The eyes of the monster – part 2

Well, I went to see the eye surgeon. The upshot of my meeting was that I’m not going to have an operation to correct my doublevision. I decided that it wasn’t worth it because I have what he termed a “complex squint” and any correction to my doublevision to the left would be offset by

The eyes of the monster

Regular readers may know that I have had doublevision ever since my last big relapse in 2008. Every time I look left I see double. Looking straight ahead I’m fine and looking to the right, results in a textbook case of nystagmus (shaky eyes). Doublevision is the reason I saw my GP in the first

DVLA update #3

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will be aware that my driving licence officially ran out at the end of March as I have to have it updated every three years. You will also be aware that I don’t have my shiny new licence yet due to the DVLA Medical Group making an

Mild relapse?

I have been on beta interferon (Rebif) for nearly two years now and in that time I haven’t had a relapse. Or have I? Beta interferon is supposed to reduce the likelihood of having a relapse and minimise the effects if you do get one. Back in January 2009, when I came off gabapentin, I experienced

Eye and blood appointments

I went to see the opthalmologist and orthoptist last month as a follow up to my December 2009 appointment. It took 65 minutes of waiting in a waiting room  before I was eventually seen. Everything is fine with my eyes – pressure, field test, colour vision, optic nerve are all OK. Yes, I have had

Getting fit with Mr Uhthoff

This isn’t a new year’s resolution, but I have decided to get fit. This incorporates a couple of in-built problems, the most obvious being the MS, of course, but the second being the fact that I don’t do personal trainers (I have to admit to being quite rude to the only one I have ever

Giving in

Yesterday I gave in. I rang work to say that I couldn’t make it to the bus stop (one mile away up an icy hill) because of the weather. In January 2003, I put my books to one side (I was doing a masters degree at the time), donned my walking boots and headed out

“Sorry, there’s nothing we can do”

There is a stand up routine by Sean Lock where he recounts being told off for swearing by belligerent airport staff. His exasperated reply finishes with “This is exactly the sort of occasion swearing was f***ing invented for!” Excuse me a moment… a$%e!… &u$%&!!… (%d%*!!! %^&*!!… f&*^:~!!… ~*()&*&^$%$”!!!!!! There – out of my system… No,

Doublevision

Wahay! I am off to see an orthoptist tomorrow to talk doublevision. Doublevision and eye movement problems in general have been my one constant since I had my last major relapse in 2008. My MS history is littered with symptoms and side effects that have come and gone or have fluctuated with other external factors

One year on …

Today is the first anniversary of my diagnosis (see MS History – part two). Health professional bodycount so far. Starting with the first GP visit last year, the bodycount is as follows GPs 4 Practice Nurses 2 MS nurse 1 Ward nurse 1 Occupational Health nurse 1 Phlebotomists 6 (estimate) Physiotherapists 1 Neurologists 5 Neuro-psychologists