CJRT
06-07-2007, 10:46 AM
When I am having a lot of pain, fatigue and spacicity, my eyes hurt. Almost like a burning pain. They feel dry, but aren't. I have had some "jumping" vision, but it doesn't last long. Almost like I need to adjust the horizontal on my tv if you know what I mean.
I also have a very small black spot in my left eye. It doesn't bother me, but I can see it if I concentrate on it, but otherwise, I don't really notice it.
My vision itself has worsened rapidly in the past 2 years. I have gone from not wearing glasses to having to wearing rather strong ones.
I do know that when I feel at my absolute worst, I can tell it more in how my eyes feel. I have a lot of pain in them.
Since I am still waiting on a Dx, and a visit to the neuro., does this sound like any of the eye problems that MS can cause?
I also have a very small black spot in my left eye. It doesn't bother me, but I can see it if I concentrate on it, but otherwise, I don't really notice it.
My vision itself has worsened rapidly in the past 2 years. I have gone from not wearing glasses to having to wearing rather strong ones.
I do know that when I feel at my absolute worst, I can tell it more in how my eyes feel. I have a lot of pain in them.
Since I am still waiting on a Dx, and a visit to the neuro., does this sound like any of the eye problems that MS can cause?
Sponsor
NarLyB
06-07-2007, 11:08 AM
Sounds like optic neuritis. That's what prompted my dx. Had been having occasional numbness prior to that, usually with the 'MS hug'.
Optic neuritis is one of the many sx of MS. But, it can also mean something else. Colds and allergies can cause your eyes to do weird things. The human body, such a mystery.
When are you seeing your neuro?
Optic neuritis is one of the many sx of MS. But, it can also mean something else. Colds and allergies can cause your eyes to do weird things. The human body, such a mystery.
When are you seeing your neuro?
Bearygood
06-07-2007, 12:11 PM
CJRT, do a search on this board for Optic Neuritis and you'll see much come up. There are a few different eye ailments -- what you're describing as "jumping" might be Nystagmus and that can happen not only in MS. Optic Neuritis can also be caused by a few different things but is VERY closely associated with MS. If an MRI shows lesions, it can be a short road to an MS dx.
Here's an "at home" Optic Neuritis color test. :) Pick up something brightly colored and look at it out of one eye at a time. Before I knew I had ON and what it was, I described my vision as kind of dim and "filmy". It wasn't until I got to the eye doctor and she picked up a bottle with a bright orange cap and asked me to look at it one eye at a time that I realized that my color was impaired! Right eye, bright orange...left eye, not so bright!!
Here's an "at home" Optic Neuritis color test. :) Pick up something brightly colored and look at it out of one eye at a time. Before I knew I had ON and what it was, I described my vision as kind of dim and "filmy". It wasn't until I got to the eye doctor and she picked up a bottle with a bright orange cap and asked me to look at it one eye at a time that I realized that my color was impaired! Right eye, bright orange...left eye, not so bright!!
willo1980
06-07-2007, 02:56 PM
Bearygood,
The color test - does ON make things look duller or darker? I have a red Netlfix envelope, a bright light I notice in my left eye the color looks brighter than in my right. It's like someone added a little tint of black to the red when I look only with my right eye. Been having pains and a numb feeling in my right eye for a while now. Two eye docs looked and couldn't see any sign of ON though. My vision had changed drastically in my right eye though and had to get new lenses for my glasses.
The color test - does ON make things look duller or darker? I have a red Netlfix envelope, a bright light I notice in my left eye the color looks brighter than in my right. It's like someone added a little tint of black to the red when I look only with my right eye. Been having pains and a numb feeling in my right eye for a while now. Two eye docs looked and couldn't see any sign of ON though. My vision had changed drastically in my right eye though and had to get new lenses for my glasses.
Bearygood
06-07-2007, 03:42 PM
The color distortion would be in the affected eye. ON would not necessarily affect the acuity of your vision -- mine was 20/20 even though the left eye was toally blurry. I'd also post what you're experiencing on the eye and vision board.
Also, do you by any chance wear contacts?
