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I had IV Acyclovir for Eye Herpes

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Gate_Keeper
Gate_Keeper

6 weeks ago, I had a severe headache for 5 days which I thought was from blocked sinuses. Then one night my right eye swelled and closed up. I went to A&E. I had an MRI brain scan of the brain and eye sockets, the bloods had markers for a clot on the brain. No clot was found. The docs said they could see a pattern of pustules forming over the right side of my head and around the eye brow. The scalp was very itchy and I had sensitivity to bright light. I was admitted and given IV anti virus and IV steroids for 5 days with medication for the nausea and pain. Nursing care consisted of having my bad eye washed out with sterile water using syringes 4 times a day, a combination of an antibiotic and steroid drops being inserted, then 5 minutes later, Acyclovir eye ointment inserted, also 4 times a day. After a week, I was sent home on Oral Acyclovir 800 mg x 2 for 3 more days plus to continue with the eye care/eye drop/eye ointment regime.

6 weeks on, I have seen the specialist twice as an outpatient. He looked inside the eyes. I used E45 anti itch cream and it helped to relieve the itching and I self medicated with Piriton tablets for the itching. The itching has mostly stopped, I still get bad headaches, but they are lessening intensity. For the pain I was prescribed opiates and only take them at night. 3 days ago, I developed red eye and soreness. I rang up the eye specialist and he said I am to increase the Acyclovir eye ointment to every waking 4 hours and the combination eye drops, one drop every 6 waking hours. I will see him tomorrow for a review as I have started to get blue streaks/spots in the colors of the vision in the bad eye. I think I am making progress.

Thats my story so far.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Gate_Keeper
    Gate_Keeper

    Posted

    I should add, I am Nairobi until July when I return to the UK. I saw the eye specialist about the red eye a few days ago. He said I should not be using a syringe to wash the eye out, as it has its own inbuilt natural washing system. He wants me to go back to eye care every 4 hours and that is what I have been doing, inserting the eye drops and antivirus eye ointment. The numbness around the eyebrow and to one side of the scalp is still there. At night the pain is excrutiating until I have taken 6 Betapyn tablets (Paracetemol 450mg and Codeine 10mg) at bedtime. Of note, in Kenya, Over the counter opiates can only be prescribed by a Doctor - last year they were made into controlled drugs because of addiction and safety. I would love an alternative, although I am on Pregabalin 75mg and Amitriptyline 10mg at night. Thank you for reading.

  • Gate_Keeper
    Gate_Keeper

    Posted

    image

    At last the swelling and red eye has cleared and I am continuing with the eye drops and eye ointment. I have managed to cut back from taking 60mg of Codeine at night to 20mg. I cut down from 6 Paracetemol to 2. However, tonight I added another 10mg of Amitriptyline for the nerve pain, making 20mg in total. and hopefully it will cheer me up/help with sleep.

    thank you for reading.

  • jessica79408
    jessica79408 Gate_Keeper

    Posted

    did they tell you how you got it in your eye ??

    • Gate_Keeper
      Gate_Keeper jessica79408

      Posted

      My apologies for missing your question. It started off with a severe headache which I had for about 6 days before I sought medical attention. On the 6th day the eye swelled up and I went to the hospital.

      Interestingly, during my admission whilst I was on oral and I/V Acyclovir, the virus had not ulcerated the cornea. Within 24 hours of stopping the oral Acyclovir, the cornea became ulcerated. The eye specialist said my eye shingles was Atypical. I was not told why it went to the eye. When I asked if I should go back on oral Acyclovir, I was told there would not be any benefit in doing this.

      A few years ago I was curious and had a blood test for Herpes. The result was negative.

    • Gate_Keeper
      Gate_Keeper sindy86823

      Posted

      Hi Sindy868

      Thank you for asking. It did heal, but the neuropathic numbness to the scalp remains. The headaches and scalp itching disappeared after 6 months.

      I keep a full supply of Acyclovir tablets and eye ointment in case it returns.

      How are you?

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