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Monday, May 18, 2020

Eyes, Optic Neuritis,


My actual eye




A visual of my Eye.  I have a great team of Drs put together for Multiple Sclerosis. These include a ophthalmologist, with state of the art equipment.   A Optometrist who looks at my nerves, diseases, eyes of course, muscles that control the eye are looked at by both.  A Team at UC Davis specialist, and GP help in all other areas to keep The Quality of life.

 The optometrist can write a script for new glasses, while the ophthalmologist is more eye surgery, cataract,  and comes up from his city office on a Saturday to check on people in My remote community.

My optometrist is still a long drive away to get to, but spends extra time looking at my eyes, and double vision to try to correct with prisms in glasses.  I wear two pair, one for reading and writing this blog, the other for distance, or what is my new distance.

I can change eye glasses a few times a week, on how prescription changes. This is due to Multiple Sclerosis, and how it effects the nerves of the eye, and muscles that accurately positions the eye for precision items. Also is involved is the nerves, and how they relay the message the send to the brain, to be interpreted.

In 2017 optic neuritis, a popular event that can pre-precede  multiple sclerosis, was my buddy for a while.   Cotton balls on end of nerves. Some missing spots I knew was missing from my vision field, some pain, but I am on so many medicines, I probably do not feel the pain as much.  

This year, a eye lash stuck in My eye, and for how long? Did not feel it, or the time spent to have it removed.  Knew My vision changed, and My eyes would fire easily. 

My notes, looking back, can provide a helpful use of valuable information, as I kept.  In December 2017, I was prescribed oral steroids from my GP, for symptoms he saw, trying to help me relieve symptoms.Joe

I saw my optometrist that month also.  Cotton Balls seen at the end of my Eye nerves.  I sent the report to my neurologist, and she quickly put in a order for IV Steroids.

Middle of the month, My Neurologist, prescribed five days of IV Methapredisone, or known as soul medrol.  The local bandage hospital up here, had a huge problem with this simple task, stretching it out to seven days. A hour procedure taking four hours. 

Then came a MRI.  the Spinal Doctor, found two herniated discs that were found impeding on the nerves. It was producing a stabbing in my right shoulder blade (a prior Dr, who I do not see,  told me it was a torn rotator cuff, and was going to do nothing, except stand on other side of room).   

I was sent to a specialized Surgeon, and injected 80 mg prednisone into neck cavity day after Christmas, to relieve pain.   This did nothing.

Botox injections had only lasted me 52 days this time around, and I was due for another round.  The Neurologist saw the muscles in spasms in the neck. Injecting deep into the muscles and other muscle groups gave me relief I felt, without the back jab, or electrical waves going thru my fingers.





I was glad No optic Neuritus going on for 2020 at this time.  

 I have The two Genes for Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss among older adults. The disease results in damage to the central part of the retina (the macula), impairing vision needed for reading, driving, or even recognizing faces. This test includes the two most common variants associated with an increased risk of developing the condition.  No sign of this going on.   

Some cataracts growing, means no more IV Steroids, as they do more damage than good.  I will have to ask for Acthar next time.


 The optometrist spent time with me, sending me my Eye pictures, and Retna Thickness. Something perhaps by age, or perhaps related to Multiple Sclerosis. Neurologist was studying this aspect of thickness. Perhaps only me being studied?

Wonder if a Study of the thickness of the Retina has ever been done in respect to Multiple Sclerosis, as a point of interest.   The New technology allows for learning a lot of eye information.

I would love to hear about your eye exams

Stay safe 
Joey



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