I haven’t posted for a while as after a successful micro shunt insertion (and later revision) my IOP is 10, which I hope gives anyone who is new to the glaucoma journey some positive news and hope for the future.
However I have another issue. I have been diagnosed with Ménière’s disease which is a balance disorder causing vertigo, tinnitus and loss of hearing. I have been told an injection of steroids could help with the inflammation in my ear and potentially reduce the systems, which I desperately need as I am housebound due to boughts of dizziness and vomiting. I can no longer work and am often bedridden.
But of course steroids bring their own concerns. I am blind in one eye (my glaucoma was diagnosed too late) so cannot allow the vision in my only seeing eye to be jeopardised. Does anyone have any experience of being in this situation, where they were offered/given steroid injections for maybe a rotator cuff, back or knee injury?
Thank you.
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Toby_from_London
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Glad to hear the shunt op is keeping the pressures down but sorry to hear about the other issues.
I've had similar concerns re steroid jabs as I have rheumatoid arthritis. I had jabs in my shoulder and backside some years ago (after being diagnosed with glaucoma) and had two in my right hand earlier this year. I did query if there might be an issue with me having glaucoma and was told it'd be OK and that there were different types of steroid jabs I could have. No idea which I did have tbh.
Following those, one of the nurses said they were reluctant to give me any more because I also have ongoing osteoporosis but this week one of the docs asked if my glaucoma consultant had ever said I shouldn't have steroid jabs as I think they were considering jabbing one of my knees!
He hasn't that I can ever remember and, thankfully, the jabs I had in my hand haven't affected my pressures at all. I've been to both glaucoma and corneal clinics since and pressures always between 9-11.
I wonder if they would contact the eye consultants to check?
Thank you whitedog. I also have RA; the combination of partial vision, partial hearing, vertigo and mobility issues isn’t ideal!
That’s an interesting question you raise. Before my Ménière’s was diagnosed I was told by my GP to take medication that reduces sinus pressure, such a Sudafed. As I’m sure everyone is aware, it is not advisable to take cold medication if you have Glaucoma. I’ve found from experience that most consultants only have vague knowledge of other areas of medicine, which is maybe understandable. However, research is ongoing as to the connection between Glaucoma and Ménière’s, as in layman terms both are caused by over excess of fluids.
I was ecstatic after hearing there may be a potential cure for my Ménière’s, and then heartbroken when I realised a steroid injection may not be possible for me.
I think the sensible solution here would be to get more information before having the steroid injection, and then speaking to my ophthalmologist about the risks to my eyesight. I trust him completely.
Sometimes it can be a lonely journey if you have Glaucoma, with so many decisions to be made about treatment when you have no real idea of what’s best.
This is why communities like this are so important as we can all support each other. Thank you for your response and take care.
From what I've read I think the risk of cold/hay fever meds etc is more with closed angle Glaucoma than open angle but I guess it's wise to be cautious.
There is a helpline to get messages/questions to my RA clinic but not one for Glaucoma and it's not always easy to get through to them as a patient. I know my Glaucoma consultant once wrote to the RA clinic to advise them of some meds or treatment I was having so it should be straightforward for consultants to check with each other.
I hope you get some answers soon - let us know. And all the best.
Thank you Toby for sharing your very positive post op shunt procedure,very promising to hear.I am sorry to hear of the ménières.Very unpleasant.Personally would have thought a course of steroids should help and hopefully they are fully informed of your glaucoma journey.I do know that one should not be on steroids for too long though as they can bring on other problems.A chat with your GP and eye consultant to be sure of how long etc...Good luck and really hope you get relief from your illness soon.🙏
I have lost sight in my right eye, diagnosed with glaucoma last March, I have a steroid asthma inhaler that I need to take every day, recently I had injections for a torn rotator cuff, I checked with the eye clinic first and was told it wasn’t a problem as they would alter my meds if it had any effect on my eyes.
Unfortunately I ended up needing surgery to repair my rotator cuff, but the steroids had no effect in my eye pressures. I would suggest you call your ophthalmologist and check with them.
Great news about your IOP. I have not been in your situation with regards a steroid injection but am really interested so will be following responses in this regard. I have asthma which was quite chronic. I was on steroid inhaler for COPD and during COVID had been prescribed a lot of prednisolone (steroids). So when I got diagnosed with glaucoma and fuch’s dystrophy I stopped all steroids as apparently it can be detrimental to glaucoma I’ve read but not been told directly. I was not going to risk it though. Of course like you my worry is whether my asthma will get worse in spring with pollen triggers -what will take if not able to breathe properly? So I’m really interested in what is going to be said to you if you don’t mind my following this conversation!
Hello Toby, Following my eye surgery several months ago, I had to use steroid eye drops which I was told can increase eye pressure, luckily I only had to use them for a few weeks. I do not know about taking steroids orally, or any other way, but I can understand your concern regarding your eyes. As your pressure is 10 at the moment, you might find a course of steroids does not affect your IOP too much, but your consultant would need to keep a check on this. When I read your post, the first thing that struck me was your diagnosis for Meniere’s (sorry about the spelling!) A few years ago, my partner was suffering with dizzy spells and generally feeling unwell - his doctor said he thought it sounded like your problem - obviously partner was worried because I think it is something you are supposed to inform the DVLA about!! Anyway, it turned out that it was a combination of low blood pressure and possibly an under active thyroid!! Consequently, he stopped taking his high blood pressure pills, they were working too well and now takes a daily pill for his thyroid! It might just be worth getting a “second opinion” - just a thought! x
I had a steroid injection for a shoulder problem 3 months after a cataract op to reduce the pressure in my left eye (acute angle closure glaucoma) - I checked with my eye consultant beforehand and was reassured that the injection would not affect my eye. My pressures have settled at 14. 6 months later I had a repeat injection, 6 weeks after a cataract op on my good (right) eye - again no adverse effect. Like you, I have minimal vision in one eye and am hyper-protective of the excellent vision in the other. Best thing is to check with your eye hospital, but it seems safe.
I also have glaucoma and was diagnosed with Meniere's in 1 ear not long ago. Horrible combination! I did have 3 steroid shots in the ear to bring down the inflammation in an attempt to prevent further hearing loss. I was assured by the vestibular specialist treating me that the steroid remains in the ear so doesn't pose a threat to the eye pressure or systemic issues. The shots were quick and painless. Unfortunately they didn't help me as were given a few months after the symptoms started. Seems they need to be given early on to help. The shots didn't affect my eye pressure at all.
I'm in the U.S. so treatment protocols may be different here than in the UK.
some people are steroid reactors in terms of it increasing eye pressure. I am one of them and have open angle glaucoma. However not everyone is a steroid reactor by any means. I’m very careful and avoid steroids. However as I understand it prednisolone/dexamethasone steroids are the ones to avoid if you are a reactor and other steroid classes can be fine. I’d speak to your consultant about it. 👍😊
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