Went to see neuro, he said double vision for a short time does not
necessarily mean anything. But said that he wants to do a second MRI of
the brain in July (it will be one year in August since first symptoms). We
will see what happens then. Anyway, I am exhausted but I just keeping
pushing myself. The last two weeks have been rather hectic so I am
guessing maybe the vision thing might be a result of fatigue and the heat.
I hope this summer is rather mild (in Texas). Ha-Ha!!! No such thing
around here, 105 degrees in the norm. Hot water doesn't seem to bother me
as much as being outside for an extended time period.
You have been through a lot, and yet seem to maintain a positive outlook.
Good for you. What type of symptoms did you have 15 years ago? I have had
a lot of interesting things happen over the last 2-3 years but they have
been rather mild (fatigue, dizziness, weakness, etc.). I just wish "they"
did not make us feel like a bunch of mental patients or hypochondriacs.
Doc mention something about seeing an neurological ophthalmologist if my
eyes problems continue. He also mention Avonex as the "drug of choice" if
the brain scan shows lesions. The think I do not like about my doctor is
he thinks but doesn't talk. I can tell he has a zillion thoughts going
through his mind but he just leaves me in the dark. Every once in a while
he will fill me in on what he thinks of the situation. I just think he
doesn't know what to do or expect. Neither do I. I just wish I wouldn't
get so fatigued and so easily. Thanks for taking the time to write back
and forth this week, I think I needed someone to cheer me up and let me
know not to give up. I started a journal back in November but do not keep
up with it like I should. Maybe my "mid-year" resolution could be to write
in my journal, exercise more and eat more fruit!! I will try Citrucel
too. Thanks for the support and advice. Have a good weekend (my computer
is at work so I don't write much on the weekends)!!
Nicole
At 09:39 PM 5/8/97 -0500, you wrote:
> Hi Nicole:
>At 09:32 AM 5/8/97 -0500, you wrote:
>>Elyse,
>>snip<
>>But, did decide to call this time because my eyesight is rather important
>>to me.
>>snip<
>>Nicole
>------ I am glad your appointment is tomorrow. I don"t want you tp gp
>though what I did before I was able to see again. The doc I saw was a neuro
>ophthamologist(came highly recommended).It was nine months before I had my
>PCP refer me to the low vision screening that I finally recieved help. I
>still get pretty severe eye pain now & then,but I am now able to read again
>& work. Don't give up if you are not satified. You may want to get a second
>opinion. To me there does not seem to be a lot of difference between TM &
>MS. I had symptoms 15 yrs. ago,MS was suspected,but never diagnosed. In June
>96, I developed a blind spot & eye pain in my left eye.I went to the eye
>doc, a field vision test was performed(showed diffused vision in both eyes,
>particularly the left). It was diagnosed as bilateral optic neuritis. No
>treatment was started. I was given percentage of people that develop MS
>after developing ON. I was referred to a neurologist that neither my husband
>nor I liked. In September It was worse--Ms had not been diagnosed-they went
>ahead &gave me IV Solu-Medrol for 5 days. It took about 4-6 wks to see a
>difference. In Oct.' 96 an MRI was performed-showed plaques in the brain,
>C-6, & thoracic spine. Since then I have had severe exacerbations every
>couple of months requiring hospitaliztions (4 since Nov 96) & IV
>Solu-Medrol. I have bounced back every time except this last bout which
>began in March. I am much better now, but was off work for 2
>months,returning for 2-3 hrs each day. The fatigue is awful.I was taking
>Avonex injections once a week for several months,developed anemia so they
>stopped it. I go see my neurologist next Friday to see what the next mode of
>treatment will be. I also experience constipation. I use a small amt. of
>Citrocel every night. I must be careful not to take the whole packet,
>otherwise I develop fecal incontinence. I also have bladder problems-urine
>retention-I catherize myself 3 times a day or as needed.
>The whole point of this is not to give up.If you are not satified keep
>looking for a doc you are satified with. If you don't already try keeping a
>journal with symptoms-things that help or don't.This has helped me when I
>see my doc. Please keep in touch-hope things go well for you. I'll be
>thinking of you. Elyse
>
>
>