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Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 8:38 am
by Hockeyfan
Just got diagnosed with Optic Neuritis. MRI isn't for 6 weeks and I'm trying to prepare myself for a possible MS diagnosis. Never had any other symptoms. I've seen the stats on the percentage of people that go on to be later diagnosed with MS. (i.e., a lot of them, even if the MRI is clean). How strong is the link between optic neuritis and MS? Anyone know anybody who's had optic neuritis and didn't go on to ever have diagnosis/symptoms of MS?

If the MRI shows nothing, do I just go on assuming that I have MS, but it just hasn't manifested itself to the point where it is "diagnosable"?

Sorry about the onslaught of questions. I know almost nothing about MS, and this is all still settling in.

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:15 am
by DougL
welcome to TIMS. sorry to hear about your eyesight. my partner's first attack was the same and she was later giving the label MS. sorry i can't answer the optic neuritis always leading to MS thing. there are some doctors on here - maybe they can help.

there are lots of things you can do now (while you wait the 6 weeks) including diet and exercise. in my opinion, lots of people can live a good life eating Big Macs everyday and watching TV. pwMS aren't so lucky. every single thing you do NOW may be of benefit years down the road. we have a member here who is very helpful on all things nutritional.

the other thing i suggest is to educate yourself. read and read and read some more. and when you think you have read enough, start over cause you haven't even begun to understand all that is MS. i am not trying to scare you, just let you know there is a lot of information out there.

sorry again for what you are dealing with right now.

(ps - i assume you aren't from Toronto cause all hockey fans left long time ago - LOL)

one last bit of advice (because i don't know your background).

The Maple Leafs will win the cup this year. Remember, just because you read it on the internet doesn't mean it is true.

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:11 am
by icecube2
Hi!

I did PM you but its not on at the mo. if its a mistake get someone to help you activate it.

In my opinion, I wouldnt read every thing out there, there is so much of unproven stuff about ms itself, you will be filling you head to bursting point.

Look, with an open mind at alternatives reasons. Also might be useful to view Uprightdoc in ccsvi section under CCSVI/CCSVB he is a Chiropractor and knows his stuff, trust me

Also there is a Chiropractic section, which is the very last in Treatment section.

Also dont panic, easy to say I know, but try not to.

You may find this helpful saves you trawling through irrelevant stuff, this is a strong possibility, dont be eager to get a diagnosis, others may say it sounds like ms to me, but theres no proof ok.

.........................................................................................................


Neck Problems
Amazing Incredible Neck

The neck is such a vital part of our body that if its functions are interrupted for even a few seconds we lose consciousness and begin to die. (That is why since ancient times decapitation, strangulation, and hanging have become such popular ways of doing people in).

The neck houses blood vessels, nerves, the thyroid and parathyroid glands, the larynx, the oesophagus, the trachea, the brainstem, the spinal cord, the spinal column, and the meninges while at the same time somehow gracefully balancing the head and permitting it to turn, tilt, and bend freely up and down without damaging it's vital "occupants".
The Cervical Spine

Our small neck bones are called cervical vertibrae. All mammals have the same number of cervical vertibrae. This means that a giraffe, the tiny mouse, and you yourself all have seven neck vertebrae and they are numbered C1 to C7. C1 holds the head and is also called the atlas after the ancient god who held the earth on his shoulders.

When stacked up the neck vertabrae form a tube through which the spinal cord travels. Protection of the spinal cord is the spinal column's main job: an injury to the spinal cord can cause instant paralysis or death. The vertebrae are connected to each other by discs that help give the neck its shape or curve, they are also connected by ligaments and tendons. Between the vertabrae are openings (intervertebral foramitza) in which nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, fat, and connective tissues are found.
Neck Problems

With all of the neck's complexity it should come as no surprise that neck problems are common. They may develop suddenly from a trauma like whiplash, a fall, or other accident, or slowly as a result of spinal nerve stress, spinal imbalance, emotional stress or bad work habits.

