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Do my vision problems mean MS? Scared...
I've searched and searched, but I'm still nervous. Here's what happened:
About 3 months ago I notice that my night vision appears to be "not as good as it once was." It was sort of blurry, but not by much. Eyes didn't hurt, just couldn't see smaller stuff at long distances anymore like I used to. I'm 29 now. I also had headaches, though that was nothing new -- I've had headaches my whole life. This one lasted about 2 weeks though, wasn't debilitating, just annoying. The Dr. took an X-Ray and said that my neck had lost its curve due to my profession and that was cause tension headaches -- which is exactly what it felt like. He also scheduled an Eye Exam.
The Exam revealed that I had a slight astigmatism in my right eye of -0.75 and my left of -0.50, near sighted. They issued me contacts which did nothing to help my vision at this point hah... so I don't wear them.
About a month ago I noticed my right hand "felt weak." About 2 weeks later, I noticed a tremor in the bicep of my right arm when moving my hand in a certain motion. Okay, now I google. Bad move. I see a million results for ALS, BFS and MS. I immediately panic. I'm not an anxious type of person, though I do have a lot of stress in my life. Needless to say, this was not good for me. I immediately thought I had every symptom known to man and was dying of ALS.
I went to my general doctor and he did some CLINICAL strength tests and confirmed, nope, I'm not going to die. He referred me to a neurologist just to make me feel better and she also took one look at me, did all the same tests but in more depth and said no to ALS/BFS and the only thing she'd even remotely consider based on my age and my "essential tremor" was MS, but that I passed all her tests as "normal." She ordered an MRI just to make me feel better (her words) and that was that. I have yet to have the MRI, it's scheduled for next week.
Problem is this: In the meantime, I've been googling again -- this time about MS. One of the things in particular that scared me was I saw the vision portion. I of course look at my eyes closely and my right eye, the one with worse vision, has a pupil that is about 0.5mm bigger than the left and it reacts fine to light and all that, but it always returns to be slightly larger. This, coupled with my essential tremor in my arm (which is there still, but no worse or no better nearly a month later -- only happens in about 3 inches of movement, rest of my arm movement is still), is making me really scared that I have MS.
What do you guys think? The fact that one pupil *is* bigger (0.5mm), coupled with loss of far-night vision (and minor changes in daytime vision at long distances), my right arm have an essential tremor...... really makes me worried.
PS: I am aware of what anxiety can do -- as I haven't listed a whole bunch of other symptoms that come and go recently since my stress/anxiety regarding these issues (like my jaw hurting when I wake up, or magically feeling better the next day when I relax, etc, etc... I know that's just stress, grinding away in my sleep -- as well as other minor twitches throughout my body and face. Magically when I'm relaxed or doing something they don't twitch or cause problems, tells me thats stress).
About 3 months ago I notice that my night vision appears to be "not as good as it once was." It was sort of blurry, but not by much. Eyes didn't hurt, just couldn't see smaller stuff at long distances anymore like I used to. I'm 29 now. I also had headaches, though that was nothing new -- I've had headaches my whole life. This one lasted about 2 weeks though, wasn't debilitating, just annoying. The Dr. took an X-Ray and said that my neck had lost its curve due to my profession and that was cause tension headaches -- which is exactly what it felt like. He also scheduled an Eye Exam.
The Exam revealed that I had a slight astigmatism in my right eye of -0.75 and my left of -0.50, near sighted. They issued me contacts which did nothing to help my vision at this point hah... so I don't wear them.
About a month ago I noticed my right hand "felt weak." About 2 weeks later, I noticed a tremor in the bicep of my right arm when moving my hand in a certain motion. Okay, now I google. Bad move. I see a million results for ALS, BFS and MS. I immediately panic. I'm not an anxious type of person, though I do have a lot of stress in my life. Needless to say, this was not good for me. I immediately thought I had every symptom known to man and was dying of ALS.
I went to my general doctor and he did some CLINICAL strength tests and confirmed, nope, I'm not going to die. He referred me to a neurologist just to make me feel better and she also took one look at me, did all the same tests but in more depth and said no to ALS/BFS and the only thing she'd even remotely consider based on my age and my "essential tremor" was MS, but that I passed all her tests as "normal." She ordered an MRI just to make me feel better (her words) and that was that. I have yet to have the MRI, it's scheduled for next week.
