I posted a similar post, just about the double vision problem, in the Eye and Vision board, but then I was wondering if double vision can be related to seizures. I've had Epilepsy for about 12 years, but have been on meds for it for about 5 years. I get auras around the time of my period, and again in the middle of the month, and now, I've just started getting this weird, intermittent (it's only happened once a day, 3 times so far, lasting between one hour and two and a half hours) double vision thing a few days ago, and I was wondering if it could be related to seizures, since it's getting to be "that time of month" for me, which is when I usually have my problems with seizures.
I went to my optomologist, and he said that my eyes look fine physically, so I was wondering if any of you have ever experienced double vision with a. aura or seizure, or have ever heard of it before.

Thanks!

Had double vision once about 2 hours before a seizure before, but only that one time- it was weird. After the seizure, my vision was fine.

Thanks for your input. :)

I don't know what meds your taking or what kind of dosages but I would get double vision when I was taking too much of any AED. It's a common problem with AEDs if your taking to much. I would get my levels checked. Good luck and you'll be in my prayers tonight. Jeff

Thanks for your input, Jerry! Just one question-- What does "AED" stand for?
And thanks for the prayers. :)

Anti-Epileptic Drugs...:)

Oh!! Hehe.
Well, I'm taking Tegretol and Keppra. But I haven't had a dosage increase (it was for the Keppra) in about 6 months. Would something like that take that long to develop after a dosage increase?

I'm not a doctor but it can take time to build a toxic level of an AED in your system. I was toxic, at least I was told, on dilantin and tegretol XR. This was a few years ago and I think it did take at least a few months before I noticed the double vision and unsteadyness. I would get to your neurologist or epileptologist and get a blood level done as soon as possible. This can damage your liver and kidneys, neither one is a joking matter. Good luck and you will be in my prayers tonight. Jeff

Thank you, jerrytom.
What are other symptoms of being toxic from an AED?
I'm going to my regular physician on Thursday about this double vision problem, and he could do bloodwork for the drug levels to see if I'm toxic, but I'm just curious beforehand if there are any other common symptoms that maybe I've had for a little while and passed off as something else...
Thanks again!

if you take the Teg too close (by time) it could cause that. I can say that from my previous ordeals with it.

As for Keppra, I had a high dose (4000) that did not cause vision problems, but mild depression symptoms MANY years ago.
Just THIS year I had my dose dropped for the first time below 3000 due to levels that had climbed above the ceiling for max. So as for that causing problems NO. My levels were above the max numbers for over a year by a substantial amount (5-15 points) before the reduction. I don't know where I dropped to after the reduction, so I'll like to find out shortly b4 seeing my Neuro.

--Travis

if you take the Teg too close (by time) it could cause that.
Thanks, Travis.
but I'm not sure I understand what you mean... Do you mean if I take the two doses close together?
Nope, I take Tegretol XR, so I take one dose at about 7:15 AM when I get up during the week, and at about 11:00 PM a little while before I go to bed (this varies on weekends, since I get up later, and go to bed later).
These double vision episodes only happen in the morning, too-- always exactly 2 hours after I wake up, which is also 2 hours after I take my morning dose of meds. I'll have to take my meds earlier tonight before I go to bed to see if it happens 2 hours after my night dose, too. Then I'll know it's related to my meds.

I also had blood levels done near the end of June, and I didn't hear anything back from my doctor, so I assume this meant everything was fine. Do you guys think the levels could have spiked so high as toxic level in just over a month with no real cause that I can think of?

you could be getting the initial bump of the med (within the first 1-2 hrs) as a result of the dose causing double vision; but being you are on XR that erases the chance of that happening most likely.

The 16 hour seperation is a little risky between doses, but if it works, then whatever. I'd suggest 12 hour max, and even 12 hour is pushing it. 10 hour is a lot safer.

--Travis

Hmm... I never thought of the 16-hour time span between doses as too much. I mean, it works for me and I've been doing it that way for the past 3 years or so, but I wonder if it would work better if I took them at 12 hour increments. I never even thought of that.

and I did take my meds earlier last night so I'd be awake longer afterwards, but there was no double vision episode... but there also wasn't this morning, either, for the first time in 4 days!
Aaaugh! I can't wait to go to my doctor tomorrow, because it's driving me nuts trying to figure out what's going on!

In case anyone is curious, I went to my physician today about the double vision, and he did the reflex tests like my neurologist did at my first appointment, and made me follow a pen with my eyes, and then the first thing he said was that he wants me to have another MRI and EEG (since I haven't had either one in a long time), because he thinks there's a possibility that the double vision is related to petit mal seizures. Especially since I feel really tired after each episode.
I've never had petit mal seizures before! That's weird that they'd just show up now, out of nowhere, isn't it?

I have to wait for the hospital to call me with appointments for each, but I'll let you all know how it turns out.