Anyone have optic neuritis without MS and what was the reason. Thanks

Yes, I have pernicious anemia(B-12 malabsorption)and that is where I got optic neuritis amoug other things

I've also had optic neuritis. Sometimes there is no known reason why...

I had it about 12 years ago. Never had it again and never got MS.

Hi, Lindarella. How long did you have it before vision improved and were you given anything to improve it? Son goes to opthamologist tomorrow and for MRI Wed. Lost a lot of vision in his left eye. Thanks for answering my post.

I'd say I had it about 6-8 weeks. It was painful but not horrible.

At about week 6, it was really driving me crazy and I asked the doc what could be done to make it stop. He said he could pop out my eye and shoot cortisone behind it. HAHA Well, It didn't hurt quite that bad. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

The vision problems to me wasn't as bad as was the pain. Ask for some pain meds for him if he's hurting. Not super strong ones, but at least ones that will give him a break from the pain for a few hours. You use and move your eyes the whole time you're awake. I mean, you can't help it. It hurts each time you move it so becomes quite annoying after a couple weeks. You just want it to go away for awhile.

I also had an MRI to rule out anything worse. My vision came back to the way it was before. I mean, it wasn't permanent. Good luck.

Had it in both eyes. Drs say they do not think its ms. MRI and spinal tap negative. Had mild synptoms for about a month, then it hit the acute phase. My visual field was pretty good but everything was very dark (had to read with a flash light!). By mid. Feb my vision was pretty good so it took about 3 months from initial symptoms. I can still see little improvements happening.

Hi,

I have had bi-lateral Optic Neuritis. Started in my left eye in January 2003 - then at the end of February, got it in my right eye. I do not have MS. I did however find out that I have hashimoto's thyroiditis. I know Optic neuritis may or may not be connected with an auto-immune disease... that is what makes it so scary - I think I'm not guessing here when I say it can really take a long time to see if it is connected with something else, or if it was just a virus - I wish you the best of luck and hope it is an isolated issue. Devrha

Hi There! :wave:

Regret to hear that your son has optic neuritis. The recommended treatment for it is IV Solumedrol followed up by oral prednisone. **Important about this treatment. My neuro, who is a National MS specialist, informed me that the preferred treatment is the IV solumedrol with oral prednisone. The reason is that it is more effective in treatment. Since optic neuritis can be a sign of MS, the ONTT (SEE on internet by searching for optic neuritis) indicates this treatment can help prevent or prolong MS from coming on.

I had this treatment administered by an RN by a provider who renders this service. It was reasonable fee. You can learn to give the treatment to the patient at home or take the patient to the location for prescribed administration (possibly 3 days). The machine that gives the IV meds is easy to set up and use.

The oral prednisone was inexpensive and dispensed by the local pharmacy. While on prednisone, lower salt in diet--very important; drink lots of fluids (gatorade was recommended); avoid fattening foods as prednisone increases appetite and the patient will gain a lot of weight if not careful. There is some physical changes while on the drug. For a male, probably not so bad as they like to get big. These physical changes will go away once drug use stopped. (face gets round)

The optic nerve is swollen and so eye movement is strained and painful. Vision should resolve 6 to 8 weeks and if it doesn't, need to see neuro-ophthalmologist.

MRI of brain and spinal tap were negative for MS, infection, lyme disease, malignancy. Cause is unknown.

Hope all turns out well for your son! :)