<p>Just another take on the issue… you said her appt. is Friday. If it’s something relatively easy to diagnose and treat, then no need to be there for that. She is, after all, being responsible about telling you about the problem and so far has shown maturity in seeing the RPN and scheduling a consultation with an eye doc. </p>
<p>But with a Friday appt., if it is something that will require follow up with another kind of specialist, you can be assured that that appt. won’t happen until the following week, after which you will already have to be back at home. If by some teeny tiny chance it’s something serious which requires follow up immediately (can’t wait the weekend), then you hop and the car and go. I’m thinking you save the trip for more than just the consultation, if one is needed. </p>
<p>Like I said, she has shown motivation and responsibility to follow up with this, which is a good sign on her part that she’s taking it seriously.</p>
<p>I asked my wife–who is both a mother and a doctor–what she thought about this, and she said she wouldn’t go for the ophthalmologist visit, but if the D is referred for a CT scan, then she would go.</p>
<p>“Not to be a backseat driver on your trip, but I think she should be seeing a neurologist. I would make an appointment with one now, even before seeing the opthalmologist, because it may take a while to get in.”</p>
<p>I agree with this advice. It more than likely will be fatigue. But the list of neurological possibilities is large, and you can always cancel the appointment.</p>
<p>It has been helpful to read so many different perspectives. I am confident that my daughter is taking this seriously and could handle it alone if she had to, however, I keep flashing back to my own personal experience with DV and the numbness that went through me when the ophthalmologist mentioned the possibility of MS. The office personnel made the arrangements for me to head straight to the hospital for an MRI (this was also on a Friday). It was hard to hold back the tears during the MRI. </p>
<p>Knowing how I felt as an adult, in the familiarity of my home town, with family waiting at home should be all I need to answer my own question of whether or not to make the trip. I should be there for my 18yo daughter who is alone and far from home even if further testing cannot be scheduled until later. If it ends up being nothing (fingers crossed), I’ll have a chance to deliver that raincoat she left at home and might need when Irene arrives.</p>
<p>c_q - Your story has ironic relevance. I spoke with my MIL this evening and she reminded me to be sure to mention that my daughter had shingles at age 3. MILs mother developed vision problems several years after her bout with shingles.</p>
<p>levirm & mini- You make a good point. I will look into recommendations for a local neurologist. </p>
<p>Thank you again for all of the insights and advice.</p>
<p>Another thought just occurred to me. My daughter just had her second shot of Gardasil less than a week before the onset of her double vision. I will be sure to bring this up at the exam…</p>
<p>Totally agree with this, my husband has MS and he has had double vision as one of his symptoms. Also - you need to know that even with a MRI, sometimes MS lesions don’t show up right away. Often it is after the lesions have healed. MS can take a while to diagnose. It took 2 years and several MRIs before the lesions showed up for my husband. But since this is not the first time she has had it, a consultation with a neurologist might be in order.</p>
<p>There are 2 main types of MS, with the most common type ‘relapsing-remitting’ (which my husband has) the symptoms come and go. Not trying to suggest that’s what she has but don’t let them dismiss it as ‘fatigue’. Fatigue is what can set off my husband’s MS related double vision.</p>
<p>I have been in your shoes and I would call the health center and speak to the RNP. I would also make sure you get her health care power of attorney so that the doctor can speak to you directly about her diagnosis. IME-if you call the doctor before her visit- they can give you an idea of whether or not you should attend the visit. And finally, follow your intuition. Trust your heart.</p>