I've had pinkeye for over two weeks and have been to 3 docs trying to clear it up. The doc I saw yesterday prescribed an antibiotic/steroid drops.
I've taken 2 doses, and I can now see the "whites" of my eyes.
Although I did discuss Lyme disease and steroids with him, he thought the amount would be minute.
HOWEVER, I was refused my Lyme antiobiotic refill tonight at the pharmacy due to insurance concerns. The insurance wants to know why I am taking long term abx, which means I have to wait several days to see if I can get my abx.
What do you think? Would the steroid aggravate my Lyme? If I can't get my Ceftin I may backslide.
Anybody have any experience with something like this?
Thanks for you replies.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Hi Cheryl Sue,
I don't know much about steroid in eye drops with lyme.
But...for the last 12 years, pre lyme dx,but lyme positive, I used steroid creams and ointments on my entire body every night.
While it didn't aggravate my skin "rash", it didn't help it either.
I cycled between remission and flares every year affecting a different body system.
I also used steroid and antibiotic antifungal ear drops. The steroids in the ear drops were a necessary evil. I had aspergillus niger in my ear and it was literally eating the cartilage into my ear. The pain on my ear drum was excrutiating. The steroid drops, plus daily visits to the doc to remove the dead tissue helped.
I'm not a doctor, but the steroids in your drops for pink eye are likely a necessary evil also.
My point being, that although not ideal, it's not system-wide like prednisone etc and should not affect your entire body.
You only have two eyes. And you kinda need them
As for your ceftin, I'm sorry your insurance company won't cover it. Is it possible to switch to another abx? That is what I've been doing. So far the ins is still covering them.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I think you'll be OK. I had to use those drops a few months ago. I was fine.
Hope the pink eye clears up!!
These insurance companies are getting SCARY!!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- The main rule for "no steroids" with lyme is UNLESS it's urgent and, then so, balance with antibiotics.
This is urgent and pink eye can be very serious. Use the steroid eye drops (it's good that they are combined with an antibiotic drop - that will help keep it in balance in your eyes).
Sort the rest out on Monday. If you can't get the abx then, or even now, you could add a very top quality herb such as Berberine or Olive Leaf Extract.
Many here have found themselves in the same situation and have done fine with a combo steroid/ abx eye drop for pink eye.
I had to do that for severe pink eye before I realized I had lyme. My eyes did get better on the drops and my overall health did not crash from what it had been before the drops. It was so bad I could have lost my vision. Loved those drops.
Change your pillow case each morning and launder & dry (hot) them well when you do the laundry.
Do not dry near your eyes with a towel, but just blot with a clean tissue when you wash / dry your face.
If you hug anyone or any critter, do not let your face touch theirs. Pink Eye can be very contagious.
Be sure your LLMD knows about the abx "pharmacy control" issue. It's none of their business and I hope you did not tell them "lyme" (but if you did, oh, well). Some pharmacies have reported doctors who they find out are treating lyme - but they are the necessary Rx dispensing go-between so we are kind of stuck.
Take care. -
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Thank you for your thoughtful replies. They were all good advice.
Monday, I will follow through with my doctor on the pharmacy issue, for sure.
It has been 2 1/2 years since my bad relapse. My CD57 is only 51, so I still need treatment. I am on Byron White Formula A-L, and I do take Artemisinin ,cordyceps, and cryptolepsis. I will also add in my olive leaf extract.
Hopefully, whatever the abx outcome, the herbal formulas will see me through.
I miss my doctor that lost his license in July. He was pretty knowledgeable about Lyme. He had had Lyme himself and attended all the ILADS conferences.
Illinois is not a good state to live in; there are a lot of financial problems and mismanagement issues. My previous doctor had said Florida and Pennsylvania are good states for Lymies. Even New York is giving LLMD's a hard time.
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