Cortisone Injection while Pregnant

[intermediateuv]

I have Multiple Sclerosis and a side effect of this diagnostic is Intermediate Uveitis in my right eye.  Over the past 3 years I have received 3 shots of cortisone in my eye as treatment.  The last shot was Oct. 2009 and it did not help.  I have just had an appointment with my ophthalmologist who prescribed Prednisolone Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension USP,. 1 drop, four times a day for 4 weeks.  He suggested that if the drops don't fix my Uveitis (which has gotten quite severe) he would proceed with an injection.

1. I do not feel comfortable using these while pregnant because of possible effects on the fetus.  

2. Is the injection safe while pregnant.  What are the associated risks?

Thank you!

[intermediateuv]

Thank you.  I feel that options right now are: risk to the baby OR permanent damage.  None of those are good.

I will have to wait until January to talk to my OB and see how she feels.  

Would anyone know the type of cortisone they inject?  Perhaps I could do some research.  Thank you

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[kjelltp]

I don't blame you for not wanting to take cortisone.   Please take a look at http://www.ldninfo.org, it is working for many people with autoimmune conditions, especially MS.  It's a prescription med, however not widely known in this form of treatment (I can't say if this has been used by pregnant women, but do some research..i personally take this daily for different autoimmune disorder.).  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. Discuss with your obstetrician and also your Eye MD. Ask them to talk to one another. You condition can cause severe loss of vision and you may need to have the shots or accept permanent damage to your eye.
2. There are no studies are pregnant women for obvious reasons.

JCH MD