Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll probably just wait it out. I've been taking Ibuprofen in the hopes it will alleviate some of the inflammation. The pain is down to a dull ache now so it's tolerable.

I can still see, walk, hear and talk so I'm good! And it's Christmas Eve!

Rest up, dear one...I'm glad you called the dr. Take it easy! Act like a queen (minus the big purses and ugly hats).

If it's optic neuritis, my eye doctor has told me that the pain only usually lasts about a week, and the pain is variable. I had good luck taking prescription migraine medication when it hurt really bad.

Sometimes going into places with certain types of light (grocery stores with fluorescent light) made things worse for me...it would trigger optic nerve pain.

Staying in dim light, or if you have lights on a dimmer switch, turning the light down to where it's comfortable but you can still see to get around might help the pain. TV made my eyes hurt too.

Well, I was hoping it would be better this morning but it's not. The loss of vision in my left eye is playing tricks with my balance. I nearly fell onto DS26's girlfriend when I went to hug her today when they stopped by! I'll get used to it. Just like I got used to double vision. I'm so thankful this isn't double vision. That was the pits!

Our Christmas dinner tomorrow has grown into 7 people! DS22's new love interest told him today that she can come and there is someone DS26 works with that doesn't have any family here so he's coming, too. I'm excited! I love having a full table.

DS26 and his GF are having dinner with her family today but they stopped by here first to see us and to exchange gifts. Everyone only had one gift each but we all loved what we got and were just so thankful to be together. I would have been happy with nothing. It's just not important to me anymore.

I'm going to go try to take a nap and rest my eyes. Merry Christmas!

DON'T do oral steroids, definitely.

ON will clear up on it's own, but it takes time. I have had symptoms of ON for several months at a time.

My Neuro-Opthalogist only recommeneds IV steroids if "all else fails", including letting nature take it's course.

The most important factor right now is treating the infection, Kelly. It might be too late though, as you need antibiotics for that ... cold and sinuse OTC meds don't cut it.

Cherie

I am sorry you dont feel well. Please see the MD and get it fixed. its a hard time of year to be sick, but sometimes it happens. pick up the phone, and make the call. we love you, and want you whole, and happy.

I have a Neuro appointment Monday afternoon. I've had it for a while - long before I got the ON - but I'll let him update my records with it. I'm sure he'll recommend the IVSM but even if I had the insurance to do it I wouldn't. It's just too hard on the bones. I'll save it for an emergency situation that hopefully will never happen.

I did call him Thursday and he called back and said that it surely did sound like ON and the only thing to speed up the healing is IVSM.