1. From the Nipplemania Newsletter to The Eyeball Update: Gray Matter, Matters
They’re after me! every Pokémon creature that exists is hiding out in my head.
In October 2004, in an attempt to maintain my sanity when it was discovered that I had breast cancer, I started writing my
NIPPLEMANIA Newsletter. (The series is within this blog, Index here)
For about five years now I have been experiencing strange visual disturbances and as prolific and annoying as they are they resolve within a half hour, usually painless but downright annoying, As of last Thursday evening the usual game changed and another kind of visual stuff began that never resolved. THIS was not my typical visual migraine. Lately, I have been living with lava-lamp shifting globs and flashing lights in the lower portion of my right vision. I can see a broccoli-shaped object with blood vessels. A dark veil covers my lower vision. My other eye sometimes manages to take over.
I’ve been to the ophthalmologist twice in the last two weeks-the first time for an annual checkup, a visit that was perfectly normal, but an emergency appointment a week later with totally odd symptoms, but nothing was revealed in the eye; I was told to go to the ER. Instead I got an emergency appointment to my neurologist, I had a carotid doppler which was normal. Then, Sunday night I had 3 MRI’s.
They were reported to be “normal.”
Today a 4-hour visit to the retinal specialist RULED OUT the eye.
NOTHING is “showing” and yet I am unable to see properly.
That leaves The BRAIN..brain..brain…brainnnnn. (need one of those echo machines)
I have to make an appt with the BIG GUY in Manhattan at Roosevelt Hospital, who–of course–is going on vacation. Now we play “the waiting game.” I was told he is a “great guy and if he can’t figure this out no one can.” I am hoping he can sort out ALL the visual disturbances that are going on. In the meantime I might have to rule out an optic nerve tumor or aneurysm with another test.
My photographer friend, Phillipa, from my photography group challenged me to do a self portrait (current weekly group challenge) that describes what my visual issues are like. I accepted the challenge (I needed to be kept busy lest I go bonkers waiting for my next appointment).
I think I have figured out what the problem is … I found Pikachu rooting around my sinuses.
#alittlehumorhelps #theres a #Pokemon mob in my #head
#stillcantsee #wadda-week
Sue,
You may want to consider seeeing a Neuro Ophthalmologist.
There aren’t many, in fact I believe there are only 3 in the New York area, one of whom is at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital Harkness Center.
I’m not even sure if he’s still there, but his name was Dr. O’Day.
Several years ago Richard woke up with an unexplained diplopia (double vision) that unlike the normal diplopia which side to side was up and down.
After several batteries of tests, it was determined that he had a sinus infection that had pressed on his occipital nerve causing severe swelling.
In any case, I hope you reach a conclusion to this new dilemma.
If I can be of any assistance in any way please let me know.
Sue, I wish you much luck with the Doctor, at Roosevelt. I know you have to wait a bit to see him. I know it always seem that when you want to see a doc they are going on vacation!
They hide EVERYWHERE these Pokémon, they do! I hope the BIG GUY at the Roosevelt Hospital is a champion player.
Thanks for the smile, sister 😀