Problem is this: In the meantime, I've been googling again -- this time about MS. One of the things in particular that scared me was I saw the vision portion. I of course look at my eyes closely and my right eye, the one with worse vision, has a pupil that is about 0.5mm bigger than the left and it reacts fine to light and all that, but it always returns to be slightly larger. This, coupled with my essential tremor in my arm (which is there still, but no worse or no better nearly a month later -- only happens in about 3 inches of movement, rest of my arm movement is still), is making me really scared that I have MS.
What do you guys think? The fact that one pupil *is* bigger (0.5mm), coupled with loss of far-night vision (and minor changes in daytime vision at long distances), my right arm have an essential tremor...... really makes me worried.
PS: I am aware of what anxiety can do -- as I haven't listed a whole bunch of other symptoms that come and go recently since my stress/anxiety regarding these issues (like my jaw hurting when I wake up, or magically feeling better the next day when I relax, etc, etc... I know that's just stress, grinding away in my sleep -- as well as other minor twitches throughout my body and face. Magically when I'm relaxed or doing something they don't twitch or cause problems, tells me thats stress).
Just an update:
The MRI came back with absolutely no negative results, 100% normal. Now I just need to accept it and stop being anxious. I notice I feel "trembly" or "shaky" when I'm in anxious enviornments or when I've stressed out over the course of a day or so and I'm trying to work on that.
The PCP said that my right hand has an essential tremor, and though it doesn't decrease with alcohol, it definitely increases with stress.
I have, however, noticed that my right hand is not as flexible as my left -- but it is still within the normal range of motion according to everything I've read, and it also "feels" weaker, as though it's harder to do certain things but as my neurologist and PCP have shown, there's no actual clinical weakness in either.
Guess that's all good news!
The MRI came back with absolutely no negative results, 100% normal. Now I just need to accept it and stop being anxious. I notice I feel "trembly" or "shaky" when I'm in anxious enviornments or when I've stressed out over the course of a day or so and I'm trying to work on that.
The PCP said that my right hand has an essential tremor, and though it doesn't decrease with alcohol, it definitely increases with stress.
I have, however, noticed that my right hand is not as flexible as my left -- but it is still within the normal range of motion according to everything I've read, and it also "feels" weaker, as though it's harder to do certain things but as my neurologist and PCP have shown, there's no actual clinical weakness in either.
Guess that's all good news!
How fast does it progress? My jaw hurts today and neck is tense, but wasn't 2 days ago... And it's better than yesterday.
My neurologist said all my exams, including an eye examination by her, were normal. The MRI is Wednesday....
It could be perception of my pupil as I only notice it when I get real close and focus.
It could be perception of my pupil as I only notice it when I get real close and focus.
I would ask your PCP if she/he think it would be wise for you to go to a Neuro-ophthalmologist. The optometrist obviously is limited I think in this type of situation.
Since you do have mild astigmatism, I'd wait until you see your Neurologist and ask them if they notice a difference in size of your pupils...You can always say, "I was looking at my pupils and notice there's a difference in size between the two. Can you reassure me if this is so?" You can also add that since you have an astigmatism it may distort your view a bit...This way she/he (Neuro) will take a closer look...
So what were your labs that the doctor have done so far? Are you aware of any of them?
I'd wait and see what your PCP and/or Neurologist say.....
I would ask though why you were not ordered MRI of brain and spine...I would think that would be a wise choice at this time. (But what do I know).
Let us know how it goes!
Lisa
Since you do have mild astigmatism, I'd wait until you see your Neurologist and ask them if they notice a difference in size of your pupils...You can always say, "I was looking at my pupils and notice there's a difference in size between the two. Can you reassure me if this is so?" You can also add that since you have an astigmatism it may distort your view a bit...This way she/he (Neuro) will take a closer look...
So what were your labs that the doctor have done so far? Are you aware of any of them?
I'd wait and see what your PCP and/or Neurologist say.....
I would ask though why you were not ordered MRI of brain and spine...I would think that would be a wise choice at this time. (But what do I know).
Let us know how it goes!
