« Questions: What does a sixth nerve palsy look like, and what causes it? (Ophthobook.com)

Questions: What does a sixth nerve palsy look like, and what causes it?

Answer: A sixth nerve abducens palsy makes the eye turn medially, giving the eye a “crossed appearance.” This esotropia is worse when attempting to look toward the side of the lesion.

Abducens palsy can be caused by vasculitic processes like hypertension and diabetes. It can also occur in the setting of high intracranial pressure. A subtle abducens palsy can often be seen in cases of pseudotumor cerebri.

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109 Comments »

I found out yesterday I have 6th nerve palsy.
I was told it should last 3 months then go away.
I hope this is so.

Comment by Neil Coutu — May 27, 2009 @ 2:21 am

My husband has the same thing….we think due to a severe sinus infection?? Is there anything they can do?

Comment by Chris — June 11, 2009 @ 1:44 pm

I was finally diagnosed with this five years ago, after going to speacilists for rwo years. It is occuring as I type, one eye patched. Mine lasts anywhere from 4 weeks to 5 months and can be very painful. No reasons as to why, nothing to do about it either. Always searching as this is my 10th bout in 7 years. Good Luck.

Comment by Cher Keller — October 7, 2010 @ 12:32 am

I have just been diagnosed with 6th nerve palsy. I had 5 MRI’s and everything was okay. The opthomologist says it will go away in 7 months. I wonder how true this may be. It’s terribe. I have to depend on others to drive and take me to doctors. I just wonder how everyone feels about this problem. Good luck to you!

Comment by Joan Wax — October 9, 2010 @ 12:13 pm

I was diagnosed with 6th nerve palsy in August. I first noticed double vision one day and it gradually got worse over the course of about 3 days until my left I wouldn’t move outward (which was how they diagnosed me). I had a ton of blood work done along with a cat scan, MRI, and a spinal tap and every test I had done came back negative. Within a week of first noticing my symptoms my eye went back to normal and I have no had a problem since.
I am so glad that my eye went back to normal but also nervous it could come back. Everything I have looked about about this disease has said it is a long term thing while my problem was only a week.
Very strange

Comment by Jen — October 11, 2010 @ 11:27 pm

I had the 6th nerve palsy and diplopia for 2 days . It then went away and never came back, I had CT scan done and going for advanced CT scan. I am not sure what the reason is but need to investigate and make sure all options are looked at .I was doing heavy squats in gym after 2-3 days I founc this issue.

Comment by Sam — November 16, 2010 @ 7:37 am

I was diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy 17 months ago. I am a 42 year old female. Other than a B vitamin deficiency and a D vitamin deficiency, all tests are negative, i.e. MRI, labs, lumbar puncture, nerve testing. My second MRI at a nearby specialty hospital is tomorrow. In a sad way, I hope this test will reveal ’something’. And…hopefully, that ’something’ can be fixed.

Comment by Pamela — January 19, 2011 @ 7:32 pm

Hi…my story is a little strange. My daughter is 8 years old and has been having some strange and intermittant symptoms…the first symptom was the significant inward turn of her right eye, resulting in double vision. This has been occuring for 2 months now…sometimes her eye looks ok, but most times it appears very crossed. She too, is wearing a patch to help with the double vision. She is also having intermittant tingling, numbness, pins and needle feelings (depends on how she describes it) in her hands and a few times her legs…again, this is intermittant. Our pediatric ophthamalogist strongly believes that this is NOT a 6th nerve palsy as a 6th nerve palsy does not fluctuate as frequently as my daughters eye does. The neurologist thinks that it could be a 6th nerve palsy though…anyway, they are working hard to figure this out. Myesthenia Gravis has been mentioned also…but who knows…any suggestions??? Comments??? She has had alot of bloodwork too…Lyme as been ruled out twice, the MRI results were negative for anything, etc. Just looking for an answer now! She is also quite irritable and almost irrational at times…sorry for ranting…just trying to put this puzzle together!

Comment by Kara — February 28, 2011 @ 12:34 am

My situation is a bit different from previous posts. My problems started at the same time I was getting used to new contacts, was under a great deal of job stress, a relocation to a new building where the lighting from day 1 was almost unbearable. At the beginning of Nov. 2010 when I was working (9-10 hr days on computuer) my eyes would get so strained that by 1 in the pm I could hardly focus on anything. I’ve also had high blood pressure for 10 years that is often hard to control. I wound up having to quit my job before Thanksgiving and realized a week or so later that the double vision in my left peripherial was not going away. After several doctor visits the diagnosis was VI nerve palsy. I have read everything I could on it. I feel like I’m becoming inept at even simple things around the house because it causes so much diorientation at times. My family doctor feels like the BP is the contributing factor since blood work showed nothing wrong. I have been able to maintain a balance for 2 weeks now and am hoping and praying that this will resolve soon. Other than info on the internet I know of no one that has ever had this or knows anyone else that has had it. Any input would certainly be appreciated. I have had no other symtoms of any kind other that BP issues. I don’t know if any response comes from this site but I thought it was worth a try. Thanks for “listening”!

Comment by Charlotte — March 15, 2011 @ 10:31 pm

My situation is a bit different from previous posts. My problems started at the same time I was getting used to new contacts, was under a great deal of job stress, a relocation to a new building where the lighting from day 1 was almost unbearable. At the beginning of Nov. 2010 when I was working (9-10 hr days on computuer) my eyes would get so strained that by 1 in the pm I could hardly focus on anything. I’ve also had high blood pressure for 10 years that is often hard to control. I wound up having to quit my job before Thanksgiving and realized a week or so later that the double vision in my left peripherial was not going away. After several doctor visits the diagnosis was VI nerve palsy. I have read everything I could on it. I feel like I’m becoming inept at even simple things around the house because it causes so much disorientation at times. My family doctor feels like the BP is the contributing factor since blood work showed nothing wrong. I have been able to maintain a balance for 2 weeks now and am hoping and praying that this will resolve soon. Other than info on the internet I know of no one that has ever had this or knows anyone else that has had it. Any input would certainly be appreciated. I have had no other symtoms of any kind other that BP issues. I don’t know if any response comes from this site but I thought it was worth a try. Thanks for “listening”!

Comment by Charlotte — March 15, 2011 @ 10:34 pm

I’m 41year old male…had all the tests…MRI…mar…MTV…ct..lumbar puncture six years ago…they said it is sixth nerve palsy…real simple my left eye will not go to the left…it just came back a month ago…i would suggest to relax wear the patch for driving and daily activities…it will go away…the pressure can sometimes be annoying for sure…pain meeds don’t work…I think it has to do with stress…blood pressure…and it will go away…my last episode lasted 2 months…it is strange that it happens when I am working out and doing well…strain on my left eye triggers it…long hours of work make it hurt but I continue to make light of the situation…at least we cab still see…enjoy the patch…I think I’m going to create some different colors…just kiddin hang in there people…thanks Ray ray

Comment by Ray ray — April 24, 2011 @ 10:52 pm

By the way Mick jagger threw a drumstick and hit me in that eye Saturday nov 9th 2002 when I was on the 5row at candlestick park…never had any issues until right after that

Comment by Ray ray — April 24, 2011 @ 10:56 pm

Hi, one fine morning my left eye developed VIth Nerve Palsy. Now it is more than 2 weeks. I am too much disturbed on the advise of doctor to wait and watch policy. Dr. told me that this problem will go away on its own in due course of time. Can anyone suggest me if he/she has retain back his vision by wait n watch advise?? I have shown this problem to 3 eye-specialists and all said the same. Is it curable? if the palsy doesn’t go away own its own??

