URGENT: severe eye pain

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SleepingUgly
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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by SleepingUgly » Thu Aug 26, 2010 4:08 pm

Could it possibly be migraines presenting without headache? I really don't know anything about this area, but I think I've seen mention of headache-less migraines that consist of visual disturbances, etc. If there's any possibility of this, you'd need to see a neurologist who specializes in headaches.

Are your eyes dry? If so, can you use something like prescription Restasis in conjunction with the plugs and goggles?
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Liquid
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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by Liquid » Thu Aug 26, 2010 4:22 pm

SleepingUgly wrote:Could it possibly be migraines presenting without headache? I really don't know anything about this area, but I think I've seen mention of headache-less migraines that consist of visual disturbances, etc. If there's any possibility of this, you'd need to see a neurologist who specializes in headaches.

Are your eyes dry? If so, can you use something like prescription Restasis in conjunction with the plugs and goggles?
Hi there. I don't know much about migraines. I have seen a neurologist and the topic of migraines was never brought up. Is there something I can do to test for it?

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SleepingUgly
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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by SleepingUgly » Thu Aug 26, 2010 4:41 pm

Liquid wrote:Hi there. I don't know much about migraines. I have seen a neurologist and the topic of migraines was never brought up. Is there something I can do to test for it?
I don't know anything about them, honestly. Here is something, and you might want to search for more information:

http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.co ... aines.html
Never put your fate entirely in the hands of someone who cares less about it than you do. --Sleeping Ugly

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Julie
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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by Julie » Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:14 pm

Have you had your thyroid checked recently? Hyperthyroidism is often accompanied by the kind of eye pain you describe and it wouldn't hurt to get it checked - whether or not the ophthalmologists thought of it as being related.

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JeffH
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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by JeffH » Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:02 pm

Liquid wrote:
JeffH wrote:Long time cpap user (12 years) and long time eye pain suffer (16 years). I tore my cornea in an car wreck in '94 and started cpap in '98. I have had the eye pain you are talking about on and off for years. In my case it is called reoccurring cornea abrasion. I use Muro 128 5% eye drops (4 to 6 times per day) and the same ointment in my bad eye at night. I also put in a small blob of Genteal for severe dry eyes in each eye EVERY night. Then I wear Tranquileyes foam eye mask. Got to dry eye store and look it up.

The only time I had trouble now is if I get a really good seal (and therefore low leak rate) then a little air will get in my eyes and I can't see as good the next day. From my experience, you do NOT have to quit cpap, just do some extra things at night to help your eyes.

good luck

JeffH
Hi JeffH, sorry to hear about your situation. Seems like you figured out a good way to handle it though. Thanks for your suggestion on the Tranquileyes. I have tried what seems to be a lighter version of that, from the same company: QUARTZ (http://store.nexternal.com/tdec/quartz-p346.aspx). I didn't get the foam one because I didn't think it would fit with my mask. I think I might try the foam one if the swim goggles that I'm going to try next doesn't work.

By any chance, did you also try the QUARTZ?
I did and they were too hot for my liking.


JeffH

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JeffH
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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by JeffH » Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:05 pm

Liquid wrote:
Julie wrote:Jeff - you don't know that your pain is the same kind that Liquid has, and I think if he had corneal abrasions one of the doctors would have picked up on it by now. LIQUID - floaters do go away in time (weeks, usually) but if yours don't, and you have the problems you say, you absolutely need to go to a new ophthalmologist, not an optometrist, not an oculist, not an optician. You need a specialist who will test you for various things and explain them to you.
Thanks Julie. I have been to ophthalmologists, at 2 different locations. And they seem knowledgeable on the eye problems. They just seem baffled when I present my problem. And they seem to do pretty detail tests on my eyes. The only thing they've found is the retinal thinning which is an effect not a cause. Sometimes I don't know if to keep on looking for new specialists. The ones I've already seen seem good at what they do. But where will I go for answers...
I went to a cornea specialist. Have you seen one of those yet?


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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by Liquid » Mon Sep 13, 2010 5:23 pm

JeffH wrote:
Liquid wrote:
Julie wrote:Jeff - you don't know that your pain is the same kind that Liquid has, and I think if he had corneal abrasions one of the doctors would have picked up on it by now. LIQUID - floaters do go away in time (weeks, usually) but if yours don't, and you have the problems you say, you absolutely need to go to a new ophthalmologist, not an optometrist, not an oculist, not an optician. You need a specialist who will test you for various things and explain them to you.
Thanks Julie. I have been to ophthalmologists, at 2 different locations. And they seem knowledgeable on the eye problems. They just seem baffled when I present my problem. And they seem to do pretty detail tests on my eyes. The only thing they've found is the retinal thinning which is an effect not a cause. Sometimes I don't know if to keep on looking for new specialists. The ones I've already seen seem good at what they do. But where will I go for answers...
I went to a cornea specialist. Have you seen one of those yet?


