> > > Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order
> > received:
> > > 1. GP diagnosed it as a transient ischemic attack, and
> > subjected me to a series of nine tests appropriate for that
> > diagnosis: blood tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram,
> > ultrasound of carotid, pulse volume recording, thallium
> > stress, 24-hour blood pressure monitor, 24-hour Holter
> > monitor, MRI of brain.. Results pretty normal except for
> > cholesterol 263. Main recommendations: take baby aspirin
> > daily, try lowering cholesterol through diet
> > > > TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK TYPICALLY IS LIKE A MINI-STROKE THAT DOES
> > NOT LAST, CAUSED BY POOR CIRCULATION TO THE BRAIN THAT THEN RESOLVES.
> > YOU COULD CALL THE DROP IN BP A TIA, BUT IT REALLY IS A SEPARATE
> > ENTITY. THE TESTS HE DID ORDER ARE NOT FOR TIA, BUT RATHER TO LOOK
> > FOR GENERAL REASONS FOR A BP DROP. THIS IS THE BEST WORKUP – LOOKING
> > FOR REASONS FOR SUDDEN DROP IN BLOOD PRESSURE, AS I MENTIONED.
> > IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT IS ONE REASON THAT CAN CAUSE A SUDDEN DROP IN BP.
> Dr. Robins,
> I gained peace of mind from your comments on the battery of tests.
> Since there was a question as to whether I really had TIAs, I was
> suspicious that the DR was just ordering a bunch of unnecessary tests
> to cover his a-- or to make extra bucks. Glad that they were
> appropriate for the symptoms, even if the stated diagnosis was wrong.
> It turns out that the neuro-op wants to see not just the report of the
> MRI of the brain, but the actual images. So it's fortunate that I
> already have what he wants.
> I'll post back here on the 29th or 30th, with the result of the visit
> with him.
> (My ocular migraine might have lasted more than a minute. When things
> like that happen, especially the first time, it's too frightening to
> think about timing the event.)
> Thanks,
> Ray
Saw the neuro-op today. All of today's tests/evaluations were normal.

> On 27 Sep, 22:32, Ray K <raykos...[at]optonline.net> wrote:
> > > Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order
> > > received:
> > > > > 1. GP diagnosed it as a transient ischemic attack, and
> > > subjected me to a series of nine tests appropriate for that
> > > diagnosis: blood tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram,
> > > ultrasound of carotid, pulse volume recording, thallium
> > > stress, 24-hour blood pressure monitor, 24-hour Holter
> > > monitor, MRI of brain.. Results pretty normal except for
> > > cholesterol 263. Main recommendations: take baby aspirin
> > > daily, try lowering cholesterol through diet
> > > > > TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK TYPICALLY IS LIKE A MINI-STROKE THAT DOES
> > > NOT LAST, CAUSED BY POOR CIRCULATION TO THE BRAIN THAT THEN RESOLVES.
> > > YOU COULD CALL THE DROP IN BP A TIA, BUT IT REALLY IS A SEPARATE
> > > ENTITY. THE TESTS HE DID ORDER ARE NOT FOR TIA, BUT RATHER TO LOOK FOR
> > > GENERAL REASONS FOR A BP DROP. THIS IS THE BEST WORKUP – LOOKING FOR
> > > REASONS FOR SUDDEN DROP IN BLOOD PRESSURE, AS I MENTIONED. IRREGULAR
> > > HEARTBEAT IS ONE REASON THAT CAN CAUSE A SUDDEN DROP IN BP.
> > > > Dr. Robins,
> > > I gained peace of mind from your comments on the battery of tests. Since
> > there was a question as to whether I really had TIAs, I was suspicious
> > that the DR was just ordering a bunch of unnecessary tests to cover his
> > a-- or to make extra bucks. Glad that they were appropriate for the
> > symptoms, even if the stated diagnosis was wrong.
> > > It turns out that the neuro-op wants to see not just the report of the
> > MRI of the brain, but the actual images. So it's fortunate that I
> > already have what he wants.
> > I'll post back here on the 29th or 30th, with the result of the visit
> > with him.
> > > (My ocular migraine might have lasted more than a minute. When things
> > like that happen, especially the first time, it's too frightening to
> > think about timing the event.)
> > > Thanks,
> > > Ray- Hide quoted text -
> > > - Show quoted text -
> > I get migraines with flashing zigzagging lights, temporary partial
> blindness, trouble thinking, remembering, and fuzzy blur for 3 days
> after the lights go away.
> The lights last about 30 to 45 minutes.
> Once when on herbs, hormones, for hromone balance i got 3 migraines in
> one hour; lights appear, disappear in 20 minutes then return and start
> over.
> I now stay away from hormones (natural progesterone cream) and herbs
> that affect hormones.
> I know a man that got migraines ... from contact with the cream on his
> girlfriends skin.
> Also avoid; msg in food, potatoe chips..., chinese food.
> Sulfites, nitrates in red wine, hotdogs, bolona, smoked meat, fruit
> and other food.
> chocolate.
> i no longer get migraines since i avoid these foods, additives.
> Massage to keep the neck muscles relaxed, vertebrae aligned also
> helps.
Understand that my ocular migraine is not the same as the typical

> > * * Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order
> > * * received:
> > * * * *1. GP diagnosed it as a transient ischemic attack, and
> > * * * * * subjected me to a series of nine tests appropriate for that
> > * * * * * diagnosis: blood tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram,
> > * * * * * ultrasound of carotid, pulse volume recording, thallium
> > * * * * * stress, 24-hour blood pressure monitor, 24-hour Holter
> > * * * * * monitor, MRI of brain.. Results pretty normal except for
> > * * * * * cholesterol 263. Main recommendations: take baby aspirin
> > * * * * * daily, try lowering cholesterol through diet
> > TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK TYPICALLY IS LIKE A MINI-STROKE THAT DOES
> > NOT LAST, CAUSED BY POOR CIRCULATION TO THE BRAIN THAT THEN RESOLVES.
> > YOU COULD CALL THE DROP IN BP A TIA, BUT IT REALLY IS A SEPARATE
> > ENTITY. THE TESTS HE DID ORDER ARE NOT FOR TIA, BUT RATHER TO LOOK FOR
> > GENERAL REASONS FOR A BP DROP. THIS IS THE BEST WORKUP – LOOKING FOR
> > REASONS FOR SUDDEN DROP IN BLOOD PRESSURE, AS I MENTIONED. IRREGULAR
> > HEARTBEAT IS ONE REASON THAT CAN CAUSE A SUDDEN DROP IN BP.
> Dr. Robins,
> I gained peace of mind from your comments on the battery of tests. Since
> there was a question as to whether I really had TIAs, I was suspicious
> that the DR was just ordering a bunch of unnecessary tests to cover his
> a-- or to make extra bucks. Glad that they were appropriate for the
> symptoms, even if the stated diagnosis was wrong.
> It turns out that the neuro-op wants to see not just the report of the
> MRI of the brain, but the actual images. So it's fortunate that I
> already have what he wants.
> I'll post back here on the 29th or 30th, with the result of the visit
> with him.
> (My ocular migraine might have lasted more than a minute. When things
> like that happen, especially the first time, it's too frightening to
> think about timing the event.)
> Thanks,
> Ray- Hide quoted text -
> - Show quoted text -

> Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order
> received:
> 1. GP diagnosed it as a transient ischemic attack, and
> subjected me to a series of nine tests appropriate for that
> diagnosis: blood tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram,
> ultrasound of carotid, pulse volume recording, thallium
> stress, 24-hour blood pressure monitor, 24-hour Holter
> monitor, MRI of brain.. Results pretty normal except for
> cholesterol 263. Main recommendations: take baby aspirin
> daily, try lowering cholesterol through diet
> TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK TYPICALLY IS LIKE A MINI-STROKE THAT DOES
> NOT LAST, CAUSED BY POOR CIRCULATION TO THE BRAIN THAT THEN RESOLVES.
> YOU COULD CALL THE DROP IN BP A TIA, BUT IT REALLY IS A SEPARATE
> ENTITY. THE TESTS HE DID ORDER ARE NOT FOR TIA, BUT RATHER TO LOOK FOR
> GENERAL REASONS FOR A BP DROP. THIS IS THE BEST WORKUP – LOOKING FOR
> REASONS FOR SUDDEN DROP IN BLOOD PRESSURE, AS I MENTIONED. IRREGULAR
> HEARTBEAT IS ONE REASON THAT CAN CAUSE A SUDDEN DROP IN BP.
Dr. Robins,