Comment by Auro — June 30, 2011 @ 3:45 am

felt a slight pulling in my right eye a few months ago, being an optician i confirmed the pupillary distance in my glasses was correct. Started having double vision in my right eye, originally it was diagnosed as 4th nerve palsy later to be 6th nerve. tried a press on prism on lens and getting no relief. mri was negative, now even with prism having difficulty holding primary gaze (almost always double) we are ruling out lyme or another viral brain infection next up lp for ms. all ive read is wait and see if not better in 6 months possible surgery

Comment by betsy — June 30, 2011 @ 8:36 pm

One morning in March, I experienced cloudy vision that turned into double vision. After testing that included CT scans, MRI’s, etc., I was diagnosed with 3rd nerve palsy (possibly related to high blood pressure). This diagnosis was later changed to 6th nerve palsy. Problems included constant double vision and disorientation. Unable to drive and unsure of walking during that time. After seeing an opthamologist/neurologist - I began an eye exercise routine that helped. After two months, my vision returned to normal. Blood pressure medication was increased during the illness. No problems currently but fear recurring epidsodes.

Comment by barb — July 9, 2011 @ 11:44 am

I am 61 and three and a half years ago I had nasopharyngeal cancer. Managed to shake it off but had chemotherapy and 33 sessions of radiotherapy. I have a dry mouth and a small loss of hearing on the left side. Last November I developed 2 more tumours in my neck and had a selective bi-lateral neck dissection. Got the all clear. About 4 weeks ago my sight went a bit odd and within three days I had quite severe double vision. I had MRI and there was nothing to be concerned about but the eye persists. I am wearing a patch but I have not tried to drive (not sure if I’m allowed. I’ve tried prisms but they don’t work well for me. I’m hoping time will heal but not confident. I retire in one week’s time so this will have a severe effect on my lifestyle as I am otherwise fit and healthy.

Comment by Eric — July 10, 2011 @ 6:26 am

Sorry to see that there are more new postings regarding sixth nerve palsy! I haven’t posted since October of 2010 and have had one episode since, lasting 13 weeks. As always, did nothing but throw on the patch and get on with life. I now actually keep an adhesive patch in my purse, as you never know when or where the next episode will strike. I continually try to reseach this issue, as I believe it to be an “umbrella diagnosis” for a condition that there is little known about. Though none of my opthomologists, neuroopthomologists, neurosugeons, neurologists or others I have been to over the last 8 years had mentioned it… the 6th nerve is considered a “cranial nerve” running from the face through the brain and down through the brain stem. It is the only nerve in the brain that travels that path and that far. Therefore, common sense tell me that there could be intermittent swelling, pressure, “who knows what”, anywhere along that nerve pathway that is causing our episodes. Thereby, we cannot predict them, nor can we predict how long they will last or know what to do to eliviate them. I turn 58 this month and refuse to give into them. Should anyone ever find any pain meds that help, that would be fabulous info. That’s the part that gets tough. Prayers to all who deal with this in their lives, but we still have our sight and hopefully those who support us.

Comment by CHER KELLER — August 21, 2011 @ 2:58 pm

Hi, everyone. I developed a sixth nerve palsy over three days following weeks of intense pain like a knitting needle from the back of the eye to the temple. I was told that nothing was unusual on my scans but after having constant headaches and lack of balance and the occasional seizure it turned out it is due to a cyst in the arachnoid layer of my meninges and pressing on my brainstem.

You are quite right Cher, that a sixth nerve palsy simply means paralysis of the sixth cranial nerve which runs from the eye, over the top of the head across the other side and down the back of the head to meet the brain stem and then the spine. It does not point to any cause in particular. It is a symptom rather than a diagnosis - someone who has had a stroke or has multiple sclerosis will often suffer a VIth nerve palsy as part of their symptoms. People with migraine disorders get them temporarily - a few hours to three days.

I am now part of an organisation called Arachnoid Cyst Awareness which tries to get neurologists to take arachnoid cysts seriously. I am sure none of you have this but so many neurologists say they are harmless whilst more and more neurosurgeons are now realising they cause a lot of symptoms including 6th nerve palsy. I strongly encourage anyone who has suffered a VIth nerve palsy and also suffers from headaches, dizziness, deafness, loss of balance or seizures to ask for the results of their scan or for a MRI. If you have a few of these symptoms it is likely that you have a cyst on your posteria fossa (medical term for back of head!) which is pressing on your cranial nerves. The neurologist may well not have thought it worth mentioning. If you don’t have any of these symptoms ignore me - you are certainly fine!

Comment by Helen Pluckrose — August 22, 2011 @ 11:11 am

Is it possible to get the eye exercises that Barb mentioned in her July 9, 2011 at 11:44 a.m. letter? Thank you so much!!!!

Comment by marilyn — August 24, 2011 @ 10:45 pm

I suffer from this as well. I noticed that when I stopped drinking beverages with caffeine, I have had less frequent episodes. It still happens with bad colds, but it rarely comes up out of the blue like it did when I used to drink a lot of coffee.

Comment by Kyle Haill — August 26, 2011 @ 6:18 am

i have six nerve pulsey for 6 weeks now i feel lucky reading some of these stories . i also feel stress is some of the problem have to walk 10km per day to go to work ( good for weight lose .would really like to get the eye excersise the one person commented .

Comment by steve — August 26, 2011 @ 1:25 pm

Notice double vision 2 years ago and got better. In March of this year, it came back bad, but sometimes was better. When i look to the left it is worst. Sometimes its good ,, sometimes it bad driving in car. Doctors working on me.

Comment by Tom Stinemetz — August 29, 2011 @ 3:04 am

Hello Everyone,

Hi, I am a 28 year old woman and had double vision/6th nerve palsy about a year ago which lasted around 3 months. My experience was very strange. I think it has to do with SUGAR! well at least in my case this is MY theory :), I had a sugar overload on a wednesday and that night I couldn’t sleep from my heart pounding so fast, the next day I woke with what I thought was a sinus infection which slowly moved to the right of my head to my right eye, that sunday I woke with double vision and you all know the rest, MRI’s, blood work, etc etc. The worst part is that I had laser eye surgery 2 months before this happened so obviously I thought it was that! but it wasn’t, all doctors confirmed it had nothing to do with that. At first I only wore the patch on the affected eye so I could function, then after 2 months or so, my dr recommended changing the patch to the good eye to force the affected eye to work, then I didn’t use the patch at all in any of the eyes to force both eyes to work together, and I think this sped up the recovery. I also wish I never encounter this again,
Wish you all the best

Norma

Comment by Norma — August 29, 2011 @ 3:48 pm

I have been dealing with 6th nerve palsy for the last 30 years. It can occur at any time and can last from 1 week to 7 months. I have had all of the tests with nothing indicated. I believe it is caused by sinus infections, but nothing has been consistently identified. When I feel it “coming on” I try to reduce nasal swelling thru over the counter medications. Seems to help if caught early enough.