JeffH
Yes I have.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by chunkyfrog » Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:12 pm

Several years ago, I had something called 'ocular migraines'
The situation presented itself as a triangular floating area in my eyes that caused a distorting, shimmering effect.
In my case, there was no pain; and I told my ophthalmologist about it immediately.
It was a diagnosis point, Since then, I have been taking drops for glaucoma.
I even had laser surgery for it. All is under control and asymptomatic--so far, knock on wood.

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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by sleepycarol » Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:26 pm

Since last spring I have been experiencing some of the symptoms you describe, eye pain, floaters, whirling lights, etc.

Doctors think mine is due to migraines although I do not get a headache with the symptoms. I USED to get migraines a lot when I was younger, but haven't experienced a migraine headache for several years now.

I was told if the symptoms last more than 30 minutes to go to the ER as it could signal a stroke. Have you had that possiblity checked out?
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I am not a doctor or other health care professional. Comments reflect my own personal experiences and opinions.

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Julie
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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by Julie » Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:28 pm

Have you seen a neurologist? Many neurological problems can manifest as eye trouble and it might be a good idea for your GP to refer you (hopefully to someone who'll see you sooner than later).

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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by steamfan » Mon Sep 13, 2010 6:45 pm

The last time I was at the Mayo Clinic Sleep Center someone in the waiting area was talking about their problem which sounds identical with yours. I don't remember what exactly the cause was, but the Mayo Clinic got her to the point of being pain free in a couple of months. You might want to call them?

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Muscae volitantes don't cause pain

Post by Physician » Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:06 pm

Julie wrote:Jeff - you don't know that your pain is the same kind that Liquid has, and I think if he had corneal abrasions one of the doctors would have picked up on it by now. LIQUID - floaters do go away in time (weeks, usually) but if yours don't, and you have the problems you say, you absolutely need to go to a new ophthalmologist, not an optometrist, not an oculist, not an optician. You need a specialist who will test you for various things and explain them to you.


Floaters do NOT go away. Whether in the front chamber (aqueous) or the back chamber (vitreous humor) the floaters stay there but may be "out of focus" as a consequence of their position and whether or not one is in dim light.

Floaters do not cause pain. They are asymptomatic. With the new onset of floaters, one must be checked for retinal detachment, which is serious.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floater

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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by Muse-Inc » Tue Sep 14, 2010 11:53 am

When I used to have migraines (stopped when I started taking magnesium citrate), I had eye pain as one of the symptoms. My mom gets ocular migraines, occasionally with eye pain. At the worst of my hypothyroidism, I had periodic stabbing pains in my eyes, often a gritty feeling (dry eyes, used Refresh lubricating drops) similar to what I feel during the height of pollen season -- with effective thyroid treatment, the eye pain disappeared. I have had a few floaters for years, no associated pain; mom also has 'em with no pain.
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Julie
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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by Julie » Tue Sep 14, 2010 12:19 pm

Physician - I hate to argue with you, but I had floaters years ago - a definitive 'patch' of them, not just 1-2, and they most certainly did go away within a month or two, just as my doctor told me they would. There may be people who have them and can't lose them, but it doesn't mean they're automatically permanent for everyone.

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Re: URGENT: severe eye pain

Post by Liquid » Mon Oct 25, 2010 5:03 pm

Guys, the important thing is not the floaters or whether they are permanent or if they every go away. The thing is what is causing the floaters. If this eye pain ever goes away and I stop getting floaters then I can start thinking about that other stuff. I regret mentioning the floaters because, while they are an important part of the whole thing, they are leading you astray.

My pain has grown considerably worse. I can barely take it. I have tried the tear duct plugs for almost 4 months. No help. I am going to have them removed on Wednesday.

I have been using the Mandibular Repositioning Device and we have titrated it all the way to 5mm advancement. Still it has not helped with my sleep apnea. And there is some pain in the jaws and muscles underneath the throat so we are slowly moving it back. Seems as though this is not a solution.

I am thinking about a Tongue Retaining device. Will talk to my dentist about this...