Does anyone else completely lose their vision and hearing while suffering from a severe migraine?
My wife has been suffering from migraines since she childhood, she'll be 52 in December 2024..We were in a car wreck in December 2018 and since then she has a migraine almost daily..she started losing her vision in 2018 as well..which will last up to 3 full days. 6 months ago she started losing her hearing as well..now she's losing her hearing and vision at the same time. Most often I can adjust her chiropractically and regain her vision and hearing..but sometimes the muscles in her neck are so rigid I'm not able to adjust her..she has tried every medication available with no good results..she is about to try botox if possible..that's the last option she has. Has anyone else ever experienced this vision and hearing loss and if so...what did you do to help it..fix it..mitigate it? We can't seem to get any answers from any doctors/ neurologists concerning this..We would be greatful for any help or direction in this matter.
Hi
Thank you for sharing your family's journey with us. I'm sorry your wife is in daily pain, and dealing with vision and hearing loss. I can imagine how difficult this must be for both of you.
Has your wife been evaluated by an ophthalmologist and audiologist recently? If not, seeing these doctor may be a good place to start. This would be ideal so doctors can determine the cause of both vision and hearing issues and how/if they are related to the car accident and how to proceed.
Typically with migraine vision loss is temporary and returns once the attack is over. Here is information on this; https://migraine.com/migraine-types/retinal-migraine. A few people have not had complete visual restoration, which seem fairly uncommon.Hearing loss and migraine is less common, but may occur. I did find this information that may be helpful;
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/777903#google_vignette
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/article-abstract/613983
https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1526-4610.1996.3601024.x/abstract;jsessionid=828743076CDBE0619F48091BC941CB09.f02t03?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=falsePlease let me know how we can best support you two and I'm sending low pain wishes out to your wife. I hope to hear back from you soon, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator (team member)
- I'm also sorry to hear you were in an accident, and your wife is now dealing with hearing and sight loss. How scary for you both. I had a professor who had ocular migraines - no pain - but she would lose her sight. The one time it happened in class, it was a frightening experience for many watching her fiddle around and communicate what she was going through. She managed to keep the class moving forward. Imagine ... I'd not fare so well. I can only imagine what it would be like to last days.
Curious and have a few questions.
Has she had a brain MRI done following the accident or recently?
Are you a physician/chiropractor?
What has already been ruled out?
What seems to work when hearing and/or blindness occur?
This is quite complicated and more than likely would take a TEAM of doctors to discern - including neurology and/or neurocardiology, as well as what Nancy above suggests - audiologist, ophthalmologist, etc.
Have you considered looking into heading to a world-class hospital such as Cleveland Clinic or Mayo and being evaluated by a multidisciplinary team? It may be a reasonable next step. They see patients from all over the country (and the world). This may be a pivotal step. Sending you all the strength and hope to continue on toward greater health. Rebecca (team member)
