newly diagnosed

[nicola]

I am recently diagnosed with iritis. I'm not sure quite how to feel about it other than confused, and a little frightened. I just got over an episode in January that followed a hysterectomy in late november, and have had another flare up yesterday. My eye doctor seems to feel I should wait for a few more flare ups before I see a doctor to test for any autoimmune disorders. While I don't have a family history of arthritis, one brother has ulcerative colitis and the other has iritable bowel syndrome. I have the occasional sore and stiff neck, but I've always atributed that to being overweight. I guess I'm just looking for someone to confirm what the doctor says about waiting to see if I have more problems, or should I push the issue and request additional testing??

Nicola

[Mike Bartolatz]

Dear Nicola,
there is a link between iritis and Irritable Bowel disease. it can also be linked to forms of arthritis.

usually testing is done if iritis/anterior uveitis returns. with your family history of GI tract illness you might want to have your Primary care Physician test for the HLA B27 haplotype as it is related to the enteropahtic Arthropathies and Arthritis.
information can be found in our 'related conditions forum"

if you prove to be positive for HLA B27 related uveitis, there is special medication protocol which you can find in our ' Treatment algorithms' section of the related conditins forum.

wish you the best!
Sincerely,
Mike Bartolatz