posted
if treated by antibiotics, is it possible visual and eye symptoms such as blurred, foggy and painful eyes caused by lyme go away?
Posts: 115 | From San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
Good question. Did anyone's eye symptoms go away with abx?
In my case, no, the abx did not stop eye symptoms. Only the mangosteen juice stopped/stops mine.
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
My blurred vision and difficult to move eyes are better. I used abx, rife and detox.
Posts: 524 | From Hudson Valley, NY | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
cats have you experienced feeling that there's dirts/sand in your eyes but if you look at them there's nothing? it's so irritating and the discomfort is remarkable
Posts: 115 | From San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines | Registered: Oct 2009
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Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
So far abx have not helped me at all.
I still have floaters, blurred vision, an abnormally dilating pupil, and just general inability to focus that come and go.
Things had been kind of settled a bit, now yesterday all heck broke loose again and I thought I wouldn't be able to drive home from the store.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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I did feel like there was a grain of sand in my eye. My eye doctor said that I scratched it when I was rubbing my eyes. My eyes burn so badly that the only thing that seemed to help was to rub them, well that led to more problems, the scratches to my cornea.
I used steriod drops and antiboitics and none of them helped me. I was to the point where the retinal specialist was going to put me in the hospital, sew my eyes shut, on a morphine drip to stop me from damaging my own eyes.
My only relief....plain old eye drops put in the fridge to make them cold, and wetting tea bags putting them in the fridge to get cold and them putting them on my eye lids and lightly squeezing them. There is also a very thich eye ointment you can put in your eyes at night it has the consistency of vaseline and it will lubricate them.
It was a horrible situation and I am sorry you are suffering. I think my antiboitics were helping me kill off some bacteria and my immune system was trying to kick in gear and it caused me all kinds of inflammation, in my eyes, knees, hips, I was miserable!!
I am not better, my eyes still burn, my knees still hurt, and I am still god-aweful tired, but the symptoms are a little more bearable.
Good luck, Shalome
Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
actually im still searching if my symptoms are lyme since there is no LLMd here in the philippines and the doctors believe that there's no such thing here in our country.
that's why robin is trying to help me solve a little bit of info regarding my situation.
thanks for the posts
Posts: 115 | From San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
does it mean when symptoms acquired, the treatment using antibiotics will not help get back to the normal condition of such portion of complaint?
Posts: 115 | From San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines | Registered: Oct 2009
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2roads
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4409
posted
Gerard,
My son complains of the same thing.
I cannot understand what this feels like to him. He pulls on his lower lids.
Can you explain as an adult to adult what this feels like so I can better understand my son? He's only seven.
I want to say that he is an unfolding puzzle. he has acuity issues hence glasses. He also has Vision issues which have prompter the Vision Therpist to prescribe him bifocals and computer software to practise Teaming, convergence and focusing 20 minutes a night, five nights a week.
Depite all this, I know the tactile discomfort is involved. I think he has a three tiered issue, the last being Tick-borne infections.
He is being treated for Babesia and Lyme. He has tested positive for both of these as well as Bart. Anyone could probably be an issue.
Parasites could be an issue. I don't know if that would be in the form of Babesia or some other culprit. Gael has lots to add to that.
up
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Gerard, I had lyme, babesiosis, and bartonella. I completed my lyme treatment 4 1/2 years ago. I am still symptom-free, enjoying my life--the same life I had before lyme disease.
When I had these diseases, I had the feeling of sand in the eyes very badly. I went to an eye doctor for it. He said I had dry eye. He wanted to plug up the eye drains in my eyes so that the tears that I DID have would stay in the eyes and help lubricate the eyes more.
I decided not to do that. The way I got rid of the eye problems was with good lyme disease treatment. My first 2 doctors did not give me good treatment, so for 2 years I took medicine and did not get much better. Then, I switched to a Burrascano type doctor and got rid of all of my symptoms and all of my diseases.
It is very common for lyme and the coinfections to cause dry eye. It also caused dry mouth for me, and it was severe. It kept me up at night, and it caused terrible bad breath. The dentist had to give me a special mouth wash for this. This also went away with good lyme treatment.
So, I believe you have dry eye from lyme disease. When the eye is dry, it is irritated and so the eyes can water, get red, and feel terrible. This causes blurred vision.
The eye doctor had me use RefreshPM at night. It is thick like Vaseline. You heat up the little tube in a litte warm water to make the ointment liquid, then you drop a drop in each eye right before going to sleep.
