No, they do not have me on steroids. During CRAOs, they had me on I.V. coumadin for 3 days each time. After first CRAO, I was on Plavix for three months but then had another CRAO so they took me off of it and just use aspirin. No corticosteroids at this time. I had corticosteroid for inflammation of joints - major problem between ages 28 to 38 and between ages 42 to 45 - then inflammation stopped. Inflammation only recently started up again - last three months. I had been taking large doses of NSAIDs on and off for years but stopped this year. Cardiac catheterization/coronary angiography done last year - heart is in great shape - no problems. Carotid ultrasound five years ago showed 40% blockage on left side of neck. Cholesterol was through the roof but on statin now.
Strong family history of autoimme diseases - scleroderma, lupus, celiac, M.S.
Strong family history of migraines - All the females have them upon puberty, two male family members after age 21.
Lab tests just came in online - the only ones flagged as high were Chloride - 110, Hgb - 16.3 and Hct, auto - 49.6. All other tests within normal range, including sed rate. Potassium, sodium, BUN, creatinine were normal. Platelets - 226, Neutrophils - 6.9, Lymphocytes - 2.4, Monocytes - 0.5, Eosinophils - 0.2, Basophils -0.0.
Pattern of strange symptoms is exactly the same as months leading up to first CRAO: Swelling of joints, swelling of ankles and fingers, dizzy spells, increased migraines, flashes of light through vision, increased Raynaud's, increased auras, hives on arms, extreme stress and strangely enough - increased exercise. It is just unnerving to see the same symptoms/signs reappear. But it just kills me to be "that patient" - the hypochondriac we all made fun of when we were younger.
And as before, I will get tired of listening to myself whine and just wait for something drastic to happen. Not being passive-aggressive but you know how it is. If tests don't show anything, what is there to treat? ***** to get old.
I really appreciate the time you have taken to read my posts. Should I suggest corticosteroids to neurologist or just wait and see if he is going to call me back?. I hate to bother him, he is a very busy man and if it is just migraines again, I have meds for that.
Sincerely,
Lilianna
Hi Alaina
I know this is something of deep concern to you. Your history is significant as they may be largely contributory to your symptoms. The loss of half of your visual field and its spontaneous resolution does suggest something vascular. I may be thinking that vascular spasms may be causing this. It is highly aligned with a migraine headache. CRAO usually results to loss of the entire visual field. Aside from the aspirin,are you taking systemic corticosteroids for this? The steroids may help control inflammation which may cause vascular spasms.
Correct. The upper half of the visual field in both eyes vanished for about 5-6 minutes. It was as if there was a horizontal line going through the exact middle of both eyes and I could see nothing above the horizontal line. It was like having a ruler put over my eyes exactly midway through my pupils - at least that is how it looked from my point of view.
Raynaud's symptoms appeared in right hand and achy/swelling feeling in right arm and shoulder within a couple of minutes of vision return.
I did call my neurologist but when he called back, I had fallen asleep - he left message that said it sounded like migraine but would like to talk to me.
I called him back but he was with a patient and I have not heard from him since.
He has my complete history including migraines, CRAO's, CREST syndrome symptoms in 20's and 30's, etc. I had just had appt. with him in April because of increasing dizzy spells, increasing Raynauds, more headaches and it was time for a neurology check-up. He said in April that he believed it was migraines causing problems again.
I trust this neurologist but admit I am unnerved. I am 50 years old now and unfortunately I know the 10-year mortality rate of people who have had CRAOs. I guess that is what stays in the back of my mind and makes me more nervous.
Thank you for reviewing my posting and your thoughts.
Alaina
Hi
I just posted an answer for you. I have read the progression of your symptoms. I would advice that you have this assessed by a neurologist as soon as possible. You have a history of migraine and a vascular eye problem. You are also taking anticoagulants. It is best to have a baseline CT scan to rule out any underlying disease condition. This may still be a migraine aura. However visual aura may present as bright spots, a black spot in central vision and wavy lines. In your case you have noted total loss of vision in half of your visual field (is this correct?).