> David Robins, MD wrote:
> > > On 9/25/08 7:53 PM, in article 48dc4e99$0$4966$607ed4bc[at]cv.net, "Ray K"
> > <raykosXXX[at]optonline.net> <mailto:raykosXXX[at]optonline.net> wrote:
> > > > > > > > On Easter 2006, May 2008 and July 2008, I experienced, in both eyes
> > > equally, a dimming of vision to blackness and then a return to normal.
> > > It was like someone was turning a light dimmer switch to off and then
> > > back to full brightness. Each time, the event was over in about 30
> > > seconds. During that time, I experienced a tingly feeling all over, and
> > > I wondered if this was the end of me.
> > > > > There were no aftereffects of any kind. Vision, speech, balance,
> > > strength, memory, etc. were all normal.
> > > > > Each time, I was seated upright and not under any stress.
> > > > > Before revealing the conflicting diagnoses I got from my GP, neurologist
> > > and ophthalmologists, I want your inputs.
> > > > > Thanks,
> > > > > Ray
> > > > > > > > Clearly NOT an eye problem, since both eyes happened at the same time.
> > Bilateral vision loss is central, not related to the eyes.
> > > Can't be reduction in blood flow to the eyes alone, since both eye went down
> > at the same time, and right and left eyes get flow from opposite carotid
> > arteries (unless it was at the source of the carotids, in the aortic arch
> > (dissection?). Also, since you got tingly all over, more likely represents a
> > diminution in blood flow to the brain, not the eyes. Since it affected
> > mainly the vision, perhaps it is vertebro-basilar circulation, affecting
> > both occipital cortices at the same time.
> > > The ophthalmologist would have little to say, as would the GP. The
> > neurologist, or a vascular surgeon, would be the best source.
> > > Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order received:
> 1. GP diagnosed it as a transient ischemic attack, and subjected me to a
> series of nine tests appropriate for that diagnosis: blood tests,
> electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, ultrasound of carotid, pulse volume
> recording, thallium stress, 24-hour blood pressure monitor, 24-hour Holter
> monitor, MRI of brain.. Results pretty normal except for cholesterol 263. Main
> recommendations: take baby aspirin daily, try lowering cholesterol through
> diet

> THE NEUROLOGIST IS WRONG, IN MY OPINION. AMAROSIS FUGAX LAST SECONDS, IS
> MONOCULAR, CAUSED BY TINY EMBOLI TO THE EYE TYPICALLY FROM THE CARTOID ARTERY.
> THEREFORE, CANNOT AFFECT BOTH EYES AT THE SAME TIME, AND WOULD NOT CAUSE THE
> TINGLING SENSATION.
> 3. Ophthalmologist #1 said they were both wrong, since both eyes were affected
> and the duration was so brief. He attributed it to a transient drop in blood
> pressure, probably caused by a couple of skipped heartbeats. Didn't think any
> follow-up action required. Did not think I should consult a cardiologist.
> WHEN BP DROPS, THE VISION CHANGE TNEDS TO BE FROM THE EDGES INWARDS, SLOWLY.
> WHEN IT IT THE OCCIPTAL LOBE AREA, IS NOT CONCENTRIC, GETS DARK ALL OVER
> QUICKLY.
> 4. Ophthalmologist #2 didn't go along with the skipped heart beat explanation,
> offered no other explanation, but suggested seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist. I
> have an appointment with one on Sept 29.
> NEURO-OPHTHALMLOGIST IS FOR PUZZLING, TYPICALLY ISOLATED, EYE NEUROLOGICAL EYE
> PROBLEMS. THE TINGLING WITH THIS MAKES IT MORE THAN A NEURO-OPH PROBLEM.
> As an aside, in June 2007 I had a visual event diagnosed as an ocular migraine
> by ophthalmologist #1 above. In both eyes, vision was clear except it appeared
> that I was looking through a ring, and the image all around the ring was
> shimmering. Lasted maybe a minute or so. No explanation for cause and warned
> that they may occur with increasing frequency. Haven't had one since.
> THIS DOES DOUND LIKE OCULAR MIGRAINE, BUT TYPICALLY LASTS MUCH MORE THAN A
> MINUTE (IE 15-20 MINUTES)
> I didn't mention it in original post, but I am now age 70.
> Ray

