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Old 01-30-2013, 05:10 PM
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cyclecrash cyclecrash is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 267
10 yr Member
cyclecrash cyclecrash is offline
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cyclecrash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 267
10 yr Member
Unhappy 4 1/2 months to see an ophthalmologist?!?!

Why in the world should it take 4 1/2 months to see an ophthalmologist!!! We're not talking about a brain surgeon here! I'm so frustrated.....

So I started seeing my optometrist about 2 months after my concussion because my eyes seem to be one of the things holding me back the most. Blurred vision causing dizziness, headaches, confusion; dry eye; pain behind eye and above; pain with eye movement; difficult/painful to look up; unable to drive or walk; eye strain, etc.

He gave me eye drops and told me that in a couple months it would all be better except the dry eye might be permanent. Luckily there was nothing wrong with my eyes, it was my brain causing the problems. Keep in mind this is an Optometrist so not a brain specialist. I went back about 2 months later and again told him how bad everything was and how it was limiting my recovery. He did a few more tests (basic tests) and again said there was no damage to my eyes.

I requested to see a neuro ophthalmologist. he started the ball rolling to get me referred to one. This was two months ago... about a month ago the neuro-ophthalmologist got back to him that he required a referral from an ophthalmologist so I have to see one of them first. So a month ago my optometrist referred me to an ophthalmologist to try to get him to refer me to the neuro-op. ARE YOU STILL WITH ME!!

Just found out today that my appointment with the ophthalmologist is MAY 23'rd. Yes MAY!!!!!! And then I will probably have to wait another 4 months or so to see the neuro-op. I'm very frustrated and upset. My vestibular physiotherapist and neuro psychologist both believe I cannot move forward in my progress until I get my eyes figured out. I have to be able to walk to progress!

I know almost all of you have eye symptoms so maybe I'm just overreacting here but I believe they are a large key to my getting better. Out of all my symptoms.. they're the ones that if anything are getting worse not better over time. Patience and more time may be the answer though.

I do have a bit of a back up plan though.. at the end of February I see a new neurologist, concussion specialist, and she will refer me to anyone she thinks I need to see so I'm hoping to circumvent the whole ophthalmologist appointment altogether and jump right to neuro-opth. I'm trying to be careful not to be too hopeful on these appointments but I think it's too late and I'll be crushed if they bomb.

Just wanted to vent. Thanks for listening and understanding! My eyes are killing me from my vestibular physiotherapy today so I'm going to go rest them.

I hope you are having a calm day!

CC
__________________
I'm a 39 year old, female, accountant. On July 2, 2012 I crashed my bike at the end of a 65KM road ride. I was fine that day but woke up the next morning to my current world.

Ongoing symptoms include: dizziness, blurred vision, light and noise sensitivities, cognitive problems, uncontrollable emotions/depression/anxiety, headaches (but they're getting better), mental and physical fatigue, difficulty communicating and sleep disturbances.

Currently seeing a fabulous Neuro Psychologist and vestibular physiotherapist and hoping to soon see a neuro ophthalmologist. I am currently doing 20 minute stationary bike rides daily, 20 minutes of meditating, 15 minutes of Lumosity and lots of resting. I have not been able to work or drive since the accident.

The things that have helped me the most since the accident are vestibular therapy, gel eye drops (for blurred vision, sensitivity and dryness), amitriptyline (10mg), and meditating. I am finally starting to see some slight improvements and am hopeful!

My brain WANTS to heal itself... I just have to let it and stop trying to get better!
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"Thanks for this!" says:
greenfrog (01-30-2013)