I need help!

[mly]

Just got home about an hour ago. We meet with the neurologist to go over Bella's MRI and spinal tap. Her spinal tap came back normal but there were many things wrong with her mri. First of all, she has fluid in her brain and some in her spine (where the spine connects to the brain) due to the fluids pushing on the back of the brain. She also has a cyst in her brain and the neuro is hoping it's gme but we're not sure if it is or if it's necrotizing men. He says we won't know for sure until the meds start working or not. He wants Bella to go on prednisolone (for the inflammation) and omeprazole (to decrease the amount of csf production). Hopefully with the omeprazole, the fluids will slow down and some can be absorbed. I'm really hoping this would hope. He said that if it didn't help with the cyst also, Bella would have to have surgery but with her cyst, he said it was a 2 on a 1-10 and normally he'll recommend surgery to someone with a 7.

Let's pray this works.

[ladyjane]

Are you sure the Omeprazole was prescribed for fluid? That medicine is given to reduce stomach acids. I am thinking he may have done that to prevent a problem with the prednisone which can cause stomach ulcers. I know that sometimes meds can be given for other actions that they can have, so basically I am just asking to learn.

I am glad that you have a diagnosis now...and a plan. I will be praying for little Bella. I hope you will soon see some improvements.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by mly

Just got home about an hour ago. We meet with the neurologist to go over Bella's MRI and spinal tap. Her spinal tap came back normal but there were many things wrong with her mri. First of all, she has fluid in her brain and some in her spine (where the spine connects to the brain) due to the fluids pushing on the back of the brain. She also has a cyst in her brain and the neuro is hoping it's gme but we're not sure if it is or if it's necrotizing men. He says we won't know for sure until the meds start working or not. He wants Bella to go on prednisolone (for the inflammation) and omeprazole (to decrease the amount of csf production). Hopefully with the omeprazole, the fluids will slow down and some can be absorbed. I'm really hoping this would hope. He said that if it didn't help with the cyst also, Bella would have to have surgery but with her cyst, he said it was a 2 on a 1-10 and normally he'll recommend surgery to someone with a 7.

Let's pray this works.

I am praying big time -- contact Pam asap she is awesome - I will link this thread to her in my maltese group too. She is a sweetheart and she is in the medical profession as well. She is going through gme right now and it was tough getting meds right but she has a good neurologist as well and also join the gme forums and the yahoo groups she is on as well as she said they are very helpful and you can get ideas on those meds from them as there is one specialist on this they follow his treatment so you can discuss with neurologist and it may even be what your neurologist is doing as well.

I am so HAPPY you have a firm diagnosis as now she can get better Also glad you did not waste your money on all the liver shunt stuff as knew it was not that so that saved you a road you would have went down thus delaying her care further and saved you some money too

I am praying real hard this all works and she will be a happy healthy girl again with her meds Glad he uses prednisolone too as that is much easier on her liver as they have to use high doses with stuff like this and my dd had alot more side effects on prednisone vs prednisolone and since your baby has mvd i think it is much safer.

Giver her some hugs and kisses from the D gang

oh what did he say about the L/D, CLAVAMOX, AND LACTULOSE? Did he say not to use it anymore ?

[dwerten]

what doseage of prednisolone did he give you?

Also make sure to give pred mid meal as i give dd 1/2 food then med then 1/2 food that way the food protects the intestines a little and not as harsh on the tummy

Omeprazole (Prilosec®)

and yes the omeprazole is like pepcid ac/famotidine to keep acid down in stomach to prevent ulcers due to steroid use as i am sure he will have her on a very high dose of steroids to get this under control so he is trying to protect the stomach lining from getting ulcers which is good.

[mly]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Are you sure the Omeprazole was prescribed for fluid? That medicine is given to reduce stomach acids. I am thinking he may have done that to prevent a problem with the prednisone which can cause stomach ulcers. I know that sometimes meds can be given for other actions that they can have, so basically I am just asking to learn.

