Aa
I feel like I have something in my eye...
I've felt like I've had something in my eye for a few days now. Went to my primary yesterday and she numbed my eye and put dye in my eye and used the ultraviolet light to look for anything that may be in there causing irritation or any scratches. She found nothing, which is great. But once the numbing solution wore off, the pain was back. I've had optic neuritis before but only with vision disturbances, never any pain. I'm wondering if that is what this could be. What does the pain of optic neuritis feel like? I have an appoinment scheduled with a new neurologist in about a week, but should I wait until then or call now? Please help! Thanks.
The problems I'm having with my eye has seemed to subside from time to time. But now it is in both eyes and there is some pressure behind my left which was the first to start. But I do have moments that they don't feel like they have anything in them. Eye drops don't seem to help me and my vision is blurry when it occurs. It seems very different than the times I had ON so I'm not sure if that's what it is. I'm supposed to be wearing glasses but the pressure of the frames give me migraines so I haven't worn them for years. Contacts irritate my eyes also.
My eyes bother me most when I read so I just don't read that often. I wonder if there is some type of contact that doesn't bother my eyes as much that are not outrageously expensive. I've tried wider frames but they still bother me or don't stay on my face! Any pressure on my nose or head gives me migraines.
My eyes bother me most when I read so I just don't read that often. I wonder if there is some type of contact that doesn't bother my eyes as much that are not outrageously expensive. I've tried wider frames but they still bother me or don't stay on my face! Any pressure on my nose or head gives me migraines.
Mary, I haven't tried the gels yet. I was told about them and maybe I should give it a try because, in answering Sidestep, no the drops don't seem to be helping much.
There is also restasis for dry eye. I have used this, too. I am currently waiting for lab results that are suppose to tell me if the restasis would be helpful or discontinue because they won't help. I forget what the doc said in explaining this to me....but it has to do with the ANA blood test.
Addi
IF it ends up being from dry eyes and the drops don't do the trick you can ask your doc about using the Refresh gel at night. It's messier of course and blurs your vision so it has to go in when you are ready to go to sleep. The gel can sometimes work it's magic overnight so it is easier to get through the day on drops.
These steroids I'm taking have me reaching for my bottle of Refresh every few hours.
Mary
These steroids I'm taking have me reaching for my bottle of Refresh every few hours.
Mary
Did your symptoms resolves with wetting drops. I've been using Refresh Tears. Moisture drops. I even put them in at night. It doesn't seem to help.
Hey Cville-
I am glad to see you retaining an open mind. It may or may not be dry eyes. It may or may not be ON. The important factor in all this is to get the RIGHT diagnosis. That's how I feel anyways. :)
I can tell you that I have resisted the dry eye diagnosis I got. I just didn't see how it could be something stupid like that. Lol! I had no idea what this could actually do and what the symptoms are. I was in the mindset of...heck, I can definitely produce tears...not problem there...this isn't dry eye!
I have constant blurred vision...so much so that I now have to wear glasses all the time when I have always had perfect eyes and vision. I have constant double vision in one eye and intermittent double vision in the other...I didn't see how this could be from dry eyes. I have nstigmatism...again, couldn't see this being from dry eye. My eyes feel swollen and they hurt. I feel cross eyed sometimes and have other vision issues. Again, didn't see this being from dry eye. My eyes can cry with no problem whatsoever and I feel like something is in them.
Yet, all these things...FOR ME...are caused from severe dry eye. I was convinced I was experiencing ON. I am definitely not saying dry eye is your answer, too....but I am glad to see you keeping an open mind...just in case.
Please let me know what you doctor says. I truly do hope this guy can help you and give you some relief.
Hugs,
Addi
Thank you for that. I never even considered dry eyes. I just assumed I had something in it and my doctor was just not looking close enough. I guess it's safe to say I can wait for my appointment and not feel stupid for going to the doctor just a few days befor my appointment and it not being anything. I've used just a moisturizing drop, like an artificial tears drop and it didn't really seem to help.
My husband will tell you I don't have a problem producing tears...but maybe he just doesn't know how to produce any. :D I think I will just wait for my appointment and see what he says, then. I've heard he's pretty good and thorough. I'll let y'all know what I find out. My appointment is Wednesday morning. So, not too far away.
My husband will tell you I don't have a problem producing tears...but maybe he just doesn't know how to produce any. :D I think I will just wait for my appointment and see what he says, then. I've heard he's pretty good and thorough. I'll let y'all know what I find out. My appointment is Wednesday morning. So, not too far away.
