The Doctor Says ...

... that I need to go for more tests before we really know what's going on. When I went in to see her I was fairly certain that she was going to tell me that I most definitely had Bell's Palsy, that it went away over time, and not to sweat it. Not that I was trying to self-diagnose mind you but that was what I figured I'd hear. Instead what I heard was "we need you to go have a CT scan asap and some blood work and maybe even an ultrasound of the arteries in your neck". HUH? That was not exactly what I was expecting, nor wanting, to hear what with the ridiculously high co-pays that my insurance carries when it comes to any sort of higher level of care tests.

According to my doctor, what I have doesn't exactly present like Bell's Palsy in that my symptoms more or less come and go whereas with Bell's they come on quickly, peak in 48 hours, and then stick around for about six weeks. Plus I don't have any sort of droop to my face or limited movement of my eyebrows, etc.; no slurred speech, no trouble opening or closing my eyes, etc.

Not that she was trying to scare the beejeebers out of me but she mentioned TIAs and other assorted possibilities that didn't sound all that wonderful or simple. At any rate, despite the high co-pay, I got sent immediately to the hospital for a CT scan of my head which turned out to be negative. Come to think of it, they didn't mention anything about finding a brain! Tomorrow I have to go in for some blood work and then I guess depending on how that turns out I may or may not have to have that ultrasound the doctor mentioned. Honestly, I am really hoping I don't because $500 worth of medical tests are so NOT in the budget anywhere.

I still have my fingers (my somewhat numb fingers!) crossed that this is just another pinched nerve or something but as the doctor said it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to all these tests. Safe, sorry, and broke!

I'll let you all know when I know - whenever that may be!