Cotton Wool Spot

[aliceinwonderland1978]

I've had these recurring symptoms for the past 3 years now, about every 4-6 months or so, where I experience vision changes (usually double or blurred--but it doesn't last long), dizziness, extreme fatigue, and my voice becomes very weak - it sounds strained -like it's coming from my vocal cords. I have also recently began to come down with a fever every 2-3 months which is between 102 and 104 and it lasts about twelve hours, with flu-like symptoms.  I always think I've just got the flu, but then I notice that no one else around me ever seems to catch it too.  It is also strange because it never lasts 24 hours and I don't vomit or have diarrhea.  My whole body just aches and I shake and shiver until I can take enough tylenol to get it down.  So after two years of the symptoms occuring, I finally started complaining.  After visiting a myriad of doctors and going through a battery of tests...they said I was just stressed or anxious and they tried to give me xanax and lexopro.  Those didn't help - made me feel worse - extremely sluggish and super sleepy --so I stopped taking them.  Then a year later, I was really noticing a blind spot in my eye, so I went to the last doctor I ended up at after the last round of doctors---a nuero opthamologist (sp?) and he found a cotton wool spot in my eye.  He seemed very worried.  From there he ran a whole slew of tests (checking for: anemia (which I've had all of my life and especially during pregnancy), diabetes (I've been checked for that 3 times now), MS, Lupus, checked for vascular diseases, etc...)  Thank God all tests came back good, but I'm very worried about the underlying cause.  I have a blind spot in my eye now and I obviously do not want anymore.  I'm only 30.  All of my layperson research results suggest the underlying causes: anemia, diabetes, AIDS, which I am clear for all...then it moves to lupus and other autoimmune type disorders.  I asked for a referral to a "lupus doctor" and my doctor told me I was crazy...same one who said this was all stress or anxiety (missed the cotton wool spot the first year).  It is my understanding stress and anxiety do not cause cotton wool spots.  Anyhow, I have also recently realized that my periods are not regular.  I have a period about every three months.  I know that can be caused from stress as well.  I am wondering if any one else out there has any of the similar symptoms?  Does anyone know what my next step is?  I've pretty much given up going to the doctor because I feel like a hypochrondiac explaining these symptoms when they occur.  I've just basically stuck my head in the sand and pray I don't receive another blind spot.  I take 81 mg of baby aspirin each day for the cotton wool spot which I am told has almost completely disappeared now (yeah!!!!)  Perhaps it is just stress?  It just seems like too much is going on for it to be simply stress.  Any thoughts?  Thank you in advance for anyone who takes the time to read and respond to this novel.


This discussion is related to Cotton wool spot.

[aliceinwonderland1978]

I just realized tonight that someone actually read and responded to my long-winded medical history.  I'm so thankful that your response was not that "it's all in my head."  I reside in Reno, Nevada.  Are you able to recommend a hematologist or an MD who specializes in autoimmune diseases in my area?  I truly appreciate your time and your thorough response.  It helps to know at least one MD doesn't think I'm crazy for being concerned about a cotton wool spot.  Thank you again. (BIG SIGH of some form of relief...)

[Hollie7]

Hi . I know this thread was a very long time ago but I’m just wondering if you found the cause? I’ve had the same issue where I am having visual disturbances due to a cotton wool spot and I was diagnosed with severe anaemia. Has your cotton wool spot cleared up and vision back to normal? I’m very worried :( xx

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

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[Flavius G Pernoud III, MD]

Not stress. Cotton wool spots have a differential diagnosis list about a mile long. Amongst the causes are lupus and anemia and untreated hypertension. These usually point towards some systemic problem. You have fevers of unknown origin-FUO-anemia, and missed periods. I don't know what you have but someone should be able to figure it out. The cotton wool spot and the blind spot could be related to a vasculitis causing an occlusion of a small blood vessel in the retina. Could you have a thyroiditis causing fevers and hormonal changes possibly caused by a lupus like syndrome. Keep looking. You don't want worsening problems occurring. See whether you can find a hematologist in your area or an MD who specializes in autoimmune diseases. I would bet that is where the answer will be found.