Wednesday, June 15, 2011

A bit of a headache

A couple of people have commented on the lack of new postings on this blog. I'm grateful that you noticed. Here are a few words of explanation.

Three weeks ago I was doing some work on the computer when I had what I thought was a bad migraine attack. My vision became blurred and I felt nauseous. I switched off the PC and lay down in a darkened room to recover.

Normally a migraine leaves you feeling a bit shaky and after a couple of days you are right as rain again. but the feeling of shakiness never really went away.

After the attack I noticed a few symptoms that were a bit scary because they were really odd. For example I had trouble telling the time. I could see the hands of the watch but couldn't seem to make sense of it. I also had trouble finding the pointer on the computer screen, even when I knew where it should be. These symptoms did start to wear off, but I still felt that something wasn't quite right.

For example, if I was trying to pick something (like a Wainwright summit name) from an alphabetically sorted list on a web page I couldn't find it. If my radio was on 145.450 and someone said they were QSYing to 145.525 I had trouble finding the channel.

I also had - indeed if you could watch me typing this you would find I still have - a lot of trouble using the keyboard. It became so frustrating that I lost most of the desire to post to the blog.

I was in denial that anything was wrong. Plus, to be honest, I didn't have much faith that the system here would do much to help me. I hoped that if I just carried on trying to do normal things one day I would find that everything was back to normal again.

Last weekend I went for a walk to the top of Binsey, one of the local Wainwright summits. I made it to the top OK but after I finished making contacts and went to leave I felt strangely disorientated and had to search for the way down. On the drive home I almost went off the edge of the road because I had trouble judging the distance on the left hand side.

Walking around town several times I knocked into lamp posts and other obstructions on the left hand side, as if I didn't notice them.

Eventually, yesterday, I decided finally that I should see my GP. He listened carefully as I described all the symptoms I have mentioned and did a few tests on my reflexes and co-ordination. Unfortunately it seems my pessimism about the system was not misplaced. The doctor told me that the specialist he would like to refer me to, a neurologist, is not available here.

He said - these are more or less his exact words - that the NHS is very good in an emergency, such as if you have a heart attack, but in the case of ongoing problems it doesn't work very well. His role is just to help me get the best out of it. So he has arranged for me to have an appointment at the hospital in Whitehaven for a CT scan. which given the speed things normally move here could be several days. In the meantime I have been advised not to drive, which is obviously understandable but a major hassle in an place where public transport is very limited and it is a couple of hours by bus just to reach the hospital.

So I don't know exactly what is the matter with me. I just  have to wait for the results of the scan and hope for the best. In the meantime I can still talk to people on the radio but it is unlikely that I shall be posting to the blog or answering emails very much.

36 comments:

G7DDN said...

Hi Julian

Try not to worry. I have had CT scans and MRI scans for neurological reasons. One's natural instincts are to be concerned but try to stay positive.

Keep us in the loop if you can and my thoughts are with you.

Chris G7DDN

Paul Stam PAØK said...

Hi Julian,

Sounds quite annoying, I hope it is something innocent. I wish you al the best and take care.

73 Paul

Mads said...

Hello Julian! I too have noticed the lack of blog activity from your side. I hope the doctors in Whitehaven will sort out the problem very soon.

73! Mads, la1tpa

M0JEK said...

I wish you well, and I hope it is nothing too serious in the long run. Please let us all know how you are and how it goes when you know.

Worried in IO91us

73 Andre'

N1RX said...

Take care of yourself, Julian. At this point, rest is best. 73, Bruce, N1RX

Alex Hill said...

Hope it all gets sorted out Julian. Glad to hear you managed to get an appointment at a GP. That in itself is hard enough. WCH is a creaky old place but they've sorted me out a few times (generally as a result of me doing something stupid) and have been great when my daughter had to go in so hopefully they'll get to the bottom of it quickly and fix you up so you can get back out on the fells and on the radio.

Blogmaster said...

All the best Julian, and a very speedy recovery!

Richard said...

Hello Julian

Very sorry to hear about your problems and hope that the medics can come up with a diagnosis soon - the uncertainty is often more worrying than the problem itself, I know.