Comment by Ken — August 30, 2011 @ 6:42 pm

I am a 57 yr old healthy woman and was diagnosed with 6th nerve palsy last week, but I was lucky, mine only lasted 4 days. I was at the tail end of a mild cold/sore throat and I noticed a little discomfort in the muscles behind my eyes (similar to the sensation you get when crossing your eyes) and slightly blurred vision. The next morning I woke up with complete double vision, although I didn’t realize it until I started to drive to work, because it wasn’t apparent at close distances, like in the house. But outside, it seemed like every person was being followed by their twin, about 6 ft behind them - very weird. Driving was impossible unless I closed one eye. There was no more pain.

A doctor friend suggested I take Cipro (antibiotic) right away, in case it was sinus related. I also took vitamin B12, stopped caffeine, and did some eye exercises - following my finger from my nose to further away and also as far to the sides as I could without moving my head. Also, I didn’t use a patch except to drive. I have no idea if these things had anything to do with it, but 4 days later my vision returned to normal! I was very thankful because this is a very distressing condition, and my sympathies to those who are dealing with it long term.

I also saw an opthamologist during that time who referred me for an MRI. Even though it got better, he feels I should still have it, on the slight chance that a brain tumor could be causing it. So I will do that in a few days.

Good luck to all who are dealing with this!

Comment by Nancy — September 6, 2011 @ 6:32 pm

I had bilateral cataract surgeries about a year ago, and within a couple of months noticed I had this blurriness. At first I thought it was stress induced because I noticed it on certain shots playing tennis. I had all kinds of tests, and finally got to a specialist, who told me what it was almost immediately. He told me it is permanent and that unless it drives me crazy learn to live with it, which I am trying to do but it seems like it may be getting worse. has anyone else noticed a progression?

Comment by Chuck Colvin — September 7, 2011 @ 1:25 pm

Update to my Sept 6 post above - had the MRI and thankfully no brain tumor found. So clearly the most obvious explanation is that my palsy was related to the upper respiratory viral infection I had - which I wouldn’t have expected as it was a mild URI - but I guess in some way it effected the nerve (luckily only for 4 days).

Comment by Nancy — September 10, 2011 @ 12:43 am

Read through all these post looking for Shingles as the trigger cause. I went down with Shingles 6 to 7 weeks ago and started diplopia within 3 days. High quality NHS attention arrested the worst affects of the shingles but Diplopia was the causal agent for 6th cranial nerve palsy as determined by my Opthalmologist following a MRI scan which showed nothing untoward.
I now have single vision upto about 6 feet, but after that it is still hopeless. Insomnia is an added complication. I’m told that it will ‘get better’ within 6 months and i can’t wait.

Comment by John H — September 24, 2011 @ 10:36 am

I experienced 6th nerve palsy about 10 years ago. It lasted about 4 months and I was unable to drive for most of that time. I wore an eye patch in the beginning, and my dr, a neuro-opth, placed a prism in my glasses that helped correct the vision. He sent me for an MRI and diagnosed me with MS as I also had a lesion in my brain. I was placed on meds and had been on them for 10 years until I recently decided to stop taking them. I never got double vision again, my MRI’s are clear, and I have no other symptoms, so I question the initial diagnosis. To all of you suffering with 6th nerve palsy…my thoughts and prayers go out to you….it is very difficult indeed.

Comment by Carrie — September 29, 2011 @ 2:34 pm

I do have it for the first time, every day I hope it will be gone when I wake up - but can anyone tell me, please, does it go away suddenly or gradually?

Comment by LN — October 5, 2011 @ 6:50 am

I’m going into 10 months with left VI nerve palsy. I, too, have had a clear MRI and blood work. To date, I really haven’t seen any improvement. I just hope every day that I will wake up and it will be resolved. I would also like to know if those that have seen improvement saw it gradually or suddenly. Any input or encouragment would also be much appreciated.

Comment by Charlotte — October 5, 2011 @ 9:56 pm

To Charlotte and LN,

Following my post on August 29th. The truth is that until both eyes are 100% completely working together you will still see double… so only the doctor can tell you if there is any improvement in the movement of your “bad” eye. In my case I remember my husband telling me that it looked like my eye was improving/moving more and I didn’t believe him since I still saw double, until the doctor gave me the news that my eye was 50% better. After this the improvement seemed to move fast since the doctor ask me to gradually start changing the eye patch to the good eye, forcing the bad eye to work, and then after a week to take off the patch completely and make both eyes work together. This seemed to work for me, in a couple of weeks I saw 1 image during the day but as the day went by and my eyes were tired the image split again at night when I watched TV and such… and then i don’t remember when but I was finally 100% recovered.

Patience is something I learned through this.

Norma

Comment by Norma — October 9, 2011 @ 1:34 pm

I woke up with severe double vision 8 years ago, when I was 44. I lead a very healthy lifestyle, but had had several bad colds during the preceding weeks. Medical lit says 6th Nerve Palsy can follow a cold/flu. Had the gamut of tests, ruling out everything bad. Severe double vision lasted 10 weeks, then gradually improved over 8 months. I only wore a patch when driving. Have never had a recurrence.
My advice: make sure you ALWAYS have catastrophic health insurance.

Comment by Cara — October 11, 2011 @ 4:18 am

On August 3,2011 I experienced a strange feeling after being bitten by a spider. By the next day, I had Sixth Nerve Palsy. This is my third occurrence. It seems to last about five months at a time. My first occurrence was in 2004, then in 2009 and now. I think this occurs to teach us patience. Had several tests, all negative, so they are attributing it to HBP and diabetes, which I was not diagnosed with the first two times I had the palsy. An interesting thing is I just recently started drinking coffee and I’ve seen some posts here that mention coffee. That’s enough to make me stay away from coffee.

Comment by Nancy — October 11, 2011 @ 2:56 pm

iam 34 yrs old women, had severe headache 1 month back associated with dizziness,blurred vision and double vision progressively.I have gone through all sought of blood tests/MRI/MRA/CT/LP but still my neurologist couldn’t find out what the real reason,my double vision still persisting compromising my work and other activities .very upset at present,any one could help

Comment by mercy — October 14, 2011 @ 6:51 am

Hi! I’m 33 y/o & a very healthy woman. I worked the day before this happened & remembered i had a headache almost the whole day. Woke up the next day with double vision & slight numbness of my left hand. Mri, mra, ct scan & labs were normal except for slightly elevated esr. That’s why the doctors were saying that it was viral. It’s been a month already but it’s still the same. Doctors couldn’t give me an answer as to when it will heal or is it still gonna go back to normal. I’m getting anxious waiting for it to get better. Every morning, when i open my eyes, i always wish i will see normal again. I wonder if somebody who had this, will give us advise & share their experience. It’s hard to seek information on the web since there’s not much facts about abducens nerve palsy. Thanks in advance!