Lisa
Lisa,
Yeah I'm kind of baffled too. I mean, the difference between pupils is definitely not large -- it's not even a full 1mm, more like half, or slightly less. Maybe I'm just perceiving it? I mean I saw an Optometrist for my contacts (and yes, I do have a follow-up scheduled with her), my general doctor and a neurologist. You'd think ONE of them would see it if it was abnormal or out of the "normal range." I also did a light reaction test, where you check one pupil relative to another when it contracts, I noticed no significant difference between the two...
The MRI she ordered was for my brain and I've had recent labs with nothing abnormal.
I'll let the doctor do her thing, but do you think I'd be noticing other symptoms -- or more severe ones? My eyesight definitely did not occur immediately, the blurriness occurred over a period of time (I use my eyes in a very particular manner for my profession and can recall it getting more and more difficult over the past 5 years). I know it's different for everyone, but I'm trying to remain positive here.
Yeah I'm kind of baffled too. I mean, the difference between pupils is definitely not large -- it's not even a full 1mm, more like half, or slightly less. Maybe I'm just perceiving it? I mean I saw an Optometrist for my contacts (and yes, I do have a follow-up scheduled with her), my general doctor and a neurologist. You'd think ONE of them would see it if it was abnormal or out of the "normal range." I also did a light reaction test, where you check one pupil relative to another when it contracts, I noticed no significant difference between the two...
The MRI she ordered was for my brain and I've had recent labs with nothing abnormal.
I'll let the doctor do her thing, but do you think I'd be noticing other symptoms -- or more severe ones? My eyesight definitely did not occur immediately, the blurriness occurred over a period of time (I use my eyes in a very particular manner for my profession and can recall it getting more and more difficult over the past 5 years). I know it's different for everyone, but I'm trying to remain positive here.
By the way, here's a link to our health pages with great information regarding MS:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=36
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=36
Hi there and welcome to the forums!
I can certainly understand why you panicked over the information you googled, especially with ALS. However, I am glad that the doctors cleared you with that. That is one hell of a disease that no one would want or go through.
I'm glad the Neurologist has ordered your MRI. Did she order it of the brain and spine by the way? I will be anticipating the results of that MRI. Remember that you are able to obtain the written report by the neuroradiologist who reads the MRI (give them a few days or more to complete it). You can request a CD of the MRI and the written report. Some places charge for it (like 10.00). Some places will give it to you...
I'm baffled as to why the Neuro "missed" the asymmetrical pupils? Astigmatism can distort your vision and blur it as well. It can make things look a bit different than the onlooker who does not have it (PCP or Neurologist).
If the contacts the ophthalmologist ordered for you did not work, perhaps you should go back to them and be retested?
I'm not a doctor so I can't diagnose nor can anyone over the internet. They can say, "it sounds like" or "it seems like" but....truly they can't and I'm sure you can understand.
Self diagnosing can be dangerous and add additional anxiety that you don't need. Allow the doctors to do what they need to do. Did you have any blood work done? If so, what did you have done?
Again, welcome to the forums and let us know how things are with you!
I hope I was of some help.
PS - You're not alone...all of us went through this at one time or another.
Lisa
I can certainly understand why you panicked over the information you googled, especially with ALS. However, I am glad that the doctors cleared you with that. That is one hell of a disease that no one would want or go through.
I'm glad the Neurologist has ordered your MRI. Did she order it of the brain and spine by the way? I will be anticipating the results of that MRI. Remember that you are able to obtain the written report by the neuroradiologist who reads the MRI (give them a few days or more to complete it). You can request a CD of the MRI and the written report. Some places charge for it (like 10.00). Some places will give it to you...
I'm baffled as to why the Neuro "missed" the asymmetrical pupils? Astigmatism can distort your vision and blur it as well. It can make things look a bit different than the onlooker who does not have it (PCP or Neurologist).
If the contacts the ophthalmologist ordered for you did not work, perhaps you should go back to them and be retested?
I'm not a doctor so I can't diagnose nor can anyone over the internet. They can say, "it sounds like" or "it seems like" but....truly they can't and I'm sure you can understand.
Self diagnosing can be dangerous and add additional anxiety that you don't need. Allow the doctors to do what they need to do. Did you have any blood work done? If so, what did you have done?
Again, welcome to the forums and let us know how things are with you!
I hope I was of some help.
PS - You're not alone...all of us went through this at one time or another.
Lisa
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