I have rhuematoid arthritis and it is
making my left eye swell and hurt. I
have been taking plaquinil and pred and
using pred forte drops and it keeps
getting worse. The eye doc says see your
rhuemetologist and he says see the eye
doc, meanwhile I have no insurance and my
vision is getting bad. What is wrong
with my eye? It hurts so bad, can I do
anything else for it?
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Klem
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 13 Location: upstate NY
Posted: 01-28-05 21:53pm
Just wondered how the eye was. ?? Did
you ever get resolution?
Klem
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Eyeo
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 4
Eye Problem Posted: 01-29-05 00:43am
Yah my eye problem is a complication of
the arthritis. Although the medicines I
am on are working in other ways, my eye is
just not getting better. I have seen the
eye doc again and a specialist also, and
the short version is that I am going to
keep using the pred-forte drops in my eye
despite possible complications because the
swelling in my eye is so bad. Over time,
I may be able to discontinue the drops.
Another eye appointment in a few weeks.
I am really grateful to the doctors
because with no insurance I wouldn't be
able to see anyone if they were not seeing
me for little or nothing and helping me
with samples and free drug programs. I
think all the time about how there are
other people like me that are not so lucky
to find help. I can't really work or
function without the medicine, and I
wonder how many people are living without
it. Thanks for caring/asking.
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Klem
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 13 Location: upstate NY
Posted: 01-29-05 07:58am
Oh yeah, thankfully you are getting some
help. Vision is so important for our
independence.
I had trouble with my left eye last year,
looked like terminator woman. Took a few
days to get in as it was christmas time
but when I did, our local opto used a slit
lamp test detecting uveitis and (eeh gads)
scleritis. Steroid drops and pills were
able to resolve the immediate issue
although it took about 6mo. To finally
wean off. Systemic investigation finally
found the hlab pos. Which indicates as
which is also arthritic in nature.
Hopefully you'll be able to wean off
also. Good luck in the future.
Klem
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tressysiers
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 2 Location: oklahoma
Eye Problems Posted: 05-12-05 11:50am
Hello,
my daughter has uveitis associated with
mild juvenile arthritis...
She has been on methotrexate for 7 months
and just tapered off the pred forte last
month. She had been on the steroid drops
for 1 year.
Speak to your doctor about methotrexate
treatment for both the arthritis and
uveitis....It could mean the difference
between going blind or keeping your
precious sight.
I might add, many doctors do not like to
prescribe the rx. Find one who will.
We took my daughter to 5 different doctors
before we found one who would.
Also check out www.Uveitis.Org it has
an amazing online support group. And it
offers tons of information for uveitis
patients.
Good luck and god bless
tressy
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Klem
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 13 Location: upstate NY
More Eyes Posted: 05-12-05 18:00pm
Sorry to hear about your daughters dx.
She's lucky to have an investigative
helper (mom/dad).
My opto does appreciate the older
biologics for systemic diseases with eye
complications. Will also work with
uveitis recommended immunologist trained
in my disease ankylosing spondilitis from
uvetis.Org. Great site. :lol:
my rheummy has opted for the enbrel which
i'm glad about as it doesn't have the side
effects of mtx.
Uveitis can be treated if caught in time.
Sometimes aggressively with pred fore
drops, oral steroids, and even a shot in
the eye after numbing of course. The
problem comes in with weaning off of the
drops. Some just can't do it. Must be a
very slow taper.
Wish you and your daughter the best,
klem
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tressysiers
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 2 Location: oklahoma
Eye Problems Posted: 05-14-05 11:50am
Yes, alyssa was treated with steroid
drops, but in the end we wanted to be
steroid free....B/c of less complications.
Dr. Stephen foster of boston has a proven
method of treatment for uveitis.
Long term steroid use has many side
effects. If someone can not taper off
effectivly, then that is when the patient
should move up to the next level of
treatment....Ie..Mtx. It has been an
godsend for our little girl as with many
other people and children.
If anyone you know is suffering from
uveitis please have them check out www.Uveitis.Org it
has tons of information, specialist lists,
current news on uveitis and support
groups.
Best of luck in the future...
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