I just found this forum. I have a lot of questions but I also have a of the same issues that this forum presents.
I have been seriously ill since the Spring of 2007. In January 2008, I slipped out of my SUV, hitting every part of my body on the vehicle, the side rails and finally the black ice on my friend's driveway.
I won't bore you with all of the surgeries but my biggest complaint is that for 2 years, I have been having trouble with my eyes.
I was told eye Ptosis by 8 Surgeons. 1 said I had "fatty pads"? I got a 2nd opinion and my Field of Vision tests were really poor. They tested me in the a.m. the following week and they were worse. In fact, if they tape my eyelids and brows, I have perfect vision!
Having this 2nd opinion upset Surgeon 1 and she declined to do surgery. She is one of the best in her field.
I sought out other Physicians. 3 had the skills to work on my upper eyelids and brows as they were so low it was like having shades pulled over your eyes 75%
of the way. I desperately sought out surgery.
One Surgeon would not get pre-authorization, so that meant Credit Card. The Plastic Surgeon said, "Yes, but I would have to miss my son's College Graduation or my Daughter's High School Graduation. Of course, I said, "No."
They failed to tell me he was P/T, Retiring and so I had to find someone else.
I traveled 3 hours to NH. I had my Pre-Op and surgery was a go in 5 days! I was on top of the world! He asked for more blood work but no one told me why and what? He cancelled the surgery. No one would accept my calls or give me a reason. I was devastated. In this time frame of 1 week, my Insurance Co. called me and told me that I was approved for Surgery and they would pay for all of it! How often does that happen?
So I saw my Neurologist that specializes in MS. I had an MG work-up 2X before. He ran MRI's on my Cervical & Brain looking for lesions. Negative.
Now I am being seen for Ocular EMG. I have all of the symptoms of Grave's but the blood test came back negative. I do not have the bulging eyes...I have all the symptoms of MG but that's a negative and I have a feeling this test on my eyes will be a Positive.
They keep pushing me into therapy? I know I have Clinical Depression. I know it's severe but wouldn't you be severe after 2+ years of trying to find a Surgeon to operate? Having Physical & Sexual Abuse in the 1st quarter of my life does not take my intelligence away?
I want Surgery on my eyes...depression counseling and attend the Rehab Gym for strength and stability.
I saw a posting by someone and she mentioned depression and sexual abuse from childhood and they feel this manifests "hypochondria"?
I walk with a cane. I lose my balance. My shins kill me, especially at night. My eyes prevent me from taking in light until halfway through the day and I can only drive for 1-2 hours late in the day.
Why does everything have to come back to Mental Health?
I need a Surgeon who deals with Ptosis of the eyes and brow in New England. IF you have recommendations, that would be most appreciative.
I am having the EMG on my eyes in 2 weeks or sooner. I can accept all of this. I will do the Depression classes but give me back my eyesight as much as possible and let me have some dignity and quality of life?
I know my accident affected my neck and spinal cord. I didn't realize that my neck is strained from positioning it to see. So I wear heated neck wraps and I use a TENS unit.
My Paternal side has Thyroid Issues and Thyroid Cancer. My tests come back normal, yet my weight skyrocketed 100 pounds and I dropped 50.
I am 51. I take 3 anti-depressants and I am on 50,000 units of Vitamin D. It really helps and clinical trials in MS have shown positive effects with Vit. D.
So that's my story.
I want to thank all of you for sharing your personal information. It's really validating. I am trying to do my very best to be the most healthiest Mom I can be but I just need my eyesight.
Boston must have someone that can help me? Our UVM Medical Center seems to be at a loss for Plastic Surgeons as is Upstate NY across the Lake.
I want to travel before the snow hits and more black ice.