![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lawrence S. on January 31, 2003, at 11:56:55
Has anyone else out there experienced this? It happened once while driving alone on the freeway. A feeling of heaviness in my head and eyes. I may have experienced an aura too. I'm not sure. Then half of my view of the horizon slowly started turning black. As if ink were being poured over my skull. I thought for sure it was a stroke. It may have been restricted to only one eye which was why I was still able to drive. I kept telling myself to relax and to not get scared, which I think reversed it. It lasted for only around 15 minutes. Is this possibly a symptom of TLE or something else? I can recall it happening at least 3 times in my adult life. Each time I was under extreme stress and anxiety. I also get an overwhelming deja vu sometimes. Also I used to get small pinpoints of lights, usually blue. Sometimes resembling sparks I have told my Pdoc and others about this and they just shrugg. My pdoc, one of the best in the state, convinced me that I don't have TLE. What is wrong with me? I have'nt had the blindness for years, but the fear of it coming back haunts me. I hope this post is'nt upsetting anyone out there with agarophobia.
Posted by Kathii on January 31, 2003, at 16:33:10
In reply to Terrified of temporary blindness, posted by Lawrence S. on January 31, 2003, at 11:56:55
> Has anyone else out there experienced this? It happened once while driving alone on the freeway. A feeling of heaviness in my head and eyes. I may have experienced an aura too. I'm not sure. Then half of my view of the horizon slowly started turning black. As if ink were being poured over my skull. I thought for sure it was a stroke. It may have been restricted to only one eye which was why I was still able to drive. I kept telling myself to relax and to not get scared, which I think reversed it. It lasted for only around 15 minutes. Is this possibly a symptom of TLE or something else? I can recall it happening at least 3 times in my adult life. Each time I was under extreme stress and anxiety. I also get an overwhelming deja vu sometimes. Also I used to get small pinpoints of lights, usually blue. Sometimes resembling sparks I have told my Pdoc and others about this and they just shrugg. My pdoc, one of the best in the state, convinced me that I don't have TLE. What is wrong with me? I have'nt had the blindness for years, but the fear of it coming back haunts me. I hope this post is'nt upsetting anyone out there with agarophobia.
Hi Lawrence,
Have you had your blood pressure checked recently? The blue spots can indicate an increase in pressure, the blind spot might, too. It's worth ruling it out. Go to the drug store or supermarket and use one of the machines if going to the doctor makes you jittery. Also, test yourself a few times over the course of a week, to see if there are any fluctuations.
Posted by Luka62 on January 31, 2003, at 17:10:21
In reply to Terrified of temporary blindness, posted by Lawrence S. on January 31, 2003, at 11:56:55
> Has anyone else out there experienced this? It happened once while driving alone on the freeway. A feeling of heaviness in my head and eyes. I may have experienced an aura too. I'm not sure. Then half of my view of the horizon slowly started turning black. As if ink were being poured over my skull. I thought for sure it was a stroke. It may have been restricted to only one eye which was why I was still able to drive. I kept telling myself to relax and to not get scared, which I think reversed it. It lasted for only around 15 minutes. Is this possibly a symptom of TLE or something else? I can recall it happening at least 3 times in my adult life. Each time I was under extreme stress and anxiety. I also get an overwhelming deja vu sometimes. Also I used to get small pinpoints of lights, usually blue. Sometimes resembling sparks I have told my Pdoc and others about this and they just shrugg. My pdoc, one of the best in the state, convinced me that I don't have TLE. What is wrong with me? I have'nt had the blindness for years, but the fear of it coming back haunts me. I hope this post is'nt upsetting anyone out there with agarophobia.
Lawrence>>I Highly recommend a checkup with an ophthalmologist. I have had some really scary symptoms concerning my vision over a period of years, and it's well worth getting a complete eye exam to start, including a check for glaucoma. A physical exam wouldn't hurt either. You didn't say if you had any pain, at that time, or soon after. Have you ever had migraine headaches? Atypical Migraines can ellicit similar symptoms. (you don't always have to have the severe headache pain at the onset of a migraine.)
I had symptoms where I was afraid I might be stroking out, or having TIA's (mini-strokes--they are temporary and don't cause permanent damage, I think.)
I would encourage you to followup with medically, especially if it happens again. The best of luck to you!
Posted by zenclear on February 2, 2003, at 10:24:37
In reply to Terrified of temporary blindness, posted by Lawrence S. on January 31, 2003, at 11:56:55
> Has anyone else out there experienced this? It happened once while driving alone on the freeway. A feeling of heaviness in my head and eyes. I may have experienced an aura too. I'm not sure. Then half of my view of the horizon slowly started turning black. As if ink were being poured over my skull. I thought for sure it was a stroke. It may have been restricted to only one eye which was why I was still able to drive. I kept telling myself to relax and to not get scared, which I think reversed it. It lasted for only around 15 minutes. Is this possibly a symptom of TLE or something else? I can recall it happening at least 3 times in my adult life. Each time I was under extreme stress and anxiety. I also get an overwhelming deja vu sometimes. Also I used to get small pinpoints of lights, usually blue. Sometimes resembling sparks I have told my Pdoc and others about this and they just shrugg. My pdoc, one of the best in the state, convinced me that I don't have TLE. What is wrong with me? I have'nt had the blindness for years, but the fear of it coming back haunts me. I hope this post is'nt upsetting anyone out there with agarophobia.
What you describe sounds like 'cortical blindness,' a disruption off vision based in the brain, rather than the eye organ itself. of course i'm speculating. yes, it sounds like migraine symptoms, too.if this concerns you greatly, go to a neurologist rather than a psychiatrist. i don't know what TLE means, which you mention, but it does sound like a small seizure, as in, an abnormal electrical activity in your brain, aka, a form of epilepsy.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.