To call . . . or not to call???

Hello everyone.  

I'm sorry I've fallen out of touch . . . I've been lurking, but have been unable to keep up with the vast number of posts.  I am now taking Provigil for fatique, and I am amazed at how much longer the day is . . . when I am awake : )  I am also quite pleased with my MS specialist.  All-in-all, I have felt like I have regained some control in my life . . . what a great feeling!!!!!!

For the past month, I have been experiencing flashes of light when I turn my head or look to the left or right (if it is dark or my eyes are shut).  Any clue as to what this means and/or does this warrant a call to the doc???

Thanks,
Sherry

[young at heart]

I'M GLAD YOU ARE REGAINING YOUR LIFE BACK THAT IS A WONDERFUL FEELING.

PROVIGIL IS WONDERFUL,I TOOK FOR ABOUT 6 WEEKS BEFORE MY INSURANCE REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT.

THE EYE THING I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED BUT IF IT CONTINUES TO BE BOTHERSOME IT WOULDN'T HURT TO CALL AND GET SOME ADVICE.

GLAD TO HEAR YOU LIKE YOUR MS SPECIALIST.

WELCOME BACK ITS GOOD TO HEAR HOW WELL YOUR DOING

T-LYNN

[Want to feel well!!!]

Nice to hear you are getting some control of your life.  Steps in the right direction are always good to hear!

Sorry I cannot help you with the light flashes.

Wanna

[Super_sally888]

Hi Sherry,

Welcome back. Two possibilities - one is that it is caused by optic neuritis.  2 is that it is a retinal problem.  It is possible to have retinal problem completely separate from the MS.  I am concerned that you seem to get the flashes related to head movement.  This means that retinal problem has to be ruled out.

Please get in and see an opthamologist (eye doctor).  This new symptom does need to be evaluated.

Btw.  I have been having eye flashes like you describe for more than a year now.  The intensity varies over time, but generally happens multiple times every day.  They've said my retina looks fine, so I can only expect it is neurological (which they have not been able to identify any clear cause)...

Sally

[risnerrose]

The odd thing about the flashes . . . they appear as circles of light with a dark center (almost as if I've glanced at a solar eclipse).  Does this resemble what you're seeing?

[Super_sally888]

Hi Sherry,

Mine are also really wierd. Sometime they are just bright white coloured flashes.     Which is what it seems to be mostly at the moment...  But other times the flashes (particularly I notice this in the mornings when I am just waking up, or sometimes when my eyes are closed) is that the flashes are kind of like bulls eyes.  Yes. They have a darker centre.  The colours are kind of orangey, yellow, and dull, not bright.  And it lasts slightly longer than the white flashes... but still only a fraction of a second I guess.

I also get sensation that there is something moving in my peripheral vision, when I know there's nothing (that's less at the moment).  

Two days ago got something like it felt my visual field jumped backwards (ie behind me).  And my vision feels really weird when I look at lots of lines (like grilles, window louvres, those grooves they make on concrete to improve grip)... maybe something to do with depth and distance perception.

Haven't tried to explain this to the opthamologist (saw him two days ago as I have yet another eye infection - well my eyes hurt - no discharge - and they prescribed antibiotics)... 'cause they already think I am malingering cause they can't find anything wrong, all the tests show up perfectly normal...

Welcome to the world of weird.

S

[kitten o]

I have MS and i also have optic neurtis, I just started with
the same white flashes. I also have what they call floaters,
looks like a bug floating around, sometimes i swat it,
thinking it is a bug. LOL
Sorry, I hope you feel better.
Kitt

[Quixotic1]

....though I still want to call you Ruth.  It is so good to see you back.  I hope it is to stay.  And it's fabulous that you have an MS Neuro that you like and respect.  what med are you on?

The flashes you describe in your vision sound like what many others have somplained of with optic neuritis.  they may not be the classic symptoms, but I've heard people with confirmed ON describe similar things.  Please let you MS doc know ASAP.

And the wavery edges may still well be a form of oscillopsia, boy I like writing and saying that word!  All of the symptoms may also be a dysfunction in the visual processing center of the brain.  Let us know what your doc says - 'cuz you are going to call him, ya know.

Quix

[risnerrose]

Thanks to all.  I have a call in to the neurologist . . . I just needed a little confirmation (or a few voices of reason).  Sad to say, I still worry about the "all in my head" reputation.  I suspect it took several years for this fear to develop and it will take a while before I can take myself seriously again?????  Thanks again!

Sherry