Blurring vision don't delay treatment

[Kathryn]

If you are having Blurred vision and have MS, please don't hesitate to get to the opthalmologist, or better yet, a Neuro-Opthalmologist. If your Optic nerve is inflamed, the longer it goes untreated, the less vision you will regain. I have been there, I know, I lost my vision in one eye and almost in my other eye. I had to be treated with IV Steroids to bring my vision back. Unfortunately they didn't treat it aggressively the first time around for which I am very angry about. But, thank Goodness I have what I have for now. Take care of your eyes.... I have Lupus, but, have been told that this also happens to MS and Lupus patients... we are under the same umbrella of autoimmune disease...

[tape7]

Hi Kathryn: I had optic neuritis about 4 years ago. The optic nerve was inflamed. They did an MRI, but didn't see anything, so I have never been diagnosed with MS yet, although I have had some strange symptoms since then. Anyway, they never treated my eyes in any way. I had a blind spot that was pretty bad for awhile, and now, 4 years later, most of the vision has come back, but I still have a tiny blind spot. I didn't know it was suppose to be treated. No one ever brought it up. I'm glad I read your post in case it happens again. Nancy

[joshremus]

This was my first and only symptom for quite a while. By the time I saw the Neuro-Opth I had other MS symptoms, but he said either way, his standard treatment he prefers is to immediately put someone in the hospital for a few days for the IV Steroids.

Unfortunately, that hospital was out of network for me, so I got into a regular Neuro quickly in town and he had me on the IV steroids (in home, instead) in a couple of days.

Both of them understood the need to do this quickly.

[californiasunflower]

Originally Posted by tape7

I didn't know it was suppose to be treated. No one ever brought it up. I'm glad I read your post in case it happens again. Nancy

Hi Nancy, regret that your optic neuritis was not treated. Maybe it wasn't due to the specialty of your treating physician. I am surprised when I see that patients of ON were not treated at all.

There is a treatment (ONTT), and the results of the trial have indicated that those treated with it may not get MS, or it can delay MS for 10 to 25 years from onset of ON. The IV steroid therapy followed by oral prednisone is the most effective treatment. Anyone who has had ON does have the threat of MS or another autoimmune disorder hanging over their head.

[Jewel2]

Originally Posted by californiasunflower

There is a treatment (ONTT), and the results of the trial have indicated that those treated with it may not get MS, or it can delay MS for 10 to 25 years from onset of ON. The IV steroid therapy followed by oral prednisone is the most effective treatment. Anyone who has had ON does have the threat of MS or another autoimmune disorder hanging over their head.

I just read this same information elsewhere very recently. I can't remember if it was on an MS site or an opthalmology site (I think I spend too much time researching medical stuff!). Anyway, I just wanted to 'second' what Sunflower said about getting early intervention for ON.

Take care everyone,
Julie