Share this:
I want to share my story to possibly help another person and to hopefully help others who are still facing their own health unknowns.
I struggled for years with extreme fatigue, major skin problems, muscle weakness, escalating eye issues, and a host of other unexplained symptoms. I moved to Georgia with more and more symptoms. I developed relationships with new doctors and developed new symptoms – seizures and heart-related syncope. I went to see a neurologist, who began to run tests. In the meantime, I had regular quarterly blood panels by my regular physician, who upon reporting to me by phone noted no irregularities. I was told time and time again to stop chasing a diagnosis. My family continued to watch my decline.
After running numerous tests, my neurologist could only ascertain that I may have had some mini-strokes. My neurologist referred me to a major university hospital. After two visits, and being practically laughed out of the place, I began to have serious doubts about my symptoms and began to believe the many specialists and psychologists who told me it was emotional response.
I got up my nerve, went to my neurologist and cried like a baby in front of him, telling him that there is no way my symptoms are in my "head." - Karen Gibson
I had to do a lot of soul searching to make my next move. I got up my nerve, went to my neurologist and cried like a baby in front of him, telling him that there is no way my symptoms are in my "head." I asked him what he thought I should do next. He told me he felt that my only move next was to visit Mayo Clinic, and he made a referral for me.
I began gathering all my records. I received my blood panels for the previous year leading up to my clinic visit. Upon receiving them, I noticed that there were several flags on all of them for the entire previous year. Armed with blood panels, MRIs, heart records and everything else I could find that related to my symptoms, I got my first visit with Mayo Clinic.
It is truly an amazing place. My first visit was two days, and in that time, they had an initial diagnosis and suggested treatment course. I was truly amazed at their patience, caring, organization and listening skills. Not to mention their immediate response to my health concerns. From my very first day, I experienced the organization and empathy of staff members. When I saw the doctors, they were on time and engaged. They truly listened, paid attention, asked questions, and did everything they needed to do without rushing me out the door wondering what just happened.
I have had two visits, and I am about to make my third journey. I live out of state, but I don't care. It has meant so much to me to finally know what my medical conditions are and that I have begun my treatments. It turns out that I have a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis and lupus. My symptoms are classic for both conditions and make so much sense now. It has been such a blessing to now understand my health conditions and work to live with them and make my quality of life as good as it can be.
I am forever grateful to Mayo Clinic, and they truly are a team. While it isn't an easy life, I can now make it a quality life. Before Mayo Clinic I was having difficulty just getting out of bed, and now I get out of bed do chores, go out to eat, and do things I used to take for granted. The Mayo Clinic Team is the best there is.
There are no words to describe how relieved I felt once I understood my conditions. No one wants to hear it, but everyone needs to know Mayo Clinic has now given me the knowledge and strength I need.
This story was written by Mayo Clinic patient Karen Gibson.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Learn more about myasthenia gravis.
- Learn more about lupus.
- Join a discussion on health conditions Mayo Clinic Connect.
- Request an appointment.
Related Articles
