Suddenly Dizzy When I Move My Eyes, Headache, Ripple in Vision

[jsmanning0001]

I was diagnosed with a 7.5mm Pituitary Tumor back in August. I got back to UAB in April for a checkup and to see how fast it is growing. Well I have had a headache on my right side for 2 days now that will NOT go away, today I have also started having this awful dizzy sensation when I move my eyes...My stomach automatically wants to turn like I'm on a roller coaster. I also had a few episodes today where there is a spot in my vision that seems like 'rippling water'. Almost like a little water puddle just above what I am focusing on. It is occurring in both eyes.

I know that with time a growing Pituitary tumor can affect vision...I know they can also bleed suddenly. Is this anything you think I should be concerned about?

[Dr Sharma]

Dear Manning, welcome to the medhelp forum. I understand your anxieties. Your last assessment in April showed a tumor of 7.5 mm, which is a micro adenoma. Optic chiasma or apparatus is usually affected with a macroadenoma, usually larger than 10 mm in size. The other concern is of pituitary hemorrhage or apoplexy leading to sever headaches and visual disturbances. I suggest that you check up for an immediate MRI brain for the size and location of tumor compared to the last one suggesting requirement of any urgent surgical intervention. Dizziness could have various causes including hypo and hypertension, anemia, the brain tumor itself, migraines and vestibular disease. Rule out the increase in tumor size first and then the physician can look into these causes one by one. I hope you understand the priority here. Best of luck.

[ggreg]

Well, I think it would be helpful if you would visit a local opthalmologist, to have a look-see at your eyes, that would be the easiest and quickest check you could have right now.  But if you could get in to see an ear nose throat ENT doc pretty quickly, that would be preferable.  Also you should of course go ahead and set up an appointment to be seen by whomever is in charge of your tumor care.

But I cannot say for certain if it's the pituitary tumor growing or not.  I DO know, just like you do, that when a growth gets too big in that little cavity where the pituitary is, that's where the vision centers are, a couple other important centers, as well as your hormone situation.  So, yes, it COULD be it's grown and goofing up your eyesight, could be it is bleeding and making you nauseated, could be pressure is building and making your head hurt.  But could ALSO be vision problems from as-yet discovered astigmatism, or your glaucoma readings may be too high, or you are so stressed that you've wrenched some muscles on that side of your neck and shoulders.  Since we're in the middle of the holiday season, could be you were visiting and slept funny and didn't get a good night's sleep, too.

But the thing that is interesting is you have a headache on one side, but your vision is affected on both sides.  Also, another interesting thing is your balance may be why you're feeling what I would call dizzy and nauseated.  So, let us say that you have an ear infection on the right side, which the ears are where the balance mechanism is (also another one in the brain), then it would hurt on that side, it would make you dizzy and nauseated, and if the infection is bad enough, it will get into your sinus cavities and put pressure all around the eyes, possibly causing the visuals you're having.

I wish I could be sure what is going on, with the pituitary tumor at the top of my list, but your symptoms also sound like an ear infection or even something as simple as not sleeping in your regular bed for a few days.  Get thee to SOME doctor, and also make an appointment to see your neuro or whomever is in charge of your pituitary tumor, and if symptoms get dramatically worse, go straight to the ER.  As you well know, if this pituitary thing has gotten out of control, time is of the essence.