Comment by Janet — October 17, 2011 @ 9:04 pm

I’m a 51-year-old male. I was diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy in 2010. In 2007, I was diagnosed with dry eye, then suffered a bout of ocular rosacea. Around that time I purchased my first set of bifocals. I couldn’t get used to them, so I resorted to an old pair of eyeglasses with an old prescription. I work nights, and around 2008, I started noticing I’d get double vision late at night. It would be OK in the morning, but would reoccur in the afternoon, then go away for a while after dinner. I attributed it to age and the old prescription. Then after those glasses broke, I got a new pair and was shocked to find I had double vision as soon as I put them on. My diagnosis followed a few weeks later. I had an MRI and blood work done - everythng came back negative - thank God. I got glasses with prisms about a year ago. They worked fine at first, but then the double vision returned. I’m encouraged by your stories that your double vision vanished after a while. I’m hopeful this will happen for me and that my diagnosis came in time for this palsy to be somehow reversed. I can’t imagine life with an eyepatch.

Comment by MG — October 18, 2011 @ 5:01 pm

I am a 52 yo female, diagnosed with 6th nerve palsy in late June 2011. I was hospitalized and had every neurological test in the book-some tests twice. Thankfully, all came back negative, including my bloodwork. I was given a patch and sent home, with a follow-up appointment one month later. After one month, I thought my vision was improving, and my husband thought my eye was tracking a bit better. However, my eye doctor informed me that the reason I thought my vision was improving was due to my brain accommodating the impaired vision in my left eye. I am still confused about that statement. After 2 months, my far away vision and my close-up vision were both normal, but my middle field was still seeing double. At the 10 week mark, my vision returned to normal. My eye doctor thinks the palsy and the diplopia was caused by a virus. I am now driving without a patch, my headaches are gone, and my vision has returned to normal. I am very thankful.

Comment by CB — October 20, 2011 @ 2:57 pm

I am a 51 year old female diagnosed with VI nerve palsy yesterday. I have been suffering with a headache since 10-9 that my doctor attributes to severe allergies. I am very depressed about my severe downward turn in my health. I have experienced relatively good health my whole life - no high blood pressure or cholesterol, not diabetic, heathly weigh, etc. The opthomologist has ordered a prism for my glasses to try to aleveate the double vision. Please tell me this headache subsides. I can’t take the constant headache pain!

Comment by Mary — October 21, 2011 @ 9:44 am

I just want to see one moon again. I feel like Luke Skywalker on Tatooine!

Comment by MG — October 22, 2011 @ 7:43 pm

hi, my husband is having double vision since 3 weeks with a severe headache, seen ophthalmologist,neurologist, orthopedic and done, CT, MRI, Angiography of neck and brain, but all normal. He is not having cholesterol, BP etc. When everything is normal, why is he having severe headache is a question of great concern for us.I understand that for double vision we have to wait..but can anyone help me by telling about the severe headache and neck pain he is facing.We also did the x-ray for neck, found that spondilitis might be there..can anyone help..thanks

Comment by neha — October 30, 2011 @ 2:59 am

I was driving to work Sept 26 when my vision seemed to go all blurry all of a sudden. After 2 weeks, 2 doctors visits, a trip to the ER and then a referral to an opthalmologist I was diagnosed with 6th cranial nerve palsy. I have had every blood test you can imagine, MRI, CT, etc. The only thing they found that was off was a positive test for TPO AB antibodies. All doctors have said they don’t think this has anything to do with the palsy. Yesterday I noticed I don’t have to turn my head as far to see clearly in front of me so I think it may be improving. It came on suddenly but I can’t get any information on whether it comes back suddenly too or gradually. I have been out of work on medical leave since Sept. 26 since I teach middle school English and being able to see it kind of crucial. Originally the doctor put me out of work until next week but I don’t know what to do if it’s not cleared up. Can anyone describe how the recovery is? Is it gradual or sudden like the onset. I am hoping that it will get better pretty quickly since this is the first sign of improvement I have had.

Comment by emilys — October 31, 2011 @ 6:58 pm

nice to hear from some kindred spirits…sorry for your anguish. I have 6th nerve palsy but it’s the result of brain tumor extraction from brain stem area. Equilibrium problems, like some others mentioned, but no headaches yet. It’s been 2 months since surgery. can’t drive or do much of anything; ordered a prism but didn’t get it yet. it’s the strongest prism made…tried a test model at the opthamologists office but didn’t really work that good but what the h… good luck

Comment by Gil Mansell — November 5, 2011 @ 2:12 pm

6 years ago I had a bout of 6th nerve palsey. It was pretty scary at first. Did the MRI thing..all ok…was scheduled for numerous Jules Stein Eye Clinic appointments..which I finally stopped because they were doing NOTHING but billing my insurance. I came to the conclusion that 6th nerve palsey is caused by a virus. That’s why it comes and goes (like a cold sore) and they can’t do anything about it. I discussed this theory with my opthamologist and he agreed with me. That time it lasted almost a year. I have a sense it’s coming on again and hope it will be a shorter stay this time. Originally I solved the double vision by buying very clear (light) sunglasses and putting frosted tape over the lens for the eye that was affected. This stopped the double vision but allowed me to have some peripheral vision on that side (better than a patch) and I was able to go about my business just fine.

Comment by Cindie — November 7, 2011 @ 11:57 am

My experience was very scary as the docs would not say whether i was likely to make a recovery. i am diabetic and the palsy was blamed on that at first, but my partner suffered a very similar viral illness(laberynthitis?}at the same time before it left her with tinitus and me with a sixth nerve palsy (not proved officially}.They seemed very worried at the hospital.Please try not to worry, mine recovered very very slowly (four months}, so slowly that its hard to judge any improvement day by day. I made the mistake of reading the internet and diagnosing myself with the worst possible things. Don t do it you will only get in a panic, sixth nerve palsy usually recovers in time. hold that thought!

Comment by chris mccauley — November 8, 2011 @ 11:13 am

hi, as mentioned earlier my husband is having sixth nerve palsy since 5 weeks now, i understand that recovery will take time, but my problem is that he also suffers from severe headache behind the left ear which goes to left portion of shoulder, I would really appreciate if anybody could guide me as to whether sixth nerve palsy is accompanied with this great pain or is it something else..i am really tensed.

Comment by neha — November 14, 2011 @ 3:23 am

hi, I am having sixth nerve palsy(left eye) since 5 weeks now, i understand that recovery will take time, but my problem is that I am also suffering from severe headache behind the left ear which goes to left portion of shoulder, I would really appreciate if anybody could guide me as to whether sixth nerve palsy is accompanied with this great pain or is it something else..i am really tensed.

Comment by mahesh — November 14, 2011 @ 3:25 am

Update-I am on my way to full recovery after 8 weeks! The recovery seems to be slow at first, like I had slight improvement that stayed at the same spot for about a week then every couple of days it seems to get better and better. Headaches are the worst at this time though. They came on right before it started to get better so I am thinking that may be a sign of improvement. I do have to say that after reading a couple of posts about vitamin definciencies on here I started taking a B12 supplement accompanied by fish oil and a multivitamin and that’s when I started noticing the recovery speeding up. This could be just a coincidence but I am going to continue to take it since those things do help nerve and cell development/health. Can’t hurt. I am concerned that people say it comes and goes though since my opthalmologist told me that once it clears up you never have it again if it’s the viral kind. Anyone else hear this or experience this?

