Inflamed optic nerve

[Roosvanderv]

I had viral meningitis in November/December, and although things have improved, I've been experiencing reduced vision in one eye for the past week and a half. My vision appears dull and slightly shaky, and my eye tears up. I consulted with the neurologist, and she suspects an inflamed optic nerve. Has anyone else experienced this? I've also been dealing with vestibular migraine since meningitis. I have a hospital appointment for an MRI and tests in two weeks. If anyone has tips in the meantime, I'd appreciate hearing them.

[sonnerkay]

v meningitis in 2015, both eyes were blurry,sensitive to bright lites & sunshine ! I wore sunglasses inside & out, eye dr described inflamed optic nerves & weak eye muscles , he put me into thick lenses that pulled the eyes forward together , wore these for 6 months went back no longer needed these glasses..hope u get some relief…sonnerkay

[C-Northerner]

I am so sorry this is happening - it’s a whirlwind! I saw an optometrist a few weeks after I got out of the hospital, have you been able to see one? / has this been recommended?. My eyesight has also been on and off, mainly in my right eye. A friend is a radiologist and he said to drink an excessive amount of water during this time. He said it sounds silly but it will help speed up recovery. I have been doing it as well 🤞🏼🤞🏼

[Roosvanderv in reply to C-Northerner]

Hmm yeah drinking water is a good one, will try to drink more often. I went to the eye clinic for an examination yesterday. I'll get the results next week. Also, I have an MRI scheduled later for dizziness (vestibular migraine since meningitis), so it doesn't seem to end. I'll keep you updated, and thanks for the replies.

[Roosvanderv]

I had the MRI yesterday and saw today that the results were in my online file. I only have an appointment with my neurologist on February 2nd. I do indeed have an inflamed optic nerve, but it also states the following: 'Also, white matter abnormalities supra and infratentorial very suspicious for MS.'

WTF is this?? Do I have MS? Can you get MS from Meningitis? Seriously, what is this! If anyone knows more about this, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

[Bellesmom12 in reply to Roosvanderv]

I looked at my MyChart a few months after my meningitis diagnosis and it showed banding similar to MS. I just about flipped out. But the antivirals they gave me stopped the meningitis progression so I guess since they didn’t mention MS and the comments on the chart said it could be caused by another inflammation it must have been the meningitis. The “banding” was the test result from my spinal. Hell if I know.

So apparently the meningitis mimics MS in some test results. As in my spinal fluid.

[Roosvanderv in reply to Bellesmom12]

Ohhh, thanks so so much for responding, this helps me a lot. I have an appointment with the neurologist next Tuesday, fortunately, she rescheduled it. I assume she will tell me what the diagnosis is...Your message helps me to maintain hope that the white matter abnormalities are due to meningitis and not MS. I already had a feeling that it's as you describe, that the abnormalities are just coincidental. Fingers crossed. Thanks again."

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I am day 14 of my illness with severe headache and neck pain but from a couple of days in my left eye got blurry, reduced vision and initial flashes of peripheral light. I still have reduced vision in one eye. Calling ophthalmologist tomorrow.