Help -- 16 year old son just diagnosed w/ Iritis............

Post here to exchange iritis general information and support with others.

Moderators: Mike Bartolatz, kwork

Post Reply
SharonJ
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:58 am

Help -- 16 year old son just diagnosed w/ Iritis............

Post by SharonJ »

Hello to all,

My 16 year old son was diagnosed today with Iritis. The doc told me this info so
non-chalalantly, that I really didn't think much of it.......meaning, the way he described it,
I figured it was something that he will just "get over"....... treat it and it will go away.
But in coming home and Googling 'iritis' I get a very different picture -- one that has me
completely freaked out. Am I just reading worst case scenarios or is this really something
that will be with him forever and may be a precursor to something even worse that
we dont know about yet???????? I'm so afraid right now, and yes, I will be calling this
Opthamologist first thing in the AM to get more info, I was just wondering if anyone
was out there right now to help me mellow out a minute.... I just want to cry. I dont
want my son to go blind, or have cataracts, or be on immunosupressive drugs his
whole life, etc......... am I being dramatic or realistic ???
Any help would be really great right about now.
Thanks so much.
Sharon

PS: he has no health problems / arthritis / TB / ------- nothing. He was diagnosed
with Aspergers Syndrome / High functioning Austism when he was 7, but I cant
see any correlation of that and this. Other than that, he has been in perfect health
and has / HAD great vision (no glasses, contacts).........and no trauma to the eye
has happened to him.

thanks again
Sharon
SharonJ
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:58 am

also:

Post by SharonJ »

We live in the San Francisco Bay Area........ Marin County........ north of SF, if anyone
knows of a specialist in this area.

Sorry for all the questions,
thanks
SJ
Mike Bartolatz
Posts: 6595
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Specialists

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

Please go to the Proctor Foundation there in SF. Dr Margolis is the Ocular Immunologist there. if this is autoimmune related (uveitis can be the sole problem) then it can be treated using immunomodulation if it remains chronic or is recurrent. it is impossible to tell at this time what the future holds and there is the chance that this is the only time he will have uveitis. problems arise when this recurrs or is chronic. Yes those posting here are often the worst case scenerios. Our intent is to try to provide information so that you can make informed decisions about care not to scare the crap out of you.
One can lead a perfectly normal life after uveitis or with uveitis. the main thing is to get a proper diagnosis. adding an NSAID like naprosyn, voltaren or Indomethacin might help prevent a future of uveitis. often this can be done for abouit 6 months before any other drugs would be considered. more than one of them might be tried too before moving on up the Step Ladder approach to treatment. there are several parents who belong to the Parents Forum at http://www.uosg.org they will help you and calm you when you post.

wish you the best,
mike
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
Brad

SharonJ

Post by Brad »

Please understand that your son is very lucky to have a mother like you. You are miles ahead of most people because of the awesome research you have already done.

I feel that knowledge is a key in dealing with this disease. A "regular" opthamologist may deal with this disease very differently than what you feel comfortable with. A lot of them want to deal with the problem when it arises (with streriod drops) and not with the underlying cause. Very reactive treatment instead of proactive. Take Mikes advice and consider seeing the doctor he listed.

Hopefully this will be the last and only time your son will get this. If not, arm yourself with information on it and move to the next step.

Good luck to you and your son,
Brad
jessrms
Posts: 79
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2005 5:43 pm

Post by jessrms »

Hi Sharon,

A lot of the people here and at other sites are "worst case scenarios". People who have only had uveitis once and then it never bothers them again don't really need support groups. They get the info they need and then move on. those of us who are still here are here because we have cases that are more difficult for a variety of reasons, whether it is because of other related health issues, long term inappropriate care, etc.

I can tell you though that there are also many success stories. I have had this since I was 4 years old, 30 years now, and I am not blind, far from it. With the right treatment, my eyes have gotten better, and I make improvements with my vision and the inflammation each time i see the eye doc. the right care should hopefully prevent your son from having the "worst case scenario." You are taking the best first step, educating yourself! Your son is in good hands with you. See the docs at the place Mike recommended. Do research at the website he has given you. Ask questions here, bring questions to the eye docs you see. This way you can make informed decisions about your sons medical care...

Good luck, feel free to keep posting and asking questions. that is how we all learn...

Take care,

Jess
Post Reply