vision

[jessielou99]

Hey guys.  I was just diagnosed last week with MS.  My only problem right now is vision loss.  I have had 3 days IV solumedrol and am now on oral prednisone.  Has anyone else had the vision problem and how long did it take for improvement or did it improve at all?  I'm new to all this.

[COBOB]

MettalHead, this is kind of an old thread.  The dosages used for MS exacerbations are quite a bit higher (500-1000 mg/day IV) than they oral dose packs.  The side effects of 1000 mg in one hour can be more pronounced in people with MS (PwMS) receiving IV steroids.

Bob

[mettalHEAD]

I am not familiar with the diseases that is mentioned above, but VERY famliar with prednisone. I was diagnosed about 3 years back with "recurring orbital psuedo tumor". Its basically a severe swelling behind the eye which is caused by some kind of fluid. I've had 3 attacks, each about 1 year apart. Treated with high dosage prednisone. I dont know exactly how much of this stuff i was taking. All I know is that I started off with 12 of those small tablets and tapered down over a period of 8 to 10 weeks. Its the worst experience ever. Acne, mood swings, hot flushes etc. I'm also experiencing double vision in my right eye which seems to be permanent. And if im tired, the vision in my right eye is blurred and my eye is pulled inward due to a cavity behind my eye which remained after the prednisone has removed the swelling/tumor.

Hope that youre side effects are not of a permanent nature like mine. Goodluck!

[maxthecat9196]

I am sorry to hear about your dx..., but this is a great place to go for support and answers.  For me, after the initial ON attack, my main problem was loss of color saturation, and vision greying.  It has taken me about 4 months, but now my vision is pretty normal.  Good luck, I hope you feel better soon.

[nikki861]

Hi Jessie,

I will have my third day of infusion tomorrow. How long before you felt better? Right now I am miserable......head cold, fever, chills, achy. I know the steriods are supposed to subside the relaspe. Actually, my body feels better, but this cold is whipping me! I have been in limbo land for 10 years now. My last MRI showed an MS lesion. Since then, my neuro has been running me through the mill...... I see him again on the 19th. Hope your vision will give you less problems and you will feel better.

Beth

[Lulu54]

Jessie, welcome to the forum here.  I'm sorry you have been given this diagnosis, but am glad you found us.

From what I've read, IVSM/prednisone may help to speed recovery from a bout of ON, but your vision will still return to the same point whether you do the steroids of not.  Without the 'roids it just may take longer.  

I'll hope your vision problems improve with time.

best, Lulu

[COBOB]

There was a large study called the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial (ONTT) that showed that steroids can improve the rate of recovery, but even without steroids, most people recover some of their vision.  ON has a bucket load of effects.  Some folks loose visual acuity, color saturation detection, pain on movement, formation of scotomas, double vision not related to strabismus, etc.

My first case of ON pretty much resolved after about 7-8 months.  My second case of ON (both in my right eye) is still hanging in there after 9 months with slight monocular double vision in both eyes.  If it continues past 12 months, the neuro-ophthalmologist say that it will most likely stay that way.  He said that after about 9-12 months, the ON will have pretty much improved as much as it is going to.

Bob

[twopack]

Hi Jessie.  IV Solumedrol gives you the best chance for quick resolution of vision issues that can be experienced as part of an optic neuritis MS flare.  Unfortunately, recovery from optic neuritis can still be very slow and take weeks to months to reach it's full recovery potential.  

Many people recover to the point they feel they can see as well as before the attack.  Others find out each flare takes a piece of their vision that is never fully returned.

Every person and every flare is different.  I hope you get through this quickly.
Mary