Eye's no better today... the pain's not over the top at all, more an annoying pain (like you'd get with tired eyes). Still have a dull spot that looks like I've been staring at the sun or something. Wearing my glasses (I'm nearsighted) is helping a bit with the clarity issues, even close up.

Spent the day (after getting home) listening to my TV with the football games going, and baked yummy bread instead. My eye hurts like heck, but my apartment smells heavenly and the bread is super yummy (carrot bread... mmm!!!).

Doctor tomorrow (phone call)... we'll see what she recommends.

A phone appointment with doctor? I hope he doesn't charge.

Does the color red look muted to you? That's one of the things that tells me if I'm having an ON problem or not. My ability to see color gets all screwed up. (hate that part about ON the most)

I called my GP and I'll be going to see her today at 2:45. It could be an IVSM prescription then. We'll see. I've never had such a vision problem before, so it's disappointing and discouraging as you can imagine.

I'm glad I have all of you to help get me through.

Erin, I've not noted a reduction in my perception of the color red, just a blurry spot like I've stared at the sun or a light bulb too long. Annoyingly painful, but not overboard.

Keep us posted!

Ask and ye shall receive! ... Wish I had better news, but this has been deemed a 'flare up' by the GP, and she's trying to get in contact now with my neurologist to get the IVSM going (thankfully, right away she mentioned IVSM is the best course for O.N. I was all ready to argue against prednisone to treat it).

Solumedrol is covered by Medicare in Canada, thankfully. So I'll just take my gum along with me back to the city hospital based on when/how they schedule me to start infusions.

Last IVSM was May 2008... overall, I think I've done pretty well avoiding the 'lapses.

By the way... the eye is progressively worsening today, so I'm glad I went in. Now it's feeling dry and itchy almost... even when closed. Plus my regular left side pain is flared up big time, noted swallowing feeling 'odd', etc.

Blah!!!

Okay that was fast, I'll be getting a call tomorrow morning advising me of when and where to go and get the steroids by IV, then they'll probably want me on a taper pack of prednisone afterward.

For now, a prescription's being called in to the drug store for a stomach medication to take along with the steroids. Good thinking doc, thanks!

Thankfully the GP and neuro are both very adamant about wanting me off work to heal. I don't think I could work with this as is!

First drip was done today (day 1 of 5). 3+ hour drip. They're already talking taper pack of prednisone after. I guess 3+ years of no IVSM to a 5 day infusion string requires a taper perhaps (or so my neurologist feels). Meh, I'll roll with it.

My boss and another manager visited today with short term disability forms for me (nice of them to bring those, saved me a trip) and tried my bread I'd baked. They really liked it. I told them I could bake and they were skeptical! Just because I dress like a pseudo hippie, listen to metal music, and play way too many videos games doesn't mean I can't bake!

4 more days to go.. I noticed some of the old sensory symptoms returning to me today. I guess I got to the IV drip and doc just in time.

I hope it works great for you this time, Laura..

Laura I'm glad you are started on treatment. Never fool around with your eyes or mobility. Always call, it never hurts to let them know how you are feeling.

I found on IVSM I would sleep 4 hours and be awake for about four hours. I never slept long enough but I slept often enough, to make up for it, since I was home anyway.

Eat potassium foods like bananas, potatoes, yogurt and plenty of calcium foods or supplements with magnesium and zinc added, so your bones stay healthy from the steroids.

I hope your eyes feel better soon. I had O.N. a few times. Sometimes with the ice pick in the eye pain or the blurry Central Scotoma vision.

Two relapses in four years in pretty good. I had them 4 a year for a about 5 years in the middle of my 30 years with MS.

Good luck with the steroids. Keep us updated on your eyes.