What's wrong with my eyes?

[EvianBaby]

Every now and then I get this problem with my eyes and it's just happened again for no apparent reason.

My vision goes blurry in one or both eyes. When it happened today it was just my left eye and the vision in the left hand corner of my eye was distorted, almost like a scrambled TV image, it was like I could see black and white lines in my eye. The vision is beginning to return to normal now but it's left me with a funny (although not overly painful) headache.

I had an eye test last week and although I am mildly short sighted he didn't find any other problems.

What could it be? It's really quite unpleasant.

[daffy654]

Migraine with visual auras.

[EvianBaby]

Oh, I thought migraine left you with quite severe headaches?

[daffy654]

Not always, sometimes the headaches can be 'fuzzy' or mild. Other than migraine the only other things I can think of that cause these type of visual disturbances are epilepsy, brain tumour, eye strain and panic attack. Migraine is the most likely.

[ummmm]

Migraine.

Doesn't always leave a headache.

[EvianBaby]

Yeah, I can't really see it being any of those. I did wonder if it might be a side effect of meds but it doesn't appear to be listed as one.

Is there some sort of way to deal with or prevent it (assuming it's migraine)?

[DTCwordfan]

Are you an avid chocolate eater, Evian?

[EvianBaby]

Not overly. I have a kit kat most days but that's about it.

[daffy654]

I can sometimes avoid the headache if I take painkillers as soon as the aura starts. If I go into full blown migraine I have to vomit then sleep in a dark, cool and silent room.

[JoolsTwo]

I get that - It is a form of migraine. The visual effects can last for around 1 hr - I sometimes get a bad headache but not very often, usually just leaves me with a mussy head for up to 24 hrs. I also feel a bit queasy too.

[EvianBaby]

Thinking about it, I did feel queasy this morning and I did have a headache but I often get headaches. Then the vision thing came a few hours later.

Think you all must be right.

[JoolsTwo]

If I take a couple of Alka Seltza's as soon as I get the first visual symptoms, I find they help me. I think you would have to experiment with what works best for you.

[EvianBaby]

Thanks for the tips. I'll keep some ibuprofen handy.

[Sqad]

Well...it could be migraine.

However you need to check out diabetes and underactive thyroid.

What medications are you taking?

[EvianBaby]

Taking Citalopram. Can't remember daily dosage.

I've been checked for diabetes a number of times, most recently last april. Never checked for any thyroid problems.

[jd_1984]

Onset of a migrane? My brother gets them fairly frequently. The sign that one is coming on is blurry vision and tiredness for him. Then he usually takes himself to bed for 12-24hrs with painkillers and water. He cant function when the headache really kicks in.
He had his eyes tested and he has near perfect vision, just gets migranes for god knows what reason

[Sqad]

Thanks...my guess would be it is a side effect of citalopram.

[EvianBaby]

Ah right, well I'm back for a check up next week so I'll mention it to the doc. Thanks all.

[DTCwordfan]

I mentioned chocolate as it cab be one of the biggest causers of migraine, when eaten in excess. My old man never smoked but would eat a 1lb bar in 10 miles driving....and when he had migraines, his consultant's first question was about his consumption. He stopped eating it and bingo.

It looks as if Sqad has his finger on the pulse though as to your side-effect.

[DTCwordfan]

can - typo there....

[jd_1984]

DT - Nothing short of a miracle my mrs doesnt get them then!!!