lfoster21
10-31-2004, 05:08 PM
I have had 3 episodes in the past month where I am laying down and one eye cant see anything but a blackness. When I sit up, it has gone away. After the 1st one, I got up to look in the mirror (thinking my eye lid might be swollen or something), but it went away. I didn't go to the Dr. thinking maybe I had woken from a dream and it wasn't real. 2nd time I went to the ER. They did a glocoma (sp?) test and said that was fine. They said if it happened again I should see a cardiologist because there is some type of heart condition that might cause this to happen. (I foget the name of the condition.) Well it happened last night and I also noticed my heart was racing. My HR was 148 but came down to 120's shortly after. (It could have been just the fear of these spells of blindness.) I am calling the Dr. tomorrow but thought someone may have had similar symptoms. Also, I just had a major back surgery prior to any of these times...maybe theres some connection, I don't know.
Any ideas?
Lorie :angel:
Any ideas?
Lorie :angel:
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zip2play
11-01-2004, 08:16 AM
Geez, how scary!
My first worry if it happened to me would be that I am having a stroke. It definitely sounds more likely to be brain realated rather than cardiac.
DON'T WAIT for a recurrence, you need a GOOD examination.
Personally, I think your heart was racing from sheer fear...mine would be!
I'm not well versed on this but TIA comes to mind (transient ischemic accident??)
My first worry if it happened to me would be that I am having a stroke. It definitely sounds more likely to be brain realated rather than cardiac.
DON'T WAIT for a recurrence, you need a GOOD examination.
Personally, I think your heart was racing from sheer fear...mine would be!
I'm not well versed on this but TIA comes to mind (transient ischemic accident??)
lfoster21
11-01-2004, 10:40 AM
Thanks, you are probably right about the H/R from fear. I am making an appt. today.
Lorie :angel:
Lorie :angel:
Jack51
11-01-2004, 12:27 PM
Lorie, shame on the ER folks for just checking for glaucoma! I have done some reading on "temporary loss of vision, with no other symptoms" which you have described. I have had TIA's and a stroke. Both have other strange symptoms associated with the loss of vision or visual disturbances. Like a wierd, numb type headache, and certain feelings because your brain is involved/affected. (I think I know how the descriptive term "numbskull", came about. Remember the 3 Stooges calling each other this?). You should see an ophthalmologist in the future, but first I would try to see a cardiologist, or a neurologist that specializes in strokes, soon. I have found 1 condition that causes temporary blindness in one eye, with apparently no other associated symtoms.
Amaurosis Fugax
Amaurosis fugax refers to a temporary black-out of vision. This is usually affects one eye, is painless, and is often described like a "shade coming down over the vision" of that eye. The black-out may last minutes, and then the vision returns. The problem can recur in the future, and could affect either eye. Most commonly, this happens in older people with arteriosclerosis and possibly vascular disease, and is due to small clots breaking off of the walls of arteries and then lodging in the vessels of the eye. The clot obstructs the blood flow to the retina, and the vision blacks-out. When the clot breaks up, the blood flow returns, as does the vision. The source of the clot (or embolus) is usually from the carotid arteries leading up the neck to the brain, or from the heart. The embolus may be a cholesterol crystal, a calcium deposit, or a true blood clot. This problem falls into the same category as "transient ischemic attacks" (or TIA's), which may herald a stroke. Vascular evaluation and possibly anticoagulation (use of blood thinners) is indicated for this problem.
Amaurosis Fugax
Amaurosis fugax refers to a temporary black-out of vision. This is usually affects one eye, is painless, and is often described like a "shade coming down over the vision" of that eye. The black-out may last minutes, and then the vision returns. The problem can recur in the future, and could affect either eye. Most commonly, this happens in older people with arteriosclerosis and possibly vascular disease, and is due to small clots breaking off of the walls of arteries and then lodging in the vessels of the eye. The clot obstructs the blood flow to the retina, and the vision blacks-out. When the clot breaks up, the blood flow returns, as does the vision. The source of the clot (or embolus) is usually from the carotid arteries leading up the neck to the brain, or from the heart. The embolus may be a cholesterol crystal, a calcium deposit, or a true blood clot. This problem falls into the same category as "transient ischemic attacks" (or TIA's), which may herald a stroke. Vascular evaluation and possibly anticoagulation (use of blood thinners) is indicated for this problem.
lfoster21
11-01-2004, 06:35 PM
Thank you for taking such an interest. I called my primary Dr. to ask if I should see on opthalmologhist or a neuro. and they said I should be seen by my primary 1st and then go from there. So I will see him tomorrow. I will mention both the TIA and the amaurois fugax. Thanks for your time,
Lorie :angel:
Lorie :angel:

