posted
Last week, I was diagnosed with Iritis (inflammation of the iris in my eye). The doc prescribed steroid eye drops, which is standard treatment for this condition. I know all steroids are bad for people infected with Lyme... but not sure I have an alternative if I want to preserve my eye sight. (Iritis/Uveitis is the 3rd leading cause of blindness)
I am experiencing a slight increase in symptoms so I know the steroids are affecting the bacteria. I am trying not to freak out but my symptoms were slowly starting to decrease since I started treatment 3 months ago. I am seeing a lyme eye specialist tomorrow but I am trying to do research prior to my appointment.
Does anyone know if there are alternatives to Steroid Eye Drops for treating Iritis/Uveitis?
Any input would be appreciated. Thank you!!
Posts: 80 | From New England | Registered: Jun 2012
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- As you are seeing a "lyme specialist" (whom I hope is a LLMD) tomorrow, just wait to see what they say.
You might call their office today and tell them that you are having eye trouble, were prescribed a steroid drop (tell the name) and wonder if they might just have some eye drop samples or suggestions. Thinking a little advance notice on this may help.
As for alternative eye drops, the LLMD may have a suggestion.
LL NDs would also know. -
[ 02-04-2013, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Book & website: THE EYE CARE REVOLUTION - by Robert Abel, Jr. M.D. (Ophthalmologist)
- Though not at all about lyme, this is one of the best reference resources on my bookshelf that has wonderful chapters, many graciously available through their website.
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. 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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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods:
if at all possible - because each person & each case is different - it's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL (lyme literate) doctor who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present.
Many LL NDs incorporate antibiotics (depending upon the licensing laws in their state). Some LLMDs and LL NDs have good working relationships.
When possible, it's great to have both a LLMD and LL ND and even better when they have a long-standing professional relationship.
Integrative / Holistic M.D., etc. (Be aware that those in this category can have various levels of formal herbal &/or nutritional education, perhaps even just a short course. Do ask first.)
Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
Understanding of the importance of addressing the infection(s) fully head-on with specific measures from all corners of medicine;
knowing which supplements have direct impact, which are only support and which are both.
You can compare and contrast many approaches.
BASIC HERBAL EDUCATIONAL & SAFETY links,
BODY WORK links with safety tailored to lyme patients,
LOW HEAT INFRARED SAUNA detail,
BIONIC 880 (& PE-1) links, and
RIFE links. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The "rules" around steroid use with lyme - and the exceptions - can be found below.
SIMILASAN EYE DROPS -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Pocono Lyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5939
posted
Xibrom eye drops.
I found out the hard way I'm a steroid responder. My intraocular eye pressure went from 12 to 48.
It took trying multiple different glaucoma drops to bring the pressure down and daily visits to the ophthalmologist to monitor.
Xibrom worked great. The underlying infection for me I'm assuming as the Iritis resolved with Cipro or Levaquin.
I can't remember which order I did them. I had already done heavy Lyme and Babesia treatment and after the diagnosis of Iritis I did the Cipro/Levaquin.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Please explore other options!
I got permanent eye problems from steroids. Look up "central serous choroidopathy."
I'm not in any of the risk groups except for a very short course of very mild steroid cream.
I would get a second opinion from another eye doctor.
I saw one eye doc who thought steroids weren't a big deal, then I saw another that was part of the same medical clinic and he said no steroids of ANY form because it causes eye problems.
The second doc was younger and seemed more up on current medicine.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- I'm glad to see the comments above as that helps alter what I thought I knew about this topic. It's always good to get more detail. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I went to a neuro-opthalmologist for my eye problems, who did all his testing which I passed, except he had to anesthetize my eyes for me to be able to look at light.
He then rx-ed steroid drops, which I knew better not to take.
My chiropractor the next day suggested I try drinking mangosteen juice, an anti-inflammatory juice found in healthfood stores and online.
I tried it, and within 24 hours, all my Lyme eye symptoms went away!
It has 43 xanthone compounds in it which scarf up the inflammatory free radicals.
If you try it, go slowly and drink water also. I drank more in the beginning - now I drink 1/2 oz in the am and pm.
We're all different when it comes to how we respond to remedies. This one works for me.
[ 02-04-2013, 08:50 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
I went through this several times with corneal irritation from Lyme. My LLMD said topical steroid eye drops were okay, never increased the other symptoms and saved my vision.
I use restasis which helps a lot, but sometimes my eyes still end up with schleritis and I have to pull out the topical steroid eye drops.
Two prominent LLMD's have told me this is okay to do. Anything that is topical, but no pills or shots.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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beaches
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posted
Robin, what brand of mangosteen juice do you drink? Do you order it online?
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
I like the Mango-xan juice blend because it's the most tart and the least expensive. I get it at my healthfood store - around $16 for 32 oz. I suppose you could check around for it online. There are lots of blends.
The purest one is Xango, which is the mangosteen juice only, and it's sold multi-level, online. I found it too strong for me, but others swear by it.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Faithful, Regarding the comment about the prominent LLMDs and topical steroids - that puts me at ease. Thank you!
Posts: 80 | From New England | Registered: Jun 2012
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
Thx Robin for that info. I will look into the Mango-xan and Xango.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
I see a prominent LLMD too and the office thought that topical steroids were okay.
Sorry, but I just need to tell the risks. You don't think something like permanent eye damage can happen from a mild hydrocortisone cream, but it happened to me.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
Any medication is risky but so is losing your eye site with inflammation to the cornea. You have to do what you must to keep your eyesight. This isn't something you use every day.
Long term use of steroid eye drops can cause cataracts. I only use it when my eyes become so inflamed that I have to use it.
Mangosteen juice is wonderful but it doesn't fix my eye problems and I drink it every day.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
In 1998, after I had been finally diagnosed with lyme, but before I had found anyone to seriously treat it, the iritis I developed was treated with prednesone drops. It cleared the iritis, but the "vibration" I had in the left eye which was treated, almost immediately spread to the right eye and eventually all over.
Fast forward to 2010, when I had to have cataract surgery (left eye only of course, as left side of face and eye took all the lyme damage initially) and they said they had to give me prednesone eye drops after the surgery to prevent inflammation.
I asked my LLMD, and the neuro-surgeon recommended by my LLMD, but they saw no danger in that. However, the "vibration" (not painful, but used to be an indication lyme was roaring back wherever it showed up) came back and has never completely gone away since then. So I am really hoping I never have to deal with prednesone drops again!
However, in both cases, they said that was the only choice. I would be wary, and try to find an alternative.
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I am trying not to freak out but my symptoms were slowly starting to decrease since I started treatment 3 months ago. I am seeing a lyme eye specialist tomorrow but I am trying to do research prior to my appointment. 
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