posted
Ugh, it is back and has been hanging around for longer than usual. My eyes feel dry, irritated, and uncomfortable.
I have used every drop out there.
I went to an eye MD 3 weeks ago for another issue but she is also helping me with this. She gave me steroid eyedrops and the following week put in lower plugs.
I have to go back tomorrow because of discomfort in the left eye. I think it may be the plug. I am finding the steroid drops more irritating. At first they seemed to help somewhat but not anymore.
Are antibiotic eyedrops beneficial? Is the lyme/bartonella nfection actually in my eye or is this only a symptom? I am desperate for relief! What kind of ABX eyedrops did you find the most beneficial?
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
I doubt abx eye drops would help. Sounds like Sjogren's to me.
I find great relief in using an eye ointment at night. During the winter, I use a little bit during the day. It REALLY helps!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
I like Optique 1, a homeopathic eye drop made by Boiron (I have no financial connections with this company/product).
All other eye drops I tried for dry-eye just made me feel like I had to put more and more and more of the drops in to get any relief. Not so with the Optique 1.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
Followed up with the eye MD today. I have 3 small abrasions on one eye...no wonder so much discomfort. The dry irritated eyes led to these, I am sure.
The eye MD is thinking the Lyme is causing an autoimmune response affecting my eyes. She says this is usually treated with oral steroids, but can't do that. I even have to hold off on the steroid eyedrops for now.
She wants me to add doxy into my regimen, not for infection, but because it helps with oil production in the eyes. She wasn't sure whether to prescribe ABX eyedrops but did end up calling in a sulfa ABX eyedrop. She is concerned about the condition of my eyes.
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
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quote:Originally posted by koo: [QB] Followed up with the eye MD today. I have 3 small abrasions on one eye...no wonder so much discomfort. The dry irritated eyes led to these, I am sure.
The eye MD is thinking the Lyme is causing an autoimmune response affecting my eyes.
- You are correct about the dry eyes leading to an abrasion. It has happened to me too. I have Sjogren's but am not taking any meds for it. You may need to look at what others are doing for their eyes to keep them a little more pain free.
As I mentioned, the ointment will go a long way toward keeping your eyes lubricated.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I have very dry eyes, too. I like
Boiron Dry Eye DROPS, in a dark glass bottle.
Never use Visine or other similar drops as they can cause more trouble than good.
Be sure to communicate with your LLMD as lyme can cause some major trouble with the eyes and lyme can cause dry eyes, too, which makes eyes more susceptible to damage.
Keep them hydrated with homeopathic drops several times a day, in addition with your Rx drops. Just not at the same time.
FISH OIL and other good fats also essential to the eyes - we need the fatty acids.
as is TAURINE. Especially if you happen to avoid meat, fish or eggs, TAURINE IS REQUIRED supplement.
STEROID EYE DROPS? They may be required in your case. If you are also covering the lyme, this may be fine and could save your eyesight.
Ask your LLMD about it.
AVOID EYE MAKEUP. You may need to throw out all you've been using (if any). Every six months - or after any infection - it's supposed to be discarded, anyway.
Eye creams can also pose a risk. Raw coconut oil may be very soothing instead.
BLINK OFTEN - VERY OFTEN and rest your eyes frequently, too. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Not at all about lyme, still, this holistic doctor's site and his book are excellent:
ASTAXANTHIN - an antioxidant that has great promise for the eyes
Also be sure to get your FISH OIL - Many here really like OmegaBrite - just Google.
TAURINE is an essential amino acid for the eyes and the nervous system. Be sure your diet includes plenty. Vegetarians MUST supplement as it's primarily in muscle meat, fish and eggs. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I do use ointment in my eyes. I will look for the Optique drops. Can I find them over the counter or do they need to be ordered?
With the small abrasions, do you think it is worthwhile to fill the ABX eyedrops? Will they be beneficial? The eye MD was kind of on the fence about this. My LLMD did approve.
Back in my contact lens wearing days, any time I developed an abrasion I was automatically put on ABX drops.
I feel SO close to being better. Why is something like this happening so late in the game?
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
I have been having trouble with my eyes too. Several months ago, my optometrist commented that he saw "infection" in both my eyes. He recommended that I wash them daily with baby shampoo. I did this and when I returned to pick up my dd's contacts, he checked and said it was better but still there. He told me to hold warm compress on them and try and push on the eyeball with eyes closed to see if I could clear any drainage. (whatever) So, when I saw my PCP a couple months ago, she referred me to see an opthamologist and when I showed up to see him, he wasn't in office. I decided I didn't want to see anyone who couldn't be there for an appt.! and did not reschedule. I still have lots of burning, dryness and just discomfort with them. I looked through all my medicines I've kept over the years and finally found some gentamicin salve that I was given for a previous eye infection in 2006..so I've been putting it in my eyes at least 2x per day. So far, no improvement, but it's only been a few days. I will go back to PCP tomorrow, and I will tell her what's happened. I think she will probably reschedule me for a specialist. I will not see the same doc though. Even if it means driving further. What a loser.
I will be interested to see what they tell you your problem is, as I wonder about it myself. Are eye infections specific to the eye or is the lyme digging it's way into the eye? I have no idea.
-------------------- One day at a time Posts: 409 | From TX | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Twicebitten... dry eyes make you more susceptible to abrasions and to infections.
I would not suggest using abx eyedrops that are 6 yrs old!!
koo.. I used an abx/steroid drop for 5 days and my abrasion pain went away. It was much better after one or two days even.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Never use ANY eye drops that are out of date, ever. This could cause serious infection.
If your eye doctor suggests and your LLMD agrees that antibiotic eye drops right now are important, yes, indeed - do so. Get a new prescription filled, however.
