Optic Neuritis Question - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

cp760 · 04-28-2007, 05:28 PM

I had optic neuritis for the 1st time in March - went blind in my left eye and had no idea what it was - ended up in the emergency room with IV Steroids...after the 5th day my vision was back to normal. Just had MRI and waiting for results. I had read so much on MS and so happy to have founds these boards. It seems to me that optic neuritis is only related to MS. Also for those who have had it, does it reoccur - my neuro said unlikely - my eye dr. told me definitely. Any help would be appreciated.

NathanMc · 04-28-2007, 05:55 PM

The answer is probably a little between the two.

Its is not uncommon for MS to target a portion of the brain or spine that was subject to a previous incident. Lesions can be formed in entirely new areas, or activity resume in an old spot.

If I had to put money on it, based on reading people's stories online, I'd say that it wouldn't recur there quickly, or be the next area of activity. But I wouldn't put much money on it, and the odds would be crappy

ozi62 · 04-28-2007, 08:10 PM

Hello CP760

I have had two episodes of ON, three years apart and both times in the right eye. When I had a field vision test on the second attack it also showed ON in the left eye but I hadn't even noticed it as it was my right eye I was having trouble seeing out of. I didn't have IV steroids either time and eyesight improved over about 7 weeks. It was the second attack (Jan 2007) that lead to an MRI and MS diagnosis. I'm now on Betaferon.

Regards
Sue

Bearygood · 04-28-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cp760

Also for those who have had it, does it reoccur - my neuro said unlikely - my eye dr. told me definitely. Any help would be appreciated.

Statements from both doctors are a little wacky! There's a lot of posts in this forum like ozi62's that have cited recurrences. I've heard and seen in MANY places that there's just no telling -- you can also have it once and never again.

ON is very closely associated with MS but there CAN be other causes -- I just mentioned some of them in the other active ON thread. Good luck!

cp760 · 04-30-2007, 10:59 AM

Thanks for the responses...I really appreciate it. Will be getting my MRI results on Wednesday and I'm so scared.