Optical neuritis - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

05-15-2002, 04:56 AM

My sister has been diagnosed with MS about 9 months ago - is not on any medication yet. She is still in denial. She lost vision in her left eye 6 months ago but can see 30% in left eye now. Last week she completely lost vision in the right eye.
My question is - has any one of you exoerienced this before? What did you do for it? Will she ever regain her sight? Pleeeeeeeeease help!

kristie otworth · 05-16-2002, 07:00 AM

I have had 4 bouts with Optic Neuritis so for . My Doctor always treats it with Solumedral .I do 1000mg a day for 5 days . I have had pretty good luck with it so far . I normally regain my vision , except for the last time . I didn't regain all my vision in my left eye , but it is better . Herb

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wife with a gulf war vet/has ms

kristie otworth · 05-16-2002, 07:09 AM

Also , you need to ge her on the Meds . The longer she waits the worse she will get .I take Copaxone . It doesn't stop the disease , but it does slow it down .She has to remember her nervious system is being attacked . If she doesn't do something about it , it will most likely get worse and there is a chance they can do something about it . I have three small children , two of which are girls that I hope to be able to walk down the aisle ,when the time comes .With out the meds , I know I wouldn't stand a chance . Herb

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wife with a gulf war vet/has ms

WebGal · 05-20-2002, 01:54 AM

I also have optic neuritis. I was diagnosed when I was just turning 17. There were no warnings or anything, I just woke up one day and was completely blind in my left eye. I was given prednizone (60 mg) and some of my vision returned, but not very much. The doctor did mention something about me possibly having MS. There were never any further test as that was the only symtom of MS I had. I have read case studies where the drug prednizone should not be given to anyone with Optic Neuritis (pill form) for a very long period of time as it will increase your chance of having MS in the future. Unfortunately that wasn't known when I was given the drug (I am now almost 26). I have had other problems now over the last 2 years or so and I wonder if it could be signs of MS, and the optic neuritis was one of the earlier signs. I have times where I am in a lot of pain (legs, arms, etc), plus, numbness in face, arms, legs, neck. I also notice times where I tend to stumble a lot, get confused, trouble remembering things, constipation, times where I have to urinate a lot, etc. Some of the symptoms can be caused by stress, but I don't want to dis-count my symptoms either. If anyone can give me their opinion on this I would greatly appreciate it.

QcityDaughter · 06-05-2002, 09:01 AM

My mom has a similar situation to your sister. She just woke up and could not see very well in her left eye (i think) and she went to a eye doctor and they said that nothing was wrong and then she went to get a spinal tap and the results came back that she had ms. But she won't listen to the doctors or anything. He told her to stop smoking and today she still smokes a pack a day. She says that it's none of anyone's buisness any that my dad and I need to butt out. But we are really concerned. But I think she's still in denial. Thank you everyone who posted with medicines, when my mom goes to the doctor I will bring the meds up. Thank you very much -----Qcity