Can anyone tell me anything about Pars Planitis????

[2johndeereboys]

I am a 41 year old woman that got DX'd back in September. My eye Dr thought she saw a retinal tear so she referred me to a retinal spwcialist. He dilated my eyes, did an exam and asked me how my health was. I responded that I was healthy. But that I recently tested borderline positive for Lyme. He then informed me that I did not have a retinal tear.....instead I had Idiopathic Pars Planitis. Said I have probably had it for 10 years or more and that it is nothing to worry about. All I need to do is follow up with my eye Dr in 6 months.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago and my Aunt (on my Dad's side) informed me that she was DX'd with the same thing!!!! But her retinal specialist ordered blood work (her results are not in as of today 11/6/15) and gave her eye drops to use and she has already followed up with him today. And has to back in 2 weeks!!

I should add that I just went in for my annual eye exam. I was not having any problems. I do see a lot of floaters & flashes of light now & then.  But I recently had to quit taking one of my meds because I am having trouble swallowing it. I have been on this med since 2013 (it's a 30 mg pill....I cut it in 1/2 and take 15mg in the AM & the other 15mg at bedtime) I have been doing this the whole time I have been on it but in the last 2 months I just can't swallow that darn pill. I choke on it EVERYTIME!!! But I have been choking easily on anything I put in my mouth lately!! And I notice that my fingertips tingle sometimes. Not all of them.....and never my toes just my fingertips!!

I am sorry this got so long!! Thanks in advance if anyone replies!!

Lisa

[2johndeereboys]

Thank you so much for your reply!! I am extremely worried and I think I should see my PCP for a referral to a neurologist. The retinal specialist I saw was from St. Louis....he travels to Cape Girardeau , Mo once a week and I saw him in Cape.  But I will talk to my eye Dr and see if I can get another referral!!

Thank you so very much!!I truly appreciate your time & concern!!

Lisa

[JohnHaganMD]

My grandparents lived in Dexter so I'm familiar with SE Missouri.  If you want to continue to go to Cape its important that the retina doctor know you have all those other symptoms, the Lyme test result etc.  If he knew of your other symptoms elsewhere in your body I don't think he would advise just observation.  JCH MD

[2johndeereboys]

Thank you so much for your reply!! I am extremely worried and I think I should see my PCP for a referral to a neurologist. The retinal specialist I saw was from St. Louis....he travels to Cape Girardeau , Mo once a week and I saw him in Cape.  But I will talk to my eye Dr and see if I can get another referral!!

Thank you so very much!!I truly appreciate your time & concern!!

Lisa

[JohnHaganMD]

This is EXTREMELY important:
1. Read this article on pars planitis (PP) https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/pars-planitis/
2. Also read the section on PP on WebMD
3. I would see a second retina specialist to confirm the diagnosis and ask about special tests.
4. You need to see a neurologist. there are systemic diseases associated with PP and the most common association is multiple sclerosis, lyme's disease and others as listed in the link I posted.
5. This does not mean you have a systemic disease but given your symptoms they need to be excluded by a neurologist and retina specialist.
JCH MD

[JohnHaganMD]

PLEASE CONFIRM YOU HAVE READ THIS!