First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms you describe are not specific for any single disorder, but there are several possibilities that should be investigated. Blurred vision, headpressure in ears/behind the eyes, and pulsatile tinnitus (hearing your heartbeat in your ears) is common with a syndrome called benign intracranial hypertension (BIH)(also know as pseudo-tumor cerebri). This condition often affects young females (ages 20-40), and is more prevelant in overwieght individuals(but not always). The spinal fluid is at increased pressure (from decreased resorption) and causes the symptoms. Diagnosis is made by lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to measure the spinal fluid pressure (typical BIH pressures will be 30-45mm H20)(normal pressure is 10-20mm H20). Some medications, such as diamox (acetozolamide) can also help reduce the pressure. You should definitely have an ophtalamological exam as soon as possible to evaluate if the increased pressure is affecting your vision. The increased spinal fluid pressure can cause papiledema (swelling of the optic disc) and visual field defects/blurry vision (which may be permanent if not addressed). An additional scan that probably was not done on your MRI is an MRV (magnetic resonance venogram), that is very important to evaluate this condition (blockage of cerebral veins can cause BIH). I would also send off the spinal fluid for inflammation (tourtelotte panel, oligoclonal bands) to evaluate for multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease antibodies/protiens, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus to screen for other conditions that are possible as well. You should also have an MRA (magnetic resonance angiogram) if you have not had one yet. Vascular malformations such as AVMs, glomus tumors, etc can also cause your symptoms.
To summarize I would recommend a lumbar puncture to evaluate for BIH/ chronic infections and an MRA/MRV.
I hope this has been helpful.
Sorry for your problems.
I also have some weird symptoms and the doctors can't find out what is causing... I agree with ihatepvc (we have exchanged messages, haven't we), Lyme is a possibility. I got tested but still waiting to see a doctor that asks for more specific tests. The point is, keep looking and don't give up. My last neuro said to me to stop looking on the internet, but if we don't care for our health who will??
Dear jen75,
Yes, compression on the spinal cord can cause some of your symptoms, but our nervous system don't goes "backwards", so if you have a problem on you neck, it's not going to affect you vision.
Is it only me or seems that there is something out there that is causing A LOT of neuro problems and the doctors don't know what it is (maybe Lyme??)??
Every new doctor I go says something different, and asks for different tests... (I know I'm just starting with my medical bills).
I hope that all of us get an answer for what is causing our suffering... I think it's easier to fight against something you know, instead fighting against a ghost...
Best wishes !:)
I have all the same symptoms for over 1 1/2 years now. I got tested for Lyme disease 2 months ago from Igenex and the test came back positive. I went to see a lyme literate dr and he put me on Antibiotics right away. Its been 6 weeks now, the first 5 weeks were hell, but I think I am now starting to feel better. I can now function normally and go about my daily routines. It was so bad I was bedridden and drs would not put me on disability because all my labs and MRI's and spinal fluid tests were normal. The lyme dr told me in 6 months I should feel about 50% better. In the mean time Im going to try and return to work and hope for the best. By the way, I live in East Los Angeles where there is very little evidence of Lyme disease. All it takes is one little bug that picked up the bacteria from a rodent to bite you and inject the bacteria into your blood. A good refrence website is WWW.Canlyme.com
There is a Lyme disease support meeting at Whittier Presbyterian Hospital, Calif. Sept 9th at 1:00pm in Room F.
I wish us all good luck and may God Bless.....
Not telling this story to scare anyone. We know when something is not right. Insist they keep looking until the cause is found. If your not one to speak up for your self, as in my husbands case, take someone who will. His is a story of wasted months of searching. In the dr's defense I do have to say he didn't have most of the brain tumor symptom. My husband is only 42.
Are you guys seeing any improvement? I have been like this for the past 4 months or so. My Primary care Dr. laughs at me so I went directly to the ENT who is a little more compassionate.
Some times I feel if I faint and actually pass out it may be better as someone will take me to the hospital to run all the required tests, it is really frustrating.
Cliff
This week I feel a little better. Maybe it is because I stopped drinking "Starbucks" coffee...I don't know. I used to drink about 2 cups a day, cut down to .5 cup watered down heavily. I am just experimenting. Plan to stop coffee completely next week to see if it makes any major difference.
Will keep posting and my prayers to all.
Cliff
just browsing on the net, and noticed i have the same symptoms as you and wondering what they could be.
Im getting dizziness, losing my balance sometimes, and blurred vision where the back of my eyes really hurt. I dont know if this is due to too much sleep as i can sleep for 12 hours sometimes! Im also getting whats described as 'fullness' in my ears and mainly back of my head where it feels swollen up at times. I do have a high frequency hearing loss, so it could be linked to this, im not sure.
Ive read all sorts of things as to what it might be linked to, from Menieres disease(vertigo) to brain tumour symptoms which some i have. It been like this for a few days now along with panic attacks which i dont get that often, and they are making me more worried of what it is. and the sleep hasnt made me feel better at all. going to doctor tuesday to ask for a brain scan for peace of mind, but somthing is clearly wrong. Im eating and drinking fine so i know it cant me somthing minor.
Three weeks ago in the evening my head started to pound at the crown and felt hot....like I could feel my heart beat throughout my body. This concerned me as I was at rest, and I know a difference in my body works! The next day I called my cardiologist's office.....they told me to monitor it. It seemed to stay within normal ranges.
It kept up, so I went to my chiropractor thinking it was sinus. He had me sit up and he pushed his fingers into the top crease (soft spot ) of my skull....oh my God that hurt! I will never go again. Now I am, I believe, dealing with bruising in my skull....my hair even is uncomfortable and my head is itching like a healing bruise would itch....is this possible? I am going to make an appointment for an MRI per my internist just to rule out any concerns. Of course I am thinking "TUMOR" and get scared when I let my mind wander.....can you beautiful people let me know what you think???? What else could this be? Many blessings to you all.
I just saw your comments on the sight and wanted to touch base with you. I have all of the same symptoms as you. I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. I understand how you are feeling. It is hard to have all of this stuff going on in your body and no matter how well you can discribe it to every Dr. in the world, they have no way to tell you how to fix it. Good luck. Talk to you later.
Mike
i have the same problems in my head, and last winter it got so bad, i almost passed out completely....i've never had a lyme test done, b/c the symptoms subsided through summer, but they are back! i'm looking into this salt/c protocol, if it doesn't seem to help i'm going back to the doc, and asking him if it might be lyme...he told me it might be anxiety, but i don't have anxiety!!! i started having these wierd sensations they seem very medical! anyways, salt/c anyone try it??? i'm curious if it works! thanks!
http://lymephotos.com/ this is the site...