Optic Neuritis ?

[fig65]

I was wondering if someone could explain how the pain of ON feels. I have had intermittent pain in my left eye. I might get a sudden episode of extreme pain right behind my eye lasting several minutes, also had a couple of episodes that felt as if someone had quickly stuck a needle staraight through my eye. My recent brain MRI did not show that I have ON. I am also wondering, would it always be picked up on the MRI?

[fig65]

Thank you for your responses. I have had some minor left eye pain off and on in the past, but the past few days it has cropped up again and it is excruciating! I might have it a little more in the morning when I first wake up, and then throughout the day (and it does come with eye movement). Last night it felt like smeone just stuck a needle through my eye and pulled it right out, it happened that fast. Other times the pain behind my eye has lasted 20-30min. at a time.
I guess I need to schedule an apt. with my eye dr. Funny (not really though), when I saw my neuro last month, he did a quick exam and when he was entering the notes on the computer, he said - Oh, I did't look in your eyes, but you do have an eye dr don't you? I'm thinking - huh? I didn't say anything (I really need to learn to speak up for myself). At the time of my visit I was not complaining of eye pain, but I did remind him that I have occ. episodes of blurred vision.

[johnniebear]

I haven't had a DX of ON, however I've had eye pain twice that has lasted two weeks at time,  on scale of ten mine was about a three.  

My next MRI does include the Optic Nerve

I used a cold cloth on my eye,  pain felt like a headache in the back of the eye.


John.

[tjj3761]

My ON is also sharp and stabbing, and then the pain spreads down the side of my face into my neck.  Muscle relaxant and Vicodin is the only thing that relieves a severe episode.  Most of the time, though it only lasts a couple of minutes.

[debtea]

Sorry, I hit the post before I finished.  Another part of my MRI states:
Also it states that the pituitary gland appears normal in size however has a very unusual findingin it's posterial lateral aspect to the right.  While the gland is not enlarged at all, there is evidence on the sagittal T1-weighted and Flair sequences of an abnormality that has a very bright signal on T! and decreased signal on T@ and Flair.  This is either fat or old blood products.  On the sagittal T1 images there is a linear area of bright signal representing the pituicytes which is located seperate from the lesionin question and somewhat dorsally and which most likely represents the true site of neurohypophysis.  This most likely explains the well circumscribed lesion within the pituitary gland which measures 6mm by 5mm is that it represents an old area of hemorrhage into the gland.  

It is just so wierd.
Anyhow, it seems to be different for everyone.  Just be sure to call and get some help.  The pain will drive you nutts, at least it was for me.  Please keep us posted and I pray that things fet better.  
sending lots of (((HUGS)))
Debtea!

[debtea]

Hi.  Hope you are feeling a bit better today.
I too have been having very bad issues with my left eye.  It started several weeks ago with a knife stabbing pain behind the eye that sent me to the opthamologist.  After checking and some testing he decided ON, but it was actually feeling a bit better at the time.  A few weeks later, it came back with a vengence!  The opthamologist and my MS Specialist (I am not diagnosed) got together and started me on IV solu medrol for 5 days.  I just finished Saturday the last IV.  I seem to have lost perifial vision and color satration in the left eye, ut the pain is now a dull ache.  I can not drive cause the rest of the vision field is still very blurry.  But hopefuly that will clear up soon.
I am not sure if the MRI always shows it, mine did not even get me a diagnosis.  Here is what the latest said;

There is a 4mm bright lesion in the white matter of the inferior frontal temporal region on the right side which is not adjacent to the ventricular surface.  There are perhaps two punctuate additional white matter lesions located anteriorly in the frontal white matter and there is a punctuate white matter lesion in the left parietal white matter.  None of these lesions appear to be typical for demyelinating plaques of multiple sclerosis.  By number and distribution, these lesions are not  outside the expected range of normal for this patients age.

I spent 5 months in a wheelchair, have bladder incontenince, very weak, and fall down alot.  The vertigo is bad.  Now with the eye problem, I am really confused.  I am not sure how this is typical for age, but I guess I will ask more when I go back to the specialist on the 19th of August.  I also made a appointment with a new MS specialist for Aug. 4th.  

[Eyesnlegs]

Hi, Sorry you are  in such pain problems with the eyes are upsetting.

I can only describe how my ON was. My pain was VERY sharp and it hurt when my eyes moved as the optic nerve at the back of the eye was inflamed (retrobulbar ON) and as it is almost impossible to not move your eye the pain was constant and debilitating.

It came on over a few hours and resolved over a few weeks although the pains you describe have been intermittent ever since. I also lost sight and colour saturation with it, the first episode left me blind for a few weeks but that is quite rare, so please don't panic!

Mine did show on the MRI and it left me with a pale lens. However, most experiences are different and I am sure others will jump in and describe theirs.

Make sure you get checked by an ophthalmologist too.

Good luck
Pat