Tag: ME/CFS

The ins and outs of IV access for saline to treat dysautonomia

~ Caroline Elizabeth ~ 2 Comments

In my last piece, I discussed practical approaches for building a case for IV saline to treat orthostatic and exertion intolerance, two primary features of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID (especially those meeting the criteria for ME/CFS). IV saline helps treat various forms of dysautonomia, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, orthostatic hypotension, … Continue reading The ins and outs of IV access for saline to treat dysautonomia

IV saline for dysautonomia in ME/CFS and long COVID

~ Caroline Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

There are no FDA-approved treatments for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID, a problem patients are acutely aware of. Despite this shortcoming, there is one treatment that has the potential to give people with these diseases a boost in physical and cognitive function: intravenous (IV) saline. I wish people with ME/CFS and long … Continue reading IV saline for dysautonomia in ME/CFS and long COVID

Life force

~ Caroline Elizabeth ~ 4 Comments

Living with a chronic illness is a reductionist endeavor. As pieces of us slip away and our lives diminish, we can lose sight of what it means to be a human. We are wired for connection to others, joy, love, pleasure, beauty, adventure, mystery, and more. Over time, a benevolent form of amnesia has allowed … Continue reading Life force

Six month post-tethered cord release update

~ Caroline Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

Time for a six-month update on my spinal cord surgery on August 18, 2021! I'll try to keep it brief (haha). TL; DR - it's mixed. Bladder: I had high hopes for bladder improvement, which rapidly vanished in the initial weeks after my spinal cord surgery (called sectioning of the filum terminale, SFT). My bladder … Continue reading Six month post-tethered cord release update

Three month post-SFT surgery update

~ Caroline Elizabeth ~ 1 Comment

Chronic illness dismantles our life force, but what does it look like to reassemble it? As I reflect on the three-month mark since my surgery for tethered cord syndrome, I realize that recovery can't be captured by a list of symptom improvements (though scroll to the bottom to Table 1 for the TL; DR version). … Continue reading Three month post-SFT surgery update

I needed that like a hole in the head: what my invasive cervical traction and ICP bolt tests revealed

~ Caroline Elizabeth ~ 2 Comments

This is a slightly more technical piece with a lot of jargon - my apologies. It is geared toward people on the path to determining if they have cranial cervical instability and have some knowledge of this topic. I am happy to answer any questions readers may have. My neurosurgeon offered two "appetizers" to go … Continue reading I needed that like a hole in the head: what my invasive cervical traction and ICP bolt tests revealed

Six weeks post-SFT

~ Caroline Elizabeth ~ 3 Comments

A glass half empty "Two steps forward, three steps back" has been my mantra these past three weeks (week 3-6 post-SFT surgery). My brain feels as if it has been suspended in an opaque, viscous fluid that mutes and confuses my days. Since my last update, it's as if I have been inside a cocoon … Continue reading Six weeks post-SFT

Post-surgery updates

~ Caroline Elizabeth ~ 4 Comments

This blog will chronicle my progress after detethering surgery (SFT) on 8/19/2021. I expect my healing to be non-linear but hope for an overall upward trajectory. You can read more here and here for background on my surgery and why I decided to go forward with it. Check back here for future updates. THREE WEEKS … Continue reading Post-surgery updates

A survival guide to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital (MSSN)

~ Caroline Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

I had invasive cervical traction (ICT), the intracranial pressure bolt test (ICP bolt) on August 17th, and sectioning of the filum terminale (SFT) surgery with Dr. Bolognese on August 18th, 2021. In this blog, I share some tips that helped me survive Mount Sinai Nassau Hospital, where Dr. Bolognese does his surgeries. I start with … Continue reading A survival guide to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital (MSSN)

Flying for surgery during the pandemic

~ Caroline Elizabeth ~ 2 Comments

Like most with ME, I have worked pretty hard not to get COVID. My goal was to keep my family and me safe until the vaccines arrived, knowing the pandemic is not over, and we are still at some risk while vaccinated. Even with my doomsday mentality, I never could have guessed I would be … Continue reading Flying for surgery during the pandemic