Good luck. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
I have extremely dry eyes as well.
It's scary that some of the eyedrops have the ingredient in anti-freeze in them.
posted
Twice while treating for Lyme, I developed conjunctivitis exacerbated by dry eye. Eyes were all red. I was prescribed two abx eyedrops, one was zith in eyedrop form.
When I herxed in my eyeballs from the drops it felt like needles being jabbed in my eyeballs...yeeesh. My LL opthal. (she had had Lyme herself) and I concluded that the spirochetes had migrated to the surface of my eyeball and under my eyelid.
The drops did get rid of the obvious infection, but now that I am doing IV, I will still feel some stabbing pains in my eyeballs, which means the buggers are still there.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
Both my LLMD and homeopath told me to put colloidal silver a couple of drops in each eye. You can get it at health food store use the 10 pp
Posts: 696 | From CA | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
Do you all really think it is Lyme or co. in the eye itself? Paulie, did you get relief from the zith eyedrops? May I ask the name of them?
My MD went with a sulfa eyedrop, Polymyxin B sulfate and trimethoprim. It helped with the abrasions but not the overall condition.
One of her thoughts that perhaps because of the lyme, the eye issue is autoimmune...what do you think? Or, do you think it is lyme in the eye. I don't know what to think.
MLG, did you use the colloidal silver in your eyes because they were dry and irritated? Did it help? Is this okay or risky?
I think if I asked my eye MD to try zith eyedrops, she may go along with it.
Also, I decided to stop the plaquenil for now just to see if this might be a contributing factor. It is not known for causing dry eye but I have read a few cases where people claim it has caused this. I did inform my LLMD and I told him I did this out of desperation.
I will say this though, if you believe the theory that initial symptoms are the last to heal, then I should be A okay in a very short time. Eye dryness/discomfort was one of my first symptoms before this whole thing exploded. It did go away but now is back, and worse than before.
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
Oh, I also need to add that the eye MD said if it was autoimmune in nature, that it is typically treated with steroids.
I know this is typically contraindicated but will discuss with my LLMD on the next appt.
The steroid drop helped initially but how it feels and the results are VERY inconsistent. It definitely helped with the abrasion though.
When I used this yesterday to help with the irritation it burned like crazy and felt uncomfortable. I had to use a lubricant drop as a rinsing agent.
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
Up x 2. I am somewhat desperate and in a lot of discomfort regarding my eyes.
My eye MD will be calling me back shortly. Is it worth asking her to call in zith eyedrops?
Do you all think this is lyme in the eye or just a side-effect from all this. Can't take this much longer.
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
my kinda wierd opthalmologist has me on 100 mg doxy a day forever...to stop this. sometimes i need to take a second pill to keep the uncomfortable feeling away. i also have a really expensive drop...but that is to use only once a day with the doxy..not alone. it does work and the doc says he has many patients that it works for
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Yes my eyes were dry and irritated and at times a sticky discharge comes out. Both LLMd and one is a ND as well told me to put colloidal silver 2 drops in each eye twice a day. Yes it does help.
Posts: 696 | From CA | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
lpkayak, yes, my eye MD says the same thing about doxy.....something about it making the oils more pliable. I have done this x 2 weeks and see no difference unfortunately.
mlg, I think I am going to try the colloidal silver today.
Another thing she mentioned was something I had never heard of. It is using albumin from your blood and preparing a protein type drop from it.
Here is how my day goes with this. I wake up fine. As the day progresses the dryness/irritation increases. By early afternoon I can be using drops/ointment/whatever often. Somewhere around 5 PM it peaks to the point where it is so uncomfortable I can hardly keep my eyes open.
Then as the evening progresses it wanes again. Yesterday, just after 8 PM, it felt much better. Now repeat this cycle EVERY day.
Sometimes when I use ointment it is very soothing. Other times it becomes irritating. There is no consistency here. It makes me wonder if lyme can be in the eye.
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
The Optique 1 eye drops can be found in some health food stores. I order mine online from supersup.com (no financial connections with this website or with Boiron, who makes Optique 1 eye drops).
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
I would def try the zith eyedrops. My LL opthal. rx'd this along with another abx eyedrop, can't remember the name. I was instilling drops all day long. The herx in the eyeballs was wicked - like needles. But eventually it cleared up.
In my case, it was def spirochetes colonizing surface of eyeball and under my eyelid. In that location, they can evade immune system and abx, but not abx eyedrops.
Another thing to try. Since dry-eye is almost always present, use OTC drops for dry-eye, but rotate occasionally with the allergy-type eyedrops, the ones that have an antihistamine in them. Sometimes this will give you relief when the other drops don't.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
When my lyme symptoms are not as well controlled, I have dry eye (and dry mouth at night too). When my symptoms are controlled, this goes away. So, for me at least, it is infection related, whether that is also causing autoimmunity or not, I don't know.
Some years back an opthamologist wanted to put in plugs. I read up on it and declined. Seemed like they could cause more trouble.
Just to break the monotony of dry eyes, when I eat, my right eye waters. This is a symptom that goes with bell's palsy, which I also have on that side of my face.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
i think it is pretty common knowledge that Bb likes eyes
koo...i have noticed when on 4 doxys a day it is really helpful but i have worries about resistance i have been on so long
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote:Originally posted by poppy: Just to break the monotony of dry eyes, when I eat, my right eye waters. This is a symptom that goes with bell's palsy, which I also have on that side of my face.
That is interesting, because I have noticed that my right eye occasionally waters. This is the eye where the eyelid twitches. I didn't know about Bell's palsy having watery eye as a symptom.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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