Glaucoma Disease » Acute Glaucoma http://glaucoma-disease.com Information about Glaucoma Thu, 25 Aug 2005 00:00:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Very depressed http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/very-depressed-2487348.html http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/very-depressed-2487348.html#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2005 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://glaucoma-disease.com/uncategorized/very-depressed-2487348.html Question:

Also is there any proven methoed to cut down on the floaters I am seeing , I was told there isn’t anything to be done about it but figured I would ask here.. "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in message

news:50KDe.239$mf5.142@fe12.lga… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The person who is doing the eye exams isnt even a opthmologist its an > optomitrist ..when i went to him I had no clue I had any problems. I just > went because my union sent me to him to see if I needed glasses , but he > has all the machines to do the full testing for Glaucoma..I think no > matter what happens today I need to go to get a 2nd opinion. You said this > below > I used Xalatan for 5 years > before I had trabeculectomies > What is trabeculectomies , some kind of surgery? Is Xalatan relatively > safe? Thanks a lot for your reply. > "Sherry" <she…@excite.com> wrote in message > news:Xns96998A92DFD98TansyRagwortNetscape@216.196.97.142… >> "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in >> news:LNUCe.150047$mx5.73941@fe08.lga: >>> I may have glaucoma , I will know more on Thursday..the cups in both >>> eyes are enlarged and the pressure in both eyes is high although I >>> don’t know the exact number of my IOP. Anyway I passed the >>> peripheral vision test and i took a test for blood flow to the eyes >>> and the doctor said that it was fine as well..On thursday I get more >>> of the pressure tests , a cornea thickness test and a laser 3D pic >>> of my eye ( the last pic he took to see the cup was a big polaroid >>> machine pic )..the problems I have been having though I don’t >>> believe are related to my eye problems..he also said i was far >>> sighted and near sighted and needed reading glasses which he gave >>> me..the reason i went there is i felt a strange pain in my left side >>> of my forehead..the next day my left eye was blurry and had a lot of >>> floaters and my head felt like it was under enormous pressure…all >>> around my temples and top of my head..I also had an MRI which was >>> negative..can glaucoma give you a lot of head pressure/pain and if i >>> do have glaucoma what is the best medicine (eyedrops i guess)  i can >>> take for it , i dont want to screw with my heart at all as I have >>> pac’s and high cholesterol and slightly high blood pressure.I am >>> also seeing an ENT on Friday because I did have a long time cocaine >>> problem that i kicked at the beginning of the year and i am >>> wondering if that has something to do with my head issues. Thx for >>> any advice and sorry this was so long. >> Anthony, >> I’m not a doc, just a fairly-well educated glaucoma patient.  Glaucoma >> is diagnosed by damage to the optic nerve.  Elevated pressure is only >> one of the glaucoma risks (there are people who have elevated pressures >> and never develop glaucoma and there are people who have normal >> pressures with glaucoma!)  It looks like you’re getting a really >> thorough exam.  That’s great!  So many people get an elevated pressure >> and the eye docs says "you’ve got glaucoma. Here are drops.  Go home >> and use them!" >> Glaucoma can can pain if you have acute angle closure or really super >> high pressures, but it’s eye pain, not a headache as normally >> experienced.  BTW, migraines can also be a risk factor for glaucoma! >> I’m glad the MRI was negative. >> If and when your glaucoma specialist (you are seeing one, right?) >> prescribes drops, he’ll be the one to determine which ones would be >> best for you. I know with me it was trial and error to find the ones >> that worked for me and didn’t have insufferable adverse reactions. >> Many glaucoma patients get a great drop in IOP with beta blocker drops >> – I couldn’t tolerate them (I got migraines!).  There is a new class >> called prostaglandin analogues – Xalatan, Lumigan and Travatan – all >> which work very well for most people.  I used Xalatan for 5 years >> before I had trabeculectomies.  (It was the 6th drug my eye doc tried >> on me – the others either gave me serious side effects, allergic >> reactions or just weren’t effective!  But not everyone has this >> problem, so don’t despair!) >> If and when you do get drops prescribed, be sure to use them faithfully >> and to use good punctal occlusion techniques to keep the meds from >> going down the tear ducts and getting absorbed into your system (well, >> a bit will be absorbed, but this will minimize the amount).  There’s a >> good video at http://www.nyee.edu/video.html "How to Put Drops in Your >> Eyes: The Ritch-Sussman Technique" which shows you how. >> Good luck and keep us posted! >> Sherry

Response:

Damn it figures the group is dead when I arrive , its my bad luck continuing :( "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in message

news:LNUCe.150047$mx5.73941@fe08.lga… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I may have glaucoma , I will know more on Thursday..the cups in both eyes >are enlarged and the pressure in both eyes is high although I don’t know >the exact number of my IOP. Anyway I passed the peripheral vision test and >i took a test for blood flow to the eyes and the doctor said that it was >fine as well..On thursday I get more of the pressure tests , a cornea >thickness test and a laser 3D pic of my eye ( the last pic he took to see >the cup was a big polaroid machine pic )..the problems I have been having >though I don’t believe are related to my eye problems..he also said i was >far sighted and near sighted and needed reading glasses which he gave >me..the reason i went there is i felt a strange pain in my left side of my >forehead..the next day my left eye was blurry and had a lot of floaters and >my head felt like it was under enormous pressure…all around my temples >and top of my head..I also had an MRI which was negative..can glaucoma give >you a lot of head pressure/pain and if i do have glaucoma what is the best >medicine (eyedrops i guess)  i can take for it , i dont want to screw with >my heart at all as I have pac’s and high cholesterol and slightly high >blood pressure.I am also seeing an ENT on Friday because I did have a long >time cocaine problem that i kicked at the beginning of the year and i am >wondering if that has something to do with my head issues. Thx for any >advice and sorry this was so long.

Response:

Well I got back from the eye doctor and he said my cornea is thicker then normal and my pressure in both eyes was 19..the 3D picture showed that my eyes were both in decent shape and the cupping while larger then normal may be normal for me..I am going back in 4 months for a pressure test and will keep an eye on it..now to find out why my head feels so terrible , I did an MRI and it came back fine but the pressure through out my scalp and weird feelings and tingling and headaches are really incredibly hard for me to deal with.. "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in message

news:w1KDe.240$mf5.143@fe12.lga… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Also is there any proven methoed to cut down on the floaters I am seeing , > I was told there isn’t anything to be done about it but figured I would > ask here.. > "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in message > news:50KDe.239$mf5.142@fe12.lga… >> The person who is doing the eye exams isnt even a opthmologist its an >> optomitrist ..when i went to him I had no clue I had any problems. I just >> went because my union sent me to him to see if I needed glasses , but he >> has all the machines to do the full testing for Glaucoma..I think no >> matter what happens today I need to go to get a 2nd opinion. You said >> this below >> I used Xalatan for 5 years >> before I had trabeculectomies >> What is trabeculectomies , some kind of surgery? Is Xalatan relatively >> safe? Thanks a lot for your reply. >> "Sherry" <she…@excite.com> wrote in message >> news:Xns96998A92DFD98TansyRagwortNetscape@216.196.97.142… >>> "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in >>> news:LNUCe.150047$mx5.73941@fe08.lga: >>>> I may have glaucoma , I will know more on Thursday..the cups in both >>>> eyes are enlarged and the pressure in both eyes is high although I >>>> don’t know the exact number of my IOP. Anyway I passed the >>>> peripheral vision test and i took a test for blood flow to the eyes >>>> and the doctor said that it was fine as well..On thursday I get more >>>> of the pressure tests , a cornea thickness test and a laser 3D pic >>>> of my eye ( the last pic he took to see the cup was a big polaroid >>>> machine pic )..the problems I have been having though I don’t >>>> believe are related to my eye problems..he also said i was far >>>> sighted and near sighted and needed reading glasses which he gave >>>> me..the reason i went there is i felt a strange pain in my left side >>>> of my forehead..the next day my left eye was blurry and had a lot of >>>> floaters and my head felt like it was under enormous pressure…all >>>> around my temples and top of my head..I also had an MRI which was >>>> negative..can glaucoma give you a lot of head pressure/pain and if i >>>> do have glaucoma what is the best medicine (eyedrops i guess)  i can >>>> take for it , i dont want to screw with my heart at all as I have >>>> pac’s and high cholesterol and slightly high blood pressure.I am >>>> also seeing an ENT on Friday because I did have a long time cocaine >>>> problem that i kicked at the beginning of the year and i am >>>> wondering if that has something to do with my head issues. Thx for >>>> any advice and sorry this was so long. >>> Anthony, >>> I’m not a doc, just a fairly-well educated glaucoma patient.  Glaucoma >>> is diagnosed by damage to the optic nerve.  Elevated pressure is only >>> one of the glaucoma risks (there are people who have elevated pressures >>> and never develop glaucoma and there are people who have normal >>> pressures with glaucoma!)  It looks like you’re getting a really >>> thorough exam.  That’s great!  So many people get an elevated pressure >>> and the eye docs says "you’ve got glaucoma. Here are drops.  Go home >>> and use them!" >>> Glaucoma can can pain if you have acute angle closure or really super >>> high pressures, but it’s eye pain, not a headache as normally >>> experienced.  BTW, migraines can also be a risk factor for glaucoma! >>> I’m glad the MRI was negative. >>> If and when your glaucoma specialist (you are seeing one, right?) >>> prescribes drops, he’ll be the one to determine which ones would be >>> best for you. I know with me it was trial and error to find the ones >>> that worked for me and didn’t have insufferable adverse reactions. >>> Many glaucoma patients get a great drop in IOP with beta blocker drops >>> – I couldn’t tolerate them (I got migraines!).  There is a new class >>> called prostaglandin analogues – Xalatan, Lumigan and Travatan – all >>> which work very well for most people.  I used Xalatan for 5 years >>> before I had trabeculectomies.  (It was the 6th drug my eye doc tried >>> on me – the others either gave me serious side effects, allergic >>> reactions or just weren’t effective!  But not everyone has this >>> problem, so don’t despair!) >>> If and when you do get drops prescribed, be sure to use them faithfully >>> and to use good punctal occlusion techniques to keep the meds from >>> going down the tear ducts and getting absorbed into your system (well, >>> a bit will be absorbed, but this will minimize the amount).  There’s a >>> good video at http://www.nyee.edu/video.html "How to Put Drops in Your >>> Eyes: The Ritch-Sussman Technique" which shows you how. >>> Good luck and keep us posted! >>> Sherry

Response:

He used the table mounted blue light , and i did a peripheral vision test where i had to do one eye at a time looking dead center of some machine while lights flashed on and off all around the place and when i seen a light i was to press a button , i did fine on that test he said.. "Laura" <mcki…@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:qbh0e15j7jmdo3vijic2hbbvsvrbn3q4fm@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sounds like your optometrist is pretty knowledgeable.  Nevertheless > I’m another who thinks you should get a 2nd opinion, from an > OPHTHALMOLOGIST. > Two thoughts come to mind: > 1.  What did he use to check your pressure?  I’ve found hand-held > devices are not very reliable.  It’s better to use a that Goldmann > (sp?) thing, a table mounted device characterized by a blue light. > 2.  Did he do any kind of field testing? > Laura > On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 15:40:02 -0400, "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> > wrote: >>Well I got back from the eye doctor and he said my cornea is thicker then >>normal and my pressure in both eyes was 19..the 3D picture showed that my >>eyes were both in decent shape and the cupping while larger then normal >>may >>be normal for me..I am going back in 4 months for a pressure test and will >>keep an eye on it..now to find out why my head feels so terrible , I did >>an >>MRI and it came back fine but the pressure through out my scalp and weird >>feelings and tingling and headaches are really incredibly hard for me to >>deal with..

Response:

Sounds like your optometrist is pretty knowledgeable.  Nevertheless I’m another who thinks you should get a 2nd opinion, from an OPHTHALMOLOGIST. Two thoughts come to mind: 1.  What did he use to check your pressure?  I’ve found hand-held devices are not very reliable.  It’s better to use a that Goldmann (sp?) thing, a table mounted device characterized by a blue light. 2.  Did he do any kind of field testing? Laura On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 15:40:02 -0400, "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Well I got back from the eye doctor and he said my cornea is thicker then >normal and my pressure in both eyes was 19..the 3D picture showed that my >eyes were both in decent shape and the cupping while larger then normal may >be normal for me..I am going back in 4 months for a pressure test and will >keep an eye on it..now to find out why my head feels so terrible , I did an >MRI and it came back fine but the pressure through out my scalp and weird >feelings and tingling and headaches are really incredibly hard for me to >deal with..

Response:

"Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in news:LNUCe.150047$mx5.73941@fe08.lga: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I may have glaucoma , I will know more on Thursday..the cups in both > eyes are enlarged and the pressure in both eyes is high although I > don’t know the exact number of my IOP. Anyway I passed the > peripheral vision test and i took a test for blood flow to the eyes > and the doctor said that it was fine as well..On thursday I get more > of the pressure tests , a cornea thickness test and a laser 3D pic > of my eye ( the last pic he took to see the cup was a big polaroid > machine pic )..the problems I have been having though I don’t > believe are related to my eye problems..he also said i was far > sighted and near sighted and needed reading glasses which he gave > me..the reason i went there is i felt a strange pain in my left side > of my forehead..the next day my left eye was blurry and had a lot of > floaters and my head felt like it was under enormous pressure…all > around my temples and top of my head..I also had an MRI which was > negative..can glaucoma give you a lot of head pressure/pain and if i > do have glaucoma what is the best medicine (eyedrops i guess)  i can > take for it , i dont want to screw with my heart at all as I have > pac’s and high cholesterol and slightly high blood pressure.I am > also seeing an ENT on Friday because I did have a long time cocaine > problem that i kicked at the beginning of the year and i am > wondering if that has something to do with my head issues. Thx for > any advice and sorry this was so long.

Anthony, I’m not a doc, just a fairly-well educated glaucoma patient.  Glaucoma is diagnosed by damage to the optic nerve.  Elevated pressure is only one of the glaucoma risks (there are people who have elevated pressures and never develop glaucoma and there are people who have normal pressures with glaucoma!)  It looks like you’re getting a really thorough exam.  That’s great!  So many people get an elevated pressure and the eye docs says "you’ve got glaucoma. Here are drops.  Go home and use them!" Glaucoma can can pain if you have acute angle closure or really super high pressures, but it’s eye pain, not a headache as normally experienced.  BTW, migraines can also be a risk factor for glaucoma! I’m glad the MRI was negative. If and when your glaucoma specialist (you are seeing one, right?) prescribes drops, he’ll be the one to determine which ones would be best for you. I know with me it was trial and error to find the ones that worked for me and didn’t have insufferable adverse reactions.   Many glaucoma patients get a great drop in IOP with beta blocker drops – I couldn’t tolerate them (I got migraines!).  There is a new class called prostaglandin analogues – Xalatan, Lumigan and Travatan – all which work very well for most people.  I used Xalatan for 5 years before I had trabeculectomies.  (It was the 6th drug my eye doc tried on me – the others either gave me serious side effects, allergic reactions or just weren’t effective!  But not everyone has this problem, so don’t despair!) If and when you do get drops prescribed, be sure to use them faithfully and to use good punctal occlusion techniques to keep the meds from going down the tear ducts and getting absorbed into your system (well, a bit will be absorbed, but this will minimize the amount).  There’s a good video at http://www.nyee.edu/video.html "How to Put Drops in Your Eyes: The Ritch-Sussman Technique" which shows you how. Good luck and keep us posted! Sherry

Response:

o…@astro.as.utexas.edu (Derek Wills) wrote in news:dbrk83$96j$1@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu: >>> What did he use to check your pressure?  I’ve found hand-held >>>devices are not very reliable.  It’s better to use a that Goldmann >>>(sp?) thing, a table mounted device characterized by a blue light. >    I have been around 19 on the latter device (was 24 before >    starting on drops), pretty consistently, at the local bigtime eye >    clinic.   I had an ‘air-puff’ check when I got some new specs >    from the local opticians and the tech said my pressure was 8.   I >    made her do it again, and she got numbers between 7-9.  Both the >    tech and my pro doc just said "different tests give different >    answers" but 8 vs 19??? Something sounds broken.   Perhaps I >    don’t need drops after all – duh. > Derek

The air-puff is notoriously inaccurate.  The Goldmann tonometer is the best! Sherry

Response:

My understanding from my glaucoma specialist is, it isn’t unusual for these hand-helds to be off by around 10 points.  So I don’t find your experience surprising. Before I had my trab last summer, I was in the mid-20’s.  I was sent to a retina specialist to make sure it was OK for me to have the trab. His nurse used a hand-held to check my IOP, and got such a low reading that I went back to my glaucoma specialist for another reading before scheduling the surgery.  All that hand-held did was make me put off surgery a few weeks and generate an unnecessary visit to the doctor. Laura On Fri, 22 Jul 2005 20:17:07 +0000 (UTC), o…@astro.as.utexas.edu – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -(Derek Wills) wrote: >   I have been around 19 on the latter device (was 24 before starting >   on drops), pretty consistently, at the local bigtime eye clinic.   >   I had an ‘air-puff’ check when I got some new specs from the local >   opticians and the tech said my pressure was 8.   I made her do it >   again, and she got numbers between 7-9.  Both the tech and my pro >   doc just said "different tests give different answers" but 8 vs 19??? >   Something sounds broken.   Perhaps I don’t need drops after all – duh.

Response:

>> What did he use to check your pressure?  I’ve found hand-held >>devices are not very reliable.  It’s better to use a that Goldmann >>(sp?) thing, a table mounted device characterized by a blue light.

   I have been around 19 on the latter device (was 24 before starting    on drops), pretty consistently, at the local bigtime eye clinic.      I had an ‘air-puff’ check when I got some new specs from the local    opticians and the tech said my pressure was 8.   I made her do it    again, and she got numbers between 7-9.  Both the tech and my pro    doc just said "different tests give different answers" but 8 vs 19???    Something sounds broken.   Perhaps I don’t need drops after all – duh. Derek

Response:

I may have glaucoma , I will know more on Thursday..the cups in both eyes are enlarged and the pressure in both eyes is high although I don’t know the exact number of my IOP. Anyway I passed the peripheral vision test and i took a test for blood flow to the eyes and the doctor said that it was fine as well..On thursday I get more of the pressure tests , a cornea thickness test and a laser 3D pic of my eye ( the last pic he took to see the cup was a big polaroid machine pic )..the problems I have been having though I don’t believe are related to my eye problems..he also said i was far sighted and near sighted and needed reading glasses which he gave me..the reason i went there is i felt a strange pain in my left side of my forehead..the next day my left eye was blurry and had a lot of floaters and my head felt like it was under enormous pressure…all around my temples and top of my head..I also had an MRI which was negative..can glaucoma give you a lot of head pressure/pain and if i do have glaucoma what is the best medicine (eyedrops i guess)  i can take for it , i dont want to screw with my heart at all as I have pac’s and high cholesterol and slightly high blood pressure.I am also seeing an ENT on Friday because I did have a long time cocaine problem that i kicked at the beginning of the year and i am wondering if that has something to do with my head issues. Thx for any advice and sorry this was so long.

