Optic neuritis intravenous steroids treatment for 3 days??

Hi everyone,

After 15 years+ with MS, I have just had my first attack of optic neuritis even though I progressed into SPMS 6 years ago. I guess my O.N. was comparatively mild as O.N. goes. I have always thought that the usual treatment was intravenous steroids for 3 days. My primary neuro doc told me, as did the 2 neuro opthamologists that he sent me to, that unless the attack is really bad, as in loss or partial loss of eye sight, then they usually let it resolve itself. That is what I did and it did resolve itself. However, it must resolve within two weeks or intravenous steroids are then used. Also, I read that oral steroid treatment is not recommended and probably does not in any help with O.N.. My neuro docs are associated with the MS Research Clinic which is in turn a part of Dalhousie University Medical School here in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Can. These docs are very knowledgable and very compassionate people. Is this the standard practice in the U.S.? I have checked with other MS clinics throughout Canada, and it seems to be prevalent practice in many parts of this country. I would love to hear your thoughts and/or experiences on O.N. treatment. Thanks all. Look forward to hearing from you. 

Dale

 

Hi Dale,
I don't know what the usual practice is. I had O.N. two years ago. I had nearly no vision in one eye. I did have solumedrol. I had five days worth. Even with the solumedrol, it took about 4 months to completely resolve.

I've been told that solumedrol doesn't treat a flare beyond perhaps shortening it's time of inflammation. The damage will be the same whether or not you have the solumedrol. It won't stave off any disability. I hope this helps.

Hello!

Well your variant to overcome it isn't good,I mean steroids could damage your halth and cause negative effect.Yeah it is quick but effects might be not attractive.In this case i advise you to try something else,for example magneto-therapy.This procedures will take more time,but it will be better for you.I recommend you to look through the next article,or better think twice if you want to use steroids.Good luck

My son had ON as his first and only event this year at 22yrs. From what I read, especially with the results of the ONTT in TO, it's risky to use steroids. The risk is a recurrence of ON later on. You're lucky it resolved itself...my son still has trouble using his eye. It's interesting about the 2 week window. Laura

I agree with the study, steroids may fix it but can do more long term damage; but I wish for my son's sake another treatment was possible. We discovered it a few weeks after the event as we thought he needed new glasses as he was using his eyes more intensively for studying exams. The ophm neuro said it was too late to use steroids as they must be administered within days of the event. He's going for another MRI on Tuesday to see if he has more white lesions then the neuro in Jan to see if he unequivocally has MS. In the meantime, he takes 3g of fish oil, 2000 to 3000 iu vitamin D, and a strong multi. Fish oil is supposed to help the myelin sheath, a fatty tissue. He tried ginko and bilberry, but no luck and he thinks it increased his floaters, although I think this is symptomatic of eye problems, Laura

http://www.nei.nih.gov/neitrials/static/study47.asp