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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Are these eye symptoms related to MS? Plus, another new symptom...
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Are these eye symptoms related to MS? Plus, another new symptom...
by SAL, Jul 06, 2000 12:00AM
I am a 50 year old female with MS. I was diagnosed five years ago at a university medical center with secondary progressive MS (possibly primary progressive). This was after about 18 months of tests, dr visits, etc.
With all the symptoms I have, I've never had any vision abnormalities. But in the last five weeks, I have noticed that I have flashes of light-kind of like lightning-in my peripheral vision, when I look to the far left, right or down. It happens when it is dark, but it may only be that during the day I can't see them. This seems to be in both eyes, but I find it kind of hard to tell. My left eye also feels sore and irritated. Not a jabbing pain, just sore. In addition, the left side of my face (around the eye and below) are numb. I also had an MRI four weeks ago. While I have lots of new lesions (and ARRGH! more "brain atrophy") there were no apparent lesions involving my optic nerve. Although the MRI picked up "sinusitis in the left maxillary sinus."
Could these eye problems be ON or is it probably something else?
I am planning to go to the dr, but he is on vacation for yet another month, so I am trying to decide whether to wait to see him, or see one covering for him.
At the same time, I am having some very disturbing problems with a tremor that has developed in my trunk and head. I feel like I am rocking, uncontrollably. It starts and stops on its own and I can't seem to stop it. All the literature I have on tremor does not address this type except to describe it and say that "not much can be done." I also have an "intention" tremor in my right hand, especially when I go to pick something up.
Should I see another doctor immediately? What can you tell be about the possible ON or does it sound like another type of eye (or sinus) problem? And, what can you tell me about this tremor of my trunk and head? It is obvious to anyone who looks at me.
Thannks a lot!
With all the symptoms I have, I've never had any vision abnormalities. But in the last five weeks, I have noticed that I have flashes of light-kind of like lightning-in my peripheral vision, when I look to the far left, right or down. It happens when it is dark, but it may only be that during the day I can't see them. This seems to be in both eyes, but I find it kind of hard to tell. My left eye also feels sore and irritated. Not a jabbing pain, just sore. In addition, the left side of my face (around the eye and below) are numb. I also had an MRI four weeks ago. While I have lots of new lesions (and ARRGH! more "brain atrophy") there were no apparent lesions involving my optic nerve. Although the MRI picked up "sinusitis in the left maxillary sinus."
Could these eye problems be ON or is it probably something else?
I am planning to go to the dr, but he is on vacation for yet another month, so I am trying to decide whether to wait to see him, or see one covering for him.
At the same time, I am having some very disturbing problems with a tremor that has developed in my trunk and head. I feel like I am rocking, uncontrollably. It starts and stops on its own and I can't seem to stop it. All the literature I have on tremor does not address this type except to describe it and say that "not much can be done." I also have an "intention" tremor in my right hand, especially when I go to pick something up.
Should I see another doctor immediately? What can you tell be about the possible ON or does it sound like another type of eye (or sinus) problem? And, what can you tell me about this tremor of my trunk and head? It is obvious to anyone who looks at me.
Thannks a lot!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Jul 06, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Sal:
Optic neuritis is common in MS, but usually the patients tell us that the eye pain with eye movement is terrible. The MRI did not show any findings in the optic nerve while you were having symptoms so this also reduces the chances for optic neuritis. But I would still get a visit from the opthalmologist, I would suspect you are experiencing some retinal changes. The truncal tremor could very well be from your MS. I would talk with your neurologist about this.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Optic neuritis is common in MS, but usually the patients tell us that the eye pain with eye movement is terrible. The MRI did not show any findings in the optic nerve while you were having symptoms so this also reduces the chances for optic neuritis. But I would still get a visit from the opthalmologist, I would suspect you are experiencing some retinal changes. The truncal tremor could very well be from your MS. I would talk with your neurologist about this.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Thanks again.
I can't tell you much about the tremor because I have not examined you nor seen your MRIs. If the cause is because of cerebellar disease or if it is due to basal ganglia changes or medications I can't tell. That is why I told you to talk to your neurologist who knows these things.
CCF Neuro MD