Hi I am new to this site and haven't been diagnosed at Lyme but hopefully on my way. I have been diagnosed as having Multiple Sclerosis.
My first sign was vision loss in both eyes and within 3 months I was legaly blind in my left and 20/40 in my right.
I was told by my opthamologist that it is optic nerve damage and is irreversible plus I am 38 and a mom and can not drive anymore because of horrible depth perception.
I also have multiple floaters and get very blurry vision in low light, when I see patterns it makes me dizzy, and sunlight is torture.
My question for anyone that can answer is if I am diagnosed with Lyme and am treated could I maybe get my some of my vision back?
Do you know anyone that has? That is my worst fear-going blind, and he said it could happen.
Please anyone that knows anything please email me. I appreciate any feedback. Thank you
Posted by NMN (Member # 11007) on :
Hi needhelp,
That sounds really scary. I have alot of eye issues with these infections but it has not effected my optic nerve like you describe. I do know of another Irish lyme patient(lymenet name suki from belfast) who went blind from these infections in her optic nerve and she got her sight back with co-infection treatment.
Most opthamologists have not a clue about these infections. You need a second opinion from a Lyme literate opthamologist. I assume you are going to see an LLMD for diagnosis rather than a regular infectious disease doc?
I just wanted to chime in and give you some hope. Do a search on the "seeking a doctor" page here and you should get the info you need. Lyme can absolutely cause everything you describe. It may very well be reversable.
take care Posted by BackinStOlaf (Member # 23725) on :
Do you have any other Lyme symptoms?
Posted by needhelp38 (Member # 27665) on :
WOW NMN you have made my life so much better. Just a hope that my vision could return gives me chills. I was so happy to read that thank you so very much. Take care you don't know how much this means to me.
Posted by LightAtTheEnd (Member # 24065) on :
Some people on this board have said that they have gotten some relief from their eye symptoms while in treatment by drinking mangosteen juice.
But assuming Lyme is causing it, then Lyme treatment is what you need to really improve it.
Never give up hope. There is always hope.
Posted by needhelp38 (Member # 27665) on :
Thank you for the indformation I hope to be seeing a LLMD soon.
I really hope that it is Lyme because then I could have a chance to get my eyesight better.
That would be like a miracle to me. I will not give up.
I have been to the bottom before now I am going to fight as long as I have to to have my life back
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
I also have some problems with my eyes, I see the doc often.
From what I understand, when one has optic nerve damage it is not reversible.
Lets hope it is when it's caused by Lyme Disease.
TC
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Lyme can damage the optic nerve, so can diabetes and liver disease, both of which often accompany lyme. So, it's vital to get to a LLMD to be assessed and adequately treated.
Medical scientists are finding out that some nerve tissue is able to regenerate. It may not be for all nerves and it can take time, but there is always hope. In addition to addressing infection, antioxidants help.
So, along the way, there are some great links for eye health here: ----------------
Floaters -
Posted by needhelp38 (Member # 27665) on :
quote:Originally posted by steve1906: I also have some problems with my eyes, I see the doc often.
From what I understand, when one has optic nerve damage it is not reversible.
Lets hope it is when it's caused by Lyme Disease.
TC
Thank you for the reply.
I hope it is but at least if I catch it now I might not lose the sight in my right eye.
My worst fear is going blind. Take care
Posted by needhelp38 (Member # 27665) on :
quote:Originally posted by Keebler: - Lyme can damage the optic nerve, so can diabetes and liver disease, both of which often accompany lyme. So, it's vital to get to a LLMD to be assessed and adequately treated.
Medical scientists are finding out that some nerve tissue is able to regenerate. It may not be for all nerves and it can take time, but there is always hope. In addition to addressing infection, antioxidants help.
So, along the way, there are some great links for eye health here: ----------------
Thank you for the information I will definitly check out youtube.
I found a lot of information on there it is a good source on some things. The floaters that I have are so multiple they catch me looking for things on the wall or floor. People must think I am crazy.
The other thing besides blurry vision and pain in my eyes is that patterns make me have vertigo.
I was in my doctors office and she had a carpet that made me really sick. I couldn't figure out what was going on, that was before my optic nerve problems were discovered.
I used to love things that spun at carnivals and fairs and now I can hardly watch them it sucks so bad.
Thanks for the help I appreciate more than you know. This site is the best thing I have ever found. It gives me a foundation that I didn't have before.
Take care
Posted by dsiebenh (Member # 5353) on :
An optical neurologist dx me with Optic neuritis 7 months ago after my GP and a regular optical doc were clueless. Same sx as you, but much worse in one eye than the other. I have both MS and Lyme dx.
She said it's common in Lyme and MS patients, with MS'ers being willing to take steroids and the Lymies not. Steroids are only valuable in the first week and reduce the length but not severity of the problem.
I have recovered most color vision and most brightness in the bad eye. I have lost some of the fogginess, but not all. If both eyes were like this I still could not drive.
