eye pain, diamox, ms

Posted by Frank on April 27, 1999 at 20:06:57
I am a 31 y.o. male who takes diamox (250mg/day) to reduce twitching/tremor caused by MS.  I've been taking the diamox for about 8 months now.  Over the past few months, I've had increasingly frequent pain in my eyes.  At times, the pain begins as soon as I am awake.  When I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS 14 months ago, I had (among other problems) a case of optic neuritis in the left eye.  The pain I have now is in both eyes, which I take to be more unusual in MS or optic neuritis; the pain is a combination of pressure, "itchniness", and soreness.  
My question, as I try to sort out how to approach this eye pain, is whether diamox can be linked to it?  Or, should I pursue it as a straight MS problem?
Thanks for any advice and suggestions!

Posted by hfhs md - NI on April 27, 1999 at 20:39:47
Eye pain is a very nonpsecific symptom which can be caused by many things. One of the most common causes is dry eyes.  Eye drops can sometimes cause eye irritation but I have not heard of such symptoms from Diamox.  Diamox is a sulfa drug and some people can be intolerant to it.
I think you should have a complete eye exam by an ophthalmologist to rule out any intrinsic eye problems.  You can also discuss the Diamox question with your neurologist and ophthalmologist.  If they agree, you could consider a trial off the Diamox to see if it helps your symptoms.
This information is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD - NI