So today was alternately nerve wracking/relieving. Marc was scheduled to have botox injections in his eyelids today which we had been told might help his condition. After watching a disturbing video of the procedure and doing extensive research both of us were really not too confident that the injections would work, but since this was the course of treatment for his current diagnosis we were trying to put on a brave face about it.
Marc was silent on the way to the hospital -- and if you know Marc you know that he likes to talk. The poor guy was dreading what was going to happen and personally I was hoping I didn't turn into a wreck during the procedure. Everyone was praying for us and we could feel the prayers.
This time he was seen by two neurologists, a new one we had never met and the one who had seen us in the emergency room 3 weeks ago. Finally, praise God, they listened carefully and the new neuroligist took copitious notes on everything he said. Marc was able to effectively communicate all of his symptoms to the doctors and they ran a series of tests to see how his muscle function was. After a thorough evaluation of his person and many, many questions this new neurologist told us that she was not going to do the injections because she did not believe they would work.
She ruled out a link between his bells palsy history and the likelyhood that it is connected to his exposure to mortar fire or falling down the stairs. However we were shocked when she said this could be a result of his PTSD. I came home and did some preliminary reseach and apparently they believe that PTSD may alter neurobiological function resulting in a host of health effects. She wants us to pursue treatement through his primary care giver at the VA to see about getting him in for PTSD therapy.
The other cause that it could be (but again they really don't know) is myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks certian neurochemicals related to voluntary muscle function. She ordered a blood test that would tell her if he has this. In the meantime she put him on the medication for that disorder and if it works then we will take it from there. We should know in a few days if he has that condition and if the drug treatment is working.
Both doctors stressed that they hope it is not a neurological disease and we all hope Marc recovers.
Marc was of course relieved that they did not have to inject his eyelid area 16 times with a poisonious substance but is also bummed at the same time that we are back to not knowing what we are dealing with. If it is PTSD and it doesnt go away then he will most likely be classified as 100% disabled. He would not be allowed to work and that throws his asperations at finishing his degree pretty much out the window. If it is myasthenia then the condition is treatable but there is no cure. Of course it could be something else entirely.
I am hoping that by this weekend we will know if the medication prescribed is working. Then we wait for the test results and head back to the doctor probably next tuesday to see about his PTSD stuff. I hope then we will know more and be able to make some decisions about jobs and life in general.
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