Going blind?

So, today is the start of my week long torture with migraines. My migraine will start today and 7 days later I will be able to go in for demerol injection (under drug contract for narcotic injection every 15 days, no more than twice a month...it's too easy to get hooked on the high doses of demerol I receive). For the next week, I will be squinting my eyes from double vision and blurriness...yippee!

I went in to eye doc last week who told me that I am going blind in my right eye. He thinks it is from the stress of the migraines...but wants me to get tested for diabetes. My eyes have deteriorated quite a bit since my last eye check up which was not even 6 months ago. You know when the big E comes up on the board...I can see color, and know there is something there in my left eye, but in my right eye...nothing, no shape or color...nothing.

I'm admitably very scared. My eye doc refuses to even change my script till he knows if I have diabetes or not. I have no symptoms of diabetes, and none of my blood work has EVER come back with elevated glucose levels.

I know that the migraines mess up my vision considerably, but the thought of going completely blind petrifies me...the thought of not being able to watch my kiddos grow up is something that I'm not sure I could deal with. I guess I just have to tell myself, I'm not blind yet right? UUUGGGGHHHH....At least if it's diabetes that is controllable for the most part, and my eyesight will come back. If it's not diabetes, I know it will only be a matter of time before I won't be able to see any longer.

Would it be too wrong to pray for diabetes??

Dawn

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about your eyes. I'm having eye issues also and am most likely losing the vision in both eyes. I have macular degeneration and I can already tell that I have some gray spots in my vision. It is scary to think of losing my sight. I already have hearing issues so this is just the icing on the cake. I have no idea if the eye issues I have are related to migraines, but I wouldn't be surprised. My eyesight has gone from 20/300 to 20/400 in one year.

I hope it is something that they can take care of for you and that your eyes improve.

(((Hugs)))
Alli

Have you been tested for IIH? Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, aka Pseudo-Tumor Cerebri? This is caused by high cerebral spinal fluid pressure and can cause blindness. It also causes severe headache (like migraine). It is diagnosed by a spinal tap and an eye doctor can see if your optic nerve is swollen from the pressure. There is a surgical procedure to relieve the optic nerve pressure and save your sight. Of course, I have no idea if this is your problem. I just couldn't allow you to not know about it, just in case you haven't considered it.

Dawn did he say what is degenerating? Check also thyroid. I was hoping recently that a diagnoises of Hashimoto's might expain eye problems but specialist said probably not, but you might be lucky.

Pathetic to think of wanting an illness to explain our problems.

Also check that the muscle spasms of the migraine aren't changing the shape of how the pupil is centred on your glasses lense and throwing the prescription out. That is your sight (without glasses) has stayed the same or similar but your now off centre for the script.

This is a fun newish game for me and I hope I've explained it well enough. Unfortunately because the muscles spasms come and go, the measurement for the glasses script constantly changes. This is the one where they take a ruler and measure from the bridge of the nose out to the pupil to centre the script to your pupil.

I have left mine be and for most of the time they are good so like your eye doc, I'd be tempted to wait and see, unless he can see a specific degeneration taking place.

Best of luck.

Me too. I have what is called Wet age related macular degeneration in my left eye. The only thing that I was told could be done was to take a vitamin pill called Ocuvite with Lutine. Have you been checked for this? It probably wouldn't hurt to start on this OTC vitamin.

Hal

I do have Hashi's...I didn't know that could cause eye problems. As for the vitamins, I guess it couldn't hurt to try right? I just really hope that whatever is going on is short term, and my sight will be ok. Oh, and they did run some test to check my nerves in my eyes, but I haven't heard anything yet. I will keep e1 posted.

Thanks all, Dawn

Dawn, look at your picture and imagine a green parrot sitting on your left shoulder spouting off innumerable vulgarities, no glasses and a black patch over your right eye. Now picture your shoulder length red hair, a broad brimmed black hat with a gold feather in the band in the manner of pirates-of-olde. Ye are dressed in black boots, black pants and a long sleeved black shirt with the buttons open except for the bottom two or three. A frilly white shirt underneath made of silk and a red cumberbun with two flint-lock pistols tucked in the front. Aye, she makes for a fine lass that no man can resist.

