Thursday, January 14, 2010

Uveitis....cross your heart, hope to die,



Stick a needle in your eye!

Yup, that's what I said... "Stick a needle in your eye!" LOL

Well only it is not so funny... NOR fun! ;)

Ahhhh the Subtenon Steroid Injection. One of the tricks doctors have up their sleeve to treat primary acute anterior and intermediate Uveitis.

They literally stick a fairly long needle down the side of your eyeball to place steroids behind your eye. The thought just makes you queasy, doesn't it?

But not to worry... it doesn't hurt! (Or so the doctor said) UNTIL 5 seconds later.
Then you're begging for someone to just poke your eye out and be done with it. LOL

I may not be a standard case (I don't do anything "normal" LOL ) but I can tell you that the area where he gave me a shot hurt for YEARS... yes years! And my left eye lid drooped for years after that also.
I don't know if he hit a nerve that he shouldn't have (like he would ever admit to such a thing) or what might have transpired BUT I hope to die, NEVER stick a needle in my eye again! :)

Uveitis is another autoimmune disorder that can have serious ramifications if not treated promptly (untreated, it can worsen and lead to more severe eye diseases, such as glaucoma or cataracts, or even loss of vision.) AND will probably have ramifications when treated conventionally.
You can't win on this one... cross your heart, hope to die....stick a needle in your eye. ;)

Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea. The uvea is very important because its many veins and arteries transport blood to the parts of the eye that are critical for vision.

Uveitis causes pain (lots) and sensitivity to light and the eye gets red. Vision may become blurred and/or you may see spots floating in your eye.

I was diagnosed with a more serious Uveitis and edema in my left eye (OS) but also had it in right eye (OD.

Besides feeling very sick with other problems this was my first venture into a body out of whack. I only wish that I had the foresight at that time to research it in depth.

I was put on steroid drops (Prednisolone Acetate) and Cyclopentolate and in about 1 month had resolution. Only to have it return 3 more times.... MORE steroids! I then developed Glaucoma and took Alphagan P (lowers eye pressure) and Timolol Maleate (reduces internal pressure in the eye)

It was a long haul with continual Ophthalmologists and eye specialist and doctor visits and in the end the steroids gave me cataracts (more severely in the left eye) and I was pronounced legally blind because of the cataracts. I was blind for about 1 year while they treated the Glaucoma and got it under control so they could do cataract surgery.

Now honestly I do not know if there is a natural substance that one can take for Uveitis. You do not want to take chances with your eye sight. It is a precious gift.

I know that they will sometimes recommend Methotrexate. It is an anti-inflammatory agent used for diseases associated with active immune system or inflammatory conditions. Methotrexate works by making the immune system less active and suppressing the blood cells that cause inflammation.

And let me tell you... it IS one scary prescription with side effects that seem worse to me than the disease.
No thanks, I'd rather not add lymphoma to my list of problems.

So when you hear that old saying "Cross your heart, hope to die, stick a needle in your eye" .... run like hell!!!!!! LOL :wink:


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18 comments:

  1. I enjoyed your post. My sentiments exactly. Sounds like you would be interested in our yahoo group http://health.groups.yahoo.com/groups/uveitis_patients_helping_patients/
    Yes, there is help with natural remedies. Unfortunately, everyone is different, so there is no magic potion that works for all. I have managed my son's uveitis and cystoid macular edema with 100% natural remedies since spring of 2008. My daughter is now on 100% natural remedies... her uveitis went away and CME reduced dramatically after we stopped the methotrexate.
    May

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    Replies
    1. My son was diagnosed with uveitis. Can you share the natural remedies that worked for your son.

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    2. what natural remedies did you use? my son (12) was diagnosed 3 yrs ago. I said no to Methotrexate, but have no alternative. please help.

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    3. I bet you didn't know about nettle leaf it actually drains inflammation directly from the uveitis

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    4. can i know what is the natural remedy since i am also in desperate need and do not want to depend on steroids

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  2. her uveitis went away and CME reduced dramatically after we stopped the methotrexate.
    May

    ReplyDelete
  3. which involves inflammation of the front of the eye
    inflammation that affects the narrow area between the colored part of the eye (iris) and the choroid.

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  4. WOW, I was just diagnosed in Aug in both eyes and we are discussing possible oral steriod and/or injections. Now you have me scared to death. I want my life back and had hoped this would be the pathy to that. I am now more confused and scared then ever...................

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  5. That's pretty sad. I was wondering if you could post a photo of your left eye, so everyone can see the effect of the operation. It's really sad how our eyes, as one of the most sensitive parts of the body, can develop such diseases like uveitis and cataracts. When I began to feel eye irritation, I instantly sought help from an optometrist. Indianapolis (IN) is where I visited the eye doctor who my friend recommended to me. It was a short 30-minute drive to Franklin.

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  6. what remedies did you use, all medications listed is what my son is taking now scared me

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  7. If the disease is due to a basic condition, the Uveitis Treatment will highlight that particular condition. The treatment goal is to reduce the eye inflammation.Among several Uveitis products, Uvieton by Herbs Solution by Nature is the most effective product which is formulated after the scientific research and doesn’t require any prescription or recommendation.

    http://www.herbs-solutions-by-nature.com/Uveitis.php

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  8. I am suffering with uveitis for more than four years. Please somebody tell me what is the best treatment to cure it once for all..

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  9. Uveitis Natural Treatment can completely replace standard treatment for uveitis. Continuously counsel your specialist before taking turmeric or other #Herbal Supplements#.

    http://www.herbs-solutions-by-nature.com/Uveitis.php

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  10. Whether the steroid is administered as an eye drop, pill or injection depends on the type of uveitis you have. Because iritis affects the front of the eye,  Treatment for Uveitis  usually treats with eye drops.

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