flashes are in the corner of my right eye, almost in the shape of a C. Started about 6 weeks ago. Primarily notice them when I first enter a dark room, they
continue unless I turn a light on. Ophthalmologist insisted I go in to have
eyes dilated to rule out retinal detachment. He said all looked fine and to
return in a month. Then about a week later the eye pain started. Feels
like a toothache but behind my eye. Not above my eye, in the eyebrow
area but deep inside. I wake up with it and it continues all day. Eye
movement makes it worse. Returned to same eye doc, he dilated again
but encouraged a second opinion by a neuro-ophthalmologist. Particularly
given the white matter abnormalities on several MRI's. I see the new doc
on Monday.
Hi. :) I'm just wondering if you could describe your eye pain and flashes?
Thanks so much for your comments. I forgot to mention that I am scheduled to see a neuro-ophtham. next week. However, from past experience with
other docs I'm anticipating (pessimistic) that she won't be that diligent about a diagnosis. For example, the MS neuro dismissing my symptoms when the
VEP came back normal (2012). She said, "well, you can get a spinal tap if you want to." Not a very strong endorsement for pursuing what might be
wrong (as is very obvious from the postings of frustration from so many
that have struggled for years to get answers). Why would I have an
invasive procedure done if the doc is that casual about it? I had UBO's on an MRI done in the 80's and they recommended a ST. When it came back
negative, MS diagnosis was dismissed. I still remember being flat on my
back with the spinal headache for a week before they did a blood patch.
So obviously not eager to have that procedure again ~ particularly since
MS is still a possibility regardless of the ST outcome. Do you mind sharing
some of your symptoms with me and how you were finally given a proper
diagnosis? I posted on this site a few years ago and someone commented
that I should have had a lot of blood work by now. Besides an MRI and
ST, what other tests should be run? Thanks again for responding.
I think you should see a neuro-ophthalmologist as soon as you can. Eyes are nothing to fool with, and not many regular ophths are knowledgeable about optic nerve implications in MS. You do need answers, I agree. Also see another MS neuro and keep searching. This happens to far too many of us.
And just a small point here--there is no good scientific evidence that rosacea is an autoimmune disorder, though a lot of 'user group' web sites make this assumption. Last year I saw a dermatologist about another issue, and she commented that I seem to have rosacea. If so, it's very mild, as my face gets some red patches for no reason, and I'm not much of a blusher.
At that point I started reading up on rosacea and learned a lot.
Grave's disease is definitely autoimmune, and I believe that if you have one autoimmune disorder you are more likely than the general public to get another, though at the moment I have no statistics on that.
In any event, I wish you well. Please keep posting.
ess
Starting to consider myself a limbo lifer, but I can say my eye pain, when it flares up, is the worst. Neurontin 2400mg/d usually keeps it under control, but not tonight. Sorry; wish I could tell you something about you, rather than me. Empathizing, nonetheless.