Question about symptoms

[mark_a]

Around two months ago out of nowhere I was hit with fatigue, heavy arms/legs, dizziness, double/blurring vision, confusion, coordination problems, and memory problems. These symptoms were strongest for about a week, then slowly subsided over around two weeks, with the fatigue coming back stronger now and then.

Now after eight weeks my vision is still not completely clear, the main problem is what seems like double vision but is not clearly two images, the other problem is blurring of movement, like a trail behind a car or person walking past me. My walking coordination also does not seem right.

After seeing a number of doctors, who believe it was a post viral fatigue due to a number of viruses I had in the preceding months, I have not got anywhere with this. A doctor has put me on anti-depressants for anxiety and depression, which may be helping, although I fell what I am experiencing is MS. I was also deficient in vitamin D, so I am taking supplements, so I'm not sure which one made me fell better.  

Further to this I have had a brain MRI which came back normal, initially thinking it may be a brain tumor. (Yes I know I have read about MRIs and MS)

I have a neurologist appointment next week in an attempt to rule out MS.

Has anyone experienced blurring of movement like I explained or know about it? It's not blurry vision as I can see very sharply, I have not been able to find anything on the internet about this. If I run my hand past my face it's like a delayed image following my hand. This occurs with both eyes, as does the double vision.

I have seem an eye doctor (who sent me for the MRI) and he said that's weird. My eyes tested perfect.

Thanks
Mark

[sllowe]

Hey Mark,

Yup - Wouldn't hurt to call the neuro and be seen. If you lip is lopsided, would be important for a doc to see that.
-Shell

[mark_a]

Just digging the old post back up again due to some new symptoms that have appeared.

I have started to experience pain in my left lower left arm, hand and fingers together with slight pins and needles. I have also felt numbness and pain on the souls of both feet, I notice all of this mostly in bed.

One really strange thing is I noticed one side of my lower lip was slightly lopsided, when I open my mouth the lopsidedness is quite obvious.

I really doubt Lexapro is causing all of this.

After seeing the neuro I was quite assured it wasn't MS, but now due to the lip issue I'm really confused. I'm not sure whether I should go back to the neuro, GP, or let it go?

After reading this message board I have in the back of mind what it is but I don't want to believe it. I feel I have seen the correct doctors and done all the right tests, if the neuro says you don't have MS, how can you not go with that, it's there job.

Thanks
Mark

[sllowe]

Hi again Mark. The hot bath can relate to MSers. Since you are not dx'd I'd not worry about that. And, even some MSers can take hot baths. It's a good thing you feel better after one for sure!

I'm glad you found that write up and it describes what you are experiencing. I'd venture to say they didn't fob you off at all. Sounds as if they nailed it on the head. But, they can also run some labs to see if you are deficient in any areas - that's just a recommendation, not sure if that would help you at all - but it should be a start.

Post viral issues are nothing to shake a stick at. Continue to follow up with your doctor if you see no resolve. One thing you didn't mention is if you had this trailing coicidental with starting any new meds? That too I would look into and mention to the doctor if so.

-Shell

[mark_a]

Found the following regarding post viral fatigue and it's exactly how I feel about my vision:

Patients fail to integrate visual information in a normal way which leads to
problems with reading (reading comprehension is reduced or, sometimes,
nonexistent) and writing difficulties (patients can find themselves making silly
spelling mistakes and not even notice it).  Spacial dysfunction is not unusual
which causes problems crossing streets or judging the distance of automobiles.
They find themselves stumbling on the last stair when the repetition of identical
steps is not perceived correctly.  Height perception is also altered which is why
patients can turn their ankles while merely stepping off a curb.  They may find
themselves walking into walls or misjudging where a shelf when putting things
away.

Something else I notice is after having a hot shower I feel better, reading about hot baths it seems my symptoms should get worse?

[mark_a]

Hello all and thanks for the replies.

My vision is not typical blurry, I can see letters very sharply, I can see long distance and short.

The effect I get is like what was mentioned, a trail behind moving objects, like cars, people walking, moving hands etc, it's no much of one, more like a delay, the object is clear though, just a blurry trail following behind until it stops. Imagine something slow exposure photo at night, but not that extreme.

I will mention I get this in both eyes, closing one or the other does not make a difference, exactly the same with each eye.

Same with the double vision when looking at people I'm talking to, it feels like I am seeing double vision of there face but I'm not sure, there face is sharp and in focus but I can put the picture together completely. This is the same in both eyes, exactly the same.

I did have four viruses within two months just preceding this, and a total lack of sleep for years. What I felt triggered it was really bad hayfever a couple of days before, that took 3 days to clear up.

I just don't want to doctors to fob it off as post viral, even though there may be some possibility of it. Suffering with it for two months is quite long, I'm starting to clear up now though, but not 100%. If I did clear up a few weeks ago I would have let this thing go and forgotten about it.The visual stuff freaked me out a bit.

I'm taking Lexapro, but I only started 4 weeks ago, and I think it has helped a bit, but I started taking vitamin D at the same time so I'm not sure.

Thanks all!

[cainer]

just wanted to say- i have done that, its weird,  maybe the signal to the brain-eye- arent getting it fast enough?  but gosh! its scarey, have seen things jump,to like the edges of a door-  very weird-but wanted to tell you ,cause your not nuts!!       hugs cainer

[sllowe]

Hi Mark,

So sorry you are having problems. Virals can absolutely wreak havoc on your immune system. And, you can be having post-viral problems like was mentioned.

I'm trying to figure out what you mean by the blurry but you can see sharp. Are you talking about the vision kind of trails? Like what you see goes slowly?  

Have you seen a neuro opthamologist?  What you describe can also be caused by meds. You mention some new have been prescribed. Have you noticed any of this vision trailing around the time you started taking?

Sorry for all the questions - just want to help point you in the right direction.

-Shell  

[COBOB]

They test eyes one at a time, and they can be perfect.  When you open both eyes, the muscles of the eyes can effect the ability of the eyes to tract correctly (strabismus).  Strabismus can be caused by issues with Cranial Nerves 3, 4, and/or 6.  This can cause double vision, blurriness, etc.  

Blurriness with movement and that "stop motion strobe effect " can be caused by nystagmus.  A ophthalmologist or neurologist should be able to detect these issues.

Bob