Iritis sufferer for 5 years. Need help
Moderators: Mike Bartolatz, kwork
Iritis sufferer for 5 years. Need help
I am 49 years old, living in Michigan, and have had iritis for 5 years. I usually experience 2 occurrences per year treated with drops. I am HLAB27 negative. I have been examined by 2 rheumatologists and have no known autoimmune disease. However, I seem prone to imflammatory problems i.e. tendinitis in hands, feet, and most recently a colon abscess. About 11 months ago, I began taking Methotrexate. I thought this was the magical answer until 1 month ago when I had a flare up. Would like input from others regarding controlling the episodes. Is Methotrexate successful? Are there other drugs that are successful? Also, I am quite distressed over the black dots and webs floating within my eyes. Is there any known treatment to dissolve or diminish them? Are there any iritis suport groups in Michigan? Any info members can provide regarding prevention, alternative medicine, or specialists in my area would be appreciated. I am presently treating with a well-known opthamalogy group. Thanks
Hobnail134
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Mike Bartolatz
- Posts: 6595
- Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm
Linda, Welcome to the group!
dear Linda,
I haven't had an opportunity to reload information to other forums at the site since Kevin just got it up and running today. to answer some of your questions, sometimes Methotrexate has to be 'pushed' to a higher dosage to control inflammation. there is specific protocal to get you to No cells off all steroids. these are known as treatment algorithms. sometimes other immunomodulatory agents have to be added to the mix to quell the inflammation. Steroid injections or oral steroids might also have to be used at time of increased inflammation. Each of us is different so there is no 'one thing treats all' formula.
DR Barney in Wisconsin, Dr Oprencak in ohio and DR Perez in ohio are EXCELLENT Ocular Immunologists with whom you could consult on care. they will work with your local opthalmologist and rheumatologist to get you to remission from this.
May I suggest that you join the following support group:
http://pub24.ezboard.com/buveitissupportmeei
great people, some from your neck of the woods there.
there is allot of information available there too.
I hope to see you posting there soon!
wish you the best,
Sincerely,
Mike Bartolatz
I haven't had an opportunity to reload information to other forums at the site since Kevin just got it up and running today. to answer some of your questions, sometimes Methotrexate has to be 'pushed' to a higher dosage to control inflammation. there is specific protocal to get you to No cells off all steroids. these are known as treatment algorithms. sometimes other immunomodulatory agents have to be added to the mix to quell the inflammation. Steroid injections or oral steroids might also have to be used at time of increased inflammation. Each of us is different so there is no 'one thing treats all' formula.
DR Barney in Wisconsin, Dr Oprencak in ohio and DR Perez in ohio are EXCELLENT Ocular Immunologists with whom you could consult on care. they will work with your local opthalmologist and rheumatologist to get you to remission from this.
May I suggest that you join the following support group:
http://pub24.ezboard.com/buveitissupportmeei
great people, some from your neck of the woods there.
there is allot of information available there too.
I hope to see you posting there soon!
wish you the best,
Sincerely,
Mike Bartolatz
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
Moderator
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Lafeta
IDOPATHIC IRRITIS
Hello All
I was diagnosed with idiopathic irritis recently , and have been suffering from these symptoms for about 3years on and off. recently been referred to a rheumatologist and tested for all extensive test through my opthamologist and all test were negative. and also the rheumatoologist found nothing in his pre-sreening for auto-immune diseases.
so at this time my opthamologist will have the rheumatologist go ahead a prescribe a low dose of methotrexate to help clear up this problem, because i have been doing the steriod eye drops for about 3years on and off, also the last couple of months I have had to drop Timolol because the pressure has been high due the the steriod drops. and so it is very depressing to not be able to drive at night and every thing is always blurry and foggy in one eye
I was diagnosed with idiopathic irritis recently , and have been suffering from these symptoms for about 3years on and off. recently been referred to a rheumatologist and tested for all extensive test through my opthamologist and all test were negative. and also the rheumatoologist found nothing in his pre-sreening for auto-immune diseases.
so at this time my opthamologist will have the rheumatologist go ahead a prescribe a low dose of methotrexate to help clear up this problem, because i have been doing the steriod eye drops for about 3years on and off, also the last couple of months I have had to drop Timolol because the pressure has been high due the the steriod drops. and so it is very depressing to not be able to drive at night and every thing is always blurry and foggy in one eye
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Mike Bartolatz
- Posts: 6595
- Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm
welcome to the group!
Lafeta,
is your opthalmologist on the Uveitis specialist list available through this site?
methotrexate can help get you off of steroids. know that if the dose has to be increased there is the option of changing to injectible which has fewer side effects of nausea etc. please tell your rheumatologist if you have ANY changes in your body. You will need to have frequent blood work done to make sure you are tolerating MTX.
also you might ask for a prescription for folic acid (Iron supplement) to help with some of the side effects before they start. you may also ask about anti nausea meds. Most people I know take the MTX on a friday or a Saturday to make sure the side effects won't interfere with their work week such as tiredness, nausea etc. Iron is taken the day AFTER the MTX so the MTX can do its work.
Hopefully your journey to remission will have no problems. if you cannot tolerate the MTX there are other drugs to try. the main thing is to prevent errosion of your vision do to the complications of steroid use as you are a steroid responder which means you get High intraocular pressure. Hopefully you will never develop cataracts or epiretinal membranes, Cystoid Macular Edema or problems with your retina from the disease process.
Know that we are here for you too! You are NOT alone!
wish you the very best!
Most Sincerely,
Mike Bartolatz
is your opthalmologist on the Uveitis specialist list available through this site?
methotrexate can help get you off of steroids. know that if the dose has to be increased there is the option of changing to injectible which has fewer side effects of nausea etc. please tell your rheumatologist if you have ANY changes in your body. You will need to have frequent blood work done to make sure you are tolerating MTX.
also you might ask for a prescription for folic acid (Iron supplement) to help with some of the side effects before they start. you may also ask about anti nausea meds. Most people I know take the MTX on a friday or a Saturday to make sure the side effects won't interfere with their work week such as tiredness, nausea etc. Iron is taken the day AFTER the MTX so the MTX can do its work.
Hopefully your journey to remission will have no problems. if you cannot tolerate the MTX there are other drugs to try. the main thing is to prevent errosion of your vision do to the complications of steroid use as you are a steroid responder which means you get High intraocular pressure. Hopefully you will never develop cataracts or epiretinal membranes, Cystoid Macular Edema or problems with your retina from the disease process.
Know that we are here for you too! You are NOT alone!
wish you the very best!
Most Sincerely,
Mike Bartolatz
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
Moderator