Introducing myself

[myelland]

I am Mandi. I have been suffering from Iritis since 2001. My first time to the eye doctor with an eye problem, I was actually diagnosed with SLK - Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis - as the conjunctivae of my left eye was very misshapen, red, irritated, and I could barely see out of my eye. Ever since having the SLK I have had issues with Chronic Iritis. I have been tested for thyroid issues - being told that thyroid problems could be associated with SLK and iritis. No problem was found. Then after being at the eye specialist every month for over a year and needing my left pupil dialated as well as the Pred Forte drops they started testing me for lupus and other autoimmune disorders. Everything has turned up negative. However, I have had two rheumatologists tell me that the testing for lupus is quite often negative when in fact the patient has lupus that they confirm many years later. Today I was talking with another mom at playgroup and she has a condition called reactive arthritis. She has all of the same symptoms that I have other than chronic hives - I have been suffering from chronic hives since 2007. The pain I have throughout my body is unbearable. My poor 4 year old twins can barely climb on my lap without tears trying to start because the pain is so bad. My family is suffering along with me because I can no longer be as active as I used to be. I can't be in the sun because it makes my eye hurt so bad. That causes the headaches to start as well. I also suffer from a severe Vitamin D deficiency but don't think it is related at all to the iritis and other symptoms. I have always felt so alone so when I found this site I knew it was the place for me to be.

Thank you for starting such a wonderful resource for iritis sufferers.