Table of Contents
The medical history of the late Karen Shettler Paddock
I am Bob, Karen's husband of nearly twenty years (our 20th anniversary was only a few days after her death). I am writing up Karen's history so that others may learn from the things we did right and the things we did wrong during her twenty-four year long battle with Chronic Pain. This was a battle she ultimately lost through her suicide, when she could no longer take the pain from Intracranial Hypotension, caused by leaking Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF).
What follows is mostly her own words that I've taken from emails and 9,437 Facebook private messages.
I have removed items that are not relevant to her health and items that would identify who she is corresponding with to protect their identity (many are distraught that they did not know how bad Karen was and they did not help her. As you will see you had no way to know). 
My comments are in “[]”.
Glossary
- BP = Blood Patch.
- ER = In context of medication means Extended Release.
- FB = Face Burn or Facebook, depending on context.
- HP = High Pressure.
- LP = Low Pressure or Lumbar Puncture, depending on the context.
- OP = Opening Pressure.
- RA = Rheumatoid Arthritis.
What are Blood Patches?
As Blood Patches play a significant roll in the treatment of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks, it is a good idea to understand what they are about. This is the simplistic version: blood does not belong where it is put. The immune system sees this foreign body and attacks it, that in turn forms scar tissue at that site, and it is the scar tissue that seals the leak.