relation eye problems - mc?

[ant]

Slight irritation of the eyes (dry in the morning) is something I have had on and off for about 12 years.

best, ant

[raemckee]

I was just diagnosed with Collagenous colitis but not celiac. I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy a week ago with 6 biopsies along duodendum and colon. I'll be treated with a steroid for the inflammation. The steroid prescribed is Budesonide EC 3 mg. The warnings said let your Dr. know if you have glaucoma. I have recently been diagnosed with that as well. Has anyone else had experience with the same scenario? I have contacted both the gastroenterologist and the opthamologist and am waiting for them to respond back.

[tex]

Hi,

Welcome to the board. Your opthalmologist should decide that one, since your GI doc will know nothing about treating your eyes. The primary distinction hinges on whether or not you have a family history of glaucoma. If you do, then any corticosteroids, (even inhaled corticosteroids), can definitely cause glaucoma, (let alone make it worse). Without a family history, it's a judgement call, but I would be very reluctant to take a corticosteroid, in that situation. Once lost, your vision cannot be replaced.

If you want to avoid that danger, you can control your CC by diet changes, as virtually all of us here, are doing. The gastroenterologists don't have a clue about the proper way to treat CC, LC, or MC. They will tell you that diet has nothing to do with CC, but that's like arguing that breathing polluted air has nothing to do with asthma, COPD, black lung disease, or lung cancer. Read some of the posts in the Member Success Stories forum, if you need something besides my word, to convince you of the truth.

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=71

Incidentally, the celiac blood tests are worthless for anyone who doesn't have fully-developed celiac disease, because the antibodies are produced in the intestines, not in the blood. It takes years of damage to the intestines, before enough antibodies will show up in the blood, to produce a positive test result. By then, the intestinal damage is extensive. That's why it takes an average of over 9 years to get a celiac diagnosis in this country, according to the latest research results. The stool tests done at EnteroLab, in Dallas, TX, can detect gluten-sensitivity as soon as the antibodies begin to increase - at least several years before the blood tests will show positive results, even for celiacs. Most of us are not celiacs - but we are just as sensitive to gluten as the average celiac, and in many cases, we're even more sensitive. Gluten is the primary cause of our symptoms, but most of us are also sensitive to casein, the main protein in all dairy products, and about half of us are also sensitive to soy. That's why diet changes, not drugs, are the key to remission. As long as you continue to consume the foods to which you are sensitive, the inflammation will continue to be produced.

Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.

Tex

[raemckee]

Thank you for your prompt reply. It makes sense to modify diet. I've read that NSAIDS could be the cause too. I've long had a lactose sensitivity but just started having episodes of diarrhea in Dec. 2011. Sounds like I am "lucky" to have received a diagnosis so soon.The Dr said that sudden onset of symptoms is not unusual.

[humbird753]

When I was diagnosed with MC, my GI recommended Entocort. The side effects he listed off were pretty scary. One big reason I did not take it is because even though I do not have glaucoma, I do have high pressures that my eye doctor has been watching for 18 years. The high pressures have not caused damage, but I was told that taking Entocort would be high risk for me for my eyes.

Paula

[raemckee]

My paternal grandmother had glaucoma. I haven't had D since recovering from colonoscopy last week. I have been GF and DF since then. I do have left side and lower GI pain and frequent BMs. Is it realistic to think I can manage without the steroid? I keep hoping the D doesn't ever come back.

[tex]

There are quite a few of us here who have never taken any meds to control our symptoms, (including myself). The main benefit of the meds is to mask the symptoms until the diet becomes effective. Meds don't actually speed up the healing, they just help to control the symptoms, by suppressing the inflammation. Research shows that the corticosteroids actually slow down the healing process, but for many of us, they can mask the symptoms, as long as they are used.

Some members use a med, until the diet has had time to take control, and then they phase out the med. Some members with the most severe cases have to use both diet changes and meds to control their symptoms, because neither will completely control their symptoms, by itself.

Tex

[raemckee]

Thank you. I am going to order the Enterlab A & C panels and hold off on the Entocort until I speak with the Opthamologist and Gastroenterologist. Does this disease tend to get more severe as we age?

