Should I be fearful??

[sweetrebel]

I am a 32 yr old woman with obesity, and was just recent referred to a specialist after a recent eye exam. My eye doctor was concerned due to the optic nerve in both of my eyes are swollen. He has told me he wants a MRI and a CT scan. I had a CT 2 months ago and it was normal(was in ER due to 5 day migraine). I have done some reading about papilledema, am I looking at going blind? I also experience my vision locking with an inability to break my stare. I had a car accident 12 yrs ago where I dented the headrest of my car but was unable to do follow up tested and lawyer forced me to settle out of court. Since then my headaches are increasing in frequency and intensity/length. Over the counter medicatioons are useless. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME?!??

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[crystalhanzelka]

I just wanted to comment here... I have had numerous  doctors, neuro opthamologist, and my neurologist tell me that 20 and under is normal.  In either case yours was elevated.  My intial opening pressure was 36.  It does not only afftect obese patients as I am not obese and I know several others who are not either.  Loosing weight can send it into remission but there are tons of people who struggle with this chronically despite weightloss efforts.  So just do not count on that as a sure thing.  I hope this helps.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Diamox is a diuretic and will not cause water retention.  Anyway good look BP is world class.

JCH MD

[sweetrebel]

Thank you for the insite... but i have since heard of people having problems with Diamox and gaining substantial water weight after using and got worse after going off of it. I'll keep you informed of my treatments....as for now I await my appointment with Bascom Palmer.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Discuss this with your physicians before you take the medicine. Most people with sulfa allergies can take diamox but you may need to take the first dose in your physicians office.
JCH MD

[sweetrebel]

That is the problem if I ingest any Sulfa or sulfonamide drug I instantly go into anaphylactic shock...is there any other drug??

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It is a sulfonamine which falls into the group of sulfa drugs (it has a sulfur molecule in it).

Diamox will help you lose weight. I  was on it when I was mountain climging. It takes the taste out of food and beverages for many people and weight loss is common.

JCH MD

[sweetrebel]

Well so far so good I have been on the pre-gastric diet for 2 days now and have lost 8 pounds. Hopefully this will help me as you suggested my obesity being a major factor. The drug you mentioned  previously Diamox, is it a sulfonamide or Sulfa drug??

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Your obesity is a major cause of pseudotumor cerebri. I have had several patients, all female, that the PC went away with just major (30-50 lb ) weigh loss.

JCH MD

[sweetrebel]

This I understand but I am right now in college for Medical Assisting and my only income is both my son's Disability payments with SSI.....so doing that would take longer.....I'm just tired of being fat and now that i know my obesity could be causing my vision stress i am more amped up to stick to it.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Please understand the earnestness of what I say, not trying to be mean  but you could pay for the operation yourself with the money you will otherwise spend on food over the next couple of years.

Good luck.

JCH MD

[sweetrebel]

I am planning on going on the pre surgery diet for gastric bypass but sadly Florida Medicaid won't pay for the surgery....so I hope I can drop enough weight on it.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

As I indicated in my first response pseudotumor cerebri (also called benign intracranial hypertension) was the most common diagnosis.

Treatment will likely include Diamox and a very very strong recommendation to lose weight.

JCH MD

[crystalhanzelka]

I have PTC...also called Intracranial Hypertension (IH)  Any ?? I would be happy to answer... also check out

http://www.ihrfoundation.org/

Hope this helps.  With proper treatment...you should not go blind..

[sweetrebel]

I had my MRI with and w/o contrast of my orbits and head....there was no masses but it was suggestive of pseudotumor cerebrii. I was then sent to a neurologist and he set me up with bloodwork(which came back normal), and a spinal tap which i had done today on the 30th of December. The doctor who performed the procedure under fluoroscope stated i had an opening pressure of 31 then told me normal was 10 and under. Guessing this was my problem I now await the results and have been set up to go to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute which is affiliated with the University of Miami, Florida. I have to wait 3 weeks to go there....May I ask your opinion on thisrecent matter of the triple pressure??

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Papilledema is a serious condition and the cause must be vigorously sought out. Tumors of the head need to be excluded. In a obese young female one of the most common causes is pseudotumor cerebri.

Use the search feature and archives to read about that. Also go to e medicine and read about it.

Work with your Eye MDs to find the cause and then the treatment.

Good luck

JCH MD