my situation


Posted by becca ® , Mar 04,2001,17:39   Archive
Hello everyone, I hope everyone is doing fine. And in good spirits. The first time I posted a mes. I didn't tell you too much about myself, so here goes and your input is much appriciated.
In February of 2000 I started being sensitive to light and my eyes were blinking too much. and the 27th of February I was on my way to work and my blinking really bad and I thought I mentally didn't want to go to work. I was crying I couldn't see, finally I got to work and I broke down and cried. The vice-principal said I should go home. I did and went to the doctor they gave muscle relaxers and I was told that I was suffering from anxiety. I went to 4 different opthamoligest and they said I had a form of pink eye. I was given artifical tears and sent home. All this time I told all the doctors that I had a very bad headache and thats when they gave me the muscles relaxers and then I saw a 5 opthomaligist and he sent my urgent care where the doctor said I was having a migrane. I don't know about migraines. She sent me to have a ct and it came out fine. She injected me with something for the headache and was sent home. I was going to be fine. I fell asleep and the minute I woke I felt the headache still there. I was given another shot 3 days later by another doctor. and nothing worked. I was told a male doctor that I was stressed. Being 44 and menopausal and having grown kids at home. He said I needed councleing. I went and they put me off work for 3 weeks and I was put on Paxil. They said I had anxiaty . The principal had me fill out a workmens comp report. I switched insurance providers and THANK GOD , the first doctor that saw me sent me to a neuroligist and he took one look at me and said I had a Severe case of Blepho. I was given my first injection in Dec. but nothing happened he gave 20 mg. total. Next time he will give me 40 mg. But I asked him he could get me off work till the next shot and God Bless him, he did. that will be on the 14th of March. Now my workmens comp adjuster said according to the paper work from the doctors my condition was not caused by my work but was agrivated by it. So what does that mean????? Should I ask my neuroligist doctor to get me off for the 5 months or if the shot does work should I work till I can't stand it any longer. Have any of you ever of workmens comp putting you off on disablitiy? I am stressing over this . pleas help.



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Re: my situation

Re : my situation --- becca
Posted by Mindy ® , Mar 04,2001,19:16 Top of Thread Archive
Hi becca,
What your comp adjuster means is; no, your job did not cause this
condition, however stress plays a major role in this condition,
and your BEB is worsened by the stress.
I was out on leave from work twice. That waiting and not knowing
when I would be able to return to work in itself was stressful.
The second time I made up my mind that I was not pushing myself to go
back too soon. That proved to be the right thing for me.
This time when I went back I was able to continue working.
I did however not return to my job as Nursery school teacher after my second leave, and went back to working for my chiro only 2 half days a week.
I am well enough to work more days, but no way am I going to chance
it. But, that's me, and I have to go by how much my body can handle.
I would say take the longest leave you are able and see how you feel
when it's time to return.
Hugs,
Mindy in NY



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Re: my situation

Re : my situation --- becca
Posted by Lynn Yarbrough ® , Mar 05,2001,15:10 Top of Thread Archive
Hi, Becca,

I can certainly relate to your concern and stress level about this diagnosis and your iffy experience with workman's comp. This is a rough time in your life. But keep smiling: you have a good diagnosis and a rational treatment, and while it will take a while to settle in on the correct dosage of Botox that you will need, things should be getting better for you.

I suspect your Neurologist told you much of what I'm saying, but you may not have been prepared to get it all, so I'll put in writing for you.

The "E" in BEB means Essential, a medical term for "it is its own cause". So the WC Dr. was right, it was not caused by your job, only aggravated by stress. Your full treatment must include some stress management methods. The cause of the specific symptoms we all get is a 7th cranial nerve that goes wacky for whatever reason, misfiring at random. The Botox actually does nothing for the nerve, but paralyses the muscles the nerve controls, so they won't go wacky too. For a time. Eventually the muscles heal, and you start over. Until the researchers find a better treatment, this is what we all go through.

I have never had to deal with Workman's Comp or Soc. Sec. disability - I have always been able to manage working - so I can't speak for those issues.

Stress management? Come here to this BB as frequently as you need to, and let off steam. You will find several people who are in similar situations, and they know how you feel and what you're experiencing. Some of us have special techniques to beat stress, some of which may work for you. Take what works, ignore the rest. And keep your sense of humor - it's worth its weight in chemicals!

--- Lynn




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Re: my situation

Re : Re: my situation --- Lynn Yarbrough
Posted by June in Toronto ® (June Floyd,June in Toronto), Mar 05,2001,15:44 Top of Thread Archive
Lynn - well said.

June in Toronto




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