Last post Tue, Aug 19 2008 10:21 AM by Sister Lisa Catherine Obl S.B.. 10 replies.
I have an appointment with an eye doctor later this week, but have a feeling I have ON due to my MS. Nothing is for sure yet. I have slight blurred vision off and on and some pain behind left eye when I look to the side suddenly.
My question is if anyone just let it ride itself out instead of getting steroid treatment, and if so...did you get full recovery back. I know in general, it's a chance to take and know that the steroids can really help sort it out within days for some. I have dealt with so many different things during the 8 yrs of MS and so far everything has returned to normal (for the most part) without treatment. I always said if it came down to my eyes or I could not walk..I would do the roids. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!
Erin
Eryn,
I was diagnosed with MS in 2001 and ON was one of my first and worst symptoms. I was scared and started on Betaseron right away. The ON went away and then returned and then went away, etc. Sometimes I couldn't see out of my right eye, sometimes it affected both eyes and I felt so sorry for myself. The worst were the "eyeaches" that really set me back.
Last summer, I felt awful and so I went into the bathroom, cut ten inches off of my hair! and stopped taking shots. Within a week I felt better and I haven't gone back. I think that stress plays a BIG part in MS. I was tired of worrying about my MS and what was next. ON, spasticity, pain, brain fog. These all come and go so I just focus on how good I really feel and keep on keepin' on. ON is very scary and the fear alone can make it worse. Try to take it a day at a time and get some relaxation if you can (yoga, walking, friends, etc.) I know very few people who have had permanent ON.
Hope this helps.
Thanks so much for your reply. Like I said, I am trying to avoid the steroids and just hoping it will not last too long. It's scary because you don't want to wait until it's too late either! So far it's just been a few days and I am staying calm :) Thanks again
Best of luck. Hopefully it is just a flare up and will subside over time. Keep us posted.
Eryn:
Forgive me for asking what you might consider a dumb question: why don't you want to do the steroids? (I know they can cause unpleasant side effects; do you have a major adverse reaction?)
It seems to me that steroids are the best bet to insure your vision returns to normal with no lasting ill effects.
--hinge
HI i am having a flare up of ON at the moment its lasted five weeks so far but its getting better , I was stressed out alot as i was in a crash so that didnt help as stress definitly affects my MS I am taking steroids and have done in the past for flare ups and i think they definitly help the side affects for me are not too bad i just cant stop eating but i would rather gain a few pounds than gamble with my sight
Thank you all for your replies. Since my first post, the ON is clearing up on it's own. I'm very relieved!
Thats great news ,my ON seems to be on the mend too at last but thats after five weeks of steroids,do you take any beta-ferons or any supplements , ieat a lot of oily fish a least once aday and as isaid before take rebif-44 starflower oil bvits ,just trying to find out what other people find helpful for ms delighted for you but you shouldnt be afraid of steroids i swear by them take care talk soon [Y ASH
HI HINGE I AGREE WITH YOU TOTTALLY, STEROIDS ALL THE WAY FOR ME ,CANT AFFORD TO BE SICK FOR LONG PEROIDS OF TIME WHEN YOU HAVE 5 CHILDREN ,TAKE CARE ASH
HI, I was dia. 1974 with MS. My Mother had MS and my first major problem was I went blind in left eye. Went to hospital they did the first of over 60 spinal taps and dia. with MS. At that time the fact that my mother had it was unquie. Now, many people have relationships with parents who also had MS.
I have had recuring eye problems for over 30 years however, I do have my sight eventhough my left eye is partial blind( like seeing through a straw) I dont even notice it anymore.
Today they have many new drugs to help R7R ms and future looks great so be strong and keep up a + additude
Gary42x
Hi Eryn,
I was going to post about ON and found your topic here... Did your doctors ever tell you more about the ON when you saw them ?? When they found out about my ON the dr. told me that if it flaired up again to call right away... I know the end would be steroids, however I'm allergic to them, they stop my breathing, so I can't have them, and my SSI won't cover MS drugs for us here in Wyoming...
~
The past few days my eyes have been really bugging me, last night I was rather worried about this, as it's the worse they have been. I put it down to stress about moving and not sure when and how we are going to pack.......... ughhhh..... So I stressed out and now I have to find a way to relax and let all this go... I wonder if there is a yoga meditation or something I could use ??
Praying we all have a wonderful day no matter what our bodies decide to bring us to, and through !!
HUGS Lisa Catherine