You captain a three masted sailing ship that flys the "Jolly Roger" with the name "Golden Dawn" on the stern, sailing the Carribean looking for shinney gold Dubloons. With the salt breeze and the warm sun in your face, there is no such thing as a headache except for the one you get from drinkin' too much rum.

They call her "Golden Dawn, the pirate"......

I often wonder if some eye problems and migraines are related. I've always had bad eyes but normal bad eyes. When my migraines started, I started having other eye problems. Makes you wonder.

estre004 wrote:I often wonder if some eye problems and migraines are related. I've always had bad eyes but normal bad eyes. When my migraines started, I started having other eye problems. Makes you wonder.

I do too. My mother has glaucoma (she had migraines), and I am photosensitive most of the time (this winter with so much bright snow has been especially painful). The optic nerves are so close to all the other nerves and brain matter in the head that it seems logical eye problems and migraines are related.

Becky

tecky - The snow was blinding this winter. People think I'm nuts when I tell them I like it cloudy in the winter, but the sun kills me. I am fine with it in the summer and soak up as much as I can, because when winter comes, I wish I could just hibenate.

Thanks Hal...that did make me smile! You certainly have a good imagination

Thanks again, Dawn

estre004 wrote:tecky - The snow was blinding this winter. People think I'm nuts when I tell them I like it cloudy in the winter, but the sun kills me. I am fine with it in the summer and soak up as much as I can, because when winter comes, I wish I could just hibenate.

For some reason even the cloudy or foggy days bother me. The snow surrounding our house is so pristine white that there is glare even then. When I'm somewhere where the snow is dirty from plowing and whatever they put on the roads, it is sometimes better. Of course this winter we've had the most snow since 1978. We've had snow at least weekly to freshen up the pristine white of the snow. Not good for migraine eyes or heads.

I'm so looking forward to spring, green grass, green trees and warmer temps. It's been a looooooong winter.

Becky

tecky wrote:We've had snow at least weekly to freshen up the pristine white of the snow.

I'm so looking forward to spring, green grass, green trees and warmer temps. It's been a looooooong winter.

Becky

Becky - I'll trade you. My front yard is brown and it's not from the snow melting (although it finally is) and the smell...yuck. Just what happens when you have 2 medium dogs and are too ill most of the winter to properly clean up after them. Will agree that the glaring white is painful but I've always had problems with my eyes not working and very bright light (winter is killer).

[quote="HeelerLadyBecky - I'll trade you. My front yard is brown and it's not from the snow melting (although it finally is) and the smell...yuck. Just what happens when you have 2 medium dogs and are too ill most of the winter to properly clean up after them. Will agree that the glaring white is painful but I've always had problems with my eyes not working and very bright light (winter is killer).[/quote]

I forget, we have that too and it's in layers as more snow fell. Doggy doo doo, then snow, more doggy doo doo, more snow. I'm sure it will start stinking with the temperatures warming up....Whew May have to borrow a manure spreader to load it all off (big lab-type mutt and a cocker spaniel--that's a lot of doo doo.

Becky

I should take a picture...my one dog is on a line and can only go so far and the other doesn't like to poop near the door so she goes as far away as she can get. Problem is it's raining here and the stuff is disintegrating. How do you clean that up? I had the same problem - layer of snow on top of things, then another layer...one of those things I wish would just magically vanish. Wake up one morning and poof - gone.

On the plus side - doesn't hurt my eyes to look at it (well physically anyway).

HeelerLady wrote:...one of those things I wish would just magically vanish. Wake up one morning and poof - gone.

On the plus side - doesn't hurt my eyes to look at it (well physically anyway).

Yeah, we can be thankful for that.

Our big dog (We had to put her to sleep last week ) would never walk far enough to poop away from the house. Our house is kind of an "L", and she always had to go close to the house in the inside corner of the "L". So there's quite a pile layed with the snow. Not looking forward to cleaning that up.

Becky

Becky,

So sorry you had to put your dog down. Sending a hug your way.

Becky

HeelerLady wrote:Becky,

So sorry you had to put your dog down. Sending a hug your way.

Becky

Thanks, Becky.....I don't handle losing my pets very well. They are family members. I cried so much the day it was done that I ended up with a roaring migraine that just got worse ever day. Wish I could control emotional crying, but I'm not built like that.