Response:

LOL lucious eyelashes , this guy told me yesterday he is in fact a glaucoma doctor but he isnt a opthamologist..i told him what others have said and he told me to do as i wish but no other eye doctor will do any different tests then what he just did in our 2 visits. "Sherry" <she…@excite.com> wrote in message

news:Xns969ACD16C8BEBTansyRagwortNetscape@216.196.97.142… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in > news:50KDe.239$mf5.142@fe12.lga: >> The person who is doing the eye exams isnt even a opthmologist its >> an optomitrist ..when i went to him I had no clue I had any >> problems. I just went because my union sent me to him to see if I >> needed glasses , but he has all the machines to do the full testing >> for Glaucoma..I think no matter what happens today I need to go to >> get a 2nd opinion. You said this below >> I used Xalatan for 5 years >> before I had trabeculectomies >> What is trabeculectomies , some kind of surgery? Is Xalatan >> relatively safe? Thanks a lot for your reply. > Anthony, > Yup – trabeculectomy is a glaucoma filtration surgery.  Not something > you want to go through unless drops fail! > I personally had no problems with Xalatan.  I did get nice thick > luscious eyelashes, a side effect of the drug. It can turn blue eyes > brown and darken the skin around the eyes, but most people tolerate it > well. > DEFINITELY go for a second opinion – find a glaucoma *specialist*. If > you’re in the US, go to http://www.glaucomaweb.org/patients/find.htm to > look up one that’s close to you. > Sherry

Response:

"Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in news:I94Ee.5923$El3.3530@fe10.lga: > LOL lucious eyelashes , this guy told me yesterday he is in fact a > glaucoma doctor but he isnt a opthamologist..i told him what others > have said and he told me to do as i wish but no other eye doctor > will do any different tests then what he just did in our 2 visits.

Hmm…..  He could have some knowledge about glaucoma and it sounds like he’s pretty well versed with the condition and can do all the tests. *However* a glaucoma *specialist* has the training and experience to accurately interpret all those tests!  I’ve heard of way too many people who have been told they were going to go blind if they didn’t have immediate laser surgery and then went to a glaucoma specialist for a 2nd opinion who said "whaaaa???? you’re fine, use these drops and enjoy many years of good vision"  (Or were even told by the GS that they did *not* have glaucoma and not to worry!) Tell him you appreciate all that he’s done but with a condition as serious as glaucoma, you’d like to get a second opinion. For a long time, I had borderline pressures and questionable optic nerves (high myopia made diagnosis difficult). My ophthalmologist followed me for years, watching everything closely. When the pressures went up a bit and the nerves appeared to change, he sent me to a glaucoma specialist for a definite diagnosis.  Even the glaucoma specialist wasn’t 100% sure, diagnosed me as glaucoma suspect and put me on drops.  Eventually, I had trabeculectomies because there was some slow progression of optic nerve damage – he wanted to get the pressures down into single digits to protect the nerve.  No progression and the IOP is remaining stable. Sherry

Response:

The person who is doing the eye exams isnt even a opthmologist its an optomitrist ..when i went to him I had no clue I had any problems. I just went because my union sent me to him to see if I needed glasses , but he has all the machines to do the full testing for Glaucoma..I think no matter what happens today I need to go to get a 2nd opinion. You said this below I used Xalatan for 5 years before I had trabeculectomies What is trabeculectomies , some kind of surgery? Is Xalatan relatively safe? Thanks a lot for your reply. "Sherry" <she…@excite.com> wrote in message

news:Xns96998A92DFD98TansyRagwortNetscape@216.196.97.142… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in > news:LNUCe.150047$mx5.73941@fe08.lga: >> I may have glaucoma , I will know more on Thursday..the cups in both >> eyes are enlarged and the pressure in both eyes is high although I >> don’t know the exact number of my IOP. Anyway I passed the >> peripheral vision test and i took a test for blood flow to the eyes >> and the doctor said that it was fine as well..On thursday I get more >> of the pressure tests , a cornea thickness test and a laser 3D pic >> of my eye ( the last pic he took to see the cup was a big polaroid >> machine pic )..the problems I have been having though I don’t >> believe are related to my eye problems..he also said i was far >> sighted and near sighted and needed reading glasses which he gave >> me..the reason i went there is i felt a strange pain in my left side >> of my forehead..the next day my left eye was blurry and had a lot of >> floaters and my head felt like it was under enormous pressure…all >> around my temples and top of my head..I also had an MRI which was >> negative..can glaucoma give you a lot of head pressure/pain and if i >> do have glaucoma what is the best medicine (eyedrops i guess)  i can >> take for it , i dont want to screw with my heart at all as I have >> pac’s and high cholesterol and slightly high blood pressure.I am >> also seeing an ENT on Friday because I did have a long time cocaine >> problem that i kicked at the beginning of the year and i am >> wondering if that has something to do with my head issues. Thx for >> any advice and sorry this was so long. > Anthony, > I’m not a doc, just a fairly-well educated glaucoma patient.  Glaucoma > is diagnosed by damage to the optic nerve.  Elevated pressure is only > one of the glaucoma risks (there are people who have elevated pressures > and never develop glaucoma and there are people who have normal > pressures with glaucoma!)  It looks like you’re getting a really > thorough exam.  That’s great!  So many people get an elevated pressure > and the eye docs says "you’ve got glaucoma. Here are drops.  Go home > and use them!" > Glaucoma can can pain if you have acute angle closure or really super > high pressures, but it’s eye pain, not a headache as normally > experienced.  BTW, migraines can also be a risk factor for glaucoma! > I’m glad the MRI was negative. > If and when your glaucoma specialist (you are seeing one, right?) > prescribes drops, he’ll be the one to determine which ones would be > best for you. I know with me it was trial and error to find the ones > that worked for me and didn’t have insufferable adverse reactions. > Many glaucoma patients get a great drop in IOP with beta blocker drops > – I couldn’t tolerate them (I got migraines!).  There is a new class > called prostaglandin analogues – Xalatan, Lumigan and Travatan – all > which work very well for most people.  I used Xalatan for 5 years > before I had trabeculectomies.  (It was the 6th drug my eye doc tried > on me – the others either gave me serious side effects, allergic > reactions or just weren’t effective!  But not everyone has this > problem, so don’t despair!) > If and when you do get drops prescribed, be sure to use them faithfully > and to use good punctal occlusion techniques to keep the meds from > going down the tear ducts and getting absorbed into your system (well, > a bit will be absorbed, but this will minimize the amount).  There’s a > good video at http://www.nyee.edu/video.html "How to Put Drops in Your > Eyes: The Ritch-Sussman Technique" which shows you how. > Good luck and keep us posted! > Sherry

Response:

Hard for me not to be biased here, as I am a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist and an ophthalmologist.  While the tests that your optometrist are doing, Anthony, sound appropriate, he may not be well-skilled in interpreting them or be up on all of the latest medical studies regarding glaucoma.  It is impossible to know.  Nevertheless, if there is a glaucoma specialist in your town, get a copy of your test results from the optometrist and bring them for a second opinion (so the GS doesn’t have to repeat all of them.)  Sherry is absolutely right here…too often appropriate treatment is delayed because the doctor following you is not on the mark.  An extra opinion could never hurt. Good luck to you. –Rick Cohn, MD Glaucoma Specialist Winter Park, FL

Response:

"Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in news:50KDe.239$mf5.142@fe12.lga: > The person who is doing the eye exams isnt even a opthmologist its > an optomitrist ..when i went to him I had no clue I had any > problems. I just went because my union sent me to him to see if I > needed glasses , but he has all the machines to do the full testing > for Glaucoma..I think no matter what happens today I need to go to > get a 2nd opinion. You said this below > I used Xalatan for 5 years > before I had trabeculectomies > What is trabeculectomies , some kind of surgery? Is Xalatan > relatively safe? Thanks a lot for your reply.

Anthony, Yup – trabeculectomy is a glaucoma filtration surgery.  Not something you want to go through unless drops fail! I personally had no problems with Xalatan.  I did get nice thick luscious eyelashes, a side effect of the drug. It can turn blue eyes brown and darken the skin around the eyes, but most people tolerate it well. DEFINITELY go for a second opinion – find a glaucoma *specialist*. If you’re in the US, go to http://www.glaucomaweb.org/patients/find.htm to look up one that’s close to you. Sherry

Response:

Go to Google groups to read all the prior messages posted in alt.support.glaucoma. On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 04:08:11 -0400, "Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Damn it figures the group is dead when I arrive , its my bad luck continuing >:( >"Anthony" <optim…@optonline.net> wrote in message >news:LNUCe.150047$mx5.73941@fe08.lga… >>I may have glaucoma , I will know more on Thursday..the cups in both eyes >>are enlarged and the pressure in both eyes is high although I don’t know >>the exact number of my IOP. Anyway I passed the peripheral vision test and >>i took a test for blood flow to the eyes and the doctor said that it was >>fine as well..On thursday I get more of the pressure tests , a cornea >>thickness test and a laser 3D pic of my eye ( the last pic he took to see >>the cup was a big polaroid machine pic )..the problems I have been having >>though I don’t believe are related to my eye problems..he also said i was >>far sighted and near sighted and needed reading glasses which he gave >>me..the reason i went there is i felt a strange pain in my left side of my >>forehead..the next day my left eye was blurry and had a lot of floaters and >>my head felt like it was under enormous pressure…all around my temples >>and top of my head..I also had an MRI which was negative..can glaucoma give >>you a lot of head pressure/pain and if i do have glaucoma what is the best >>medicine (eyedrops i guess)  i can take for it , i dont want to screw with >>my heart at all as I have pac’s and high cholesterol and slightly high >>blood pressure.I am also seeing an ENT on Friday because I did have a long >>time cocaine problem that i kicked at the beginning of the year and i am >>wondering if that has something to do with my head issues. Thx for any >>advice and sorry this was so long.

Response:

]]> http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/very-depressed-2487348.html/feed 0 Nodules http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/nodules-2372100.html http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/nodules-2372100.html#comments Wed, 24 Nov 2004 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://glaucoma-disease.com/uncategorized/nodules-2372100.html Question:

<snip>"Andy"  wrote in message

 > Our group had a talk from an eye doctor recently, and he said that > glaucoma can nearly always be successfully treated once it is diagnosed > </snip>

Yes, I  was told the same; as I said it is ’suspiciously’ presenting as glaucoma and being monitored closely so I am not worried; my vision is not changed ‘to my perception’; time will tell and with luck it will be good news! ……… Shelagh

Response:

Shelagh; The increased pressure was found during a routine eye exam; the Optho guy said my optic nerve and blood supply were ‘wonderful’ and so healthy and then he tells me of the increase in pressure.  He said he is 99% sure I do not have glaucoma and I am to come back in 6 months to go through the whole thing.  Carol "Shelagh" <n…@myob.bc.ca> wrote in message

news:j8Mpd.357053$%k.154729@pd7tw2no… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> <snip>"saskie"  wrote in message > > Also on my last exam the pressure in > > one eye is up to 200; a sudden increase. > > Carol in Sask Canada > </snip> > I too was told I am ‘under suspicion’ for glaucoma right now due to a sudden > increase in pressure in my right eye along with a minimal loss of peripheral > vision…. > I was told as well that it may be due to the angle of my lens because I am > so short sighted; > I do have field vision studies done every 6 months as well as my eye > pressure is measured and my optic nerve viewed each time as well… > this news just came up last visit and the opthm. said not to worry and he > also did say that people with a high degree of short sight (which is me in > my right eye only) are more prone to chronic glaucoma (not acute);  he also > mentioned that diabetes is believed to increase the risk of developing this > condition….. I don’t have diabetes, just lupus and I am being watched > carefully; > I would suggest that you too should have the 3 tests done regularly ‘in > case’. > FWIW, > from Shelagh

Response:

Bev, the pain you describe is similar to what I have, my eyes hurt when I move them, usually by night but sometimes as soon as I wake up.  I have pain in my right temple that no one wants to address it seems.  It is also on the same side as the TMJ.  I never thought of your theory. Carol "Beverley" <beverly.brow…@verizon.net> wrote in message

news:S20qd.1387$lv6.701@trnddc03… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> That might have been me you were thinking about. Years ago I was tested for > some kind of arteritis at John Hopkins. The pain was terrible and by eye > sight was being affected. When I told the doctor he sent me to a > ophthalmologist who discovered the eye pressure thing. Well, they never > found what they were looking for – thank goodness as it was considered > deadly (Takayasu’s arteritis. But so was lupus back in those > days………….. Shame they didn’t pick up on the lupus but I don’t think > they were looking for it. When I was dx’ed with lupus they used my medical > history and that episode was one of the places the doctor referred to as a > major lupus flare and questioned why John Hopkins never even tested or > considered lupus. > The problem started with pain in my neck. I think I have a lymph node under > the artery that swells and puts pressure on the artery. It feels like a > killer earache but it’s the artery because you can follow it with your > finger. The pain is really bad and although I can move my neck/head when it > occurs I don’t want to move it. John Hopkins tried to say it was an inflamed > strap muscle because they could find nothing conclusive after about 6 days > of trying. But it has hit several times since then and I find it does go > away especially if I have been given a round of antibiotics. I still say it > is from the lymph node and it’s my body!!!! But it does screw up the > pressure in my eye. (And in those days testing the pressure in my eyes was > terrible. At John Hopkins they inserted little disks onto my eyeballs which > were connected to tubes to a machine. The ophthalmologist wasn’t quite as > bad he used a tube that looked like a thermometer, cocked it and fired a > thing into my eye that bounced back up the tube. Damn, it hurt!! Now they do > it with a little puff of air. Isn’t it wonderful when they actually improve > something!) > But the kicker to all of this is I now have trigeminal neuralgia. It is on > the same side as the "other" problem. I often wonder if somehow it is > connected. > Bev > "J" <sc…@example.org> wrote in message > news:41A66CAD.596403EB@execulink.com… > > saskie wrote: > > > Strangely I do not have them in the elbow area but last night I was so > itchy > > > and found a big one on my arm near my wrist and on my buttocks, just > itchy > > > not sore. > > > The bump on my eyebrow comes and goes, it is there when I have bad > neuralgia > > > ; a Neuro I saw years ago said it is involvement with the 7th??  I think > > > cranial nerve.  So far feet and ear are alright so no neuroma; sorry for > the > > > misuse of the term. > > > Another thing I wonder about is the ptosis of the eyelid, I have a hard > time > > > opening my eyes really wide and have the hooded look , the eye fellow > said > > > it is simple surgery but I will pass.  Also on my last exam the pressure > in > > > one eye is up to 200; a sudden increase. > > Hi Carol, I’d like to withdraw the EMG idea on that bump on your eyebrow. > I’d > > forgotten about the neuralgia. > > Might make things worse. > > I don’t know if it’s the 7th of II/III rd cranial nerve > > Have a look here. Maybe you can figure it out. > > They also mention a large muscle that makes the eyelid open. > > http://brighamrad.harvard.edu/Cases/bwh/hcache/357/full.html > > I don’t like the sounds of the eye pressure going up. > > I think someone else had that here. Numerous have had tests for eye > pressure but > > I forgot who and what was found. > > maybe BJ remembers. > > Hugs > > J

Response:

That might have been me you were thinking about. Years ago I was tested for some kind of arteritis at John Hopkins. The pain was terrible and by eye sight was being affected. When I told the doctor he sent me to a ophthalmologist who discovered the eye pressure thing. Well, they never found what they were looking for – thank goodness as it was considered deadly (Takayasu’s arteritis. But so was lupus back in those days………….. Shame they didn’t pick up on the lupus but I don’t think they were looking for it. When I was dx’ed with lupus they used my medical history and that episode was one of the places the doctor referred to as a major lupus flare and questioned why John Hopkins never even tested or considered lupus. The problem started with pain in my neck. I think I have a lymph node under the artery that swells and puts pressure on the artery. It feels like a killer earache but it’s the artery because you can follow it with your finger. The pain is really bad and although I can move my neck/head when it occurs I don’t want to move it. John Hopkins tried to say it was an inflamed strap muscle because they could find nothing conclusive after about 6 days of trying. But it has hit several times since then and I find it does go away especially if I have been given a round of antibiotics. I still say it is from the lymph node and it’s my body!!!! But it does screw up the pressure in my eye. (And in those days testing the pressure in my eyes was terrible. At John Hopkins they inserted little disks onto my eyeballs which were connected to tubes to a machine. The ophthalmologist wasn’t quite as bad he used a tube that looked like a thermometer, cocked it and fired a thing into my eye that bounced back up the tube. Damn, it hurt!! Now they do it with a little puff of air. Isn’t it wonderful when they actually improve something!) But the kicker to all of this is I now have trigeminal neuralgia. It is on the same side as the "other" problem. I often wonder if somehow it is connected. Bev "J" <sc…@example.org> wrote in message

news:41A66CAD.596403EB@execulink.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> saskie wrote: > > Strangely I do not have them in the elbow area but last night I was so itchy > > and found a big one on my arm near my wrist and on my buttocks, just itchy > > not sore. > > The bump on my eyebrow comes and goes, it is there when I have bad neuralgia > > ; a Neuro I saw years ago said it is involvement with the 7th??  I think > > cranial nerve.  So far feet and ear are alright so no neuroma; sorry for the > > misuse of the term. > > Another thing I wonder about is the ptosis of the eyelid, I have a hard time > > opening my eyes really wide and have the hooded look , the eye fellow said > > it is simple surgery but I will pass.  Also on my last exam the pressure in > > one eye is up to 200; a sudden increase. > Hi Carol, I’d like to withdraw the EMG idea on that bump on your eyebrow. I’d > forgotten about the neuralgia. > Might make things worse. > I don’t know if it’s the 7th of II/III rd cranial nerve > Have a look here. Maybe you can figure it out. > They also mention a large muscle that makes the eyelid open. > http://brighamrad.harvard.edu/Cases/bwh/hcache/357/full.html > I don’t like the sounds of the eye pressure going up. > I think someone else had that here. Numerous have had tests for eye pressure but > I forgot who and what was found. > maybe BJ remembers. > Hugs > J

Response:

It is important to catch glaucoma early enough to avoid damage to the eye. The damage cannot be undone. (I have a niece with glaucoma and she’s had it since she was a very small child – maybe 4-5 years old when diagnosed.) Bev "Andy" <a…@kitzbuhel.demon.co.uk> wrote in message

news:jLwC1dXKx5pBFwDL@kitzbuhel.demon.co.uk… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In article <j8Mpd.357053$%k.154729@pd7tw2no>, Shelagh <n…@myob.bc.ca> > wrote > [ > >I too was told I am 'under suspicion' for glaucoma right now due to a sudden > >increase in pressure in my right eye along with a minimal loss of peripheral > >vision.... > Our group had a talk from an eye doctor recently, and he said that > glaucoma can nearly always be successfully treated once it is diagnosed. > -- > Andy Taylor [Chair, N E Lupus Group] > See http://www.northeastlupus.org.uk for more!

