Jan,
Sorry to hear you're having problems. did you have a stroke that lead to diagnosis? Strokes can affect so many different things including the mood center of the brain. If you haven't had a stroke it could just be the stress of knowing you need surgery. Have you talked to your doctor about it?

I hope you can find help, mood swings can be scary.

Mood swings??  What mood swings??  

Just kidding.  You know what?  I think it's probably very common to experience mood swings and/or be more emtional than usual when you've been diagnosed with MM (or any life-threatening disorder).  How could you not?  It's scary, frustrating, confusing etc.  Your entire world as you know it is turned upside down.  Plus, I truly believe (can't prove this) that there must be some kind of chemical change in the brain brought on by MM and the low blood/oxygen flow.  I've also heard many complain about mood swings AFTER surgery too and I again think it has to do with changes in the brain (swelling, new "plumbing" etc.).  Just makes sense to me.

You are definitely not alone Jan!  
Lisa

Hi Jan,

Lisa's post made me chuckle....and yes, what you said Lisa makes a lot of sense to me.  I think that especially being diagnosed with a disease that most doctor's don't know anything about is truly scary!    Not to mention the surgery, follow-ups, etc...

In one of my previous posts about headaches, I remember someone mentioning that they were prescribed Prozac, which is an anti-depressant.  I wonder how many MM patients are prescribed these type of medications?   I will ask my neuro this question at my next visit.  I hope I don't have to, but only because I already take a bunch of medications  ...but if need be, then I will.

You are not alone Jan, and I think that you studying the art of Qi may help.  My cousin mentioned this to me as well...  I'm here for you!  

Take care,
Shan

Hey Shan...

Yup...it's me ( )....I just had to ask.  I know that the meditation will definitely help....but sometimes I think that my family makes me crazy and gives me mood swings.  I even told my sister "one day...you're going to give me another stroke..that's from stress alone" ;

Thanks Shan!!

Aloha pumehana,
Jan

Hi Jan! Just wanted to let you know that you are certainly not alone. Every since my momma had her first bleed, she has gone through tremendous mood swings! I mean she would be in a great mood and then before we could end a sentence she was either mad as could be or crying They appeared to get a little better as time passed, as she improved, but they were still certainly appearant. Since she had her second bleed, they have come back in full force . These too have gotten a little better in time, but I hope they improve ALOT more in time. It makes things so much harder for my family to deal with all of this seeing her so upset most of the time Her case is appearantly more extream than yours, but just wanted to give you the feelings from the family side to try to be as happy as you can be in the face of all this for yourself AND your family. I know this disease is a life changing experience and a very difficult one on both sides, but it breaks my heart to see my momma SO upset SO much . It makes me feel better though to know that she is not alone in this aspect as well, though. I just want her to be happy, and I'm sure the same goes for your family as well as does your MM family here Lots of love and best wishes to you

Hey Jan:

Definitely do not think you are alone.  While everyone is different, I think everyone goes through some 'why me?' kind of phase... and in different ways.  The first week after diagnosis, I was surprised, and didn't really understand much.  My brother did the research, my mom did most of the worrying, and I...I went to work (which is like a disease in itself sometimes).   

Even through and after surgery, I didn't think much of having moyamoya.  I think it finally hit me after I returned to work from disability.  It was like the roller coaster was finally over.  Not to mention, things at work were starting to annoy me.  I'm not the most patient person, but at work, I try to keep my sanity and maintain my professionalism.  But I started to notice I had zero tolerance for the petty stuff.  When you go through something like this, other people's politics (OPP!!) can drive one crazy.  In a weird way, I ignored a lot of stuff on the surface, but was constantly irritable underneath.  In the back of my mind, I kept thinking, "is the fact that so-and-so didn't say hi to you in the hallway a big deal?  Or that so-and-so went to such-and-such meeting and didn't invite you?"  Compared to surgery, and possibly losing my life, and being in constant fear, etc etc, it seemed so insignificant. 

BUT I'm learning to be more patient...everyone has their own drama.  But admittedly, it's a slow process.

So, hang in there, and know we're all always here for you!  Sometimes it helps to vent to those of us who have been there, and understand. 

Trina

Dear All,
Its Emily's mum Carolyn. I think what you're / we're all experiencing - the mood swings, startled jumps, the crazy feelings, the worry, the fear of the unknown are all completely NORMAL.    Crikeys you've earnt the right to mood swings. This disease is scary, worrying, frightening, completely mind blowing, all consuming. Just keep talking to each other because god knows you're all helping each other get through this. Everyone should be proud of themselves - you are dealing with something most people will never experience and you're all dealing with it with bravery, compassion for others, and amazing inspirational attitudes. The way you all are makes me feel very small sometimes.    I know Emily is getting great comfort from this site.
Speaking of my daughter - chin up, take each day / hour / minute as it comes. I'll see you Saturday Love you more than you know.
luv Mummee (cjonesy)

I'm sorry you are having such a bad day today. I hope your head gets to feeling better soon. I can't stand having a really bad headache that just won't go away It sucks!! Just go home and go to bed. A good nap usually helps mine.

Well, I didn't follow my own orders.  Wanted to go home early, but didn't have any one to cover the office for me.  And my boss was out most of the day.  I still have this honker of a headache.    I feel like banging my head against a post...I'm not sure which one would hurt more.  Of course I know which one will cause more damage .  I think I'm going to bed early tonight...catch up on some zzzz's.  I've been so tired lately.   If it's not one thing it's another.  It's bad enough that my head hurts, now my boyfriend is having a hissy fit because of something I probably did or didn't do.     Whenever he has his moments he just goes to the living room and sulks while watching TV.  I hardly ever watch TV, I'm a reader I'll read anything that you put in front of me.  Thanks all for listening to me gripe and groan.   

Jan,
It is nice to know you are not alone huh?
My mood swings got so bad my nuro put me on an antidepressent and I am seeing a nurophyscologest to calm my tempor flair ups. They almost got to the point where I almost lashed physicaly at my husband who has been there throught all of this with me.

It is less easy to control the "bad" emotions when you are tiered, so me and my hubby have a code word to say "I am tiered and we should get me to a quiet place and posssibly to bed" In sted of that we say Pumpkin.  Like Cinderella's carrage turned back into a pumpkin at midnight, well I'm a Pumpkin around 11pm lately. I sware that word has saved my marrage on so many occasions.

I am sick of the roller coster of emotions too even if I am medicated for the "bad" ones I still get offballance. I am Just a super happy to super sleepy/craby person with little in between.

Good luck finding your happy medium! I'll keep looking for mine.
Becky

Hi Everyone,
Here is a suggestion - heave any of you tried hypnotism? My best friend is having issues with her husband over smoking and she is having issues with being stressed so she told me our local chemist has hypnotism cd's. So I went and got one last night (relaxation and stress) and I can swear it was the best night's sleep I have ever had!!

Give it a try and maybe it will help
Moira

Jan!!! I know what you're going through... I've had 2 surgeries in 6 mos, was diagnosed after having had 6 strokes in all, and one minute I'll be fine, the next minute something sets me off and I'll be laughing so hard I can't catch my breath and I've literally peed my pants!!  Then the next minute, I'm screaming at my kids or my hubby or the cat or whatever!! I think it just comes with the territory) Maybe something is wrong, maybe not.....I am close to menopause, after all!!! Seriously, I hope it gets better with time and I'll be praying for you! Angie