I am looking for help with my eyes. 3 weeks ago I developed a dark spot in my vision left eye. I went to the optometrist that afternoon. Not a retinal tear. Both optical nerves were inflamed. My optometrist sent me for bloodwork immediately. All were normal. She referred my scans to a retina expert. He was not immediately. That Thursday developed migraines for 4 days. Monday went to the university of Iowa emergency room . MRI, and Mrv were clear. Migraine broke by Benadryl and steroid. Met with a neurologist opthimologist. No real diagnosis. Sent me for 12 blood tests, autoimmune, viral, bacterial, Lyme disease etc. 2 weeks later all came back negative. During 2 weeks more migraines daily. Neuroopthimologist stumped. Now waiting on a spinal tap. In 2 weeks. As of last Sunday prior to my 2nd meeting with the doctor right eye developed a spot as well. Not as bad. Still get migraines but not as bad. Looking for guidance. Pushing the doctor for results. Can’t get in anywhere else to get tap done. Doctor can’t progress until he knows what is going on. Thought is increased pressure, and or infection. What can I do extra, additional opinions? Please help. Email is larsonl2186\@gmail.com

Question

I am looking for help with my eyes.  3 weeks ago I developed a dark spot in my vision left eye.  I went to the optometrist that afternoon.  Not a retinal tear.  Both optical nerves were inflamed.  My optometrist sent me for bloodwork immediately.  All were normal.  She referred my scans to a retina expert.  He was not immediately.  That Thursday developed migraines for 4 days.  Monday went to the university of Iowa emergency room .  MRI, and Mrv were clear.  Migraine broke by Benadryl and steroid.  Met with a neurologist opthimologist.  No real diagnosis.  Sent me for 12 blood tests, autoimmune, viral, bacterial, Lyme disease etc.  2 weeks later all came back negative.  During 2 weeks more migraines daily.  Neuroopthimologist stumped.  Now waiting on a spinal tap.  In 2 weeks.  As of last Sunday prior to my 2nd meeting with the doctor right eye developed a spot as well.  Not as bad.  Still get migraines but not as bad.  Looking for guidance.  Pushing the doctor for results.  Can’t get in anywhere else to get tap done.  Doctor can’t progress until he knows what is going on.  Thought is increased pressure, and or infection.  What can I do extra, additional opinions?  Please help.  Email is larsonl2186\@gmail.com

Huberman Lab · Accepted Answer

I’m sorry to hear about the difficult situation you're facing with your vision and migraines. It's understandably stressful to wait for a diagnosis, especially when experiencing such symptoms.

While I can't provide medical advice or specific interventions, I can share some general insights that may help in discussions with your healthcare providers:

1. Lifestyle Considerations:
   * Hydration: Staying well-hydrated can sometimes help reduce the severity of migraines.
   * Diet: Certain foods may trigger migraines; keeping a food diary could be beneficial. Consider eliminating common triggers like caffeine, alcohol, and aged cheeses.
   * Sleep: Ensure adequate and consistent sleep, as irregular sleep patterns can exacerbate migraine frequency.
   * Stress Management: Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or gentle yoga may help alleviate stress and reduce migraine occurrences.

2. Monitoring For Additional Symptoms: Keep track of any new symptoms or changes in your vision, headaches, or overall health. This information can be useful for your doctors.

3. Consider Seeking a Second Opinion: If the current specialists are unable to provide clarity, seeking a second opinion from another neurologist or neuro-ophthalmologist can provide additional insights.

4. Be Proactive: Continue pushing for necessary tests and expressing your concerns about your symptoms to your healthcare team. Clear communication about the impact on your daily life can help prioritize your care.

5. Explore Specialist Clinics: If possible, consider looking for headache or specialized eye clinics that may offer different perspectives or further diagnostic tests.

I recommend discussing these points with your medical team, as they will be able to tailor any approach to your specific needs and health status. Ensuring your doctors are aware of the progression and nature of your symptoms is important.