Response:

<snip>"saskie"  wrote in message > Also on my last exam the pressure in > one eye is up to 200; a sudden increase. > Carol in Sask Canada

</snip> I too was told I am ‘under suspicion’ for glaucoma right now due to a sudden increase in pressure in my right eye along with a minimal loss of peripheral vision…. I was told as well that it may be due to the angle of my lens because I am so short sighted; I do have field vision studies done every 6 months as well as my eye pressure is measured and my optic nerve viewed each time as well… this news just came up last visit and the opthm. said not to worry and he also did say that people with a high degree of short sight (which is me in my right eye only) are more prone to chronic glaucoma (not acute);  he also mentioned that diabetes is believed to increase the risk of developing this condition….. I don’t have diabetes, just lupus and I am being watched carefully; I would suggest that you too should have the 3 tests done regularly ‘in case’. FWIW, from Shelagh

Response:

In article <j8Mpd.357053$%k.154729@pd7tw2no>, Shelagh <n…@myob.bc.ca> wrote [ >I too was told I am 'under suspicion' for glaucoma right now due to a sudden >increase in pressure in my right eye along with a minimal loss of peripheral >vision....

Our group had a talk from an eye doctor recently, and he said that glaucoma can nearly always be successfully treated once it is diagnosed. -- Andy Taylor [Chair, N E Lupus Group] See http://www.northeastlupus.org.uk for more!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -saskie wrote: > I was not sure what to call these but if I had given it a thought I would > have said nodules as my husband has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and I am forever > palpating his lymph nodes.  Not really, he won’t let me but I want too. > Thank you for your replies; BJ you are the first real person I have met who > has had these; I have them down the length of radius in both arms but they > are not painful.  I will get myself off to my Dr. here in town, he is very > well versed in autoimmune disorders. > Thank you J for the website; I will post the Dr. Wallace blurb later.  I > think you are right about the muscle perhaps being the problem with the > pain.  I am sorry you had such an experience with the removal; that is what > concerns me as I have a small node on my eyebrow [neuroma] I am not sure but > I will let no one touch it. > Saskie; very cold and dark here

Hi I think BJ said something about the muscle. It’s hard to know what’s on your eyebrow. When I looked up neuroma, I seem to get either Morton’s (foot) or acoustic neuroma (ear?/brain?). Your experience could be different from mine, (we’re all different).  3 (doctors) took guesses at what the lump was and all were wrong (until after excision). One thought it was bone or osteoarthritis, one thought it was attached to the bone, one thought it was a rheumatoid nodule, another blew me off with a sebacious cyst idea and gave me cream that seemed to make it worse..I think that was a harbinger of things to come, in retrospect, becauwe I put a bandange over the cream and woke up in the middle of night in severe pain, so the bandage must have been pressing on nerves?).  I don’t know what nerve pathways are in the eyebrow, but if we pluck a hair there, we can sure feel it, eh? So there’s got to be nerve pathways there. Earlier you were asking about lupus profundus. The only reason I wanted it gone was because of pain, so if you arm nodules aren’t hurting probably best to leave them alone? If the eyebrow is unsightly and/or painful, maybe your GP can order up an EMG to see if they can figure out nerve pathways, before surgery?  Just a thought. J

Response:

saskie wrote: > Strangely I do not have them in the elbow area but last night I was so itchy > and found a big one on my arm near my wrist and on my buttocks, just itchy > not sore. > The bump on my eyebrow comes and goes, it is there when I have bad neuralgia > ; a Neuro I saw years ago said it is involvement with the 7th??  I think > cranial nerve.  So far feet and ear are alright so no neuroma; sorry for the > misuse of the term. > Another thing I wonder about is the ptosis of the eyelid, I have a hard time > opening my eyes really wide and have the hooded look , the eye fellow said > it is simple surgery but I will pass.  Also on my last exam the pressure in > one eye is up to 200; a sudden increase.

Hi Carol, I’d like to withdraw the EMG idea on that bump on your eyebrow. I’d forgotten about the neuralgia. Might make things worse. I don’t know if it’s the 7th of II/III rd cranial nerve Have a look here. Maybe you can figure it out. They also mention a large muscle that makes the eyelid open. http://brighamrad.harvard.edu/Cases/bwh/hcache/357/full.html I don’t like the sounds of the eye pressure going up. I think someone else had that here. Numerous have had tests for eye pressure but I forgot who and what was found. maybe BJ remembers. Hugs J

Response:

I don’t have them in the elbow area either, Carol. We must be misfits. BJ-Sk. Canada "saskie" <saskiehometow…@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:10qcktjslf229f8@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The little blurb in Dr. Wallaces book is under Joints and Soft Tissues and > speaks of rheumatoid-like nodules in the  elbow " may have rheumatoid-like > nodules in the elbow area, which feel like little peas.  These nodules are > much smaller than those seen in RA and are of little clinical importance > except that they may cause the area below the elbow to fill up with fluid > when they break down"  The Lupus Book , Daniel Wallace, M.D.  Page 77 > Strangely I do not have them in the elbow area but last night I was so itchy > and found a big one on my arm near my wrist and on my buttocks, just itchy > not sore. > The bump on my eyebrow comes and goes, it is there when I have bad neuralgia > ; a Neuro I saw years ago said it is involvement with the 7th??  I think > cranial nerve.  So far feet and ear are alright so no neuroma; sorry for the > misuse of the term. > Another thing I wonder about is the ptosis of the eyelid, I have a hard time > opening my eyes really wide and have the hooded look , the eye fellow said > it is simple surgery but I will pass.  Also on my last exam the pressure in > one eye is up to 200; a sudden increase. > Carol in Sask Canada > "J" <sc…@example.org> wrote in message > news:41A6305F.82155B55@execulink.com… > > saskie wrote: > > > I was not sure what to call these but if I had given it a thought I > would > > > have said nodules as my husband has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and I am > forever > > > palpating his lymph nodes.  Not really, he won’t let me but I want too. > > > Thank you for your replies; BJ you are the first real person I have met > who > > > has had these; I have them down the length of radius in both arms but > they > > > are not painful.  I will get myself off to my Dr. here in town, he is > very > > > well versed in autoimmune disorders. > > > Thank you J for the website; I will post the Dr. Wallace blurb later. I > > > think you are right about the muscle perhaps being the problem with the > > > pain.  I am sorry you had such an experience with the removal; that is > what > > > concerns me as I have a small node on my eyebrow [neuroma] I am not sure > but > > > I will let no one touch it. > > > Saskie; very cold and dark here > > Hi I think BJ said something about the muscle. > > It’s hard to know what’s on your eyebrow. When I looked up neuroma, I seem > to > > get either Morton’s (foot) or acoustic neuroma (ear?/brain?). Your > experience > > could be different from mine, (we’re all different).  3 (doctors) took > guesses > > at what the lump was and all were wrong (until after excision). One > thought it > > was bone or osteoarthritis, one thought it was attached to the bone, one > thought > > it was a rheumatoid nodule, another blew me off with a sebacious cyst idea > and > > gave me cream that seemed to make it worse..I think that was a harbinger > of > > things to come, in retrospect, becauwe I put a bandange over the cream and > woke > > up in the middle of night in severe pain, so the bandage must have been > pressing > > on nerves?). > >  I don’t know what nerve pathways are in the eyebrow, but if we pluck a > hair > > there, we can sure feel it, eh? So there’s got to be nerve pathways there. > > Earlier you were asking about lupus profundus. > > The only reason I wanted it gone was because of pain, so if you arm > nodules > > aren’t hurting probably best to leave them alone? > > If the eyebrow is unsightly and/or painful, maybe your GP can order up an > EMG to > > see if they can figure out nerve pathways, before surgery?  Just a > thought. > > J

Response:

saskie wrote: > The little blurb in Dr. Wallaces book is under Joints and Soft Tissues and > speaks of rheumatoid-like nodules in the  elbow " may have rheumatoid-like > nodules in the elbow area, which feel like little peas.  These nodules are > much smaller than those seen in RA and are of little clinical importance > except that they may cause the area below the elbow to fill up with fluid > when they break down"  The Lupus Book , Daniel Wallace, M.D.  Page 77

Thank you Carol for looking that up and typing it for us. Hugs J

Response:

The little blurb in Dr. Wallaces book is under Joints and Soft Tissues and speaks of rheumatoid-like nodules in the  elbow " may have rheumatoid-like nodules in the elbow area, which feel like little peas.  These nodules are much smaller than those seen in RA and are of little clinical importance except that they may cause the area below the elbow to fill up with fluid when they break down"  The Lupus Book , Daniel Wallace, M.D.  Page 77 Strangely I do not have them in the elbow area but last night I was so itchy and found a big one on my arm near my wrist and on my buttocks, just itchy not sore. The bump on my eyebrow comes and goes, it is there when I have bad neuralgia ; a Neuro I saw years ago said it is involvement with the 7th??  I think cranial nerve.  So far feet and ear are alright so no neuroma; sorry for the misuse of the term. Another thing I wonder about is the ptosis of the eyelid, I have a hard time opening my eyes really wide and have the hooded look , the eye fellow said it is simple surgery but I will pass.  Also on my last exam the pressure in one eye is up to 200; a sudden increase. Carol in Sask Canada "J" <sc…@example.org> wrote in message

news:41A6305F.82155B55@execulink.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> saskie wrote: > > I was not sure what to call these but if I had given it a thought I would > > have said nodules as my husband has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and I am forever > > palpating his lymph nodes.  Not really, he won’t let me but I want too. > > Thank you for your replies; BJ you are the first real person I have met who > > has had these; I have them down the length of radius in both arms but they > > are not painful.  I will get myself off to my Dr. here in town, he is very > > well versed in autoimmune disorders. > > Thank you J for the website; I will post the Dr. Wallace blurb later.  I > > think you are right about the muscle perhaps being the problem with the > > pain.  I am sorry you had such an experience with the removal; that is what > > concerns me as I have a small node on my eyebrow [neuroma] I am not sure but > > I will let no one touch it. > > Saskie; very cold and dark here > Hi I think BJ said something about the muscle. > It’s hard to know what’s on your eyebrow. When I looked up neuroma, I seem to > get either Morton’s (foot) or acoustic neuroma (ear?/brain?). Your experience > could be different from mine, (we’re all different).  3 (doctors) took guesses > at what the lump was and all were wrong (until after excision). One thought it > was bone or osteoarthritis, one thought it was attached to the bone, one thought > it was a rheumatoid nodule, another blew me off with a sebacious cyst idea and > gave me cream that seemed to make it worse..I think that was a harbinger of > things to come, in retrospect, becauwe I put a bandange over the cream and woke > up in the middle of night in severe pain, so the bandage must have been pressing > on nerves?). >  I don’t know what nerve pathways are in the eyebrow, but if we pluck a hair > there, we can sure feel it, eh? So there’s got to be nerve pathways there. > Earlier you were asking about lupus profundus. > The only reason I wanted it gone was because of pain, so if you arm nodules > aren’t hurting probably best to leave them alone? > If the eyebrow is unsightly and/or painful, maybe your GP can order up an EMG to > see if they can figure out nerve pathways, before surgery?  Just a thought. > J

Response:

I would be interested in what your doctor has to say about the nodules. Particularly since I have them strung like beads along the sides of my bones. I have never asked anybody about those. Only the ones on my spine were talked about and treated. The others never hurt, so I let that one go. Maybe it is a Sk, climate thing. <g> Seems we are the only ones that have these little goodies. Good luck. BJ-Sk. Canada "saskie" <saskiehometow…@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:10qa3l1ihg6opec@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was not sure what to call these but if I had given it a thought I would > have said nodules as my husband has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and I am forever > palpating his lymph nodes.  Not really, he won’t let me but I want too. > Thank you for your replies; BJ you are the first real person I have met who > has had these; I have them down the length of radius in both arms but they > are not painful.  I will get myself off to my Dr. here in town, he is very > well versed in autoimmune disorders. > Thank you J for the website; I will post the Dr. Wallace blurb later.  I > think you are right about the muscle perhaps being the problem with the > pain.  I am sorry you had such an experience with the removal; that is what > concerns me as I have a small node on my eyebrow [neuroma] I am not sure but > I will let no one touch it. > Saskie; very cold and dark here

Response:

I was not sure what to call these but if I had given it a thought I would have said nodules as my husband has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and I am forever palpating his lymph nodes.  Not really, he won’t let me but I want too. Thank you for your replies; BJ you are the first real person I have met who has had these; I have them down the length of radius in both arms but they are not painful.  I will get myself off to my Dr. here in town, he is very well versed in autoimmune disorders. Thank you J for the website; I will post the Dr. Wallace blurb later.  I think you are right about the muscle perhaps being the problem with the pain.  I am sorry you had such an experience with the removal; that is what concerns me as I have a small node on my eyebrow [neuroma] I am not sure but I will let no one touch it. Saskie; very cold and dark here

Response:

]]> http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/nodules-2372100.html/feed 0 At the concert. http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/at-the-concert-2382608.html http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/at-the-concert-2382608.html#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2004 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://glaucoma-disease.com/uncategorized/at-the-concert-2382608.html Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > >>>>>>>> The Chili Peppers are a good band i hope it was a great show. > > >>>>>>>> price for tickets here is around $35 – $50. So maybe 35

]]> http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/at-the-concert-2382608.html/feed 0 Closed Tear Ducts/Ducts?? http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/closed-tear-ductsducts-2487682.html http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/closed-tear-ductsducts-2487682.html#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2004 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://glaucoma-disease.com/uncategorized/closed-tear-ductsducts-2487682.html Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -nrushing1…@hotmail.com (Nancy Rushing) wrote in message <news:4878071e.0402061726.2f0d5cda@posting.google.com>… > I was about 21 when I was diagnosed with high eye pressure, and > doctors have followed it for years until in 1999, when I started using > drops to lower the pressure (the highest at the time was 28).  Just > recently, I had a laser iridotomy in both eyes, since this new doctor > said he found that all the ducts in the quad (4) areas of both of my > eyes are all CLOSED!  The surgeries I had opened up the ducts which is > great….doctor said I had a great chance of having a "glaucoma > attack" from narrow angles (narrow angle glaucoma), and I would’ve > gone blind anytime, so it was an emergency to have the surgeries done > on my eyes. I am still using eye drops, but since the surgeries, my > pressure has lowered. Other eye doctors have mentioned have very > narrow tear ducts which wasn’t normal (before this doctor discovered > the problem — he’s a glaucoma specialist). >     I had a question about the closed tear ducts or ducts. Is this > congenital or can this happen anytime? I am 34 years old. >     Thanks to those who can answer my question.

The trabecular meshwork in the drainage angle in your eye has nothing to do with your tear ducts.  The eye has two plumbing systems, one inside and one outside.  The outer system involves the lacrimal gland, the gland that makes tears, and the lacrimal drainage system, the "tear ducts" that drain into your nose (that’s why we sniffle when we cry).  The internal plumbing system is what is involved frequently in glaucoma patients.  This involves the production of aqueous fluid by the ciliary glands behind the iris.  Fluid moves in through the pupil and drains where the iris meets the cornea in the front of the eye, in the "angle" that filters fluid through the trabecular meshwork.  In most folks, the angle is 30-40 degrees open, but if fluid can get TO the meshwork, it can’t get THROUGH it, and that raises eye pressure gradually.  That’s primary open angle glaucoma.      In a small percentage of people, the drain is less than 10 degrees open.  This is congenital and is often seen in people with very small eyes (farsighted individuals) with crowded tissues inside the front of the eye.  As these people get older and the lens in the eye becomes more of a cataract and thickens with time, the iris is further pushed forward and the angle closes off even more.  Where the iris touches the lens, a ball-valve effect is created which partially obstructs aqueous flow to the angle.  This may cause the iris to bulge forward and close off the angle permanently.  This can occur slowly (chronic angle closure) or quickly (acute angle closure), which is painful and can cause very rapid visual loss (over a day or two) if not corrected.  A laser iridotomy allows fluid to equilibrate on both sides of the iris and bypasses the pupil to allow aqueous a more direct access to the drain.  Even so, the drain itself may still not function perfectly even if an iridotomy is performed and the angle deepens (many call this "mixed-mechanism" glaucoma–it has aspects of both narrow and open angle glaucoma)…after an iridotomy, treatment is more or less the same, with topical drops to lower IOP.  Hope that answers some questions. –Rick Cohn, MD Glaucoma Specialist Winter Park, FL

Response:

I was about 21 when I was diagnosed with high eye pressure, and doctors have followed it for years until in 1999, when I started using drops to lower the pressure (the highest at the time was 28).  Just recently, I had a laser iridotomy in both eyes, since this new doctor said he found that all the ducts in the quad (4) areas of both of my eyes are all CLOSED!  The surgeries I had opened up the ducts which is great….doctor said I had a great chance of having a "glaucoma attack" from narrow angles (narrow angle glaucoma), and I would’ve gone blind anytime, so it was an emergency to have the surgeries done on my eyes. I am still using eye drops, but since the surgeries, my pressure has lowered. Other eye doctors have mentioned have very narrow tear ducts which wasn’t normal (before this doctor discovered the problem — he’s a glaucoma specialist).     I had a question about the closed tear ducts or ducts. Is this congenital or can this happen anytime? I am 34 years old.     Thanks to those who can answer my question.

