still on ketek, seems to be ok, not sure if I am having focusing issues or not to tell the truth?
if things are REALLY close to my face (say less than 5-6 inches) they lose focus. I can read it fine, but it's starting to look out of focus - fuzzy. I seem to remember before ketek being able to see things up close like that without fuzziness. am I being paranoid? I am not noticing things in and out of focus when I look close, and far away, really.
also, if you STOP ketek, will the effects go away?
-------------------- Posts: 167 | From Ashburn, VA | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
Flygirl- I have been on Ketek for about 13 mo. now. I think it was about 6 mo. ago that I started noticing focusing problems.
I have the issue that when you look far away, and then at something close, it takes an extra second to snap in to focus.
I also started noticing that when I look at something for a while, like the computer screen or a book, they seem to start fading out of focus a little bit. I have to make an effort to bring them back.
My eye doctor also said I had focusing problems. I didn't know that Ketek can cause this at the time so I didn't mention I was taking it.
A third thing I have is what I can best describe as ratcheting vision. It's as though my brain (or my eyes) cannot process fast moving images fast enough. Especially while driving, it's hard to process the images going by. This seems to be exacerbated by neuro herx. So I think part of this problem might be ketek, but part the lyme.
Maybe people with visual symptoms as a result of their TBD are more prone to the visual ketek side effects? I also have floaters, and light sensitivity.
I posted before about visual problems with Ketek and it seemed not many people had them.
I discussed it with my LLMD who said he (nor the manufacturer Aventis) knows if focusing problems could be permanent. It is my decision if I want to get off Ketek and move on to Biaxin. LC
Posts: 116 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Mar 2005
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Just wanted to mention that I had "ratcheting vision" early on with lyme.... floaters also. I even had a problem where after looking at something, I would have that imprint in my vision for minutes later.
This was all way before I started on ketek. I would think that it is probably a lyme herx in the brain.
I still have floaters, but very rarely get ratcheting vision or imprints.
Posts: 153 | From Watertown, CT USA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I've heard the eyes are extremely sensative to Lyme-released neurotoxins. There's a web site about it, the VCS test to test for toxin effect and treatment for it (w/Colestyramine, which is mentioned in Dr B's Treaatment Guidelines). Try dearching VCS and Colestyramine.
It stands to reason that one might have some eye problems due to LD, start treating and have worse problems due to toxin release from dying Borrelia bacteria.
Susan
Posts: 23 | From Gainesville, FL | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I've been taking ketek for a month now, and about a week ago starting noticing up-close focusing problems. I have also had difficulty in watching fast-moving images, which has almost resolved itself over several months of abx.
P
Posts: 449 | From Vermont | Registered: Nov 2004
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