So, I'm not really sure why I go to my endocrinologist. Basically I pay $40 to have the doctor give me a pat on the back for having low prolactin levels and randomly wiggle his finger (I will explain that more in a sec). I can do that for myself or have my hubby do it and put that $40 towards a new outfit or something! In order to feel like my visit was worth while I will share a couple of pointers that may help some of you save $40 :) If you don't get your blood tested regularly there are some ways to see if the tumor is impacting your vision.
Self vision test: Pick something in you living room to focus on. I usually chose the pretty orange poppy picture on my wall. Sit so that the picture (or whatever you chose to focus on) is in your peripheral vision. If you can still see the picture, you are good to go. If not, you better go to the eye doctor and get a field of vision test. You see, if your peripheral vision is going out, you won't see black spots or anything like that. Your brain will actually fill in that area with what it thinks you are supposed to see. If I were having problems with my peripheral vision and I was trying to see my orange poppy picture, my brain would most likely fill in that area with wall instead. Make sense?
Two person vision test: Have your hubby, significant other, or random neighbor or friend or whoever, hold a finger in your peripheral vision while you look straight ahead (focusing on something). Have them randomly wiggle a finger in several different areas of your peripheral and AS SOON AS YOU SEE THE WIGGLE say so. Say wiggle, or finger or whatever your magic word is. If you see the wiggle, great....if not, get a field of vision test.
So, I get my blood tested fairly regularly at my family doctor lab. My last prolactin level was 17 :) I'm ok with that! *pat pat* Unless I have a huge jump in my levels I will probably not go back to the endo. Sorry bud....my $40 will be going back to me :)