Damaged or irritated nerves on the neck can cause vision problems, dizziness, ringing in the ears, headaches, nasal problems, facial pain, and tongue and throat problems. Other neck problems can cause pain, discomfort, and reduced movement of the neck, head, shoulder, arm, wrist, hand or fingers. Neck fracture, dislocation, or severe tissue damage can be fatal if not given emergency
medical care, but most other neck problems, although not life threatening, can lead to other health problems if not handled properly.
Neck Pain

Pain in the neck can be caused by irritation, inflammation, injury or infection.
Disc Degeneration and Herniation

Disc herniation (or rupture) occurs when the disc between the two vertebrae either breaks
off and irritates nearby tissues or its soft centre oozes into places where it should not
be. Disc herniation is relatively rare.


Disc degeneration. however, is a far more common cause of pain, nerve root, and spinal cord irritation. Although many doctors tell their patients that the cause of disc degeneration is age, age alone cannot be blamed for the condition because it can be found even in young children. However, the most common cause of disc degeneration are years of spinal imbalance; spinal nerve
stress; and physical trauma or emotional stress.
Spinal Imbalance

Let us suppose that one day you carried a bowling ball around for the entire day, but instead of carrying it closely at your side you held it a little distance from your body. Vou'd get tired very fast! It's the same with your head. If it's properly balanced that's fine, but if it's held even a little off centre you will start to suffer from fatigue as well as stress on your neck.
Arthritis

The neck has a normal lordotic (forward) curve, but the spinal curve may reduce, become "military" (straight), or even become kyphotic (curved in the wrong direction) if unhealthy. Over time such changes in the spine may be accompanied by arthritic changes in the vertabrae such as lipping or spurring (bony growths); disc thinning or degeneration; or deterioration of muscles,
ligaments, and other structures. In spite of all these changes, however, there may or may
not be pain. In fact, studies show little or no correlation between the degree of pain felt in
the neck and arthritic changes found on X-rays.
The Orthodox Medical Approach

The standard medical approach to neck pain is to prescribe painkillers, muscle relaxants,
and/or tranquilisers. Ifthe pain doesn't subside, an orthopaedic surgeon may be
consulted and more drastic trealment - cortisone or painkiller injections/administered. In some cases neck pillows, collars, or traction may be prescribed and, interestingly enough, these constitute a tacit endorsement of the chiropractic approach of releasing pressure on the nerves, joints, and foramina (openings) through which the nerves, etc, travel. But such devices, though
often helpful, do not address the real cause of the problem. Thus these attempts may represent a poor substitute for an actual chiropractic spinal adjustment.

Clearly, a patient should not consent to anything as drastic as neck surgery without firts consulting another healer - in particular a chiropractor.
The Role of the Chiropractor

It must be emphasised that chiropractic is not a treatment for neck pain. What chiropractic spinal care does is to counter the effect of stress and unateral wear and tear by reducing spinal nerver stress and restoring proper movement to the spinal column. When the spinal bones are off centre, the small openings through which the nerves travel may become narrower causing irritation to the cervical nerve roots, and may also cause pressure upon the spinal cord.
Chiropractic and Neck Injury

The sad fact is that medical doctors and physical therapists are not trained to locate and correct spinal nerve stress and as a result neck problems may continue for years after an accident. In fact, without chiropractic spinal care a neck injury might continue to cause silent damage for decades before the problem is recognised. By that time it may be too late for a complete recovery.

Back



City Chiropractic Clinic
40 Epworth Street,
Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire
ST4 2NR

Tel: 01782 848184
email: DrKusiar@ci

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:17 am
by icecube2
Hi!

heres the web address, ok

http://www.city-chiropractic.com/neck.html

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:41 am
by jimmylegs
fyi

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4020044
"When an optic neuritis occurs the lead level tends to be higher and the Zinc lower."

i've posted tons of info here at the site, on links between low zinc, ms, and various other health problems including optic neuritis. to start:
http://www.thisisms.com/forum/natural-a ... tml#p39241

a good healthy level to aim for within the 'normal' range for serum zinc:
http://www.thisisms.com/forum/natural-a ... tml#p50227
see "healthy controls average:
-men 18.20 µmol/L (95% CI=17.90-18.36)
-women 18.36 µmol/L (95% CI=18.05-18.66)."

zinc is an easy thing to deplete via dietary choices, an easy thing to test in serum, an easy and cheap thing to fix if suboptimal, and it's required for good eye health, (plus, oh, a hundred or so other things going on in your body too).

if the problem does not turn out to be zinc so be it, but may as well check in case it turns out to be that simple. good luck :)

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:20 am
by icecube2
Hi!

