Optic Neuritis as first symptom, third pulse therapy in a row?

[IndigoHood]

Hello, I'm a female, 36, had optic neuritis diagnosis two months ago. I lost 90% of my left eye vision, then after the first pulse therapy with solumedrol (five days in a row), the pain faded and the vision got a little better. Then I was treated with a neurologist and exams pointed to MS diagnosis. She also suggested another pulse therapy session, because the vision was around 50%. The vision gets better every day, but very slowly. Now, after 2 months, she said I should go on another pulse therapy session (the third one), even without inflammation of my optic nerve. The vision is 20/70 but just yesterday I began to see red lights that I didn't see before.

According to ONTT, the pulse therapy won't affect my final visual outcome. But she said it accelerates it and also it's good for the disease overall. I'm very afraid of abusing pulse therapies, as I didn't read anywhere that optic neuritis should undergo more than one pulse therapy with corticosteroids.

What do you think about this? I appreciate for your kind patience here.

[KoKo]

Hello, I'm a female, 36, had optic neuritis diagnosis two months ago. I lost 90% of my left eye vision, then after the first pulse therapy with solumedrol (five days in a row), the pain faded and the vision got a little better. Then I was treated with a neurologist and exams pointed to MS diagnosis. She also suggested another pulse therapy session, because the vision was around 50%. The vision gets better every day, but very slowly. Now, after 2 months, she said I should go on another pulse therapy session (the third one), even without inflammation of my optic nerve. The vision is 20/70 but just yesterday I began to see red lights that I didn't see before.

According to ONTT, the pulse therapy won't affect my final visual outcome. But she said it accelerates it and also it's good for the disease overall. I'm very afraid of abusing pulse therapies, as I didn't read anywhere that optic neuritis should undergo more than one pulse therapy with corticosteroids.

What do you think about this? I appreciate for your kind patience here.

Hi IndigoHood and Welcome to MSW

I've never been treated for optic neuritis, so I'm sorry that I can't help you with that.

Just wanted to welcome you to the message boards!

Hopefully our members, who have been treated for ON, will share their experiences with you.

Take Care

[VikingKitty]

Optic neuritis was my very first symptom of MS when I was 28. It was recommend that I have high dose of steroids. The optic neuritis was pretty bad. I pretty much couldn't see anything out of that eye. Even without any treatment, my vision slowly returned in a matter of about 3 months.

I was afraid to get the mega dose of steroids. I would think one course of steroids to be enough because it will suppress your immune system. No sense in over doing it!

[Jules A]

I would suggest getting a second opinion from a MS specialist. No sense speculating or making this kind of decision on your own. Hang in there.

[IndigoHood]

Thank you all for your kind opinions.

My vision is slowly getting better, but today it is my first day of the 3rd steroids pulse therapy.

I would suggest getting a second opinion from a MS specialist.

I had 2 neuro in favor of doing it again, and 1 oftamologist against it.

Even without any treatment, my vision slowly returned in a matter of about 3 months.

Wow, that was very brave. I heard that when the neuritis is attacking the nerve, it is better to treat it fast - because optical cells or fibers (I don't remember) won't regenerate. Is your vision back to normal? I hope you are well.

[VikingKitty]

Wow, that was very brave.

Thanks for the "brave" compliment. Although in retrospect, I'm not sure it was bravery really, maybe more cowardly being afraid of the steroids.

And yes, my vision returned the way it was prior to the optic neuritis. I really never noticed any deficts. Only the neurologists could tell when they would look into my eyes and say my optic disk was "pale."

My first bout of optic neuritis was 23 years ago. I did have another bout in the other eye 3 years after that. And I did not get steroids then either. My vision did return to normal in that eye also.

The only time I had steroids for MS was about 5 years ago now, when I had gotten severe double vision and nystagmus. At that point there was no choosing steroids or not, it was pretty much needed to hopefully quell the flare, which it did.

I'm glad you got a second opinion and did follow through with what is best for you. I guess I got lucky years ago with my neuritis. I just know when I had a mega dose of steroids for 3 days in a row when I was hospitalized about 5 years ago that my immune system was definitely suppressed for a few months. I was getting urinary tract infections a lot. Plus the blood work did show that my immune system was suppressed but again, that's what was needed at the time.

[BikeChik]

Hi IndigoHood, I'm sorry you have to go through this. I had total blindness as one of my first symptoms so I was treated with steroids for 5 days and my vision came back quickly. But I ended up getting steroid infusions 1x/month for 5 months while Rebif kicked in since I kept having other symptoms. I had a lot of lesions so maybe there is something your neurologist saw on your MRI that made her prescribe pulse steroids. I didn't have any negative issues with the steroids. Hopefully your vision completely recovers!