I can't believe it. I just came back from the opthomologist to check out the shingle on my eyelid. The good news is I don't have any nerve involvement in the cornea, although that could still happen at a later date since the shingle virus can stay around. The bad news is I now have cataracts from being on prednisone for 2 years and possibly from the plaquanil. I only take 4mg per day of prednisone so I'm really upset that that was still enough to damage my eyes. I'm an artist and my eyes are important to me. The cataracts are not ready to be removed but they are affecting my focusing, and night vision. I'm very sensitive to light too. This disease is slowly destroying me.
That's terrible. First side effect I got was glaucoma. First symptom, I couldn't see for about a week. I couldn't read anything. One day, I can read the computer fine, the next morning everything was a complete blur. I was so scared. On top of that, I got these very strange, severe headaches. Doctor looked more afraid than me. I don't like that look on their face when they give you bad news.
So, I know it's scary as I'm also am an artist. And, I feel the same way you do, that this disease is destroying me and keeping me from even the simplest things that I enjoy.
I can't believe you got this right after the shingles. But maybe you can look at the same way I did when they found the glaucoma. They found the glaucoma so early on that I haven't often wondered if I might not already had it. If I hadn't gone to the opthamologist when I did for blurriness, light sensitivity, unable to read, they might not have discovered the glaucoma. Glaucoma, like cataracts can steal your eyesight very quietly. My opthamologist though thinks its the prednisone and is so happy when I am going down on it because my eye pressure goes down then too.
Now, you know you have the problem and it can be dealt with. But yes, it stinks because it is another side effect of the prednisone as if getting shingles wasn't bad enough.
It seems we are not dealt an easy hand here and I am about at the end of my rope this week. I think I would have just gone over the preverible edge if everyone hadn't been making me laugh and being supportive. (Those frog legs still have me smiling. I wonder when they will actually arrive. Then I could hop to it again.)
I can barely walk and there are so many parts that just hurt. And, like you, every day seems to take one more thing that I love away.
But you can do only what I can regarding your eyes, take the best care of them you can and be on the alert for any problems. Keep very regular appointments with your eye doctor.
Also, fill up your senses with all the beautiful things that you see and want to create. Observation is the key to being a good artist. Skill is the expression. You know that they can take care of this even if you don't want this happening to you.
How long will it be before they can do something about the cataracts? How much is it going to affect you in the mean time?
I wish you didn't have to deal with this. This is one mean disease.
Can I say it??? I Hate Prednisone! It stinks! Sure it has gotten us all through some tough times but at what price?
So sorry Linda! Hi LindaK: Everyone in chorus: "I HATE PREDNISONE" I feel terrible for you, I'm so sorry. I to am an artist and my vision has been rather strange recently, blurry, alternating dry and watery eyes. Have been on Pred. for almost 2 years. Think I'll have my vision checked out. I started to do abstract paintings, larger than before because my small motor skills with brushes and knifes are limited. I do altered art also and have problems. I had to change my media and styles to accomodate the disease but I like what I'm doing now better than before. This may happen to you also. My income doesn't depend on my art just my soul. That is so scary, Linda. Any one of us could easily be in your shoes. My heart is with you. I am hoping for the best outcome. I feel like my art is also being torn away from me and my writing too. I wish this disease would give something back. Dear friends, I've actually had two wonderful almost normal days. I've been off methetrexate for about 3 weeks but started back on enbrel 2 weeks ago. The weather has been warm and I'm back in my water exercise class. I had the energy to wash my car and do some minor projects. I'm sleeping 9 hours and taking a two hour nap during the afternoon, something I can't do when I'm working. I've been on 4 mg of prednisone for about 2 years. I was started on a higher dose but was weaned down fairly early. I was on 10 mg for a few days when they thought the shingles was contact dermatitis. Cataracts and glaucoma also run in my family so I'm sure genes play a role in the whole cateract business. Having RA and partially losing my vision and hearing have given me a whole new perspective on life. I want to concentrate on doing the things I've always wanted to do