Hypertension

[weeleighluigi]

Hi all, I'm looking for any opticians, optometrists, or even any neurologists to ask some advice?

[returnplanning]

Not a neurologist, but what is the query?

[weeleighluigi]

I was wondering if someone could look at the image taken of my eyes, see if they notice any swelling. I have had symptoms for 3 years, my doctors can't figure out, my Neuro diagnosed as vestibular migraines, my doctor TOTALLY disagrees, as does my physio and another doctor, my optician says my eyes look ok but she is worried about intracranial hypertension (my main symptom is head pressure when lying down) , another says there is swelling. If I send you an image, would you look?

I won't use your opinion as an example, it's for my own benefit really, to know which direction to pursue.

[returnplanning]

Ah, I'm afraid that would be a bit too specialised for me - I do look at the backs of people's eyes as part of my job (including patients with intracranial hypertension), but more of a "first look", but it's unlikely that I'd be able to add anything to specialist opinion - I was hoping it might be a more general query. Sorry.

Is it worth asking your neurologist why they don't feel you have intracranial hypertension - they may be able to reassure you with the full knowledge of your history and examination.

[Disneydreaming_]

I had intercranial hypertension. It was diagnosed after a routine eye test. My discs and optic nerves in both eyes were swollen.

I did have other symptoms but they were so vague. I lost balance regularly, and misjudged distance so quite often bumped into things. I didn’t really get headaches but often my eyes aches.

My route of diagnosis was optician > private opthamologist > neurologist. He did tell me that quite often they treat IIH even when it’s suspected as it’s so hard to prove other than absence of any other reason for my discs swelling (I had a brain MRI which showed no tumour or any other reason for my discs to be swollen).

I eventually cured myself by losing weight and was discharged. It’s odd as I am 5ft11 and weighed 14 stone so wasn’t massively overweight but hey ho.

[weeleighluigi]

Originally Posted by Disneydreaming_

ETA as part of my diagnosis I had a lumbar puncture. - this is often used to measure pressure - could you ask for one of these?

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Ironically, my issues started after I lost 4 stone!
I am over weight, but not as massively as I used to be, I am smaller than the average UK size!

My optician has suggested lumbar puncture, she knew I was waiting to see Neuro so she said to me to almost pass on what we discussed regarding intracranial hypertension and a lumbar puncture. We also had a look at the medication I am on, originally prescribed for migraines which my doctor doesn't beleive I have. I ran out recently, and went a week without it... the pressure I suffered was shocking, I had to take time off work, the pressure I would normally get when lying down, didn't ease as it normally would when getting up and moving, it just got worse and worse. I felt like my brain was trying to squeeze out through my eyes and ears.
My optician and I figured out that my medication, topirimate, is not only an anti epilepsy medication, but a CSF inhibitor! She wonders if I feel better taking it because of that.

[weeleighluigi]

Originally Posted by returnplanning

Ah, I'm afraid that would be a bit too specialised for me - I do look at the backs of people's eyes as part of my job (including patients with intracranial hypertension), but more of a "first look", but it's unlikely that I'd be able to add anything to specialist opinion - I was hoping it might be a more general query. Sorry.

Is it worth asking your neurologist why they don't feel you have intracranial hypertension - they may be able to reassure you with the full knowledge of your history and examination.

See more...

Thank you anyways