CPEO-Chronic Progressive External Opthalmoplegia 2010

lmx82

Hi, I also have CPEO - haven't had surgery yet, but likely will soon - my dr at johns hopkins recommended a different procedure than the sling based on how much ptosis I have currently. My eyes feel heavy a lot and tired. I take various vitamins (CoQ10, riboflavin, L-carnitine) and am thinking about taking creatine. Im not sure if the vitamins are actually doing anything, but I take them anyway. I get checked out periodically by a cardiologist. I have occasional palpitations, usually early in the AM, but I cant tell if thats just nerves or related.

RenKarWil

Hi,
Thank you for your reply! I opted for the silicone slings so if my body rejected them then they could be removed and not have the muscles permanently fixed to a position. It has been a year since my surgery and have had a magnificant deterioration in eye site since having the procedure, i now have to wear strong glasses alot of the time, where before my site was perfect. Im currently only taking CoQ10 but hoping to find out more when seeing my doctor in a few weeks. My body is definately weakening/aching and sore continuously, the total lack of energy is hard to deal with, even working at the moment isnt an option physically The heart palpitations are a scary feeling also!!

RenKarWil

Anyone? Would be great to hear from anyone else who has CPEO!

prairyrose

I have 2 heart medications and they have realy worked. I am 66

kdmosley09

Yes I also have CPEO

Madalot

I have CPEO also in conjunction with a neuromuscular disease. My official "diagnosis" has changed over the years, but I think as of right now they're going with either Limb-Girdle MD or Mitochondrial Myopathy with CPEO.

RenKarWil

Thank you for your replies..
Would you mind if i asked if you have had any effects from this condition?

prairyrose

My CPEO has affected my eyes starting at 45 but have not affected my sight in any great deal. I just use reading glasses. I tend to get tired sooner and have not the stamina that otheres have but probably am average with the general population.

Madalot

My CPEO has been secondary to the muscle weakness in my body. That is, until recently. I noticed a few issues with my eyes, but it never really bothered me much. In the last few years, I've had more issues with double vision and that has gotten even worse. When I turn my head to the left, everything is doubled. I think they've determined that my right eye is giving me the most problem, thus the double vision when turning to the left (my right eye won't move far enough in that direction).

I've also noticed that if I nap, when I wake up my vision is completely doubled for a few minutes. I've been known to fall asleep in the car (as a passenger obviously) and have recently started taking catnaps in the afternoon. When I first wake up, it's very bothersome because I can't do anything for 5-10 minutes because ALL my vision (even looking straight ahead) is doubled.

While I still drive, I don't drive often or any distance because of the eye problems.

prairyrose

I am 66 and had a CDI unit but it has never hada incident in the past 3 years. The heart medicin has helped a lot. I had the tendons in my eye lids shortend and that helped for about 5 years. I get tiered and can sleep if things get boring around. Sitting in church or meetings if the speaker is poor I have a hard time concentrating. I feal the best if I am active and if I eat lighter meals, but that is not always fun.

prairyrose

I probably should say that I have been fighting fatigue sinse my early 20's. I use to take naps at noon when I worked at industry and ate a lot but didn't start to gain weight till 50. I knew my hear missed a beat when I was 30 and that it could quite but never did. This thing cpeo is a bump in life that can be lived with into your 80's as I see in some of my aunts and uncles. Enjoy each day. I am from Canada for intest

DEE2010

Renee, I have just been diagnosed with CPEO and would like to hear from others and what they have done to feel better. I too am always tired. My biggest challenge is always looking like I am sleepy. I am thinking of having surgery but not sure what else to do. Anyone that can shed some light I am listening....

RenKarWil

Hi DEE2010,

Its always nice and that little bit more reassuring when you hear of someone else who has the same condition as it isnt very common.
As for the tiredness i havent overcome that yet, I do take CoQ10 3x daily at 150mg which does seem to help!
The only way i was diagnosed with this condition is that i too always looked sleepy, so i went to a doctor thinking i could get my eyelids raised and it bit fixed-only to learn there was an underlying condition that i had!
I did opt for the silicone sling brow lift as the eyelids were at such a stage that they started effecting my site by covering half my eyeball (which in turn the strain on my forehead and eyes caused headaches). I have had much success with the opp but understand there has been many failures. Personally my body took well to the procedure & knowing it could be reversed if need be was also nice to know.
I am more than happy to answer any questions you have as i too have found this site helpful in my quest to find answers.

Take care
Renee

kdmosley09

I have CPEO as well...some time I am tired and some days I am not...I dnt take any suplements that everone always talk about...But I did have eye lid surgery on both eye to lift my eyelids it helped but one surgery dnt go right...how old are you and can you move your eye cause I cant move them at all....