We shall miss your postings until you are feeling better but Bruce is right I think when he says that 'at this point rest is best'.

Take care and I wish you a speedy return to your normal form.

73 de Richard

GW0KIG said...

Julian

Hope you get it all sorted soon in the meantime look after yourself.

73 Kevin

MrJoshua said...

Hi Julian

I've experienced similar sort of symptoms when having a migraine attack - not being able to read stuff, and feeling disoriented etc... quite scary but generally this has only lasted for the period of the "aura" before the headache sets in for me. It must not be pleasant to have this feeling continue for days.

I hope it's something simple to fix and they get to the bottom of it quickly.

Keep relaxed and put your feet up :)

Best Regards

Josh - M0JMO

G8OSN said...

Having "been there" with a problem like this, I know how you feel. My thoughts are will you Julian. All the best for the future & 73 Brian, G8OSN.

Jspiker said...

Hello Julian,

Wish you a quick recovery. Take everything one day at a time. Hope you are back on the road quickly.

w1pid said...

sending best wishes for quick return to DX. Jim W1PID

PE4BAS, Bas said...

Hi Julian, it doesn't sound too good. Hope you'll recover from this soon. Most of us will miss your postings.

73, Bas

Anonymous said...

I hope all goes well Julian.
Jon G4FUT , Barnard Castle

Jeff Davis, KE9V said...

Get well soon Julian!

73 de Jeff KE9V

Carl said...

Try not to worry. The best thing is that you are now doing something about it and seeking help. I hope it turns out to be something minor and easily dealt with.

Love the website and blog, read it often although I have never commented before.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to full health. 73 Carl 2E0TEC

Anonymous said...

Julian,

I am sorry to hear about your health problems, and I wish you well.

Regards, Sivan

VE9KK said...

Just read the posting this morning. Mine and Julies thoughts and prayers are with you.

skids said...

Hi Julian

I hope you get your health problems sorted out soon. My thoughts are with you.

Best Regards
Chris G0BHX

joe said...

Julian
I wish you all the very best and I'm sure its not to serious and look forward to future Blogs.
Joe MI0GTM

Big Gun DXer said...

Julian,
We wish you a full and speedy recovery. Lost Island is a great place to recuperate if you need a place.

Cousin QRM & the Lost Island DX Society

Anonymous said...

Hi Julian,

I hope you recover soon. If treatment is a lot of relax you should obbey doctor.

Best 73 and gl for you.

CT1DRB
David Quental

Tim said...

All good wishes, Julian. Sorry to hear about the problem but hope it's something easily dealt with.

Vy 73, Tim G4VXE

Bert, PA1B said...

Hello Julian, Take your time. I wish you and Olga the very best.

73, Bert PA1B

G4NKX said...

Hi Julian - Just returned to this country and spotted your post - It must be a bit scary not actually knowing what's up - keep us up to speed - hoping for a quick recovery.

The one with no shadow said...

My best wishes for a quick recovery, dear Julian.

James said...

Julian, I hope that the docs get to the cause of your problems and give you the treatment to get back to 599 performance.

I'll pray for you.

edgar said...

Hi Julian,

I wish you all the best and I hope you recover soon.

vy 73, Edgar OE6DUG

Steve Nichols said...

Take care Julian - could be nothing. My wife had a friend who kept seeing "Sponge Bob Square Pants" and Cruella Deville about the place - it turned out to a water infection. Who'd have thought it?

Steve G0KYA

Ed de la Rie // PE5ED said...

Bet it is nothing, or least I hope so. In any way, you got our mental support.

Larry W2LJ said...

Julian,

Hope you're feeling better and that all is well. Miss you!

Larry W2LJ

pa0o said...

Julian hoping you will recover
Best wishes
Jaap PA0O

MØYKS Simon said...

Hope you get back to your usual self soon Julian. Take care and get plenty of rest.

Best wishes from Simon

Casey Bahr said...

All the best wished to you Julian and I hope the waiting is not too long to uncover the mystery. That is the hardest part sometimes! Vy 73!!

- Casey

SV1GRN said...

I wish you good health Julian.
73 de Panos SV1GRN