The last couple months I've been experiencing what I guess you could call black outs. Sometimes when I am walking my vision will just go completely black for about a minute. At first it was only happening a few times a week but now it is happening multiple times every day. I spoke to my rheumy about it during my appt in June. He was very concerned and wanted me to see my neurologist immediately. She has been on vacation so the soonest I can get in is August 5th. I was just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar?
Are you having any other symptoms like a headache??? If you think this is severe, head to the ER and tell them you might be having a stroke and they will do a CT scan. Not saying that this is the case, but they may just try to sugar coat it and send you home with a Tylenol.
Gursie
Not sure I would worry about strokes...as they only occur on one side. So if both eyes are affected, then it's not that. But that doesn't mean this isn't serious. Clearly, something is very wrong for this to be happening. I too would head to ER is it continues or lasts longer.
Are you taking plaq?
I would be more concerned about TIAs and MS. A trip to the neurologist ASAP is long overdue! Plaquinel affect peripheral vision, not total blindness. I would suggest a treadmill test with EEG setup.
Sharon
In addition to seeing your Neurologist ASAP, it would be wise to see your Opthamologist on an emergency basis. The Opthamologist should be able to get you in the same day you call.
There are several causes of transient visual loss so it is best to get examined by both a Neurologist and an Opthamologist.
When it happens, do you have other symptoms than eyes going black?
About a month ago, or maybe a little less, I had a scary incident. More so, because I was driving my car when it happened! Suddenly I sort of heard a small "pop" or something and then both my vision and hearing felt like my head was inside a glass bottle. The field of vision was funnily distorted, blurry and maybe foggy, too, and all sounds came like behind a hissing sound. It passed pretty quickly, but still I had enough time to think if I should pull over. I was in small town traffic but luckily driving a straight road so nothing bad happened.
I mentioned this to my rheumy but he didn't seem to take it seriously.
Desi
I echo the comments re: your rheumy getting you to neuro stat and since it will be a week plus in the interim before you can be seen, please go to ER if new symptoms develop or if the current symptoms worsen (actually advise your rheumy that neuro can't see you before the 5th - if he feels it is that urgent, he may be able to pull strings to get you in sooner to an alternative neuro).
I also agree with getting your opthalmologist involved since your eyes are affected.
Someone asked about you being on plaquenil? If so, that would be another reason to get in to your eye doc asap. There is a teensy risk associated with that medication of retina damage.
Please keep us posted.
Oh and keep a symptom log as prep for the neuro. If this only happens while walking, well that's important information to convey to neuro. So include the activity in your notes when this symptom appears, as well as any other symptoms that may arise.
Ditto littliwlowa. This isn't something to do the "wait and see" on.
Wishing you all the best.
Thank you everyone! I will definitely head to the ER if things get worse or if something new happens. I saw my ophthalmologist shortly after my rheumy appt and he said everything is normal with my eyes. I am on plaq but the blackout started a while before I began taking it. I have been calling everyday that my neuro's office is open to see if they can get me in sooner.
Quote from: desi_20 on July 27, 2014, 12:17:20 AM
Thank you everyone! I will definitely head to the ER if things get worse or if something new happens. I saw my ophthalmologist shortly after my rheumy appt and he said everything is normal with my eyes. I am on plaq but the blackout started a while before I began taking it. I have been calling everyday that my neuro's office is open to see if they can get me in sooner.
Okay , then it certainly is suggestive of neurological at the root, yet keep in mind there are a number of spokes in that umbrella from the simple to the complex.
About 8 years ago, I had a similar experience. I was walking in the store, when I got dizzy, vision was so blurry, felt like I was going to faint. I thought I would snap out of it. I ran to my car and attempted to drive home..i was panicking, thinking I was having a stroke.
The symptoms were a tad better, but I knew something was wrong. I had my mom take me to the ER and they did all kinds of testing, and couldn't find anything wrong? I was shocked...after that, had my neuro appts, testing, and really nothing, except migraines began happening shortly after that. I had a hysterectomy about 7 months prior, and all my hormones were so off, so, they said it was migraines. Im sure my blood flow was very restricted when I had this major episode. Every now and then, I get these episodes, but not as severe as the first one. Migraines and can do funny things and are very scary. Not sure if you have them or not, but my hormones really messed me up big time. Add this with the SS/lupus, and its just crazy. I also wanted to suggest that when we are having big symptoms, to go to the ER right away. Best to have testing when your having this, because waiting might not show what I really happening on the test I mean?
I hope you can find some answers though..
Gursie