The doc expected a full recovery in months, but indicated that with every recurrence, your ability to recover diminishes.
Personally I am not seeing a lot of progress any more, and question whether I will recover from here. Time will tell.
The doc said that it is caused by inflammation in the optic nerve. Make sure that whoever treats your Lyme or MS is aware of the issue.
Good luck!
Posted by needhelp38 (Member # 27665) on :
Hi dsiebenh,
So do you have MS along with the Lyme or were you diagnosed with the MS because nothing else fit?
I never did take steroids for my vision because my opthamologist doesn't believe in them for Optic Neuritis thank goodness.
But I have taken so many steroids since 1999 for bronchitis, 5 times of Bells Palsy, heel pain, knee pain, before wrist surgery,endocrine issues and because of the MS problems.
As far as letting the Lyme take over, I guess I was giving it all the power it needed with lowering my immune system that much.
I am so glad to hear that the vision loss can be reversed. I hope the same happens for me.
I will pray that you keep getting better and that your vision will continue to improve.
Good luck in your progress any progress in better than nothing. I am so happy for you. Take care.
Posted by Kerryblue (Member # 4077) on :
Hi, I had Uveitis almost lost vision. Was from Lyme surprised they told me that. Uveitis once triggered lays low in your body. Then activates all sudden I had acute but can be chronic also. Not sure what triggered yours unless you have severe diabetes could be linked to Lyme being MS is connected as many Dr.s are finding out. Drs. saying auto Immune just may be Lyme under their research. I pray for all the best horrible to lose your sight & so young. Are you considered legally blind where you can get help from them??? That may be thought??? Hugggssss,Too All In Need,Kerry
Posted by dsiebenh (Member # 5353) on :
"So do you have MS along with the Lyme or were you diagnosed with the MS because nothing else fit? "
Yes if I go to a neuro they will say it's MS. If I go to an LLMD I test Igenex positive for Lyme and they dx me with Lyme.
MRI positive but interestingly did not get worse from 1999 to 2008. Maybe even a little better.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Yes eyes. Crazy at times. Neuroeye exam from LLMD should tell you much...
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
I have vision issues too.
just saw a LL neuro-opthamologist last week (recommended on here).
All he could tell me was tht my eyes are healthy, and my sx come from lyme messing up the signals between my eyes and my brain.
I am sooo discouraged because I thought for sure he could help me.
I have floaters, blurriness, some vision loss, occasional loss of color vision in one eye, etc.
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Ongoing inflammation does a "number" on the eyes.
My sister had to resort to steroid shots (LOCAL) directly in her eyes x2 to stop uveitis.
She said it sounds worse than it was!
She was losing her eyesight. At one point in time, all she could see was the big "E" on the chart.
She went to a uveitis SPECIALIST. Location wise...you are not that far from her. PM me for a name.
It worked. Not only was her vision restored, but she has over time now...needed LESS eyeglass correction.
She was extremely reluctant to take any form of steroids because she was misdiagnosed originally and was given oral steroids -> zoomed to late stage lyme.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
Vision: Natural Ways to Maintain Eye Health - By Jim English -
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Hi - we can only try things and see if they work for us, as we're all different in our condition and responses.
I've been able to get rid of my Lyme eye symptoms (floaters, light sensitivity, eye muscle pain, blurred vision) by drinking mangosteen juice, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant.
There are lots of brands in healthstores and online. I drink the Trace Minerals brand one called Ultra, with 70 minerals added.
I drank more at first, and had immediate cessation of symptoms. Now I drink a half ounce in the am and pm.
If you try it, go slowly and drink a lot of water also, as it can be powerful.
Posted by needhelp38 (Member # 27665) on :
Thank you for the information I will write this down and keep it.
Posted by needhelp38 (Member # 27665) on :
Vision: Natural Ways to Maintain Eye Health - By Jim English -
Thank you keebler for all the great links I have copied them into my favorites and I will definitly read them. I appreciate all the help.
Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
I had Floaters Real Bad --about 15 to 20 per eye--
It took about 8 months of taking Doxicycline-(Doxi) and the floaters started going away--
after about 15 months on Doxi the floaters were down to 1 or 2 per eye--
Now when floaters return- I take Doxi for a few weeks and the floaters go away--Jay--
Posted by longtimelymie (Member # 4093) on :
quote:Originally posted by needhelp38: Hi I am new to this site and haven't been diagnosed at Lyme but hopefully on my way. I have been diagnosed as having Multiple Sclerosis.
My question for anyone that can answer is if I am diagnosed with Lyme and am treated could I maybe get my some of my vision back?
Do you know anyone that has? That is my worst fear-going blind, and he said it could happen.
Please anyone that knows anything please email me. I appreciate any feedback. Thank you
I will e-mail you. My daughter got some vision loss back with Rocephin treatment.
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