> Ray K <raykosXXX[at]optonline.net> wrote in news:48dc4e99$0$4966
> $607ed4bc[at]cv.net:
> > On Easter 2006, May 2008 and July 2008, I experienced, in both eyes
> > equally, a dimming of vision to blackness and then a return to normal.
> > It was like someone was turning a light dimmer switch to off and then
> > back to full brightness. Each time, the event was over in about 30
> > seconds. During that time, I experienced a tingly feeling all over, and
> > I wondered if this was the end of me.
> > > There were no aftereffects of any kind. Vision, speech, balance,
> > strength, memory, etc. were all normal.
> > > Each time, I was seated upright and not under any stress.
> > > Before revealing the conflicting diagnoses I got from my GP, neurologist
> > and ophthalmologists, I want your inputs.
> > > Thanks,
> > > Ray
> > Gray out prior to syncope?
In my post of 9:48am (under the name of Rebel1), I mentioned that

> Gray out prior to syncope?

> On Easter 2006, May 2008 and July 2008, I experienced, in both eyes
> equally, a dimming of vision to blackness and then a return to normal.
> It was like someone was turning a light dimmer switch to off and then
> back to full brightness. Each time, the event was over in about 30
> seconds. During that time, I experienced a tingly feeling all over, and
> I wondered if this was the end of me.
> There were no aftereffects of any kind. Vision, speech, balance,
> strength, memory, etc. were all normal.
> Each time, I was seated upright and not under any stress.
> Before revealing the conflicting diagnoses I got from my GP, neurologist
> and ophthalmologists, I want your inputs.
> Thanks,
> Ray

> On 9/25/08 7:53 PM, in article 48dc4e99$0$4966$607ed4bc[at]cv.net, "Ray K"
> <raykosXXX[at]optonline.net> wrote:
> > On Easter 2006, May 2008 and July 2008, I experienced, in both eyes
> > equally, a dimming of vision to blackness and then a return to normal.
> > It was like someone was turning a light dimmer switch to off and then
> > back to full brightness. Each time, the event was over in about 30
> > seconds. During that time, I experienced a tingly feeling all over, and
> > I wondered if this was the end of me.
> > > There were no aftereffects of any kind. Vision, speech, balance,
> > strength, memory, etc. were all normal.
> > > Each time, I was seated upright and not under any stress.
> > > Before revealing the conflicting diagnoses I got from my GP, neurologist
> > and ophthalmologists, I want your inputs.
> > > Thanks,
> > > Ray
> > Clearly NOT an eye problem, since both eyes happened at the same time.
> Bilateral vision loss is central, not related to the eyes.
> Can't be reduction in blood flow to the eyes alone, since both eye went down
> at the same time, and right and left eyes get flow from opposite carotid
> arteries (unless it was at the source of the carotids, in the aortic arch
> (dissection?). Also, since you got tingly all over, more likely represents a
> diminution in blood flow to the brain, not the eyes. Since it affected
> mainly the vision, perhaps it is vertebro-basilar circulation, affecting
> both occipital cortices at the same time.
> The ophthalmologist would have little to say, as would the GP. The
> neurologist, or a vascular surgeon, would be the best source.
Thank you, Dr. Robins, for your reply. My diagnoses, in the order received:

> On Easter 2006, May 2008 and July 2008, I experienced, in both eyes
> equally, a dimming of vision to blackness and then a return to normal.
> It was like someone was turning a light dimmer switch to off and then
> back to full brightness. Each time, the event was over in about 30
> seconds. During that time, I experienced a tingly feeling all over, and
> I wondered if this was the end of me.
> There were no aftereffects of any kind. Vision, speech, balance,
> strength, memory, etc. were all normal.
> Each time, I was seated upright and not under any stress.
> Before revealing the conflicting diagnoses I got from my GP, neurologist
> and ophthalmologists, I want your inputs.
> Thanks,
> Ray