gray curtains/visual problems

[Sherry]

Hello, All. I've been a sometime contributor to this forum for several years and need some advice myself. I had my mitral valve replaced back in 1997 and have had intermittent bouts (1 or 2 per year) of visual disturbances involving a gray curtain being pulled over my line of vision. The more I read about these occurences (called something fujax), the more upset I become thinking I'm going to have a stroke. Well, I had another today and called my cardio. They checked my INR, which was low (1.9), upped my dose of coumadin, and put me on a few doses of baby aspirin. He's going to see me this Monday, but I'm still pretty rattled. How many of you have had these disturbances? Are they true indicators of an oncoming stroke? Or are they just an indication that the coumadin isn't regulated? Thanks, Sherry

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Another possibility is TIA (Transient? Ischemic Attack).

They are quite common following valve surgery. I had several events in the weeks following surgery and may still get brief episodes of some type of 'visual effect' which fortunately disappears in short order. My understanding is that as long as they go away, it's not too serious. Ask your Cardiologist for his opinion about it's significance. If you are still concerned, consult with a Neurologist.

'AL'

 

[Davidcv67]

I had these often post -op...I don't think you have any worries. They are tiny blood clots going to your optic nerve...mine went away after my INR was stabilized in the 2.5-3.5 range. When I get them now I know I need to get tested and then I usually find out I had a low INR like you just said.

Dave

 

[Nancy]

Hi Dave-

Now I KNOW that's not your x-ray, sort of a teeny-tiny brain isn't it?? And sunglasses too? And what's going on with the jaw?

 

[Sherry]

visual problems

visual problems

Thanks for the replies. I went to see my doc this past Monday, and he wants me to have a regular echo and a carotid artery scan just to be sure. My INR was up to 3.6 from 1.9 after pumping me full of 12 mg. doses for three days. He also suggested I take a baby aspirin every day from now on. Are any of you doing that as well?

 

[Kim]

Hi Sherry,

A week after coming home from the hospital from my mitral valve replacement, I had several episodes of the gray visual curtain and 2 incidences of double vision. These occured all within 24 hours of each other. My INR was 1.4. I believe I had several TIA's, because I also had difficulty with memory and confusion that occured in that same time frame. The doctor never told me I had a TIA, and at the time, I wasn't as knowledgeable about them as I am now, and didn't know the right questions to ask! I was hospitalized and received heparin until my INR was theraputic.

I take 325 mg. of aspirin daily.

I am glad your INR is theraputic! It is so important!

 

[Sherry]

Kim, have you had any more since your surgery? I tend to have them once or twice per year (six years out from surgery) but thankfully have never experienced the double-vision and confusion you mentioned. (That sounds really scary!) Also, how much coumadin do you need to remain regulated? Does your cardiologist automatically put all valve patients on aspirin therapy as well? My doc is just now mentioning the baby aspirin. Sorry for all the questions, but I've always fought vision issues (squiggly lines, sensitivity to lights, as well as the gray curtains) but I don't think all of that is related. I know that the first two can be migraine-related. Thanks for any insight you can offer.

 

[DANIEL]

Just had an AVR on 7/02/03. When I was in my teens I would get every month or so severe migraine headaches. These migraines would appear in the "classic" form whereby prior to the migraine my vision in one eye would be clouded with (like) a mosaic grey pattern. Sounds similar to the curtain effect. As I got older these migraines and mosaics greatly lesened to where it would happen only a few times a year and the pain in the last few years is practically nil. A few days after my AVR I began getting very strong mosaic patterns in the morning for about 20 minutes, without the subsequent migraine. No pain. It is more annoying than bothersome. MY doc did not know what to make of it. I am not concerned, but since I saw the posting I thought I would reply. FYI: I received a tissue valve.

Daniel

 

[Sherry]

Hi, Daniel. I have had the squiggly lines (no headache) for many years (even 12 yrs prior to the surgery). Anyone I've talked to seemed to think those were ocular migraines. Any other doc I've mentioned the gray curtains to and any stuff I've read on the internet describing those gray curtains or gray clouding all state that they are clot-related. When you search some of the previous discussions (this forum) on visual problems, several contributors have mentioned similar visual episodes. I don't know if there is a definitive explanation, but I find some comfort knowing others with valves have them and are able to manage them. One of those nasty little reminders that our valves do throw clots.

