Aa
Great Doctors and the continued Thickening Plot
I had my appointment with the Rheumatologist yesterday. My PCP had referred me to look into Sjogrens because of my chronic Parotid gland swelling and other things.
He performed the Schirmer test. That test is placing two strips of paper in each eye and then having the patient close their eyes. Normal is greater or equal to 15 millimeters and mine was 1, but of course there are other criteria.
He sent me over for an x-ray because he was suspicious of Interstitial Lung Disease, something that I don’t even want to think about right now so I will deal with it later. When I got in my car I began to cry a bit about that as I am out of breath much of the time.
I go back tomorrow morning for two biopsies. One of the Aphthous ulcer that I have had now for 6 months and then he will biopsy the salivary glands. He was quite concerned about these and didn’t even want to wait until Friday for the biopsies. Quix has been very direct and firm in her concern about these things. It has taken time, but finally a doctor is following through. I was just so tired. If only Quix could be our physician!
He ordered massive amounts of blood tests. Ten vials of blood were taken for a host of things I didn’t recognize. He even ordered an HIV test, he asked if he could ---it’s highly unlikely.
After the biopsies I go to see the neuro-opthalmologist assuming I can make it through the snow.
Thanks to all for all the support you have given. You are the best!
Red
He performed the Schirmer test. That test is placing two strips of paper in each eye and then having the patient close their eyes. Normal is greater or equal to 15 millimeters and mine was 1, but of course there are other criteria.
He sent me over for an x-ray because he was suspicious of Interstitial Lung Disease, something that I don’t even want to think about right now so I will deal with it later. When I got in my car I began to cry a bit about that as I am out of breath much of the time.
I go back tomorrow morning for two biopsies. One of the Aphthous ulcer that I have had now for 6 months and then he will biopsy the salivary glands. He was quite concerned about these and didn’t even want to wait until Friday for the biopsies. Quix has been very direct and firm in her concern about these things. It has taken time, but finally a doctor is following through. I was just so tired. If only Quix could be our physician!
He ordered massive amounts of blood tests. Ten vials of blood were taken for a host of things I didn’t recognize. He even ordered an HIV test, he asked if he could ---it’s highly unlikely.
After the biopsies I go to see the neuro-opthalmologist assuming I can make it through the snow.
Thanks to all for all the support you have given. You are the best!
Red
Thank you ladies!
Thank you for your prayers Sarah. Sometimes it is hard to believe the God is helping us as we can't see the whole picture. This illness and medical process has really stretched my faith.
I was really tired by the time I got to the opthalmologist. I don't know that I even explained my experience very well. I think there may be a more obvious eye situation at some point and that will help with eye diagnosis.
I will look at 'Lean On Me', I didn't realize that it was about MS.
Hugs XXXX
Red
Thank you for your prayers Sarah. Sometimes it is hard to believe the God is helping us as we can't see the whole picture. This illness and medical process has really stretched my faith.
I was really tired by the time I got to the opthalmologist. I don't know that I even explained my experience very well. I think there may be a more obvious eye situation at some point and that will help with eye diagnosis.
I will look at 'Lean On Me', I didn't realize that it was about MS.
Hugs XXXX
Red
You are such a sweetheart with your huggy hugs to Red! I'm sending a zillion hugs across the Atlantic to you too!!
WAF
P.S. Have Prince William and Kate set the date yet? What is it?
WAF
P.S. Have Prince William and Kate set the date yet? What is it?
Sheesh Red, I'm a little out of the loop, not having perused this site for a while, but I thought they had determined you had MS!!! Was that diagnosis taken away from you?
You have spunk to go through all these tests, but, having done essentially the same thing myself without anything to show for it, I have to reiterate: My impression is it's all basically just a money-maker for them. Diagnoses used to be easier to come by. Now that we have so much more technology and so many more diagnostics, it should be much easier to get diagnosed, yet most of us end up still left without an answer after much outlay of dinero for tests. However, by delaying diagnosis indefinitely, think how much more money they can make selling us every form of inquiry. It's the old carrot-on-a-string trick: This time, this test will give you the answer - right? Wrong!
Did you ever read the excellent book "Lean On Me" by Nancy Davis, a woman with MS? If not, I urge you to do so. There are other effective routes of inquiry and treatment besides modern medicine.
WAF
You have spunk to go through all these tests, but, having done essentially the same thing myself without anything to show for it, I have to reiterate: My impression is it's all basically just a money-maker for them. Diagnoses used to be easier to come by. Now that we have so much more technology and so many more diagnostics, it should be much easier to get diagnosed, yet most of us end up still left without an answer after much outlay of dinero for tests. However, by delaying diagnosis indefinitely, think how much more money they can make selling us every form of inquiry. It's the old carrot-on-a-string trick: This time, this test will give you the answer - right? Wrong!
Did you ever read the excellent book "Lean On Me" by Nancy Davis, a woman with MS? If not, I urge you to do so. There are other effective routes of inquiry and treatment besides modern medicine.
WAF
Your courage and persistence is an inspiration to us all and you are such a special person who deserves to find answers. I am not too sure if luck plays a part in any of this and sometimes finding myself questioning the hand that God throws us..but I shall continue to have faith that someone up there knows what he is doing and will give him his work sending a load more prayers for you. Hopefully he will decide to sort it out soon to save himself some time having to work his way through them all as I know that others on this forum are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers too.
Take care dear Red
Love and huge huggy hugs
Sarah
Take care dear Red
Love and huge huggy hugs
Sarah
Hi Red
Just wanted to comment on the eye issue and say, yes, It is so frustrating! My first symtpoms of my non-ms problems were eye probs. for me, Hazy vision like it's always a foggy day. I saw at least 5 eye doctors including back to my specialiast pediatric opthalmologist who did my strabismus (turned eye surgery) whom I really respect and they could not find anything wrong! Not until I saw my current hematologist specialist did someone have an explanation (nerve damage from poor blood flow to the eye). so, it was like 4 years later?! I'm more comfortable now, but have gotten used to my vision issues so I don't notice so much now. I haven't driven for a few years, but I feel comfortable enough to drive again.
Just wanted to comment on the eye issue and say, yes, It is so frustrating! My first symtpoms of my non-ms problems were eye probs. for me, Hazy vision like it's always a foggy day. I saw at least 5 eye doctors including back to my specialiast pediatric opthalmologist who did my strabismus (turned eye surgery) whom I really respect and they could not find anything wrong! Not until I saw my current hematologist specialist did someone have an explanation (nerve damage from poor blood flow to the eye). so, it was like 4 years later?! I'm more comfortable now, but have gotten used to my vision issues so I don't notice so much now. I haven't driven for a few years, but I feel comfortable enough to drive again.
Hi Red. Please keep us informed. I'm really interested to hear what they say about your salivary gland. Ironically I went to my pcp today because I have 2 swollen areas on my face that just appeared Tuesday.
He looked at me for awhile and said that it looks like my salivary gland is swollen. He said to call him Monday and let him know how I am, and then he may send me to an ent to have it looked at further.
I have chronic dry eyes and dry mouth and the swelling is new. The dry eyes may be caused by the lyrica I take.
Anyways I'm so glad to hear that you have found at least one doctor that is helping you.
He looked at me for awhile and said that it looks like my salivary gland is swollen. He said to call him Monday and let him know how I am, and then he may send me to an ent to have it looked at further.
I have chronic dry eyes and dry mouth and the swelling is new. The dry eyes may be caused by the lyrica I take.
Anyways I'm so glad to hear that you have found at least one doctor that is helping you.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
