Brittney's Medical Mystery

Hi everyone thank you for taking the time to read my story. My name is Brittney Short and I am 26 years old. 

Two years ago I was camping in Lake Louise Alberta... In the morning when I awoke I couldn't lift my head it hurt so bad it felt like my brain was about to explode.

I went to the emergency department in Lethbridge AB-  they assumed it was a migraine and provided some medication along with an IV and sent me home. I missed work that day...

Later that night my head was pounding so bad. It was worse than anything I have ever experienced. I tried to walk down the hallway and I almost collapsed... I spent the whole night in pain thinking it was just a headache. Morning rolled around and it had only gotten worse, my eyes felt like they were popping out of my head.

With tears streaming down my face my fiance rushed me into the hospital. This time they immediately did a CT scan. I was quickly approached by the doctor indicating they found what looked like a stroke and wanted to do a more in depth MRI with contrast. While I was waiting for the doctor half my face went completely numb and felt like it was drooping for about 5 mins. In the mean time they did a spinal tap that took over 9 tries to extract the fluid. It is an extremely painful and horrifying experience to go through. 

The MRI showed extensive swelling in the brain in 3 distinct areas that was intertwined through the white and grey matter. I was fully admitted and put in isolation. Anyone who entered or left the room had to wear a mask and a full on disposable body suit. They put me on steroids that made my face swell. At the time I was diagnosed with Viral Meningitis. The spinal cultures later came back testing negative for it. They never found out what it was. They called it Encephalitis because they didn't know what caused it. I also had a strange bug bite on my back. Now here's where it gets weird...

Ever since then... my 5 day hospital stay... my whole nervous system has been out of whack. My face goes completely numb (my lips, everything). I see orbs/ coloured orbs, flashes of light, my face will twitch on the right side. I experience random dizzy spells. I see reflections of lines everywhere (if I look at something with lines.. example someone sitting in front of blinds - I will see the lines from the blinds around the whole room).

Flickering fluorescent  lights make me feel like I'm going to have a seizure. I also have a bit of a auditory delay now. Sometimes when people ask something I will ask what? Then a few seconds later it registers what they said. I have constant loud ringing in the ears and my legs, arms and feet go numb and sometimes swell up. At random times I feel like I can't tell if I'm breathing and feel like I'm about to die. I get wave headaches and a intense zing that hits me in my neck and almost drops me when it happens. I also go numb in my jaw and T zone of the face. 

In December of 2015 to add to the mix I started experiencing excruciating pain in my stomach. Along with a handful of other gastro intestinal issues. They have not been able to find the cause even after 2 scopes and extensive blood work and several different medications.  We don't know if at this point if any of this is from damage or something else. I am currently awaiting 2 different neurologists appointments one in Calgary and one in Lethbridge. Here's where I feel ashamed to even ask for your help... 

Everything was fine when I was on short term disability but the second it switched to long term and my employer was no longer paying it,  my insurance company denied my Long Term benefits and cut me off completely. I haven't been paid in 2 months. Insurance has also denied my appeal stating my symptoms are bizarre and don't add up. Because I don't have a proper diagnosis I am not considered eligible for coverage... Even after providing doctors letters indicating I should not be working due to sudden onset and severity of symptoms.  I also tire extremely quickly and no longer have the same quality of life. Some days I fight to even get out of bed. And some days I am honestly scared for my life.

There is something still wrong with me and no one has been able to figure out what. My doctor has even said I'm a medical mystery at this point. Because of not being able to be covered by insurance I've had to sell alot of my stuff to get by and pay bills. Right now it will do more harm then good to go back to work full time. (I tried to go back for a couple weeks and ended up back off work again and in worse shape than before) I am here asking if anyone can so much as even slightly help.... Anything is appreciated more than you will ever know... when I kick this thing and am healthy enough to give back I will pay it forward. I need the money to get by.. Right now I am ashamed to say it but I am late on every single bill. I put my house up for sale in hopes to get out of debt but until it sells.... I don't know where my future stands...

It's only adding more stress to the situation in turn I've been having more frequent episodes. Believe me I want to work but I can't. I was aspiring with a great company on my way to eventually obtain a management role.  Right now its not good for me and I know that. I can't be around stress it literally makes me feel like I am going to die.  Please don't pitty me thats not what I want I am only asking for help because I honestly have no idea where my next pay check is coming from. One day I will beat this and some doctor out there will find this and have a "a ha moment"... is what I'm praying for anyways. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my whole story I left out alot more symptoms that are going on because its pretty personal... I'm also going to put this out there.....if there is a doctor out there somewhere reading this and you might know whats wrong.... PLEASE HELP ME! I just want my life back :( I don't care what the test is I am willing to do it. Even if you don't get it right at least you tried.

I am so grateful to everyone for reading my story. If you did happen to donate thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please know I would never in a million years ask for this if I didn't need it. I didn't even know what to set the cap at. Please share my story even if I can't raise money maybe a doctor will see it who may be able to put the puzzle together before something happens.  My story also sheds awareness how how difficult it is to get help when you truly need it from insurance.  Thank you again and if you need any info or proof before donating just contact me and I can show you what ever you need.

Brittney Short