Could Posterior Scleritis be linked to Baricitinib?

[HevsK]

Good morning, I rarely post on here although read every day but am looking for input from fellow RA warriors. Three weeks ago I developed pain in my left eye which steadily got worse and I eventually got an appointment with a nurse practitioner at our surgery. I also had cystitis so added that to my list of woes and had antibiotics for it. She was very helpful and referred me immediately to a local optician who has a NHS listing with our surgery. He in turn referred me as urgent to the hospital eye clinic where I was seen the next morning. After examinations and an ultrasound on both eyes I was diagnosed with posterior scleritis, prescribed steroid eye drops to be put in 6 times a day and go back in two weeks. That was two weeks ago and I have a follow up appointment for 11th October (a tad longer than two weeks). I’ve been spending most of my time propped up on my bed with the shutters closed and the brightness turned down on TV etc. and now my eyes are no longer as painful, just a dull ache now and then but I’m scared of it returning. I started Baricitinib 3 weeks prior to the onset of the problem so I have researched Dr Google and the UTI is likely to be linked to the medication but I don’t know about the Scleritis. The ophthalmologist said it’s definitely linked to my RA but I’m worried it’s also linked to the Baricitinib. I was diagnosed with RA in 1981 when I was 25 and since then have, according to my previous rheumatologist, “been through the book” of medication, most recently ten years on Tocilizumab up to June last year. It’s been a difficult time since then managing on steroids and opioids so I’m desperate not to have side effects outweighing benefits of the Baricitinib as there is nothing else for me to try. Also fearful that it will return as painful as it was, it really was like RA pain in my eyeball and socket 😔 can anyone put my mind at rest at all?

To add insult to injury, after two and a half years dodging Covid my husband tested positive on Tuesday and I’m now symptomatic (cough, sore throat and slight temp) although still testing negative!

[AgedCrone]

I’d speak to your RA team & explain what the ophthalmologist said….it’s very upsetting when you have to come off a successful drug…but you need to know if you should stop or change the dose of the Baricitinib…..eyes are very important ……so try to speak to your rheumy nurse….if you are expected to wait for her to call you back,,l’d go back to the nurse practitioner & see if she can hurry things along.

[HevsK in reply to AgedCrone]

hi AC, thanks for replying. The ophthalmologist asked me to contact my RA team so I emailed my rheumatologist’s secretary who replied that Dr D was on holiday but would catch up with info on her return to work. Since then I have had an appointment to see her next month after my follow up with eye clinic.

I forgot to add in my post that I also have Sjogren’s syndrome, also linked to the RA

[Sarahg62]

I developed Uveitis about 8 years ago, whilst on Enbrel. I have had RA/AS since 1980, at age 18. Eye problems are common with Autoimmune diseases. I had never heard of Uveitis up till then. A conversation with my Rheumy confirmed that Enbrel was the issue, and that it was the only one in that group of medications to cause Uveitis. I have now moved over to Idacio.

Unfortunately I still get bouts of eye problems, including a Macular Odeama ( not nice). The covid jabs are also causing flare ups, literally within 2 weeks of my jab I get a Uveitis flare - really aggravating. Sadly another side affect of RA . You definitely need a conversation with your Rheumy Doc.