Shaky Vision in Left Eye! - Epilepsy Message Board

misty32574 · 10-06-2005, 10:19 PM

Hello everyone, this is my first time posting here and I have a question. My vision shakes in my left eye only. The shaking is spuradic and quiet annoying, but my eye dose not move during the shaking episodes. I have an appointment with an opthomologist tomorrow to find out if this is a primary eye problem but I have a fear that it is not that simple. The shaking has been happening off and on for a little over 2 years. At first I thought it was a withdrawl reaction to discontinuing the use of Zoloft, but it continued even after I finished withdrawling (under my doctors orders). I have panic disorder and take 0.5mg of Klonopin every night to control it and have done so for 3 years now. I experienced 3 seizures in a 1 month period approx. 2 1/2 years ago and was examined by a neurologist, had an MRI and EEG, she said if I had no other seizures to think of it as an isolated incident (probably due to stress). The only other neurologic symptom I have had since the seizures is the off an on shaking vision in my left eye. The shaking lasts anywhere from 10 seconds to 1 minute per episode, each episode can happen every 2-3 minutes lasting for a few hours or go hours sometimes months between episodes, in this case it has been happening for 6 days every 2-3 minutes lasting between 10-20 seconds. Has anyone experienced mild seizures with this symptom, and should I consider this a warning sign to something more severe?
Thank you!
Karen

misty32574 · 10-07-2005, 03:19 PM

So it turns out as I suspected. The shaking in my left eye is nystagmus and is also minorly affecting my right eye as well. I will be returning to my neurologist next Thursday to probably have another EEG and brain scan. I was diagnosed 4 years ago with "Panic disorder" and have only been able to successfully treat it with Klonopin (clonazepam) which is more commonly used as an anti-convulsant... I wonder if I always had epilepsy but was misdiagnosed as panic disorder. I am 25 1/2 years old and am interested in any feedback other members can give me. I know it is extremely hard to diagnose epilepsy, especially if the symptoms are minor... is there anything I should be making sure my neurologist pays special attention to? Thank you for your help!
Cheers,
Karen

neurowreck · 10-07-2005, 06:51 PM

It's common for there to be sort of a shaking of the lid at times, that many people have, that isn't dangerous, or associated with anything dreadful. But with the history of seizures in the past, it's good you're getting this checked out. Simple partial seizures can cause symptoms almost anywhere, depending on which part of the brain has the abnormal electrical activity- and some seizures start deep in the brain (too deep for EEGs to pick up), so "normal" EEGs may or may not be helpful...lots of us with documented seizures have normal EEGs between seizures. How long ago were you last MRI and EEG??

Also, medications can cause nystagmus, depending on the dose. Let us all know what you find out- and glad you found this site!

EthanF · 10-07-2005, 11:57 PM

I just had surgery to cure my epilepsy. I remember when I had seizures if I had a grand mall seizure I would have it in both of my eyes. to hear you are having it in just your left eye is a shock to me. the only thought it brings to my mind is that maybe you seizures are coming from the right side of your brain.

Best of luck to you
Ethan

neurowreck · 10-08-2005, 09:35 AM

Or might not be seizures at all...if the dx is nystagmus, it's list of causes are endless.