blurred vision w/

[sutton1971]

I have blurred vision for the past 5 months. I can be looking at someone/something tv computer driving and it literally feels like by eye are going cross-eyed, then my vision gets blurred and i have to move my eyes to the right quick to regain my vision. this happens 50+ times a day. I also have pressure in head/neck behind eyes really hurt. I occasionally get ringing in my ears, see stars for no reason. I have severe fatigue. I had a severe headache that lasted for 1 week that no medicine could get rid of. I have hard time remembering things, concentrating, I get hot flashes. I went to my PC and referred me to neurologist that day. He ordered blood work including lyme MRI EEG & Visual Evoked Potential tests. He wasn't hopeful to find anything in the bloodwork which all came back normal. So far I have had the MRI brain w/o & w/contrast. Impression: no abnormality seen to explain the symptoms & single focus of T-2 hyperintensity in the right frontal lobe white matter which is nonspecific and may be within normal limits for age. During the MRI with contrast, I felt like i was falling off the table lying down. I also have had anxiety for 6 years.I got severe vertigo and was in bed 3 days. I don't know if this is another symptom of what is going on or if it could be from the MRI/contrast. Is there any other test that should be considered? My neurologist says that the vertigo must be different from my other symptoms and may be inner ear problem.  What other tests should i have? What would EEG & VEP find that the MRI didn't?  I am a female 35 yrs old.  Please help!

[sjobjorn]

A related discussion, blurry vision was started.

[Annie62]

You might want to read on migraine headaches to see if it fits your symptoms.  Also, you have to click on "Post question" at the top of this page in order to get a response from the doctor; usually no more questions are being taken for the day but you can always keep trying to get through at different times.

[lugo]

I woke up Sunday morning about 4 am with a major headache, I took a b.c. powder with a cup of coffee & a fluid pill. I then got clothes out for church while I was running my bath water. I figured my headache would be gone within the hour & my hair would have time to air dry in time for church , The church I was going to was about 80 miles away. When I turned my head upside down to get it wet to wash it & sat back in the bathtub my head started spinning & I started getting really sick at my stomach, I somehow after throwing up over & over got my hair rinsed and made it out of the bathtub, I was able to dry myself and make it to the bed. I was back and forth all day . At some point I ate a frozen dinner , It all came back up , I also ate soup which also came back up. My husband was at the dear lease so I called a friend of his later that day that I knew he would be in touch with before or after me. My kids KNEW I WAS SICK & thought I was would get over it like I did. The next morning my daughter took me to the doctor 60 milel away & they sent me straight to E.R. They ran blood work, urine, c.t. scan , MRI next day . Medicine ( phen.) thru I.V. , Med for headache, & dizzines. I was released 3 days later , THey said it was vertigo and it could come back at anytime. It was still not over , but I could lay in my bed as easy as the hospital. Now my husband thinks I am lying about it all because sometimes I hold on to things as I walk & somtimes I walk straight .My eyesight is better but at first I could not stand any light and I could not focus on anything. I slowly could cover one eye and focus a little & now 14 days later I am much better , still dizzy at times , my vision is not perfect but because of the days I did things (walked straigher ) My husband thinks I am putting it all on ( I think because he knows the hospital bill is going to cost him MONEY! The dizzy spells had happened at work a few times in the weeks before the bad spell on Nov.19,06. today is Dec.3, 06.. Could someone send me an e-mail that will explain these symtoms for me & him to read , Because he will not go back to the doctor with me to have it explained.

[lugo]

I have posted 2 comments & I am not sure if they were posted or not . I do not know how to find them or get an answer.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH]

First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.    
   The symptoms you describe are not specific for any single disorder, but multiple sclerosis, seizures, migraine headaches and posterior circulation TIAs are all possible.  Your MRI of the brain did not indicate findings consistent with definite MS, but did have one T2 hyperintensity (often seen in MS).  To complete your MS work up I would suggest an MRI of the Cervical spine with contrast, a lumbar puncture to evaluate for inflammation(tourtelotte, IgG index, and oligoclonal bands) often seen in MS.  A visual evoked potential (tests for past optic neuritis-often associated with MS).
   An EEG (electroencephalogram) or "brain wave test" will help evaluate for seizures.  Although not all of your symptoms are consistent with seizures, they can lead to chronic memory problems as you describe.
  Migraine headaches are often preceeded by an "aura" of seeing stars, that is followed by a severe pain.  These headaches can also be associated with blurry vision, lights bother the eyes, sounds bother the eyes, and patients often get nausea/vomiting and occasionally confusional spells.  For this I would recommend a preventative medication such as Elavil 25-50mg given each night before bed.
  Small strokes from the back of the brain can also cause the symtoms you describe (the double vision, vertigo) but a normal MRI makes this less likely.  Given that you have tinnitus (ringing in the ears) also with the vertigo does make an inner ear problem a possibility.  I would recommend that you get an eye exam by an ophthamologist, and caloric testing/ electronystagmogram (ENG) to assess for inner ear pathology.
I hope this has been helpful.

[sutton1971]

I forgot to mention I went to opthomologist first and said nothing wrong with my eyesballs, that it must be coming from the back of my head and to see PC and he would most likely refer me to neurologist.  I did have the Lasik eye surgery 2 years a go and he said it has nothing to do with this.  My vision hasn't changed.  Can any medication do this,  I have taken Welbutrin for 3 weeks to stop smoking and was on a ZPack for sinusitis.  I also have depression which I am not taking any meds for at this time.