Date: 05.11.2014
From: Kathleen Bass
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Subject: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
My hubby has recently had problems with his eyesight being very blurry. He has Rheumatoid Arthritis and the eye consultant and various other doctors have put him through every test going and they are unable to find the cause of his eye problem apart from it is the optic nerve swollen and his right eye has just started hemorrhaging but not what has caused it. They have said they can only suggest it is his RA that is causing the problem so has been put on 60mg of steroids everyday in the hope that it will improve and also regular visits to the eye clinic for assessment. Has anybody had similar or heard of similar problem please. I can't believe that he is the only person ever to have this problem. Worried. thank you.
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Date: 05.11.2014
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
hi Kathleen no idea what is going on but he needs to be refered to the eye clinic , the normal problem is dry eyes but other conditions like scleritis and episcleritis , also sometimes Glaucoma if he is on steriods for a long time , get the pressure checked because steriods can increase to pressure in our eye & can end up with Glaucoma , if its treated with eye drops early enough there wont be a problem , in normal eye test in somewhere like specsavers they do this & I am being treated with this problem myself
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Date: 06.11.2014
From: Denise
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hi Kath
You two certainly seem to have been through the wringer of late. I now have cataracts in both my eyes, one worse than the other, but ophthalmic conclusion is that they have more than likely been caused by the drugs I am on. One said possibly methotrexate but at my last apt he suggested it was steroids. Cant win can you. Another thought is how are his neck and shoulders. I have suffered for years with problems with neck and shoulders long before the RA diagnosis and I am convinced that when they are bad it affects my eyesight. Never had it proved though. Oh dear, just something else to attempt to sort. Good luck.
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Date: 09.11.2014
From: Kathleen Bass
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hi Colin, Denise. Maurice is under the eye consultant and has regular checks he is going again tomorrow and they said if his eyes don't improve in two week they will admit him and put him on a steroid drip. I know it is a mystery, but I have read that RA can affect your eyes. He isn't on MX he was due for a Rituximab infusion but since this flared up they won't do it cos' he is diabetic and his blood sugars are high due to the steroid treatment. Frustrated is more polite than what I want to say! Denise he does sometimes have pain in his shoulders but it's mainly his knees at the moment it does travel as you probably know. Just wish it was his big toe that is bearable. lol Thanks all for sharing your knowledge and hope your both doing ok. x
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Date: 09.11.2014
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
hi Kathleen , I got dry eyes & in 2012 developed scleritis which is controled , this year I have had severe problems with my RA & endded up in hospital for 3 weeks & on high dose steriods but this has caused my eyes problems (high eye pressure) with the worry of developing Glaucoma if untreated. they are treating me with drops to lower the pressure in my eyes which has gone back to normal so hope my eyes will be ok , there is only few things RA & eye problems go together , dry eyes , scleritis and episcleritis , Uveitis , Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension which can develop into Glaucoma if untreated high dose steriods will cause Ocular Hypertension (high eye pressure) & can damage the optic nerve , but being disbetic can cause eye problems as well so hope they can sort out his problems very quick
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Date: 10.11.2014
From: Kathleen Bass
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Thank you Colin appreciate your comments. The HCP's have not mentioned his diabetes funnily enough. We both know that it can affect your eyes and he does have an annual check up which was ok in January. But conditions can change in your body. He is on a high dosage of steroids and we have been told he can't keep taking this amount. We will just have to trust the hospital and see what develops. He went today for his eyes to be checked again by the hospital and no change at least they are not getting worse, not yet anyway. Fingers crossed. x
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Date: 10.11.2014
From: bsk
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
I got cataracts from long term steroids (3 years), high doses can do that as well but they should pick that up in any eye examination. Have they given him a scan? I've been told I might have to have one so that is clearly an option.
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Date: 11.11.2014
From: Kathleen Bass
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hi BSK He had an MRI full body scan and had photos taken of the back of his eyes. The eye consultant is very thorough so we are now in her hands. He has had just about every test possible and they are still not sure what is causing this blurriness and hemorrhaging. Only time will tell although it is very frustrating, he need steroids for his RA but they may cause damage in other parts! What do you do accept hope that things improve. Fed up!
Kath x
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Date: 11.11.2014
From: bsk
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
How frustrating for you both. I hope they find out what is causing the problem soon.
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Date: 11.11.2014
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
hi Kathleen , what RA drugs have they got him on , its sounds like they need to change them so he can reduce the steriods myself going to change my biologic in the new year & this will be the fourth biologic I have been on along with methotrexate & sulpha , they wanted to change it in september but thought my best change of reducing steriods was to stay on this drug but it has not worked & going on Rituximab
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Date: 11.11.2014
From: bsk
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
I think Kathleen said he was on the steroids to improve his eye. Of course, getting the RA under control will help but that's not always easy or quick, as we know.
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Date: 11.11.2014
From: rhona
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hi Kathleen, I am sorry to hear that Maurice is having problems. I didn't notice your last message on the other post, which I have now replied to. Take care and I hope he picks up soon. xx
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Date: 19.11.2014
From: Kathleen Bass
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Subject: Re: Problem with eyesight with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hi Colin he was due to have a rituximab infusion (his 3rd) which worked for him but because of his blood sugar readings (due to the steroids) they wouldn't do it. So now this has happened it's a catch 22 situation. He is now waiting for a decision on another infusion called cyclophosphamide they think this may solve his eye problem, but firstly we are waiting to see if he has to go to Manchester to an eye specialist and once all the doctors/consultants involved agree they will try him on this drug. Thanks for all your replies appreciate it. Meanwhile I've got gout! Somebody up their doesn't like us at the moment! Best regards to all lol x
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