Double vision (sort of) on non-AN eye?

[mk]

Something very weird happened to me this morning, and it freaked me out. After I woke up in the morning, it felt that I had "snippets" of double vision on my left (non AN) eye. It felt like looking through a prism, but not in the entire area of vision, just periperally and sporadically.  It is really very hard to describe accurately. This resolved completely after about 5 minutes.

Now, I know that double vision can happen when the 6th or 4th nerves are affected. Actually during my latest rounds of consulations, the doctors kept asking me if I have experienced double vision. But this was the non-AN eye.
Any other ideas? Has anyone every experienced this? Could it be a sign of early hydrocephalus? And if yes, wouldn't it affect both eyes? This has me quite worried.

Marianna

[sunfish]

FIRST THE DISCLAIMER:  I AM NOT A MEDICAL DOCTOR.  If you keep experiencing this, consult a medical doctor! However, what you may well have experienced is a visual migraine/optical migraine.  They are common, and harmless. I used to have them quite regularly, then they stopped for a few years, then I had one again two months after CK. These are migraine type activities in one's brain, without the headache.  Look this up on the internet.  There's other names for these, I don't remember what.  The prism type spots in your vision are called "scintillating scotoma,"  and they are the classic symptom of these.  What a mouthful!

After I experienced the one in May, I did gradually develop very mild double vision, and other vision problems which appear to be related to my vestibular (balance) system.

I'll bet you'll read the internet, and be quite relieved.  Important note:  visual migraines don't last very long - 15-20 minutes at the most.  If you experience stuff like this that is ongoing, you need to call a doctor promptly.

[sgerrard]

I had scintillating scotomas a few times the first year or so after treatment. When I described them to my eye doctor (an ophthalmologist), he handed me a xeroxed copy of his "visual migraines" handout, which apparently he does fairly often. They are not a big deal, although they certainly are weird.

Steve

[CHD63]

Marianna .....

I can certainly see why this freaked you out ..... and if it happens again, I would certainly contact your doctor for advice/reassurance.  sunfish's explanation sounds reasonable but as she says she is not a medical doctor.  A consult with your ophthalmologist might be in order, as well.  You just want to make sure it is not coming from the retina.

Let us know what you find out.

Clarice

[mk]

Wow, thank you very much for your responses. I had never heard of "visual" migraines, so this was entirely new to me. The descriptions I read on the Internet make sense. I haven't experienced this since yesterday so I feel relieved.
 
Marianna

[Cheryl R]

I also have the visual migraine.  I get a bit of a blind spot and then the bright flashing zig zag lines for 20 minutes or so.    I just have to go lay down with eyes shut or sit if happen to be somewhere not at home.      It goes away and maybe a tiny bit of a headaches but usually not and life goes on.      I never had one at all till I was pregnant with my first child.       Was every couple months I had it and less since have been on Toprol for BP.   
                                                                Cheryl R       

[Keeping Up]

Hey there ...

Was just signing on again after a bigger than usual hiatus ... I call them lightning bolt migraines.  I first started getting them (or at least noticing them) right after my AN diagnosis.  One of my team also had the same issue ... of course, we just made jokes out of them. (My protocol to lighten up  most everything!) If you tilt your head to the side or move way off your monitor you can still get work done, just at a much slower pace!!!! 

They happened very regularly at first but thankfully have become somewhat infrequent.  I sometimes get pressure headaches shortly thereafter.  For someone who never has a headache (touch wood), it was very concerning.  With time, my expectations for the typical path have become routine so when I do get them I am much less concerned.  (Knowing my luck I will have one tomorrow).  My observation is I get them when anxious/stressed/tired, a big storm is rolling in or my blood sugar is low. 

Hopefully you will be free from them and aren't any more serious than the descriptions in previous posts.

Ann