swollen optic nerve

Question

Hello, 
I experience a swollen optic nerve a month ago. The dr sent me to get every test that you can think of. MRI, Spinal tab, blood work, cat scan evrything came back ... [More] normal. I'm got my vison back im now experiencing a tingling sensation around my left eye. I'm thinking could it have a viral thing. bcaause everyhting else cam back normal. any suggestions? [Less]

Cath278 · Answer

Hi sandie.Sorry to hear you have a headache.But good news on all the tests being negitive so far. The MRI will make sure everything is ok- then you have  clean bill of health and can relax.

Have you had an MRI before? They can be very noisy and a litle bit scarey, the first time. I have had a few done so if you need any help...

Im glad the papillodema resolved and sometimes we dont get an answer other than the body fixed what ever was wrong. Great things , these bodies we have.!

Hope all continues to go well. Cath.

sandie40 · Answer

Yes the swelling resolve 4 hrs later when they started me with the steroid medication. I'm so confused of why this has happened to me. everything seems to be normal still i afraid this agin will occur as for the dr dont know why this happen. I still get headache from time to time which when i do i get really scrare because thats how it all started. As im writing to you i have a headache now and cant sleep. There is one more test my neurologist wants me to have its an MRI of my eye orbit i think Im saying it right. According to him he wants to check one more thing. Being that everything else came back normal. I appreciate all your responses.

sandie

Cath278 · Answer

Hi sadie.I am so glad to hear that things seen to be improving and that your opening pressure is normal. Hopefully, as you have said, it was just a virus. Do you know if the swelling has resolved?
 Here s hoping for a clear veiw future! So glad it all worked out! Cath.



Schwartz, sorry to hear you are having trouble.
Have they , the drs, given you any indication what is wrong?
I have papilloedema as well, that is the name for swelling of the optic nerve. I have it from increased intracranial pressure. Its name is IIH.?PTC.
You have pain because the optic nerve is swollen and it hurts to move something that is swollen.
What other symptoms do you have?
And dont be too worried about your eye sight, That was a bit hard of the dr to tell you that. The optic nerve can and does heal in most cases But you do need to find out why it has happened. Steroids  which do have their place, can mask true symptoms and are very dangerous long term.

I was given steriods to help with my pain , at the time and unfortunatly, it delayed my diagnoses by a year.
I wouls advise going back to your dr and finding out what their plan of action is. Are you under the care of a Ophthalmologist yet?
If there is anything I can do to help, give me a shout. The best of luck, cath278.

schwartz6988 · Answer

hello I too was daignios with a swollen optic nerve they put me in the hospital the same day gave steriods through an IV and then put me on predisone for 22 days.I still have pain but now its moving to my left eye and making my cheek swell. he told me i waited to long so now my vision is bad in the right eye. I am still feeling crapie so im going t so my regular doc and demand blood work and test for lyme disease. cause he won't see me for 2 weeks and i can't wait that long cause head is killing me . hope this helps.

sandie40 · Answer

Cath278, My LP opening pressure was 9 which the dr sais that was normal. As of now I'm doing great. I have my 20/20 vision back. I honestly feel what happen to me was a viral thing. like i mentioned before right b4 this happen to me i was sick with a stomach virus one week prios to this happening to me. that may have had something to do with this. because the testing that i have been thru all have come back normal. every single one of them and trust me i went thru alot of testing. My actually going for another this week. the dr wan tand mri and mra of my eyes.

Cath278 · Answer

sandie, how afull for you. It must be hard all this waiting for some one to come up with an answer.
What have they suggested they will next? They cant just leave it at this and send to home with nothing resolved!

Again, I am going to ask about your opening pressure.If it was raised, it could explain your  optic swelling. There are a few reasons for this to happen but raised intracranial pressure is the usual suspect.

I do hope things improve for you.If I can be any help please let me know. Best wishes, Cath278.

sandie40 · Answer

to answer all your question yes ive been to a neuro -opthalmologist and a neurologist. Both DR's still can figure out why this happen. being that the testy result came back normal.

Londres70 · Answer

As Cath278 has said, optic nerve swelling is NOTHING to play around with.  Please make sure you follow it up appropriately.

Cath278 · Answer

Hi . Did your spinal tap come back clear? Do you know the results? You would be looking for an "opening pressure".It should be 11-13. in a normal person,maybe as high a 20 but not over. I have swollen optic nerves.They are called Papilloedema, if you want to look it up. I have them as a result of high intracranial pressure also known as IIH or PTC. 
I agree with Londres, it is unlikly to be a virus and you should really see a neuro or an Ophthalmologist.

Not to scare you , but if left untreated, you could lose your eye sight. It is a serious problem so please get some help , OK? Cath278.