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Psycosis?–Tear Plugs? Glaucoma?

Question:

Hi Everybody—I have a 3-parter to save on making three dif. posts. [I hope thats okay?]—–What does it mean when I have heard it said that some people w/SLE could be prone to Psycosis[What is that?]    @nd went to eye Drs, for usual test-diallation and because of the [Sjorgens or is it Raynauds-I have both and get them mixed up all the time--just like which is my Medicare and which is my Medicaid?LOL--now thats a DITZ] Any-who she said that my eyes needed some thing better then the Refresh Tears[artificial tears] that I have had to use at least 3or 4 times a day and now wants to put those plugs in. What is the deal with those? She only said that after I go to the Surgical Eye diagnostic Center Thursday she needs to do something fast to keep more moisture locked into my eyse. Have an apt. Nov 8th to see about that because right now she is worried about the fact that my eyes have detterriated at such a fast speed that she is having me checked for Glaucoma? I am afraid–does this mean I am going blind??     I know that everything for awhile has been extra blurry–my bi-focals do not work for @#$%^&*[can not use the word.]   I kinda had a fellig with the halos around things that things were not good –but I just wanted some suggestions on these 3 questions[Yeah--guys and I am afraid!]        Sorry this was so long–but I should change my ame to "The Run-on Person"     Maybe I should have done 3 seperate posts?? Thanks for bearing with me on this one—Take Care Lar

Response:

Lar, first off, take it slow..It is an awful lot to swallow at one time… The phycosis thing is from Central nervous system involvement from lupus, there are a few of the people who post here that have or may have it…It is complicated and there is not test to confirm it…It is like forgetfullness and things that effect the mind.  again it is complicated….You need to get the LUPUS BOOK, by DR Daniel Wallace, it is really 2 books the second being the revised edition…There is some information on it…Some of the people with Lupus never have it we are all different…Get the book, it will answer all your questions too…You can buy it at Amazon.com and it is well worth the money of  $25.00 or contact your lupus chapter and they will tell you how to get it…I got mine at Amazon and delivered in 2 days…It is great… The plugs I think help with the tearing of the eyes to keep them moist…Write a new post and title it What are eye plugs for and then someone will see it an answer.. The glaucoma is a test every one should get, it is a progressive disease of the eye, that involves fluid build up in the eye..the test is very simple and measure the amount of pressure in the eye…It does not necessarily mean you are or will go blind…There are drops to treat glaucoma and needs to be dealt with with frequent eye exams, a good opthamologist…will tell you that.. I realize you are upset, and I don’t blame you, but hang in there and it will all come together for you, I am sure…This disease is a funny thing, well not Ha Ha funny, but funny in that no 2 people are alike and it effects every one differently.. Good luck and keep us informed…Oh, you talked about halo;s  that may be due to cortisone use, are you on that, and cortisone can cause a lot of eye trouble like cataracts, and that is treatable too…So hang loose and hang with us,,,and keep up your chin and need anything we are here for you.. Janers

Response:

On Mon, 23 Oct 2000 14:40:24 -0400 (EDT), Lar wrote: >Hi Everybody—I have a 3-parter to save on making three dif. posts. [I >hope thats okay?]

yup.  Fine >—–What does it mean when I have heard it said that >some people w/SLE could be prone to Psycosis[What is that?]  

Some folks with central nervous system lupus have symptoms that resemble psychotic behavior (paranoid delusions, extreme agression, hallucinations).  It isn’t common but it does happen.  Prednisone can also mimic psychotic symptoms that generally go away when the dose is reduced.  Again, not common.   >Any-who she said that my eyes needed some thing better then the Refresh >Tears[artificial tears] that I have had to use at least 3or 4 times a >day and now wants to put those plugs in. What is the deal with those?

Punctal plugs.  I don’t know much about them. You might do a websearch on  that term to see if you can find more about them.  I’ve heard some people with Sjogren’s do well with them. >fast speed that she is having me checked for Glaucoma? I am afraid–does >this mean I am going blind??    

No. not necessarily.  I can’t recall if you are on pred or not, Lar. It can cause increased pressure in the eye.  My MIL and FIL both had Glaucoma and though they had to use special medication drops every day neither lost their eyesight.  Mom’s is deteriorating but in the typical "getting-older-far-sighted" manner, not from glaucoma.   >I know that everything for awhile has >been extra blurry–my bi-focals do not work for @#$%^&*[can not use the >word.]  

I think we can interpret. :-) >questions[Yeah--guys and I am afraid!]

Try to relax.  The stuff with the eyes can be treated and you can protect your vision considerably by following doctors orders.  The halos may be a result of the dryness too which the punctal plugs might help.   >Maybe I >should have done 3 seperate posts??

If you don’t get as many answers as you would like you could try splitting it up into three but I don’t think that’s necessary. toodles, p.s.  you’re one of the few people I’ve seen on the ‘net that use the term "anywho" (as opposed to "anyway" or "anyhow").  I always thougth that was Texanese! :) *********************************** KCat – I am not a medical professional.  The contents of this post are based soley on my experiences and opinions http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/mypage.htm http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/aslfaq20.htm   ("`-”-/").___..–”"`-._   (`6_ 6  )   `-.  (     ).`-.__.’`)    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-”   _..`–’_..-_/  /–’_.’ ,’ (()),-”  (()),’    (((.-’

Response:

