Finding answers - keep me in your thoughts

[June91]

A lot of you have been following my bewildering failing sight saga: http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/eyes/17971-troubled-and-puzzled.html.

Now I am moving the story from the eye thread, as there is probably a neurological problem behind it. I am worried, especially as I still have no idea what is happening. Tuesday morning (I'm 6-8 hours ahead of most of you Americans, and 8 hours behind most Australians), I have a test scheduled. It's called visual evoked potential. Hopefully it will clarify some things, but I am not sure if it's exactly good news.

I will write a detailed description to leave in the archives in case someone else has to have the test. Meanwhile, keep your fingers crossed for me.

[belyro]

I'll be thinking of you. Please let us know how it goes.

[HelenM]

Will be thinkingi of you tomorrow morning June,
Helen

[ladytaz]

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers June! *hugz*

[KickStart101]

Geez, that must be sooo frustrating. I wish
you Much Good Luck in the testing and results
June. :)

[ant hill]

I will be thinking of you june and hope that all is well for you.
For the next 24 hours i will pray for you.

[June91]

I won't bother writing about the evoked potential test, other than to complain a bit about thick, painful needles under my scalp and what felt like some serious voltage going through them. I felt like the Bride of Frankenstein and still haven't fully recovered. If anyone has to take the test, pm me for details.

It seems I was right about the dx on April 18:

Xmenace, how about non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy or simple old dry macular degeneration? I am preparing for my Friday appointment. It is always fun to see the doctor's face as you offer a plausible diagnosis they didn't think of first... :rofl:

The neurologist seems to think it is more than likely NAAION (optic neuropathy): Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (http://www.lowvision.org/ischemic_optic_neuropathy.htm).

I am going for an MRI scan tomorrow to rule out any physical pressure on the nerve and then for a computerized visual field analysis. After those are eliminated, then the neuropathy diagnosis can be confirmed. I am now off to google available treatments and prognosis for naaion, as the doctor did not want to talk about that until dx was final.

Thank you everyone for all the positive energy, thoughts and prayers. You have made it all so much easier.

[Injecto]

Man June, I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this. All of my thoughts and prayers are going out to you.

[princesslinda]

June, you hang in there...so sorry to hear all your having to go through. Sending thoughts, prayers and well-wishes your way.

[kgm0612]

Sending good vibes your way and keeping you in my thoughts & prayers!

Karen

[Gangrel]

Sending good vibes from Canuckland!!!!!

Remember to always think of the good side. You are getting answers.... even if the questions come painfully.

[blacklightmike]

I hope things go easily for you June, without pain and fear. You're in my thought and prayers.

[Sarmar7]

Hope everything goes OK.

[Mich]

Hey June, I'm following your progress and thinking of you. Mich

[babs2000]

June-Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers while you go through this. Beth

[camjen1]

June, please know that I'll be thinking of you and hope that everything goes okay.

((((HUGS))))

[Tricia452008]

Best of luck to you June. I hope everything turns out ok...

[notme]

June, You definitely have my good thoughts and a few prayers coming your way. This must be a very scary time for you. Good luck and your test and keep us updated as much as you can.

[Solarismach5]

Good luck June, I hope it goes well

[June91]

Captain's log, Tuesday, May 9, noon.

MRI scan shows nothing on my brain. I am delighted. :elefant: This statement obviously cries out for witty comments which are expected from the usual comedians.

So after I do the visual field test, if that is also negative, we are back at the NAAION diagnosis. Unfortunately, not much in the way of tretment regarding that one.

[Gangrel]

Captain's log, Tuesday, May 9, noon.

MRI scan shows nothing on my brain. I am delighted. :elefant: This statement obviously cries out for witty comments which are expected from the usual comedians.



Ahem. Comedians. Here? Where?!?!?!?




To be serious!!!!! I'm glad the scan went well! The possibilities are narrowing, and it's always better to be precise like a laser, and not like a shotgun.

I'll keep the positive thoughts going.

Oh, and don't worry, that whole nothing in the brain on the scan thing? I'll let someone else make a joke aobut how you didn't need an MRI to tell you that, that I could have told the doctor that right now....


;)

[GhostRydr]

All the best and good luck, you'll be in my thoughts for good news.

Kurt

[June91]

It has now been almost definitely confirmed that I have optic neuropathy (NAAION, http://www.lowvision.org/ischemic_optic_neuropathy.htm) caused by bouts of extremely low blood pressure.

IMO, all diabetics should be on an ACE. My last bp was 100/50, but I'm still on one.

I am also very glad I am not on any kind of ACE inhibitor. I had the foresight NOT to take any, way back in August last year: http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/other-medications/11280-new-med.html#post136435.

Now I have been informed that taking any ACE inhibitors would have made my problem MUCH worse MUCH sooner. Do we really have to be our own endos, internists and ophtalmologists? I am getting a bit weary of it all.

I am also getting really tired regarding other aspects of diabetes too lately, so i feel a rant might be coming up very soon. ;)