When we welcome in a New Year we all hope for a better year, a brighter year, good luck, happiness and good health. So what the heck happened to my New Year??
It's only January 20th and I have already had problems and been hit with a big 'whammy'!
The start of the year found me experiencing problems with my eyes. My left eye in particular felt like there was grit in it, and it was so sore to blink and look around. I spent the best part of one weekend with a tissue held to my eye to keep it closed to see if that would help - it didn't. After 4 days of feeling like I had been in a sandstorm I gave in and called my ophthalmologist. One of the concerns with MS is a complication called Optic Neuritis and I wanted to ensure I wasn't developing that. I had numerous exams, my eyes were dilated (which I totally hate) and he found absolutely nothing wrong. That was good but didn't explain what was going on. He also didn't think it was allergies but he gave me some eye drops to see if it would help.
The following week I was at an appointment with my rheumatologist and mentioned the problem with my eyes, we talked about various things, he sent me off for blood work and other tests and that was that.
All that brings us to this week. On Tuesday I was at the neurologist's office discussing the fact that the steroid treatments don't really help my symptoms for long, and it was suggested I may be referred up to the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver because my case was becoming more complex and difficult to treat. My balance and coordination was checked again, and I am still in danger of falling over the moment I close my eyes so things are not much improved.
The neurologist called my rheumatologist to talk about me and the blood work I had done, and when she came back in announced something that was a big surprise to me. I have another auto-immune disease - that brings me to three now - or is it four - I am losing count! Now I have something called Sjogrens Syndrome. It's the cause for my dry eyes, my sore throat and the need to drink during eating to prevent my occasional bouts of choking, because Sjogrens doesn't just attack the tear ducts and salivary glands, it DESTROYS them!
I sat in the office and listened to what my doctor had to say. My medications are to remain to same until I am referred to see the neurologists in Denver and then I left and headed out to my car to drive home. I was OK.
But halfway home I started crying.
Maybe I am not OK.
I am not OK.
2 comments:
Oh Wendy! I hope the docs in Denver can help!
Hi,
I found your blog cruising Ravelry, and wanted to comment.
Sending good wishes your way. My mom has Sjorgrens (she was diagnosed over a decade ago). It's an odd disease and she has a lot of problems with her teeth from all the dry mouth - more cavities, etc.
I'm wishing you all the best taking one day at a time.
Post a Comment