During the day, use eye drops all the time. Try not to look at a computer too much because that just makes things worse. We don't blink enough when using a computer. If you have to use a computer, make yourself blink more often if you can.
I hope this helps you get a little relief with your eyes until you can find a way to treat your disease. The doc is the key to getting rid of these diseases. And, I believe the Burrascano protocol is the most successful one. It cured me and a number of my friends and acquaintances. It is found here:
Try your best to find a doc who follows this protocol and you have the best chance for getting well, in my opinion.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Gerard Bobis,
I've had all the eye stuff you describe, too.
You should be sure to see your eye doctor to be sure there is not a tear or such. Keep your eyes lubricated at all times is of utmost importance. Rest your eyes often, too.
Check all your meds. Does even one of the list dry-eye or dry mouth as a side-effect. If one cause "dry mouth" it will also cause dry eyes. That is common with many antidepressants or sleep meds.
Otherwise, what you describe is frequent with lyme, as others explained. While it is vital to see complete treatment for lyme and other tick borne infections, you need more than just antibiotics.
You will need good antioxidants that are specific to the eyes such as bilberry. Mangosteen, too, as mentioned above.
Using a preservative-free "liquid" tear formula is important.
In addition to the abx, and even antioxidants, you also MUST have liver support to help keep damage from toxins to a minimum. Antioxidants can help reduce the effect of toxins but liver support can help the liver deal with all that.
Nutritional support is listed on four pages in the link at the bottom of the previous post by TF (with Burrascano's guidelines).
Links below are not about lyme and not meant to replace lyme treatment but offer good support measures:
Vision: Natural Ways to Maintain Eye Health - By Jim English
Excerpt:
. . .
A number of nutrients have been extensively studied for their ability to treat a wide variety of vision-related conditions by preventing the damage caused by free radical activity and by enhancing the delivery of blood and oxygen to the retina to help repair tissues
. . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- You said there are no LLMDs in the Philippines. Would you be able to travel? It is important to see a LLMD for a good diagnostic work up. It may not be lyme, but a good LLMD can help sort that out.
Also to consider: a good N.D. (naturopathic doctor) who may be informed about lyme? If there are no LLMDs in your country there may be some NDs who are LL (but be sure they are also ILADS-educated in that they have read all the materials and understand).
I could see no lyme support group listed for your country. So, while, ILADS does not normally make doctor referrals, you might contact ILADS and ask them who may be closest to you.
posted
i don't take any medicines except paracetamol when i'm having a headache and supplements such as multi-vitamins, vit. C and started to drink mangosteen juice as robin suggested..
everytime i wake up i feel like having flu, my muscles ache a bit, weak, my eye symptoms still there and sometimes i feel like my throat is being pinched and feeling of dry mouth..
i can't travel abroad since lack of money is my problem. i'll try to work the things all of you suggested..
but as time goes by, my symptoms adds up..that's why i'm in a hurry to find a doctor here to help me since there is no LLMD here and doctors that i talk to don't believe there's lyme here in our country.
i'll go to makati med today to visit one referred by my internist. hope he'll oblige to help me. i printed out the burrascano guidelines.
oh by the way, what supplement can help support our liver? and what's a naturaphatic doctor? i'm seeing a rheumatologist later, would you think he can help?
Posts: 115 | From San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines | Registered: Oct 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
-
Along with Burrascano's guidelines, you might take the contact information for ILADS: www.ilads.com
If you are lucky, perhaps, the new doctor will reach out to learn more.
------------
A naturophatic doctor (N.D.) is one with a degree in naturopathic medicine, focusing mostly on the use of herbal supplements and other nutritional options (vitamins), as well as educating the patient in good health practices.
While many NDs don't know about lyme and may not be aggressive enough, some are learning more and some are even members of ILADS, incorporating antibiotics with natural support methods.
I would think you would have several NDs or L.Ac (acupuncturists) there. Be sure they hold degrees from accredited colleges. Then ask if they know about lyme and, if so, how much do they know?
The N.D.s there may be called something else, like doctor of Oriental Medicine or something similar. If you can find a doctor knowledgeable about tropical diseases, that might be your ticket.
---
Most rheumatologists don't know anything about lyme and will likely diagnose you with fibromyalgia and give you antidepressants and NSAIDS that can rip up your stomach while never addressing underly infections that may be there.
The group to which most rheumatologists follow the IDSA guidelines which basically dismisses lyme, treating only early cases and only for a very short time (too short). They also discount other tick-borne infections that often travel with lyme.