Comment by emilys — November 14, 2011 @ 1:50 pm

Today is day one of the 7th week of my sixth nerve palsy. Six weeks have passed without any improvement. I am a 72 year old retired male with very mild diabetes and very mild high blood pressure. I have been through all the MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Blood Tests, etc. All have been normal. I was bitten by a Brown Recluse Spider, and 12 hours later I awoke at 3:00 am with double vision, ringing of the ears, headache, etc. Neurologist and Opthomologist both say the Sixth Nerve Palsy and the spider bite are a coincidence and are not related. They think the palsy is caused by diabetes and blood pressure. Since the symptoms appeared 12 hours after the bite, I do not think the palsy is a coincidence. Regardless, the palsy is a real problem as I cannot drive or do much of anything except wait for what hopefully will be a recovery. One Dr. says six to eight weeks and the other says three months. Had mild headaches in the beginning, but none for the past few weeks. Wearing a patch 24/7 and can only wear it on the right eye, the problem one. Wearing it on the good eye and looking out the bad eye makes me very dizzy with vertigo. Everyone seems to react different to the palsy. Has anyone heard of sixth palsy being caused by a spider bite? Can’t wait to get on with my life.

Comment by Vinnie — November 14, 2011 @ 6:55 pm

Vinnie, no I have not heard of a spider bite causing this. However, after hours and hours of research that I did looking for answers for mine I did find information that stated that diabetes and high blood pressure can both be factors. I am assuming you are treating both of those conditions? What many articles did say is that when the cause is known and treated then the 6th nerve palsy will start to go away. I was told the same timeline at first, 6-8 weeks, then the second doctor told me most people recover within 3 months. Mine took 8 weeks.

Comment by emilys — November 15, 2011 @ 11:44 pm

can somebody pl. tell me if sixth nerve palsy is also accompanied with severe headache??

Comment by neha — November 16, 2011 @ 6:44 am

Just an update…I am now at a year with the VI nerve with no improvement. With no insurance and income down to one it’s hard to know what else to do, especially since blood work and mri revealed nothing other than showing that the nerve was causing the eye to turn medially (which isn’t hard to figure out). I have researched everything I can possible find to get answers and to this day other than what I’ve seen on the internet I know of no one with VI nerve or knows anyone else who has had it. I think it’s been one of the loneliest things that has ever happened to me. I do have a patch but haven’t found much benefit except to see one image. If anyone has anything encouraging as far as updates I would certainly love to hear it. Best wishes to those of you still dealing with it!

Comment by Charlotte — November 17, 2011 @ 9:51 pm

Charlotte, really sorry to learn about you, but don’t you have an option of some surgery, just consult your doc. pl. do u also feel pain in your head or anywhere else in your body??All best wishes to you.

Comment by neha — November 19, 2011 @ 3:05 am

emilys, yes I have both the diabetes and BP well under control. Both are very, very mild cases, but could possibly be the cause of my sixth nerve palsy instead of the spider bite. When you recovered, did you notice a slow improvement over time or did you just wake up one morning and it was gone? I still have no improvement and today is day one of 8th week.

Comment by Vinnie — November 20, 2011 @ 12:26 pm

neha, I only had very mild headaches during the first few days. No severe headaches at all, but everyone is different.

Comment by Vinnie — November 20, 2011 @ 12:28 pm

Neha, no there isn’t any pain, eye fatigue because the eyes tend to get so tired by mid day, especially if I am away from home. Surgery has not been mentioned but we also lost my income a year ago when I was unable to continue working and we have no insurance either. A problem that many people are dealing with right now. Thanks for your concern. It’s been about the loneliest feeling with anything I have ever had. My only health issue is blood pressure, which I work very hard at keeping in check.

Comment by Charlotte — November 20, 2011 @ 6:17 pm

Charlotte, thanks for update, I sincerely wish for your good health, my husband is also having sixth nerve palsy, its the 7th week now ,no improvement, rather there is severe headache also, may be we will have to go for lumbar puncture test.
Which place r u in?

Comment by neha — November 22, 2011 @ 4:01 am

Vinnie, thanks for update, my husband is running in 7th week of sixth nerve palsy, he is 40 years old, have no BP, glucose etc., no improvement, but these days having severe headache, slight feverish also, i am really worried if it is something else ??

Comment by neha — November 22, 2011 @ 4:11 am

Neha, right now I just feel like I’m in a holding pattern. The opthomologist I went to isn’t someone I would want to see again. Resources are very limited right now. After Thanksgiving I may contact my family doctor and see what he feels would be the best next step. He knows us well and our circumstances and has spoken to an opthomologist friend of his about me. I haven’t found anyone online that has had it more than 7 to 8 months (nor would I wish this on anyone…period!) I did have problems with headaches at the very beginning but rarely have them now. My heart goes out to the ones dealing with this. I trust your husband will have answers soon.

Comment by Charlotte — November 22, 2011 @ 12:05 pm

Thanks Charlotte, anyways my husband is getting admitted in Royal Hospital Muscat for further investigations like blood tests, MRI and Lumbar Puncture tests, I am really worried..God Bless All whoever is suffering.

Comment by neha — November 23, 2011 @ 4:37 am

New diagnosis…..Okay, so I went to the opthalmologist to get released to go back to work since my vision has returned. He now says that instead of my cranial nerve palsy being caused by a virus, I have opthalmoplegic migraine. This means I could be dealing with flare ups off and on forever. Great….just what I wanted to hear. He told me it’s extremely rare. When I looked that up online it’s not real clear what to do about it.

Vinnie, in response to your question about how long it took, it started improving one day where I could suddenly see straight ahead with one image but the image was shaky. I still couldn’t look to the right (the affected eye). Then every couple of days the range of clear vision was wider and wider until after a week I woke up and it was gone and I could look all the way to the right and see one image again. I can’t even describe the immense relief. Now, however I freak out if I even start to get a headache.

Comment by emilys — November 25, 2011 @ 4:48 pm

EmilyS, sorry to hear about your new diagnosis, but nice that you are over it for the time, anyway. Thanks for the info about your recovery. Today is the end of my 8th week with no improvement yet. I’m beginning to think that once you have this that there is always a chance for recurrence. Not a positive thought, but from other peoples experiences, it certainly looks that way.

Comment by Vinnie — November 26, 2011 @ 7:09 am

I’m a 24 year old mom to be I was diagnosed with 6 th cerebral nerve palsy. It has been a couple days now and there has been no improvement thus far . My Dr says this conditions goes away gradually over the course of a couple weeks . I’m healthy and have all possible test done mri, etc and everything is normal

Comment by martha — November 29, 2011 @ 11:59 am

Just had a six-month checkup with my opthamologist, and he told me that my condition had stablized and to come back in a year. Another YEAR of double vision? I was flabbergasted.

When he asked me if I had any questions, I said,”Yes! What’s the next step? Can we try botulin injections?” He said the botulin wears off in about 3-4 months. Then I asked whether I should wear an eyepatch or black out an eyeglass lens over the affected eye or my good eye so the affected eye might be strengthened. He said an eyepatch would do no good due to my prism lenses.

