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I thought I would update everyone on my latest..............
Went for a followup (every 3 weeks since April) with the eye specialist today. He is sending me to another specialist in Columbus to see if she can figure out what is going on. I have allergy induced conjunctivitis (sp) that is not reacting to treatment and floppy eye syndrom. Plus some other things I forget. I had my autoimmune blood work done and my thyroid checked and both were normal. (sigh, at least that would have been an answer).
I will probably end up at the allergist too before it is all over with. I am very frustrated with the eyes since I use them constantly (well, duh! ) and they are constantly in pain/misery/discomfort. Nothing we have tried from drops/gel/night mask/antibiotics/etc is helping. He said that they are not improved at all and maybe even in worse shape than when he started. He would have thought that something would have helped a little but no.............
My family practitioner put me on an allergy medicine for those with year-round allergies called XYZAL. It is helping in other things but not the eyes. They act up no matter where I am and with the same symptoms. Sometimes they run so bad it looks like I am crying. I already have plugs in my tear ducts (he was hoping to keep the tears where they belong - in my eyes to keep them moist).
That's about it for now. I don't go to the other specialist until the 25th of February and nothing new from this doctor - just have to keep on keeping on............. hahahahhaha
Love to all,
Mars
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
Sorry to hear the eyes are no better. You must really look forward to turning off the lights at night and giving them a rest. Hope you don't have to count sheep!
You know, it's incredible that your doctor can't figure out how to resolve the problem. Surely, somewhere, there has to be someone who can help you.
I hope the next one you go to is "the one"
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
So sorry to hear about your continuing eye problems. Enough already!!!
I am wondering if the conjunctivitis could be a part of the overall inflammatory process that goes along with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). I know you said the doc thinks it's allergic, but it doesn't seem to be responding to the usual meds.
I googled "conjunctivitis and IBD" and found a study that reported that conjunctivitis (and other eye inflammatory problems like uveitis) occurred in 3-11% of IBD patients. The study was looking only at Crohn's and ulcerative colitis patients, but I think we can extrapolate, because MC IS an IBD - we just have never had as much attention paid to it (research done on it) as with those other 2 "major" IBDs.
I am wondering if your MC is flaring right now? However, in my web surfing I found out that the eye inflammation can occur either with or without flaring of the colitis. Have you tried steroid eye drops? I am guessing that might help if the problem is related to the IBD. Or maybe even a course of oral prednisone - God forbid - but sometimes the "big gun" is needed, unfortunately. You might want to email Dr. Fine and ask him if he has ever seen eye inflammation associated with MC, and if so, how best to treat it.
I am convinced that inflammation (potentially everywhere in the body) is possible when one has MC. I am just finally getting over my chronic sinus infection (10 months now), and I suspect that continuing inflammation (not due to infection) was the main reason I didn't heal normally. Our genes just predispose us to this, I think. After 6 weeks of nebulized (inhaled) betamethasone (a potent steroid) and antibiotics, I think I'm finally on the mend. And I think it's the betamethasone acting locally on the sinus tissues that is finally responsible for quieting the inflammation. (Five separate sinus cultures over the 10 months grew no bugs other than "normal flora", which argues against infection as the major cause of inflammation).
Just my 2 cents worth - thinking out loud as usual. LOL!
Love,
Polly Wolly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
I'm so glad to see that you've finally got that sinus problem on the run. That was one for the books, and I'll bet you're really happy to finally put that puppy to bed.
FWIW, I think you're quite correct about MC carrying the potential to cause inflammation virtually anywhere in the body.
I hope that sinus inflammation continues to fade away.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I have tried more than one regiment of prednisone and steroid eye drops with no relief. He was extremely suprised that neither helped the problem. Actually the first dose of pred DID help and then he tried again over the Christmas holidays to get me through with relief but it didn't phase it the second time.
I also tried a couple different types of eye drops, artificial tears, antibiotic and steriod. Everything worked for a short period of time and then it seemed I got immune to all of them. Even the artificial tears that is the strongest on the market will not lubricate the eyes for more than 10 minutes.
I do think I will email Dr. Fine and see what his opinion is. Thanks for the ideas. My doc is aware of the MC but I doubt that he is very familiar with it since it is the "other end" of the treatment area! He did know enough to test for thyroid problems which came back ok.
BTW - I am not "flaring" but am a little "off" lately. Also, very tired and worn out feeling.
Love,
Mars
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
Polly-I'm glad things are improving. You've been through a lot with your sinus problem.
Mars - I'm also happy to hear that you're not flaring - I was a little worried about your relapse. I hope you can get some answers about your eyes from Dr. Fine. You must be very frustrated.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
) and they are constantly in pain/misery/discomfort. Nothing we have tried from drops/gel/night mask/antibiotics/etc is helping. He said that they are not improved at all and maybe even in worse shape than when he started. He would have thought that something would have helped a little but no.............
Hope you don't have to count sheep!
