Guest guest Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Sorry, I meant to add that a year ago I was treated for a corneal ulcer, and have several scars on both corneas. --- In , " mrsmaddog2005 " <mrsmaddog2005@...> wrote: > > Hi, > Has anyone had any eye problems attributed to RA? Obviously, dry eyes, > due to Sjogren's is common, but I mean Optic Neuritis/Neuropathy or > Retinal damage. > I have a hole in my retina with increased floaters and bilateral optic > nerve pallor with color vision changes, decreased night vision, > photophobia. I have had two intractable 'migraine' attacks in the past > year, centered in or around one eye, and now wonder if they were > episodes of ON. I know MS is up there in the list of suspects, but > also read some info listing Lupus and RA. It is very frustrating! > Thanks, > Carol > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Carol, There isn't a strong association between optic neuritis or retinopathy with RA. Use of the anti-TNF inhibitors is associated with optic neuritis, and Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) treatment is associated with retinal damage. There may be a link between Sjogren's syndrome and ON. So sorry that you are experiencing this. I hope you get some answers soon. Not an MD On Tue, Aug 26, 2008 at 12:42 PM, mrsmaddog2005 <mrsmaddog2005@...> wrote: > Hi, > Has anyone had any eye problems attributed to RA? Obviously, dry eyes, > due to Sjogren's is common, but I mean Optic Neuritis/Neuropathy or > Retinal damage. > I have a hole in my retina with increased floaters and bilateral optic > nerve pallor with color vision changes, decreased night vision, > photophobia. I have had two intractable 'migraine' attacks in the past > year, centered in or around one eye, and now wonder if they were > episodes of ON. I know MS is up there in the list of suspects, but > also read some info listing Lupus and RA. It is very frustrating! > Thanks, > Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Thanks, , I know that both autoimmune diseases and Eye problems are complex. I just see a pattern developing, first the ulcers, now the optic neuritis and retinal tearing. I also am curious about vasculitis or temporal arteritis being the cause of one or all three. I posted a while back about scalp pain and tenderness. Yes, I am 'too young' for TA, 41. It just frustrates me that no MD can connect the dots as it were. I wish that the ER would have ordered an optho consult during the migraine attacks they 'treated' with anti-nausea and pain meds. I would almost bet that I was having acute neuritis at those times! As far as the retinopathy goes, that could be a separate issue. I can foresee the merry-go-round I am about to go on, again! > > Carol, > > There isn't a strong association between optic neuritis or retinopathy with RA. > > Use of the anti-TNF inhibitors is associated with optic neuritis, and > Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) treatment is associated with retinal > damage. > > There may be a link between Sjogren's syndrome and ON. > > So sorry that you are experiencing this. I hope you get some answers soon. > > > > Not an MD > > > On Tue, Aug 26, 2008 at 12:42 PM, mrsmaddog2005 <mrsmaddog2005@...> wrote: > > Hi, > > Has anyone had any eye problems attributed to RA? Obviously, dry eyes, > > due to Sjogren's is common, but I mean Optic Neuritis/Neuropathy or > > Retinal damage. > > I have a hole in my retina with increased floaters and bilateral optic > > nerve pallor with color vision changes, decreased night vision, > > photophobia. I have had two intractable 'migraine' attacks in the past > > year, centered in or around one eye, and now wonder if they were > > episodes of ON. I know MS is up there in the list of suspects, but > > also read some info listing Lupus and RA. It is very frustrating! > > Thanks, > > Carol > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 Carol, What does your ophthalmologist think your diagnosis might be? Have any blood tests been abnormal? Not an MD On Tue, Aug 26, 2008 at 3:24 PM, mrsmaddog2005 <mrsmaddog2005@...