Optic Neuritis - Help!

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your ON. My first bout of it I lost about 30% vision in my right eye and after a year I ws told it was pemanent but then another year later at a routine check it was found I had 100% vision again. So nil despernadum…

As far as steroid tratment goes IV sreorifs are definitely the only way to go. Oral steroids have been shown to INCREASE the chances of the ON reoccurring.

"The high-dose regimen gained credence when it was shown in an important international study, called the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial, that low- dose steroids doubled the rate of recurrent optic neuritis while the high dose regimen decreased new attacks for two years. "

http://www.msif.org/docs/MSinFocusIssue18EN.pdf

page 20

Also as far as LDN goes it is NOT a DMD. It is a non approved treatment some people choose to help ease various symptoms related to MS but has no proven effect on relpses rate or slowing progression ad even the symptomatic relief is only based on anecdotal evidence.

Cheers,

Belinda

Well it never did clear up and I can now read one line of a sight test with one eye and none with the other (@~£$) Any tips for coping with rubbish vision appreciated.

Hi all, I’ve had optic neuritis recently which caused blurred vision in my left eye, previously it was my right eye. I was prescribed dexamethasone (oral steroids) which helped immediately and within a few days my eyesight returned which was wonderful. My psoriasis on my scalp healed entirely also which was an added bonus. However, the steroids have totally disrupted my sleep pattern as I wake up at 3am and then I’m wide awake and can’t get back to sleep. Another side effect if the steroids is being manic and extreme spells of being hyper or emotional even after I’ve finished the course of steroids almost two weeks ago. For example this week I’ve been in tears hysterically several times which is totally abnormal for me so i assume the steroids are still in my system. This has resulted in me having to take time off work as I was an emotional wreck yesterday. Does anyone have any advice on how to sleep whilst taking these drugs as the pharmacist refused to give me sleeping pills. Also does anyone have any recommendations of alternative drugs to help optic neuritis that don’t have such extreme side effects. I’m worried that being deprived of sleep may bring on another MS symptom? Thanks Ess xxx

I too had ON twice, both times in the left eye, the first time IV steroids cleared it up within 2 weeks the second time, it helped but nearly as much. I now see through my left eye like being in the thickest fog imaginable

Hi KayT8, I had optic neuritis over 2 years ago. I remember the view of our pond through the kitchen window gradually vanished as did the TV - not just the picture but the actual telly!. My sight did gradually recover, bit it took ages, so keep on going. I was able to get back to driving within a couple of months. It is scary though isn’t it. Other people think ‘looking/seeing’ is so effortless, but since ON I have found it hard work - lots of fog, blurriness and difficulties at work with fluorescent lights etc. it is almost as if my brain is constantly working to try & focus around the fog - with no success. I find my sight is worse when tired. As previously mentioned any tips on lessening the difficulties greatly appreciated. I feel very tempted to wear a patch sometimes just to give my brain /eye a rest! Eye dr said it wouldn’t harm. Really hope your symptoms ease soon. Hard coping with recent diagnosis AND significant ON so look after yourself x

Do you think certain things can bring on optic neuritis and It can be prevented? X