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Worried about my wife!

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Multiple Sclerosis
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Posted 9/9/2008 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody, I am new to this site and just needed some advice for my wife. My wife has been DXd with MS. Her symptoms are numbness in hand and sometimes leg. Her worse symptom is her blurred vision. She hasn't been able to drive since she first had symptoms of MS because her vision is so blurry. Now she has dizziness and her eyes are getting blurrier. She called the doctor and told her to come in immediately and get an MRI done again. She is currently using COPAXONE, Topamax, Prozac for depression and she also took the IV treatments when she was first DXd about 4 months ago. Can anyone out there with severe blurry vision let us know what was done for you and how your results are now? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance from a worried husband. :-)
Posted 9/10/2008 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there- you are a good support person to try to help your wife find some answers.  The new MRI may be useful but it sounds like it could be a bout of optic neuritis.  I think you go to an opthamalogist (sp?) to have that confirmed.  Did they mention a steroid infusion at all?  I've never had one, but I know there are others who get those if they have an exacerbation.  Pros and cons to those.  It sounds like your wife is doing all she can by choosing a disease modifying treatment.  I had severe double vision and jumpy vision- like things moved around on me- for about 4 months when I was first diagnosed.  I was fortunate that it cleared up.  I have read somewhere that most vision issues and optic neuritis in MS are temporary and will improve.  But no one statement covers all of us with MS.  I do hope this is the case for your wife though, and that once this flare calms down her vision will improve.  Ask the neuro about an opthamologist though.  Willow

Posted 9/10/2008 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
I have not been dx'd with MS but had the Optic Neuritis.  The opthamologist caught it right away.  He said there were three studies done, one with a group that did straight oral steroids, another group that started with IV steroids and followed with oral steroids, and the third they did nothing.  The group with the IV/oral steroids had the best long term outlook.  They were at less risk for future ON.  Anyway, my vision did not return completely, but most of the time it is 20/20 with no blurry spots. It took about 4-6 weeks for the ON to clear up.  The steroids helped a ton.  When I first checked into the ER that day, my left eye was three rows above on the eye chart than my right eye.  After the three IV's I was only one row behind. Now I am even (this was two months ago). Get to the opthamologist would be my best advice.

Posted 9/10/2008 2:50 AM (GMT 0)

estruc30,

I am sorry to hear of your wife's recent diagnosis and blurred vision.  The IV steroids can be pretty effective for optic neuritis.  I am sorry this didn't clear up your wife's vision.  You could go another round but there are risks doing high dose steroids.  Her doctor may not want her to do steroids so soon after her last round.  You may want to ask about IVIG which is another option.  It is extremely expensive though and so for most it is inhibitive unless covered by insurance.  You may ask the doctor about the IVIG as an option to steroids. 

Try not to lose hope.  Many are hit hard with this disease at first.  It can settle down for many.  The damage to the optic nerve is what is causing that blurred vision.  The optic nerve can be quite good a remyelinating.  Your wife may experience this and regain some or all of her vision over time.  I wish you and your wife the very best of luck.  Please keep us posted.

Posted 9/11/2008 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
hey estruc,
Just wanted to chime in and wish you both my support on this. It is very scarey when your vision is involved. I had the vision thing about 7 years ago and it was not pleasant. I did not have treatment for it then, it just went away on its own because they told me i just needed glasses. Nice huh? I still have low vision in my left eye but nothing too serious. I would ask for more iv solumedrol. I am a fan of it b/c i had success with it tho for an exacerbation of other symptoms. I hope she gets feeling better real soon.
Lynn
Posted 9/11/2008 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Well first and foremost, I just want to say thanks to all your replies so far. You guys are a great support team for us in this whole ordeal. My wife just left the hospital and she is going to have another round of the steroid treatments for 3 days. The docs said it should help her eyes and the other symptoms. They also told her to try to destress, b/c that is what usually triggered the relapse. Trying to destress without being able to see is a difficult task. She is strong willed though and with God, she will persevere. Thanks again. wink
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