BS: I had a stroke

Subject: BS: I had a stroke
From: RangerSteve
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 11:09 AM

Actually, it happened over a year ago, so sympathy isn't necessary (but won't go unappreciated), but I have a question that maybe someone can answer.

The vision in my right eye became blurry and my eye doctor found that my right optic nerve was swollen. So I went in for all kinds of tests and no reason was found. Then, it wasn't swollen, but the vision hasn't improved, so the final verdict was that I had a stroke, just a really, really minor one. This decision was reached last week, over a year after it happened.

My question is, has anyone else here ever had a stroke, and did you end up with a droopy eye, and can anything be done about it, besides wearing dark glasses? I'm not particularly handsome, but this half-closed eye is not improving my looks, and people keep asking me what's wrong with my eye, so I guess it's pretty noticeable.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Steve

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Rapparee
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 11:18 AM

Hmmm...my neighbor back in South Bend had a droopy eye which turned out to be myaesthenia gravis. It could have been a stroke, but I'd get it checked out anyway. Check out this page for more information.

MG is treatable.

Good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Peace
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 01:09 PM

Can't be of assistance, RS, but I want to send my sympathy anyway.

Bruce M

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: mack/misophist
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 03:44 PM

Over the years I've known a number of people with 'droopy' eyes. Three of them said it was the result of a stroke.

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Deckman
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 03:59 PM

Get to a Doctor VERY SOON. As someone already said, this well could be Miathenia Gravus. The "droopy eye, or double vision, is a clear sign. The diagnosis is very quick and simple, IF they know enough to test for this auto immune diese. There now is a very effective treatment ... but again .DO NOT delay in testing for it. Best Wishes, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: GUEST,wings
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 04:29 PM

I'm not any help either...however.

I've taken a lifeguarding class, and I know that a whole side of your body can become paralyzed with a stroke. It's a pretty big sign, if you see someone looking not so good, and one side of their face is paralyzed.

Anywho, I hope you stay well!

wings

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: DougR
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 05:05 PM

By all means, get a second opinion.
DougR

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Robin2
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 09:58 PM

I would also get a second opinion. Do you mean you have had a second, small stroke recently? I have impaired vision from my stroke, but it was apparent right away, not a year later. It is also not blurry, but a large blind spot in my right eye. Besides your vision, how are you doing one year after your stroke?

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 11:23 PM

Ditto, ditto - get to a good doctor.

An optometrist commented to a friend of mine that she had had histoplasmosis. (which many of us in this area have been exposed to) Later she started losing vision due to a rare side effect from that disease which affects the retina. She was angry that the optometrist didn't elaborate - but it wasn't his expertise.

Many diseases can affect the optic nerve - swelling, paleness, etc. Get to a good doctor.

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 11:33 PM

Another condition that could cause this would be Bell's Palsy. Go to a good teaching hospital that is affiliated with a major university medical school for the proper diagnosis.
                                           SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: open mike
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 12:43 AM

i know of someone who got Bell;s Palsy from Lyme diseqase from a tick bite--any chance you might have been bitten? if you are out doors a lot
there is a chance.

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Pauline L
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 01:04 AM

Bell's palsy is a possibility, judging from the symptoms you described. I'm not a physician, though, and you need to see a good one, in or out of academia. Good luck, and let us know what you find out.

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 04:08 AM

I had a stroke...a minor one (Transient ischemic) in 1986 and had a similar problem with my right eye...I also lost the feeling in my right arm from the elbow downwards. The feeling in the arm came back quickly ....the eye problem stayed with me but eased slowly. It can still be noticed if stared at but is barely noticeable now. HOWEVER...
My uncle had Bells Palsy and it never got better! so I would suggest you get the whole thing re-checked with a Specialist.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Cllr
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 10:57 AM

my step father had bells palsy and it can get better if you follow the treatment that aside I think the advice to get aseconded opinion is good mike

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Once Famous
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 11:22 AM

Bell's Palsy CAN get better with time. But it depends on one's age.

However, a 40ish local newscaster who was just under a lot of personal stress developed it and it has gotten better over the last 6 weeks or so.

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Allan C.
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 03:34 PM

Indications are that I had a stroke at a the age of 18 months. An eyelid drooped noticably for approximately ten years, during which it became less and less obvious. For the last few decades it has appeared normal. It is the rest of me that has drooped!

Best of luck!

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: RangerSteve
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 04:45 PM

My problem isn't Bells Palsy, I had that a few years ago, and this is definately different.

Robin2 - I guess I wasn't clear when I started this thread, but, no, it's not a second stroke. From the time I had the stroke until my eye doctor figured out what caused the blurry vision was about a year.

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 05:20 PM

Please. Do yourself a favor and get a second opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: I had a stroke
From: Mudlark
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 09:28 PM

Ranger Steve...no other advice than that given here, just wanted to sympathise. A high blood pressure blowout in my left eye destroyed all but peripheral vision, a couple of years ago. Eyes are precious...any problem with them stressful. See as many docs as you need to to feel sure of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Good luck.