Tell me about... "Visual Changes"
- redheadlynn
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Re: Tell me about... "Visual Changes"
What about gray spots that come with standing suddenly?
I was born at 31 weeks, 2 lbs 2 oz, with IUGR, in 1986. Mom had pre-eclampsia with severe swelling and high BP. Fully-developed lungs thanks to steroids.
DD - 10/2006 . She was born 5 lbs 6 oz, 18", and had a pinkie-sized cord and symptoms of being "post due" (wrinkled/saggy skin, skinny, didn't sleep, etc). I wonder about IUGR.
DS - 09/2008. He was 7 lbs 13 oz, 21". No pregnancy problems with him other than surgery for a cyst at 5 months.
DS- "Beamer" - Due 12/13/11. First pregnancy with new partner. Worried about symptoms.
DD - 10/2006 . She was born 5 lbs 6 oz, 18", and had a pinkie-sized cord and symptoms of being "post due" (wrinkled/saggy skin, skinny, didn't sleep, etc). I wonder about IUGR.
DS - 09/2008. He was 7 lbs 13 oz, 21". No pregnancy problems with him other than surgery for a cyst at 5 months.
DS- "Beamer" - Due 12/13/11. First pregnancy with new partner. Worried about symptoms.
Re: Tell me about... "Visual Changes"
*phew*
all is wellShe said she saw some thinning in my retina but no perfs and no signs of other issues usually seen in PE!!!! (and she spent a LOT longer looking at my eye than the OD did)

Hypothyroid mom to
Connor (severe pre-e at 38 weeks)
Claire (dx'd with pre-e and induction at 37 weeks)
Annabelle (chronic HTN & GD, superimposed pre-e @34 weeks, induction @37 weeks)
Connor (severe pre-e at 38 weeks)
Claire (dx'd with pre-e and induction at 37 weeks)
Annabelle (chronic HTN & GD, superimposed pre-e @34 weeks, induction @37 weeks)
Re: Tell me about... "Visual Changes"
Good news!
Science! The articles you don't want to miss:
The Preeclampsia Puzzle (New Yorker) and Silent Struggle: A New Theory of Pregnancy (New York Times)
Looking for recent articles and studies?
A chance to participate in research? For us on Facebook or Twitter?
Caryn, @carynjrogers, who is not a doctor and who talks about science stuff *way* too much
DS Oscar born by emergent C-section at 34 weeks for fetal indicators, due to severe PE
DD Bridget born by C-section after water broke at 39 weeks after a healthy pregnancy
The Preeclampsia Puzzle (New Yorker) and Silent Struggle: A New Theory of Pregnancy (New York Times)
Looking for recent articles and studies?
A chance to participate in research? For us on Facebook or Twitter?
Caryn, @carynjrogers, who is not a doctor and who talks about science stuff *way* too much
DS Oscar born by emergent C-section at 34 weeks for fetal indicators, due to severe PE
DD Bridget born by C-section after water broke at 39 weeks after a healthy pregnancy
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Re: Tell me about... "Visual Changes"
all is wellSorry to hear that, let us know what the opthamologist says!

Brandilyn, loving wife and mom to three PIH/CHT/PE babies
M (8/07) 38w1d
L (9/09) 37w3d
E (9/11) 37w
M (8/07) 38w1d
L (9/09) 37w3d
E (9/11) 37w
Re: Tell me about... "Visual Changes"
Sorry to hear that, let us know what the opthamologist says!
Hypothyroid mom to
Connor (severe pre-e at 38 weeks)
Claire (dx'd with pre-e and induction at 37 weeks)
Annabelle (chronic HTN & GD, superimposed pre-e @34 weeks, induction @37 weeks)
Connor (severe pre-e at 38 weeks)
Claire (dx'd with pre-e and induction at 37 weeks)
Annabelle (chronic HTN & GD, superimposed pre-e @34 weeks, induction @37 weeks)
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- Registered User
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 638622 11:32 pm
- Location: Houston, TX
- Contact:
Re: Tell me about... "Visual Changes" *update*
update: went to my Optometrist (because I don't have a regular Ophthalmologist and the OB said at LEAST go to a OD) and... she saw a "small hole" in my left retina and I am now being referred to a MD. I go in there tomorrow first thing in the AM (she wanted to work me in today, but didn't get back to me until I was already at my OB apmt and couldn't make it to her office in time).OB is sending me to a ophthalmologist, but they have mostly gone (or I am just used to them now).
*shrug* we will see tomorrow.
