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Migraines and referral from Optician

Posted , 4 users are following.

stephckj
stephckj

I’ve been having migraines now for four weeks - I’m 27 years old. Initially was having them every day, but last two weeks has been every two days. I have a four month old baby so finding it hard. 

I get the aura and then the pain, although last few attacks, the pain has been considerably less. Maybe due to taking sumatriptan and beta blockers (as GP put me on these to help control the migraines). A few weeks ago I was rushed into hospital and was in resus for five hours. I had a migraine which was so painful, my body decided to rest what it didn’t need. So I forgot who my husband and son were, was unconscious a lot of the time and couldn’t speak. The doctors rushed me into a CT scan (to check for bleed on brain) and gave me a lumbar puncture (to check for meningitis). All came back clear. They were even getting ready to send me to the neurosurgeons at a larger hospital close by. Once tests came back clear, they discharged me. I went to GP following the hospital trip, where he gave me the beta blockers and sumatriptan to help the migraines. 

I decided to go to the opticians to check whether I needed stronger lenses (I wear glasses and contact lenses daily). It only increased a little. The optician shone the light in my eyes and found swelling at the back of my left eye. She wrote a letter to my GP asking whether I needed a referral to an opthomologist. GP said she should have referred me straight there. He sent the letter on to the opthomologists. 

So I’m now waiting for this appointment with the opthomologist. But I’m so worried. Has anyone had anything similar? Or know what could be wrong? 

I’ve been having difficulty reading since the migraines, but not sure if that’s due to the migraine hangover effect, which I’m constantly getting due to the regularity of them. My eyes have also felt like they’re going crossed eye but I can’t control it and the room spins. Only lasts a minute or two though. 

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you. 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Shrimpie
    Shrimpie stephckj

    Posted

    I had a similar situation on June 2016 . I was suffering from severe headaches & was continually taking painkillers. I then had a seizure and ended up being ttaken to hospital  by ambulance . After several

    Test & - CT scan it was conforms ditvwaxnot an epileptic seizure but what is know as a vasovagal seizure. I saw a neurologist who advised me to stop all painkillers & prescribed me amatriptoline at night . If needed a can take ibuprofen or aspirin of I have headache . I was also referred to an opthalmologist who discovers I had a muscle convergence in both eyes which caused double vision and if things were too close too me my eyes would bounce outwards . I was given excercises to do which have helped a lot . I have since had refractive lense corrrction surgery & cataract removal . Are you in the uk

    • stephckj
      stephckj Shrimpie

      Posted

      Oh gosh that sounds nasty. What was causing the vasovagal seizures? With the double vision, how often was this happening? It’s only happened twice to me at the moment, but GP said it’s to do with the migraines. How old are you if you don’t mind me asking? Yes I’m in the UK. 
    • Shrimpie
      Shrimpie stephckj

      Posted

      My seizures were partly caused by stress & anxiety . I had suffered severe headaches for a while . I noticed the double vision about 2 years before I had my seizure but thoughtbitvwas to do with the headaches. I mentioned it to my optician a few times & eventually he agreed to refer me to an opthalmologist after I had my seizure . I initially had a prism corrector stuck to one of the lenses of my glasses . This didn’t fix the double vision .I saw an optometrist at my local hospital but unfortunately didn’t get any solution to why I had the double vision . I then decided to go private as I have private health care through my work . I saw a consultant who specialises in double vision etc . I was given excercises to do which were beneficial but I felt my sight was still blurry . I then saw another consultant , had diagnostic tests done on my eyes and decided to have refractive corrective lens exchange surgery . Before having this surgery it was noticed that I also had early stage cataracts . Where in the UK are you . I am 53 years of age . So glad I had the surgery and I am now glasses free . I still do the eye  excercises to strengthen my eye muscles . 

  • Wizzasmum
    Wizzasmum stephckj

    Posted

    As you’ve got a young baby, has anyone mentioned a hormone imbalance. This can trigger migraine. Just a thought. 
    • stephckj
      stephckj Wizzasmum

      Posted

      It has been bought up by family, but not GP. Is there a particular fix if it was this? I also started back on the mini pill, and had trouble with this previously. Had the migraines two weeks after taking these again, so came off them about three weeks ago. 
  • Wizzasmum
    Wizzasmum stephckj

    Posted

    That would be for your doctor to talk about with you, but I started with ocular migraines at the menopause and not had any since using low dose oestrogen. I’m surprised the doctors not connected this or at least mentioned it. Maybe ask to see a specialist in this field. 
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