I am glad that you have a diagnosis now...and a plan. I will be praying for little Bella. I hope you will soon see some improvements.

Yeah, my husband asked about it since he was taking it awhile back for something else. The neuro said it works to decrease csf production as well in dogs.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by mly

Yeah, my husband asked about it since he was taking it awhile back for something else. The neuro said it works to decrease csf production as well in dogs.

That is good to know -- how did you like the neurologist? Did you feel comfortable and did everything go pretty smooth with little stress on her? Just curious as i know you had to drive so far Will your vet be able to consult with him for follow up or do you have to drive to him ?

[mly]

Originally Posted by dwerten

what doseage of prednisolone did he give you?

Also make sure to give pred mid meal as i give dd 1/2 food then med then 1/2 food that way the food protects the intestines a little and not as harsh on the tummy

Omeprazole (Prilosec®)

and yes the omeprazole is like pepcid ac/famotidine to keep acid down in stomach to prevent ulcers due to steroid use as i am sure he will have her on a very high dose of steroids to get this under control so he is trying to protect the stomach lining from getting ulcers which is good.

He hasn't given us any meds yet because he was going to call our vet to see if there was a compound pharmacy in town since the omeprazole is 20mg (i think) and we're only suppose to give her 1. He said it would be really hard for us to get it over the counter and spit it for her.

[143julz]

I'm glad you finally found direction, that's a relief on it's own
With everything other's (esp DWerten) posted it sounds like to me she'll get better. Yippee for you and i hope you can find comfort in knowing this...please keep us updated

Take care of yourself now, i recall you were expecting...Congrats

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by mly

Yeah, my husband asked about it since he was taking it awhile back for something else. The neuro said it works to decrease csf production as well in dogs.

That is very interesting! Many meds are like that. Mirtazapine which is an anti depressant works really well in dogs for nausea, vomiting and it is also an appetite stimulant.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by mly

He hasn't given us any meds yet because he was going to call our vet to see if there was a compound pharmacy in town since the omeprazole is 20mg (i think) and we're only suppose to give her 1. He said it would be really hard for us to get it over the counter and spit it for her.

My client has a compounding pharmacy here if you want his number i am sure he can overnight it for you if you need to let me know if there isn't one there but i would think they would have one there. The meds do not have to be refridgerated so that should be ok and we get our temarilp by the bottle $56 for 100 so maybe your vet can order a bottle for you of the prednisolone to be less costly for you

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by 143julz

I'm glad you finally found direction, that's a relief on it's own
With everything other's (esp DWerten) posted it sounds like to me she'll get better. Yippee for you and i hope you can find comfort in knowing this...please keep us updated

Take care of yourself now, i recall you were expecting...Congrats

thanks that was sweet

I worry about you with you being pregnant and the stress of all this you are going through so please take care of yourself as i know this is hard on you but you are on the right path now to get her the best care for this.

I hope you had some fun at the wedding too

[mly]

Thanks all for the help and support. It's great knowing that there's people like you guys to help each other out. I wouldn't know what to do if it wasn't for you all.

The pregnancy is going good. I finally went baby shopping after taking Bella to the neuro. It was a great stress reliever .

The neurologist actually found a compounding pharmacy in town for us so hopefully they call so we can pick up the prescription and get her started asap. He said we actually won't see any results til 7-10 days so we'll just have to wait once she gets started on it.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by mly

Thanks all for the help and support. It's great knowing that there's people like you guys to help each other out. I wouldn't know what to do if it wasn't for you all.

The pregnancy is going good. I finally went baby shopping after taking Bella to the neuro. It was a great stress reliever .

The neurologist actually found a compounding pharmacy in town for us so hopefully they call so we can pick up the prescription and get her started asap. He said we actually won't see any results til 7-10 days so we'll just have to wait once she gets started on it.

ok fingers and paws crossed she will have a quick relief

[AbbysMom08]

All paws and fingers crossed!!!
Many, many prayers going up for Bella!
Please keep us posted.

[TLC]

My prayers are with you too