Brandilyn, loving wife and mom to three PIH/CHT/PE babies
M (8/07) 38w1d
L (9/09) 37w3d
E (9/11) 37w
M (8/07) 38w1d
L (9/09) 37w3d
E (9/11) 37w
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- Registered User
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 638622 11:32 pm
- Location: Houston, TX
- Contact:
Re: Tell me about... "Visual Changes"
OB is sending me to a ophthalmologist, but they have mostly gone (or I am just used to them now).
Brandilyn, loving wife and mom to three PIH/CHT/PE babies
M (8/07) 38w1d
L (9/09) 37w3d
E (9/11) 37w
M (8/07) 38w1d
L (9/09) 37w3d
E (9/11) 37w
Re: Tell me about... "Visual Changes"
I had undiagnosed/untreated PE and IUGR with daughter in 2005, which activated a dormant eye condition which is now chronic. With my PIH pregnancy with my son in 2009, my vision changed included a glittery sparkly floater in addition to regular shadowy floaters and flashes of light. The glittery sparkly floaters caused some panic and a quick referral to my eye specialist, who said it would be best if I delivered my son (I had him 2 days later).
Any eye changes need to be reported to your MFM or OB. Let them evaluate your health. Good luck, hope this helps!
Any eye changes need to be reported to your MFM or OB. Let them evaluate your health. Good luck, hope this helps!
2005: PE/IUGR pregnancy with Daughter, born 40+2 induction. Diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (or Sensory Integration Dysfunction) in 2010. Diagnosed with ADHD in 2011. It's getting better with OT and treatment!
2009: PIH pregnancy with Son, born 38+5. Diagnosed in 2011 as Developmental Language Delays, Social-Emotional-Communication Delays. More testing Nov. 2011.
2011: I'm undergoing neurological testing. Praying for the best!
2009: PIH pregnancy with Son, born 38+5. Diagnosed in 2011 as Developmental Language Delays, Social-Emotional-Communication Delays. More testing Nov. 2011.
2011: I'm undergoing neurological testing. Praying for the best!
Re: Tell me about... "Visual Changes"
I think context is everything- late pregnancy is also the time when floaters run rampant- they're bits of protein in the eye that flit around the periphery that you can see.
The visual disturbances that go with severe preeclampsia are caused by inter cranial pressure smushing the optic nerve. (thats also what causes "the" headache, which is why they often go together!)
Any kind of visual change is something you'd want to report to your ob without delay- but thats the kicker of this disease- there are too few signs that things are going inexorably south that can't be confused with other things-so if you're getting signs of nervous system impairment, a neurological exam is the only way to rule out that you're not galloping toward eclampsia!
The visual disturbances that go with severe preeclampsia are caused by inter cranial pressure smushing the optic nerve. (thats also what causes "the" headache, which is why they often go together!)
Any kind of visual change is something you'd want to report to your ob without delay- but thats the kicker of this disease- there are too few signs that things are going inexorably south that can't be confused with other things-so if you're getting signs of nervous system impairment, a neurological exam is the only way to rule out that you're not galloping toward eclampsia!
Mom to Allie (1998, severe PE)| Camille (2003, oligohydramnios )|the Dude (2007, chronic hypertension)
The Captain is my hero!
The Captain is my hero!
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Re: Tell me about... "Visual Changes"
I am bringing this back up.
I have been having specs in my vision (much like the PP described). They are fleeting, but happen a number of times a day. It took me a few days (and a longer episode involving a number of specs flashing in an out for a while) to decide something was even happening... I am not sure this really counts (no, I haven't called my OB, but I go in tomorrow to see her anyway).
My BPs have been ok (130-135/80-86ish... the longer episode was during a time when my BP was a little more elevated 140+/90+ but still borderline... ).
Really is this something that sounds related or just another red herring?
I have been having specs in my vision (much like the PP described). They are fleeting, but happen a number of times a day. It took me a few days (and a longer episode involving a number of specs flashing in an out for a while) to decide something was even happening... I am not sure this really counts (no, I haven't called my OB, but I go in tomorrow to see her anyway).
My BPs have been ok (130-135/80-86ish... the longer episode was during a time when my BP was a little more elevated 140+/90+ but still borderline... ).
Really is this something that sounds related or just another red herring?
Brandilyn, loving wife and mom to three PIH/CHT/PE babies
M (8/07) 38w1d
L (9/09) 37w3d
E (9/11) 37w
M (8/07) 38w1d
L (9/09) 37w3d
E (9/11) 37w
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