I have had similar symptoms. My left eye has double vision. My right eye has the weird sensation, pain and I'm getting headaches above it. It acts strained but it is this way even when I get up in the morning or have rested my eyes.
They have cycled with improvement/setbacks over the last six months with the sensations/pain. The feeling of something being in my eye has improved. My eye sight never improves. It's the same.
My VEP came back negative for optic neuritis but my eyes were so bad at one point that I couldn't look at the TV, Computer, etc. My vision has not and eye drops several times a day is not helping.
I saw a regular ophthalmologist. He wasn't a Neuro- ophthalmologist. My tests were not that long. One of my regular Neurology tests showed nystagmus and I'm wondering if that is causing the discomfort and pain.
They have cycled with improvement/setbacks over the last six months with the sensations/pain. The feeling of something being in my eye has improved. My eye sight never improves. It's the same.
My VEP came back negative for optic neuritis but my eyes were so bad at one point that I couldn't look at the TV, Computer, etc. My vision has not and eye drops several times a day is not helping.
I saw a regular ophthalmologist. He wasn't a Neuro- ophthalmologist. My tests were not that long. One of my regular Neurology tests showed nystagmus and I'm wondering if that is causing the discomfort and pain.
I am glad you have an appointment. Hopefully you will get your answers. Watering eyes is yet another symptom of dry eye (just so you know) and, if it does happen to be dry eye, using OTC eye drops are used to help with it. But, using the right drops becomes an issue, too. If you are using "red eye" type of drops, they will not help. I use Refresh optive lubricating eye drops, moisturizing dry eye solution. There are a couple others that can be used, too.
Pressure in the eyes, pain and vision disturbances are also signs. I am not saying that ON should not be considered, by all means. Just saying you may want to just make sure they do the simple test to see how much tears you are actually producing. Mine registered a 2 when the norm is about 10.
Hugs,
Addi
Thank you for your response. I have had ON 3 times and never experienced any pain. My eyes are constantly watering I guess to try to flush out what they think is in them...which is nothing apparently. I've continued to use eye drops to keep my eyes moist but there is still the feeling. I thought that my eyes may be dry too...but I think I've ruled that out.
Today, the feeling of having something in them is less than it was the past couple of days but there is a little bit of pressure and still a slight feeling of having something in them. I'm not sure what ON pains feel like since I've only experienced the vision disturbances. I just didn't want to wait until my neuro appointment if it is ON but also don't want to make an unneccesary trip if it's just in my head.
Today, the feeling of having something in them is less than it was the past couple of days but there is a little bit of pressure and still a slight feeling of having something in them. I'm not sure what ON pains feel like since I've only experienced the vision disturbances. I just didn't want to wait until my neuro appointment if it is ON but also don't want to make an unneccesary trip if it's just in my head.
I am also so very sorry for the loss of your child. I cannot begin to know how that feels other than what I perceive it to feel. Nonetheless, I am so sorry.
I just recently went to a neuro-ophthalmologist. My appointment was 2.5 hours long, with several tests involved. I felt much relief afterwards as they didn't find any damage to my optic nerve, which was why I had made the appointment.
I have never been diagnosed with ON though I had questioned whether I might have experienced it, but the doctor told me he didn't see any signs of it.
One thing you may want to consider though is dry eye. There is a simple test for it that can be done by your regular eye doctor. One of the signs of it is the feeling that something is in your eye...and also pain. Just a thought.
Hope you find relief...and a couple moments of peace, too! :)
Addi
Thank you for that. The baby was unexpected but much wanted. But I got pregnant again soon after which helped me feel better about all of that. I got pregnant before the due date of the one I lost. That made it a bit easier to cope with.
My 1st two children I had no neurological problems, but when I got pregnant with my 3rd I was diagnosed with ON. That was cured and no other problems that I remember. When I became pregnant with my 4th, I was diagnosed with ON again, along with uncontrolable movements and cripiling numbness in my legs off and on, also numbness on the entire right side of my body from face to toe. I thought I was having a stroke!
I had ON again while not being pregnant and other vision disturbances not related to ON as far as they could tell. But more of my problems occured while I was pregnant. So I seemed to be having the opposite that most people encounter. Possibly because I was having my children so close together and not giving my body a break. I love babies and wanted 12 so it seemed worth it to me!
I did not obtain a report of my MRI. I did look at it with my neurologist but did not know what I was really looking at. The last MRI I had was the most extensive one, with contrast dye and all. Took a couple of hours and was quite enjoyable against contrary belief...Had earplugs and a nice comfy pillow covering my ears so I enjoyed a little nap. They were surprised that I was able to sleep...little do they know how noisy my house can be!