Also, do you by any chance wear contacts?
Pearlscale
06-07-2007, 11:55 PM
Interesting home test.
I think I just failed. One bright and one not as bright.
Saw Neuro Monday and she said left eye didn't respond to light like it should have and ask if I had ever had eye surgery. No I haven't. I am set to have VER eye test June 25 to see if I have ever had optic neuritis.
Do any of you ever have jaw/ear/face/teeth pain. Same side she said my eye didn't react like it should have. Is there a connection. I do have the burning/dry feeling eyes. Pretty bad right now.
Good thread. Thanks
Prayers...Marsha
I think I just failed. One bright and one not as bright.
Saw Neuro Monday and she said left eye didn't respond to light like it should have and ask if I had ever had eye surgery. No I haven't. I am set to have VER eye test June 25 to see if I have ever had optic neuritis.
Do any of you ever have jaw/ear/face/teeth pain. Same side she said my eye didn't react like it should have. Is there a connection. I do have the burning/dry feeling eyes. Pretty bad right now.
Good thread. Thanks
Prayers...Marsha
Bearygood
06-08-2007, 11:22 AM
Just want to clarify that the "home test" is NOT scientific! I'm in no way suggesting that it's sufficient for diganosis, merely that it might be a hint. The reason I posted this and why it's interesting to me is that my color was SO impaired but until I did that in the doctor's office I didn't even notice! :) My guess (again, not scientific explaination) is that the brain picks up the more dominant color wave. My color isn't all the way back but it's incredibly improved, almost hardly discernable at this point. My doc is so pleased that my next eye appt. isn't until 6 months (whoo hoo!!) so we shall see! Regular neuro says sometimes it can take a whole year to see what will come back -- but remember, I did NOT go on steroids.
In ON, there's definitely a chance that everything will come back completely but according to my neuro-opth, it's true that there might be a little "residue" left behind. Pearlscale, I completely get what you're saying about the light. Even my PCP could tell by just shining his penlight into my eyes the other day; probably by how the pupils dilated.
For anyone going through ON now, do not delay in getting to the neuro-opth! You can't assume that it's going to get better on its own -- the optic nerve has to be checked out and you DO need to be monitored, regardless of whether or not you go the steroid route.
In ON, there's definitely a chance that everything will come back completely but according to my neuro-opth, it's true that there might be a little "residue" left behind. Pearlscale, I completely get what you're saying about the light. Even my PCP could tell by just shining his penlight into my eyes the other day; probably by how the pupils dilated.
For anyone going through ON now, do not delay in getting to the neuro-opth! You can't assume that it's going to get better on its own -- the optic nerve has to be checked out and you DO need to be monitored, regardless of whether or not you go the steroid route.
willo1980
06-08-2007, 12:46 PM
No, I don't wear contacts. Tried them at the docs office years ago and couldn't stand them! Been wearing glasses for nearsightedness for 16 years. I'll mention this to my neuro on the 18th. Wasn't supposed to see him again until August but when he heard my eye pain and numbness hasn't resolved, he said he wants to see me sooner. Hope it's nothing serious but I've have it now over 2 months!
Bearygood
06-08-2007, 12:56 PM
Well, you're doing the right thing by going to the doctor! Will you be going to a neuro-ophthalmologist or just to your regular neuro?
The reason I asked about contacts is because a friend of mine had something similar to what you're describing and it turned out to be a flaw in her contacts.
Keep us posted and good luck!
The reason I asked about contacts is because a friend of mine had something similar to what you're describing and it turned out to be a flaw in her contacts.
Keep us posted and good luck!
bella67
06-08-2007, 02:50 PM
Well, last year I went to the optometrist, he changed my prescription, and i put them on and my right eye was still blurry. So, i went back and told him something was wrong with the glasses. He said I was reading 20/20, and I knew nothing of optic neuritis at the time, so I just figured it was something I was imagining. Then in december I started getting the flashes and dimming. I knew something was wrong when I'd be in a room and I'd close one eye and the other was three shades darker than the other. I honestly thought it was high blood pressure or something. I thought for sure I was gonna have a stroke! Funny thing is I notice it more at nite. I don't know why that is.
