ra and scleritis

[Jjj24]

hi does anyone have scleritis alongside their rheumatoid arthritis

struggling to find something to ease these conditions.

recently started humira in feb but still in pain and agony in joints and eyes are flared

losing lots of hair since starting humira

was on cimzia before and that gave me good three years of relief

[StormySeas]

I had a couple of attacks of scleritis way before my RA was diagnosed, and episcleritis since.

I presume you are having treatment from the eye hospital for scleritis?

Mine was treated sucessfully with drops and oral steroids (I think - it was a long time ago).

If you are not having specialist treatment for your eyes it might be an idea to get an immediate referral. If not, based on my historic experience, I’d go to eye A&E. I can’t comment on your drug regime but I know that scleritis does need proper intervention.

[Jjj24 in reply to StormySeas]

Hi thanks for this, I went to eye casualty recently and was seen by a consultant who prescribed me 5mg steroids to take daily to see if this gave relief - literally over night it did but I can’t survive on steroids on and off like this, can I? It’s been almost 1.5 years and the scleritis just doesn’t settle.

Humira has definitely helped my ra but not the eyes

[HevsK]

I’ve had Scleritis and Posterior Scleritis alternately in both eyes in the last few years. First whilst on Tocilizumab and more recently whilst on Baricitinib so not blaming the meds. Each time I have been seen by the Opthalmic team in Colchester who have been very good. They usually give me Maxitrol drops alongside the moisturising drops I use every day. I also have Sjogren’s just to mess it up a little and then in February this year I had a detached retina. The team couldn’t give me a reason for it happening, could be the RA, could be many things including my age (67). I’ve had two surgeries and am now hoping it’s all fixed. Scleritis is very painful but keeping the eye hydrated has always helped me. I’m currently on Hypromellose 0.3% drops prescribed by my GP on the request of the ophthalmologist. I hope your eye clears soon and you get back to your normal xx

[Jjj24 in reply to HevsK]

Thank you so much for your response, wow you have been through the war! I really hope your recovery is pain free and ur in remission