In retrospect my biggest mistake was seeing a specialist first. It seemed like the right move to me at the time though. In December of 2009 I began to develop some difficulty with my eyesight and by early 2010 I had developed rather sever night blindness and tunnel vision during daylight hours as well as headaches when the light was too bright. I had no health coverage so had avoided seeing a doctor until I fell over my dog because I couldn’t see him, and sliced my arm to the extent of stitches. Since this seemed to be an eye issue I chose to see an eye specialist.
I sought out a reputable eye doctor who ordered test upon test, some tests were repeated numerous times and I traveled extensively to other specialists in this field. Needless to say after three months, not one of the specialists could tell me what the problem was or suggest a doctor I should see to assist with this condition that had worsened over the time frame. The amount of cash I paid out for these procedures is more than I am willing to divulge here.
At my wits end I phoned my GP which I had gone to for over fifteen years and told him of my situation. He had me in his office that day with copies of all the specialists results. He did a general exam and ran blood work. In two days it was determined that I had developed a liver infection which in turn had become cirrhosis. My liver at this point was five times it’s normal size and ran a risk of bursting.
It is a year later, My liver functions are normal, I have complete clear eyesight again. My liver does have damage and I have had to adjust my lifestyle accordingly. If I had gone to my GP in the first place and had asked him for advisement I certainly would have been better off, especially financially. All of the difficulties I experienced could have easily been avoided. I do have some anger toward those doctors I visited in the optic field, for not once did any of them suggest I see my regular doctor for advisement, they just kept taking my money and sending me on to the next “Specialist”. Had I stuck with them, I would certainly be dead by now.
If such terrible things, immediately take advice from a medical malpractice lawyer.
