no monsters...

[fufaraw]

This morning was a consult, to see if a procedure was needed. It's not great news, no "Take these pills and use these drops, and it should clear up within seven to ten days," which, you know, would have been optimal. But it's not dire, either.

Turns out, it's autoimmune related, probably the psoriasis, but possibly some other lovely little disorder tucked in there all secret-like. Whatever it is is causing inflammation in the eye, which is attacking itself and making the iris adhere to the lens, which pulls the iris out of shape and prevents it from iris...ing. And also is causing scarring to the lens, or a cataract, which is the giant floater "veil,"  and the longer it goes on the worse it gets.

So I have bloodwork tomorrow, searching for specific autoimmune markers, and depending on those results, she wants a spinal x-ray. I've known about the soft tissue damage for a while, but I've always run from systemic psoriasis drugs--they do so much harm, and I'd rather manage the symptoms, and have done, for years, with diet, exercize, and behavior mods: stress release and control. I had a friend with severe psoriasis for whom the drugs meant a good quality of life. But they also meant a fast and horrific end, so. As long as I can avoid them, I will.

I have steroid drops for a definite and brief period, blood work tomorrow, and I see her again on Monday to find out if she has enough information to treat, or if she needs more info, i.e., the spinal x-ray. First we get the inflammation treated, then she'll do a six-minute procedure to remove the damaged lens and slip in an artificial one, and I should have my vision back. Hey! As long as she's replacing the lens, maybe I could get a vision-corrected one. That would be neat.

Thanks for all the well-wishes. It didn't go as badly as I'd imagined. Bright lights hurt, touching my eye, DNW! But it was okay and now it's done...till Monday.

Comments

[cassiopeia7.livejournal.com]

. . . yikes. I'm keeping you in my thoughts, bb. *hugs you more*

[casey28.livejournal.com]

I had severe psoriasis when I was a child, and psoriatic arthritis on my toes. Most of it went away when I became a vegetarian. Also, swimming in the ocean (or salt water baths) helped. I'm glad that you've found ways to manage your symptoms.

I'm sorry you're dealing with all this eye stuff! Sending you positive thoughts and hugs ♥

[fufaraw]

Oh, I'm so sorry, that must have been so difficult for a child! I have a touch of arthritis in my hands, and she suspects in my ribs, spine, and hips--thus, the x-ray.

It would be hard for me to be a vegetarian, as nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, all peppers, eggplant) and onion are off my diet, permanently. As is wheat, because of the inflammatory reaction. So far I tolerate oat, corn, and rice and their gluten, in small amounts. But their glycemic index does my blood sugar no good at all. We've reduced our consumption of lean red and white meat, even fish, considerably, but we do have small portions three or four times a week.

I had (quinoa flour) mac&cheese comfort food for dinner the other night, followed by the last two homemade lemon cookies, a jigger of ginger ale in my clear soda, and a (gasp!) popsicle, and my blood sugar went skyward. Any of those would have been okay with a bit of protein and a lot of veg, but all together? Deadly.

[casey28.livejournal.com]

It was hard back then, and it's a relief that it's pretty much gone now. I sometimes get small patches of psoriasis on my elbows, and that's it.

Yes, it's hard to be a vegetarian, with all the foods that you can't eat. It's good that you've cut back on meat... that's helpful. I have some of the same issues... I'm on a restricted diet, but not the same foods that you have to avoid.

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Oh my...you know I think about you often. Okay, almost all the time. I hope things all work out. Does this mean you have to take the drugs, or they won't know exactly what's what until the x-rays?

[fufaraw]

Thank you, dear. The feeling is certainly mutual.

We're basicially waiting for the bloodwork to show which autoimmune disorder(s) I actually have. If there are markers for more than the psoriasis then I'll have the spine x-ray, so they can get a better guess at what we're dealing with. I expect there will be at least a short volley of targeted spectrum steroids. She needs to get rid of the inflammation before she can operate, and it would be very good if it didn't come back in that eye or the other one.

If there's a need for ongoing drugs, I'll negotiate for the least long-term distructive vs. most effective one(s). This is not my first dance with steroid drugs, nor my first hoedown with medical professionals who tend to think throwing drugs at things is the first, best course of action.

[debg.livejournal.com]

As someone with one of those annoying big name autoimmune conditions, I'm wondering: have they checked for lupus? My beloved Jeannette manages hers reasonably well, and she was diagnosed in the early 1980s. Not a lot of drugs, just one or two, and they don't seem to have done her anything in the way of damage.

In the meanwhile, would you like a nice little goodie package? I'm sending some out today (as part of a fundraiser) and I have plenty of spares.

[fufaraw]

You know how I am, I try to keep things light, and so quoted House, "It's not lupus," and she made grimface at me. So it could be lupus. I'm trying not to disasterize and to just maintain until we know something concrete (THEN I'll disasterize!). And you are an angel that you swear you're not, and try to disguise the fact. Spare goodies from you are always welcome, and thank you.

[debg.livejournal.com]

I'll pack you up a goodie bag.

Also, for light, I invite you to look at me. I've got multiple sclerosis and have been living with for thirteen years, beating it back with a stick. My band is heading into the studio to record out first CD in a couple of weeks. The CD is called "The Bucket List", and there's no irony in there.

Whatever you've got going on, they can and will fix it.

[fufaraw]

You've been a model of how to deal for me for a long time. All success on your CD.

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

Well that's kind of good news and a bit worrying news for you too. I hope the inflammation goes quickly and she can give you your new lens, which will be a big help, but having to have more tests etc is always stressful and probably doesn't help your psoriasis.

I'm sending you lots of positive thoughts *hugs*

[fufaraw]

Thank you.

I have a particular type of psoriasis, it only ever appeared on my hands and feet. When it stopped attacking my skin it just went systemic, so there's not a lot of activity on the skin--a little on my feet, but that's mostly under control. It does manifest in psoriatic arthritis, and rather than just in my hands, apparently it's in my spine, ribs, and hip, too--all that soft connective tissue. I've shrugged it off till now as "aches and pains" from shirking on exercize, but apparently, it isn't just all in my head.

I guess it's vindication of a sort, but it was kind of comforting to think being more dedicated to regular exercize could fix it.

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I never realized that it could affect the body except on the skin, and it sounds pretty horrible but at least you know now it's not just all in your head and hopefully something can be done to help you.