eye/thyroid problems

Question

Hi all,

a brief recap - stage 3, grade 3, genotype 1a.  I've been in tx for 65 weeks - 7 to go.  Vision has deteriorated considerably, lots of wretched sx, and was diagnosed 2 days ago with  a nodule of some sort on my thyroid.  Of greater concern - I just found out today at an eye exam that I have lots of bleeding in my right eye, which is affecting my peripheral far right vision.

Here's the rub: my Dr is out on medical leave, and the RN, who has been my contact person, is away on vacation.  DOes anyone know if either of these are emergencies that would warrant stopping tx immediately?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Kristi

Idylle · Answer

I developed what I believed to be cotton wool spots in my vision. For the few days that it took to confirm that this was the case my doc asked me to suspend interferon. This delayed one injection by about 3 days. Once the vision abnormalities were confirmed to be cotton wool spots I was cleared to resume treatment.  My strong recommendation is follow the advice of Bill 1954 above and seek medical advice ASAP regarding the continuation of treatment.

Good luck.

Bill1954 · Answer

At week 65 with retinal bleeding, I’d be tempted to miss a dose of IFN rather than run the risk of exacerbating any issues with my eyes. As sunshine mentioned, your GI doc will have someone covering for him; I’d probably call his service, carefully explain the need to speak with an MD, and skip a dose if necessary. I don’t know if full cessation of treatment is required, but I’d at minimum want to be on record with the treating doctor’s office. Hopefully, some others will chime in as well.

Good luck, and let us know how things go—

Bill

sunshine585 · Answer

What did the doc say who dx'd your eye? Your hep doc will have an emergency cover, to asess the situation. I am post tx and have tx related vision probs, which I am getting treated for, (no bleed). I also have hypothyroid, since the end of tx. I'm trying to get info on that myself. In any case, don't wait, you need to have a Dr. make a decision about the tx. This is serious.