I saw the eye doc yesterday...

Gabe N Abby Mom
Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
edited March 2013 in Breast Cancer #1

I wanted a second opinion because nothing was working with the original doc and she never seemed sure of herself and the treatments she was prescribing.

This new doc is older, more confident, and more aggressive with treatment.  His prescription is  a stronger steroid drop every two hours I am awake.  I go back in a week for follow up.

He also said all the steriods are starting to cause a cateract to grow in my left eye.  The additional steriods are only going to make it continue to grow.  If I don't use the steriods, I will continue to have trouble from the shingles.  If I do use the steriods I will get more cataract growth.  And no cataract surgery unless there is no active shingles for at least 3 months.

I would love to hear your perspective on this...what would you do?  and why?  What do you think?

Hugs,

Linda

 

Comments

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #2
    Did That!

    Well, Linda, 

    I did that too, Uveitis is inflammatory cells in your eyes and I used Pred Forte a steroid every 2 hours (even during the night) at first, then eventually to 4 times a day.  I use Lotomax, half the strength of Pred Forte since 2010 I think, 4 times a day along with some ointment for night time.  I've been on this stuff since 2005 along with Methotrexate and folic acid.  I had methotrexate with injections at one time and now back on pill form.  My  WBC attack the good cells,  I don't know why they do that but they do.

    I had to wait almost a year before I could go for the real bad cataract to be removed which was not help by using Pred Forte.  Then I had to wait for another 3 months of the other eye which due to Pred Forte (steroid) I had to wait another 3 months.  In the meantime, the uveitis came back in the eye that the had the cataract removed.  She asked if I wanted to proceed.  I said, "yes"  and never regretted my decision though it did make the uveitis come back in both eyes.   This clouded the lens where they removed the cataracts.  I had to wait another 18 months before they could zap (laser) the lens and that was 2 weeks apart during one of the few quiet period.  After that, I didn't have another quiet period for over 2 years.   

    It is a guessing game at best.  Having trouble with my eyes today, so what gives?  I don't know, is it the new drug Taxol. I hope not but time will tell, won't it?

    Good luck Linda,

    Doris

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #3
    I don't know a lot about this

    I don't know a lot about this area, but I guess I would do just about anything if I was still having pain and symptoms.  I already have a small age-related cataract and will have to have it removed sometime.  Both my mother-in-law and my grandmother have had cataract surgery with excellent results, so I don't really worry about it.  Good luck whatever you decide!

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #4
    SIROD said:

    Did That!

    Well, Linda, 

    I did that too, Uveitis is inflammatory cells in your eyes and I used Pred Forte a steroid every 2 hours (even during the night) at first, then eventually to 4 times a day.  I use Lotomax, half the strength of Pred Forte since 2010 I think, 4 times a day along with some ointment for night time.  I've been on this stuff since 2005 along with Methotrexate and folic acid.  I had methotrexate with injections at one time and now back on pill form.  My  WBC attack the good cells,  I don't know why they do that but they do.

    I had to wait almost a year before I could go for the real bad cataract to be removed which was not help by using Pred Forte.  Then I had to wait for another 3 months of the other eye which due to Pred Forte (steroid) I had to wait another 3 months.  In the meantime, the uveitis came back in the eye that the had the cataract removed.  She asked if I wanted to proceed.  I said, "yes"  and never regretted my decision though it did make the uveitis come back in both eyes.   This clouded the lens where they removed the cataracts.  I had to wait another 18 months before they could zap (laser) the lens and that was 2 weeks apart during one of the few quiet period.  After that, I didn't have another quiet period for over 2 years.   

    It is a guessing game at best.  Having trouble with my eyes today, so what gives?  I don't know, is it the new drug Taxol. I hope not but time will tell, won't it?

    Good luck Linda,

    Doris

    Doris, I am so sorry that you

    Doris, I am so sorry that you have had to battle uveitis.  It sounds like it has been such an ordeal and you have been so incredibly brave! 

    Interesting how many of us have autoimmune issues.  I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and have had arthritis since I was about 40.  My rheumatologist said he believes my thyroid antibodies are to blame for the early-onset arthritis because I apparently have a record number of thyroid antibodies floating around.  The good news is that this type of arthritis is not as crippling or deforming.  The bad news is that it is another chronic issue that I have had to learn to manage.

    I am praying the taxol doesn't stir up more problems for you--you have been through enough!!!  Big (((hugs))).

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
    A year ago yesterday, I had

    A year ago yesterday, I had my second cataract surgery (first on the other eye 2 weeks before).  My Drs disagree - some say just because of age, some because I've spent a lot of time 'outside' with very light green eyes, some that Chemo contributed.    Will never know - don't care.  I no longer need to wear glasses to drive BUT being older still need "reading" glasses.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

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