while I still can do them. No more procrastination for me. Tomorrow I go for a pulmonary function test. Can't wait to see what that shows. I've had three of those. The spirometer is no sweat. But I hate the pulmonary function test. If you can, don't plan to do anything afterwards. It is really tiring. For me, it was really bad one time because it aggravated my costochronditis (rib cage detoriation) which feels like chest pains like a heart attack. Then they swept me away in an ambulance to the hospital right across the street, with the cutest doctor, and said it was from the prednisone. It wasn't nice. The doc said that prednisone can detoriate your rib cage and breast bone bad enough to actually cause a break. Oh, gee, they didn't tell that in the prednisone orientation meeting, just like they failed to mention cataracts. No, take this pill or die. What a choice! Hey, but my experience is highly unusual. I think they just did a bad job doing the test. They equipment didn't work right and the woman had just got back from vacation. In fact, part of the test had to be redone. My doctor was mad at the lousy job they did. Took forever to pay off all those bills. The other two were done by very professional people with the latest equipment. Those were much easier. But I was still very tired afterwards. So, if you can rest when your done, do so. I also don't rate high on genetics for my eyes. My grandmother and grandfather both went blind towards the end of their lives. My grandmother had macular degeneration. That's it Linda. We are cursed. An evil frog came by and said, "Poof." No, the frog wasn't talking about Poof, one of our members. He was looking for a magic wand that keeps getting lost and single women to kiss because he desperately wants to get married. However, the frog seems to be avoiding Trisha. How very strange. And yes, I'm on Vicodin tonight. As my daughter says, "Weirdo." Good luck with your test and I hope it is just precautionary like they always do with me. You've had your full share this month. Enough is enough. At least today was better for you. Deanna, you seem to have the worst luck! I am sending you a lucky rabbits foot! How do you think I got to be such a so-called expert. I've been through it all. But I went through it without anyone there to support me. I am so glad I found this place because the support I get here is so good. However, I have had a very stressful life. I'm sure that contributes to my body's downfall. That particular day when the testing equipment didn't work, all kinds of things went wrong. I was stupid enough to go on into work. My computer started going on and off. Weird. My phone quit working. Then all the phones in our group quit working. Switched to another computer. Yes, it quit working. Tried that phone. It quit working. Went to the nurse's office. She calls 911 and forces me to go in the ambulance across the street to the ER. Then, it's nothing. Proof positive that I should have stayed home that day. Crunchy, you cursed me. My radiator blew this morning. Fortunately, I was already at work and not on the freeway. Tow truck is on the way. I really need that rabbit's foot. I'll take two if you've got them. Oh, could I? Nice pretty ones. What a picture that makes. I got really lucky with my car (guess the rabbit foot helped). It only needed a new radiator cap and was down two quarts of oil. I was only out . The tow truck picked it up and my friend dropped me off and now I finally know where I can get some decent work done. Finding a good mechanic is harder than finding a good doctor. Ironically, my dad (retired) and my ex are mechanics. Well, had another really good day. I could get used to not living with MTX. I get another week off before I have to take it on Friday. The pulmonary function test was ok although I had to drive to a distant hospital (50 min commute) since my insurance doesn't cover our local hospital. They put me on a nebulizer that made my hands shake and it was an interesting drive home. Today I painted an antique bench outside but poured too much paint into the pan then felt compelled to paint the whole couryard to use up the paint. I don't know if it's being off the MTX, the warm weather, recovering from shingles or being off school but I actually feel alive-even with cataracts and my usual assortment of aches.I'll pay tomorrowbut who cares. Oh, I wished I felt like painting again. I haven't painted in such a long time. I am so spoiled by the immediacy of the computer. But I bought this place with the hopes of doing artwork and sculpture. I just can't get my inspiration going. What do you do to get going?
I hope you get some relief. My mom had to have cataract
surgery. The pred progressed hers as well. She was on it
for two years.
I am glad your shingles went down. Those had to be nightmarish. I hope you are feeling better soon.
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