[sdiy] [OT] Going Blind....

[Aaron Lanterman]

On Oct 17, 2009, at 1:34 AM, James Patchell wrote:

> But unlike last year, at least it looks like we are homing in on a  
> possible cause for the loss of my vision.  Sad to say, but the  
> damage is permanent.  But maybe I can save someone else from this  
> missery.  It would seem that my problem was created by a bad side  
> effect of a perscription drug.  I was on a Proton Pump Inhibitor.  
> Common brand names here in the US are Protonix, Prirolsec, Acifex,  
> Nexium (the little purple pill).  These drugs cause a rare condition  
> known as anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.  If you are taking one  
> of these drugs, and you sense anything funning going on with eyes,  
> stop taking it.  Once the event takes place (it is like a stroke),  
> there is no going back.....

Eeee gads! Jim I am so sorry to hear that.

I've had pretty vicious acid reflux for decades - I've been taking  
Prilosec for a while, and just switched to Kapidex which is stronger  
(recently had an upper endoscopy and they found Barrett's esophagus).  
Thank you for the warning - I had never heard of that awful side  
effect. I probably should be reading the fine print more. I will keep  
careful track of my vision.

I hate to ask this, but it would be good to know - how did it start?  
What were your first symptoms?

- Aaron