> wrote: > Thanks, , I know that both autoimmune diseases and Eye problems > are complex. I just see a pattern developing, first the ulcers, now > the optic neuritis and retinal tearing. I also am curious about > vasculitis or temporal arteritis being the cause of one or all three. > I posted a while back about scalp pain and tenderness. Yes, I am 'too > young' for TA, 41. It just frustrates me that no MD can connect the > dots as it were. I wish that the ER would have ordered an optho > consult during the migraine attacks they 'treated' with anti-nausea > and pain meds. I would almost bet that I was having acute neuritis at > those times! As far as the retinopathy goes, that could be a separate > issue. I can foresee the merry-go-round I am about to go on, again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2008 Report Share Posted August 26, 2008 I have had dry eyes for years Carol. I think it goes with the territory. So many medicines dry the eyes more too. Did you see a doctor about the " migraine " . I have had several instances of a rare eye disorder call Iritis flare up and it always hit the same eye.....severe pain, inability to tolerate light, etc. They gave me steroid drops until it went away each time. It can blind you though. R -------------------------------------------------- From: " mrsmaddog2005 " <mrsmaddog2005@...> Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 1:42 PM < > Subject: [ ] RA and Eyes Hi, Has anyone had any eye problems attributed to RA? Obviously, dry eyes, due to Sjogren's is common, but I mean Optic Neuritis/Neuropathy or Retinal damage. I have a hole in my retina with increased floaters and bilateral optic nerve pallor with color vision changes, decreased night vision, photophobia. I have had two intractable 'migraine' attacks in the past year, centered in or around one eye, and now wonder if they were episodes of ON. I know MS is up there in the list of suspects, but also read some info listing Lupus and RA. It is very frustrating! Thanks, Carol ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Hi Carol, I'm new to this support group and was just checking some of the msgs. One of the meds I am taking is Plaguenil. Anyway, my doctor said I had to get an eye exam b/c it does cause damage. What kind and syptoms, I'm not sure but have you looked into that already? Paris --- In , " mrsmaddog2005 " <mrsmaddog2005@...> wrote: > > Hi, > Has anyone had any eye problems attributed to RA? Obviously, dry eyes, > due to Sjogren's is common, but I mean Optic Neuritis/Neuropathy or > Retinal damage. > I have a hole in my retina with increased floaters and bilateral optic > nerve pallor with color vision changes, decreased night vision, > photophobia. I have had two intractable 'migraine' attacks in the past > year, centered in or around one eye, and now wonder if they were > episodes of ON. I know MS is up there in the list of suspects, but > also read some info listing Lupus and RA. It is very frustrating! > Thanks, > Carol > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 Just to update a little, and thank you all, I have an appt. with retina specialist 9/8 and neuro-optho 9/23. Don't know what either will test for, last RF negative, ANA etc all negative 4+ years ago. I know, my current physician needs to redo all the blood work NOW. The only reason anyone even suspects RA at all is that I had sudden profound symptoms and have " flares " , not just typical everyday OA symptoms. Some of my joints are always stiff/painful, others flare up in pairs every so often. Usually it is my hands, elbows, and hips. These episodes hurt differently than the OA type of pain. I mean worse and overwhelming. Like something is inside the joint pressing outward. OA pain, to me, is dull aching or sometimes burning. I was sent round and round from Rheumatology to Neurology and have had no definite answer. Possible this and possible that. Having a suspected brainstem aneurysm/mass/lesion on MRI didn't help, it made the Drs a little nervous, like they had missed something. Losing my insurance and income didn't help. Now I am sure I will be sent around again. I did find info about SLE and occular problems, but, again, that's been ruled out before. Sorry for the long post, and possibly off topic one, to boot! Carol > > > > Hi, > > Has anyone had any eye problems attributed to RA? Obviously, dry eyes, > > due to Sjogren's is common, but I mean Optic Neuritis/Neuropathy or > > Retinal damage. > > I have a hole in my retina with increased floaters and bilateral optic > > nerve pallor with color vision changes, decreased night vision, > > photophobia. I have had two intractable 'migraine' attacks in the past > > year, centered in or around one eye, and now wonder if they were > > episodes of ON. I know MS is up there in the list of suspects, but > > also read some info listing Lupus and RA. It is very frustrating! > > Thanks, > > Carol > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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