update-my right eye

[Phoenix177]

today I went back to the ophthalmologist since my right eye is acting up after about 4 weeks of somewhat normal; no pain or a light dull ache on back and sides of eye and fuzzy vision. the pain is increasing, white flashes of light or white spots, not seeing well in dim light, dizzy spells and a some what new sx my left and right eye can not agree on what shade of red I'm looking at has started back up 2 weeks ago.

I redid the vision field test (passed), a test where air hits the eye (passed), took a pic of the back of both my eyes (passed, although my right eye took 15-20 minutes to recover for color and not see a big circle in my vision). and some others that seemed ok. the doc told me, my eyes are very healthy and thinks the problem is in optic nerve. so he's referring me to a neuro-ophthalmologist, I'll get a call on Monday to make the appointment.

I also see my PCP on Monday for the test results for blood and urine. last time my b12 was a little low and I've had 2 b12 shots since. wouldn't I feel tingling and numbness plus my other sx all over my body vs just the right side, if it's low b12?

[Phoenix177]

I went to my PCP today to get my test results. my B12 is now in the upper range of normal, my thyroid and autoimmune panel are normal; negative for lupus, lyme, syphillis, diabetes, etc. my PCP wants to follow my eye problem to see if it leads us anywhere 1st (it been about 3 months) but if what ever this is still active in 3 weeks when I see him again, he's going to send me to a neurologist.

[LATW]

Aren't all those tests so much fun?! blah........
I had ON two years ago in my right eye. Twice actually and I have optic disc pallor.
My left eye is acting up some now so I decided to be good and go get it checked out.
I tend to wait until I am half dead to go to the doctor. Not good

Good thing I went because it is actually my right eye that is getting worse. I am losing my visual aquity. Not good.

I have another MRI coming up next month and will go back in for a vision field test in 3 months.  And that awful dialtion of the eyes.

I go to my eye doctor every 4 months. More often if needed.  I really do not enjoy having dialted eyes that often but it is something that is needed.

Anyway, eye problems stink.............

LA dx'd Ms Feb 2008......RRMS even though I have been slowly progressing ever since my first episode of ON.  ??????wondering about the RRMS dx.

[huff1711]

When my left eye started messing up a month or so ago, I went to my eye doctor and he saw that the nerve was swollen and sent me over to have an MRI done which confirmed everything. He did the other test you talked about with my eyes and I failed them all in my left eye, passed with flying colors on the right. I am finally starting to get my vision back in my left eye, but still blurry, although it doesn't really bother me when I'm looking with both anymore. Still have a hard time judging distances though.  The eye doctor a few days ago when I went back to see him said it wasn't any better or any worse. I haven't taken blood test yet, I go Monday so I'm not sure what they will show, or what they will mean.

[slightlybroken]

You are long over due for an MRI. You really need to get that done. I agree that the symptoms that you have don't fit with your fibro DX but  with something neurological.
You definately need to have the full work up.

Take Care

[Phoenix177]

I haven't had a MRI (brain/spine) in about 8-9 years, I also had a spinal tap about 7-8 years ago which were normal. They were taken when I was having different problems. I was dx with fibromylgia in '04. my PCP agrees with me what's going on now isn't the fibro, its something new.  I've ignored it for years, blaming the fibro until my right eye acted up then my right forearm acted up.

the sx are spinning/dizzy spells, balance problems, weakness on right side, itchy, tingling, numbness on my right side, dropping things, muscle spasms-right side, sometimes I can't find the right words or use wrong words. example: "I get dinner out of the table" or "can you give me that paperclip" when I'm pointing to a close pin. I get this weird painful thing around my right shoulder blade and into my right ribs if I did know any better I'd swear it feels like my muscles have turned in to metal and can't move with out a lot of pain or I broke a rib. it hurts to take a deep breath and my right arm barely can move and is useless until what ever this goes away (4-9 days). I sometimes can't lift my right foot and end up dragging it.  If its a hot day or a I take a hot shower/bath (it helps with the fibro) all sx are worse. sometimes I'm bouncing around trying to stand up, it like watching a poor cow with mad caw disease trying to get up. I try to get close enough to a chair/bed and jump into it and stay there until my body calms down. I'm probably forgetting something else sx wise, but my memory isn't what it once was.

When I 1st saw the eye doc, I gave him my timeline. he sounded confident it's not my eyeball but the optic nerve where the problem lies. one test he did was take a dropper bottle with a red lid and covered my right eye. my left eye saw bright red. then he covered my left eye, my right eye saw the same lid, but it was a different shade of red, dimmer. I guess I'll soon be hearing I have to get another MRI, but at least I have normal ones to compare too. I'm one of those that hope for the best, prepare for the worse

[slightlybroken]

From everything I read, B12 deficiency can cause numbness and tingling, but it seems to be more generalized (all over). From one source that I read, it said that it was more common to feel the numbness and tingling in the extremities (hands, feet, legs) and more so in the feet and legs. But I guess everybody could be different.

Your situation is more suspicious since it prefers one side. Hopefully the neuro-opthamologist can shed some light on what is going on.

Have you had a recent MRI to see if you could have ON further back on the optical nerve?