blurring vision and migraines happening suddenly

[jess4412]

Towards the end of the second month on accutane I suddenly started getting really intense headaches that to me, seem like a migraine.  It's happening at least a couple times a week now.  My vision kind of suddenly started getting blurier and I now have difficulty trying to focus and refocus my eyes. With this I also experience pain in my eyes.  I have this whenever I get the headaches and sometimes without a bad headache.  The headaches sometimes are completely unbearable, like the WORST headache I've ever experienced where talking and hearing even someones voice make me cringe and the whole back of my head and down my neck are throbbing so intensely that I feel like I'm going to vomit if I move.  I've never had headaches like this before and they are very strange.  What should I do???!  And what could this be?!!

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Thanks for the updates. How are you now? Were you able to find relief from the medications and eye glasses prescribed by your doctor? It is good to know that you were able to see your ophthalmologist and he has cleared you of any eye issues. Hope to hear from you soon. Best regards.

[jess4412]

thank you both!

I've been off accutane for 3 weeks now and I saw the opthamologist.  He prescribed me glasses and said that I could either be having headaches from eye straining or, like my dermatologist, he worries of the possibility of pseudotumor cerebri.  I had no papiladema (sp?) so he's not overly worried, but hasn't dismissed the possibility.  He said my eyes appear healthy which is good.  I have to wear the glasses and stay off accutane for 3 more weeks and then I go back to see if the symptoms have improved.  If not he's going to order more tests to make sure there's not anything going on in my brain.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? The link provided by selma is very helpful. You need to inform your doctor about your symptoms. Change of medication or dosage may be indicated. Migraine may also present with sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting. A referral to a neurologist may also help. Rest, ice pack, avoidance of triggers and migraine medications may help. Take care and do keep us posted.

[selmaS]

Accutane (Isotretinoin)

www.nlm.nih.gov*
Isotretinoin is used to treat severe recalcitrant nodular acne (a certain type of severe acne) that has not been helped by other treatments, such as antibiotics. Isotretinoin is in a class of medications called retinoids. It works by slowing the production of certain natural substances that can cause pimples to form.
  Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

headache

blurred vision

dizziness

nausea

vomiting

seizures

slow or difficult speech

weakness or numbness of one part or side of the body

stomach pain

chest pain

difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing

new or worsening heartburn

diarrhea

rectal bleeding

yellowing of the skin or eyes

dark colored urine

See the link above  for a more complete list of side effects.*