Copied from my previous post, but anyone experience?

[luvpoohbear71]

History, I am now a 43 year old female, mom to 4, European decent (white), I am on my 3rd round of Abducen's or 6th nerve palsy. The first episode was about Oct. 30, 2009, just a few days after my son was born. I had literally watched my pupil blow and turn my right eye completely black. The headache that came with it was beyond anything I would wish on my worst enemy or Satan himself! I went to the eye Dr. who thought first Aneurysm or brain tumor, because of the pupil, which little by little color was so beyond enhanced it hurt to use my eyes period. My right eye twisted outward and I was sent to the ER. I spent 5 days in the hospital with a multitude of tests, from MRI, CT scans with and without dye, blood tests, specialists coming in, they couldn't find anything. No LP was done since I had a ceasection and my son was barely a week old. This first episode lasted about 4 months if I recall correctly. It did resolve and life went on. The neuro Dr. dx me with optical migraines. Ok topamax has been my friend, keeping further radical migraines from taking over my life. In March/April 2012, I woke with my left eye turned inward..GREAT, here we go again! This time, I did have a headache, but because of the Topamax (Topiramate) it wasn't as debilitating or bad as the first episode. I knew what to expect as far as dizziness, lack of depth perception, but still scared, so back to the ER....They just said recurrent 6th nerve palsy with pstosis (?)....This episode lasted about 4 months as well, and luckily, no blown pupils or enhanced colors. With both, I did notice however, my vision was not 100% what it was prior to ever going through this. Both cases, I was eventually given steroids, but not sure what good they did. It is now, July 14, 2015 and I woke up July 9 with once again, my right eye affected and turned inward. No blown pupil, no major headache, but loss of depth perception, unable to drive because well, driving with one eye is a bit hard, wearing a patch helps a bit, but the dizziness is there. My family says my eyes don't look as bad as the previous times, but I can't look straight ahead because the focus drives me nuts. I did go to ER again, (every time, to have documentation "incase")...They immediately put me on steroids and Dr. said he highly thinks I have MS. Something RRMS, where it comes and goes and can happen without rhyme or reason. I have an appt on the 28th with my neuro and should be tested for MS. I am not scared as I have been reading up on MS like crazy, it's not terminal, it's chronic. Many with MS have the same life expectancy as those without. Just have to take care of myself. MS also affects everyone differently, can just affect my vision, or I have also noticed this time, my muscles ache something fierce.   Not sure if it's just me getting older, or what. My hearing in my right ear also seems muffled so not sure if this is part of something going on either. One thing I do know about this "episode" that I didn't seem to think about the last time, is this time, I just asked my husband if my eyes looked funny about 4 days prior to waking up with the crossed eye. He said no my eyes looked totally normal, I also felt like my eyes were cloudy and a tad gritty. Weird. Anyone else experience these symptoms? Hopefully this doesn't last months and goes away quickly. Prayer for each of you experiencing this awful unexplained mystery!

[luvpoohbear71]

I thank you all for your replies and apologize for one long paragraph. I too do have trouble reading block chunks (I am currently in school and graduate in Aug and have had a heck of a time, especially when it comes to reading and processing).

I will try to remember to break them up, I just type and go. As far as MS being bad, I do know a few people who have MS and have mixed reactions from those who have it. Some say it's horrendous, and other's take it with a grain of salt.

I too try to look at is as "what can I do" If I do have it, and if it is, just try to make the best of my life and not let my kids be affected due to my illness (s).  I do know that I didn't have lesions, which not everyone has, I also know it affects everyone differently. Some it can affect their legs, others their eyes. Not to say it doesn't affect everyone to some degree in all areas, just other areas are more pronounced maybe.

I look forward to the day I find out what it is I have, be it something never heard of or MS or whatever, I just hope I can always find the suppoort and friendliness I have been shown here.

Thanks everyone!

[immisceo]

Definitely not just you! It's really common. That return key is one of my best friends!

[HVAC]

MS is individual and not always bad. I have had MS for 50 years and I swim an hour straight every day. I ride horses and walk my dogs. I have had eye troubles my whole life and other problems but it is all the location of the MS and how fast it progresses.

People told me all these horrible things that would happen to me after they finally figure out what I had in 2009. I am not sure why people had to tell me all the worst case scenarios.None of those things have happened to me.

The trick to MS is accepting where you are an adaptability when things change.

Alex

[shannon_xray]

I thought that was just my problem!  I really struggle with reading and comprehending and it's getting worse.  You just made me feel better :)

[shel67]

The only thing I'd like to point out is, MS is that bad... It begins mild and relapsing remitting until its  not. Its a horrible disease that can rob you of function in every way imaginable.

I too, when researching it thought, its not so bad... Boy was I stupid and wrong. This is how I was so not understanding how bad MS is, in January when this relapse hit that has not remitted, only worsened, I actually hoped it was MS because if it was, that means the relapse symptoms would go away and I'd be back to normal in a few weeks and of course I thought, no big deal, you get a flare once or twice a year, or evey few years and in a few weeks it goes away... What an idoit I was.

The course is mild until its not. And when its not, there is no correcting the damage that it's caused. Its too late. And no one knows and no doc can say what type they will have or what direction MS will take until it reveals itself and again, its too late.

I don't say this to be discouraging but to have you be as proactive as you can be. If you have MS, find out now so you can aggressively treat this monster before its too late.

[luvpoohbear71]

Yes, after reading through some of the posts yesterday I called and asked. He has a dual specialty in migraines and MS. So thankful I found this site and was able to ask that question. I was looking over some of the "symptoms" and of 20, I do have 17, however, they could be attributed to many other things as well. Thanks for your reply!

[supermum_ms]

HI and welcome,

I think i've worked out that your been diagnosed with 6th nerve palsy, optical migraines, and Ptosis (drooping eyelid) with the original episode back in 2009, happened again in 2012, and it's just reoccurred this month 2015.

"What does a sixth nerve palsy look like, and what causes it?

Answer: A sixth nerve abducens palsy makes the eye turn medially, giving the eye a “crossed appearance.” This esotropia is worse when attempting to look toward the side of the lesion.

Abducens palsy can be caused by vasculitic processes like hypertension and diabetes. It can also occur in the setting of high intracranial pressure. A subtle abducens palsy can often be seen in cases of pseudotumor cerebri."
http://www.ophthobook.com/chapters/neuroophthalmology

From what i understand, the visual issues you've been experiencing are not the typical visual issues associated with MS eg Optic Neuritis so i'd definitely recommend you keep an open mind and not get to concerned that its a neurological condition like MS.

Cheers.....JJ

[immisceo]

Many people with MS struggle with large blocks of text, both visually and with comprehension. You will probably get more of a response if you use paragraphs. I can't really make out what you're saying at present.

[HVAC]

Is the neurologist you are seeing a MS Specialist? Neurologists specialize and all do not understand MS. I went to one who was clueless about MS and she turned out to be a headache specialist. It may take longer to get in with a MS Specialist but it is worth it. Especially since what you describe is not your run of the mill MS.

Alex