But, after my last episode end of April it's starting to return back to normal. Granted it's still pretty blurry, but not as much dimming. I worry by the time I see the opthamologist it will be healed and he won't be able to see anything. I do have trouble keeping a good focus on words, but I don't know if that's associated.
Thanks beary for all the info. :)
But, after my last episode end of April it's starting to return back to normal. Granted it's still pretty blurry, but not as much dimming. I worry by the time I see the opthamologist it will be healed and he won't be able to see anything. I do have trouble keeping a good focus on words, but I don't know if that's associated.
Thanks beary for all the info. :)
Bearygood
06-08-2007, 04:05 PM
bella, is your appointment with an ophthalmologist or a neuro-opth? Even though it's getting better on its own, I'd advise you not to wait. In the majority of cases it will heal by itself in kind the reverse way the symptoms came on but there are things to be considered, like health of the optic nerve and the progress you're making. A prognosis is best made by a pro.
As you might know from my posts, I prefer to not take drugs but there are times they're necessary. If I had seen the neuro-opth early enough, there's a good chance I would have opted for steroids but since I'd already hit the top of the "curve" and was on my way back by the time I saw her is the reason I didn't. At that point it was iffy that steroids would help me recover more fully -- although they still would have helped me recover more swiftly!
As for seeing if something happened, well, it would likely show by doing an MRI of the optics in the form of a lesion. My doctor also took pictures of my optic nerve every visit with her in-office camera but the last so she would have a basis of comparison.
I just think it better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your vision. :)
As you might know from my posts, I prefer to not take drugs but there are times they're necessary. If I had seen the neuro-opth early enough, there's a good chance I would have opted for steroids but since I'd already hit the top of the "curve" and was on my way back by the time I saw her is the reason I didn't. At that point it was iffy that steroids would help me recover more fully -- although they still would have helped me recover more swiftly!
As for seeing if something happened, well, it would likely show by doing an MRI of the optics in the form of a lesion. My doctor also took pictures of my optic nerve every visit with her in-office camera but the last so she would have a basis of comparison.
I just think it better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your vision. :)
bella67
06-08-2007, 10:17 PM
Beary, the doc I'm suppose to see isn't an MS opth. He's close to home and since I don't have a car this is the best I can do. Actually alot of stuff is going on in my life right now that I'm about to give up on seeing doctors all together. Hopefully I won't have another flare before I do get things straight, but there's not much I can do. I appreciate the advice though. When I have more time I'll make sure to research and find a better one.
Thank you
Thank you
Bearygood
06-08-2007, 10:21 PM
bella, just do the best you can -- my post was certainly not meant to frustrate you!!! Just FYI, it's just a regular ol' neuro-ophthalmologist who deals with Optic Neuritis. Because of this, they're often at least fairly well-versed with MS. I wish you all the best and hope you get as lucky with recovery on its own as I did! :)
bella67
06-08-2007, 10:33 PM
Ohh gosh, Beary,
My frustration really has very little to do with anyone on the board. You guys are great and help me SO much. It's just between my family telling me nothing is wrong with me and I need to quit the martyr act, from my Mother telling me it's just stress, and my completely out of touch husband who is out partying most nites to even care. I am just having a bad day/nite and felt like everything was getting to be too much. I totally understand what you meant and like i said I appreciate it. But if everyone around me thinks I'm just fine, then I guess so be it. Why struggle to get answers when it doesn't really matter to my family once I find out anyways. My life would still be the same, because I can't afford to feel worse than I already do. After I hear how some of you have so many side effects from meds and treatments I sometimes wonder if I'd even take a med if the doc gave it to me.
