Optic Neuritis

[jbjaime]

I had an MRI due to migraines. When I returned to the neurologist's office to get the results, he told me there are 3-5 lesions on my brain. He did a neuro exam and said one of my eyes was not dilating correctly. He called this optic neuritis. I am now scheduled for a MRI of my spine, a VEP, BAER, and a Spinal Tap to check for MS.

I'm curious if any one else had optic neuritis AND lesions on their brain. Can anyone give me a hint of what I'm about to be going through? The more I read, the more convinced I am that a diagnosis of MS is very likely.

I appreciate all and any information!

Jaime

[jbjaime]

Anybody??? Even some information on the spinal tap. How bad is it?

Should I be expecting to hear that I have MS?

[jimmylegs]

heya, i think optic neuritis and brain lesions are pretty common. optic neuritis is a common presenting issue. i did not have it though. for some unfathomable reason my optic nerves were the healthiest ones my neuro had ever seen (that's a quote lol). but i had brain lesions, spine lesions, and a bunch of disability.

the mri is creepy and noisy but fine, the vep is just a thing where you stare at a flashing screen with electrodes on your head, BAER i don't know that one, spinal tap just make sure you LIE DOWN for a while after the procedure. as in a few hours. you DO NOT want the post LP postural headache. particularly if you're in for migraine. my docs said lie down for half an hour, but it wasn't enough. i had the headache and it lasted so many days that they wanted me to come back in for a 'blood patch' procedure. riiiggghht another needle will fix things right up! anyway it was going to be decided on a monday. i spent the weekend flat on my back on the couch hoping that minimizing pressure changes would let it heal. on monday i was better, no blood patch, whew. the only other test i can think of was some sort of nerve conductivity test on my arms and legs. can't recall the name but it's more electrodes, those ones hurt a bit but not too bad, and nothing lasting.

no doc can tell you 100% if you have MS. they can only tell you statistically how likely you are to have it based on how many different tests point to it. if they are ordering those tests and they don't confirm the guess, you'll end up in limboland but the good news is, there's a lot you can do for your own health from there if you want to start reading, my signature links might be of interest, plus you can have a browse of all the forums and recent topics of discussion, see if anything grabs your attention.

welcome to TiMS! regardless of your test results, there will be info here for you. try using the site search for migraine, ON, etc. also see the list of related topics below. ttfn!

[MarkLavelle]

I had an MRI due to migraines. When I returned to the neurologist's office to get the results, he told me there are 3-5 lesions on my brain. He did a neuro exam and said one of my eyes was not dilating correctly. He called this optic neuritis. I am now scheduled for a MRI of my spine, a VEP, BAER, and a Spinal Tap to check for MS.

Are you saying your neurologist is the one who decided you have ON? It is extremely unlikely that your neurologist has either the qualification or the equipment! That's a job for an ophthalmologist (or neuro-ophthalmologist)...

If you have ON, that and the lesions get you about 2/3 of the way to an MS dx, but (as you will hear from many sources) all MS sx can be caused by other things, too. If you can't wait for your next appointment, this Wikipedia page has a pretty good description of the 2010 McDonald criteria (the current 'standard') for dxing MS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald_criteria

[jbjaime]

The neurologist said it could be ON bc of the way my eye was acting and set up a VEP. I am going to my eye dr. today to see what he says.

I will look up he McDonald criteria. Thanks for the info!

[shaight]

i had ON initially. my mri showed a lesion on my optic nerve that was causing the issue. it lasted about 4 weeks or so then is settled down.

i would suggest checking with an MS neuro specialist before putting yourself thru a spinal. it appears by much of what i've read and my neuro that it isn't always necessary these days. after multiple tests and time it was determined that i 'most likely' have MS.

[jackD]

The eyes wiring is a little complex but where the bain lesions are located can explain your symptoms. I had lesions in BOTH optic ratiations and one on the optic nerve somewhere that effected both eyes.

I think that mine was on the Optic Tract (the thick solid red line) because it was mostly in one eye but a small part of the other also had a smaller blind spot.

jackD

[EyeDoc]

When a doc shines a light into your eyes to test for pupil reactions they are looking for an afferent pupillary defect (APD). Having an APD does not automatically mean you have optic neuritis, but with lesions in addition I would certainly find MS to be very likely.

[jbjaime]

My eye doctor says it isn't ON, but my pupils are "sluggish." He is having me go back on Tuesday for a recheck and a Field Test. My pupils are still not dilating correctly. I didn't realize it was both until the eye dr said so. He said it could be from medication I'm taking, but this has never been noticed at any eye exam before...

[EyeDoc]

Ah, okay. Both pupils is a different situation. The visual field test will be very helpful in determining what is going on. So often in medical situations there is not on magic test result to point the way to an exact diagnosis, but your docs will do their best. I hope you don't have to join our family of the myelin troubles

[jbjaime]

I've had the LP and spinal MRI. Playing the waiting game now!! The tech. who did the MRI said that I have, "nothing to worry about." Hopefully she knows her stuff. The LP wasn't as bad as I imagined. I go for the VEP May 4.

Thank you all for your support and time in responding to my question.

God Bless,
Jaime

[MSandI]

Hi
I was just wondering does ON fall into the category of a relapse? I have RRMS, and treating with Aubagio. I went to the ER this am and was given intravenous steroids and for the next 2 days. Any ideas that could help would be great. I also had a weird taste in my mouth... it tasted like metal, the RN said they mix the med with salt water and some people say they have a funny taste in their mouth. Any ideas that work for your ON would help me a lot, I am feeling scared.
Ann

[jerrygallow]

I had ON and lesions. But I didn't need a dr to tell me I had it. It started with stabbing pain when I did shoulder checks while driving. Literally like a knife behind my eye. then there was a hairline blur line in my central field of vision. Within a few days, half the color was gone and much of the acuity. It also felt like I had tunnel vision, though I could still see. it was/is weird. You have to focus on stuff for it to register. The pain went away gradually. I never got the reversal that 90 percent of patients get. Ten months later it hit the other eye. Within three weeks I went from driving and working to...well, not so much. I have optic nerve palor, which means the nerve has some dead areas. Oddly enough, I still walk fine, after eight years. I started the Swank diet in 2007, and have had only one minor flair since. The LP didn't prove much. Mine was normal. If they can diagnose you without it, I'd skip it. It has some risks, is not all that predictive, and left me numb for a week. Some people get painful headaches.

[Youarethecure]

Jerry, perfect PERFECT explaination of ON in my opinion.

That literally defines the times I have had the lovely symptom (both eyes seperately). Gradual pain till eventually hot stabbing knife pain, then eventually blury and way less color. I first notice it driving while checking blind spots.

[MSandI]

I have a blind spot in my right eye and it is making my vision fuzzy when looking through both eyes. Please offer suggestions that have helped to restore your vision..... Please help me.
Ann