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397460 tn?1268533736

What to ask?

Hello Dr. John. We "spoke" earlier in the year. I am a 47 yr old woman with cataracts in both eyes. I dont have any more information than that Im afraid. I also have Temporal Arteritis. Both having being diagniosed in Nov 2007. I am seeing a Ophthalomlgist on Monday the 26th and would appreciate any direction in the line of questions that I should I ask. The cataracts were prier to the steroid treatment of TA. Thanking you in advance, Cath278.
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You might do a search on Google Of those two terms to see how often they occur together. It must be rare. I've never seen a case nor do I rmember reading about it.
Both diseases are treatable but intense follow up is necessary to look for side effects of the medication. TA is treated with steroids BIH is treated with Diamox. A temportal artery biopsy may not be positive if you've been on steroids for over 2-3 weeks.

JCH III MD
Helpful - 0
397460 tn?1268533736
Hi Dr. John. I am having a busy time! I saw a Neurologist yesterday. Apparently one of the best in the country.(Ireland). She shares the opinion of the Opthalmologist but thinks that I could have both illness simultaneously. Temporal Arteritis and BIH. Bit of bad luck there. I was to be admitted right away but because of committments can not untill next week. I will be having, An MRI, Cat scan, Lumber Puncture and some more that I cant remember now.Hopefully this will all be over soon. Once again , if you have any advice to offer, it is most welcome. Thanking you, yet again, Cath278
Helpful - 0
233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Neither one is a particuarly appealing diagnosis.

Steroids can cause BIH also known as pseudotumor cerebri.  Please remind both the neurologist and the ophthalmologist that you are on steroids and ask about steroids and BIH.

Good luck

JCH III MD
Helpful - 0
397460 tn?1268533736
Good evening Dr. I am just back from the clinic where I had several tests done. The consultant that I saw thinks;
a) I might have Benign Intercranial Hypertention
b)Questioning, but not dismissing the diagnoise of Temporal Arteritis.
c)There are two cataracts but are not developed enought to cause the symptoms I am experiencing.
d) Both optic nerves and disks are swollen.
I am still taking 25mgs of Predos daily.The "colour " test, where by you try and see patterns, I could not see them. My corrective eyesight is6/9(R), 6/12(L).
I am seeing a neurologist in the morning. Im not sure if this is good or bad news that I found out today. If you have any thoughts I would welcome them. Thanking you again! Cath278


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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
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397460 tn?1268533736
Once again, thank you.I will drop a line in the next few days to let you know how I got on. Your help ,support and information over the last few months has been greatly appreciated. Cath278
Helpful - 0
233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
TA is a severe threat to your eyes. Stay under the care of an internist or rheumatologist and monitor your sed rate and CRP, Keep them down with steroids.  Steroids cause cataracts. You probably will need surgery at some point. TA does not make cataract surgery more difficult and our patients with TA do fine.

JCH III MD
Helpful - 0
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