uveitis

[J022]

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[Mike Bartolatz]

with the swollen lymph nodes in the neck, you might consider looking into Sarcoidosis which can present with uveitis. this can preceed any symptoms of lung involvement and a biopsy of a lymph node can show inflammation related to it. Sjogrens's and SLE can also have this and it can take a decade or more before the specific antibodies will show up in your blood tests.
do you have severe dry eyes and dry mouth? any skin rashes?
although HLA B27 is frequently seen along with the seronegative spondyloarthropathies as well as with uveitis. there are other genes that can cause it too without the HLA B27 gene being present.
idiopathic uveitis frequently comes back with a vengeance after child birth. it MIGHT be that you had a bout as a child and it was mis diagnosed as 'pink eye' for example.

you could ask to start NSAID therapy too. a trial of prescription strength NSAID for about 6 months might keep this quited down. Dr Foster at harvard uses Cellebrex, dolobid (difusinal) or Naprosyn with very good results. you would know in about 3 months if it is working or not. the goal is OFF ALL STEROIDS without inflammation.
if you have dry mouth, a biopsy of a salivary gland can tell you if it is related to Sjogren's sydnrome or if it is linked to Sarcoidosis. treatment would be different depending on what is found.

if you have dry eyes it is very important to keep the eye well hydrated to prevent infection and complications to the cornea and sclera. a trial of Restasis might get the lacrimal gland producing some fluid or if it is related to sarcoidosis, then the drug Methotrexte works very well to treat both the uveitis or the lacrimal gland inflammation. other option is to have plugs put in the drains in he corners of your eyes to keep what little fluid made by the eye it's Self on the suface of the eye longer before it evaporates.
if you have dry mouth get biotene products to replace moisture and to brush your teeth with. available at your pharmacy.
do you have an aversion to light? this can be from uveitis as well as dry eyes causing inflammation of the cornea. use polarized wrap around sunglasses when out side. if you wear regular glasses, they make FIT OVER sunglasses to keep light out from behind your glasses . about 20 dollars at Walmart and most drug stores. you can buy them online too for less. dark green for sunny days and brown ones for overcast days and while on the COMPUTER.
please know that you are not alone and that I will do my best to help you through this.

wishing you the very best,
mike

[Mike Bartolatz]

forgot to ask if you have exposure to animals? sometimes Catscratch disease, Toxocara canis or catis, leptospirosis etc can be linked too.
if you had major GI distress from food poisoning, that can cause it too through H pylori, salmonella, E coli.

just thoughts,
mike