Mindy is in doggy heaven now, so shes pain free and romping like a puppy again. She's playing with her old friend, Molly. It helps to think of them carefree, pain free and having fun. Some day I'll get to see her there--looking forward to it.

Becky

Dawn, I wish you luck and hope that whatever is wrong with your eyes can be reversed. My mother has Macular degeneration and I see what it does to people. I have been told the last five years that they are on the verge of a cure but we have not heard of anything yet. My poor mom has had to have shots put in her eye to help slow down the macular.

Becky, I am so sorry for your loss of your dog. Our dogs have all been family members too. Sadly I cannot have a dog right now but when I visited my brother recently I just loved on his weimeriner. Dogs are wonderful. When I quit my job I will get a dog.

Dawn please keep us posted. All the luck...

kimsmom

What medications are you taking? Topamax, for instance, can cause vision problems (usually reversible) and even permanent eye damage (rarely).

Doo doo snow sandwiches, mmm, mmm, good

Well, a day and a half without a headache. Most of my migraines are on the right side of my head, but this one is on the left back. If I ever catch the guy that is hitting me in the back of the head with that baseball bat, I am going to shoot him DRT! (DRT is Dead Right There). My head hurts so much that I can not turn it fast enough and when I get turned around, the rat is gone.

Weather here today started out nice and got into the 60's. Then the sky turned black and it cooled off with big thunderboomers all around. A few sprinkles of moisture and it all blew far to the east into Arkansas.

I made spaghetti for dinner. I make my own sauce from scratch with fresh tomatoes, spices, garlic, mushrooms, green peppers and EVOO. Then I got this blasted migraine. It was as if someone had set off a hand granade inside my skull and then hit me in the back of the head for good measure. Some days are just that way.

Hal

Well, after seeing my regular eye doctor twice within a week (to find out my vision is deteriorating on a weekly basis), and having at least 20 tests ran, seen an ophthalmalogist, and consulted another one after that, they all came to the conclusion I'm going blind...Apparently my retinas are thickening up, and there are color abnormalities within the retina as well, and this is apparently causing my vision to deterioate...and they all agree that they have no idea what is causing the retinal problems that is causing my vision loss....uuggghh. Needless to say I have been referred on to a retina specialist (didn't even know there was such a thing). My appointment is this Thursday at 1:00.

Woofta has it been one hell of a stressful week. Migraine showed up today, and I will be going in for my "happy shot" on Tuesday. Hopefully Dr. Jekyl can keep Hyde under control for my appointment lol! That Demerol and Visteril takes away the pain, lets me get some sleep, but makes me feel nuts for a couple of days afterwards.

Anyway, me and my family are definately a nervous wreck about my eyes. When three docs are all saying that I'm going blind from retinal problems, but have no idea what's causing it...and the chance that this retina specialist will figure out what's going on is a shot into left field, which is not helping the stress levels right now. We are still hoping for some good news though. Even if he confirms what's happening, and there is nothing they can do...it will at least finalize it ya know?

My goal for this appointment is first and most importanly find out what's going on (Hope that the other doctors are wrong and it's something simple and reversible), and if going blind is inevitable, then give me an idea how much time I have left to see, and how severe the blindness will be...total darkness, or will I at least be able to see shapes? UUUGGGHHH...all I have left to say is.......LORD PLEASE GIVE ME AND MY FAMILY THE STRENGTH TO DEAL WITH WHATEVER HAPPENS NEXT...

Dawn

I'm so sorry to hear about your eye problems, Dawn. I can't imagine how nervous you must feel right about now. I hope the retinal specialist will have some good information for you - he should definitely know what is going on I would think. I know we have one retinal specialist in my area and he is one busy doctor - people wait hours to see him even though they have an appointment. I never knew they existed either.
Thanks for keeping us up to date on your eyes, and please know that you are in my prayers and my thoughts. Alexis

Dawn,

You are just too young to have this kind of problem. Do take those eye vitamins that I mentioned, Occuvite with Lutien. It won't hurt and it may help. Don't accept that there is nothing you can do.

Lots of hugs your way,

Hal

See your on-line Dawn. Did you go down the thyroid road? I saw you had the Hashi's. I don't know anything about the problems associated with thyroid and eye problems but know there is a link.
Hope your hanging in there.