I wrote this out the other day as my attack plan. Or, nice plan. Or, pretty words to look at and feel like I'm accomplishing something. I've spent twelve years dealing with Chronic Uveitis/Anterior Iritis and now have a Macular Hole and Cataracts as a result of the damage from both the disease and drugs used to control inflammation.
The funny thing about writing all this out, is that for the first time in a long time I feel like there is BIG hope again. Not just hope that my inflammation will disappear - I'm positive it eventually will - but big hope that it will be gone without further damaging my eyes and vision, and that I can restore what was taken from this disease.
And, I share because I enjoy sharing everything. It's very personal to me, but it's what I "see" daily.
Steps to vision
Step 1 - Clear/control inflammation
Naturally:
Acupuncture weekly, supplements (Curcumin, eye health vitamins, antioxidants and green juices)
Destressing - avoid work stress, exercise regularly and eat properly to enhance recovery; sauna or steam, 7-8hrs sleep per night
Diet - anti inflammatory foods, avoid alcohol, eggs, red meat, coffee, full fat dairy and processed foods or sugar
Cons of natural - is it working fast/strong enough to prevent the disease from further damaging my eyes? Vision/fogginess varies daily; most doctors do not accept natural therapy as legitimate and will urge for drug use
Small changes in diet or habits can encourage inflammatory response
Synthetically:
Prednisone, methotrexate, predforte, durezol, cellcept, pred injections
Cons of synthetic - my body has adapted to most of those drugs/drops; various side effects experienced including weight gain, dry skin, brittle nails, chronic fatigue, severe mood swings and depression - prolonged use may lead to fertility problems or bone density issues; more doc appts (follow ups and regular monitoring)
Perhaps combining natural methods and low doses of synthetic therapy may speed up process - begin with a low dosage methotrexate while continuing alternative therapies. Cons: cost of specialist visits/regular bloodwork and still potential for side effects from drugs
Step 2 - Cataract surgery (left eye only); remove the cataract that has resulted as a side effect from years of steroidal drop usage
With the existing macular hole, there may not be a significant improvement in vision, but the cataract in the left eye is larger than the right and since the right eye has the better vision, most doctors recommend to not touch the cataract in the right eye until the left eye is seeing better
Step 3 - control inflammation after cataract surgery (any steps listed above)
Step 4 - Macular Hole surgery (left eye only); will repair the hole in the macula in the left eye in an effort to restore central vision
Surgery requires 2-3 weeks recovery time; must maintain face down position during recovery
Step 5 - monitor results of
Macular hole surgery and control inflammation
Step 6 - cataract surgery in right eye
Step 7 - control inflammation
Step 8 - surgery to remove scar tissue that is fusing my iris to my pupil and remove excessive floaters - in both eyes; scar tissue is a result of damage from years of inflammation
Step 9 - vision should be restored and steps taken to control inflammation for life; hopefully this will be the point that the disease eliminates itself, if not sooner (happens often with Uveitis once it's been controlled - it disappears)
The funny thing about writing all this out, is that for the first time in a long time I feel like there is BIG hope again. Not just hope that my inflammation will disappear - I'm positive it eventually will - but big hope that it will be gone without further damaging my eyes and vision, and that I can restore what was taken from this disease.
And, I share because I enjoy sharing everything. It's very personal to me, but it's what I "see" daily.
Steps to vision
Step 1 - Clear/control inflammation
Naturally:
Acupuncture weekly, supplements (Curcumin, eye health vitamins, antioxidants and green juices)
Destressing - avoid work stress, exercise regularly and eat properly to enhance recovery; sauna or steam, 7-8hrs sleep per night
Diet - anti inflammatory foods, avoid alcohol, eggs, red meat, coffee, full fat dairy and processed foods or sugar
Cons of natural - is it working fast/strong enough to prevent the disease from further damaging my eyes? Vision/fogginess varies daily; most doctors do not accept natural therapy as legitimate and will urge for drug use
Small changes in diet or habits can encourage inflammatory response
Synthetically:
Prednisone, methotrexate, predforte, durezol, cellcept, pred injections
Cons of synthetic - my body has adapted to most of those drugs/drops; various side effects experienced including weight gain, dry skin, brittle nails, chronic fatigue, severe mood swings and depression - prolonged use may lead to fertility problems or bone density issues; more doc appts (follow ups and regular monitoring)
Perhaps combining natural methods and low doses of synthetic therapy may speed up process - begin with a low dosage methotrexate while continuing alternative therapies. Cons: cost of specialist visits/regular bloodwork and still potential for side effects from drugs
Step 2 - Cataract surgery (left eye only); remove the cataract that has resulted as a side effect from years of steroidal drop usage
With the existing macular hole, there may not be a significant improvement in vision, but the cataract in the left eye is larger than the right and since the right eye has the better vision, most doctors recommend to not touch the cataract in the right eye until the left eye is seeing better
Step 3 - control inflammation after cataract surgery (any steps listed above)
Step 4 - Macular Hole surgery (left eye only); will repair the hole in the macula in the left eye in an effort to restore central vision
Surgery requires 2-3 weeks recovery time; must maintain face down position during recovery
Step 5 - monitor results of
Macular hole surgery and control inflammation
Step 6 - cataract surgery in right eye
Step 7 - control inflammation
Step 8 - surgery to remove scar tissue that is fusing my iris to my pupil and remove excessive floaters - in both eyes; scar tissue is a result of damage from years of inflammation
Step 9 - vision should be restored and steps taken to control inflammation for life; hopefully this will be the point that the disease eliminates itself, if not sooner (happens often with Uveitis once it's been controlled - it disappears)