hi Beth,
Oh, do I ever know how you feel. When I first began having symptoms and they worsened, I finally went to my optometrist, thinking that my eyes were irritated because of my contact lenses. I explained my symptoms to him (as my eyes were fine when he examined me)and he told me that it sounded like a disorder called Blepharospasm. I had him write it down for me. He gave me a specialists name to call and make an appointment. I called and they couldn't see me for 2 months. I made an appointment anyway. So I thought, great, I'll just go see my ophthalmologist in the meantime. I saw him three times over the next three weeks. Symptoms were worsening and he said that he really didn't know what was wrong with me but I sure didn't have Blepharospasm. I was 47 at the time and he said that someone my age couldn't have it. It always occured in women over 65 or 70. He sent me to a corneal specialist. That took several more weeks before I could be seen. The day that I went to see the corneal specialist, I went ahead and cancelled my appointment with doctor #1. The corneal specialist checked me over and said "you have Blepharospasm and you need to see "doctor #1 as he is the only person in town that gives botox". The doctor that I had just cancelled the appointment with. The corneal specialist had his staff call to see if they could get me in within the next few days. No, Dr. #1 was going on a two week vacation and he was double booked for the next month. We made an appointment for a little over a month away. I went home and cried. I then called Dr. #1's office and begged and cried to his nurse to get me in sooner or at least to prescribe some medicine to make it bareable. I was told that there was nothing that she could do for me and that there was no medication that would help at all.....only botox. So, I basically went to bed and pretty much stayed there or on the couch. Then the kicker.....he never gave botox on an initial office visit....that would have to be scheduled after the appointment.So, I do know how you feel and I did get through it...basically with the help of this bulletin board and the wonderful and caring people that I met here that could relate to my problem. At least I wasn't alone with this thing.
I have learned that getting proper treatment is a slow process and it is the extremely lucky soul that is diagnosed quickly and gets satisfactory treatment and is able to go on and function fairly normally.
We've been there so let us help you when we can.
Shirley in Arkansas
