What happens next?

[realorange]

Hello everyone, thanks for reading this.

I've had Optic Neuritis for almost 3 weeks now. It hasn't really improved, and I'm not taking steroids for it. Two doctors said it either goes away on it's own, or doesn't. I can see somewhat. I can't read or see fine detail, but my peripheral vision is untouched. My central vision can't even see the big E on and eye chart a foot away.

Anyway because I have some risk factors of MS (I'm 23, female, white with Scottish heritage) the eye doctors were very blunt in saying that I could have it. I don't have any other symptoms, that I KNOW of. Sometimes my foot falls asleep if I'm sitting Indian style, sometimes I'll get the tingles if I stretch. But I always thought that kind of stuff was normal, and I've had it since I was a child.

Well I have a neurologist appointment for December 22nd. They wanted me to get an MRI the day I got the ON diagnosis, but I kind of freaked out. I wish I had gone, and I hope waiting until December won't harm me.

I know the MRI is to check for lesions, but then what happens? I know that's not a diagnosis.

Is my blind eye considered an episode of MS if the brain lesions are detected?

Will they put me on medication right away?

Is there still a chance I could regain some vision? I know it says it can improve up to a year later, but it's been 3 weeks with no real improvement. Is that a sign I won't see again?

I'm sorry that this is probably hard to read, just having a super nervous/anxious spell.

Thanks.

[Algis]

Realorange: have your doctors checked for cataract in the eye? It is very rare in young adults but might happen due to whatever chemical I forgot the name deficiency.
Do you have "pin hole" vision?
Do not think of the worse right away; it might be a (simple) deregulation.
I do believe that MS come with a truckload of anomalies; even if not perceived by us, but pretty obvious to doctors.

Keep us informed; best of luck and be well

Algis

[Froggie]

Realorange- I had Optic Neuritis about ten years ago with no other MS symptoms. I had an eye appointment and was unable to read the chart. My ophthalmologist, who was very astute, had me do a visual field test and discovered that I had ON. That was the first time I ever heard of MS and the association with ON. He then sent me to a retina specialist, I had an MRI done and was in the hospital on Solu-Medrol. Even had a lumbar puncture and some other tests to make sure I didn't have a blood clot. At that time, every single test came back negative. My vision did come back, though it would cloud up again if I got overheated.

For me, visual disturbances have always signaled a relapse, but that's not the case for everyone. Part of the difficulty with MS is that unless your physicians are looking for it, it's often not caught. Prior to my own diagnosis, I was having symptoms, but never caught on. Hindsight is 20/20! Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Froggie

[LR1234]

I lost practically all vision in my left eye for about 6 weeks.....it has come back almost 100% (there is still a bit of peripheral damage very mild when i look to the left...it looks a little wobbly) other than that I can see normally. Hang in there! I hope you get your vision back soon xx

[mrbarlow]

Almost a year to the day I was in the same situation as you. I happened to be in the UK and got treated like this by the NHS. Luckily I was able to fly back to Saudi Arabia where they identified the problem and had me on IV steroids the same day. Within 48 hours the pain had gone and my eyesight had started to improve.

Your choice but if faced with the same situation again I would have the steroids in an instant.


If this is MS start doing the supplements and diet stuff now. As a minimum Vit D supplementation, Omega 3, and B12

Good luck.

[jimmylegs]

caution: never take d3 without carefully balancing and timing your intake of calcium magnesium and zinc!

[want2bike]

If you have insurance they will try and put you on their drugs. Some people treat MS with diet. Get the information and make it your choice.



http://www.franksherwood.com/tnms.htm

[civickiller]

I would recommend seeing a upper cervical care dr to see if you can benefit from this type of care
checkout the chiropractic forum