Left Temple Headache/Flickering Vision

I have had a dull, not severe, but uncomfortable headache on my left temple for 2 months now. About a month into the headache, I noticed my vision altered. I am not sure the 2 are connected, but at this point I am still experiencing both symptoms. My headache is there all through the day and night, when I go to sleep and wake up. The same with vision. I had a full eye-test, and the optician said that my eyes are completely healthy and there is nothing she can see which would explain my visual problems or headache. My GP thinks my headache is neuralgia, but the medications I have been prescribed have not helped at all ~ first Diclofenac then Amitriptyline. I have stopped using these, as they have no effect. My optician says it is positive that she cannot see anything wrong.

My GP was meant to refer me to see a neurologist a few weeks ago, but he has not bothered. I am freaking out, as other people talking online had frighteningly similar symptoms to mine in the early stages and have since been diagnosed with brain tumours.

The vision problems are strange. It is not blurry, and I can still see perfectly, but it is as if I am looking through a haze, everything is flickering... as if the object is moving and yet it is not. I notice that the vision at the corners of my eyes is particularly worse with the flickering. In addition to this, even with my eyes closed I can sense the flickering. I am not sure whether these symptoms are something serious, or perhaps can be caused by something like poor diet or other less serious issues. Oh, also with my left eye, my eyelid keeps twitching every now and again, but not constantly ~ that has been more recently within the past 2 weeks.

I have been wearing my glasses, but this does not have any effect on the headache or vision either.

I would appreciate any advice you could offer. And I apologise, I was trying to be concise and to the point but kept remembering things half way through typing, hence the rambling.

Thanks :)

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Headaches are described as primary or secondary. Primary headaches include migraines, tension-type, etc. Secondary headaches are those headaches associated with a structural lesion or known cause, e.g., tumor, concussion, etc.

If you are older than the age of 55, one potential cause of headache is called giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis. This is due to an inflammation in the temporal artery and other arteries in the body. Symptoms include one sided headache pain in the temple and jaw that may be triggered by chewing. This condition can be diagnosed by a blood test called an ESR and a biopsy of the artery. It is very important to rule this diagnosis out as it is highly treatable and if left untreated it can lead to vision loss. It is exceedingly rare in people younger than 55, and is more common in even older age groups.

Migraines can also have visual disturbances. Migraines are described as unilateral, pounding headache that may have sensitivity to light and sound and may have nausea and/or vomiting.

It is important for you to understand that if you have not experienced headaches in the past and you are now having new head pains, seeing a neurologist is a good idea, just to make sure there is nothing serious causing this pain. Imaging of the brain and sometimes then neck may be indicated depending on your exact symptoms, your physical examination, and other factors.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[Nic2101]

I should state also, I am female aged 28.