Twenty-two people completed last week's crossword correctly and my random number generator has selected the winner. This newsletter covers some of the problems pwMS have after having optic neuritis.
Hello Doctor- (MS since 30, now 65, Betaseron 23 yrs). Optic neuritis was one of my early issues (3-6 years in). Two times one eye, one time the other. First two episodes clear onset and remissions 6-8 weeks, but the third episode was more gradual and 6 or more months with slower onset and remittance. I too had difficulty heading down on stairs (resolved now). Didn’t have problems with coffee cups etc. Driving at night was only in familiar places as tremor and nystagmus made it difficult to see things quickly (taking time for eyes to rest on objects in order to see them clearly, which when driving- you need this kind of instantly). I suppose judging distance at night would be difficult to compare before and after MS(?) unless it were strikingly obvious. (If the item is smaller, it must be farther away).
So depth is not an issue but it takes me a extra moment or two (depending on body temp) to settle my eyes on something to examine. Highway signs on a freeway in unfamiliar places leads to missed exits. I can see the same signs better at night. It’s best to examine road trips before you depart with a good map and count streets, etc. so you are prepared. And nystagmus makes having an easygoing optometrist not in a hurry important, when testing for a new glasses prescription!
{On a side note, I would be interested someday in interacting about 1) intermittent catheterization- Is it for health reasons or convenience?; and 2) differentiating between leg problems from MS and others which might come along anyway as you age (i.e. PTTD or Peroneal Neuropathy)}
I’ve had optic neuritis twice in the same eye and the first time I lost all sight in one eye for about 6 weeks before it gradually came back but I’m still left with a grey area in the centre of my vision. I was undiagnosed at the time and it was dismissed as Retrobulbar Optic Neuritis of no known cause. With a tiny baby and no internet (1989) it was dismissed even though the pain was horrid. Second time in 2003 it led to my diagnosis. A later VEP showed little difference between both eyes and yet my field vision and depth perception are still affected. Heat and exercise can have a real impact and I often have ‘blurry vision” days. I struggle to drive at night (prefer not too) on coming traffic blinds me and I still get the sparkly lights when I walk into a dark room. Low light is worse as I cannot seem to find my way and need to hang on to someone.
I get Uthoffs, and have the depth issue usually on the worse eye (both have been damaged). I just got my car back from a repair after misinterpretation of the location of a recycle bin 🤦♀️ Driving at night can be scary still because the lights from oncoming traffic blind me for a bit. This is also true for going to the bathroom at night. Anyway, back to depth perception, if I ride in the front passenger's seat and am tired or sick, I see the passing cars as about to crash into us, certainly not fun for the driver either. I couldn't hit a finger with the pulse ox at work for several months after a relapse, unless I looked dead on (quite annoying if you're use to being efficient). I have no interest in playing catch 🤣
I've had optic neuritis twice .2006 and again in 2020. Depth perception was a big problem this last time . Simple things like walking down steps were difficult. I stopped driving for 3 months as I couldn't judge distances very well . It has now settled to a new norm for me and back driving now .
I’ve never been diagnosed with optic neuritis at any time but have all the symptoms, as described in the article. Luckily, I recognised the danger of driving at night as well as the difficulties I was having during the day and blurred vision when fatigued. Knowing it’s normal eases stress and helps manage adjustments.
Hello Doctor- (MS since 30, now 65, Betaseron 23 yrs). Optic neuritis was one of my early issues (3-6 years in). Two times one eye, one time the other. First two episodes clear onset and remissions 6-8 weeks, but the third episode was more gradual and 6 or more months with slower onset and remittance. I too had difficulty heading down on stairs (resolved now). Didn’t have problems with coffee cups etc. Driving at night was only in familiar places as tremor and nystagmus made it difficult to see things quickly (taking time for eyes to rest on objects in order to see them clearly, which when driving- you need this kind of instantly). I suppose judging distance at night would be difficult to compare before and after MS(?) unless it were strikingly obvious. (If the item is smaller, it must be farther away).
So depth is not an issue but it takes me a extra moment or two (depending on body temp) to settle my eyes on something to examine. Highway signs on a freeway in unfamiliar places leads to missed exits. I can see the same signs better at night. It’s best to examine road trips before you depart with a good map and count streets, etc. so you are prepared. And nystagmus makes having an easygoing optometrist not in a hurry important, when testing for a new glasses prescription!
{On a side note, I would be interested someday in interacting about 1) intermittent catheterization- Is it for health reasons or convenience?; and 2) differentiating between leg problems from MS and others which might come along anyway as you age (i.e. PTTD or Peroneal Neuropathy)}
J
Hi Professor.
We can fix this, this year in a measurable way by using cheap at home EEG devices.
This is my forth time now typing this as a comment, not sure what is wrong with this site, it likes to delete my comment.
Please get in touch to at least tell me why I am wrong.
Kind regards,
Benjamin Pettit.
Im not often proud of my achievements but I'm so happy i filled the crossword out correctly! Yay me!! ata188 🙏
I’ve had optic neuritis twice in the same eye and the first time I lost all sight in one eye for about 6 weeks before it gradually came back but I’m still left with a grey area in the centre of my vision. I was undiagnosed at the time and it was dismissed as Retrobulbar Optic Neuritis of no known cause. With a tiny baby and no internet (1989) it was dismissed even though the pain was horrid. Second time in 2003 it led to my diagnosis. A later VEP showed little difference between both eyes and yet my field vision and depth perception are still affected. Heat and exercise can have a real impact and I often have ‘blurry vision” days. I struggle to drive at night (prefer not too) on coming traffic blinds me and I still get the sparkly lights when I walk into a dark room. Low light is worse as I cannot seem to find my way and need to hang on to someone.
I get Uthoffs, and have the depth issue usually on the worse eye (both have been damaged). I just got my car back from a repair after misinterpretation of the location of a recycle bin 🤦♀️ Driving at night can be scary still because the lights from oncoming traffic blind me for a bit. This is also true for going to the bathroom at night. Anyway, back to depth perception, if I ride in the front passenger's seat and am tired or sick, I see the passing cars as about to crash into us, certainly not fun for the driver either. I couldn't hit a finger with the pulse ox at work for several months after a relapse, unless I looked dead on (quite annoying if you're use to being efficient). I have no interest in playing catch 🤣
I've had optic neuritis twice .2006 and again in 2020. Depth perception was a big problem this last time . Simple things like walking down steps were difficult. I stopped driving for 3 months as I couldn't judge distances very well . It has now settled to a new norm for me and back driving now .
I’ve never been diagnosed with optic neuritis at any time but have all the symptoms, as described in the article. Luckily, I recognised the danger of driving at night as well as the difficulties I was having during the day and blurred vision when fatigued. Knowing it’s normal eases stress and helps manage adjustments.