Are these symptoms of papilledema (Please eye doctors)?

Question

I had to see a neurologist a few weeks ago because of problems I was having in my arms, legs, feet, hands and left eye. He did a thorough neurological exam and said, "You don't have m.s., but I did notice some swelling around the optic disk- I think you have papilledema." So, he wants me to see an opthamologist, but I have astigmatism and I may need new contacts, so I think that might be my actual problem with my vision. Anyway, I need to know if when I look at objects and I blink or quickly look at the wall, the outline of the object seems to "jump" on to the wall. Is that from papilledema, or from astigmatism?

Oh, and sometimes I will wake up in the morning with a pounding headache at the back of my head and I have "tunnel vision".

Answer 1

Papilledeama is not diagnosed so much by symptoms as by the actual appearance of the optic nerve and pupil function. Neurologists are familar with this and you should follow your doctor's advice.

Can be associated with headache, visual abnormalities like the jumping you describe, sometimes pain in the eyes and rarely decreased vision.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

You've gut multiple symptoms in different areas of your body and no MS? and a swollen nerve head? And no MS?

The astigmatism just causes blurred vision. The jumping of images when you blink almost smacks us in the face that your lens is just riding up, then dropping into place. Depending on the amount of astigmatism, your "circle of least confusion" would be relatively small (optometrists might help here) and wouldn't cause the jump you describe.

I'm not sure of your age. So, depending on that the differential diagnosis of the swollen nerve head sort of gets tough. There are a number of infectious diseases that can mimic this (TB, Luetic disease and lots of others), then there's Diabetes which can mi mick ANYTHING. Collagen vascular diseases such as lupus have other signs as well you've not described. Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy can cause a unilateral inflamed nerve head which usually is self limiting but leaves a residual of moderate loss of vision and may recur.

Did you have any lab studies looking for any markers for different diseases? A lumbar puncture? Did Benign Intracraneal Hypertension get mentioned? or Pseudotumor?

It's really hard to get a handle on this problem. Try a Nero-ophthalmologist. If you really want a workup, the University Medical Center would have not only the resources but the frequency of these "rare" presenting problems, and would be interested in the workup for the sake of 'learning'.

Answer 4

How's your back? You could have a pinched nerve in your back causing your tingling in your limbs. Also, how much time do you spend in front of the pc? Typing can cause carpel tunnel and also affect your vision. Go and get some more tests done and find a good GP. Don't stop seeing professionals until your answer (what the heck is wrong with me) is answered. I have noticed that they seem to brush you off into the too hard basket but your in pain so please be persistant and they will give you the help you need.

Answer 5

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