Response:

]]> http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/closed-tear-ductsducts-2487682.html/feed 0 Victrectomy http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/victrectomy-1475388.html http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/victrectomy-1475388.html#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2003 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://glaucoma-disease.com/uncategorized/victrectomy-1475388.html Question:

HI all, I am having a victrectomy and lens implant next Thursday under a local has anyone had this experience and how did it go it is planned as an out patient surgery.   thanks for any pep talks!   Mike in Canada

Response:

Mike, I’ve never had that procedure, but I’ve had a couple of extra holes zapped into my eyes via lazer.  (The shape of my eyes were ripe for acute onset glaucoma.)  My only complaint was that I had a headacke for a couple of days, and the extra strong diuretic made carbonated drinks taste like metal for a couple of days. Good luck to you. Steph

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – HI all, I am having a victrectomy and lens implant next Thursday under a local has anyone had this experience and how did it go it is planned as an out patient surgery.   thanks for any pep talks!   Mike in Canada

Response:

HI all, I am having a victrectomy and lens implant next Thursday under a local has anyone had this experience and how did it go it is planned as an out patient surgery.   thanks for any pep talks!   Mike in Canada

I had a vitrectomy in one eye under general, and the other under local.  No problem with either.  I had lens implants in both eye a couple of years later, again local. One eye no problems the other I had a scratched cornea that got infected.  Took several months to clear up and heal.  No experience with vitrectomy and lens implant at the same time.  If it is an experienced Dr, I would expect a high probablility of no problems. Mike

Response:

no experience, just best wishes to send your way may your recovery be complete and quick kate in canada — Join us in the Diabetic-Talk Chatroom on UnderNet /server irc.undernet.org — /join #Diabetic-Talk More info: http://www.diabetic-talk.org/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – HI all, I am having a victrectomy and lens implant next Thursday under a local has anyone had this experience and how did it go it is planned as an out patient surgery.   thanks for any pep talks!   Mike in Canada

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – no experience, just best wishes to send your way may your recovery be complete and quick kate in canada — Join us in the Diabetic-Talk Chatroom on UnderNet /server irc.undernet.org — /join #Diabetic-Talk More info: http://www.diabetic-talk.org/ HI all, I am having a victrectomy and lens implant next Thursday under a local has anyone had this experience and how did it go it is planned as an out patient surgery.   thanks for any pep talks!   Mike in Canada

hanks to all for your posts and best wishes I will let you know how things work out.    Mike in Canada – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

]]> http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/victrectomy-1475388.html/feed 0 Xanax http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/xanax-2486610.html http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/xanax-2486610.html#comments Mon, 15 Sep 2003 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://glaucoma-disease.com/uncategorized/xanax-2486610.html Question:

I just read the contraindications on Xanax and glaucoma is among them. Since it takes me two to three years to use up a bottle of 30 pills, 0.25mg, I don’t think I have to worry. Right? Angelika

Response:

The information can be found at  http://www.rxlist.com/ . Just key in the name of the drug and look for the info under Overdosage and Contradictions, which says: *may be used in patients with open angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy, but is contraindicated in patients with acute narrow angle glaucoma.* Good luck. Sun Chong Hong "Whos Dat?" <pscam…@excite.com> wrote in message

news:ktc4pvcqhb0mcir37f19t9pb8hqjp9efub@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a serious problem with my pressure and have been taking 1 to 2 > mg of Xanax a day.  No one Drs pharmacists etc have EVER given me a > contraindication warning.  Please email me directly with your source > of contraindication  Would very much appreciate it. > Thanks > pscam…@excite.com

Response:

I suggest that you ask your ophthalmologist about this.  In my experience (as a patient, not a doctor), when I have asked my eyedoc about such warnings he has said one of two things: 1) the warning is of concern only to those with narrow-angle glaucoma, whereas mine is the primary open-angle type, or 2) if the glaucoma is being properly treated with pressure-lowering medication, the warnings can be ignored. But again, ask your ophthalmologist — a phone call should do it.     Good Luck,      Don Singleton – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Whos Dat? wrote: > I have a serious problem with my pressure and have been taking 1 to 2 > mg of Xanax a day.  No one Drs pharmacists etc have EVER given me a > contraindication warning.  Please email me directly with your source > of contraindication  Would very much appreciate it. > Thanks > pscam…@excite.com > On 15 Sep 2003 08:28:26 -0700, yon…@cfw.com (Angelika Levien) wrote: > >I just read the contraindications on Xanax and glaucoma is among them. > >Since it takes me two to three years to use up a bottle of 30 pills, > >0.25mg, I don’t think I have to worry. Right? > >Angelika

Response:

I sure wouldn’t worry. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Angelika Levien wrote: > I just read the contraindications on Xanax and glaucoma is among them. > Since it takes me two to three years to use up a bottle of 30 pills, > 0.25mg, I don’t think I have to worry. Right? > Angelika

Response:

I have a serious problem with my pressure and have been taking 1 to 2 mg of Xanax a day.  No one Drs pharmacists etc have EVER given me a contraindication warning.  Please email me directly with your source of contraindication  Would very much appreciate it. Thanks pscam…@excite.com On 15 Sep 2003 08:28:26 -0700, yon…@cfw.com (Angelika Levien) wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I just read the contraindications on Xanax and glaucoma is among them. >Since it takes me two to three years to use up a bottle of 30 pills, >0.25mg, I don’t think I have to worry. Right? >Angelika

Response:

]]> http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/xanax-2486610.html/feed 0 And alt mercury detox doesn't do anything in rats http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/and-alt-mercury-detox-doesnt-do-anything-in-rats-1582300.html http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/and-alt-mercury-detox-doesnt-do-anything-in-rats-1582300.html#comments Sun, 10 Aug 2003 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://glaucoma-disease.com/uncategorized/and-alt-mercury-detox-doesnt-do-anything-in-rats-1582300.html Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –       1: J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2003;41(4):339-47.  Related       Articles, Links Vitamin C, glutathione, or lipoic acid did not decrease brain or kidney mercury in rats exposed to mercury vapor. No surprise. How the heck would Vitamin C bind Hg2+? It’s just incredible what some people expect from vitamines. What’s next? Someone will claim that Vitamin C makes immune against radiation? http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/fulltext/lipoic.html Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Biological Effects and Clinical Implications

Opened all flood gates to flush out vast amount of sewage.

Response:

      1: J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2003;41(4):339-47.  Related Articles,       Links Vitamin C, glutathione, or lipoic acid did not decrease brain or kidney mercury in rats exposed to mercury vapor.

No surprise. How the heck would Vitamin C bind Hg2+? It’s just incredible what some people expect from vitamines. What’s next? Someone will claim that Vitamin C makes immune against radiation?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –       1: J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2003;41(4):339-47.  Related Articles,       Links Vitamin C, glutathione, or lipoic acid did not decrease brain or kidney mercury in rats exposed to mercury vapor. No surprise. How the heck would Vitamin C bind Hg2+? It’s just incredible what some people expect from vitamines. What’s next? Someone will claim that Vitamin C makes immune against radiation?

http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/fulltext/lipoic.html Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Biological Effects and Clinical Implications Trent W. Nichols, Jr. M.D. Abstract Alpha-lipoic acid is unique in its ability to act as an antioxidant in fat- and water-soluble tissues in both its oxidized and reduced forms. It is readily absorbed from an oral dose. Because of its myriad biological activities, including an ability to chelate metals and to scavenge a wide array of free radicals, alpha-lipoic acid is considered by several experts to be an ideal antioxidant. Clinical applications for this nutrient include the following conditions: diabetic polyneuropathy, cataracts, glaucoma, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and Amanita mushroom poisoning. Because of its unique characteristics alpha-lipoic acid is likely to have therapeutic application in a wide range of additional clinical conditions. (Alt Med Rev 1997; 2(3):177-183) Introduction Alpha-lipoic acid, first isolated in 1951 by Reed and coworkers as a catalytic agent associated with pyruvate dehydrogenase, is known by a variety of names, including 2-dithiolane-3 pentanoic acid; 1,2-dithiolane-3 valeric acid; and thioctic acid.1 It was originally classified as a vitamin; however, it subsequently was found to be synthesized by animals and humans.2 Although the enzyme pathway for its de novo synthesis has not been fully elucidated, cysteine appears to be the source of sulfur, and octanoate serves as the intermediate precursor for the 8-carbon fatty acid.3 It is readily converted to its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), in many tissues of the body. Antioxidant Activity Alpha-lipoic acid is unique in its ability to act as an antioxidant in fat- and water-soluble tissues in both its oxidized and reduced forms. It is also readily absorbed from an oral dose. Because of these advantages and its low toxicity, alpha-lipoic acid is receiving increased attention as a potentially effective therapeutic agent in clinical conditions associated with free radical damage. Lester Packer, PhD, of the University of California at Berkeley, has suggested alpha-lipoic acid is an ideal antioxidant candidate because of its role in the following: specificity of free radical quenching, metal chelating activity, interaction with other antioxidants, and effects on gene expression.4 An antioxidant function for alpha-lipoic acid was discovered in 1959 by Rosenberg and Culik, who reported it prevented both scurvy symptoms in vitamin C-deficient guinea pigs and vitamin E deficiency in rats fed a diet lacking a-tocopherol.5 Podda et al reported alpha-lipoic acid prevents symptoms of vitamin E deficiency in mice fed a vitamin E-deficient diet; however, it had no effect on sustaining vitamin E tissue concentrations.6 Experimental evidence indicates optimal reduction of dehydroascorbic to ascorbic acid is achieved in the presence of pyruvate, alpha-lipoic acid, and ATP.7 Alpha-lipoic acid has a low redox potential, and through its reduced form, DHLA, very readily donates electrons to other compounds. Ascorbic acid, and indirectly vitamin E, are thought to be regenerated by DHLA.8 (See Figure 2.) Busse et al found alpha-lipoic acid can cause an increase in intracellular glutathione.9 DHLA can regenerate Coenzyme Q10, and NADPH or NADH via glutathione.10 Experts are in general agreement that alpha-lipoic acid is capable of scavenging hydroxyl radicals, hypochlorous acid, and singlet oxygen, but not hydrogen peroxide, peroxyl, and superoxide.4,11-13 DHLA is both an antioxidant and prooxidant in studies where hydroxyl radicals were generated. It protects against single strand DNA breaks induced by singlet oxygen, although it does not do so directly and several steps might be involved in the process.13 Sandhya et al indicate alpha-lipoic acid acts in a dose-dependent manner as a nephroprotective agent against experimentally induced gentamicin toxicity.14 Metal Chelation Alpha-lipoic acid appears capable of chelating transition metals in biological systems. It forms stable complexes with copper, manganese and zinc ions.15 Its ability to chelate iron remains equivocal.16,17 Mice were protected from arsenite poisoning with alpha-lipoic acid administration when the ratio of alpha-lipoic acid to arsenite was at least 8:1. Protection occurred even if the administration was after severe symptoms of poisoning were present.18 Evidence suggests alpha-lipoic acid might chelate copper. Ou et al report the R-enantiomer and racemic mixture of alpha-lipoic acid seemed more effective than the S-enantiomer in their assays of metal chelation.19 In isolated hepatocytes, alpha-lipoic acid has been found to reduce cadmium-induced toxicity, although DHLA was much more effective.20 Sumathi et al also reported alpha-lipoic acid offers significant hepatoprotection against cadmium toxicity, even under glutathione-depleted experimental conditions.21 In a rat model, a dose of 30 mg of alpha-lipoic acid completely prevented cadmium-induced lipid peroxidation in the brain, heart, and testicles.22 In vitro experiments have indicated alpha-lipoic acid, while not the most effective chelating agent, will remove mercury from renal slices.23 alpha-lipoic acid administration to rats increased biliary excretion of injected mercury 12-37 fold but decreased the excretion of cadmium, zinc, copper, and methylmercury.24 Clinical Implications Diabetes: Because many of the systemic complications of diabetes mellitus, such as polyneuropathy and cataract formation, appear to be secondary to free radical damage, alpha-lipoic acid and DHLA have been proposed as possible therapeutic agents in these conditions. In heart tissue of diabetic rats, high doses of alpha-lipoic acid first normalized glucose uptake and utilization, and consequently normalized oxygen uptake, myocardial ATP levels, and cardiac output, while a low dose of alpha-lipoic acid normalized lactate and pyruvate production.25 In cell cultures, alpha-lipoic acid stimulated basal glucose transport and had a positive effect on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.26 alpha-lipoic acid administration prevented diabetes in 70% of diabetes induced animals. This effect was thought to be secondary to DHLA suppression of nitric oxide release from macrophages involved in islet cell inflammation.27 In a type II diabetic model using insulin-resistant obese Zucker rats, alpha-lipoic acid increased the uptake of glucose in the absence of insulin.28 Glycation of protein caused by elevated blood and tissue glucose is believed to contribute to many of the complications seen in diabetes. These sugar-damaged proteins are referred to as advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs). AGEs increase with the length of hyperglycemia and are thought to be responsible for the kidney damage and advanced atherosclerosis seen in diabetes.4 Packer and Kawabata found noncovalent binding of alpha-lipoic acid to albumin protected proteins against glycation.29 Type II diabetic humans given an acute dose of alpha-lipoic acid (1000 mg intravenously) experienced 50% improvement in insulin-stimulated glucose disposal.30 In an uncontrolled pilot study 20 patients with type II diabetes received daily alpha-lipoic acid (500 mg/500 ml NaCl, 0.9%) parenterally for ten days. An increase of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal of approximately 30% was reported; however, no changes in fasting plasma levels for glucose or insulin were found during the short period of treatment and observation.31 Diabetic polyneuropathy has been treated clinically in Germany with alpha-lipoic acid for over 20 years. Findings indicate alpha-lipoic acid can correct neuropeptide deficits in diabetic rats.32 A model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy was evaluated using alpha-lipoic acid and measuring improved nerve blood flow (NBF) after one month in age controlled rats. The alpha-lipoic acid-supplemented rats exhibited normal NBF.33 A three-week multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of alpha-lipoic acid administered intravenously at 1200, 600, or 100 mg was conducted in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Symptom scoring including pain, burning, paresthesia, and numbness was conducted at baseline and at each visit. Intravenous treatment with 600 mg/day for three weeks was superior to placebo in reducing symptoms of neuropathy and caused no significant adverse reactions.34 In a non-blinded study of diabetic patients with both type I and II diabetes, 600 mg/day of alpha-lipoic acid was given for two weeks, followed by 300 mg/day for 10 weeks. Albuminuria decreased 50% as compared to placebo controls. A clinical improvement in neurological symptoms was found in the alpha-lipoic acid group but not in the control group.35 Cataracts: High levels of activity of the enzyme aldose reductase have been associated with diabetic cataracts. Aldose reductase is inhibited by alpha-lipoic acid in rat lenses.36 Dietary supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to prevent cataract formation caused by buthionine sulfoximine-induced (BSO) inhibition of glutathione synthesis in newborn rats.37 The protective effects of alpha-lipoic acid against BSO-induced cataract appear to be stereospecific. Both a racemic mixture and R-alpha-lipoic acid were able to … read more »

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      1: J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2003;41(4):339-47.  Related Articles, Links Vitamin C, glutathione, or lipoic acid did not decrease brain or kidney mercury in rats exposed to mercury vapor. Aposhian HV, Morgan DL, Queen HL, Maiorino RM, Aposhian MM. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The University of Arizona, Some medical practitioners prescribe GSH and vitamin C alone or in combination with DMPS or DMSA for patients with mercury exposure that is primarily due to the mercury vapor emitted by dental amalgams. HYPOTHESIS: This study tested the hypothesis that GSH, vitamin C, or lipoic acid alone or in combination with DMPS or DMSA would decrease brain mercury. METHODS: Young rats were exposed to elemental mercury by individual nose cone, at the rate of 4.0 mg mercury per m3 air for 2 h per day for 7 consecutive days. After a 7-day equilibrium period, DMPS, DMSA, GSH, vitamin C, lipoic acid alone, or in combination was administered for 7 days and the brain and kidneys of the animals removed and analyzed for mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption. RESULTS: None of these regimens reduced the mercury content of the brain. Although DMPS or DMSA was effective in reducing kidney mercury concentrations, GSH, vitamin C, lipoic acid alone, or in combination were not. CONCLUSION: One must conclude that the palliative effect, if any, of GSH, vitamin C, or lipoic acid for treatment of mercury toxicity due to mercury vapor exposure does not involve mercury mobilization from the brain and kidney.

http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/fulltext/lipoic.html Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Biological Effects and Clinical Implications Trent W. Nichols, Jr. M.D. Abstract Alpha-lipoic acid is unique in its ability to act as an antioxidant in fat- and water-soluble tissues in both its oxidized and reduced forms. It is readily absorbed from an oral dose. Because of its myriad biological activities, including an ability to chelate metals and to scavenge a wide array of free radicals, alpha-lipoic acid is considered by several experts to be an ideal antioxidant. Clinical applications for this nutrient include the following conditions: diabetic polyneuropathy, cataracts, glaucoma, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and Amanita mushroom poisoning. Because of its unique characteristics alpha-lipoic acid is likely to have therapeutic application in a wide range of additional clinical conditions. (Alt Med Rev 1997; 2(3):177-183) Introduction Alpha-lipoic acid, first isolated in 1951 by Reed and coworkers as a catalytic agent associated with pyruvate dehydrogenase, is known by a variety of names, including 2-dithiolane-3 pentanoic acid; 1,2-dithiolane-3 valeric acid; and thioctic acid.1 It was originally classified as a vitamin; however, it subsequently was found to be synthesized by animals and humans.2 Although the enzyme pathway for its de novo synthesis has not been fully elucidated, cysteine appears to be the source of sulfur, and octanoate serves as the intermediate precursor for the 8-carbon fatty acid.3 It is readily converted to its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), in many tissues of the body. Antioxidant Activity Alpha-lipoic acid is unique in its ability to act as an antioxidant in fat- and water-soluble tissues in both its oxidized and reduced forms. It is also readily absorbed from an oral dose. Because of these advantages and its low toxicity, alpha-lipoic acid is receiving increased attention as a potentially effective therapeutic agent in clinical conditions associated with free radical damage. Lester Packer, PhD, of the University of California at Berkeley, has suggested alpha-lipoic acid is an ideal antioxidant candidate because of its role in the following: specificity of free radical quenching, metal chelating activity, interaction with other antioxidants, and effects on gene expression.4 An antioxidant function for alpha-lipoic acid was discovered in 1959 by Rosenberg and Culik, who reported it prevented both scurvy symptoms in vitamin C-deficient guinea pigs and vitamin E deficiency in rats fed a diet lacking a-tocopherol.5 Podda et al reported alpha-lipoic acid prevents symptoms of vitamin E deficiency in mice fed a vitamin E-deficient diet; however, it had no effect on sustaining vitamin E tissue concentrations.6 Experimental evidence indicates optimal reduction of dehydroascorbic to ascorbic acid is achieved in the presence of pyruvate, alpha-lipoic acid, and ATP.7 Alpha-lipoic acid has a low redox potential, and through its reduced form, DHLA, very readily donates electrons to other compounds. Ascorbic acid, and indirectly vitamin E, are thought to be regenerated by DHLA.8 (See Figure 2.) Busse et al found alpha-lipoic acid can cause an increase in intracellular glutathione.9 DHLA can regenerate Coenzyme Q10, and NADPH or NADH via glutathione.10 Experts are in general agreement that alpha-lipoic acid is capable of scavenging hydroxyl radicals, hypochlorous acid, and singlet oxygen, but not hydrogen peroxide, peroxyl, and superoxide.4,11-13 DHLA is both an antioxidant and prooxidant in studies where hydroxyl radicals were generated. It protects against single strand DNA breaks induced by singlet oxygen, although it does not do so directly and several steps might be involved in the process.13 Sandhya et al indicate alpha-lipoic acid acts in a dose-dependent manner as a nephroprotective agent against experimentally induced gentamicin toxicity.14 Metal Chelation Alpha-lipoic acid appears capable of chelating transition metals in biological systems. It forms stable complexes with copper, manganese and zinc ions.15 Its ability to chelate iron remains equivocal.16,17 Mice were protected from arsenite poisoning with alpha-lipoic acid administration when the ratio of alpha-lipoic acid to arsenite was at least 8:1. Protection occurred even if the administration was after severe symptoms of poisoning were present.18 Evidence suggests alpha-lipoic acid might chelate copper. Ou et al report the R-enantiomer and racemic mixture of alpha-lipoic acid seemed more effective than the S-enantiomer in their assays of metal chelation.19 In isolated hepatocytes, alpha-lipoic acid has been found to reduce cadmium-induced toxicity, although DHLA was much more effective.20 Sumathi et al also reported alpha-lipoic acid offers significant hepatoprotection against cadmium toxicity, even under glutathione-depleted experimental conditions.21 In a rat model, a dose of 30 mg of alpha-lipoic acid completely prevented cadmium-induced lipid peroxidation in the brain, heart, and testicles.22 In vitro experiments have indicated alpha-lipoic acid, while not the most effective chelating agent, will remove mercury from renal slices.23 alpha-lipoic acid administration to rats increased biliary excretion of injected mercury 12-37 fold but decreased the excretion of cadmium, zinc, copper, and methylmercury.24 Clinical Implications Diabetes: Because many of the systemic complications of diabetes mellitus, such as polyneuropathy and cataract formation, appear to be secondary to free radical damage, alpha-lipoic acid and DHLA have been proposed as possible therapeutic agents in these conditions. In heart tissue of diabetic rats, high doses of alpha-lipoic acid first normalized glucose uptake and utilization, and consequently normalized oxygen uptake, myocardial ATP levels, and cardiac output, while a low dose of alpha-lipoic acid normalized lactate and pyruvate production.25 In cell cultures, alpha-lipoic acid stimulated basal glucose transport and had a positive effect on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.26 alpha-lipoic acid administration prevented diabetes in 70% of diabetes induced animals. This effect was thought to be secondary to DHLA suppression of nitric oxide release from macrophages involved in islet cell inflammation.27 In a type II diabetic model using insulin-resistant obese Zucker rats, alpha-lipoic acid increased the uptake of glucose in the absence of insulin.28 Glycation of protein caused by elevated blood and tissue glucose is believed to contribute to many of the complications seen in diabetes. These sugar-damaged proteins are referred to as advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs). AGEs increase with the length of hyperglycemia and are thought to be responsible for the kidney damage and advanced atherosclerosis seen in diabetes.4 Packer and Kawabata found noncovalent binding of alpha-lipoic acid to albumin protected proteins against glycation.29 Type II diabetic humans given an acute dose of alpha-lipoic acid (1000 mg intravenously) experienced 50% improvement in insulin-stimulated glucose disposal.30 In an uncontrolled pilot study 20 patients with type II diabetes received daily alpha-lipoic acid (500 mg/500 ml NaCl, 0.9%) parenterally for ten days. An increase of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal of approximately 30% was reported; however, no changes in fasting plasma levels for glucose or insulin were found during the short period of treatment and observation.31 Diabetic polyneuropathy has been treated clinically in Germany with alpha-lipoic acid for over 20 years. Findings indicate alpha-lipoic acid can correct neuropeptide deficits in diabetic rats.32 A model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy was evaluated using alpha-lipoic acid and measuring improved nerve blood flow (NBF) after one month in age controlled rats. The alpha-lipoic acid-supplemented rats exhibited normal NBF.33 A three-week multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of alpha-lipoic acid administered intravenously at 1200, 600, or 100 mg was conducted in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Symptom scoring including … read more »