Now, not all rheumatologists are cut of that cloth, but you'd need to find out first. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- You also asked: what supplement can help support our liver?
Milk Thistle and NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine) are the top two. See the supplement section below.
posted
no, but in cbc and blood tests it will manifest..all are normal
Posts: 115 | From San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines | Registered: Oct 2009
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
My main eye issues have been floaters. They started shortly after I became sick. Though I seem to be improving somewhat, the floaters are not...despite many different good abx rounds.
So I have a feeling they'll be with me for a while. They're a nuisance more than anything but not necessarily a threat...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- CBD and blood tests can be normal for many of the chronic stealth infections. That is why you need a more experienced doctor.
Good idea, about the leptospirosis. You might also ask about Chagas Disease.
Symptoms sure are similar to chronic lyme. I think everyone should be screened.
posted
My now 7 year started with eye symptoms at age 5. Began having visual hallucinations, scary stuff. Had every test, MRI's, EEGs, etc....
No one would treat despite positive lyme, Dr's said maybe "anxiety" another said maybe silent migraines... Symtptoms did not fit...
At age 6, visual issues changed to blurry vision. Son explained it as "trying to look out a window when it's pouring out, but you can't see." Again, many tests.... no answers. Pedi neuro said "Let me think about it and get back to you"....never did.
Gave up going the traditional route, sought out LLMD. He's been under treatment since June, all eye issues have disappeared with the exception of two bouts of eye pain.
I'm hopeful. He does not have co-infections...
-------------------- Mom to a 5 year old lymie.... Taking it one day at a time. Posts: 182 | From Ipswich, MA | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Good points about leptosporosis and chagas - certainly broadens the investigation.
I looked at their symptom lists, and Gerard, I think it would be a good idea to also look at their symptom lists. They're listed as acute and chronic symptoms - see if you match any of this.
Then it raises the question of how accurate are tests for these other infections.
I see that leptosporosis is treated with abx similar for Lyme - ie, doxycycline and penicillin.
If Gerard is in the tropics, then what kind of a doctor should he be going to who would routinely test people properly for other tropical disease possibilities too? You'd think there would be routine tropical medicine centers.
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
How does one ask for a Chagas screening without the MD laughing at you? Also is there a good test for it?
None of my LLMDs have even hinted at these other infections.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Floaters don't go away quickly. I had a few, I got down to one in my left eye, now I've got a couple. This is over a period of 18 years. My eye problems were straightened out after my first run of abx years ago, however, they took a long time to get back to normal.
One symptom I had forgotten until it crept back up was the eye pain. Constantly feels like someone is pushing on your eyes, too much pressure, something. I've been tested in the past when I was doing this and the pressure isn't a problem, just feels like it.
Doing some reading, it sounds like the blurry vision is caused by neuritis, at least in my case. When I'm having a crappy moment, my left eye just kinda... quits.
It won't focus, I won't recognize objects. I've been looking for the phone or remote or something, looked over the coffee table, didn't see it, turned to my left to walk away and the table is now in my right field of vision.
Low and behold, the #$@$ thing was right in front of me the whole time on the left side of the table. Looking right at it, but it wasn't recognized until I could see it with my right eye. This happens regularly now.
Still trying to figure that one out...
-------------------- Ticks suck. Posts: 140 | From Alabama | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
Like you probably know... Lyme attacking the eyes. I have had a lot of eye problems, I have eye muscles that have atrophied in my left eye. I have floaters too.. Just another attack of the bacteria.. Keep up the Antibiotics and get plenty of vitamin D.
Posts: 1 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2009
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
gerard,
when i read your post, i thought of my husband. he was diagnosed with OVERACTIVE/HYPERACTIVE THYROID AND "GRAVES DISEASE" of the eyes.
a thyroid blood test will determine results if it is graves disease.
his eyes are like yours, they tear up, when eyes tear it BURNS so he has a kleenex to dap at them promptly.
graves disease people have LARGE eyes, like actress betty davis and others!
best wishes; robin is one special lady and keebler/rest do their darnest to answer and provide links.
this is great info from 1 of our members posted this year ...
EVE PROBLEMS ...NOT ABLE TO SEE; Tincup, 7.20.09 I had inflammation and eye problems from Lyme... from which I was declared to be legally blind due to the damage caused. May I suggest?
Rather than waiting to do steroids for the inflammation from uveitis, etc... and ONLY because you can't find anyone right now...
This is what I did which worked VERY well for me... recommended by one of my docs.