 

[nadi]

Gray curtians

Gray curtians

Since I had surgery(5/5/03) I get a gray curtain that come from the bottom up. I had them several times a day to begin with and now are down to 1-2 a week. Prior to surgery I was getting prism rods floating around but those are gone now. I mentioned it to the dr was just told to get my eyes checked. So I guess in the near future I will be going to yet another dr.

I just looked it up in my diary the last one I had was when my INR dropped to 1.6 a week ago.

Take care,

 

[Sherry]

Hi, Nadi. Wow, that sounds like a lot in such a short time. Please make sure that you have your blood checked immediately. As I had mentioned earlier, my doc (and another doc I met at a music camp my son attended a few weeks ago) both mentioned taking the baby aspirin immediately after they happen too. Ask your cardiologist about that, but it makes a lot of sense to me that if it's a TIA, then the aspirin could be beneficial.

 

[ccrawford]

Hi Sherry - I'm from southern Indiana too -- about three miles east of Coal City. My fiasco began with visual problems. In my case, a black curtain descending from the top down last October. I had maybe five separate incidences, coupled with feeling of impending dizzyness. After a bunch of diagnostic routines, they finally found a blood clot in the right upper carotid just past where it makes its first sharp turn. This clot, in turn, was kicking off small clots that were moving on to the visual center of the brain. After consultation with a nurologist (after the cath process found the clot) we decided to go with both the aspirin and Coumadin with a target range for the coumadin of 2 to 3. All of this preceded worsening symptoms of a bad aortic valve and gradual plugging of arteries to the heart. In April, I had an aortic valve replacement and single bypass. Since then, I've been busy with exercise programs and I'm feeling better every day. I'd be glad to answer any question you may have - that's what we are here for. Chris

 

[Sherry]

Hey, Chris,
I had to search the map to see where Coal City was and found it-- west of Bloomington, eh? I'm an I.U. graduate (class of 1986). In fact, I was at the game when Bob threw the chair -- my only claim to fame;-) Now, I'm in Newburgh, IN, which sits right on the Ohio River, just a few miles east of Evansville. I actually grew up in Vincennes which is closer to your neck of the woods. What a cool connection
You had mentioned the clot right off of your carotid? My doc has ordered an echo of the carotid this Monday, plus a standard echo. I guess I hope he doesn't find anything and that it's just a matter of closely watching the INR (which I thought I was doing). Sounds like you're doing very well. Just curious -- where did you have your surgery? I went to Methodist Hospital in Indy.

 

[ccrawford]

Sherry - It's indeed a small world. My daughter and her squeeze (my cardio) live in Newburgh. I was born in Methodist hospital, and worked there for many years. My surgery was done at St Mary's in Evansville. My cardio is with the Ohio Valley Heart Clinic and I think they are the greatest. My surgery was in this past April and I'm doing great. I'm taking my exercise program seriously and love the way I feel better every day. I'm retired, own a farm that I bought for a quail habitat, and keep busier than a bird dog every day. Let me know if I can be of any assistance. Chris

 

[Sherry]

burning question

burning question

Chris,
I just have to know -- who is your cardiologist? Sherry

 

[Davidcv67]

Sherry I posted somthing 1 year ago about the Gray curtains and confusion...the confusion is like Deja vou...a VERY strange feeling.

I also will get the head spins from time to time but I think that is from the Blood pressure medicine...also the double vision...Don't know what causes that.

Dave

 

[ccrawford]

Sherry -
Check your private messages. Thanks. Chris

 

[ccrawford]

Here's a question that I bet would take at least a sharp neurologist to answer. Some people with TIA's experience the visual curtain ocurring from the bottom up. Others experience it from the top down (that's me). If the eye were a TV camera, I bet I could describe why this happens. I don't have a clue how the eye sends signals to the visual center of the brain. Why is it some people are bottoms up and others top down ?