quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm:
This is an incredible place. Prayers and wishes to you, ensigmatic.
Mike

It is an incredible place! And thanks.


Vision is still impaired, but it doesn't seem as bad as it first did.

Glad to hear you’re home. FWIW, I had a vision issue back in my 30s, from the “horizon” up, no image, only a solid gray. Saw light and dark but no images. But unlike yours, mine was caused by s stroke (hemorrhagic infarction).

But the good news was that my neurologist said I would see improvement for about six months. And that was indeed true. I still have a small blind spot in my upper left quadrant of my vision, but I rarely notice it anymore.

Hope yours continues to improve too. (Said a prayer for you when I first read the thread)

To the OP: Ask the cardiologist to fit you with an implanted afib monitor that can monitor you for several months. This is MUCH more likely to pick up any afib than a one week holter or even 30 day holter monitor.

quote:

Originally posted by Sacramento Johnson:
To the OP: Ask the cardiologist to fit you with an implanted afib monitor ...

I appreciate the recommendation, but, no: I am most definitely not having an afib monitor surgically implanted in me just because I might have afib.

The reason they want this is because afib may cause plaque buildup to break off. If that happens and any of the pieces get into the brain, it can result in an embolic stroke. (It was that threat for which I was being examined.)

I had a stress echo in 2015 as a result of a suspected cardiac event (turned out to be a panic attack--probably resulting from work stress). They found no significant build-up in my heart or arteries. I had a nuclear stress test and vascular ultrasound (legs) in 2005, before embarking on a rigorous workout regimen. Same: No issues found.

I will note the 2015 test was nearly five years after I quit smoking.

My LDL is marginally high, but my HDL is also high and my triglycerides are low.

Sounds like you’ve had quite a ride. I sincerely hope everything returns to normal soon.

I am wondering why you were not started on Xarelto if they suspected possible afib.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I am wondering why you were not started on Xarelto if they suspected possible afib.

They don't necessarily suspect afib. I believe they had me hooked-up to an afib monitor the entire time I was there and didn't detect it. But, because of the BRAO, diagnosed by an ophthalmologist, they suspect plaque build-up, and plaque breaking-up can be exacerbated by afib. So they want to make sure I don't have afib.

Ok makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Get well soon.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Ok makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Get well soon.

Certainly. And thanks.

It just occurred to my wife: The Apple Watch does AFib detection. I've been wearing one for about four years--up until recently. I think maybe twice it alerted me to an irregular heartbeat. I figured those were glitches. I'd think if I had AFib it would've alerted more often than that?

I'm gonna miss that watch

Prayers sent, get better quick!

Well, I'm glad you're in better spirits than I would be.

I would go, "My vision is still impaired but you found nothing???"

I know there's nothing to be done at this point but my continued prayers for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Well, I'm glad you're in better spirits than I would be.

I would go, "My vision is still impaired but you found nothing???"

I know there's nothing to be done at this point but my continued prayers for you.

I'm not happy happy it, per se. I'm now down to one eye that has fully-functional vision. That's kind of scary. The "blob" is annoying and may prevent me from using my right eye to aim. But there's no sense being upset about it. That won't do me any good. It is what it is.

When I write "They found nothing," I meant the hospital found nothing to suggest imminent danger of (brain) stroke. The ophthalmologist diagnosed what's amiss with my eye.

Thanks for your prayers

OP,
I had similar sudden loss of 1/2 field of vision in 1 eye about18 years ago resulting in 20/400
remaining in that eye. Lots of gloom, fear , & pursuit of retinal eye specialists.

With the grace of God & timely treatment my recent exam was
20/25 in that eye.

There's a lot of waiting room time along the way. Treating underlying issues was essential.

Don't give up.

Hi. Any update?

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
Hi. Any update?

Thanks for asking, OKCG

There is. I went for a follow-up visit to my ophthalmologist this morning. Summary:

• The initial diagnosis is confirmed: Branch Retina Artery Occlusion. The occlusion is still visible.
  
• My eyes are otherwise very healthy.
  
• In contrast to what I'd read on-line: My ophthalmologist explained it is normal to see recovery from the results of BRAO--at least in part.
  

I have experienced some recovery, but, as recovery proceeds, the rate of recovery is slowing. This, too, is to be expected.

It is unlikely, though not beyond the realm of possibility, I'll experience full recovery.

Unfortunately, the worst impairment is immediately below the center of my right eye's vision, so long-gun shooting may be over for me I am remaining cautiously optimistic, however

Has he not ordered a fluoroscein angiogram to be performed? Surely, this has been photo-documented? Did you have fundus photography?

The watch monitor sounds very interesting; didn't know they could monitor for afib!

BTW, this is what I was talking about, as concerns monitoring a person for afib:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tes...ecorder/pyc-20384986

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Has he not ordered a fluoroscein angiogram to be performed? Surely, this has been photo-documented? Did you have fundus photography?

I don't know what any of those are, but they did scans of my eyes on a couple different machines. One of them was a gray-scale "topographic map" that revealed swelling around the area of the "insult," as she called it. Another showed the retina as a series of colors--mostly greens and blues. The affected area showed up as red splotches.

I did not see a photograph of the artery occlusion this time. But I did see the photograph the ophthalmologist took last Friday, and you could clearly see the tiniest white dot in one of the branch arteries.

A brief message sent to you about my experience with my neuro ophthalmologist and ongoing eye issues resulting from brain surgery/stroke related along with well wishes and a prayer. I hope all gets sorted with you.

quote:

Originally posted by Sacramento Johnson:
The watch monitor sounds very interesting; didn't know they could monitor for afib!

It's not a monitor, per se. It's on-demand. You place your thumb and forefinger on specific places around the edge of the watch and it does a single-point EKG.

Sounds like you are progressing well. Have you had any episodes of afib??