My children are great and they help as much as they can. Especially with the baby...who is 11 months and just starting to crawl...Maybe he has too much help! My husband is very supportive as well and will stop on a dime to help me (when it comes to my health, not dishes or laundry unfortunately).
My 1st two children I had no neurological problems, but when I got pregnant with my 3rd I was diagnosed with ON. That was cured and no other problems that I remember. When I became pregnant with my 4th, I was diagnosed with ON again, along with uncontrolable movements and cripiling numbness in my legs off and on, also numbness on the entire right side of my body from face to toe. I thought I was having a stroke!
I had ON again while not being pregnant and other vision disturbances not related to ON as far as they could tell. But more of my problems occured while I was pregnant. So I seemed to be having the opposite that most people encounter. Possibly because I was having my children so close together and not giving my body a break. I love babies and wanted 12 so it seemed worth it to me!
I did not obtain a report of my MRI. I did look at it with my neurologist but did not know what I was really looking at. The last MRI I had was the most extensive one, with contrast dye and all. Took a couple of hours and was quite enjoyable against contrary belief...Had earplugs and a nice comfy pillow covering my ears so I enjoyed a little nap. They were surprised that I was able to sleep...little do they know how noisy my house can be!
My children are great and they help as much as they can. Especially with the baby...who is 11 months and just starting to crawl...Maybe he has too much help! My husband is very supportive as well and will stop on a dime to help me (when it comes to my health, not dishes or laundry unfortunately).
First of all, I am sorry for your loss of your baby. Nothing can take away the pain, emptiness and guilt that goes along with losing an unborn child. For what it is worth, I can empathize with you and know that my heart goes out to you.
Secondly, from what I've read, most women experience relief from most or even all of their MS symptoms during pregnancy. From my understanding the pregnancy has a protective effect, reducing the immune activity and the levels of our own natural steroids which are significantly higher in pregnant women.
Ahh... a moment of silence...Don't I remember those days when I wished for them. Now my children are grown 27 and 21. Yessssssssssss! But again, new issues come along with their aging. LOL!
Your first neuro-ophthalmologist appointment, I was wondering.....what did he "say" in regard to your vision issues during your "ON" situation? Did he/she diagnose you with that?
Do you have the report of your MRI? You can call the place where you had it (especially an independent imaging center out of the "hospital" setting and just go and ask for a copy of the report. To obtain a CD of your MRI, you would have to pay unfortunately. What blood work did your Neurologist do?
I pray for that moment of silence for you. Sounds like you could need it (often too!)
Lisa
Secondly, from what I've read, most women experience relief from most or even all of their MS symptoms during pregnancy. From my understanding the pregnancy has a protective effect, reducing the immune activity and the levels of our own natural steroids which are significantly higher in pregnant women.
Ahh... a moment of silence...Don't I remember those days when I wished for them. Now my children are grown 27 and 21. Yessssssssssss! But again, new issues come along with their aging. LOL!
Your first neuro-ophthalmologist appointment, I was wondering.....what did he "say" in regard to your vision issues during your "ON" situation? Did he/she diagnose you with that?
Do you have the report of your MRI? You can call the place where you had it (especially an independent imaging center out of the "hospital" setting and just go and ask for a copy of the report. To obtain a CD of your MRI, you would have to pay unfortunately. What blood work did your Neurologist do?
I pray for that moment of silence for you. Sounds like you could need it (often too!)
Lisa
I had a neurologist before, but I moved cities and had to find a new one. My mother really doesn't know much about the ON or MS but she tries to give me advice when she can. From there the neurologist will schedule me with a neuro-ophthalmologist.
My children are 11 months, 2, and the other will be 5 tomorrow. None of them will be still other than my 11 month old! Going anywhere by myself is a challenge much less a doctor visit! Last time I had a neuro-ophthalmologist appointment I made the mistake of driving myself then having to get home to my children quickly...with dialated eyes! Not a good idea especially if you're having vision troubles to begin with!
I've had a few MRIs and other tests dont of my brain and spine. I've had numbness, loss of control of some movements, visoin problems...a lot of unexplained things that led him to believe that I had MS. I've not been diagnosed yet, however. He saw some spots on my brain that looked as though they could be lesions but were not confirmed as far as I am aware.
