Now I will probably stop using so many date spans because it requires pulling out papers and my iPhone but I think you have the idea now.
●12/3 I went to the eye clinic and was seen by an ophthalmologist neurologist who examined my right eye but was unable to be given a field test. I was given no new info and was asked to return again on 12/4 for a field test. An example of a field test is when one eye is covered, while the other eye is fixated on an specific object while the doctor sits in front of you. The doctor will then ask you to describe what you see on the sides of your periphery field of vision.
●12/4 I returned and saw a different ophthalmologist neurologist who also examined me, I was given a field test but I was given no additional information as to what was going on and I was asked to return again on 12/6 for additional testing
●12/6 I returned to the eye clinic, I was given another field test, a color test, etc.
This time I had two physicians! One of the physicians (he sounds just like me brother which kind of tickled me) pulled up a chair and I could tell he was THE ONE who knew his "stuff". He told me he had been asked to take a look at my file and upon looking at it and the test he believed I had "optic neuritis" in my right eye.
What is optic neuritis? In my case - Inflammation of the optic nerve — or lesions (damaged areas) along the nerve pathways that control eye movements and visual coordination. Optic neuritis may result in blurring or graying of vision, or blindness in one eye. A scotoma or dark spot may occur in the center of the visual field.
He then explained he would like to send me for more testing because he felt the optic neuritis was caused by a disease. He asked me if I would like to know which diseases he suspected and I said yes.
He said, "Well, I suspect your optic neuritis might be caused by Multiple Sclerosis but it could be Systemic Lupus or Sarcoidosis. I'm going to order an MRI, blood test and chest X-rays". I said, "Okay but can I have Lyme Disease as a choice instead?" (I was thinking lesser of three evils, maybe?). His response was if I lived in the woods of NC he would go for that but NO, he did not believe I had Lyme Disease. He said, "Well, there's a small chance this is MS because people who are BROWN like you typically don't get MS but we will do an MRI to rule it out". In that moment I was BLOWN AWAY! BROWN LIKE ME?! I'm BROWN so it's probably not MS? Really? I wish I had all of the articles I've read on hand to give him since that day -http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/260150.php
So me and my BROWN self left to go to the lab back at my PCP's office to get tested for LUPUS once again. My MRI and chest X-Ray were scheduled for 12/10. I just wanted to know what I was up against so I could have a fair fight!
To be continued...
Photo courtesy of: Umm, some site in my Google search (sorry)
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