Back From the Hospital

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:00 pm

A bit of a cautionary tale here.

With both MC and Crohns you can develop uveitis or iritis which are inflammatory conditions of the eye. In either case the possibility of increased pressure within the eye which if high enough can cause permanent damage to your sight.

Well last night I had some early symptoms of uveitis which include a blood shot looking eye with some pain and sensitivity to light. It was not too bad (I have had this before) and this morning it felt a bit better, so I ignored it. By lunchtime the pain shot up just after eating and my eyesight began to dim in that eye. I saw the Air Force doctor at the base I work on and was immediately transported to the hospital for a CT scan and then some medications injected directly into the eye (I don't recommend that part) as the pressure in my eye was well into the dangerous region.

If anyone here has any of the early symptoms of a red eye with sensitivity to light and / or some pain seek help quickly, this condition can go bad rather rapidly. I actually thought is was getting better.

Well I'm home now and have to rest for at least 24 hours and will be following up with my ophthalmologist next week.

--Joe

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 4:05 pm

Joe,
So glad you knew what was going on and got help quickly.
My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Love, Shirley

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 4:47 pm

Wow! I'm so glad you're feeling better. That is very frightening. You were very luck to have been near someone who knew how serious it was. Again, glad you're feeling better.

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:23 pm

Oh Joe,

That must have been scary, not to mention painful. So glad you were able to receive immediate treatment. Thank goodness you are on the Imuran - I'll bet it would have been worse without it.

Take care and rest up over the weekend.

Keeping everything crossed for the quick and smooth recovery.

Love,

Polly

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:29 pm

How scary, Joe! I'm glad that you recognized the problem and sought help quickly. A shot in the eye? Ouch!

I hope you feel better tomorrow.

Gloria

tcorbett · Post by **tcorbett** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:37 pm

Joe,

So glad you are feeling better - that must have been so frightening! Especially the needle in the eye - I don't think I could ever handle that - they'd have to knock me out first! How fast it all progressed for you - yikes!

Two weeks ago I had an itch in my eye, I just thought I got some dust in there - when I got home, my son looks at me and says - what happened to your eye, I just thought it was red from rubbing, no - I had broken blood vessel - it looked bad, didn't hurt or anything. I don't think it was the same thing, but I will be on the lookout! For some humor, my Bishop at church saw me and said - "was Frank beating you again?" - again I had forgotten about it. Some thought it was high blood pressure - mine high BP is 120/70! I don't think that counts! lol

Sorry to babble. So glad you are feeling better! Keep us all posted.

Theresa in chilly Maine

natythingycolbery · Post by **natythingycolbery** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 6:09 pm

My response to eye problems...

this is because I got a chip of paint in my eye when i was 16 and they had to cut it out... I was not happy to be awake for that!

But anyway, thanks for the warning and I am glad that you are ok Joe!

Love from Lincoln, Uk.

Katy x

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 6:29 pm

Joe,
Glad you are feeling better. That sounds so scary. Hopefully you can rest up all weekend.
Feel better
Jenny

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 6:48 pm

Thanks everybody, I am resting and feeling better with some pain meds. I was surprised that it progressed so quickly and it is scary to start loosing your vision.

Polly the Doctor was surprised that it did progress so far with the Imuran in my system. The treatment was an injection of a small amount of steroid followed by steroid eye drops. What I did not realize is how often they see this with IBD patients. When they numb the eye the needle just felt like some modest pressure. Its by far more of a fear thing seeing a needle near your eye...

The real purpose of this post was to warn our family members here of this possible complication of MC and IBDs as a whole. I have had this 4 times now over the past 2 years, but this is the worst presentation of this condition to date. I will have to discuss what meds to carry with me while traveling.

If you do notice a red itchy eye that becomes painful / sensitive to light and possibly watering have it checked out.

Thanks again for all the good wishes.

--Joe

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:14 pm

Joe, how scary, and how good that you were taken care of so well and so quickly. It reminded me of being suspected of temporal arteritis a year or so ago.

Thanks for the heads up. You may have saved someone's vision with your story.

Post by **tex** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:23 pm

Man! It's always something, isn't it.

It's a good thing you were on the ball.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 1:52 am

Joe
OUCH?? it wasnt from over exposure of the light sabre i hope. be careful with the force luke

when i had my unexplained keriatitis both the professor opthmalogist and the professor immunologist could not explain how i got it and why it took so long to respond to steriod treatment. (if it doesnt show up in blood tests it doesnt exist)

knowing what i know now, it was my immune system having a slight blue screen of death and hard drive crash, my immune system rebooted, but has had bugs since.

When i have been in MC pain or flare for more than 48 hours, the same eye gets bloodshot and irritated...

take it easy, Nurse nestle can be your eyes for you.

harma · Post by **harma** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 3:33 am

Joe, that sounds so scary!!! The idea you could loose part of your vision, it's my nightmare. I am glad you saw a doctor in time and got the right treatment. And thanks for the warning.

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 6:22 am

Scary Joe. Glad you were on top of things and knew what to do. Any idea why this was triggered? I know it's associated with IBDs but what made it flare so badly this time?

Rest up and have a relaxing weekend.

Mary Beth

ant · Post by **ant** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 6:57 am

Dear Joe

Thanks for the heads up on this.

Geeeze.....you are brave. Whenever I get an injection or they take some blood I make a point of closing my eyes so I do not see the needle. But needle in the eye.......yaeeekes!

Best wishes, ant