Response:

      1: J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2003;41(4):339-47.  Related Articles, Links Vitamin C, glutathione, or lipoic acid did not decrease brain or kidney mercury in rats exposed to mercury vapor. Aposhian HV, Morgan DL, Queen HL, Maiorino RM, Aposhian MM. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The University of Arizona, Some medical practitioners prescribe GSH and vitamin C alone or in combination with DMPS or DMSA for patients with mercury exposure that is primarily due to the mercury vapor emitted by dental amalgams. HYPOTHESIS: This study tested the hypothesis that GSH, vitamin C, or lipoic acid alone or in combination with DMPS or DMSA would decrease brain mercury. METHODS: Young rats were exposed to elemental mercury by individual nose cone, at the rate of 4.0 mg mercury per m3 air for 2 h per day for 7 consecutive days. After a 7-day equilibrium period, DMPS, DMSA, GSH, vitamin C, lipoic acid alone, or in combination was administered for 7 days and the brain and kidneys of the animals removed and analyzed for mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption. RESULTS: None of these regimens reduced the mercury content of the brain. Although DMPS or DMSA was effective in reducing kidney mercury concentrations, GSH, vitamin C, lipoic acid alone, or in combination were not. CONCLUSION: One must conclude that the palliative effect, if any, of GSH, vitamin C, or lipoic acid for treatment of mercury toxicity due to mercury vapor exposure does not involve mercury mobilization from the brain and kidney.

Response:

]]> http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/and-alt-mercury-detox-doesnt-do-anything-in-rats-1582300.html/feed 0 Kudzu decoction = Ge Gen Tang = Kakkon-to http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/kudzu-decoction-ge-gen-tang-kakkon-to-1917928.html http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/kudzu-decoction-ge-gen-tang-kakkon-to-1917928.html#comments Thu, 07 Nov 2002 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://glaucoma-disease.com/uncategorized/kudzu-decoction-ge-gen-tang-kakkon-to-1917928.html Question:

Hi Perl, Thank you for your kind wishes.  I’m fascinated with your reports on herbs, etc.  I hope you find something that works great.  I just worry because some people – who do not do any studying – believe that if it comes from a health food store then it must be good for them.  Not realizing how dangerous some of those items can be. Vermont was great.  :-) ar

Glad to hear! gotto go.. later. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Perl, I’m sure you must have read what you copied about Ephedra.  It can also  burn out your thyroid.  It’s just plain nasty and I can’t see any reason to  even try using it.  I have thyroid disease and herpes.  If I could get rid of  one of them it would be the thyroid disease.  It is much worse than the  herpes. I was trying to answer to your post awhile ago, but I’d exceeded the maximum (10) of posts that I can use a day on www.dejanews.com Anyway I am back; sorry to hear about your problem with the thyroid disease and it would be quite scarry to hear that Ephedra was at the origins of it. I had read a little about this plant, I will read more the days to come and as far I could see that only some parts of this plant should be used and not in the totality of it. On the other hand it depends the ammount you take and which way. (oral, decoction, ointment etc). I need more study of course but I will definitely take in consideration your suggestion. As a matter of fact, I usually stop, or avoid any herbs as soon as I find something wrong with taking it, from various sources. For example, just before I was planning to take Kava Kava, it came out on the news that has some bad side effects or something. I hope you get well with both the thyroid disease and herpes and my prayers will go along with yours. Take care. Oh and have a good trip in Vermont. I read a book from a great author, Jean Valnet, who was born and lives in Vermont. The bood was about fruits, vegetables and herbs properties I think was called "Heal Yourself With Vegetables, Fruits and Grains" by Jean Valnet I read that book about 7-10 years ago. Great book. He had described in it, the Vermont area where the traditional medicine it is very popular over there. He used to walk on those hills surrounding the areas of his hometown in Vermont, meeting peasants, where he gained a lot of knowledge. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0346122430/qid=10367278… -2/ref=sr_1_2/104-9633924-5017523?v=glance&s=books ar I have found this Kampo ‘Kudzu Decoction’ here is its composition: Cinnamon twig, ephedra,fresh ginger, jujube fruit, kudzu, licorice, peony Kudzu decoction, also known as Ge GEn Tang or Kakkon-to, blocks the tissue-damaging effects of the reactivated virus. It also protects exzema-damaged skin from the effects of herpes infection. I have also found the following info I had no time to read (study)  it, yet. Hopefully I will prepare these days my Kudzu Decoction, myself. Cheers, Perl Molson Original Message —– Newsgroups: alt.support.herpes Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 5:58 AM Ephedra is fairly dangerous. http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs_ephedra.htm Why do you think it is ‘fairly dangerous’? http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs_ephedra.htm Ephedra Ephedra sinica Ephedra Ma Huang Desert Tea     Parts used     Uses     Habitat and cultivation     Research     Constituents     How much to take     Side effects     Applications Useful Links Herbs Suppliers Ephedra (ma huang), together with its principal alkaloid ephedrine, was perhaps the first of the Chinese herbal remedies to see significant use in Western medicine. Known in China for more than 5,000 years, the green stems of various Ephedra species, particularly E. sinica Stapf, E. equisetina Bunge, and others of the family Ephedraceae, were employed there,  and E. gerardiana Wall. was used in India for the treatment of bronchial asthma and related conditions. The active constituent, ephedrine, was isolated by a Japanese chemist, N. Nagai, in 1887. However, it was not until 1924 when K. K. Chen and his mentor C. P. Schmidt, working at Peking Union Medical College, began to publish a series of papers on its pharmacological properties that physicians in this country began to appreciate the utility of the drug. Ephedrine became widely used as a nasal decongestant, a central nervous system stimulant, and a treatment for bronchial asthma. Other alkaloids, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, etc., with similar but not identical properties, were subsequently found in various Ephedra species. Studies on the herb revealed that the approximately forty species of Ephedra could be divided into several geographic types which seem to vary qualitatively and quantitatively in their alkaloid content. The significant finding regarding these types is that the North and Central American types all appear to be alkaloid free. Thus, any activity attributed to these species must result from compounds other than ephedrine or its derivatives. For that reason, species such as E. nevadensis (see Mormon tea) are not considered to be in this group of ephedra plants and are discussed elsewhere. It should be noted that Ephedra species are often extremely difficult to distinguish from one another, even for the specialist. Ephedra is a potent and useful herb for relieving the constriction and congestion associated with bronchial asthma. Ephedra is an effective nasal decongestant and is used in the treatment of various allergic disorders in adults. Ephedra acts as a strong central nervous system stimulant, but despite the claims of some advocates,  there is no substantial clinical evidence that it is either a safe or effective promoter of weight loss in obese persons or an enhancer of athletic performance. Unfortunately, ephedra and its contained ephedrine also increase both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. They also increase the heart rate and may cause palpitations as well as nervousness, headache, insomnia, and dizziness.  Although the herb may be a very useful one in the treatment of various asthmatic and congestive conditions, the side effects indicated render its indiscriminate use highly inadvisable, particularly in persons suffering from heart conditions, hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disease. Because ephedrine can serve as precursor for the illegal synthesis of methamphetamine or "speed," a common drug of abuse, several states have passed laws regulating the sale of the alkaloid or products containing it. Although various species of ephedra contain 0.5 to 2.5 percent of an alkaloid mixture, some 30 to 90 percent of which is ephedrine, it must be emphasized that the herb is no longer the principal source of commercial ephedrine. That compound is produced today by chemical synthesis involving the reductive condensation of L-1-phenyl-1-acetylcarbinol with methylamine. This yields the desired isomer L-ephedrine, which is identical in all respects to the alkaloid obtained from ephedra.  In view of the difficulties involved in extracting the relatively small concentrations of ephedrine from ephedra, and the fact that the plant serves only as a minor source of the alkaloid anyway, restricting availability of the herb on this basis, although certainly well-intended, seems an excessive measure. The fact that ephedra is commonly abused by consuming excessive amounts for its psychotropic effects is a far better reason for restricting its sale to adults only and limiting the dosage and duration of consumption. Top         PARTS USED Stems, root. Top         USES Historical uses – Traditionally, Zen monks used ephedra to promote calm concentration during meditation. Chinese herb – In China, ephedra is popular for chills and fevers, coughs, and wheezing, and in combination with rehmannia is given to treat kidney yin deficiency. Current Western uses – Ephedra is used principally in current Western herbal medicine as a treatment for asthma and hay

… read more »

Response:

Hi Perl, Thank you for your kind wishes.  I’m fascinated with your reports on herbs, etc.  I hope you find something that works great.  I just worry because some people – who do not do any studying – believe that if it comes from a health food store then it must be good for them.  Not realizing how dangerous some of those items can be. Vermont was great.  :-) ar

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Perl, I’m sure you must have read what you copied about Ephedra.  It can also burn out your thyroid.  It’s just plain nasty and I can’t see any reason to even try using it.  I have thyroid disease and herpes.  If I could get rid of one of them it would be the thyroid disease.  It is much worse than the herpes. I was trying to answer to your post awhile ago, but I’d exceeded the maximum (10) of posts that I can use a day on www.dejanews.com Anyway I am back; sorry to hear about your problem with the thyroid disease and it would be quite scarry to hear that Ephedra was at the origins of it. I had read a little about this plant, I will read more the days to come and as far I could see that only some parts of this plant should be used and not in the totality of it. On the other hand it depends the ammount you take and which way. (oral, decoction, ointment etc). I need more study of course but I will definitely take in consideration your suggestion. As a matter of fact, I usually stop, or avoid any herbs as soon as I find something wrong with taking it, from various sources. For example, just before I was planning to take Kava Kava, it came out on the news that has some bad side effects or something. I hope you get well with both the thyroid disease and herpes and my prayers will go along with yours. Take care. Oh and have a good trip in Vermont. I read a book from a great author, Jean Valnet, who was born and lives in Vermont. The bood was about fruits, vegetables and herbs properties I think was called "Heal Yourself With Vegetables, Fruits and Grains" by Jean Valnet I read that book about 7-10 years ago. Great book. He had described in it, the Vermont area where the traditional medicine it is very popular over there. He used to walk on those hills surrounding the areas of his hometown in Vermont, meeting peasants, where he gained a lot of knowledge.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0346122430/qid=10367278… -2/ref=sr_1_2/104-9633924-5017523?v=glance&s=books – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ar I have found this Kampo ‘Kudzu Decoction’ here is its composition: Cinnamon twig, ephedra,fresh ginger, jujube fruit, kudzu, licorice, peony Kudzu decoction, also known as Ge GEn Tang or Kakkon-to, blocks the tissue-damaging effects of the reactivated virus. It also protects exzema-damaged skin from the effects of herpes infection. I have also found the following info I had no time to read (study) it, yet. Hopefully I will prepare these days my Kudzu Decoction, myself. Cheers, Perl Molson Original Message —– Newsgroups: alt.support.herpes Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 5:58 AM Ephedra is fairly dangerous. http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs_ephedra.htm Why do you think it is ‘fairly dangerous’? http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs_ephedra.htm Ephedra Ephedra sinica Ephedra Ma Huang Desert Tea     Parts used     Uses     Habitat and cultivation     Research     Constituents     How much to take     Side effects     Applications Useful Links Herbs Suppliers Ephedra (ma huang), together with its principal alkaloid ephedrine, was perhaps the first of the Chinese herbal remedies to see significant use in Western medicine. Known in China for more than 5,000 years, the green stems of various Ephedra species, particularly E. sinica Stapf, E. equisetina Bunge, and others of the family Ephedraceae, were employed there,  and E. gerardiana Wall. was used in India for the treatment of bronchial asthma and related conditions. The active constituent, ephedrine, was isolated by a Japanese chemist, N. Nagai, in 1887. However, it was not until 1924 when K. K. Chen and his mentor C. P. Schmidt, working at Peking Union Medical College, began to publish a series of papers on its pharmacological properties that physicians in this country began to appreciate the utility of the drug. Ephedrine became widely used as a nasal decongestant, a central nervous system stimulant, and a treatment for bronchial asthma. Other alkaloids, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, etc., with similar but not identical properties, were subsequently found in various Ephedra species. Studies on the herb revealed that the approximately forty species of Ephedra could be divided into several geographic types which seem to vary qualitatively and quantitatively in their alkaloid content. The significant finding regarding these types is that the North and Central American types all appear to be alkaloid free. Thus, any activity attributed to these species must result from compounds other than ephedrine or its derivatives. For that reason, species such as E. nevadensis (see Mormon tea) are not considered to be in this group of ephedra plants and are discussed elsewhere. It should be noted that Ephedra species are often extremely difficult to distinguish from one another, even for the specialist. Ephedra is a potent and useful herb for relieving the constriction and congestion associated with bronchial asthma. Ephedra is an effective nasal decongestant and is used in the treatment of various allergic disorders in adults. Ephedra acts as a strong central nervous system stimulant, but despite the claims of some advocates,  there is no substantial clinical evidence that it is either a safe or effective promoter of weight loss in obese persons or an enhancer of athletic performance. Unfortunately, ephedra and its contained ephedrine also increase both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. They also increase the heart rate and may cause palpitations as well as nervousness, headache, insomnia, and dizziness.  Although the herb may be a very useful one in the treatment of various asthmatic and congestive conditions, the side effects indicated render its indiscriminate use highly inadvisable, particularly in persons suffering from heart conditions, hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disease. Because ephedrine can serve as precursor for the illegal synthesis of methamphetamine or "speed," a common drug of abuse, several states have passed laws regulating the sale of the alkaloid or products containing it. Although various species of ephedra contain 0.5 to 2.5 percent of an alkaloid mixture, some 30 to 90 percent of which is ephedrine, it must be emphasized that the herb is no longer the principal source of commercial ephedrine. That compound is produced today by chemical synthesis involving the reductive condensation of L-1-phenyl-1-acetylcarbinol with methylamine. This yields the desired isomer L-ephedrine, which is identical in all respects to the alkaloid obtained from ephedra.  In view of the difficulties involved in extracting the relatively small concentrations of ephedrine from ephedra, and the fact that the plant serves only as a minor source of the alkaloid anyway, restricting availability of the herb on this basis, although certainly well-intended, seems an excessive measure. The fact that ephedra is commonly abused by consuming excessive amounts for its psychotropic effects is a far better reason for restricting its sale to adults only and limiting the dosage and duration of consumption. Top         PARTS USED Stems, root. Top         USES Historical uses – Traditionally, Zen monks used ephedra to promote calm concentration during meditation. Chinese herb – In China, ephedra is popular for chills and fevers, coughs, and wheezing, and in combination with rehmannia is given to treat kidney yin deficiency. Current Western uses – Ephedra is used principally in current Western herbal medicine as a treatment for asthma and hay fever, and for the acute onset of colds and flu. Ephedra also helps to raise blood pressure, cool fevers, and alleviate rheumatism. Top         HABITAT AND CULTIVATION Native to northern China and Inner Mongolia, ephedra often grows in desert areas. Ephedra is propagated from seed in autumn or by root division in autumn or spring and needs well-drained soil. The stems are gathered throughout the year and dried. Top         RESEARCH Active constituents – Most of the active constituents mimic the effect

… read more »

Response:

Perl, I’m sure you must have read what you copied about Ephedra.  It can also burn out your thyroid.  It’s just plain nasty and I can’t see any reason to even try using it.  I have thyroid disease and herpes.  If I could get rid of one of them it would be the thyroid disease.  It is much worse than the herpes.

