Part of living with multiple autoimmune diseases is that my body often develops really odd symptoms and syndromes out of the blue.

Of course, since I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, I’ve come to expect the unexpected at anytime really – and I mentioned in my previous post that my migraines that I thought had left me when I was younger have made a resurgence that has been really unpleasant.

Well, a few days ago, I began noticing this stabbing pain around my right eye and above it, radiating up into the right side of my head, every time I move my eyes and look up – bizarre to say the least.

It wasn’t really responding to my usual headache medications and it wasn’t improving either – and today I finally solved the mystery:

Trochleitis.

Trochleitis is inflammation of the superior oblique tendon trochlea apparatus characterized by localized swelling, tenderness, and severe pain. This condition is an uncommon but treatable cause of periorbital pain. The trochlea is a ring-like apparatus of cartilage through which passes the tendon of the superior oblique muscle. It is located in the superior nasal orbit and functions as a pulley for the superior oblique muscle. Inflammation of the trochlear region leads to a painful syndrome with swelling and exquisite point tenderness in the upper medial rim of the orbit. A vicious cycle may ensue such that inflammation causes swelling and fraying of the tendon which then increases the friction of passing through the trochlea which in turn adds to the inflammation. Trochleitis has also been associated with triggering or worsening of migraine attacks in patients with pre-existing migraines (Yanguela, 2002).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trochleitis

Also, it seems to be Rheumatoid Arthritis linked:

Cause. The cause of trochleitis is often unknown (idiopathic trochleitis), but it has been known to occur in patients with rheumatological diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, enteropathic arthropathy, and psoriasis.

Of course it is another crazy autoimmune thing.

Luckily, for me, it is also a thing that responds to steroids. As soon as I learned that, I started a few rounds of extra pred – which, thank the Lord, has helped significantly tonight.

I would have preferred not to take extra steroids, needless to say, but sometimes it just can’t be helped.

I’m sharing this just to say that, though I honestly try not to report run of the mill flare issues – which happen all of the time, we spoonies have random medical issues that we have to piece together and get to the bottom of fairly frequently. It is just part of our disease process unfortunately.

While sympathy is not needed, understanding is, because new symptoms can present at anytime. 😦

As for me, I am thankful to have found an answer to this new set of issues and to be feeling some relief from the discomfort since I increased my prednisone dosage.

As always, onward.

Be well, everybody.

Grace and Blessings.

#drinkwater