Try to get your Private Message facility sorted out ok, praps it is when you set up your profile or praps you prefer it that way
totally your choice no pressure ok

Dont get side tracked though, you make up your own mind and that you have full control of.

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:55 am
by DougL
icecube2 wrote: praps it is when you set up your profile or praps you prefer it that way
fee001 wrote:I have sent you a private message ok praps you wud like to pick it up sometime eh!

Fiona

...

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:59 am
by euphoniaa
DougL wrote:
icecube2 wrote: praps it is when you set up your profile or praps you prefer it that way
fee001 wrote:I have sent you a private message ok praps you wud like to pick it up sometime eh!

Fiona

...
:-D :-D :-D

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:03 pm
by jimmylegs
yep :roll:

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:49 pm
by icecube2
Hockeyfan,

6 weeks can be a long time, and your MRI could be clear, dont put all your focus on just ms, There is an alternative that could be spine related, if you have sustained a recent injury or trauma to the head and neck. it could be sustained over time perhaps on that one I dont know, that is something Uprightdoc would know if possible, he specializes in the subject of the spine and its effects upon the body he is an expert in his field.

Also getting stressed out will cause you further problems, it did me, stress can have a physical effect, it magnifies a small problem and makes it even greater and harder to achieve, we put ourselves under pressure and it can have a detrimental effect.

I used to be so stressed about anything and eveything, now I chill or stay cool hence the name, I try not to get vexed. I know how hard it is, as your head will be working double time at mo. Just take 5, breathe slow and let your perspective return ok, I'm trying so hard not to sound condescending I dont mean to be.

I hope I've helped

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:23 pm
by Hockeyfan
Can't figure out the PM thing (it seems to work on my end, perhaps it's because I'm a new user). Appreciate the responses so far.

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:07 pm
by bartman
Hockey man,
If I were you I would immediately get on an antibiotic like minocycline. Optic neuritis is similar to neuro retinitis which is caused by bartonella. My cousin was misdiagnosed with ms for 13 years and then he tested positive for bartonella. I believe one day bartonella will be a cause of ms. Anyway, within about a few weeks minocycline helped improve his vision and it has been 3 years and vision continues to improve along with other things. An infection can cause optic neuritis as well. Check out dr. Burrascanos guidelines in particular the part about bartonella to see if this may apply to you. Good luck.
I hope it improves.

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:59 am
by mrbarlow
I would start dietary modification and supplementation ASAP. Nothing to lose and will aid recovery whatever the cause

Vit D
Omega 3
b complex and B12
Zinc
Magnesium
Anti oxidants - C & E

Lots of leafy greens, oily fish, poultry, cut out or down on wheat, dairy, red meat

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:44 am
by icecube2
Bartman,

Is Bartonella linked to Lyme disease?

Re: Need some help - Just diagnosed with optic neuritis

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 1:32 pm
by bartman
Icecube,
Bartonella is linked to many diseases, including Lyme. I have seen medical literature linking it to cpn also. It has been found in the same ticks as Lyme but also can be transmitted via fleas and other insects. It's a very fastidious infection and takes awhile to treat. I have read of many people who had ms diagnosis that were treated with Minocycline and rifampin and greatly improved. Bartonella loves the eyes, is also known as cat scratch fever. However, this bartonella is different than the cat scratch fever. Burrascanos refers to it as the blo or bartonella like organism. It's also known as shin bone fever...this can cause your leg to give out which is just what happened to my cousin. Leg gave out than eye issues than weakness than misdiagnosed for 13 years til healmost died...now he is much improved and living a life.