I was trying to answer to your post awhile ago, but I’d exceeded the maximum (10) of posts that I can use a day on www.dejanews.com Anyway I am back; sorry to hear about your problem with the thyroid disease and it would be quite scarry to hear that Ephedra was at the origins of it. I had read a little about this plant, I will read more the days to come and as far I could see that only some parts of this plant should be used and not in the totality of it. On the other hand it depends the ammount you take and which way. (oral, decoction, ointment etc). I need more study of course but I will definitely take in consideration your suggestion. As a matter of fact, I usually stop, or avoid any herbs as soon as I find something wrong with taking it, from various sources. For example, just before I was planning to take Kava Kava, it came out on the news that has some bad side effects or something. I hope you get well with both the thyroid disease and herpes and my prayers will go along with yours. Take care. Oh and have a good trip in Vermont. I read a book from a great author, Jean Valnet, who was born and lives in Vermont. The bood was about fruits, vegetables and herbs properties I think was called "Heal Yourself With Vegetables, Fruits and Grains" by Jean Valnet I read that book about 7-10 years ago. Great book. He had described in it, the Vermont area where the traditional medicine it is very popular over there. He used to walk on those hills surrounding the areas of his hometown in Vermont, meeting peasants, where he gained a lot of knowledge. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0346122430/qid=10367278… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ar I have found this Kampo ‘Kudzu Decoction’ here is its composition: Cinnamon twig, ephedra,fresh ginger, jujube fruit, kudzu, licorice, peony Kudzu decoction, also known as Ge GEn Tang or Kakkon-to, blocks the tissue-damaging effects of the reactivated virus. It also protects exzema-damaged skin from the effects of herpes infection. I have also found the following info I had no time to read (study) it, yet. Hopefully I will prepare these days my Kudzu Decoction, myself. Cheers, Perl Molson Original Message —– Newsgroups: alt.support.herpes Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 5:58 AM Ephedra is fairly dangerous. http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs_ephedra.htm Why do you think it is ‘fairly dangerous’? http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs_ephedra.htm Ephedra Ephedra sinica Ephedra Ma Huang Desert Tea     Parts used     Uses     Habitat and cultivation     Research     Constituents     How much to take     Side effects     Applications Useful Links Herbs Suppliers Ephedra (ma huang), together with its principal alkaloid ephedrine, was perhaps the first of the Chinese herbal remedies to see significant use in Western medicine. Known in China for more than 5,000 years, the green stems of various Ephedra species, particularly E. sinica Stapf, E. equisetina Bunge, and others of the family Ephedraceae, were employed there,  and E. gerardiana Wall. was used in India for the treatment of bronchial asthma and related conditions. The active constituent, ephedrine, was isolated by a Japanese chemist, N. Nagai, in 1887. However, it was not until 1924 when K. K. Chen and his mentor C. P. Schmidt, working at Peking Union Medical College, began to publish a series of papers on its pharmacological properties that physicians in this country began to appreciate the utility of the drug. Ephedrine became widely used as a nasal decongestant, a central nervous system stimulant, and a treatment for bronchial asthma. Other alkaloids, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, etc., with similar but not identical properties, were subsequently found in various Ephedra species. Studies on the herb revealed that the approximately forty species of Ephedra could be divided into several geographic types which seem to vary qualitatively and quantitatively in their alkaloid content. The significant finding regarding these types is that the North and Central American types all appear to be alkaloid free. Thus, any activity attributed to these species must result from compounds other than ephedrine or its derivatives. For that reason, species such as E. nevadensis (see Mormon tea) are not considered to be in this group of ephedra plants and are discussed elsewhere. It should be noted that Ephedra species are often extremely difficult to distinguish from one another, even for the specialist. Ephedra is a potent and useful herb for relieving the constriction and congestion associated with bronchial asthma. Ephedra is an effective nasal decongestant and is used in the treatment of various allergic disorders in adults. Ephedra acts as a strong central nervous system stimulant, but despite the claims of some advocates,  there is no substantial clinical evidence that it is either a safe or effective promoter of weight loss in obese persons or an enhancer of athletic performance. Unfortunately, ephedra and its contained ephedrine also increase both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. They also increase the heart rate and may cause palpitations as well as nervousness, headache, insomnia, and dizziness.  Although the herb may be a very useful one in the treatment of various asthmatic and congestive conditions, the side effects indicated render its indiscriminate use highly inadvisable, particularly in persons suffering from heart conditions, hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disease. Because ephedrine can serve as precursor for the illegal synthesis of methamphetamine or "speed," a common drug of abuse, several states have passed laws regulating the sale of the alkaloid or products containing it. Although various species of ephedra contain 0.5 to 2.5 percent of an alkaloid mixture, some 30 to 90 percent of which is ephedrine, it must be emphasized that the herb is no longer the principal source of commercial ephedrine. That compound is produced today by chemical synthesis involving the reductive condensation of L-1-phenyl-1-acetylcarbinol with methylamine. This yields the desired isomer L-ephedrine, which is identical in all respects to the alkaloid obtained from ephedra.  In view of the difficulties involved in extracting the relatively small concentrations of ephedrine from ephedra, and the fact that the plant serves only as a minor source of the alkaloid anyway, restricting availability of the herb on this basis, although certainly well-intended, seems an excessive measure. The fact that ephedra is commonly abused by consuming excessive amounts for its psychotropic effects is a far better reason for restricting its sale to adults only and limiting the dosage and duration of consumption. Top         PARTS USED Stems, root. Top         USES Historical uses – Traditionally, Zen monks used ephedra to promote calm concentration during meditation. Chinese herb – In China, ephedra is popular for chills and fevers, coughs, and wheezing, and in combination with rehmannia is given to treat kidney yin deficiency. Current Western uses – Ephedra is used principally in current Western herbal medicine as a treatment for asthma and hay fever, and for the acute onset of colds and flu. Ephedra also helps to raise blood pressure, cool fevers, and alleviate rheumatism. Top         HABITAT AND CULTIVATION Native to northern China and Inner Mongolia, ephedra often grows in desert areas. Ephedra is propagated from seed in autumn or by root division in autumn or spring and needs well-drained soil. The stems are gathered throughout the year and dried. Top         RESEARCH Active constituents – Most of the active constituents mimic the effect of adrenaline within the body, increasing alertness. Ephedrine, extracted originally from ephedra, was first synthesized in 1927 and was used as a decongestant and antiasthmatic. It is still commonly used in conventional medicine for its decongestant properties. Whole herb – The whole plant contains many compounds- some active, some inert -which in combination seem to act synergistically. The whole plant can be used at a much lower dosage than isolated constituents and it has significant therapeutic effects -including dilating the bronchial airways and increasing blood flow to the skin. Unlike ephedrine, the whole plant rarely gives rise to side effects. Top         CONSTITUENTS Ephedra contains alkaloids (inc. ephedrine), saponins, volatile oil. Top         HOW MUCH TO TAKE The crude powdered stems of

… read more »

Response:

Perl, I’m sure you must have read what you copied about Ephedra.  It can also burn out your thyroid.  It’s just plain nasty and I can’t see any reason to even try using it.  I have thyroid disease and herpes.  If I could get rid of one of them it would be the thyroid disease.  It is much worse than the herpes. ar

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have found this Kampo ‘Kudzu Decoction’ here is its composition: Cinnamon twig, ephedra,fresh ginger, jujube fruit, kudzu, licorice, peony Kudzu decoction, also known as Ge GEn Tang or Kakkon-to, blocks the tissue-damaging effects of the reactivated virus. It also protects exzema-damaged skin from the effects of herpes infection. I have also found the following info I had no time to read (study) it, yet. Hopefully I will prepare these days my Kudzu Decoction, myself. Cheers, Perl Molson Original Message —– Newsgroups: alt.support.herpes Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 5:58 AM Ephedra is fairly dangerous. http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs_ephedra.htm Why do you think it is ‘fairly dangerous’? http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs_ephedra.htm Ephedra Ephedra sinica Ephedra Ma Huang Desert Tea     Parts used     Uses     Habitat and cultivation     Research     Constituents     How much to take     Side effects     Applications Useful Links Herbs Suppliers Ephedra (ma huang), together with its principal alkaloid ephedrine, was perhaps the first of the Chinese herbal remedies to see significant use in Western medicine. Known in China for more than 5,000 years, the green stems of various Ephedra species, particularly E. sinica Stapf, E. equisetina Bunge, and others of the family Ephedraceae, were employed there,  and E. gerardiana Wall. was used in India for the treatment of bronchial asthma and related conditions. The active constituent, ephedrine, was isolated by a Japanese chemist, N. Nagai, in 1887. However, it was not until 1924 when K. K. Chen and his mentor C. P. Schmidt, working at Peking Union Medical College, began to publish a series of papers on its pharmacological properties that physicians in this country began to appreciate the utility of the drug. Ephedrine became widely used as a nasal decongestant, a central nervous system stimulant, and a treatment for bronchial asthma. Other alkaloids, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, etc., with similar but not identical properties, were subsequently found in various Ephedra species. Studies on the herb revealed that the approximately forty species of Ephedra could be divided into several geographic types which seem to vary qualitatively and quantitatively in their alkaloid content. The significant finding regarding these types is that the North and Central American types all appear to be alkaloid free. Thus, any activity attributed to these species must result from compounds other than ephedrine or its derivatives. For that reason, species such as E. nevadensis (see Mormon tea) are not considered to be in this group of ephedra plants and are discussed elsewhere. It should be noted that Ephedra species are often extremely difficult to distinguish from one another, even for the specialist. Ephedra is a potent and useful herb for relieving the constriction and congestion associated with bronchial asthma. Ephedra is an effective nasal decongestant and is used in the treatment of various allergic disorders in adults. Ephedra acts as a strong central nervous system stimulant, but despite the claims of some advocates,  there is no substantial clinical evidence that it is either a safe or effective promoter of weight loss in obese persons or an enhancer of athletic performance. Unfortunately, ephedra and its contained ephedrine also increase both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. They also increase the heart rate and may cause palpitations as well as nervousness, headache, insomnia, and dizziness.  Although the herb may be a very useful one in the treatment of various asthmatic and congestive conditions, the side effects indicated render its indiscriminate use highly inadvisable, particularly in persons suffering from heart conditions, hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disease. Because ephedrine can serve as precursor for the illegal synthesis of methamphetamine or "speed," a common drug of abuse, several states have passed laws regulating the sale of the alkaloid or products containing it. Although various species of ephedra contain 0.5 to 2.5 percent of an alkaloid mixture, some 30 to 90 percent of which is ephedrine, it must be emphasized that the herb is no longer the principal source of commercial ephedrine. That compound is produced today by chemical synthesis involving the reductive condensation of L-1-phenyl-1-acetylcarbinol with methylamine. This yields the desired isomer L-ephedrine, which is identical in all respects to the alkaloid obtained from ephedra.  In view of the difficulties involved in extracting the relatively small concentrations of ephedrine from ephedra, and the fact that the plant serves only as a minor source of the alkaloid anyway, restricting availability of the herb on this basis, although certainly well-intended, seems an excessive measure. The fact that ephedra is commonly abused by consuming excessive amounts for its psychotropic effects is a far better reason for restricting its sale to adults only and limiting the dosage and duration of consumption. Top         PARTS USED Stems, root. Top         USES Historical uses – Traditionally, Zen monks used ephedra to promote calm concentration during meditation. Chinese herb – In China, ephedra is popular for chills and fevers, coughs, and wheezing, and in combination with rehmannia is given to treat kidney yin deficiency. Current Western uses – Ephedra is used principally in current Western herbal medicine as a treatment for asthma and hay fever, and for the acute onset of colds and flu. Ephedra also helps to raise blood pressure, cool fevers, and alleviate rheumatism. Top         HABITAT AND CULTIVATION Native to northern China and Inner Mongolia, ephedra often grows in desert areas. Ephedra is propagated from seed in autumn or by root division in autumn or spring and needs well-drained soil. The stems are gathered throughout the year and dried. Top         RESEARCH Active constituents – Most of the active constituents mimic the effect of adrenaline within the body, increasing alertness. Ephedrine, extracted originally from ephedra, was first synthesized in 1927 and was used as a decongestant and antiasthmatic. It is still commonly used in conventional medicine for its decongestant properties. Whole herb – The whole plant contains many compounds- some active, some inert -which in combination seem to act synergistically. The whole plant can be used at a much lower dosage than isolated constituents and it has significant therapeutic effects -including dilating the bronchial airways and increasing blood flow to the skin. Unlike ephedrine, the whole plant rarely gives rise to side effects. Top         CONSTITUENTS Ephedra contains alkaloids (inc. ephedrine), saponins, volatile oil. Top         HOW MUCH TO TAKE The crude powdered stems of ephedra (with less than 1 % ephedrine) are employed at a dose of 1-4 grams per day in tea form. Tinctures of 1-4 ml three times per day can be taken. Over-the-counter drugs containing ephedrine can be safely used by adults at a dose of 12.5-25 mg every four hours. Adults should take no more than 150 mg every twenty-four hours. Pseudoephedrine is typically recommended at a dose of 60 mg every six hours. Top         SIDE EFFECTS Ephedra has a long history of safe use at the recommended amount. However, abuse of the drug-especially for weight loss–can lead to amphetamine-like side effects, including elevated blood pressure, muscle disturbances, insomnia, dry mouth, heart palpitations, nervousness, and even death due to heart failure. Anyone with high blood pressure, heart conditions, diabetes, glaucoma, thyroid disease, and those taking MAO-inhibiting antidepressants should consult with a physician before using any type of product with ephedra. Pseudoephedrine can cause drowsiness and should be used with caution if driving or operating machinery. Ephedra-based products should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation and used with caution in children under the age of six years. Top         APPLICATIONS TWIGS: TINCTURE – Prescribed for asthma, hay fever, or severe chills. Combined with cowslip root and thyme tinctures for bronchial asthma, emphysema, whooping cough, and other severe chest conditions. Recommended dose up to 1 ml three times a day. DECOCTION – Prescribed for common  colds, coughs, asthma, and hay fever. ROOT: DECOCTION – The Chinese use the decoction where yin or qi (energy) weakness leads to uncontrolled sweating.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have found this Kampo ‘Kudzu Decoction’ here is its composition: Cinnamon twig, ephedra,fresh ginger, jujube fruit, kudzu, licorice, peony Kudzu decoction, also known as Ge GEn Tang or Kakkon-to, blocks the tissue-damaging effects of the reactivated virus. It also protects exzema-damaged skin from the effects of herpes infection. I have also found the following info I had no time to read (study) it, yet. Hopefully I will prepare these days my Kudzu Decoction, myself. Cheers, Perl Molson

Original Message —– Newsgroups: alt.support.herpes Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 5:58 AM Ephedra is fairly dangerous.

http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs_ephedra.htm Why do you think it is ‘fairly dangerous’? http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs_ephedra.htm Ephedra Ephedra sinica Ephedra Ma Huang Desert Tea     Parts used     Uses     Habitat and cultivation     Research     Constituents     How much to take     Side effects     Applications Useful Links Herbs Suppliers     Ephedra (ma huang), together with its principal alkaloid ephedrine, was perhaps the first of the Chinese herbal remedies to see significant use in Western medicine. Known in China for more than 5,000 years, the green stems of various Ephedra species, particularly E. sinica Stapf, E. equisetina Bunge, and others of the family Ephedraceae, were employed there,  and E. gerardiana Wall. was used in India for the treatment of bronchial asthma and related conditions. The active constituent, ephedrine, was isolated by a Japanese chemist, N. Nagai, in 1887. However, it was not until 1924 when K. K. Chen and his mentor C. P. Schmidt, working at Peking Union Medical College, began to publish a series of papers on its pharmacological properties that physicians in this country began to appreciate the utility of the drug. Ephedrine became widely used as a nasal decongestant, a central nervous system stimulant, and a treatment for bronchial asthma. Other alkaloids, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, etc., with similar but not identical properties, were subsequently found in various Ephedra species. Studies on the herb revealed that the approximately forty species of Ephedra could be divided into several geographic types which seem to vary qualitatively and quantitatively in their alkaloid content. The significant finding regarding these types is that the North and Central American types all appear to be alkaloid free. Thus, any activity attributed to these species must result from compounds other than ephedrine or its derivatives. For that reason, species such as E. nevadensis (see Mormon tea) are not considered to be in this group of ephedra plants and are discussed elsewhere. It should be noted that Ephedra species are often extremely difficult to distinguish from one another, even for the specialist. Ephedra is a potent and useful herb for relieving the constriction and congestion associated with bronchial asthma. Ephedra is an effective nasal decongestant and is used in the treatment of various allergic disorders in adults. Ephedra acts as a strong central nervous system stimulant, but despite the claims of some advocates,  there is no substantial clinical evidence that it is either a safe or effective promoter of weight loss in obese persons or an enhancer of athletic performance. Unfortunately, ephedra and its contained ephedrine also increase both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. They also increase the heart rate and may cause palpitations as well as nervousness, headache, insomnia, and dizziness.  Although the herb may be a very useful one in the treatment of various asthmatic and congestive conditions, the side effects indicated render its indiscriminate use highly inadvisable, particularly in persons suffering from heart conditions, hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disease. Because ephedrine can serve as precursor for the illegal synthesis of methamphetamine or "speed," a common drug of abuse, several states have passed laws regulating the sale of the alkaloid or products containing it. Although various species of ephedra contain 0.5 to 2.5 percent of an alkaloid mixture, some 30 to 90 percent of which is ephedrine, it must be emphasized that the herb is no longer the principal source of commercial ephedrine. That compound is produced today by chemical synthesis involving the reductive condensation of L-1-phenyl-1-acetylcarbinol with methylamine. This yields the desired isomer L-ephedrine, which is identical in all respects to the alkaloid obtained from ephedra.  In view of the difficulties involved in extracting the relatively small concentrations of ephedrine from ephedra, and the fact that the plant serves only as a minor source of the alkaloid anyway, restricting availability of the herb on this basis, although certainly well-intended, seems an excessive measure. The fact that ephedra is commonly abused by consuming excessive amounts for its psychotropic effects is a far better reason for restricting its sale to adults only and limiting the dosage and duration of consumption. Top         PARTS USED Stems, root. Top         USES Historical uses – Traditionally, Zen monks used ephedra to promote calm concentration during meditation. Chinese herb – In China, ephedra is popular for chills and fevers, coughs, and wheezing, and in combination with rehmannia is given to treat kidney yin deficiency. Current Western uses – Ephedra is used principally in current Western herbal medicine as a treatment for asthma and hay fever, and for the acute onset of colds and flu. Ephedra also helps to raise blood pressure, cool fevers, and alleviate rheumatism. Top         HABITAT AND CULTIVATION Native to northern China and Inner Mongolia, ephedra often grows in desert areas. Ephedra is propagated from seed in autumn or by root division in autumn or spring and needs well-drained soil. The stems are gathered throughout the year and dried. Top         RESEARCH Active constituents – Most of the active constituents mimic the effect of adrenaline within the body, increasing alertness. Ephedrine, extracted originally from ephedra, was first synthesized in 1927 and was used as a decongestant and antiasthmatic. It is still commonly used in conventional medicine for its decongestant properties. Whole herb – The whole plant contains many compounds- some active, some inert -which in combination seem to act synergistically. The whole plant can be used at a much lower dosage than isolated constituents and it has significant therapeutic effects -including dilating the bronchial airways and increasing blood flow to the skin. Unlike ephedrine, the whole plant rarely gives rise to side effects. Top         CONSTITUENTS Ephedra contains alkaloids (inc. ephedrine), saponins, volatile oil. Top         HOW MUCH TO TAKE The crude powdered stems of ephedra (with less than 1 % ephedrine) are employed at a dose of 1-4 grams per day in tea form. Tinctures of 1-4 ml three times per day can be taken. Over-the-counter drugs containing ephedrine can be safely used by adults at a dose of 12.5-25 mg every four hours. Adults should take no more than 150 mg every twenty-four hours. Pseudoephedrine is typically recommended at a dose of 60 mg every six hours. Top         SIDE EFFECTS Ephedra has a long history of safe use at the recommended amount. However, abuse of the drug-especially for weight loss–can lead to amphetamine-like side effects, including elevated blood pressure, muscle disturbances, insomnia, dry mouth, heart palpitations, nervousness, and even death due to heart failure. Anyone with high blood pressure, heart conditions, diabetes, glaucoma, thyroid disease, and those taking MAO-inhibiting antidepressants should consult with a physician before using any type of product with ephedra. Pseudoephedrine can cause drowsiness and should be used with caution if driving or operating machinery. Ephedra-based products should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation and used with caution in children under the age of six years. Top         APPLICATIONS TWIGS: TINCTURE – Prescribed for asthma, hay fever, or severe chills. Combined with cowslip root and thyme tinctures for bronchial asthma, emphysema, whooping cough, and other severe chest conditions. Recommended dose up to 1 ml three times a day. DECOCTION – Prescribed for common  colds, coughs, asthma, and hay fever. ROOT: DECOCTION – The Chinese use the decoction where yin or qi (energy) weakness leads to uncontrolled sweating.

