Scarey episode - advice needed

[Marilyn1959]

Just had a really scarey five minute episode of flicking, blurred vision in left eye. This seemed to be located left downward peripheral vision area. Tried to blink it away. Closed left eye tested right eye. Same happened though still left downward peripheral vision problem (same spot as in other eye) though for a while in left eye travelled from the top downward as well as in the downward left spot mentioned.

I had just come from an all over body light touch massage so thought it could be after effects, a bit of residue oil in my eye, or indeed the poor lighting in Home base where I was shopping. This thought kept me calmer.The body massage included work on the neck but not the head. Sat in car and it appears to have resolved. No headache, jaw ache, flickering or blurring. Please advise particularly those who have experienced GCA. I am probably just panicking over nothing but have never experienced anything like it before so it was a bit scarey when it happening.

[Hidden]

I had hoped someone more knowledgable than myself would answer. But if you are at all concerned, see someone, even an optician. Our eyesight is too precious to loose.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Gypdyp45. It is happening again and feeling abit of pressure now around temple area, so taking a trip to A&E. Better safe than sorry.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Marilyn,

Could possibly be connected to GCA, but more likely to be other things, as Gypdyp45 suggests get it checked - if only for your own peace of mind.

[Marilyn1959]

Went to A&E and was really impressed with how thorough each of the doctors I saw was. The Doc who assessed me was knowledgeable about PMR and GCA. Discussion, sight tests, sight assessments resulted in Bloods taken straight away. Great news ESR has dropped from 80 to 29 since taking pred, so GCA discounted (Phew!)

Have appointment at TIA clinic for next week. Again impressive as nurse from stroke clinic came with explanation and appointment for next week within half hour after doctors examination. Seeing optician tomorrow, so all angles covered to try to get to the bottom of it. They did mention diabetes check as well, so will mention this to GP next week. Certainly came away feeling Docs felt I was justified going to A&E, in fact was told that if it happens again I was not to drive in myself, but to phone for an ambulance. (Guess they are just following through on TIA theory?) Hopefully it's all a red herring and I just need new glasses though one eye lid was almost closed, which I hadn't realised until doctors examination, so obviously something was happening!!!!!!!🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓 Thanks for your support, as ordinarily I might have left it and just waited to see if things got better, and on this occasion think I would have been wrong to do so.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marilyn1959]

Um - just think about the potential implications of greater loss of vision happening while you are driving. It is one thing not to call 999 when you have a partner/neighbour who will drive you but entirely another if you are Des!!! And in some things - like heart attack or stroke even your neighbour driving means that you are not able to have the various interventions that paramedics carry in their equipment.

My rather thick SIL (then an ambulance dispatcher) used to insist his daughter didn't need an ambo when she was having an asthma attack, her nurse mother should drive her the 1/2 hour to the hospital - during which time she would have no access to a nebuliser or oxygen which could have been life-saving. Plus the ambo can use blue lights and exceed the speed limit with impunity.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to PMRpro]

Quite right PMRpro. Now that I have had some sleep I think doc who suggested ambulance next time may have assumed I had driven myself as hubby had nipped off to get something to eat so wasn't with me at the time I saw her.

[SheffieldJane]

That must have been very frightening Marilyn. Keep us posted about what happens. So glad that you had good investigations!

[Marilyn1959 in reply to SheffieldJane]

It was indeed. And so the roller coaster begins......................

So glad I have you guys along for the ride!!!!

[S4ndy]

Oh Marilyn, do hope you get sorted out before your hols. Your sight is so important. Glad the hospital was so thorough. Best wishes x

[Marilyn1959]

Just to let you know all is fine! Following tests at A&E, politicians and also neck scan, ECG at stroke clinic Wednesday no GCA or TIAs. Which is brilliant! Stroke doc seems to think it could have been some sort of migraine.

All docs seen throughout process, including follow up doc confirmed I was right to go to A&E, so thank you all for your advice.

All is well with the world. 👍