Uveitis and general arthritic problems

[gwaugh]

I have looked around the site for information, but haven't found appropriate info.

I have had uveitis in both eyes off and on for the past 4-5 years. I did see Dr. Goldstein at the U of Chicago several years ago.

I have been dealing with reoccurances of joint/connective tissue pain. Different spots of the body---achilles tendon, knee, lower back, neck. Most often two points are affected, not all at once. At the same time I will feel as if I am dealing with a very low grade fever, but my temp doesn't go up! I will be oh, so tired, sleep about 50% more than usual. Within about a week, I will start to feel better, at least well enough to function. The last two bouts were about 3 weeks apart.

Am I crazy, (well, at least THAT is a diagnosis!!!), or might there be a link/s between these problems?

Thanks ever so much to whoever reads this!!

Gene
Elgin, Illinois
65 yr old male

[Mike Bartolatz]

Gene,
I have arthritis throughout my body. have a 45 year history with uveitis.
have fibromyalgia and diabetes. I also have plantar fascitiis and achilles tendon problmes. some of us NEVER get a related diagnosis. I wouldn't wish Ankylosing spondylitis on anyone by the way and pray you NEVER get it.

What type of uveitis do you have? has it become chronic or recurrent once steroids are withdrawn?

thre is one hell of allot of information available in various forums at this site. please continue to read.

Wish you the best,
Mike

[gwaugh]

Mike,

Thanks for the reply. I see that I joined the list just under 4 years ago, so my problems with uveitis started approximately 5 years ago. I will certainly work the list; I have an idea as to the phenominal amount of information available here, even though I do not understand much of it! !

I believe I have an additional problem mixed in with all of this that complicates diagnosis even more. Quite some time ago, probably around 10 years, I had what I am convinced is a pretty major reaction to Statins. At that time, the medicos were pretty much in denial to that, but since then many do acknowledge the reality. However, the joint/connective tissue pain from that is much the same as what I currently experience in this cyclical crud I am now dealing with.

As I said, I have been to Dr. Goldstein; do you think it might be worth my while to make the trip out East to see Dr. Foster's group?

I am on a maintenance dose of 1 drop of Pred Forte twice a day in my right eye, and the left eye flares up every year or so.

Thanks for being there!!
Gene

[Mike Bartolatz]

for others reading this thread here is a simple to read article on
"Statin drugs' and muscle pain: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/ ... ekey=16431

Gene I am unaware of arthritis, damage to joints, being caused by statin drugs. I am aware of statin drugs causing several muscle and tendon problems as well as heart and liver problems in rare instances. I am sorry that you developed complications to the cholesterol lowering drugs.

let me do some research on the 'uveitis' as related to statin drugs. I can't recall if there is a connection.

Dr D. Goldstein there in Chicago is a very good opthalmologist as is Dr Tessler but if you are not happy with your care and you can afford the expense of travel to see Dr Foster, then go see him, I have no clue if he could find anything else and it can often take many years to figure out some of this stuff.
a closer specialist to you is Dr Dino Klisovic in Columbus, Ohio. He is very good.
It might even be cheaper to fly to Boston than to Columbus the way aifares work today. there is even a hotel Across the stree from MERSI where Dr Foster practices in Cambridge, MA. USA The subway has a stop within a block too and you can take it from the Airport if you travel lightly.

you have an inquistive mind and in a short period of time you can learn the 'language' of the doctors. start by reading through the 'glossary of medical terms' that have been developed by the Uveitis support group at MERSI. Read the pamphlets and trreatment algorithms too and then select particular articles to read.

'one or two drops' of corticosteroids adds up quickly and you may develop a cataract in that eye or even develop elevated intra ocular pressure similar to glaucoma. this robbed me of vision in both eyes. it sneeks upon you and you are unaware until you start seeing rainbows around lights that it is even happening. cataracts cause halo's around lights. usually the doctors won't operate until you see about 20/80 out of one eye because of the risk of renewed uveitis and all that goes with a major flare up.

Wish you the best,
Mike

[gwaugh]

[quote="Mike Bartolatz"]for others reading this thread here is a simple to read article on
"Statin drugs' and muscle pain: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/ ... ekey=16431

Gene I am unaware of arthritis, damage to joints, being caused by statin drugs. I am aware of statin drugs causing several muscle and tendon problems as well as heart and liver problems in rare instances. I am sorry that you developed complications to the cholesterol lowering drugs.

No, the arthritis is not a result of the Statins to my knowledge; I am simply saying that I went through a couple years of often great pain, and this is similar in manifestation to what I now deal with.

let me do some research on the 'uveitis' as related to statin drugs. I can't recall if there is a connection.

Dr D. Goldstein there in Chicago is a very good opthalmologist as is Dr Tessler but if you are not happy with your care and you can afford the expense of travel to see Dr Foster, then go see him, I have no clue if he could find anything else and it can often take many years to figure out some of this stuff.
a closer specialist to you is Dr Dino Klisovic in Columbus, Ohio. He is very good.
It might even be cheaper to fly to Boston than to Columbus the way aifares work today. there is even a hotel Across the stree from MERSI where Dr Foster practices in Cambridge, MA. USA The subway has a stop within a block too and you can take it from the Airport if you travel lightly.

No, I cannot say that I am dissatisfied with Drs. Goldstein and Tessler. I just want all of my questions answered!! The visit was very interesting, as I am also very near to being an albino, and they called in several other residents/specialists/whateever to take a look at me. Also, I was in 1959 treated by Dr. Rafael Barraquer in Bogotá, Colombia (my folks lived there at the time). Barraquer is pretty well known in Opthalmalogical circles as the "Father of Kerototomy", so I was an added attraction for them.

you have an inquistive mind and in a short period of time you can learn the 'language' of the doctors. start by reading through the 'glossary of medical terms' that have been developed by the Uveitis support group at MERSI. Read the pamphlets and trreatment algorithms too and then select particular articles to read.

I certainly will take a look at more of the information---AND the glossary!

'one or two drops' of corticosteroids adds up quickly and you may develop a cataract in that eye or even develop elevated intra ocular pressure similar to glaucoma. this robbed me of vision in both eyes. it sneeks upon you and you are unaware until you start seeing rainbows around lights that it is even happening. cataracts cause halo's around lights. usually the doctors won't operate until you see about 20/80 out of one eye because of the risk of renewed uveitis and all that goes with a major flare up.

The eye being treated (right) is already pretty bad; IIRC I am at about 20-200 in it , corrected. My Opthalmalogist keeps close watch on both eyes for pressure and cataracts. I did develope a cataract in it (right) and had surgery a couple years ago. Also have slight cataract in my left, good eye, but the MD is being extremely conservative in doing anything about it as it is the better eye...about 20/40 -, corrected.

Thanks for the feedback!,
Gene

Wish you the best,
Mike[/quote

[Mike Bartolatz]

in some instances, Statins can also cause problems with the Kidneys, most often in conjunction with other medications.

your status as an albiino is interesting. I can't recall if uveitis is more prevalent with this subset of individuals

wish you the best,
Mike.

[Mike Bartolatz]

http://www.uveitis.org/patient/glossary/default.html

link to the uveitis glossary

[Mike Bartolatz]

http://www.uveitis.org/kids/school/default.htm

[Mike Bartolatz]

http://www.uveitis.org/kids/OIDGuide.htm