Of COURSE an eyepatch would help! My double vision disappears as soon as I close one eye, and the prisms don’t even come close to making my double vision go away!

He was no help at all. It’s as if he’s too proud to consider that I might need stronger prisms than the ones he prescribed, or maybe he doesn’t want to tell me that there’s nothing he can do. I’m ready to get a second opinion.

Comment by MG — November 30, 2011 @ 1:12 am

MG, sorry to hear about your recent Dr. visit. I am in my 9th week of 6th Nerve Palsy and double vision. The only way I can function is to wear an eye patch over the affected eye. I have also taken clear lens safety glasses and spray painted the lense over the effected eye with black paint, which totally blocks out any vision in that eye. I also did the same with sunglasses. This gives me 3 different options, depending on the circumstances. The glasses work better when I’m away from home, people don’t seem to stare at me like when I’m wearing the patch. I am seeing both an Opthomologist and a Neurologist. Neither have any answers. I’m on wait and see if it goes away. You might consider a second opinion from a Neurologist. Apparently, surgery is sometimes an option after exhausting everything else. A Neurologist could likely advise you about that.

Comment by Vinnie — November 30, 2011 @ 9:13 am

MG, really sorry to hear your report. If you look at my prior posts you can see my situation. I’m at a year and even though I didn’t have the eye issues you faced I did have 2 months at the onset of this where my eye doctor couldn’t seem to get my contact rx correct and then I felt he finally was fed up dealing with me. Makes you feel a little funny when you’ve gone to someone for years and paid almost every time I went in to try to get the problem corrected and then be given the brush off. My experience with the optho. was purely clinical. I knew what the problem was going in but she ran her tests, took notes, and then said I could go to the front to make the necessary appointments. I had to leave my job a year ago and we don’t have insurance to help with expenses and I’ve just been trying to be patient hoping this would resolve itself. I would like someone to at least be willing to talk to me and provide a few answers but I’m leary of going through the process all over again and run the risk of the same outcome. The only thing physically that I’ve had that can contribute to this is HBP which I’m trying hard to keep under control. But I always have this in the back of my mind. It’s a very isolated feeling condition and, at least in my circle, no one has ever heard of it. I wish you and the others all the best. I feel that somedays it almost gets the better of me. How long in total have you had to deal with this so far? I haven’t done prisms but I have tried a patch but you have a total blind side. I generally do any shopping with a family member that stays on my bad side to keep from running into people. Atleast for me, we can’t afford to run from place to place in hopes of getting answers. Wishing you a soon recovery!

Comment by Charlotte — November 30, 2011 @ 12:31 pm

Info needed… anyone heard of 6th nerve palsy after a difficult dental procedure?

Sympathy to all affected by this!

Comment by Debbie — December 1, 2011 @ 11:25 am

Nancy, I noticed your post of August 3. Have you determined that your 6th nerve palsy was caused by the spider bite? I was bitten by a brown recluse spider and started having double vision 12 hours later. I’m now in my ninth week with no improvement. The doctors say it was caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, which I have very mild cases and both were well under control at the time. Both doctors that I’m seeing say the spider bite is a coincidence and did not cause the palsy, which I disagree. Has your vision improved?

Comment by Vinnie — December 2, 2011 @ 6:32 am

Get this: When I asked my opthamologist what the severity of my sixth nerve palsy was on a scale of 1-10, he said, “1 or 2.”

If my case is mild, I’d hate to imagine what a 10 must be like.

Comment by MG — December 5, 2011 @ 11:49 pm

My neurologist has had me take all the tests. No cancer, stroke, MS, myasthenia gravis, Grave’s disease, Lyme disease, diabetes, etc. She’s recommending that I go to see a specialist 60 miles away.

I’m trying to schedule an appointment, but I work nights and my wife works days, and I don’t trust myself to drive such a long distance alone.

Comment by MG — December 5, 2011 @ 11:54 pm

MG, when I recently asked my Neurologist what the severity (scale of 1-10)of my sixth nerve palsy (now in 10th week) is compared to other cases that he has seen, he said there is no difference between patients, that all cases are the same. Talk about avoiding the question.

Comment by Vinnie — December 6, 2011 @ 10:09 am

hello i have been battling melanoma since 06,had tumors in meckels cave and removal of 5th mandibule nerve and over 2000 stereo tactic radiations to my head. now apart from other stuff i have developed palsy of the 6th cranial nerve. it fair dinkum sucks and am really looking for something i can do. will it help if i bounce a ball against a wall and catch it when it comes back something anything really need ?

Comment by matt — December 9, 2011 @ 5:21 am

Hello to all of you with Sixth Nerve Palsy. I woke up on Monday morning 8 weeks ago with this horrid double vision. My opto doctor recommended all these test through my family doctor. Did it all. The nureologist said I have a blood vessel resting against the optic nerve and not enough blood flow throughto the muscle. Has anyone had this problem. Per the doctor, he has never seen anything in his career with this. He researched and found one case in Belgium in 2007. He wanted me to take Teritol to relax the artery (my option). I did not take this. I feel at times the double vision is getting better. I do drive and close my left (the bad eye) eye. I do hope this gets better. I cannot give up my life style after working so hard all these years, and refuse to get old….. and become reclusive. So I say to everyone to hold your head up and it can only get better.

Comment by Patty — December 9, 2011 @ 2:40 pm

From what I’ve found on the Internet, there’s only a 5-15 percent of recovery without surgery if the sixth nerve palsy lasts more than 6 months. But there’s a 75 percent success rate after eye surgery, botulin injections and prisms.

Comment by MG — December 11, 2011 @ 9:58 pm

Has anyone had their sixth cranial nerve palsy treated with notice I just heard about this procedure and I wanted feed back before considering it

Comment by martha — December 15, 2011 @ 12:34 am

Botox** sorry auto correct

Comment by martha — December 15, 2011 @ 12:35 am

I’ve heard from my opthamologist that sight improvement is temporary, about 3-4 months. Then you need another injection.

Comment by MG — December 15, 2011 @ 4:31 pm

Yikes so not a permanent change . I’mstillwondering how the procedure is performed because I’m not too fond of a needle to the eye that just sounds crazy

Comment by martha — December 15, 2011 @ 7:23 pm

I think the botox is injected into one of the eye muscles, paralyzing it and steadying your eyesight.

Comment by MG — December 16, 2011 @ 8:25 pm

I actually visited my Dr today and she explained the procedure just like what you said its a temporary fix . I’ve only had it about 4 weeks with a slight improvement at this point she wants me to wait it out a couple weeks so I’m hoping it goes away soon all my test are normal which is pretty weird

Comment by martha — December 16, 2011 @ 10:46 pm

Well, it’s month 13 with no improvement. At this point I’m wondering where to go next. Thinking that I may contact my family doctor again and maybe another opthomologist may be able to help. It’s so discouraging and I certainly feel the frustration the rest of you are feeling. Maybe I will get a Christmas miracle! My best to all of you. If any of you get any further helpful suggestions of treatments I, for one, would sure love to hear from you! Thanks!

