Re: Re: Iritis/uveitis

[Guest guest]

, this new implant is not a steroid. They do have a steroid implant

that is suppose to be better than the drops for really chronic iritis...as

this type of delivery is more local. (Most of our drops go down our throats and

it doesn't get to the middle part of our eyes where it is needed. This new

non-steroid implant is not on the market yet, as they have to do more tests on

it. In the research it has shown much promise as it will not have the bad

side effects (high eye pressure) that the Pred steroid drops do.

You mentioned that you can't get glaucoma because you've had iridotomy

surgery. This laser procedure does help in initially lowering pressure, but

with

continued iritis flareups your pressure can still go up and you can get

glaucoma. They try the iridotomy procedure first, as it is easier to do than

glaucoma implant surgery and less invasive. Just the inflammation from iritis

can

also cause IOP (eye pressure) to go up and if not properly treated can cause

blindness. It is a catch 22 because with continued use of the steroid drops

that controls our iritis, it also causes an increase in eye pressure which can

bring on glaucoma. Regardless, we still have to treat it with the steroid

drops...as to do nothing... is even more hazardous and can cause rapid

blindness.

My eye doctors mentioned iridotomy, but I had already lost vision and

because they knew I would continue to have iritis flareups, they suggested the

ahmed glaucoma implant which has worked wonderfully. It is pretty amazing...it

pumps the fluid out continuously. It is like a little butterfly and flaps its

wings to wash away fluid and inflammatory cells out. After the surgery, I had

very low eye pressure for about a year (under 5) and they did another

operation called vitrectomy with a gas bubble. This took away the vitreous jell

substance which held a lot of debris from years and years of iritis flareups.

I

now have IOP readings in the normal 15-17 range. Before my implant it had

gone up to 60! I was treated unsuccessfully with glaucoma meds for about 4

years before the implant.

I'm doing very well and my iritis flares are minimal now.

Best regards to you, Connie

[Guest guest]

The percentages for people who are HLA B27 and have Reiter's Syndrom who get

iritis are about 10%. RS pts usually have conjuctivitis. People who are HLA

B27 who have Ankylosing Spondylitis ia about 40%. Children with either of

these diseases have a higher percentage for iritis.. Most, in all groups, can

have a milder form that is easily treated and does not become too chronic. Most

iritis cases, if well treated, can be " cell free after initial dilating drops

and steroid drops. The dosage will be different for the degree of flare.

Flare meaning stage 1,2,3,4, etc. How long and of what strength the dilating

drops depend of the severity of the disease. Most start out with treating

4-drops steroid day and a lesser % of dilating med. It will go up according to

your condition. I've taken the Pred Forte as many times as one drop and hour.

I've even had to go round the clock..setting an alarm to put in the drops.

Dilating drops usually are started just in the beginning of a flare...until it

is

under some control...about a few days to a week. The dilating drops breakup

scar tissue (sticking to lens, etc.) and it is wonderful to stop the pain.

Sometimes it is necessary to have the steroid be injected into the eye ball

sockets to better have a chance at getting into the eye ball a little

deeper. I have had this done a few times, and it is not as bad as one might

thing.

There is a ointment that one can take for night sleeping, that seems to act

more long acting. It helps when you have to treat your eye every couple of

hours. It makes a mess...so isn't used during the daytime.

Plaqenil is used to fight the hyperimmune system. I is a great drug, has

little side effects for " most " people as it is used far less dosage than they

use of the malaria it was designed for. None of my doctors over the years (6)

had never heard of a case that damaged the retina. It is wise to get it checked

out every 6 months...they bring in card book to read....quiz you on colors

and lines, etc.

I'm getting carried away...just thought that if some of you knew ahead of

time...that you might be a little prepared on how iritis is treated. The biggest

suggestion is: Find an opthalmalogist and demand you have your eyes checked

with a slit lamp machine...if ever you come dowm with an achy, breaky

heart......NO, I'm just kidding. If you ever come dowm with an achy, watery,

burning, red, blurry, stinging....NOT ITCHY...make an appointment right

away....and

tell the receptionist...that it is an emergency....to rule out iritis. If

they are a good knowledgeable doctor....they will fit you in on the same day. '

Best regards....and let's hope no one else comes down with chronic iritis.

