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Recurrent Episcleritis and hope at last!

Posted , 31 users are following.

Guest
Guest

I am 41, female and have been healthy all of my life until i had a bout of shingles 4 years ago. I do not know if it is related and my GP will not commit to say it is but after Shingles I kept getting episcleritis.I tried Pred Forte which worked well at first but as my bouts of episcleritis increased i was told to stop using it as the pressures in my eyes increased. I then used Acular but it is not nearly as effective. I got steadily more fed up with looking like something out of a horror film 2 weeks out of each month so in despair went to see a nutritionist. She advised me that the episcleritis was a symptom of my immune system being damaged and put me on a course of Vitamin B, Omega 3 fish oil, a general multi vitamin and a pro biotic plus a daily dose of an anti oxidant supplement with vitamins A,C and E. Unless you are pregnant or wanting to be, I think this has made a difference as apaprt from one day of a vague redness (normally it wold last 10) I have not had a recurrence. It seems to be working so I wanted to share this with you. erhaps give it a go. Good luck.

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  • theresa07885
    theresa07885 Guest

    Posted

    that is great news....i wish my drs would put their heads together and fix mine. i get recurrent bouts of epi, plain scleritis which is what i have now, and contagious conjunctivitis. always in one eye unless i get bilateral epi, which i had twice earlier this year. they keep telling me its auto immune disorder related, but nothing is done. no tests, nothing. earlier, 7 months ago, i was on steroid drops for nearly 12 wks before it finally returned to normal. i am a 62 y/o female, have had these issues for the past 8-10 yrs and the eye dr just prescribes one thing or another and asks me to return. no calling in a referral specialist or anything. i need to find someone who isnt afraid to get to the bottom of this.
    • theresa07885
      theresa07885

      Posted

      Same person here. I have taken pred forte since 9-22 and am down to one drop daily....had gone to er and dr told them i have scleritis and to take pred. He never scheduled for me to come in since and i continue one drop daily to ward it off.

    • Stephmomof6
      Stephmomof6 theresa07885

      Posted

      Chronic Episcleritis for years. Through much trial and error, and very much pain, I have found my solution. Turmeric and Fish Oil. Try it. All natural. To maintain my eyes I take 2 Turmeric and 1 fish oil pill a day. But when I feel a flare up coming on I do that same dosage 2-3x a day.
    • cynthia41542
      cynthia41542 theresa07885

      Posted

      Has the 1 drop daily of pred forte worked for you in keeping the scleritis at bay?
    • cynthia41542
      cynthia41542 theresa07885

      Posted

      Hi Theresa, I'm a 57 yo female and have dealt with recurrent episcleritis for at least five years, always in one eye. I recently was diagnosed with scleritis in the same eye and was given Durezol drops, however one week after they were discontinued it came back. I took a 6 day course of oral steroids and am now continuing the Durezol drops until I see the doctor again. I'm afraid to stop the drops and get another recurrence which will probably put me back on oral steroids. Just wondering if you have any recommendations from your own experience, Thanks!

  • mo98740
    mo98740 Guest

    Edited

    Hi, how is your vitamin treatment working?  I also had shingles about 4 years ago, then about 18 months ago was diagnosed with episcleritis by my optician.  He asked if I had a sore neck, which I do, and though I didn't understand the connection at that time, I've since done some research and I realise there may be some autoimmune/rheumatoid involvement.  Despite hospital visits, short term steroid treatment (which did work), no doctor has suggested investigating the possibility of autoimmune disorder via blood tests.  I am getting frequent recurrences (thankfully only affecting 1 eye) which is quite frustrating, painful, debilitating and like you feel like something from a horror movie!  Treatment options seem very limited, apart from lubricating drops, and an off the cuff suggestion from the doctor that maybe try ibuprofen because of its anti-inflammatory action.  It does seem to work, but won't do my stomach any good in the long term. Would you mind sharing the details of your regime? 

    • maria99830
      maria99830 mo98740

      Posted

      It's worth investigating. I saw a rheumatologist and had tests for rheumatoid, lupus, etc. They were all negative though. My doc says about 50% of the time, the cause is unknown. I've been dealing with this almost 12 years now. Daily Steroid drops keep it under control. We are just treating the side effects, glaucoma surgery to control the pressure. Pick your poison i guess.

    • ram97330
      ram97330 mo98740

      Edited

      I am not sure of vitamin treatment any more. Alrex helps but my eye pressure keeps going up. My eyelids also get swollen. So, taking oral antibiotics minocycline 50 mg daily. Sort of helps. I wish there  is a better solution.
    • Stephmomof6
      Stephmomof6 maria99830

      Edited

      Chronic Episcleritis for years. Through much trial and error, and very much pain, I have found my solution. Turmeric and Fish Oil. Try it. All natural. To maintain my eyes I take 2 Turmeric and 1 fish oil pill a day. But when I feel a flare up coming on I do that same dosage 2-3x a day.
    • Stephmomof6
      Stephmomof6 ram97330

      Edited

      Chronic Episcleritis for years. Through much trial and error, and very much pain, I have found my solution. Turmeric and Fish Oil. Try it. All natural. To maintain my eyes I take 2 Turmeric and 1 fish oil pill a day. But when I feel a flare up coming on I do that same dosage 2-3x a day.
    • joan86468
      joan86468 mo98740

      Posted

      I am with you. Could you let me know the regime also.
    • Rita4967
      Rita4967 joan86468

      Edited

      Ever since I started taking 2 fish oil per day my epi has really slowed down. I used to have flare ups twice per month. Now I only have them once every few months. One brand I take is called Theratear I order on Amazon. Pills not drops. 
  • triamonique
    triamonique Guest

    Edited

    I've had episcleritis 3 times. Was referred to rheumatologist and after several blood work nothing was found. I am still using Prediforte and have gotten a lot of relief. However i've been having some terrible headaches. I have to see my opthomologist soon.

    It id's my hope that it never returns. I will try the omega 3 etc.

    • Stephmomof6
      Stephmomof6 triamonique

      Edited

      Chronic Episcleritis for years. Through much trial and error, and very much pain, I have found my solution. Turmeric and Fish Oil. Try it. All natural. To maintain my eyes I take 2 Turmeric and 1 fish oil pill a day. But when I feel a flare up coming on I do that same dosage 2-3x a day.
    • joan86468
      joan86468 Stephmomof6

      Edited

      Please, please, please Stephen. Could you let me know what dosage of the Tumeric and fish oil that you take - I am hurting.
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