Woman, 21, given terrifying diagnosis after visiting GP with blurred vision
28.06.2022 - 11:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A 21-year-old carer had a brain tumour detected during a routine eye test. Ellie Musgrove is now on the road to recovery after undergoing emergency surgery at Salford Royal Hospital to release a build-up of fluid around her brain.
Ellie’s symptoms started just after her 21st birthday in January, when she was experiencing severe headaches along with neck pain. She says: “I also had blurred and double vision, black spots and started to hear pulsating whooshing heartbeat sounds."
"My headaches and neck pains seemed to be worse in the mornings and evenings but were still in the background throughout the day. My GP suspected I had an ear infection and prescribed antibiotics and Ibuprofen, but my symptoms didn’t improve. I decided to make an appointment to see my opticians."
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Heaton Park Specsavers optometrist, Aqeel Mahmood explains: “At the time, Ellie made an appointment when she couldn’t get to the bottom of her severe head and neck aches and impaired vision.
“I noted swelling of the optic nerves in both eyes and this, in conjunction with Ellie’s symptoms, indicated that something was seriously wrong. Urgent medical intervention was required, so I immediately referred Ellie to Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.”
After numerous scans and tests that day, Ellie, from Crumpsall, who works with vulnerable adults with special needs, was transferred by ambulance to the neurology department at Salford Royal Hospital. She was diagnosed with hydrocephalus – a build up of fluid deep within the brain – caused by a brain tumour and required emergency surgery to drain the fluid.
“I went from having my eyes tested at 11am to