has anyone had problems with Cataracts since having PMR or GCA I went for check up at eye clinic on Tuesday as I was in Jan that I have Galucoma and at the check up this week to be told I know have a cataract on left eye and the start of one on my right eye .
Steph
Hi steph,
Can be a side effect of Prednisolone, unfortunately. Good Luck. dDorset Lady
Hi Steph
Yes, I too have glaucoma and was diagnosed with cataracts during my steroid treatment. However, I have recently been told that they are slow growing and more likely to be age-related.
Hi Steph,
I too have some clouding of my lenses, but the optician said it is 'age related' and not to worry. Try not to worry about the glaucoma - there are drops for that and they will keep it under control.
Pats.
hi Pats
i am on eye drops and have been for quite a few months , had a call from docs yesterday even to say my ESR has gone up from 7 to 58 why woild it go up ?
Steph
Hi Steph,
Sorry but can't help as far as your rise in ESR is concerned, but did the doctor not offer an explanation?
How is your illness progressing? Is it under control?
Pats.
no doc didn't say anything, I had a bad cold and chest infection the other week so I think that could have something to do with high ESR. Im still signed off work 10ths now , the illness has ups and downs I still carnt walk far or do much and very tired, I went out with my sister last week I didn't do a lot of walking but when I got home I could hardly put one foot in front of the other.
ive got to go for a medical at the benefit office to see if I can still get ESA payments.
Steph
Hi Steph,
The virus and chest infection will prob be responsible for your raised ESR.
I felt just like you do until I got down to 10mg and below - I am now on 7mg and feel pretty good.
Hang on Steph, believe it or not, you will feel your strength come back once you get to the lower doses, but don't be in a hurry. The last thing you need is a flare.
Pats.
I have had PMR for two years and have gradually tapered my pred dosage. My optometrist has told me that, at 72, I am almost unique in having no signs of cataract in either eye. My sister, on the other hand, who has never had PMR, does hav glaucoma. This suggests to me that cataract is more likely to be age-related. Glaucoma can he hereditary.
I have got PMR and temporal Arteritis, I was diagnosed 6 years ago. I have never been able to get below 5mg Prednisolone and was told last year that I have the begining of cataracts in both eyes. I recently , 6 months ago was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at the same time my PMR flared yet again. I am back on 10mg of prednisolone, which is barely containing the PMR but do not want to take anymore, I have gained 4 stone on these and find it extremely frustrating that I cannot get off these drugs. I am now 61, and apparently at 55 was young to get this.
Izzy 51
Hi Pats sorry I forgot to ask how you are ?
Steph
Hi Steph,
Just concerned about you - as I said in an earlier answer, I'm OK.
But let's not forget, you are recovering from a virus. Give it time. Last year I felt like you do now, but I have climbed back up again and am feeling so much better - don't lose heart.
Pats.
Hi Steph I had cataracts on both eyes due to steroids and have had them both removed. Still have alot of eye problems....thats another story...am also steroid induced insulin depandant diabetic !!!! All good fun keep smiling. Good luck. I'm a Steph too
Hi Steph
I have had PMR and GCA 2 1/2 years. Due to flare up in Jan 2013 I have been on very high doses pred i.e 60 x i month 50 x 1 month and so on.
I have developed glaucoma which responds well to eye drops but also developed cateracts in both eyes. During this time also dev diabetes which I am now trying to manage.Eye surgeon said that it was a combination of high pred, dev diabetes that contributed to eye problems.
I am hoping to have surgery to 1st eye in May but this is dependant on my sugar levels.
It is frustrating as in the past when I have had sudden blurred vision and been concerned that it is caused by GCA and visited emergency eye clinic, on 2 occasions it has been high levels of glaucoma, because of high doses of pred.
However, if my eyesight changes I always see opthalmologist and they always emphasise the importance of seeing them as without their examination you cannot diagnose whether its GCA, Glaucoma etc.
I can understand the total feeling of exhaustion, I can only walk a few paces and I am tired.
Although 55yrs I feel about 90 for most of the time.
Best wishes
Maryjayne
steroids can cause eye problems especially in doses over 30mg - what certainly effects the eyes is GCA - this ican also kille you if it is not controlled.
Hi Patsy235, can you please clarify / explain how GCA "can also kill you".
Maryjayne
Hi Steph
I was diagnosed with PMR/Temporal arteritis in Feb 2011 and put on 60mg Prednisolone reducing to 20mg in the following 4 weeks. At 75years old I knew I had age related cataracts forming but they were not causing me problems, by July 2011 my vision was so blurred I couldn't read or go out alone, I was told it was due to the Preds, I had my first cataract op in October and the second one the following March, I consider myself very lucky my eyesight is almost perfect now. We are all different and I believe we have different side effects, I didn't put on any weight at all. I am having difficulty getting down from 7mg to 6mg but I am determind and will. This site is my salvation, I have a problem and come on here and someone else has the same. Thankyou all.
Hi Maryjayne - GCA occurs when arteries become inflamed. If an affected artery becomes very inflamed, the blood supply going down that artery can become blocked. The most common artery this affects are the small arteries going to the eye. If one of these arteries becomes blocked it can cause permanent, serious visual problems. Serious complications sometimes develop if the inflammation occurs in other arteries. For example, a heart attack, an aortic aneurysm, a stroke, damage to nerves, or deafness (caused by a blocked artery in the brain). It is important to go to your Doctor and explain how bad you feel - don't think what you are going for is trivial - GCA should be taken seriously. Hope this helps.
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