Double vision

[choirsinger1986]

Does anyone have or has had double vision caused by high blood pressure from high dose of pred ?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are you asking because you have double vision? Are you not on BP medication if you have raised BP due to the pred? It doesn't matter WHY you have hypertension, it needs to be managed.

Double vision should always be checked out - guessing at the cause can miss important things.

[SnazzyD]

Hello, to make it easier for people to advise could you answer some questions? what dose are you on now?

What are your blood pressure readings?

What have your other symptoms been like?

Any head symptoms of any sort however mild or weird?

Is the double vision there all the time or does it come and go?

What did you decide on the Methotrexate in the end? Of course what needs to be ruled out is GCA before blaming it on other things. Help will be along soon.

[choirsinger1986 in reply to SnazzyD]

Only head symptoms are headaches from taking higher dose of pred - just had to increase it back up to 20mg

[jinasc]

Vision problems or changes should alert you to seek medical advice right away.

I notice you have been diagnosed with PMR and you should have been told about symptoms to watch out for in relation to GCA.

[123-go]

I developed double vision when I was on 2.5mg Pred. I also had slight headaches. I was referred immediately to the rapid access clinic and opthalmology and was found to have sixth nerve palsy. This was corrected by a prism attached to the lens of my glasses. There was gradual improvement and after six months the problem had cleared up. My blood pressure wasn't exceptionally high but I had a head MRI which didn't show any abnormalities.A shorter answer is- get it checked a soon as possible.

[choirsinger1986 in reply to 123-go]

Thanks. Been to eye specialist twice and highest strength prism doesn't work. Referred back to the specialist. I really hope it corrects itself naturally

[123-go in reply to choirsinger1986]

Is the referral " back to the specialist" your rheumatologist? I hope you get your problem sorted out soon. Double vision is horrible!

[choirsinger1986 in reply to 123-go]

Referral back to eye specialist on 23rd with an appointment with Rheumatologist hopefully in January - the first ever face to face appointment with him ! PMR frustrating enough without problems with appointments

[123-go in reply to choirsinger1986]

Six months is a long time to have double vision but not too long now before your specialist appointment. If you have worsening headaches between now and then or black 'floaters' you must seek advice straight away....111 or A and E.Let us know how your appointment goes, please.

[SnazzyD]

From reading your replies I’m not clear about what you’re saying. So, is your double vision long standing and been investigated? Were you examined for possible GCA? Has your bp been found to be high? On the face of it, double vision should be treated urgently in case it is GCA. Are they certain that your headaches are just from the Pred and not GCA headaches that have turned up coincidentally?

[choirsinger1986 in reply to SnazzyD]

Double vision for 6 months and not been examined for GCA. BP fluctuates to high. Headaches are intermittent and not as bad as they were when I was on 40mg of pred.

Just wondered if there was anyone else with double vision on the forum. Specsavers have said that if its vascular it may correct itself. I personally think they should be testing for something else. Back to eye specialist on the 23rd Dec.

[SnazzyD in reply to choirsinger1986]

“If it’s vascular it may correct itself” - What does that mean?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Sounds like another optometrist talking rubbish to me ... That's like saying PVD, a heart attack or stroke will right itself!

[choirsinger1986 in reply to SnazzyD]

Perhaps a temporary damage to muscles in the eye via veins/nerves. Not sure just what I was informed. Find out more when I visit the eye specialist on the 23rd.

[SnazzyD in reply to choirsinger1986]

I do hope you get some answers because shrugging off vascular or neurological problems of the eye without seeking a proper diagnosis to assess risk of blindness seems a bit cavalier.

[Kafkaontheshore]

Hi there,I have recently had kaleidoscope vision for 1-2 minutes once and like a curtain coming down over upper field of vision in one eye but only very briefly. That was on pred 25mgs on a slow taper from 40mgs. I spoke with an optometrist who said not temporal arteritis more likely high blood pressure and to observe and go into optician for examination if it continues. Reduced down to 20mgs now ans hoping it will resolve. I have no headaches but a muzzy head feeling at times.

Need to take these symptoms seriously me thinks. Good luck.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kafkaontheshore]

The optometrist is talking rubbish - that is a very typical visual manifestation in GCA: effect as of a curtain being pulled across the vision. If it happens again do get to A&E immediately. Added to which fleeting visual effects of that sort can also be a symptom of a TIA (ministroke) so do need more investigation than any optometrist can offer.

eyewiki.aao.org/Giant_Cell_....

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[Kafkaontheshore in reply to PMRpro]

Ok thanks very much. She seemed very confident it wasn’t GCA/TA but will heed your advice.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kafkaontheshore]

It probably isn't - but she cannot be sure and she gave incorrect information. Those can be GCA symptoms and given the potential seriousness of the outcome if it WERE to be GCA, it must be considered.

[Skysey in reply to Kafkaontheshore]

Yes it is important to seek medical help for those visual problems as I was told by my brilliant neuroophthalmologist that if you have any sign of curtains coming down your field of vision you must go straight to A and E at the eye hospital. Your symptoms could indicate GCA and need urgent treatment.

[Kafkaontheshore in reply to Skysey]

Thank you for this. I must admit I had thought because I am taking steriods i would be unlikely to develop vision problems but have since read around and see that isn’t necessarily the case. Much appreciated advice on forum thanks 👍

[Dambusters]

My high BP was investigated and it wasn't from Preds but from an underlying heart condition. Better get it checked out.

[Kafkaontheshore in reply to Dambusters]

Thanks. Just had cardiac tests but of course not seeing cardiologist. I have just written to him querying some BP issues.

[paulus65]

Of course blurred vision is a sympton of type 2 diabetes which can be steroid induced - just a thought.

[Kafkaontheshore in reply to paulus65]

Thanks. Just had diabetes blood test, HBa1c, which was fine.

[jarn]

See a proper OPTHAMOLOGIST..........my own doctor and optometrist missed my symptoms: GCA was the answer and NOW blindness in one eye. As this panel advises, medical profession really not too up on GCA symptoms, but double vision is scary.

[Kafkaontheshore in reply to jarn]

Ok thanks will be vigilant and proactive. You really have to advocate for yourself don’t you?!!

[choirsinger1986]

Thank you all for your comments re my double vision - will post an update following my eye specialist visit.

Regarding PMR just spoke to a GP about my fluctuating BP and he advised tapering my pred by 5mg per month ! Just shows some but not all gps dont understand the condition and the need for slow tapering to prevent flare ups. After 1 year of PMR I am resolving myself that it may take another couple of years with the right planning. ie. Medication, diet, exercise and appointments.