Vitamin C
Wobenzyme- 3 per day
Querectin- as directed on bottle- max dose
Bromelain- as directed on bottle- max dose
Vitamin E- max dose recommended on bottle. ``````````````````````````````````````````````` I know.. that sounds too simple.. but it has wordked for me and others.
These supplements have anti-inflammatory properties and I was actually found to do better on them than the steroid drops they prescribed .. [doc thought I was doing the eye steroid drops when rechecking me several times].
My eyes cleared up faster than they would have on the steroid drops. I think I took this combo for about 6 weeks.
If I feel problems coming on... I start the protocol again.
I MUST say you need to check with a doctor before doing anything I am posting about... as I am NOT a doctor.
Hope this helps. tincup ***************************************
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Lymeorsomething,
You asked: " . . . How does one ask for a Chagas screening without the MD laughing at you? Also is there a good test for it?"
Laugh, they would, with a big roll of the eyes as they slammed the door.
- in tropical locations, doctors usually know more about this as it's more common. I assume doctors in the Philippines would have a deeper knowledge of this. And, since there is no LLMD there, I thought that a tropical medicine doctor may be more open to consider various possibilities.
And, my thinking is that a doctor who knows about Chagas might be more open to the similarities, and possibility of lyme.
Chagas (and the insect that carries it) has been seen in the U.S. but it is not that common here. With more international travel, shipping and global warming, though, things change. Doctors' attitudes and awareness may take a while to catch up. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
They'll probably think chagas is some kind of gas.
Well, chagas is taken seriously in places like Brazil - I've had several Brazilian cab drivers tell me about it when I describe Lyme.
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
If it were not for my eye doc, I might still be looking for a diagnosis for my 10-year mystery illness! I was diagnosed by him as having episcleritis, which is a chronic inflammation of the middle layer of the sclera. Eyes felt as though someone tossed sand in them, and one perfect half of my eyeball was bright red, as though someone "colored-in" the outter half of my eye.
That eye doc said this was a symptom of long-standing Lupus, or late-stage LD, which I had no ideas about. Thank God for him!
I still experience very blurry vision from time-to-time; I'm in my 7th month of abx treatment, and I associate this mostly with herxing and Mepron.
Glad we can compare experiences here. Patti
Mepron Amox Doxy
Posts: 27 | From Utah | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
Patti - your eye doc certainly gave you a gift, telling you eye symptoms like that could come from Lyme! I hope the folks here have his name for referral?
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
leptos are impossible in my case. i never had stomach pains.. never had fever although always feeling cold every morning or feeling having flu but no fever when getting temp.
leptos here are fast and fatal..within 2 months if not treated the patient dies.. i've been experiencing symptoms since february..but last year i observed that my body is no longer capable of playing a whole game in basketball..
and i was tested last march and this June for that.. CBC's and Hema blood test will manifest such disease.
last monday i was ordered to have it again and it was all normal again.. now my rheumatologist requested for EMG NCV of all extremeties and spine and CPK MB blood test and i'll see the result on monday
i really do hope this problems be solved.. it's so frustrating and i want to get at least to know what's happening with my body
Posts: 115 | From San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines | Registered: Oct 2009
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Some LLMD's are pulsing antibiotic eye drops just like orals. It is worth a try.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
is there any insect that can cause disease or any bacteria that can harm us besides coming from tick bites which can also cause chronic illnesses or symptoms?
Posts: 115 | From San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
I have had the episcleritis (it feels like the eye ache you get with a fever) and conjunctivitis (not the infection, but the inflam.) I was given steroid drops for that.
For the dry eyes I was put on Restasis, what a relief! (I would've never guessed that I looked like I was crying from dry eyes.)
That worked well for 5 yrs. (up until this year). Then I was on strong steroid drops again, followed by a lengthy time on weaker steroid drops.
I just recently got the plugs and was able to wean off the steroid drops.
So, now I have the plugs, use Restasis, Systane and have to use Zaditor (now avail. otc as script strength) with any sign of allergy in my eyes.
It took awhile for my eyes to start feeling well after getting off the steroids, but they do.
Btw, my optometrist (well vs. in systemic causes of eye problems) said it was due to Lyme and the opthamologist he referred me to says it is, too.
Another important thing both drs. told me is to use 3,000 (I forget the units) of EPA. I actually felt the difference when I messed up.
Another note: I have come a long way in my Lyme treatment in just over a year, but my eyes have continued to get worse. Hopefully, as I continue to heal they will too.
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