In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king

shipjumper · Newbie Joined: May 19, 2004 Posts: 3

Hi everyone,
Joined yesterday. Official MS diagnosis in 1990. Personally diagnosed it in 1976 before MRI clinical proof available. Then med texts said not to tell patients felt may potentiate MS effects. What arrogant MD bull!! In 1976, lost ability to write (right handed) for about 9 months. Nothing until 1990 when paralysis in right leg. MRI confirmed lesion. Predisone had me walking in 7 days. Everything fine until 1993 when it happened again only worse. Five day regimen of IV methylprednesilone. Nasty! Swelled up, gastric probs, recovery in about two months. Coincidentally, betaseron arrived on scene. Took for a couple of years. Career as litigation attorney ended dec/93. Insurance cancelled my group (how convenient- Blue Cross became for profit) I was persona non grata in insurance industry. Only get coverage if you do not need any. Wonderful. Hope you Republicans love taking care of yourselves because you will. Just don't get sick before you rip off enough people to pay for your care. I promote universal coverage. Fast forward to now. I was pretty good at not needing anything or anyone. Mind over matter. Exercise will beat it except this new one: optical neuritis. How do you exercise your eyes? Starting 3-day IV regemine of slumedral at noon today. Will let you all know how it goes.

[/quote]

shipjumper · Newbie Joined: May 19, 2004 Posts: 3

I'm back! Started the drip at about 1:40 and finished after 3:00 PM. Drank lots of water before and after. No problems or side effects. Slight weird taste after 45 mins. Had strong appetite. Went to sleep with no probs at 11:00 PM. Woke up a little earlier than usual and did not feel like sleeping. Now about 6:20 AM. Still no sight. Keep you posted.

shipjumper · Newbie Joined: May 19, 2004 Posts: 3

Hi again,
Third day of dripping. This AM I took off bandage covering right and oh happy day. I could see! Not very well mind you but the kaleidasope had turned clear and I could make out my hand passing before the eye. It looks like I am moving back the same path I had descended on to blindness so I guess it a few more days I'll be back to normal. The optimist!! Obviously, I am getting happier about the situation. The side effects were minimal altho the hiccups over the past day and night were bothersome and almost imposssible to shake. Woken up by hiccups was a new one for me. Some bloating and gas. My six pack has turned into a keg but I'm sure I'll get it back in short order. Need the eyes first, right?! I won't post anything until my full vision is back. Keepin' dem fingers crossed that I can report to you before June 1. Laughing

TraceyK · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 5:00 pm Post subject:

My RRMS presented itself in the form of Optic Neuritis in my right eye in August of 2001. What a horrifying thing to happen. I had NO idea what was going on, and quickly found myself going from an afternoon at work, to my eye doctor appointment, to calling work and telling them that I was checking into the hospital for 5 days to start a rigorous Solumedrol regimen.

I did regain *most* of the sight in my eye, but not all, and colors are not right in that eye either. Give it time, and don't be discouraged if it doesn't come back super quickly. It was probably 5 or 6 months before it finally leveled out to what I now have to live with. In the course of that time, my other eye learned to compensate for what the other was lacking.

That eye has now become my 'barometer', if you will, for things like getting overheated, pushing myself too far, or a big overload of stress. When it acts up, I know that I need to back off.

I hope that the Solumedrol (icky as it is) helps you regain your sight in that eye. Cool

Keep us posted!!
_________________
TraceyK
DX - 8/01
RRMS

OneEyeBlind · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:09 am Post subject: I know the feeling..

Shipjumper and TraceyK,

I have to agree with TraceyK in that my eye also acts as a sort of barometer when I am hot.

Optic neuritis was also my first symptom and started last June (2003). I lost all sight in my right eye within one weeks time. It started as a blind spot in the corner and worked its way across my eye.

The doctors started me on corticosteroids (did I spell that correctly?) 1000 mg a day for three days. It took me 6 months to regain my eyesight (about 90%) and it "fuzzes" when I am hot. I also had numbness in my left arm (Aug 2003) This lesion was found in my spinal cord. I have been diagnosed as Probable MS thus far.

Tomorrow I see my doctor for results of my latest MRI (according to results there is a new lesion. I have no symptoms though) I think the doc will now diagnose with RRMS and put me on meds. I just roll with the punches. There is really not much else we can do right??

Keep us informed of the eye.
_________________
Karen (OneEyeBlind) Wink

* I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it!

day2 · Guest

I was diagnosed with optic neuritis in February and decided to wait until summer to investigate the possibility of MS. (I teach.) It took two or three months for my vision to clear. I was diagnosed yesterday. Although, because of off and on symptoms I've had for years, I suspected it would be a positive diagnosis. I'm sorry you had to experience this. It was the scariest thing. I agree with what the other posters reported. This eye does sort of act as a barometer. Although I've gained most of my sight back, when I am overheated, stressed, or tired, my eye feels stiff and slightly blurred. I was placed on betaseron 1b and will soon learn how to give myself injections. I think it's going to take me some time to come to terms with all of this.