Connie (granny)

[Guest guest]

Something I forgot that I believe is very important. It was through

experience...so the doctors don't usually tell you. I haven't worn makeup

(especially

eye lash and eye color, non contacts. 15 years ago...I discovered when ever

I wore any of these products...the next day I would get a flareup. The very

few days that I felt in necessary (weddings, etc), I always hit myself in the

head for doing it. I believe that even lotion on my face causes it. So be

very careful around your eyes. Another thing. When they use the machine gadget

to measure your IOP....make them wipe it off with antiseptic. I have seen where

they go from one person's eye exam to another....and I see that the sterile

tech is lacking. If someone before you have bad cells or infection...it can

contaminate you or the next person. It always bothered me. I've thought about

ordering the " diggy " and keep it safe for just me use.

Connie

[Guest guest]

Awe, Dave, poor thing, but you've kept that nice " girly " figure and I bet

you can still get into Hazel's pretty dresses and underwear! (Just couldn't

resist. teehee). It's terrible what a poor " girl " has to do.

Kidding aside...I discovered that contacts started flareups of iritis, I

quit them first. Then it was the eye lash thickener/darkener. Then the last few

years, I've had to give up wrinkle creams...as what ever was in them...would

make my eyes tear and start hurting. I think that it didn't take much to start

up an inflammation.

I started up my china painting again after many years...and even that...the

fumes cause a little problem. It's not to the point where I want to give that

up yet. BTW, I've added some of my recent pieces in my photo folder...under

the troop pictures, if anyone wants to take a look. Just remember, I only

have one " pretty " good eye...so give me (I forgot the word...it's when you have

a little disability and they give you points for that) on the judging. I

believe hobbies can be a great source of coping with pain and disabilities. I

used to garden, but it is just too much for me anymore. The kids got me to

sketching their kids and I do that in Florida where I can't keep a kiln in the

condo. So, I do the china and it kept me distracted from my pain over the

summer

months in NC. I did several china tea sets, some portraits of kids, and a

wedding rose plate for my grandson's wedding.

I feel that I could lose my sight and I'm working as hard as I can to try to

get as many pieces to my family as I can....I'm going to be 71 yrs old in

April :-(. They aren't the best....but I'm determined to get better. If I'm

going to have pain anyway...I might as well do something to show for it. When

I'm all bent over doing a piece for hours at a time and my back and neck are

screaming for me to stop....I just keep going so I can hurry and put it in the

kiln so I can have the great feeling of opening the kiln and seeing such

pretty surprises.

Many of us old timers have grudgingly learned that we have a chronic disease

and it is going to be with us for a very long time...so we have to learn

coping mechanisms to get us through. We are the ones that have to " go the extra

mile " only many times it is just for us. However, when we do it for

ourselves....we end up doing it for those around us, too. Sometimes it literally

has

to be a push/shove to get our own bodies to do what our minds want us to

do...and a fighting/persistent spirit will help us. Fight through the

pain......to

walk the trail or mall, to do the housework, to train the little ponies,

Kay. To sew those pretty uniforms. To take those pictures, , To bowl and

300 game, Mike. To take that call in the night for the group, Rick, and to

carry on to the next stop. To say a prayer for someone in the hospital, Dave,

when you really aren't feeling up to it. To give those little kids a bath, oh,

that is a hard one (I remember screaming in pain bent over the bathtum....and

all 4 babies looking up at me....what's wrong mother? They (my kids) still

don't fully know what AS can do to you. My daughter thinks its funny that I

always want to push the baby stroller. Well, its because I really would like a

wheelchair or walker, but just aren't ready for it yet. I have too much to

do. If it ever comes to it....I think I will get a baby stroller and get one of

those " real lifelike " dolls,,,so people won't know I have to use a walker

yet. Still have some vanity left. May all have a great holiday. Connie

[Guest guest]

Connie wrote:

I haven't worn makeup (especially eye lash and eye color, non contacts. 15 years

ago...

Hi Connie

I quit wearing makeup 10 years ago. There just was not enough room in the

apartment bathroom cabinet for both our makeup.

Fr. Dave