Hello. I have a bizarre update since December when I last posted.
As I mentioned, trying to find help gives me so much anxiety that I just try to manage my symptoms emotionally on my own so I have not sought anymore help and haven't returned to the neurologist after discontinuing Depakote & Propranolol.
This all seems unrelated but I went to the dermatologist and started oral Minoxidil (1.25mg) for hair loss in January 2023. Around March 11th (ish), I noticed my eyes hurting less. Today, this is still consistent…my eyes definitely still hurt and are strained from electronic use BUT it's noticeably less. On a bad day, my eye strain could be a 8 or 9 out of 10. Lately, it's been more like a 3 or 4!
NOTHING ELSE HAS CHANGED other than starting the oral minoxidil. So…it's either a fluke or it's the medication. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that used to be used as an antihypertensive that is used in low doses to help hair growth. I don't know how or why a vasodilator would help.
Again, I still have pain but it's less and I am grateful for that. Whatever the cause--medication or fluke--I will take it. It makes me nervous though that if/when the pain comes back to it's normal levels, it will be hard to handle emotionally.
This correlation seems weird but I thought I would put it on here since it's the only thing that has changed for me.
Edit: I want to add that, as usual, if I sleep poorly, the lack of sleep will still makes my eyes hurt worse during the day. But still less than before the medication (or fluke).