Double Vision

[elye]

Hey, all,

Has anyone experienced double vision, and attributed it to being glutened? I experienced sudden double vision last week while at the gym. I rushed to the ER, where I spent all day in observation waiting for a CT scan. I had no other symptoms, just the bizarre double-vision, and it cleared up after about two hours. My scan came back normal, so they have told me that I likely had a transcient ischemic stroke. I have type one diabetes, tightly controlled. I also have excellent blood pressure and low cholesterol. So I'm wondering if it could have been related to the celiac disease, because I seem to remember having slight gluten-type cramping while all this vision stuff was happening. Weird...

[Guest Robbin]

Hi Emily, I have had double vision with migraines, and I attribute some of those with glutening. This is a scary thing that happened to you. I sincerely hope you are ok. Do you have high blood pressure? I am wondering if you were doing any kind of weight lifting? I have heard of this with weight training and blood pressure problems. Are you taking a low dose aspirin? This may be a good idea. My oldest son, age 21, type 1 diabetic was advised to do that. Please take care, and keep us posted.

[elye]

Hi, Robbin,

I have always had BP readings at around 115/65. And great cholesterol, too. I guess this is why I am wondering if it could have been a glutening symptom rather than a TIA. I think I have heard mention of some visual problems occurring with accidental glutening on the board, but I'm not sure about double vision. I am now on a daily ASA since my hospital visit. I feel quite fine, now, just still a bit shaken up, I guess!

[CDFAMILY]

Emily,

Double vision is what led to my Celiac Diagnosis. Mine were two brief episodes which sent me to a stroke neurologist. Then I experienced vertigo a few times and then I started noticing major weakness in my legs which spread to my chest and arm muscles. He did many tests which found my B12 deficiency and High homocysteine and some mild axonal damage. The B12 seemed to halt some of neuropathy stuff but did not halt the malabsorption so I continued to decline to the point of having double vision again and pitosis, drooping right eye when fatigued. Which an opthalmologist dx as Myasthenia Gravis but neuro said if I had it, it was mild. Eventually I probably had a couple of small strokes as I woke up one day to a totally paralyzed right arm with risidual right-sided weakness that is still not 100% yet.

I did have problems with high and low BP so I think when I finally did probably have a small stroke it was because of that. My cholesterol was always low and I always had very low tryglycerides. When I was younger I always had a 90/60 BP.

I have two type 1 diabetic brothers.

I do think gluten can affect your vision. In the beginning I think I had a few problems with getting glutened and having vision trouble but lately I have been pretty safe and don't notice anymore double vision but do sometimes see a little drooping but nothing like before going gluten-free.

Do you have any other neurological problems or weaknesses?

[elye]

Wow, cdfamily, thanks for that great post...very informative. No, I have no other neurological symptoms, and had nothing but the double vision when I had this episode last week. This would be a brand new glutening symptom for me, as I've never had it before. It's all very odd...I'm getting an MRI done, so that may provide some answers, or it may not. Very frustrating, and frightening, I admit...

[gailc]

Hi,

I noticed I had some double vision in my right eye only, and only horizontal lines. I am very nearsighted and cannot focus across the room and I would see the ceiling line repeated down about two inches. The door did not do this. When I turn my head that extra ceiling line would go away and I would see one from the door.

Four months ago I went gluten-free and the line disappeared. After 6 weeks I went back on gluten for diagnosis of Celiac Disease, the lines reappeared. I only lasted two weeks on the wheat because of pain and what I felt was too much harm to my body for 'just' a diagnosis. Back on the gluten-free diet the lines disappeared again.

I also noticed that the distance I could focus (very small range of focus--many pair of glasses) would change while gluten-free--changed to be like when I was younger. Unfortunately with my very snearsightedness any reversion to focusing so close is undesirable. I take the bad with the good.

Because I hadnot been eating wheat for 4 months for the biopsies OF COURSE they came out negative, the doctors don't seem to know that not eating wheat would make a difference. I asked not to have the biopsies but what could I do? I was sedated. Now they have a diagnosis of NOT CELIAC.

My lactose intolerance also went away on the diet. this is to let you know that I am celiac.

The double vision doesn't bother me because I can only see it at a distance where I cannot focus anyway.

Perhaps if you would describe your double vision you may get more help.

gailc