I lost a baby due to all these tests, not knowing that I was pregnant at the time of the tests. My neurologist suggested that I not get pregnant since most of they symptoms I had occured while I was pregnant. Although, I did have another healthy baby since he told me that and no problems with that pregnancy! :) My husband wanted one and we have 5 so I guess that's a good number to compromise with! My husband gets off of work in a few hours so I will probably wait until then to call (so I can have a moment of silence).
My children are 11 months, 2, and the other will be 5 tomorrow. None of them will be still other than my 11 month old! Going anywhere by myself is a challenge much less a doctor visit! Last time I had a neuro-ophthalmologist appointment I made the mistake of driving myself then having to get home to my children quickly...with dialated eyes! Not a good idea especially if you're having vision troubles to begin with!
I've had a few MRIs and other tests dont of my brain and spine. I've had numbness, loss of control of some movements, visoin problems...a lot of unexplained things that led him to believe that I had MS. I've not been diagnosed yet, however. He saw some spots on my brain that looked as though they could be lesions but were not confirmed as far as I am aware.
I lost a baby due to all these tests, not knowing that I was pregnant at the time of the tests. My neurologist suggested that I not get pregnant since most of they symptoms I had occured while I was pregnant. Although, I did have another healthy baby since he told me that and no problems with that pregnancy! :) My husband wanted one and we have 5 so I guess that's a good number to compromise with! My husband gets off of work in a few hours so I will probably wait until then to call (so I can have a moment of silence).
You need to see an neurological ophthalmologist to diagnose you with ON. I'm not discounting what your "mother" knows as a RN, but leave your eye care to a specialist not a "primary doctor".
I was told that the initial visit for a neuro-ophthalmologist is about 3 hours long and you need someone to drive you. Taking three children with you is most likely not the ideal situation, unless they are old enough to sit still :D (I'm an adult and I can't sit still that long -- heh).
I can't imagine the frustration you are going through. The only thing you have had was the "ON" experience? Anything else?
You mentioned you have a neurologist, did you ever have a MRI done of your brain and spine? What were you seeing him for? I would encourage you to call your Neurologist and to have him call you back today and explain to him what has been going on. Ask him if he can refer you to a neuro-ophthalmologist that accepts your insurance.
No one can have enough babies!!! Make more! Hehe (thought I toss in a joke)
Let me know what you do!
Lisa
I was told that the initial visit for a neuro-ophthalmologist is about 3 hours long and you need someone to drive you. Taking three children with you is most likely not the ideal situation, unless they are old enough to sit still :D (I'm an adult and I can't sit still that long -- heh).
I can't imagine the frustration you are going through. The only thing you have had was the "ON" experience? Anything else?
You mentioned you have a neurologist, did you ever have a MRI done of your brain and spine? What were you seeing him for? I would encourage you to call your Neurologist and to have him call you back today and explain to him what has been going on. Ask him if he can refer you to a neuro-ophthalmologist that accepts your insurance.
No one can have enough babies!!! Make more! Hehe (thought I toss in a joke)
Let me know what you do!
Lisa
Thank you for your response. I've had ON 3 times in the past. All were resolved in different ways but none of those times did I ever have pain. I've tried everything to make sure there is nothing in my eye but my mother, who is a nurse, seems to think it's ON.
She's always assuming the worst so that I will go have it checked out so I just wanted others opinions to help me decide if I should bare with it and call my neurologist before my 1st appointment and having to bring 3 of my children with me or if it can wait until my appointment when my husband can be with me.
Needless to say, it's very frustrating. I've gone almost 2 years with no issues until now. I have too many babies to take care of for me to be the sick one! Again, thanks for your post.
She's always assuming the worst so that I will go have it checked out so I just wanted others opinions to help me decide if I should bare with it and call my neurologist before my 1st appointment and having to bring 3 of my children with me or if it can wait until my appointment when my husband can be with me.
Needless to say, it's very frustrating. I've gone almost 2 years with no issues until now. I have too many babies to take care of for me to be the sick one! Again, thanks for your post.
Oh, quite a few people can give you a vivid description of what ON feels like on this forum. I suppose near mid March I had a bout with painless ON that resolved. Visual changes yes, but no pain. Thank god since everything else in my body would hurt at one point or another.
Oh by the way, welcome to our happy forum family!!!!!
Im sorry you're going through this and Im not much of a help but I know someone will come along and answer this for you!!!
Sincerely
Lisa
Oh by the way, welcome to our happy forum family!!!!!
Im sorry you're going through this and Im not much of a help but I know someone will come along and answer this for you!!!
Sincerely
Lisa
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