A combination of distrust of doctors (avoid medical appointments but for once a year), life circumstances, and 26 years of moderate-severe ME (I'm only 63!) has me overwhelmed, now that I'm finally looking into CCI & similar. My symptoms are getting worse over the past year, especially the past few months - neck, head & eye pressure, disorientation, dizziness, worst 'fatigue' since onset. I think I most recently exacerbated by re-attempting a few of the PT stretches I was put through 2 years ago for neck pain. Generally, ME & life circumstances have left me too exhausted to even go to the doctor right now (ugh!)
So, a few questions are all I can start with. If anyone can answer briefly (I can't read much either, BTW), I'm very grateful in advance!:
1) My fairly ME-aware GP of 20+ years just moved on, I'm starting with a nurse practitioner.
Can she order my MRI? (I feel as though SOMEthing should be investigated, considering the symptoms & debility.)
2) I have few resources. Travel is out of the question. I live in western PA and can travel to Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. Anyone know of any Pittsburgh area Neuros or Orthos that are CCI etc. aware?
3) I know of a fairly descent neurosurgeon (did work on my husband's lumbar issues). Will he know about CCI or do I have to educate him?
Cognitively, that's all I can ask for now. Please forgive if I don't reply or my replies are slow. (Sorry also - I'm usually the cheerful jokester, but not today.)
(P.S. I don't do Facebook or other social media for overload reasons.)
So, a few questions are all I can start with. If anyone can answer briefly (I can't read much either, BTW), I'm very grateful in advance!:
1) My fairly ME-aware GP of 20+ years just moved on, I'm starting with a nurse practitioner.
Can she order my MRI? (I feel as though SOMEthing should be investigated, considering the symptoms & debility.)
2) I have few resources. Travel is out of the question. I live in western PA and can travel to Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. Anyone know of any Pittsburgh area Neuros or Orthos that are CCI etc. aware?
3) I know of a fairly descent neurosurgeon (did work on my husband's lumbar issues). Will he know about CCI or do I have to educate him?
Cognitively, that's all I can ask for now. Please forgive if I don't reply or my replies are slow. (Sorry also - I'm usually the cheerful jokester, but not today.)
(P.S. I don't do Facebook or other social media for overload reasons.)