[Joefnh]

I'm not sure this disease get worse per say, I would imagine it actually gets better as we learn to manage its effects with diet and if needed medications. I don't think I have reviewed any literature that shows any increase of disease actitivity with age.

Overall the disease progression is dominated by dietary habits. If you remove items from your diet that are causing a reaction the disease activity for most of us will be halted allowing for remission and healing of the GI system. Of course if you reintroduce a food that you react to, you most likely will see the symptoms return after a time.

[tex]

I agree with Joe. Regardless of age, the key to successfully controlling this disease lies in one's willingness to make dietary changes, and having the willpower to stick with that plan, no matter what everyone else is doing. With time, it all becomes second nature.

Tex

[raemckee]

I got an okay from the Opthamologist and the Gastroenterologist to go ahead with the Entocort. I am now waiting for the EnteroLab kit before starting the prescription. I am feeling a lot better on the GF and DF diet. Other than cramping in the lower intestine and some urgency I am almost back to normal. It still hurts to lie on my side at night too. That seems to bring on cramping. But feeling better makes me want to hold off on taking the Entocort for now.

One symptom that I continue to have though is big purply bags under my eyes. They started when my PCP prescribed Bentyl in early February. I took it for 3 days then stopped because I started getting dizzy and had the usual symptoms of dry mouth, eyes pain, fatigue and hoarseness immediately. Then the PCP prescribed Levsin. The D continued and I developed a rapid heart beat as well so I discontinued Levsin. The purple puffy swollen under eyes and fatigue remain. The PCP prescribed these drugs before I was seen by the Gastroenterologist. Neither opthamologist nor gastroenterologist addressed the under eye bags when I brought them up. Any suggestions? I am getting a lot of rest and the fatigue is better some days.

[crystalmears]

Has anyone had 'blurry' vision after taking Lomotil? I get blurry most often in the afternoon - especially after sitting in front of my computer at work for several hours...!

[MaggieRedwings]

Prior to MC I never had any eye problems. Since getting MC and especially the last 2 years I have the glue shut to the eyes during the night and when I wake up in the a.m. and also at times especially watery eyes.

Love, Maggie

[Zizzle]

I am feeling a lot better on the GF and DF diet.

Good for you for adopting the diet so soon. I have been managing without any prescription meds since my diagnosis in 2009. Like you, I enjoyed a period of remission immediately after the colonoscopy. I think the action of removing all my colonic bacteria during the clean-out may have helped. The improvement lasted several weeks, and I hadn't discovered the link to diet yet. It surprises me that you were prescribed Endocort so soon. Many docs offer Asacol/Lialda or the Pepto Bismol regimen before they resort to steroids. Many here don't tolerate Asacol at all, so I'm not recommending it, but I am wondering why you're headed straight for the "big guns." I took half the recommended Pepto for several months with some success. Now I only take it during flares. Now that your colon is in some respects a blank slate (post colonoscopy), it may be helpful to take probiotics and other healing supplements along with following the GF/DF diet. Most here are sensitive to soy too, so you may want to eliminate soy as well.

Supplements commonly used by the Potty People include:
Culturelle and other dairy-free probiotics (you have to find one you can tolerate)
L-Glutamine
Vitamin D3 (Have you had your level checked? most of us start out deficient)
calcium and magnesium (although too much magnesium can cause D)
B complex

[DebE13]

Harma, count me in for this one too. I've been complaining of eye issues for years and was finally forced to try the recommended treatment after I could no longer tolerate the pain and burning. I have no serious issues but had constant burning, tiredness, and the feeling of high pressure (tested many times and it is normal). My eyes were generally bloodshot and I have not been able to wear my contacts for any length of time for quite some time now. The doc says my eyes produce enough oil and I had the tear thing done- it's like sticking paper towels in the corner of your eyes to see how much it absorbs. Everything seems fine but it's horrible.

I'm using Lotemax now and am tapering off it and will be done with it in about 2 weeks. I've also started Restatis. I don't like the idea of using either but I don't have a choice right now. I've been using artificial tears for months and use them about every two hours. Sometimes my eyes feel so hot and irritated and there still seems to be very little moisture in the eye. I've seen some improvement but not enough to feel good about it yet. I'm limited to my glasses which, at times, is depressing because I'm very active and find them cumbersome.

I was so relieved to find out that others have the same issues.