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Taking Diamox For High Spinal Fluid. Will It Be Safe To Go For Vaccination?
Question: I live in the US, and I'm taking Diamox for high spinal fluid. I was told by my doc that although this is the only drug available here for my condition, there is another drug in the UK, via injection only, that works better than Diamox. How can I go about getting a prescription for it? Is it even possible?
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
Based on the description, I feel you are suffering from idiopathic (or benign) intracranial hypertension (IIH or BIH).
The most commonly used drug for treating this condition is diamox (which you are already on). In some cases, corticosteroids such as prednisolone is also used for a few weeks.
Regarding injections, they are used in cases of severely increased intracranial tension, usually in the hospital, after admitting the patient. Mannitol and hypertonic saline are the most commonly used injections for this purpose. These are only for short term use and not for long term use.
In people who do not show adequate response with medications, shunt surgery (diversion of CSF to peritoneal cavity- abdomen) is done. Another surgery occasionally performed is optic nerve sheath fenestration.
I hope it clarifies. I would be pleased to answer if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Thank you for posting your query.
Based on the description, I feel you are suffering from idiopathic (or benign) intracranial hypertension (IIH or BIH).
The most commonly used drug for treating this condition is diamox (which you are already on). In some cases, corticosteroids such as prednisolone is also used for a few weeks.
Regarding injections, they are used in cases of severely increased intracranial tension, usually in the hospital, after admitting the patient. Mannitol and hypertonic saline are the most commonly used injections for this purpose. These are only for short term use and not for long term use.
In people who do not show adequate response with medications, shunt surgery (diversion of CSF to peritoneal cavity- abdomen) is done. Another surgery occasionally performed is optic nerve sheath fenestration.
I hope it clarifies. I would be pleased to answer if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I've already seen an Ophthalmologist who checked my eyes for damage caused by the intracranial hypertension, and everything looked great - so there's no need for the optic nerve sheath fenestration. And, I'd rather not have shunt surgery because of all the possible complications.
The need for the second spinal tap arose when my head decided to explode all of a sudden after an all-day, worsening headache. I went to the emergency room, where I was given Laudinum for pain, as well as something for an upset stomach and benedril for reactions to the Laudinum. After I told them what was wrong and gave them my 'headache history', they found someone to do an emergency spinal tap. I was not admitted, nor was I given anything by injection specifically for the hypertension.
The injections you referred to, Mannitol and hypertonic saline... are they given here in the US? The drug I'm referring to, and I don't recall it's name, is a fairly new drug, currently only available via injection in the UK. If it is used to treat intracranial hypertension, and is better than Diamox, as my doctor told me, how would I go about getting it? Outside of moving to the UK...
Thank you.
The need for the second spinal tap arose when my head decided to explode all of a sudden after an all-day, worsening headache. I went to the emergency room, where I was given Laudinum for pain, as well as something for an upset stomach and benedril for reactions to the Laudinum. After I told them what was wrong and gave them my 'headache history', they found someone to do an emergency spinal tap. I was not admitted, nor was I given anything by injection specifically for the hypertension.
The injections you referred to, Mannitol and hypertonic saline... are they given here in the US? The drug I'm referring to, and I don't recall it's name, is a fairly new drug, currently only available via injection in the UK. If it is used to treat intracranial hypertension, and is better than Diamox, as my doctor told me, how would I go about getting it? Outside of moving to the UK...
Thank you.
Hi,
Thank you for getting back with more details.
Just to clarify that optic nerve sheath fenestration is not done for any eye damage or eye problem. It is done to reduce the intracranial pressure caused by the BIH. This procedure works as the optic nerve is a direct extension of brain, and the cerebrospinal fluid extends from the brain around the optic nerve.
Mannitol and hypertonic saline are given in the US; however, as I mentioned, they have temporary benefits and are given in cases of severe intracranial hypertension. The typical cases would be those where diamox has not worked and one is planning or awaiting shunt surgery.
I would respect your decision for not undergoing shunt surgery.
I am not aware of any other specific or better injection for BIH (I discussed with my UK colleagues too). However, if you find the name, I can provide you with more information.
Hope it clarifies.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Thank you for getting back with more details.
Just to clarify that optic nerve sheath fenestration is not done for any eye damage or eye problem. It is done to reduce the intracranial pressure caused by the BIH. This procedure works as the optic nerve is a direct extension of brain, and the cerebrospinal fluid extends from the brain around the optic nerve.
Mannitol and hypertonic saline are given in the US; however, as I mentioned, they have temporary benefits and are given in cases of severe intracranial hypertension. The typical cases would be those where diamox has not worked and one is planning or awaiting shunt surgery.
I would respect your decision for not undergoing shunt surgery.
I am not aware of any other specific or better injection for BIH (I discussed with my UK colleagues too). However, if you find the name, I can provide you with more information.
Hope it clarifies.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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