Continued visual disturbances...7 weeks and counting!

[dkdean]

7 weeks and counting...The visual 'aura' started a week before the episode (loss of peripheral vision, numbness traveling on the right side, loss of speech).  After a trip to the ER (CT, MRI, carotid artery scan, echocardiogram, bloodwork).  I was dx'd with a TIA and sent home on aspirin.  At a follow up with the neuro the following week, the dx was changed to a 'complex migraine' (put on 10mg elavil)...I was sent to a neuro-ophthamologist 2 weeks after that due to the continued visual problems.  He dx'd it as an acephalgic complicated migraine (w/stroke like, unresolved visual symptoms)--upped elavil to 25mg and planned to up it in 2 weeks to 50mg.  The elavil caused me to gain weight (10lbs in 2 weeks!!!) and I wasn't happy!  I switched to verapamil--120mg extended release.

Throughout this time, my vision has remained 'wonky'--peripheral vision in left eye (esp outer, upper edge is nearly gone), haziness, fogginess, LOTS of floaters, a 'shift' in vision when I turn my head.

I'd like to hear from people who have had continued visual symptoms after this type of migraine--especially if you regained full vision!!  The neuro-opt isn't sure I will regain the vision and that this may be permanent....and/or it may take high doses of meds to get it back.

Thanks!!

[dkdean]

Yes, it hasn't been enjoyable...I had the CT and MRI done on the ER trip (3-29-10) and radiology suggested a follow-up MRI w/contrast.  The neuro didn't feel I needed the MRI follow-up (yet)--It's supposed to be done in 6 months.  But, since the vision has continued to be bad, I think I am going to push to get it done soon.

[dame_wilbur]

Wow, that's really intense. A 7 week long aura must be awful. The only thing I can think of is have you had a CT or MRI to check for brain damage that might be causing the aura?

Good luck!

~Dame