Constant Eye Pain & Pressure
In December 2013, I started developing some right eye pressure and pain, about once or twice a week at night. I shrugged it off, thinking it was just eye strain.In January, I was at my Wednesday night billiards league, and the pressure in my right eye would not let up and got to the point where I had to actually tape my eyelid shut (I used medical paper tape). This proved to relieve some of the pressure, but still caused some discomfort, since the tape itched and the pressure was still there. The following afternoon, a migraine hit hard (no triggers) and I ended up in the ER. My eye pressure/pain and migraine was at a 9. I was given some wonderful drugs and sent home.
Since then, I have still been experiencing the eye pressure, with and without the pain. The pain usually doesn't occur all of the time, but when it does, it doesn't occur until night. The pressure is what is making me frustrated. I have been to an Ophthalmologist and my eyes are healthy. I have had CT scans, MRI's and all kinds of tests- No abnormalities, just headaches/migraines. I just don't know how much longer I can live with this eye pressure.
I am currently on Topamax (50mg 2x/day), Zanaflex & Imitrex. I do have an appointment with my neurologist on April 11 (cannot wait to see him).
So my question is this (sorry for the long story)... Do any of you have eye pressure and/or pain? If so, what, if anything relieves it?
Hi kritter84,
I'm sorry to hear this, it must be very frustrating. Eye pain can occur with a migraine attack as can many other symptoms. These symptoms can range from We have information about the symptoms in a migraine attack you can read about here; https://migraine.com/what-is-migraine/.
A word about Topamax, it has helped many people with migraine prevention, but others not so much. One of the keys in taking Topamax is it needs to be started at a low dose (25mg) and increased slowly. For more information you can read about Topamax in this link; https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/topamax/.
Do you by any chance experience eye swelling, tearing and/or a runny nose in addition to your other symptoms? Cluster headache is a primary headache disorder which can include these symptoms and has been referred to as one of the most painful types of head pain imaginable. I'm not suggesting you have this, just something you may want to speak to your doctor about. You can read more about cluster headache in this link; https://migraine.com/headache-types/cluster-headaches/.
Do let us know how your appointment with the doctor goes.
Since your appointment is in a few days, there are a few other possible causes for eye pressure that you might want to ask your neurologist. One of the side effects of Topamax is increased eye pressure. Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension can also cause increased eye pressure. It is often diagnosed by a combination of an opthalmologic exam and lumbar puncture.
Hopefully you are feeling better and the eye pressure was just a temporary problem. Please do let us know how it all turns out.
Hi Kritter84,
I was looking to post on the exact same thing and then I saw your post.
I have the same problem.
In fact, the pain is so bothersome that I can barely drive, read, text and even just look around.
I popped to the shop the other day, just a 10min drive, and I struggled to drive the distance on the way home.
I take 20mg of Propanolol. Not sure if it's helping yet as it's only been a month.
The eye pain/forehead pain occurred before I was even taking any medication.
I don't know what to do either.
I love to proofread, but w/ my migraine's affecting my eyes the way it does, I can't really do that anymore.
Engpnut,
In addition to what Tammy and Nancy suggested about this issue, I wanted to add one more thing. Did you know there are doctors out there that are specialists in neurology AND opthalmology? I'm sure they are difficult to find, but if you have this kind of issue and are not able to find relief, you may want to seek one out. My Headache Specialist referred me to an Opthalmology Neurologist when we were trying to figure out why I was having chronic migraines. He didn't find anything, but his skill set was very interesting. The guy I went to was at Georgetown University Hospital in DC.I just thought I'd let you know if it gets really bad.
-Katie
Hello all,
Thank you for all your responses.
Silly me, I had my days mixed up and I didn't have an appointment with my neurologist. However, I am going to make an appointment with him, since I have been experiencing the eye pain for a week now with no relief.
I do not experience any other symptoms, runny nose, congestion, etc. with this pain. I thought it might have been sinuses as well, but MRI's of my sinuses have shown that they look fine. I just get so frustrated with the migraines, headaches and this eye pain. One day at a time right...
Thank you all!
- Katy