Comment by Charlotte — December 20, 2011 @ 11:31 pm

Charlotte, I feel the same frustration that you are having. I’m at week 12 with 6th nerve palsy and double vision, not nearly as long as you have had it going into month 13. My thoughts go out to you. Had an appointment last week with my Opthomologist and no improvement was noted by him. He did say that the 6th cranial nerve is the longest and it can be damaged anywhere along the path from the base of the brain to the affected eye. Recovery time depends on where the damage is, if it’s right behind the eye, recovery is only a few weeks, but if it is closer to the base of the brain, then recovery can take months. He also said that diabetes and/or high blood pressure are commonly found in people with 6th nerve, but you could easily just as well have it without either of these. Treatment is wait and watch for it to recover on it’s own or surgery after a minimum of one year. There basically is no other treatment. Eye exercise does no good, according to my optho. Think positive. Hopefully, you will have a Christmas miracle.

Comment by Vinnie — December 21, 2011 @ 8:56 am

Thanks for your reply Vinnie. As much as I have searched online there just isn’t any other ideas out there for treatment. I don’t know, once I went over the year mark you start to wonder if you will be stuck this way for life. I haven’t read much that is exceptionally hopefully on the surgical front either. As I mentioned in previous posts, I do have HBP that I work hard at keeping under control. I haven’t been able to continually be seeing the doctor either. When you don’t have insurance and lose one income you have to make choices. I really trust yours will be gone soon as well! My best to you!

Comment by Charlotte — December 21, 2011 @ 2:19 pm

My palsy is in my left eye. How about everyone else? Left or right?

And can you get palsy in both?

Comment by MG — December 21, 2011 @ 6:14 pm

Mine is also in the left eye. I don’t know if you can get it in both or not. ONE eye is more than I want now!

Comment by Charlotte — December 21, 2011 @ 8:21 pm

Mine is in my right eye

Comment by martha — December 21, 2011 @ 11:46 pm

Mine is my right eye.

Comment by Vinnie — December 22, 2011 @ 6:22 am

mine is my left eye,also,i think mine started in the meckels cave as that is where my melanoma is/was, and that is where your eye sight nerves start. kucky me huh. merry xmas guys and gals god bless us all matt

Comment by matt — December 24, 2011 @ 1:15 am

I have this, too. Mine resulted from intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). I have too much CSF fluid causing too much pressure in my brain. After having too much pressure on my brain for such a long time, this has developed. Even after having a VP shunt implanted to reduce the pressure, the double vision hasn’t gone away.

As a child, I had a “wondering eye” that caused double vision, but I learned how to keep my eyes straight, but I can’t control this 6th nerve palsy. I hate how this has become part of my life now on top of everything else.

All those of you who had lumbar punctures - did they check for CSF pressure?? I didn’t know my ringing ears, constant unbearable headaches, and other symptoms were being caused by pressure in the brain… until I finally got to a neurologist who clued in and did a lumbar puncture to check for pressure (not just to test spinal fluid). If it wasn’t for that, I’d still be suffering. Well, I still am suffering, but it would have been worse.

Comment by Jenny — December 26, 2011 @ 4:22 pm

these lumbar punctures do they hurt or what. i dont want to do stuff that hurts any more.

Comment by matt — December 27, 2011 @ 2:05 am

I had my first sixth nerve palsy dream last night. I dreamed that I cured myself by simply closing my affected eye and massaging it through my eyelid with my fingers. When I opened it, I could see objects across the room clearly and without double vision. I guess the mind can’t recreate a ghost image in a dream!

Happy New Year! Hope everyone overcomes this frustrating malady in 2012!

Comment by MG — December 31, 2011 @ 6:18 pm

Here’s a pro soccer player who was diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy after a collision with a teammate.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2011/12/13/2800979/agent-reveals-ac-milans-gennaro-gattuso-could-return-to

Comment by MG — January 1, 2012 @ 4:41 pm

My 8 month old son has recently been diagnosed with 6th nerve palsy. He’s had an MRI and everything was clear. He’s had it for around 6 weeks now and his eye does seem to be moving into the centre more in the last few days but it hasn’t moved passed the mid point. If the palsy recovers on it’s own does anyone know if the recovery is instant? Will the nerve start working and the eye then be able to move outwards or is it a gradual thing? Thanks Rachel

Comment by Rachello — January 13, 2012 @ 2:45 pm

apparently it gets worse before it gets better my opthamolagist says.it certainly is a bugger hope it goes well for the little fella

Comment by matt — January 13, 2012 @ 11:49 pm

Hi everybody. I’ve been reading your posts trying to find out what my problem is. So far I have been to several eye doctors and all I was dianosed with was glacoma.
My problem started in Sept.11.with just blurred vision when i first woke up in the morning. It seemed like it was just in my right eye. This continued for a couple of weeks and it was random not every morning. Soon it became a daily event and I made a appointment with my primary who referered me to a nerologist, who refered me to a opthamolagist and he found the glacoma and told me that I needed a iridectomy, for the glacoma to open up the as I would go blind. Had it done on Oct.29, 11. Glacoma cured but now I had a new symptom. Double vision in the morning and it did not seem to be in any specific eye.No eye crossing or anything, eyes looked nomal while it is happining. It only last for two minutes or so and only when I have been sleeping. Went to a glacoma specialist in Nov, could not find the problem so she sent me to a Retina specialist and she told me she could find nothing wrong and told me to see a nero opthamolagist. It has taken me a month to get an a appointment with him and it is to be for tomorrow the 17 of Jan. My problem was getting better from Thanksgiving with only occasional attacks. Yesterday they started in with a vengence. I had it in the morning both times. My question is that since I don’t have any eye movement, they stay straight when it happens could it be the six cranial thing that you all are experiencing or do you have to have the wandering eye with it too? It does not seem to be in any paticular eye when I cover them. It helps to cover one eye then it doesn’t happen or the other eye, only when I am looking out of both of my eyes does it happen so it seems to coming from my brain. I’m so freaked out about this. I know they will want mri’s etc and I’m scared they will find something terrible. Can anyone help and do you eyes have to wander with this? Thank you for reading this and and thank you for posting your problems and helping others as you do.

Comment by ginger — January 16, 2012 @ 10:14 am

Hi all, just an update and hopefully some feedback from those of you who have had multiple mri’s for VI nerve palsy. I saw a neuro opthamologist on Friday and even though he was nice enough would not let me explain the series of events that led up to all this 14 months ago. I had the last mri the end of Aug. and took the actual disk. Instead of hearing me out he is now telling me that I need to have an mri on a 3T machine which is supposed to be twice what the standard of 1.5. The cost is around $4500 as opposed to the $475 paid in Aug. at one of the stand alone diagnostic centers called Innervision. Has anyone had another scan on one of these machines and they found something different that on a previous scan? There is absolutely no way we can even think about that kind of money and was told that if you pay cash you get a 10% discount which basically amount to the total I paid for the original one. We live in upstate SC and it seems that not only is this the only neuro opthamologist in town but also the hospital where it’s done is the only facility with this particular machine. I feel the frustration that is expressed and it’s really discouraging to get to middle age and feel like you don’t know which way to turn. Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated. This forum has just about been the only place I’ve found that has others dealing with the same issue. I’ve had 3 eye exams within a year’s period of time and to be honest, I didn’t have as much done at the top of the field doctor than my optomotrist provided. That’s a little disheartening to say the least, aside from the fact that his charges were 3 times the others. I look forward to hearing from some of you!

