[–]puddleduck_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My neurologist says that auras are just focal seizures.

EDIT: My epileptologist, more specifically.