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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Vision Problems
        
(Message started by: Gilliandrea on Apr 13^th, 2008, 8:58am)

Title: Vision Problems
Post by Gilliandrea on Apr 13^th, 2008, 8:58am

I have found that I get a lot of blurring during this cycle.

Does anyone else have this as I have only seen it mentioned due to meds? Or maybe I've not searched enough :)

If I try to concentrate on anything my vision becomes blurry and tears streaming from my CH side eye (left).

Gill

Title: Re: Vision Problems
Post by beachmusic on Apr 13^th, 2008, 9:33am

Hi and welcome Gill,

I am not sure if this is the same thing as what you are referring to but I also have alot of vision problems.
Mine started when the cycle began and certainly are worse during and attack but now that the cycle seems to be winding down :) I am still very blurry eyed and cannot focus :-[.
Not sure what if any medications you may be on but I am on Topamax and I believe this a side effect.
Alas I have a delightful doctor who told me he would be unavailable to take my phone calls until my next appt. sooo I will have to remain blurry eyed until then. At that point I will no longer be seeing him.
Hope this is of some help. Good luck to you.
Mary Ann :)

Title: Re: Vision Problems
Post by DennisM1045 on Apr 13^th, 2008, 9:50am

Hi Gill,

If you mean blury due to excessive tearing of the CH eye then yes, I get it too. I'm a right sider and that eye tears constantly - even between the hits.

If you mean a loss of the eye's ability to focus I'd get that checked out by your Neurologist. Visual disturbances are not a typical cluster symptom.

Good luck...

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Vision Problems
Post by Gilliandrea on Apr 13^th, 2008, 9:53am

Thanks for the feedback

I just got the beast back on 9 April and I am still on my build up with verapamil which I hope will take true effect from about 24 April at the latest. In the meantime I am using the Imigran (Imitrex) nasal sprays and injections with the hopes of getting O2 from my consultant on wednesday.

During my HA's I don't even think about looking at anything.
However I find that I have constant shadows throughout the day with 2/3 HA's kip 4/5 and a kip 7 to 10 waking me at 2.30am. And being totally exhausted all the time.

Mary Ann
Your current Dr seems to be a real idiot, hope you find better luck with a new Dr.

Dennis
It is focusing that I meant, as I am seeing the consultant on Wednesday I will definitely bring this up.
But I do find that the tearing in my CH eye is almost constant.

Gill

Title: Re: Vision Problems
Post by purpleydog on Apr 13^th, 2008, 6:40pm

When I'm getting hit, I can't focus on anything. When a high cycle hits me, I can't focus for days, even to the point of not being able to drive.

When I was episodic, and was in cycle, the side I'd get hit on, that eye was blurry. After I turned chronic, I'd get into a "cycle" and have blurry vision on the side I'm getting hit on. My neuro says this is normal. It goes away after the "cycle" is over. My normal hits, I have a bit of blurriness, but it goes away within a few hours of the hit ending.

edit to add: I couldn't get new glasses I needed during my first cycle, due to the not quite being able to focus for months. I saw an opthamologist first, because of the pain in my eye, and he said it was neurological. So did my neuro.

When I'm in a cycle, there's no going to the eye doc for glasses, I can't focus, even with corrective lenses...

Title: Re: Vision Problems
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 14^th, 2008, 7:07am

After my surgery (I had some optic nerve damage from that) my left eye is blurred some days and other days it's clear -- never know till I wake up which way it's gonna be... glasses don't help. My right eye is fine most of the time, so I just look at things half blurred.

Sometimes drops help. Since Jonny shared his Visine secret, I've been using them when I'm blurred and they seem to help.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Vision Problems
Post by midwestbeth on Apr 14^th, 2008, 3:36pm

I've noticed this too. I'm a lefty (ch) and the vision in my left eye has always been worse than in my right. I was just thinking last night that my vision must be getting worse because even with my glasses, I still have a problem seeing clearly. My Rx for my glasses is only a little over a year old.

Beth

Title: Re: Vision Problems
Post by CostaRicaKris on Apr 14^th, 2008, 8:32pm

I thought I was getting old. I bought reading glasses at the drug store.

Title: Re: Vision Problems
Post by Gilliandrea on Apr 16^th, 2008, 11:36am

Thanks to everyone who gave me the "low down" on their own experience. ;)

I was at the consultant today and she has said that it is not uncommon for CH sufferers to have blurry vision throughout their cycle. :-/

I am quite badly short sighted anyway so I can't get a new prescription from the optician until the current cycle ends, and as far as trying to drive, not a chance!!! :(

Well at least I have a good looking chauffeur ;;D ;;D in my DH.

Title: Re: Vision ProblemsA
Post by Rosebuddy on Apr 17^th, 2008, 7:54am

Well, I feel like a complete dope! Just like most of you, when I started this cycle I was desperate to figure out what triggered it, and my vision was less than perfect. So I went in to see the optometrist, and after a prolonged session got a new prescription. Got the glasses, and couldn't see out of them at all! So I made another appointment, and by then the cycle had ended. :D Another exam, new lenses, and now I can see. It just never occurred to me that the CH's were causing the vision problems. Duh. Once again, you fellow sufferers have been the source of a revelation. PF days to all of you!