Originally Posted by Nancy T

Julie--I would be very happy at being referred to a super-specialist to deal with your eye problem. AND that they are willing to accept your insurance. It sounds like the doctors are really working with you here.

A week may seem like a long time, but in the grand scheme of getting complex problems diagnosed, it's nothing. It's normal to be impatient and want answers as soon as possible, but please give the doctors time to work through their process.

They have the training, knowledge, experience, and perspective to know how best to proceed. They have seen thousands of patients. All we have is the Internet and impatience.

I don't mean that to sound harsh--but I do think that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. I see people criticizing doctors because they don't read their own MRIs, because they didn't order this or that test, etc. when there may be very good reasons for the doctors' actions. WE ARE NOT THE EXPERTS.

Of course we need to educate ourselves as much as possible about what's going on with us. And it's perfectly legitimate to ask our doctors about anything we don't understand.

Bad doctors, careless doctors, rude doctors, etc. need to be dumped, of course. But we, on the other hand, need to rein in our natural impatience, worry, and attempts to second-guess doctors. We need to give them a chance to do their work--and then be ready to ask them questions.

As I said, I would be thrilled to be referred to a neuro-ophthalmologist--they are the super-specialists and most likely to properly diagnose and treat you. Because they are rather rare specialists, I'm not surprised you have to travel to see one. Don't be put off by this--it will be worth it.

Good luck!!! and very best wishes in getting your problems figured out.

Nancy T.