Comment by Charlotte — January 16, 2012 @ 5:39 pm

My husband woke up with an eye problem two weeks ago. He is experiencing double vision in one eye and went to an Opthamologist who diagnosed him with 6-nerve palsy. The doctor told him he had a 90% chance that it would heal itself within 3 months. He is wearing a patch and now has limited vision. I am doing all of the driving. My husband’s blood pressure is a little elevated. The doctor ordered blood work and after 3 months MRI and CT-Scan. The doctor also said if it does not heal itself he will have to wear glasses with a prisim thing on the lens of the right eye. So far he experienced a little pain and dull ache now his eye is watering more–hope its healing.

Comment by Marian Puzenski — January 16, 2012 @ 6:58 pm

To Kara:
I have been in VI nerve palsy for 14 monthes that reults a a horizontal double vision ( my right eye) as it is diagnosed by doctors as well as CT scan and MRI were negative, I have the same feelings of ur daughter, intermittent tingling, numbness, pins and needle feelings in my hands and both foot especialy toes and sometimes feel a light pain back of my head behind my right eye. also sometimes I feel a repeated light instantenous increased pressur in my head comes from the same point behind my right eye for very short time like pulses. how about your daughter, I hope that she has been recovered.

Comment by Ahmed — January 20, 2012 @ 10:02 am

I am 26 years old female. I developed double vision just after the new year. I am scheduled to meet with my PCP this week to discuss an MRI. I have no symptoms really. I have had 3-4 sinus and upper respiratory infections each year for the last 4 years in a row. I hope my 6th nerve palsy is related to my sinus issues; however, my father passed away on March 8th, 2011 from a long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.While there is no proven hereditary link, I am still scared out of my mind. My father was only 55. I am so glad to hear that others have this issue that have not had a major diagnosis with it. MS is typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 30 so if you have a chance, please say a prayer for me! I hope to write a positive update after my MRI results, although I am not sure when the MRI will be yet.

Comment by Zelda — January 21, 2012 @ 4:04 pm

zelda, i will say a prayer for you. stay positive,i know it is easy to say bit you must do it. i have stayed positive for 6yrs and am still here battling away. you an have some dark moments as i do but i try to have them by myself. matt

Comment by matt — January 21, 2012 @ 10:38 pm

hi, my brother was dignosed six nerve palsy in November, after completer checkup after a month in December doctors suggested for MRI. Through MRI we knew that he had Brain Tumer problem. After his brain surgery its now almost month although he is recovering & his eyes movement started as well but double vision problem is still in the same area where he was first complained.
can any one give any suggestions for this.
thanks in advance.

Comment by Sabir — January 24, 2012 @ 3:40 am

Update-
I had a follow up appt with my Opthomologist yesterday. He says my sixth nerve palsy is recovering slowly and he sees considerable improvement since my vist of 4 weeks ago, when there had not been any improvement. This is encouraging, even if I’m still seeing double. I’m now in my 16th week. He scheduled me for next appt in 6 weeks, at which time he says I may be completely recovered. He suggests exercising the affected eye by using it as much as possible, including looking back and forth horizontially from left to right as far as you possibly can in each direction. He says the worst thing a patient can do with sixth nerve palsy is keeping it covered and expecting it to cure itself on it’s own. Keep the affected eye busy as possible, which he says instructs the brain to contribute to the healing process. This is what I have been doing for the past several weeks and it appears to be helping.

Comment by Vinnie — January 25, 2012 @ 8:43 am

Vinnie, so happy to hear your good news! It was also helpful that you shared the suggestions from your opthamologist. I’ve had a patch but rarely use it. I’ve always thought that keeping the eye as active as possible couldn’t hurt. My biggest disappointment is that I’ve yet to find an optho. who actually will listen and talk to me. When you’ve dealt with something 14 months it would be nice to have a professional you’re paying to help you actual listen. I look forward to hearing of your full recovery, soon!

Comment by Charlotte — January 25, 2012 @ 11:38 am

Was diagnosed with 6th cranial nerve palsy in 2009 and I can tell it’s worsening but do not have the resources to see my doctor. Tests were negative in the beginning but it’s a little unnerving now to not know why. Wish it would just quit.

Comment by Cathy — January 27, 2012 @ 9:42 am

Cathy- sure sorry to hear about your situation but I can truly sympathize. Mine has been going on 14 months and had to leave my job because of it and resources are very tight for us as well. Any specialist I’ve seen has recommended more tests but unfortunely it isn’t that simple. In all this time I still don’t know of anyone who has ever dealt with it or knows anyone else who has either. It’s a pretty lonely problem and kind of hard to explain to people. I’ve had to learn how to adapt as best I can with things I do at my church but I’m sure hoping to wake up with clarity one morning. This site is the only place I’ve found that people understand and can share what they are going through. I trust you will soon have a recovery along with the others that have been dealing with this. God bless!

Comment by Charlotte — January 27, 2012 @ 1:04 pm

hi, my brother was dignosed six nerve palsy in November, after checkup in December doctors suggested for MRI. Through MRI we knew that he had Brain Tumer problem. After his brain surgery its now almost month although he is recovering & his eyes movement started as well but double vision problem is still in the same area where he complained first.
can any one give any suggestions for this.
thanks in advance.

Comment by sabir — January 28, 2012 @ 2:27 am

I’m a 56 year old male. Was in the midst of finishing up doctoral work (lots of computer work) when mine hit. Some blurry vision on Friday. Double vision on Saturday. Same diagnosis, 6th verse palsy. Doctor said it will clear up in 6-8 weeks. It is week 3 now. No improvement yet. Wearing the patch, trying to exercise the eye some. Wear sun glasses some, eye is sensitive to light. Waiting and praying. I don’t have any information to share that hasn’t already been shared. Like others, this is the best place I have found to share this journey. Hopefully, people will continue to share their experiences, whether they are difficult or encouraging.

Comment by Bill — January 28, 2012 @ 11:13 pm

Has anyone experienced 6th nerve palsy following a LASIK procedure? Never had 6th nerve palsy before and now cannot move left eye, having double-vision, 6th nerve palsy. Any comments please?

Comment by Phil — January 29, 2012 @ 1:14 pm

Hello

I woke up with double vision Aug 11, 2011 and had the immediate CT and MRI and thankfully no visible issues. The diagnosis was idiopathic 6th cranial nerve palsy - meaning they don’t know what the cause is. It is now 6 months later and it has improved enough to see single images to about 5 or 6 ft. I wear the plastic lens so I can drive and otherwise navigate, but as I work in photography this has been a real downer - as you all know. The prognosis keeps on getting longer - 8 weeks to 4 months to 6 months to a 10 months, etc. The neuro-opthomologist that I saw says that excercising the eye doesn’t help, nor does these OTC treatments. Has anyone been diagnosed with occular Myasthenia Gravis? I would like to know as I have not had a work up for this. Anyway - frustrating as you all know. Best advice thatI have is to stay positive!

Comment by Gino — January 29, 2012 @ 3:12 pm

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