Does anyone else have problems with their vision and vertigo? I’ve worn glasses for about 5 years, but feel like my vision has gotten A LOT worse in the last year. I don’t know if the vision problems have caused the vertigo or the vertigo has made the vision worse, but either way I’m going nuts! Trying to read anything gives me a headache, and I’m afraid to go upstars because I don’t know if I will make it back downstairs in one piece! Any thoughts or advice is very appreciated!
HI Melissa,
I had vertigo after a car accident which kicked up the fibro and autoimmune diseases. My Chiropractor was able to help with the vertigo. My vision has changed, but then I'm older, 57, and have Sjogren's Syndrome, which affects the eyes. What does your Internist have to say about this? You really should see him and your eye doctor. This is dangerous! You could fall and break bones, and who knows what could happen if you drive with this vertigo!
The first med for nerve pain was Gabapentin, this caused me to feel as though I was in a spinning top, now I take Lyrica, but not everyone can take that either!
Sounds like you need to have this looked at immediately!
Wishing you well,
SK
I just read your profile and see that you are taking Gabapenin (Neurontin) for about 3 months, did you have vertigo prior to taking this med. It absolutely 'trashed me'! Don't just quit it, talk to the Dr about this as soon as you can. If you are not seeing a Rheumatologist, may I suggest that you do. Add him to your Internist.
Hi Melissa,
I get occasional vertigo but not too bad. But my vision has sure gotten worse lately. I just had new glasses made 2 years ago and need new ones again, which has never happened to me before. In fact, I don't think I had any or many prescription changes in 30 years, until now. I'm not really sure why fibro seems to adversely affect our vision, Melissa, but it does affect it for some of us.
I know that wasn't of much help but I wanted to let you know you're not alone with this and I think it's so important for fibro people to realize this.
In the meantime, it sounds like you need to see a doctor for your vision, if you're getting headaches while reading and suffering with the vertigo.
Thank you for replying everyone! I do have an appointment with my psych doctor next week, Wednesday I think. And I'm definitely going to bring this to her attention. So far she's the one that's been managing my meds, however, I am thinking about changing that very very soon. Anyways, back to the vertigo, it has been particularly bad the last few days. Today I was working on a new crochet project, and could hardly read the pattern because of the spinning top feeling. And it's even worse if I just close my eyes to rest. I've wondered about Sjogren's Syndrome for a while now. That causes dry eyes right? I've been dealing with dry, burning eyes for a few years now. My eye doc just gave me some drops, which helped for a bit, but not so much now. I am planning on seeing him some time next month. I'll be due for my yearly exam and will have to have that before I can order more contacts. About the neurontin, I'm on 1800 mg a day, and it really doesn't seem to be working all that well. We talked about trying the Lyrica, but decided against it because of cost. That may have to be revisited next week.
Thanks again! I appreciate everyone's input very much!! I do feel pretty alone i when it comes to all my fibro crap. Just having people that know how I feel makes it a little more tolerable!
the vertigo can be caused by a few different things. it could be an ear infection, sinus infection or an eye issue. i get it from time to time usually due to sinus pressure. if u r having any pain at all in your ears of any kind of sinus pressure go to your pcp. in the mean time u can try "less drowsey dramine" not sure if that is spelled right. u have to get the less drowsey. it comes in generic and is not expansive. the active ingredient is what drs perscribe for vertigo its call meclizine i am sure i spelled that wrong. i hope u can find it. it should be by the pain meds and the caffine pills such as no doze. the only other drug that can work is valium.
i hope u get it figured out soon and i hope u cant get the otc med and that it works. even if u r not congested or have any other signs of a sinus infection u may still have one. my sister went to the er thinking she had a horriable migraine and instead the ct showed that she had a very bad sinus infection. so if u have pressure around your nose,eyes and cheeks it is very possiable u have a bad sinus infection. i have gotten sinus infections so bad i would walk into walls from the vertigo.
Melissa, start a running list of symptoms/problems that you can add to as you think of them, it will allow you to hand them the list, or if they require you to fill out a questionnaire, like my Rheum does each time, you can easily copy it without forgetting anything!
Here is the link to the Neurontin causing the spinning/vertigo
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/brain-and-nervous-system/medicines/neurontin.html
As for the Sjogrens, it took several blood tests before it showed as a false positive, which my GP told me meant it would sooner or later show up positive, when it did, it was 'off the charts high' and as strong as it is, it is secondary to the Psoriatic Arthritis.
I use moisture eye drops by the gallons!
I get both vertigo and double vision...not so much double as in there is a slight overlapping of things....I finally told my doctor it is like you are trying to put one picture over top of the other and have it just a tiny bit off. My neurologist checked all kinds of things and they basically said I should just wear glasses when it happens because they couldn't find a reason at that time. Now it all seems a bit more clear (the reason, not the vision.) I also get numbness and tingling in my fingers, and my one foot, etc.
The vertigo for me comes and goes, some days are better than others. The vision seems to be worsening each day. I have a very hard time focusing on reading. I hope you feel better soon!!!!!!!!
I took to using a cane because of the dizziness, I've fallen 5 times. I also have Sjogrens, and the best thing I've found is sterile eye drops for daytime (individual doses) and ointment at night, Lacrilube. These are the best things I've used. The regular artificial tears make the irritation worse, But the others are right, you need to see someone ASAP. If it is just dry eyes, untreated it will scratch the corneas and do permanant damage, Good luck :)