Eyes and MS

Know I've covered this before, but my prior optometrist has put up a link, that I don't want to loose. May do others good watching short videos.

https://youtu.be/oaElHt_kSFE

I am using AI to write most of this post.  Yes I have experienced this a few times, caught by Dr Corn well also

 My old ophthalmologist moved to the East, but he put up a great website of videos t watch, that clearly explains eye issues

https://www.youtube.com/@visionrefocused/about

 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to a wide range of symptoms and complications, and the eyes are commonly affected in individuals with MS.

Optic neuritis is one of the most common eye-related symptoms experienced by people with MS. It occurs when the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain, becomes inflamed. Optic neuritis can cause various visual disturbances, such as blurred vision, loss of color vision, blind spots, and pain with eye movement. Some individuals may also experience temporary vision loss.

Optic neuritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. It can cause various symptoms, including vision loss, blurred vision, eye pain, and changes in color vision.

Optic neuritis is often associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. In fact, it is one of the most common initial symptoms of MS. When optic neuritis is linked to MS, it is referred to as "optic neuritis in the context of multiple sclerosis" or "MS-associated optic neuritis."

MS-associated optic neuritis typically affects one eye, causing acute vision loss or visual disturbances. The inflammation in the optic nerve is thought to be triggered by an abnormal immune response, which leads to the demyelination (damage to the protective covering of nerve fibers) in the optic nerve.

Diagnosis of MS-associated optic neuritis involves a thorough eye examination, which may include visual acuity tests, color vision tests, visual field tests, and an examination of the back of the eye using an ophthalmoscope. Additional tests, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be used to assess the extent of nerve damage and look for other signs of MS.

Treatment for optic neuritis aims to reduce inflammation and speed up the recovery of vision. High-dose intravenous corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone, are often prescribed to reduce inflammation. Some individuals may also benefit from oral corticosteroids. Over time, vision typically improves, although it may not fully return to normal.

It is important to note that the presence of optic neuritis does not necessarily mean a person will develop MS. However, having optic neuritis does increase the risk of developing MS in the future. Therefore, individuals with optic neuritis may undergo further evaluation to assess the likelihood of developing MS and to determine if any additional treatment or monitoring is needed.

If you suspect you have optic neuritis or have been diagnosed with it, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional, such as an ophthalmologist or a neurologist, who can provide a proper evaluation, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment recommendations based on your specific situation.

Another eye-related symptom associated with MS is double vision (diplopia). This occurs when there is a disruption in the coordination of eye movement, leading to overlapping or duplicated images. Double vision can occur due to damage to the nerves controlling eye movements in MS.

Double vision, also known as diplopia, can be a symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, disrupting the normal communication between the brain and other parts of the body.

In MS, double vision can arise from several causes, including damage to the nerves that control eye movement or coordination. This can result in misalignment of the eyes, leading to the perception of two overlapping images. Double vision associated with MS can be temporary or persistent and may affect one or both eyes.

The occurrence of double vision in MS can vary in severity and may be exacerbated by fatigue, heat, or prolonged use of the eyes. It may also fluctuate over time, appearing and disappearing intermittently.

If you are experiencing double vision or any visual disturbances, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a neurologist or ophthalmologist, who can assess your symptoms and determine the appropriate course of action. They may perform a comprehensive evaluation, including a detailed medical history, neurological examination, and possibly additional tests such as MRI or visual field testing to assess the extent of nerve damage and identify any other underlying causes.

Treatment for double vision in MS aims to address the underlying condition and alleviate symptoms. This may involve disease-modifying therapies to manage the progression of MS, medications to manage specific symptoms, such as muscle spasms or fatigue, or referral to an eye specialist for corrective measures such as prism glasses, eye exercises, or, in rare cases, surgical interventions.

It's worth noting that double vision can have various causes, and while it can be associated with MS, it does not automatically indicate an MS diagnosis. Therefore, proper medical evaluation is necessary to determine the cause of your specific symptoms and provide appropriate treatment options.

Use of AI, or known media trusted sites to look up conditions, so your Drs know is important.

It's important to note that eye problems in MS can vary widely in severity and duration. While some individuals may experience temporary and mild symptoms, others may have more persistent or severe visual impairment. It's recommended that individuals with MS who experience any changes in their vision or eye-related symptoms consult their healthcare provider. They may refer them to an ophthalmologist or neurologist for further evaluation and management of their eye symptoms.

It's worth mentioning that MS is a complex condition, and its effects on the eyes can vary from person to person. It's always best to consult with a medical professional for personalized advice and guidance based on your specific situation.

Treatment

The treatment started with Copaxone injected daily in September 2012.

I had never needed pills or injections before. This is one of the Disease Modification therapies (DMT).  Copaxone,  (Glatiramer acetate) was chosen to try to slow my MS down.

Looking around the web, I found a young guy, named Matt Allen.  He has a blog I follow here :   http://mattsmultiplesclerosis.com

Matt also had a video, click here: Video of how to inject the Copaxone, as  Shared solutions, their company, did not have any video.  They were to send a nurse to my home to show me how to do this, but his video made me feel at ease, and led me to his blog.

Matt's  web site is quite detailed, and has explained his adventure with MS, and explains about MS.  His blog is always changing, and A great blog to follow since day one,

  Injections were easy for me, both manually and by their auto injector. The nurse was quite helpful, allowing me and my partner to learn injections, and sites, techniques, and practice, until ready.  I was skinny enough, that I did not need to change settings on the injector depth.   I am somewhere on the 2,880 th injection of copaxone daily as I write.  More on Copaxone in another blog.

But need to talk of Spasticity issues I was Having.


"Spasticity is a condition in which certain muscles are continuously contracted. This contraction causes stiffness or tightness of the muscles and can interfere with normal movement, speech and gait. Spasticity is usually caused by damage to the portion of the brain or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement. "

This was already a part of me since 2010. I quickly reached the Maximum amount of Baclofen, which is used to treat Spasticity.

By November 2012, my next treatment was with Botox.
 "Botulinum Toxin A"  injections went into into both calf muscles, neck and forehead by  My Neurologist.  He could feel which muscles were problem ones.

This was due to issues of cramping muscles caused by misfiring electrodes from my brain, going haywire, being caused by Multiple Sclerosis.  This had been going on for two years now, with stiffness, and foot lagging.  When I walked, I had to tell my foot to move forward.

Botox is only covered for every 90 days. After day 62-64 they botox wore off.  My Neurologist was trying to slow the progression down.  More in another blog.

He followed up with  VER test of eyes, and lower extremities. I did not do well on either test, but he needed a starting point to see progression, which was better than MRI, as it checked the speed of nerves from brain to toes in both sides.

Thanks for reading
JoeY