Hi I think Ican help. I am not sure if you gt the plugs or not btu I had them permanently cosed with autery and it does work.Also, ask your doc for Salagen as I did get more moisture from that( It is pilocarpine and is FDA aproved. What I also do is antibiotic therapy( Minocin) and I have Lups and RA as well. I now need NO DROPS!!! I was on them ev hour.Also was able to get off pred which helped the blurriness in my eyes. Check out the site ttp://roadback.org as it was a lifesaver to me and now I enjoy it. I am doing well now.I amon this 4 yrs. Ny Lupus is even doing well.Research a little as I needed to do that. Hang in there I know it gets scarey Marge Marge

Response:

Dear Janners–Thank you for the info and encouragement. I will and do for the most part try to take a deep breathe–but sometimes my mind has other ideas like a "Run-On". I do have the Lupus book but has been on loan for a good 2months now [only supposed to have been 2weeks] I will give that person another call AGAIN! I am on low dose Pred. 5mg 1mg 5mg 10mg ect. I also have to get my shoulder and hips shot w/cortisone[sp] every couple of months–actually am way past do now but trying to see how long I can go.Thurs. is my eye apt. for that special eye test so will know better then.

Response:

Dear Kit Cat–I am not from Tennesee–I just use that when it seems like I am running on and probably off the subject or have bored everybody reading this by now[I wish sometimes my body could go as fast as my mind-LOL] Thank-you for the suggestions and input. You always like alot here put so much time into your posts and responses. I have gotten some very good responses through here and other E-mails. s and need to just wait it out for eye apt. on Thurs. for the special eye test. I just hope they do not find  anything else because this camel just does not need anymore straws on his back right now[LOL] Thanks again and will post as soon as I know more! Take Care—Lar

Response:

<<What does it mean when I have heard it said that some people w/SLE could be prone to Psycosis[What is that?] >> I think you mean psychosis.  In very simple terms, that’s a state of mind where one is disconnected from reality.  In SLE, this can be caused by CNS involvement such as lupus cerebritis.  It generally resolves when the underlying SLE complication is treated. << went to eye Drs, for usual test-diallation and because of the [Sjorgens or is it Raynauds-I have both and get them mixed up all the time-...Any-who she said that my eyes needed some thing better then the Refresh Tears[artificial tears] that I have had to use at least 3or 4 times a day and now wants to put those plugs in. What is the deal with those?>> The need for punctal plugs stems from your Sjogrens.  That’s another autoimmune disease fairly commonly seen along with lupus.  One of the frequent effects of Sjogrens is to cause dry eyes.  My son has this as well.  Actually, he had punctal plugs inserted (silicone type).  It’s not painful and can even be done right in the doctor’s office.  The plugs have helped tremendously in keeping more of the moisture in his eyes.  He’s been a lot more comfortable since then.  Prior to that he was constantly using Refresh Plus and yet getting little to no relief.  The biggest danger is that if the situation with very dry eyes continues unchecked or untreated, damage to the cornea can eventually result. This concern along with my son’s discomfort from his dry eyes is why we went ahead with the plugs.  BTW, the silicone plugs are easily removeable if for some reason they don’t work out.  Before consenting to any more permanent surgical blocking of your puncta, you might want to ask for the silicone ones first to be sure that this will be helpful to you. Also, since you mention that your eyes are "deteriorating fast" in relation to the dry eyes, you might ask for a referral to a cornea specialist to see if damaged cornea could be the reason.  As I mentioned above, dry eyes can cause corneal damage. <<She is having me checked for Glaucoma? >> Are you on Prednisone?  About 30% of people on Prednisone are Prednisone responders.  That means they get glaucoma in response to the Prednisone.  My son is also one of these.  Fortunately, when this is the case, it usually responds pretty well to glaucoma drops.  My son’s glaucoma was well controlled with the drops.  Since he discontinued the Predisone, the glaucoma has completely cleared up.  As for other glaucoma, so long as it’s treated (so far as I know) it doesn’t usually cause blindness.  My son’s ophthalmologist likes to keep eye pressures below 20.  Anything above 20 she usually treats. Anything above 30 she says MUST be treated. <<I am afraid–does this mean I am going blind?? >> That I can’t answer.  I had fears like that too for my son’s eyesight. However, treatment has pretty much eliminated concerns about him losing his eyesight.  As for you, I think the best person to answer this question would be your ophthalmologist.   Sandra

Response:

Dear Sandra–Thank-you for the info and your time in answering mt questions. I will bring up the silicone ones first. Today everything is so blurry bi-focals or not not helpimg either way. I do take Pred.–low maintence dose thogh 5mg then 10mg and so on for SLE. I am also on 20 other meds that nessesary[sp] fpr my survival] I have so———-many other med probs. that is why I have no choice but to take thses meds. Even have the little med, pill containers for each part of the day and through the week just to keep it all straight. I had a special test lst Thurs, for Glaucoma nd also found out they where testing my Pheriferal[sp] vision too. I did so bad in the first test they called my reg. eye Dr. and had me do anpther one that wsa even longer and more extensive–will not know the out-come until next week-at the end thurs, or Fri–not sure have too look at my personnel planner that trys to help to keep me organized. I hope things w/your son are on a steady course now or at least under control for now! Thank-you again. Take Care Lar

Response:

Sorry to hear about your problems with peripheral vision.  I hope this is reversible once your glaucoma is treated and that it’s not related to the dry eye problem.  My son, by the way, was only on a very low dose of Prednisone too, but was still a responder anyway.  That is, it caused his glaucoma.  I certainly can appreciate having to be on so many medications.  My daughter is on almost as many as you for her lupus.  We’d love for her to be on less, but really don’t see any way at this time to accomplish that.  They’re all necessary.   Best wishes, Sandra

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