Sorry to be so cynical tonight. I shouldn't be near a keyboard in this state of mind.
hugz,
Lisa
My frustration really has very little to do with anyone on the board. You guys are great and help me SO much. It's just between my family telling me nothing is wrong with me and I need to quit the martyr act, from my Mother telling me it's just stress, and my completely out of touch husband who is out partying most nites to even care. I am just having a bad day/nite and felt like everything was getting to be too much. I totally understand what you meant and like i said I appreciate it. But if everyone around me thinks I'm just fine, then I guess so be it. Why struggle to get answers when it doesn't really matter to my family once I find out anyways. My life would still be the same, because I can't afford to feel worse than I already do. After I hear how some of you have so many side effects from meds and treatments I sometimes wonder if I'd even take a med if the doc gave it to me.
Sorry to be so cynical tonight. I shouldn't be near a keyboard in this state of mind.
hugz,
Lisa
Bearygood
06-08-2007, 10:49 PM
Hugz right back at you, Lisa! You're entitled to a moment...or 2 or 3! I'm so sorry you feel let down by the people closest to you. That must be a very hard thing indeed. You do want to get answers though because YOU do know that you ARE important! If you didn't know that really, you wouldn't be so disappointed in the people around you. If I were there I'd give them all a good smack for you and I'd rent a car and drive you to the doc's myself! :D
I'm glad we're all here for you (and we ARE) but I also hope you find someone you can talk to who will listen and HEAR you. Not just a doctor but a perhaps unexpected and good friend. Please, hang in there!
I'm glad we're all here for you (and we ARE) but I also hope you find someone you can talk to who will listen and HEAR you. Not just a doctor but a perhaps unexpected and good friend. Please, hang in there!
bella67
06-08-2007, 11:36 PM
It's nites like this Beary I wish we had private messaging capabilities..lol You did give me a laugh with the "smack"comment, thanks! Actually what you said about finding a close friend to talk to was something I tried yesterday. I had a very close friend years ago who fell to alcohol abuse, and I just couldn't handle the drama of that, plus the things at home, so I had to sacrifice the friendship. Well, oddly enough I ran into her yesterday, and we got to talking. She told me she straightened her life up, and wanted to come by for a visit. I told her sure, and things were going fine till I realized she hadn't changed at all. Not 15 mins into being at my house she wanted to go out for a "drive". Which I knew she meant she wanted to go get a drink. I figured what the heck, since I hadn't been out in 2 yrs, and I could definitely use the break. Well, it was a disaster!! She just had way too much to drink, and I was worried about making it home safely. Luckily we were only out a few hrs, but I realized she didn't share the same lifestyle I did (the hermit that I am..lol). But, it was ashame, because on other levels when she was sober she was a great friend. She's a nurse too, imagine that! Needless to say we are still gonna keep in contact, but definitely from a distance. I just was so disappointed.
Thank you for being a great online friend though!! I do feel better when I talk here. I don't need to explain too much. Everyone pretty much knows how I feel, and it's like my safety net at the moment.
Lisa
Thank you for being a great online friend though!! I do feel better when I talk here. I don't need to explain too much. Everyone pretty much knows how I feel, and it's like my safety net at the moment.
Lisa
Bearygood
06-08-2007, 11:46 PM
Lisa, I'm mostly sorry right now that you have a transportation problem. I honestly think you could benefit from participating in a support group or a by finding a good therapist-- there is obviously A LOT that has been happening in your life for a long time!!! How close to the city are you? Is there nothing in your immediate area that might be worth checking out?
bella67
06-09-2007, 12:20 AM
Beary,
Oddly enough I just recently requested an application for a "paratransit" pass. It's not so much for me, but my disabled son. As his caregiver I could ride along with him, so that might work. They have an interview process, and then if I'm approved they come and transport you basically anywhere you need to go. Plus under this program they have reduced cab rates. So, it might take awhile, but it's better than nothing.;)
Oddly enough I just recently requested an application for a "paratransit" pass. It's not so much for me, but my disabled son. As his caregiver I could ride along with him, so that might work. They have an interview process, and then if I'm approved they come and transport you basically anywhere you need to go. Plus under this program they have reduced cab rates. So, it might take awhile, but it's better than nothing.;)
Bearygood
06-09-2007, 05:57 PM
Lisa, that's great news! I know you've got a lot on your plate. I hope you find some answers and a better support system soon. And, that today is a little bit brighter for you than yesterday! :)