Re: neurologist vs ophthalmologist
My experience and thoughts.....After a number of years of trying to find out what my problem was, my Opthalmologist referred me to a Neural-Opthalmologist who diagnosed my symptoms about 2 years ago. He has been administering my Botox very successfully, and he is quite knowledgeable about Blepharospasm and about the latest in research to help this condition. I've not personally felt the need to ask for any further neurological exams. Since I've been diagnosed, I read so much about blepharospasm that there is no question in my mind that his diagnosis was correct. I would think that if your doctor suspected that other contributing neurological problems were causing your symptoms, he probably would have scheduled neurological tests for you. Maybe you are not 100% convinced of your doctor's diagnosis. If that's true, maybe you need to talk with him and share your concerns...and ask him to explain the reasoning behind his diagnosis. Also, it might be a good idea to ask him how many patients he was treating successfully with Botox. Very best wishes for relief to your problem. Rita in New Jersey
Re: neurologist vs ophthalmologist
A movement disorder neurologist gives me my botox injections, and I see an ophthalmologist 3 times per year for eye examinations. I believe its very important to have the eyes checked for possible dryness causing pressure which can occur.June inToronto (beb/meige)
Re: neurologist vs ophthalmologist
I was diagnosed 6 years ago by a neurologist (a MDS) and she administered my first set of botox. They were the most painful and least successful I've ever had. (Both eyes were dark purple for weeks) Since I have meige as well I still see her every 3 months for injections into the jaw muscles and for a prescription for klonopin but I see an ophthalmologic surgeon for botox injections for the beb. His are less painful and much more effective. I did have an MRI last year after talking to Mary Lou because I was only 26 when I was diagnosed. Since I was so young she felt like I should have one as a precaution. Everything was fine.Kelly in Dallas
Re: neurologist vs ophthalmologist
I get BOTOX from a neuro-ophthalmologist who is quite knowledgeable about BEB and experienced in giving BOTOX injections. I have seen neurologists who specialize in movement disorders, but only after I was having symptoms in places besides my eyes. I've also had injections from an ocular plastic and reconstructive surgeon (the one who did my myectomy) and was pleased with him. I guess my opinion is that if your symptoms are mainly in your eyes and you are happy with the treatment you are getting, I'd stick with the doctor who is treating you now.Virginia in AL
Re: neurologist vs ophthalmologist
I originally went to a Neuro-Opthalmologist who treated me with Botox. Unfortunately since the botox did not work well for me he felt that I might need surgery. He referered me to an Occu-Plastic Surgeon who did my first operation which was a Limited Myectomy in 1997. He still gives me my Botox injections. I also had two Myectomies done (Upper and Lower) by Dr. Anderson in 2000 and 2001. Dr. Anderson is also an Occu-Plastic Surgeon. I think what matters most is that you get treated by someone who is familiar with this disorder and has treated many patients.
Re: neurologist vs ophthalmologist
Neurologist is who gives me botox. The opthamologists in Ft Smith don't do it. Also the neurologist I go to trained under one of the Drs. who spoke at the Scottsdale conference. The injections are almost painless & only once did I have potosis(which lasted about 10 days). Also I've never been black & blue following the botox.
Joann in Ark where we had rain this a.m. & now the sun is out. Spring will be here soon. I got potted tulips for Valentines day, so we'll set them out soon.
Re: neurologist vs ophthalmologist
The main thing is to find a doctor who suits you. I went to an Ophthalmologist for 10 years as I thought he was the only one here that did BEB and Botox. I was never happy with his treatment. After getting on the BB and learning all about BEB I made some more enquiries and discovered that there were indeed several doctors in my area who used Botox. I found a wonderful Ophthalmologist but also went to a Neurologist for a second opinion, really just to check out if he seemed more knowledgable than the Ophalmologist. He did seem knowledgable enough but I did not feel the instant rapport that I felt with the Ophalmologist. Also, although it is not a visual problem, the eyes are involved so I feel it is good, and very convenient, to have them checked regularly by the same person who is giving the Botox. But the main thing is to feel comfortable with your doctor and be able to discuss the treatment with him.Lyn from sunny Western Australia
Re: neurologist vs ophthalmologist
I'm very happy with the neuro-opthalmologist who originally diagnosed my BEB about two years ago (age 59) and now administers my approx. quarterly BOTOX shots. He did first rule out several other possibilities, such as tumors with a high contrast brain MRI and myastheia gravis with an injection of a test drug. We then tried drugs from each of the families (they've all been covered in this bulletin board) with no success but some had undesirable side effects. BTW, he's very good at the shots - not too bad pain - had ptosis of one eye the first two times and brusing at one spot the first time but he adjusted and all has been (relatively) fine since. He does have numerous BEB patients (he has BOTOX days twice a month).The opthalmologist I had used for decades did not diagnose BEB but did eventually refer me to the neuro-opth. Since he has retired and I have other vision problems (some related to dry eyes, some to changing from gas-permeable to soft contacts, some to cataracts), I've seen two regular opthalmologists and a corneal specialist. Although they are well respected, neither seems to understand BEB much - maybe just barely heard of it.
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