Occular Migraine/Blurry Vision

[Eve.]

I posted about episodes of really blurry vision previously and it had been put down to an arthritis drug I was taken and which was then stopped, about 4 weeks ago.

It came back last night so phoned GP this morning who said to go straight to the hospital emergency eye clinic. They said I need to go back to the clinic for more tests they can't do in emergency clinic and they seemed pretty certain now it wasn't the meds causing it. No physical sign picked up so far which is good (and same as emergency optician said when checking my eyes the time before). Dr said they need to rule things out but possible it could be occular migraines even without a headache with it.

While I wait for an appointment for clinic, does anyone know if normal migraine meds will help them if it could be this? I get usual migraines (though no real visual disturbances with them) and usually get them to settle with the pink Migraleve and getting my head down so tempted to get a stash in if they could help if this happens again before I go back to clinic.

It's finally settling again now and can see better though the dilating drops made everything more blurry - don't know what they do but I definitely underestimated them, very weird stuff!

With that. an evil arthritis flare and icky tummy (bug apparently going round work) it's not been a fun few days!

[SMP]

Hi Jenna, sorry to hear about the problems you are having. Do you think you will be able to go back on the Hydroxychloroquine now? I have been on them nearly 3 months now and have noticed an improvement in my joint pain and fatigue. I seem to get a flare up if I overdo it (like strimming the garden the other day) but day to day things are better. Still waiting on my lip biopsy and have had to push back my next rheumy appt because of that. Just got to get on top of the dry mouth and eyes now lol.

[Fitzer]

I used to get regular migraines when teenaged through twenties, from then on the pain went away but I still get ocular migraines, they're usually stress and eye strain related. I must admit I don't take anything for them but just sit them out, apart from the weirdness of vision they don't cause me any problems and only last an hour or so. I believe that normal migraine mess do have an effect but I'd check with your GP first.

[Eve.]

Thanks SMP. I asked the doctor and he seemed to think it was possible as he was pretty certain it wasn't the drugs. I'm keen to go back on if not as they were so much better than sulfasalazine and no 2 weekly blood monitoring. Will see what rhumo says. Need something as arthritis is really not happy at the moment and stupid rash over my cheeks has come back and just feel urgh. Really glad it's helping you, that's great news!

Thanks Fitzer. I had headaches earlier in the week and at the weekend (exhausted though) but none with the blurred vision last night. I was quite calm with the first two instances as I figured it was the drugs as had been told they could cause eye problems but less so last night having been off the drugs and was investigated, quite a few years ago now, for possible strokes and MS after some other weird neurological symptoms.

Mine lasted for hours badly, most of yesterday evening (seeing double lights and not being able to focus on things) and went to bed early in the end as was really tired with it, not as blurry this morning but still not right (same as previous times), usually takes a day or so to get back to about normal. I have a couple of Migraleve but might get some more in and try taking them if it comes back (fingers crossed not!) and see if it helps - will check with GP first though.

[Giggsie]

I take hydroxychloroquine sulphasalazine and methotrexate that combination seems to be working for me. Have been in a lot less pain now. Hope you get sorted out soon arthritis not nice to have.

[percypineapple]

Just a Quick input about migrane and vision. I was put on beta blockers, and the next day I suddenly became disorientated, had to lay down, my speech was jumbled, but the amazing thing was I could only see zig zag lines, like those on a hospital heart monitor. they were perfectly formed and dead straight, just like a computer going wrong. i phone the doctor, He said " have you never had a migrane before?" I said no, He told me it was the beta blockers, stop taking them. that was it, a few hours later my sight went back to normal. bit scary, only seeing sine waves. so, medication can cause problems.

[Eve.]

Thanks futricat. Sulfasalazine just made me ill. Hoping there is chance for the hydrozychloroquine yet if not causing the vision problems. Methotrexate has been mentioned a few times too, likely in combination. Will see what rhumo says.

Ooh how weird Percy! I don't get those kind of visual symptoms with headache migraines, more just the headache and feeling crap, slurry speech etc... All the other meds I'm on are ones I've taken for a while so unlikely they would suddenly cause problems. Just hope they find what it is soon and put a stop to it.

[Eve.]

Well, 48 hours later and although much less blurry my vision still isn't right like the previous times. Been googling and most sites seem to say that occular migraines tend to last only a short period - 15 mins to an hour and are only in one eye whereas mine linger on and it's both eyes.

I also read not to take certain things for it until confirmed. If anyone like York is out there who could shed any light on whether I'm ok to take migraine stuff to see if it helps in the meantime I'd be really grateful.