Response:

I have found this Kampo ‘Kudzu Decoction’ here is its composition: Cinnamon twig, ephedra,fresh ginger, jujube fruit, kudzu, licorice, peony Kudzu decoction, also known as Ge GEn Tang or Kakkon-to, blocks the tissue-damaging effects of the reactivated virus. It also protects exzema-damaged skin from the effects of herpes infection. I have also found the following info I had no time to read (study) it, yet. Hopefully I will prepare these days my Kudzu Decoction, myself. Cheers, Perl Molson http://www.naturalhealthnotebook.com/Health_Problems/Herpes_simplex_t… HSV-1, Herpes simplex type 1 Herpes, Oral This article will focus on immune-enhancing, anti-viral agents known to be effective against HSV-1 specifically. (Includes herpes simplex keratitis (HSK)) See also Cold Sores/Fever Blisters for information on treatment of the eruptions. See also Viral Infections for more general information. Reduce dietary l-arginine The herpes simplex virus has a high requirement for the amino acid arginine. Dairy, meat, poultry, and fish are good sources of arginine. Nuts and chocolate also contain significant amounts of this amino acid. A diet that is low in arginine and high in lysine is unfavorable to the replication of the herpes simplex virus. Flodin NW. The metabolic roles, pharmacology, and toxicology of lysine. J Am Coll Nutr 1997;16(1):7

]]> http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/kudzu-decoction-ge-gen-tang-kakkon-to-1917928.html/feed 0 Update from Pam Y http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/update-from-pam-y-2485534.html http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/update-from-pam-y-2485534.html#comments Fri, 30 Aug 2002 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://glaucoma-disease.com/uncategorized/update-from-pam-y-2485534.html Question:

I got the following e-mail from Pam Y last night and she said I could share it with the class, so I am posting it here.  Note that it was begun before her eye surgery and completed after the surgery yesterday. So, I bring you Pam’s update, … I are here, Darlin’.  Been working on a letter to allayuz for 2 months. Sooner or later I *will* get it out and bring you and the rest up to speed. Jen’s ok (?).  She was putting a book away when a 10" solid glass bowl with a big 3-wick candle in it fell off the top of the case (about 10′ up) and clunked her on the head.  CT scan showed she’s ok from that, but found an old cyst at the base of her brain/skull (?).  We’re waiting for more details. As for her seizures, I’m convinced they’re panic or anxiety attacks.  She finally agreed to take some meds (since MS was dx’d so young, she fights taking meds citing having only one liver as the reason … but she was also recently dx’d with osteopenia <early osteoperosis> …… I’m getting side tracked! <grrrrrr> Anyway, neuro said Xanax (I concur).  GP said Paxil (I’m not so sure).  She went with Paxil.  She’s NOT depressed!  Damned docs are too quick with the SSRI fix-it-alls!  Jen knows my opinions on this so now she’s not talking. Dumb me!  But who knows.  Maybe it’ll work. I think you can tell by this that my thinking/writing processes jump all over the place these days.  Drives me nuts … perhaps that’s more of a short putt than a drive. :> My next eye surgery is Thurs.  These are for steroid induced narrow-angle glaucoma that’s gone acute closed-angle.  Joy!  I was also dx’d with cataracts in June – the day before my 56th birthday.  Don’t yet know where they stand cuz the glaucoma prohibits testing.  I’ll know more after these surgeries have healed.  The cataracts were caused by the radiation therapy I had on the eyes back in Jan. 01 (still feels strange writing dates like that).  Not "really" sorry I had it done cuz the swollen eye muscles that were (still are, but to a lesser degree) pushing my eyeballs forward were causing blood flow to the optic nerve to be cut off.  Blind vs. visually impaired.  No contest. Been tryin’ to do research on all this thyroid eye stuff.  There’s not a lot out there.  Seems like I fall into about 2% of the Graves’ population regarding the eye disease.  My smoking makes it worse.  But with all this shit goin’ on who the hell can quit smoking! <bg> I knew I was gonna do this!  Might as well go all the way. Additional info on Jen:  MS kicking up a little – tingling in arm and leg. Back on Avonex since Tommy was about 2 months old (April).  Tommy’s now 6 mos.: weight 25 lbs. 4 oz., height 28 1/4".  He’s humongous!  AJ is still a sweetie, but doesn’t talk much.  Currently in speech therapy.  Not concerned – he’s sharp as a tack.  Jen is a bit worried tho’ – afraid she’s doin’ something wrong (been there, haven’t we? <g>).  She’s also going stir-crazy from being cooped up all summer. <some personal stuff deleted – L.> Moving right along, I learned last night that my baby brother was just dx’d with emphysema.  Ok, so he’s 50.  But he’s still my baby brother.  And he moved to FL last year.  He and his new wife left on their boat on 9/12 – do you believe?  They couldn’t get beyond NY harbor until the 14th.  I think I lost it a month or so before they left.  Ain’t been the same since.  Parents are dead.  Kids are grown.  Only sibling is no longer 10/15 minutes away. Major depression.  Lotsa silence. I’m figuring all of the above, Graves’ and 9/11 are the major depressants, but I couldn’t have been more mistooken <g>. In this mix of losses, diseases and planetary catastrophes, I have a "friend" of 13 years.  Remember, I did infant daycare in my home for 20 years?  Well, said friend is the mother of one of *my* babies.  She was abused, sexually, physically and emotionally, until she was 17.  I took her under my wing.  5 yrs. ago things turned deadly when she attempted suicide. For the last 5 years, I’ve been talking to her daily, often for hours at a time.  She attempted suicide again in Mar. of 01.  At that time she actually told me, on the phone, what she was doing as she was doing it.  But she outfoxed the docs, the cops and the EMTs.  She’s been in all kinds of medical/psychiatric/rehab facilities since, and fooled them all.  It’s a long, boring story (more boring than what I’ve already laid on ya), but 2 weeks ago I cut her loose.  Oddly enough, despite her calls (which I no longer answer) and my guilt (everyone in her life has left her … now so have I), I find my depression lifting.  Even with all of the familial stuff going on, I seem to be getting back closer to being "me". I’ve been blaming a lot of stuff on the Graves’, the medication, the stuff that’s been happening in the family, but quite frankly I believe she was just weighing me down … bringing me down with her. I’m sorry, dear friend, that I, in turn, have dumped on you.  But I think it gives you a better picture of where I’ve been and where I’m at right now. My cognitive thinking is still impaired.  I don’t/can’t think/write the way I used to.  My vision … well, I’ve still got it and that’s all that matters. Graves’ has wrecked havoc, but a one-sided friendship wrecked more.  She got me (I allowed myself to be) revolving around her and her (now) self-imposed problems (unbelievable drug abuse).  It’s gonna take a while, but I know I’m still in here somewhere. Well now it’s Thurs. and the surgery is over.  Sure glad this was the second and not the first.  Seems I have nice, healthy *thick* dark brown eyes. Hard to slice thru.  First surgery (forgive if I’ve already said this – can’t re-read right now) took 3 laser hits.  This one took 8.  Nasty. Hubby’s happy cuz I can’t talk much – speech vibrates thru the sinus cavities surrounding eye and hurt like a bitch. Got the doc a good one tho’.  He has me strapped into the machine.  He’s on the other side, lining up his sights, saying "This is gonna be nothin’.".  I looked at him with my available eye and said "Oh sure.  That’s easy for you to say.  You’re over there getting ready to play Asteroids on my eyeball." Surgery was delayed a few minutes till he stopped giggling. I think I’ve covered most of the bases here (and many I’m sure you could have lived without). Last, but assuredly NOT least is my hubby.  I worra about him.  He’s got a heart condition, already had one massive heart attack, and suffers with gout (no, he don’t drink at all – that’s MY department <g>) and regular arthritis.  And since I’ve been outta commission, he hasta do it ALL … work, clean, shop, cart my fat ass back and forth from the docs … and he worries like hell about me.  If I hurt, he hurts. Bless his heart and soul, his philosophy is that I carried him for the majority of our marriage and now it’s his turn.  I married a saint.  A horny saint, but a saint. <bg>  We’re gonna kill each other by worrying about each other. Of course, over the last 34 years, there’ve been times when I woulda liked to have choked him …. but I’m glad I kept him around.  ’Sides I don’t have the energy now to train a new one. Have I blathered enough?  I think so. I hope you can make heads and tails of this.  I can’t. :> Feel free to share with the class … just in case I don’t get around to finishing the epistle I started. I’ve said it so often it’s beginning to feel trite.  But it’s the troof, the whole troof and nuttin’ but da troof ….. You and Kelli (Gaylan, Carmel, Tick, Cyd, Tee, Joan & Jim, Bill McCartney, Slyvia, JD, Michael, Frank (Cowboy), Donn, Chris Fincham, Paul, LaVonne, Judy (eagleway), Ole Uncle Steve, Steve Nelson, Carla-la-la, Kate, Chanoch, Kit …. the list is endless) are in my thoughts and prayers daily.  I even have Masses said for specific folks during the course of the year. But you, dear friend, have a special place in my heart.  We are the "Moms" and that gives us a special bond.  Our chatter may come and go at odd intervals, but I feel that we are ALWAYS connected. I don’t want you to answer this.  You’ve got enough goin’ on and it was just good to finally tell someone. What I would like you to do, when you have time, is to tell me how you, Kelli, Shane and Roger are doin’.  And please feel free to unload anytime. Since I dumped my psychotic friend I’ve got lots more room! I love you much, Lynne, and I thank God that you are my friend. P. —             /          /            /    ^~~^  /             /     ( ” )              /     {      }             /        "  "                      YE OLDE BAT Visit my family at: Family http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1758064&a=13553519&pw= Chicks http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1758064&a=30048787&pw= My Kids http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1758064&a=30049381&pw= ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ — Lynne Davis Coordinator of Administrative Services Casey Computer Center; Baylor University Lynne_Da…@baylor.edu

Response:

In article <b6tdnuk29a5jle435gdb6413ijtg3p9…@4ax.com>, <d…@cheetah.net> wrote: > On Fri, 30 Aug 2002 09:48:26 -0500, "Lynne" <Lynne_Da…@baylor.edu> wrote: > >I got the following e-mail from Pam Y last night and she said I could share > >it with the class, so I am posting it here.  Note that it was begun before > >her eye surgery and completed after the surgery yesterday. > >So, I bring you Pam’s update, … > Thank ypou fpor keeping the updates coming. > Donn

Thank you for caring, Donn.  Wish to heck I could write you directly, but I can’t.  My server changes my outgoing address making it appear that it’s been messed with.  Your server rejects it.  Much as I wish I could, I can’t change that.  (dirty rackafracks!) And yes, I still (I’m hangin’ my head soooo low in shame) have your photos.  They’ve been in a mailing envelope 4-evah!  I’m sorry.  But I promise you that I will return them.  And Chris Fincham’s.  And I think I still have OUS’s.  I’ve been baaaaaad.  Fortunately for others, it won’t be a problem anymore since I no longer have a scanner … at least for now.  :> Glad to see you’re still out here.  Wish I could be, but I dunno yet. Right now there are over 11,000 messages that I need to wade thru to just get even. My best love to you and Betty, P. This message has been brought to you by:             /          /            /    ^~~^  /             /     ( ” )              /     {      }             /        "  "                      YE OLDE BAT PamY – Spokesmom for Jennie who has MS http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1758064&a=13553518&pw= http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1758064&a=13553567&pw= http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1758064&a=30049942&pw= Photo Index: http://home.btconnect.com/multsclerosis/ASMS_Photos.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"Lynne" <Lynne_Da…@baylor.edu> wrote in message <news:ako39e$1jagkm$1@ID-74986.news.dfncis.de>… > I got the following e-mail from Pam Y last night and she said I could share > it with the class, so I am posting it here.  Note that it was begun before > her eye surgery and completed after the surgery yesterday. > So, I bring you Pam’s update, … > I are here, Darlin’.  Been working on a letter to allayuz for 2 months. > Sooner or later I *will* get it out and bring you and the rest up to speed. > Jen’s ok (?).  She was putting a book away when a 10" solid glass bowl with > a big 3-wick candle in it fell off the top of the case (about 10′ up) and > clunked her on the head.  CT scan showed she’s ok from that, but found an > old cyst at the base of her brain/skull (?).  We’re waiting for more > details. > As for her seizures, I’m convinced they’re panic or anxiety attacks.  She > finally agreed to take some meds (since MS was dx’d so young, she fights > taking meds citing having only one liver as the reason … but she was also > recently dx’d with osteopenia <early osteoperosis> …… I’m getting side > tracked! <grrrrrr> > Anyway, neuro said Xanax (I concur).  GP said Paxil (I’m not so sure).  She > went with Paxil.  She’s NOT depressed!  Damned docs are too quick with the > SSRI fix-it-alls!  Jen knows my opinions on this so now she’s not talking. > Dumb me!  But who knows.  Maybe it’ll work. > I think you can tell by this that my thinking/writing processes jump all > over the place these days.  Drives me nuts … perhaps that’s more of a > short putt than a drive. :> > My next eye surgery is Thurs.  These are for steroid induced narrow-angle > glaucoma that’s gone acute closed-angle.  Joy!  I was also dx’d with > cataracts in June – the day before my 56th birthday.  Don’t yet know where > they stand cuz the glaucoma prohibits testing.  I’ll know more after these > surgeries have healed.  The cataracts were caused by the radiation therapy I > had on the eyes back in Jan. 01 (still feels strange writing dates like > that).  Not "really" sorry I had it done cuz the swollen eye muscles that > were (still are, but to a lesser degree) pushing my eyeballs forward were > causing blood flow to the optic nerve to be cut off.  Blind vs. visually > impaired.  No contest. > Been tryin’ to do research on all this thyroid eye stuff.  There’s not a lot > out there.  Seems like I fall into about 2% of the Graves’ population > regarding the eye disease.  My smoking makes it worse.  But with all this > shit goin’ on who the hell can quit smoking! <bg> > I knew I was gonna do this!  Might as well go all the way. > Additional info on Jen:  MS kicking up a little – tingling in arm and leg. > Back on Avonex since Tommy was about 2 months old (April).  Tommy’s now 6 > mos.: weight 25 lbs. 4 oz., height 28 1/4".  He’s humongous!  AJ is still a > sweetie, but doesn’t talk much.  Currently in speech therapy.  Not > concerned – he’s sharp as a tack.  Jen is a bit worried tho’ – afraid she’s > doin’ something wrong (been there, haven’t we? <g>).  She’s also going > stir-crazy from being cooped up all summer. > <some personal stuff deleted – L.> > Moving right along, I learned last night that my baby brother was just dx’d > with emphysema.  Ok, so he’s 50.  But he’s still my baby brother.  And he > moved to FL last year.  He and his new wife left on their boat on 9/12 – do > you believe?  They couldn’t get beyond NY harbor until the 14th.  I think I > lost it a month or so before they left.  Ain’t been the same since.  Parents > are dead.  Kids are grown.  Only sibling is no longer 10/15 minutes away. > Major depression.  Lotsa silence. > I’m figuring all of the above, Graves’ and 9/11 are the major depressants, > but I couldn’t have been more mistooken <g>. > In this mix of losses, diseases and planetary catastrophes, I have a > "friend" of 13 years.  Remember, I did infant daycare in my home for 20 > years?  Well, said friend is the mother of one of *my* babies.  She was > abused, sexually, physically and emotionally, until she was 17.  I took her > under my wing.  5 yrs. ago things turned deadly when she attempted suicide. > For the last 5 years, I’ve been talking to her daily, often for hours at a > time.  She attempted suicide again in Mar. of 01.  At that time she actually > told me, on the phone, what she was doing as she was doing it.  But she > outfoxed the docs, the cops and the EMTs.  She’s been in all kinds of > medical/psychiatric/rehab facilities since, and fooled them all.  It’s a > long, boring story (more boring than what I’ve already laid on ya), but 2 > weeks ago I cut her loose.  Oddly enough, despite her calls (which I no > longer answer) and my guilt (everyone in her life has left her … now so > have I), I find my depression lifting.  Even with all of the familial stuff > going on, I seem to be getting back closer to being "me". > I’ve been blaming a lot of stuff on the Graves’, the medication, the stuff > that’s been happening in the family, but quite frankly I believe she was > just weighing me down … bringing me down with her. > I’m sorry, dear friend, that I, in turn, have dumped on you.  But I think it > gives you a better picture of where I’ve been and where I’m at right now. > My cognitive thinking is still impaired.  I don’t/can’t think/write the way > I used to.  My vision … well, I’ve still got it and that’s all that > matters. > Graves’ has wrecked havoc, but a one-sided friendship wrecked more.  She got > me (I allowed myself to be) revolving around her and her (now) self-imposed > problems (unbelievable drug abuse).  It’s gonna take a while, but I know I’m > still in here somewhere. > Well now it’s Thurs. and the surgery is over.  Sure glad this was the second > and not the first.  Seems I have nice, healthy *thick* dark brown eyes. > Hard to slice thru.  First surgery (forgive if I’ve already said this – > can’t re-read right now) took 3 laser hits.  This one took 8.  Nasty. > Hubby’s happy cuz I can’t talk much – speech vibrates thru the sinus > cavities surrounding eye and hurt like a bitch. > Got the doc a good one tho’.  He has me strapped into the machine.  He’s on > the other side, lining up his sights, saying "This is gonna be nothin’.".  I > looked at him with my available eye and said "Oh sure.  That’s easy for you > to say.  You’re over there getting ready to play Asteroids on my eyeball." > Surgery was delayed a few minutes till he stopped giggling. > I think I’ve covered most of the bases here (and many I’m sure you could > have lived without). > Last, but assuredly NOT least is my hubby.  I worra about him.  He’s got a > heart condition, already had one massive heart attack, and suffers with gout > (no, he don’t drink at all – that’s MY department <g>) and regular > arthritis.  And since I’ve been outta commission, he hasta do it ALL … > work, clean, shop, cart my fat ass back and forth from the docs … and he > worries like hell about me.  If I hurt, he hurts. > Bless his heart and soul, his philosophy is that I carried him for the > majority of our marriage and now it’s his turn.  I married a saint.  A horny > saint, but a saint. <bg>  We’re gonna kill each other by worrying about each > other. > Of course, over the last 34 years, there’ve been times when I woulda liked > to have choked him …. but I’m glad I kept him around.  ’Sides I don’t have > the energy now to train a new one. > Have I blathered enough?  I think so. > I hope you can make heads and tails of this.  I can’t. :> > Feel free to share with the class … just in case I don’t get around to > finishing the epistle I started. > I’ve said it so often it’s beginning to feel trite.  But it’s the troof, the > whole troof and nuttin’ but da troof ….. You and Kelli (Gaylan, Carmel, > Tick, Cyd, Tee, Joan & Jim, Bill McCartney, Slyvia, JD, Michael, Frank > (Cowboy), Donn, Chris Fincham, Paul, LaVonne, Judy (eagleway), Ole Uncle > Steve, Steve Nelson, Carla-la-la, Kate, Chanoch, Kit …. the list is > endless) are in my thoughts and prayers daily.  I even have Masses said for > specific folks during the course of the year. > But you, dear friend, have a special place in my heart.  We are the "Moms" > and that gives us a special bond.  Our chatter may come and go at odd > intervals, but I feel that we are ALWAYS connected. > I don’t want you to answer this.  You’ve got enough goin’ on and it was just > good to finally tell someone. > What I would like you to do, when you have time, is to tell me how you, > Kelli, Shane and Roger are doin’.  And please feel free to unload anytime. > Since I dumped my psychotic friend I’ve got lots more room! > I love you much, Lynne, and I thank God that you are my friend. > P. > — >             /          / >            /    ^~~^  /   >           /     ( ” )     >          /     {      }     >         /        "  "         >              YE OLDE BAT > Visit my family at: > Family http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1758064&a=13553519&pw= > Chicks http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1758064&a=30048787&pw= > My Kids http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1758064&a=30049381&pw= > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for this Lynne!

