Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About This Website:

Why is this website called "Gabrielle's" Vision?
How can I possibly help all these children?

Basic JIA-related Uveitis Questions:

Will I be able to see symptoms of uveitis?
Then how do I know my child has it?
How do I "screen" my child?
Should the eyes be dilated before the screening?
Where do I find a Uveitis expert?
Can a cold affect my child's uveitis?
What if my child's uveitis is "not that bad?"

Step 1: Steroid Questions:

When should my child stop the steroid drops?
Is a steroid drop each day a good strategy?
Do steroid drops cause slightly bloodshot eyes?
How long can my child use steroid drops?
Can we use the steroid drops a little longer?
Is a steroid injection okay for severe uveitis?
Are Kenalog injections in the eye okay?
What if cells return with each steroid taper?
Will steroid drops cause cataracts?
Can my child use contacts while taking drops?
When should my child stop the steroid drops?

Step 2: NSAID Questions:

Should I skip the NSAID-only step?
How often should blood tests be done for NSAIDs?
Is Aleve a good NSAID to use for uveitis?
What if the NSAID step doesn't work?

Step 3: General IMT Questions:

How do I make shots less painful?
How long do I try a particular medicine?
How successful are systemic meds for uveitis?
Should we expect really bad side effects?
Should my sick child take their systemic meds?
Should my child get the flu shot?
Should my child get the DTP booster shot?
How long should my child stay on systemic meds?
How do I handle a flare on a systemic med taper?
How do I handle trace cells on a med taper?
Which IMT meds can be taken orally?
What if we have been doing IMT for years?

Methotrexate (MTX) Questions:

How successful is MTX for uveitis?
How much MTX should we use?
Should we use oral or subcutaneous MTX?
What if we can't increase the MTX dose?
Can a persistent cough be a side effect of MTX?

Remicade Questions:

How common is a severe reaction to Remicade?
How often should we do Remicade infusions?
How long can you stay on Remicade?
What is the taper algorithm for Remicade?
Should we taper MTX or Remicade first?
What if Remicade is too expensive?

Humira Questions:

Can a smaller needle help the Humira shot pain?
Can Humira alone help JIA and uveitis?

CellCept Questions:

What is the taper algorithm for CellCept?
What if inflammation returns on a CellCept taper?

Zenapax Questions:

Is Zenapax an effective systemic drug?

Enbrel Questions:

Can Enbrel actually cause uveitis?

Orencia Questions:

Will Orencia help my child's uveitis?

Uveitis Side Effects:

Should I have my child's cataract removed?

Alternate Treatments:

Can holistic medicine treat uveitis?
Can stem cells someday help my child?

Miscellaneous Questions:

Can my child's uveitis be "cured?"?
Can vigorous exercise cause a uveitis flare?
What if my child has "flare" but no cells?

If you have any questions regarding JIA or uveitis, please send them to Steve@GabriellesVision.org. Check back in a few days for the answers.