Update on Sudden Vision Loss and Concerns
A sudden loss of vision can be alarming, especially when it manifests quickly in one eye. Regarding my mother, who is 52 years old, stands at 5 feet tall, and weighs around 100 pounds: she has a troubled past marked by two overdoses due to meth, but she has been sober for the past seven years. She also struggles with anorexia and orthorexia, dedicating significant time to yoga and exercise, often working out for five hours daily. Among her unconventional health methods, she consumes naturopathic remedies, such as apricot seeds and methylene blue. Approximately seven months ago, my mother developed an all-over itchy rash, which I initially suspected could be measles. Unfortunately, she refused to seek medical attention from a qualified physician. Alongside the rash, she experienced jaw pain, extreme fatigue, inner ear complications, severe headaches, and persistent feelings of malaise. Last Saturday, she suffered a dramatic decline in her vision, losing roughly 80% of it in her left eye. After being taken to the hospital, she underwent a CT scan that excluded the possibility of a stroke. Medical professionals informed her that she had tertiary syphilis and required hospitalization, but she declined and opted for steroid eye drops instead, as she doesn’t trust conventional medicine. I am genuinely concerned about the potential life-threatening nature of syphilis, and I wonder how much time may remain for her without appropriate treatment. Subsequent medical evaluations confirmed the diagnosis of syphilis, identifying it as ocular syphilis. On the first day she started taking doxycycline orally, she went to bed and unexpectedly found herself on the opposite side of her room with no recollection of how she got there. This was followed by five hours of vomiting, along with persistent fogginess and headaches lasting two days thereafter. I fear she may be experiencing seizures when alone and not recalling these episodes. During her time as an addict, she suffered numerous seizures and even set up a camera to keep track of them for her safety. My concerns about the possibility of neurosyphilis are growing. Despite this concern, all she has been prescribed is four weeks of doxycycline, a cortisol steroid, and steroid eye drops, with a follow-up scheduled for August. She is severely fatigued, and her compulsive exercising—driven by OCD—has come to a halt. I have reached out to her doctors, yet none have responded to my inquiries. Am I being overly protective? Should I place my trust in their medical expertise? From my research, I do not grasp why they are not utilizing penicillin desensitization or suggesting further treatment options. Moreover, the doctors assured her that her eyesight would definitely improve, yet there have been no changes after a week. I acknowledge my limitations as a layperson, but based on my findings on syphilis, both ocular and neurological, the treatment plan she has been given seems inadequate. Additionally, given her history as a drug addict, I suspect she may not be receiving the appropriate level of care. She was a victim of sex trafficking around 15 years ago, potentially leading to her current syphilis infection. Her life has been exceedingly challenging, and my greatest fear is that she may pass away just as her condition appears to be improving. Please advise me: should I adopt a more assertive stance and advocate for better care on her behalf, or am I being too alarmist? Thank you for your insights.
Answers (1)
6/28/2025, 7:51:02 AM
OpenHealth AI
I understand your deep concern for your mother's health, especially given her complex medical history and current challenges. Managing a serious condition like ocular syphilis requires careful attention and sometimes urgent intervention. Here’s a structured response focusing on your immediate concerns and next steps:
Key Points:
- Ocular syphilis can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated adequately, and your mother's current treatment may be insufficient.
- Given her symptoms (e.g., severe fatigue, vomiting, potential seizures), her situation warrants further evaluation and potentially more aggressive treatment.
- It’s essential to be persistent in advocating for her care, especially considering her history and symptoms.
Explanation:
Ocular syphilis is a serious infection that can cause significant vision problems and may indicate broader neurological issues, especially considering her previous drug use and possible history of neurosyphilis. The last episode you described—where she experienced disorientation and vomiting—could indicate serious complications, and it is understandable that you worry about her wellbeing.
Doxycycline is a common treatment for syphilis, but penicillin is often the more effective standard for neurosyphilis and ocular syphilis. If she is not improving and her symptoms persist or worsen, it raises genuine concerns.
Recommended Next Steps:
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Advocate for Immediate Medical Attention: Given your mother's deteriorating condition, it may be necessary to seek a more aggressive stand in her care. Consider requesting an urgent follow-up appointment with her healthcare provider or seeking a second opinion from an infectious disease specialist, particularly one familiar with ocular and neurological manifestations of syphilis.
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Document Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of her symptoms, including any episodes of confusion, vomiting, or fatigue, and their frequency and duration. Share this information with her healthcare providers to convey the seriousness of her condition.
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Explore Options for Hospitalization: Given her serious symptoms and past medical history, advocating for a reassessment of inpatient care may also be necessary. Hospitalization could provide a more comprehensive evaluation and immediate treatment possibilities.
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Inquire About Penicillin Treatment: It's crucial to understand why penicillin hasn’t been suggested for her treatment. If she is open to it, ask if she could be a candidate for penicillin desensitization, given her health condition.
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Support & Encourage: While advocating for her, ensure she feels supported. Encourage open dialogue about her concerns regarding conventional medicine and try to address those in discussions with her healthcare team.
Final Thoughts:
You are not being overly alarmist; it’s reasonable to worry about her health given the circumstances. Persistently seeking appropriate care for her is vital. Encourage her to work closely with trustworthy healthcare professionals who can guide her through this serious illness. Please keep your concerns documented, remain engaged, and be her advocate during this critical time. If there are any other specifics you'd like to address or clarify, feel free to ask.
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