Response:

On Fri, 30 Aug 2002 09:48:26 -0500, "Lynne" <Lynne_Da…@baylor.edu> wrote: >I got the following e-mail from Pam Y last night and she said I could share >it with the class, so I am posting it here.  Note that it was begun before >her eye surgery and completed after the surgery yesterday. >So, I bring you Pam’s update, …

Thank ypou fpor keeping the updates coming. Donn

Response:

Hi Lynne! > I got the following e-mail from Pam Y last night and she said I could share > it with the class, so I am posting it here.  Note that it was begun before > her eye surgery and completed after the surgery yesterday. > So, I bring you Pam’s update, …

Thanks for the Pam update! I have been wanting to write her, but I haven’t because I know she has such vision problems that being on the computer is very difficult for her. Pam, sweetie, we miss you and hope everything goes well for you! Sylvia

Response:

Thanks, Lynne, for bringing us Pam’s update. ;)       Jayne

Response:

Lynne wrote:

"How is Donn the decoy ram, BTW?" :-) Donn can be a bit pushy at times – but at heart he’s still a real sweetie… I’ll keep checking the group on Google to see how y’all are doin’ but doubt that I’ll come back.  As I told another dear lady who shall remain nameless (Sylvia :-) ASMS is like a great baseball team – but I’m partial to basketball.  I had another exacerbation this summer – my third, or maybe fourth? since dx – and the Montel approach worked just fine for me.  My cane’s back in storage, spasticity is almost gone, energy’s back & I’m bouncing about the farm as usual. Sad news.  Chairman (my pudgy old Newfie-cross dog) left us just after his fifteenth birthday.  His heart was giving out & he wasn’t having fun any more, so I called the vet to the house and had him put down while he snoozed on his bed in the living room. But old Odie (German Shepherd-cross who was dx’ed with terminal cancer…six years ago :-) is still hangin’ in!  Every few months he has a bad day & I decide that it’s time – but the next day he (eg) trots a half-mile to the pond, chases frogs for a couple hours, then comes back home & scoffs down a huge amount of food, waggin’ to beat the band!  I swear the old guy’s planning to stick around long enough to have *me* put down… It’s been a relatively quiet summer.  I raised fifteen bottle lambs, a dozen new chickens and about 20 ducks.  Last year we bred one of the donkeys (Diamond Lil) for a neighbour who wanted a donk raised with sheep, and two days ago Lil dropped a beautiful 50lb, dark brown baby-girl-donk.  Unfortunately, Lil rejected her baby in no uncertain terms – when I tried to help the little one nurse, Lil tried to kick her.  :-)  Luckily, my hand was in the way of Lil’s big hoof and the baby was unhurt. Also luckily, the foks for whom we bred Lil immediately fell in love with the little donk and delightedly took her home to their farm. There are four people in the family (mom, dad + two older kids), so they’re not having any trouble with the every-three-hour bottle-feedings.  Best of all, they’re good friends & their farm is almost next door to ours, so I’ll be able to watch the little donk grow up. That’s about it, so I’ll take my leave again with best wishes to everyone. Chris F  :-)

Response:

You noticed, I assume, that you were specifically mentioned? She has good days and bad, and her eyes are still a problem, but she does answer e-mails when she can. I’m sure she would be delighted to hear from you!!!   – Lynne "Chris Fincham" <cmccub…@sympatico.ca> wrote in message

news:dd7bfcc3.0208301435.1910ff8@posting.google.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lynne wrote: > "I got the following e-mail from Pam Y last night and she said I could > share > it with the class, so I am posting it here.  Note that it was begun > before > her eye surgery and completed after the surgery yesterday." > Thanks *so* much, Lynne!  Tho’ I’m not participating any more, I’ve > been checking ASMS regularly for news of Pam Y.  Delighted to hear > she’s still hangin’ in.  I hesitate to write to her as reading must be > difficult, so please give the dear lady my love. > Chris F  :-)

Response:

Yes, Chris, I meant to say that in my last post but forgot. We miss you!! How is Donn the decoy ram, BTW?   – Lynne "Joan Carter" <jecar…@gmx.net> wrote in message

news:iruvmu4rp5ostnc4ipd1b0b7ghofujfupb@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On 30 Aug 2002 15:35:16 -0700, cmccub…@sympatico.ca (Chris Fincham) > wrote: > }Thanks *so* much, Lynne!  Tho’ I’m not participating any more, I’ve > }been checking ASMS regularly for news of Pam Y.  Delighted to hear > }she’s still hangin’ in.  I hesitate to write to her as reading must be > }difficult, so please give the dear lady my love. > Hey, Chris, come on back. We miss you! > — > Joan > Beware of trolls advocating false cures.

Response:

Lynne wrote:

"I got the following e-mail from Pam Y last night and she said I could share it with the class, so I am posting it here.  Note that it was begun before her eye surgery and completed after the surgery yesterday." Thanks *so* much, Lynne!  Tho’ I’m not participating any more, I’ve been checking ASMS regularly for news of Pam Y.  Delighted to hear she’s still hangin’ in.  I hesitate to write to her as reading must be difficult, so please give the dear lady my love. Chris F  :-)

Response:

On 30 Aug 2002 15:35:16 -0700, cmccub…@sympatico.ca (Chris Fincham) wrote: }Thanks *so* much, Lynne!  Tho’ I’m not participating any more, I’ve }been checking ASMS regularly for news of Pam Y.  Delighted to hear }she’s still hangin’ in.  I hesitate to write to her as reading must be }difficult, so please give the dear lady my love.

Hey, Chris, come on back. We miss you! — Joan Beware of trolls advocating false cures.

Response:

]]> http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/update-from-pam-y-2485534.html/feed 0 Need Help http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/need-help-2486900.html http://glaucoma-disease.com/acute-glaucoma/need-help-2486900.html#comments Tue, 05 Mar 2002 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://glaucoma-disease.com/uncategorized/need-help-2486900.html Question:

Sorry, I should have done my homework.  The Proview has an accuracy of +/- 3 mm Hg.  For normal eyes with an IOP of 15 mm Hg, that’s a 20% error. Truly, and I do not mean to insult your purchase, but why does anyone need to check their IOP at home?  Vision loss from glaucoma is very gradual and frequent checks from your doctor are sufficient to monitor you.  I understand there may be a cost issue, but if one is checking their eyes at home and finds they have elevated IOP, what could they do about it other than call their doctor?  If there is an acute attack, you’ll feel it and need to get to an E.R. immediately.  If you do not feel it, there is not much that can be done at home anyway. Zeek – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -w scott wrote: > I have bought the Bausch & Lomb Proview eye pressure monitor. I am not very > impressed with it.  Maybe I have not got the"hang" of using it. In any case > it was not intended to be very accurate and certainly does not replace the > test done by your optomoligist. A spring scale device is pressed against  an > eyelid until a dark spot appears in your vision – phosphene. A reading is > then taken from the scale. When you see this spot  seems mostly subjective. > Might be useful to give a relative IOP, if you can develop consistent method > of testing. So far it has indicated a lower pressure than actual. > Bruce > "Zeek" <zee…@pacbell.net> wrote in message > news:3C86A4FC.811E81CE@pacbell.net… > > Really?  I’ve never heard of home-IOP devices and would wonder how one > > could do that.  Any info.? > > Zeek > > Carolyn Schwebel wrote: > > > There are some devices, although they are apparently not that reliable > > > yet. > > > Farea Saref wrote: > > > > Please I want to know if I can Check my Eye Pressure at > > > > home? Like checking blood glucose by glucometer. > > > > I need Help > > > > Thanks > > > — > > > A contented malcontent. > > > http://www.equalizers.org

Response:

Rick I never liked B&L too much and this makes me like them less.  Regardless of the accuracy of the Proview, it is unethical to send glaucoma patients home with any device of this sort.  Glaucoma is troubling enough without sitting at home with one of these and obsessing about your IOP.  Shame, shame, shame on them. Zeek – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"Rick Cohn, M.D." wrote: > Zeek <zee…@pacbell.net> wrote in message <news:3C86FD2E.33D33B46@pacbell.net>… > > Sorry, I should have done my homework.  The Proview has an accuracy of +/- 3 mm > > Hg.  For normal eyes with an IOP of 15 mm Hg, that’s a 20% error. > > Truly, and I do not mean to insult your purchase, but why does anyone need to > > check their IOP at home?  Vision loss from glaucoma is very gradual and frequent > > checks from your doctor are sufficient to monitor you.  I understand there may > > be a cost issue, but if one is checking their eyes at home and finds they have > > elevated IOP, what could they do about it other than call their doctor?  If > > there is an acute attack, you’ll feel it and need to get to an E.R. > > immediately.  If you do not feel it, there is not much that can be done at home > > anyway. > I have tried the B & L Proview on several of my patients in the office > and have found it to be essentially worthless.  It is difficult to use > accurately, and, as noted above, has a relatively high error > associated with its use. > B & L sells it to the ophthalmologist who is then supposed to sell it > for a nice profit.  I said, "Count me out" after the B & L rep tried > pushing it on me.  Better to come for pressure checks in the office. > –Rick Cohn, MD > glaucoma specialist > Winter Park, FL > eyegu…@aol.com > > Zeek > > w scott wrote: > > > I have bought the Bausch & Lomb Proview eye pressure monitor. I am not very > > > impressed with it.  Maybe I have not got the"hang" of using it. In any case > > > it was not intended to be very accurate and certainly does not replace the > > > test done by your optomoligist. A spring scale device is pressed against  an > > > eyelid until a dark spot appears in your vision – phosphene. A reading is > > > then taken from the scale. When you see this spot  seems mostly subjective. > > > Might be useful to give a relative IOP, if you can develop consistent method > > > of testing. So far it has indicated a lower pressure than actual. > > > Bruce > > > "Zeek" <zee…@pacbell.net> wrote in message > > > news:3C86A4FC.811E81CE@pacbell.net… > > > > Really?  I’ve never heard of home-IOP devices and would wonder how one > > > > could do that.  Any info.? > > > > Zeek > > > > Carolyn Schwebel wrote: > > > > > There are some devices, although they are apparently not that reliable > > > > > yet. > > > > > Farea Saref wrote: > > > > > > Please I want to know if I can Check my Eye Pressure at > > > > > > home? Like checking blood glucose by glucometer. > > > > > > I need Help > > > > > > Thanks > > > > > — > > > > > A contented malcontent. > > > > > http://www.equalizers.org

Response:

Really?  I’ve never heard of home-IOP devices and would wonder how one could do that.  Any info.? Zeek – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Carolyn Schwebel wrote: > There are some devices, although they are apparently not that reliable > yet. > Farea Saref wrote: > > Please I want to know if I can Check my Eye Pressure at > > home? Like checking blood glucose by glucometer. > > I need Help > > Thanks > — > A contented malcontent. > http://www.equalizers.org

Response:

There are some devices, although they are apparently not that reliable yet. Farea Saref wrote: > Please I want to know if I can Check my Eye Pressure at > home? Like checking blood glucose by glucometer. > I need Help > Thanks

– A contented malcontent. http://www.equalizers.org

Response:

Try this one. If you use the search at Wills several other articles also come up.:  http://willsglaucoma.org/supportgroup/20010919.html Wills Glaucoma Service & Foundation: Measuring Your          Own Eye Pressure Chat Highlights, September 19, 2001          (summary) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Zeek wrote: > Really?  I’ve never heard of home-IOP devices and would wonder how one > could do that.  Any info.? > Zeek > Carolyn Schwebel wrote: > > There are some devices, although they are apparently not that reliable > > yet. > > Farea Saref wrote: > > > Please I want to know if I can Check my Eye Pressure at > > > home? Like checking blood glucose by glucometer. > > > I need Help > > > Thanks > > — > > A contented malcontent. > > http://www.equalizers.org

– A contented malcontent. http://www.equalizers.org

Response:

No.  You must see an eye care professional.  Try not to obsess on it. Your pressure (IOP) will vary during the day and from day to day. Unless it remains significantly elevated for extended times, you need worry.  Assuming you’ve seen an ophthalmologist and have g;laucoma, your doc shouldbe monitoring you at least every 2-3 months.  That’s plenty. BTW, the diagnosis of very acute elevated IOP includes sudden loss of vision, severe brow ache and vomiting.  If that’s absent, keep seeing your doc, relax and take whatever meds are prescribed EXACTLY as directed.  THE biggest reason for loss of vision due to glaucoma in patients under treatment is poor compliance with medications! Zeek – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Farea Saref wrote: > Please I want to know if I can Check my Eye Pressure at > home? Like checking blood glucose by glucometer. > I need Help > Thanks

Response:

I have bought the Bausch & Lomb Proview eye pressure monitor. I am not very impressed with it.  Maybe I have not got the"hang" of using it. In any case it was not intended to be very accurate and certainly does not replace the test done by your optomoligist. A spring scale device is pressed against  an eyelid until a dark spot appears in your vision – phosphene. A reading is then taken from the scale. When you see this spot  seems mostly subjective. Might be useful to give a relative IOP, if you can develop consistent method of testing. So far it has indicated a lower pressure than actual. Bruce "Zeek" <zee…@pacbell.net> wrote in message

news:3C86A4FC.811E81CE@pacbell.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Really?  I’ve never heard of home-IOP devices and would wonder how one > could do that.  Any info.? > Zeek > Carolyn Schwebel wrote: > > There are some devices, although they are apparently not that reliable > > yet. > > Farea Saref wrote: > > > Please I want to know if I can Check my Eye Pressure at > > > home? Like checking blood glucose by glucometer. > > > I need Help > > > Thanks > > — > > A contented malcontent. > > http://www.equalizers.org

Response:

Please I want to know if I can Check my Eye Pressure at home? Like checking blood glucose by glucometer. I need Help Thanks

Response:

Zeek <zee…@pacbell.net> wrote in message <news:3C86FD2E.33D33B46@pacbell.net>… > Sorry, I should have done my homework.  The Proview has an accuracy of +/- 3 mm > Hg.  For normal eyes with an IOP of 15 mm Hg, that’s a 20% error. > Truly, and I do not mean to insult your purchase, but why does anyone need to > check their IOP at home?  Vision loss from glaucoma is very gradual and frequent > checks from your doctor are sufficient to monitor you.  I understand there may > be a cost issue, but if one is checking their eyes at home and finds they have > elevated IOP, what could they do about it other than call their doctor?  If > there is an acute attack, you’ll feel it and need to get to an E.R. > immediately.  If you do not feel it, there is not much that can be done at home > anyway.

I have tried the B & L Proview on several of my patients in the office and have found it to be essentially worthless.  It is difficult to use accurately, and, as noted above, has a relatively high error associated with its use. B & L sells it to the ophthalmologist who is then supposed to sell it for a nice profit.  I said, "Count me out" after the B & L rep tried pushing it on me.  Better to come for pressure checks in the office. –Rick Cohn, MD glaucoma specialist Winter Park, FL eyegu…@aol.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Zeek > w scott wrote: > > I have bought the Bausch & Lomb Proview eye pressure monitor. I am not very > > impressed with it.  Maybe I have not got the"hang" of using it. In any case > > it was not intended to be very accurate and certainly does not replace the > > test done by your optomoligist. A spring scale device is pressed against  an > > eyelid until a dark spot appears in your vision – phosphene. A reading is > > then taken from the scale. When you see this spot  seems mostly subjective. > > Might be useful to give a relative IOP, if you can develop consistent method > > of testing. So far it has indicated a lower pressure than actual. > > Bruce > > "Zeek" <zee…@pacbell.net> wrote in message > > news:3C86A4FC.811E81CE@pacbell.net… > > > Really?  I’ve never heard of home-IOP devices and would wonder how one > > > could do that.  Any info.? > > > Zeek > > > Carolyn Schwebel wrote: > > > > There are some devices, although they are apparently not that reliable > > > > yet. > > > > Farea Saref wrote: > > > > > Please I want to know if I can Check my Eye Pressure at > > > > > home? Like checking blood glucose by glucometer. > > > > > I need Help > > > > > Thanks > > > > — > > > > A contented malcontent. > > > > http://www.equalizers.org

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