double vision and unsteadiness

[keasterp]

Yesterday while was in a store shopping ,Iwas walking and all of a sudden I had to grab the cart that my friend was pushing.My vision was all screwed up.It was like I had tunnell vision and I was seeing triple not just double.If I opened both eyes I could not focus .If I closed one eye I could see fine,if I closed the other I can see fine but whenI opened boyth eyes I could not focus at all. I did not get a headache or anything although just be fore it happened I did feel a little "weird" sensation in my head..a heaviness. It lasted for about 10 minutes then it gradually went away. If I had of been driving I would have been in serious trouble.
    When I got home I went to bed and woke up a few times feeling "weird" Its had to describe, lightheaded although heaviness at the same time. A little dizzy and when I opened my eyes I would have to blink a couple times to focus. This morning I still feel the same way. Its almost like I am a little "out of it' sort of the feeling you start to get when being sedated. Sometimes I have to squint to see what I am writing here.
    I am a migraine sufferer for 30 years and this is not typical. I do get the "aura" sometimes and the numbnes followed by the headache.Never have I gotten doulble vision. Could this just be a :different " migraine or something else?
                                         Thanks KEASTERP

[SarahNY]

hi.
i was wondering if you ever tried acupuncture? acupuncture is fantastic for migraine sufferers. I know. I have been cured by acupuncture for many things.

But, also, what does your diet include of? due you gravitate towards sweet, greasy, heavy, dairy type foods? try eliminating those foods slowly (I know it's hard to change your diet, but it can be caused by what's going into yout body). Also, do you drink a lot of diet sodas? or consume a lot of the "artificial sweeteners" also known as ASPARTAME--"sweet and low" "equal"....? if so, please stay away from that!

check out the YOUTUBE clip on the documentary film on aspartame called "sweet misery."

I am just guessing that you should watch what you are consuming. Everything we eat has an effect on our bodies. I'm not saying that everything must be organic, but the less chemically processed foods we eat, the better off anyone is.

[Dish1975]

I just experienced something similar twice in the last week. I've never been diagnosed with migraines even though I told my Dr. I get headaches sometimes that lay me flat out, no light, no smells allowed. Twice in the last week I've been working (I look at a computer all day) and all of a sudden I see two of everything. It lasts between 5 - 10 minutest then I'm fine although my sinuses feel funny -- it's like my head is really heavy if that makes any sense -- very similar to you I guess. I didn't notice any missing words but I did find I was having a hard time pulling stuff up (names of people, etc.) over the last couple of weeks. I've also had some pretty extreme depression -- where I just felt like everything was ****. I thought it was just time of year / season / weather but maybe it's related? Saw my GP yesterday who said it sounds like a silent migraine, went to see my eye dr today who said my eyes are fine could be silent migraine but keep track of them and if I keep getting them go back to GP for blood tests to check thyroid and cholesterol.
Is there anything else anyone thinks I should be doing? I find this quite scary and have not felt particularly reassured by the dr.'s I've seen so far...

[LifesAHeadache]

Hope you are having a good day today.  I don't know where you live but if you live somewhat close to a major area, I would schedule an appt with a NeuroOpthamologist.  They specialize in your kind of problem.  Although I know for a fact insurance companies don't always approve testing which obviously is the best - what the medicine does to you can be a great diagnostic tool.  DOES IMITREX TAKE THE MIGRAINE AND VISUAL SYMPTOMS IF PERSISTING AWAY?  If it does, then you can bet the Migraine is a big part.  If nortyptaline (Pamelor) is not working as well as it used to then you can ask the doctor to switch you to amityptiline and not a small 25 or 50 mg dose.  You have to work up slow.  It will knock you out at night but very good for migraine.  Because of its pain modulating abilities, they are researching (and may already) giving to patients after surgery.   Also, there are other BP meds you can use.  Most important point.  Don't switch multiple things at once.  You won't know what is working and what isn't.  Yes, the a few months ago was the first time I saw the test pattern - NEVER EVER HAD AURA GROWOING UP - I said OH, that's an aura then I said - oh hell, I guess the pain is going to get bad next.

[keasterp]

Thanks for conmmenting. I am 43 and am on a few drugs. I take imitrex when I get a migraine. I take noratriptilian every night to help with them. I have been on numerous drugs to no avail like everyone else. I also am on high blood pressure pills for about 6 months now. It is so weird because my head is still off.
      I definately have not experienced this before and I have had numerous symptoms before. The spots, the test pattern, the numbness,the forgetfullness, the vomiting. But never double/triple vision. My daughter also reminded me that I kept mixing up my words that day.
             Weird! and scary
    

[noops01]

Hi,

Since you suffer from migraines, the first cause to consider for visual problems is migraine itself. Tunnel vision is known to occur during the aura phase of migraine.
At the same time there can be some eye problems also which can cause tunnel vision like glaucoma, retinitis pimentosa, cataract. I would suggest you, to be on the safe side please consult an opthalmologist.
If migraine is responsible for your symptoms then it is time to increase the dose of current medication or switch to another medication.

[LifesAHeadache]

Are your migraines under control.  Sorry I have to ask how old are you.  Have you had your blood pressure checked.  Yes, it could be migraine but could be something else.  You have to go to the GP as soon as you can fit it in.  It could be blood pressure or a host of other things.  But it could be as simple as the migraine.  I am early 40's and only the last few years have my eyes been involved but my eye symptoms are really bad - but they say I'm OK.