Is this Optic neuritis

Posted by Rae on May 31, 1999 at 06:56:10
    Our 15 year old son could have MS but the MRI was OK and the nurologist hasn't come up with much and we are getting no where fast so I am into finding some explinations.
     This all started at the end of January about 11 at night with our son showing up in our bedroom in tears with an awful pain behind his right eye. Ofcourse I called it a headache and he got upset. His definition of the pain is that it feels like there is a pencil eraser pushing on the back of his eye ball and that it is going to pop out of his head.
     He has gotten this eye ache a number of times during the day but also at night (especially if he has been too active during the day). 1000mg of tylenol doesn't kill it nor does 800mg ibrprophen and 2 Aleve aren't helping the pain but did get him to sleep. Sleep seems to help. He has had blurred vision when it has occured during the day.
     The nuroligist shows no interest in this. Is this symtomatic of optic neuritis or is it sPosted by HFHS M.D.-JL on May 31, 1999 at 10:30:21
I certainly concur with the above concerned diver.  It was not clear in the memo what the time course between the dives and the symptoms started.  In general, the intense pain is not typical of optic neuritis.  Certainly, you can have some pain with optic neuritis but intense pain is not the typical presenting finding.  You would also expect to have an abnormal MRI given all the other symptoms your son is having.  The condition you describe seems to be a devastating progressive, neurologic condition and  I would recommend an additional opinion from a neurologist.  The HMO should allow you to obtain a second opinion.  A neuro-ophthalmologist is an ophthalmolgist who specializes in the optic nerves but given the rest of your description, I would start with a neurologist.  Good luck
This information was provided for medical educational purposes only.
HFHS M.D.-JL