Six months ago I first got symptoms of what I now know is probably CLIPPERS. This week it's time for two days of reassessment, fortunately as an out-patient this time. This also coincides with the last few days of my reducing steroid course which so far has done it's job and kept CLIPPERS at bay. So with the benefit of hindsight, time for a brief recap of the last few months.
That's a bit strange: Out on the periphery of my right-side vision things appear a bit double. Doesn't stop me watching tv though so let's not worry about it.
More strangeness: Watching tv becoming annoying. Internet paranoia tells me that double vision should be treated as a medical emergency. Let's worry about it now.
June 2011:
Moorfields A&E: Don't worry, here are some strange glasses, go away now.
July 2011:
Return to Moorfields: Yes it's worse. Here are some stranger glasses. Let's refer you to Neuro-Opthalmology. Is it time to start worrying now? Internet feeds paranoia. Balance noticeably off.
Forcing the issue: Volunteer for a brain-scan at work knowing it will be read by a neuro-radiologist. Reported "abnormal" just as my Neuro-Opthalmology appointment comes through. Worry now.
Neuro-Opthalmology: Everyone agrees something's not right - I knew that already! - but my eyes are fine so the problem is likely brain-related. Completely fail the "heel-to-toe" walking test. Referred for admission to NHNN for in-patient tests. Hands/fingers and face feeling tingly/numb. Internet suggests brain tumour or Multiple Sclerosis. Worry more now.
August-September 2011:
Hospital: You can read about this elsewhere. Came out a month later with a diagnosis of CLIPPERS, a bag full of drugs, weird walking and speech defects and lots of respect for the nursing staff.
October-November 2011:
Improvement1 and Improvement2: Gradual improvement on all fronts until close to normal. Chance of a relapse based on others reported experience. Hope for some more drugs. The worst-case scenario is unexpected relapse which points to a different diagnosis. Worry a little.
December-2011 and Beyond
Who Knows? Change of treatment? Recurrence? Progression? Or complete remission? We shall see. An update on this weeks excitement at the Day Care Unit will follow shortly.
December-2011 and Beyond
Who Knows? Change of treatment? Recurrence? Progression? Or complete remission? We shall see. An update on this weeks excitement at the Day Care Unit will follow shortly.
Read other articles in this series at Living With CLIPPERS.
Living With CLIPPERS by Bill Crum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
