I'm going to my ophthalmologist in a couple of hours. I'm going to ask for steroids. This is just way too irritating for me. Plus, today it started to set off some really horrible vertigo.

Anyone ever have double vision and had it treated with steroids? How soon did it work? Did it even work?

I called my neuro yesterday afternoon (he wasnt there) so he called me back this morning. He said that it sounds like I'm having an exacerbation (no kidding!) He said steroids might help, and to see what the ophtho says and to have the ophtho call him or fax the report to him later.

I should have asked him for a refill on my meclizine prescription. I think I'll go call him back for that. (I cant find my Rx bottle of Meclizine, so I'm using the OTC bottle of meclizine that expired in 2003)

edited to add:

I'm feeling really really sick right now from the vertigo that the double vision is causing (not quite THAT sick, but it's getting closer to the point where I'll be making a mess soon) The double vision is more pronounced today than it was over the weekend while I was out of town. Before it was just like a ghosting of an image next to whatever I was looking at. Now I'm seeing two totally distinct images next to each other if I look at anything closer than about 5 feet to me.

I'm about to start crying about this because even tho I can see things really clearly (just doubled if I try to use both eyes) this is a lot more disturbing than the first episode of optic neuritis was three years ago.

I did some more reading about ON and double vision, and I guess they can put a prism in my glasses to help with the double vision, so I might ask for that option before I leap for the steroids. (hate steroids, but I will beg on my knees for them to make this go away)

I'm really really really hating the MS more than ever this week.

double vision usually implies the nerves to the muscles of your eye are being irritated from the MS. Optic neuritis has blurry vision in usually one eye that sometimes can be interpreted as double vision. optic neuritis usually get steroids, starting to work in 1-3 days with maximal effect on days 3-5. double vision may get steroids, but recent evidence suggests limiting steroid exposure is better for optic nerve health long-term.

it took 3 days for me. My best advice is to go to bed. Cover your eyes, and rest. Keep hydrated, and be patient. Take this time to listen to music, or a book on tape, or prayers, or nap time. I found keeping my eyes open was more than I could take.

You will find if you keep ONE eye open and one closed, it should be much much better. If you must be up, then patch one eye, and later in the day, cover the other.

I hope you feel better.

Double vision was what earned me my dx of MS. It started in October and ended in April. It was severe, too. Couldn't drive, walked like a drunken sailor. I took a couple of med packs of Prednisone but can't say that they really helped me. Just as I was about to get used to it, it started to slowly clear up.

Hope your episode doesn't last as long as mine did. Maybe the doc can do something to help speed up the healing.

Did you see Kitty's avatar? The kitty on the left is putting a patch over one eye to not be drunk and dizzy anymore. too funny.

I had double vision in high school. They thought it was due to hystoplasmosis. But I've had doctors question that now. It could have been ms related they think. But in the process I got glasses that had a prism in one of the lens. It took a while to have them made. but everything happens so much faster now. i hope you get some relief soon.

Edited to add:
I forgot to say, it's nice that your doctors communicate so closely. My doctors are really good about this and I just appreciate it so much. They are really thorough. Glad you've got a good neuro.