Iritis – a possible cure?
Okay so this is a bit of an over the top title, but I was hoping to attract attention because this might just help you, as it has me over the last year.
First things first though. What is iritis? If you have it you probably know all too well, but in short form, it is:-
- Swelling of the iris in the eye
- Caused by your immune system attacking your own body (auto-immune issue)
- Can be caused by a million different thing
I first started getting iritis about 3 years ago, and was getting it increasing frequently until recently. I have been tested for all the usual suspects, genetic markers and even some forms of deseases I would have hated to have told my girlfriend about. All were negative.
Each time I got iritis was pretty much the same. I had a cold or viral infection of some kind, fought it off, then my immune system seemed to look for other things to sort out, which was usually bits of me! I always got a big ulcer in the roof of my mouth, followed by iritis about a week or so after the ulcer. This could be a good few weeks after I’d originally been sick.
To sort out iritis when I got it, I did the usual. Drops to dilate the pupil, and steroid drops to sort out the problem. Uncomfortable, annoying, and potentially giving me cateracts way before I want them.
In the last year I have managed to avoid iritis completely, and with very little effort. I read an article on immune disorders saying how good Yakult like drinks were (you know the lactobacillus little drinks you get in the shops). Since then I have been taking those. This may be a complete fluke, but I am convinced it helps. When I start getting the ulcer, I up my dose to 2-3 bottles a day, and the ulcer goes, and no iritis.
By the way, I also tried the powder in the bottles, but this didn’t seem to work as well.
Anyway, if you are reading this. Please give it a go. It has helped me.
If it does the same to you, please put a comment in this post as I would like to pass it on to any researchers who are interested.
Thanks for posting this simon! I was diagnosed with iritis last september, and I have been on steroidal drops since! Practically non-stop, as it keeps reoccuring. It comes back in as little as 7 days after the doc says it`s virtually gone!! The thought of having this for the rest of my life is very daunting!
I have now started a raw food diet in the hope to sort out my body, and also gave up smoking and alcohol. I will try the yakult thing!! I hope it continues working for You! I will let u know when I have somne results of my own. Also I`m gonna look into medicinal mushrooms, something you may also like to try. Thanks again, and best wishes
Benni Matz
13 Jun 09 at 3:48 am
Sorry to hear that you have it so badly. Have you had the DNA checks? To be honest I don’t think they really tell you anything you can do anything about, but it makes you feel like you are doing something!
I have now been iritis free for nearly 18 months and I really do think that the yakult is a big part of that. I am just getting over a cold at the moment and started to get an ulcer in the roof of my mouth again. These seem to go really quickly though when I drink 2-3 in a day. Rest of the time I just take 1 a day.
Please let me know how you go on. It’s an aweful thing being on those drops and having one pupil wide open. I really hope it works for you.
Simon
admin
13 Jun 09 at 9:13 am
i’ll give it try today
rommel
16 Jul 09 at 2:01 am
Hi everyone,
Hey Simon, thanks a lot for posting the info. I started getting Iritis around mid-April and its recurred the third time now. I will definitely try the drink you suggested. Besides, are there any other precautions that I should be taking? Is it okay to drive , work out, swim etc while having the Iritis? This is purely based on your experience, as my Ophthalmologist thinks that its okay to do these activities. It’s just that I am not able to get rid of the Iritis and I am trying to understand the reasons behind it.
Thanks in advance,
rj
22 Jul 09 at 8:50 am
Thanks for your comment, I hope it works for you as it seems to have for me.
I found when I had it I seemed fine to drive, and work out. I run a bit though and found that difficult when the light was going down. Problem is that your focus seems to unbalance you a bit. I have to say that you would probably get used to it, but I always got a bit of a ‘drunken’ feeling as I set off! I have to say that I didn’t swim, and would have worn goggles when I did just in case.
One thing to consider though is then when I got iritis I also got extremely tired. I was all I could do to keep myself awake a couple of times (I actually fell asleep in the doctors office the first time I had it). I guess if you are feeling at all like that, I would wait a bit before you start training!
As you have probably gathered iritis seems to be linked to almost everything from really quite nasty things to stuff like cold sores. Thankfully it is far more likely to be the simple things that trigger it. I had some tests that looked at a particular type of arthritis that occurs in the lower back and hips, and some blood tests as there is a genetic market to it as well. In my case everything was negative.
What I have found is that as I recover from a virus like a cold, there is a ‘danger period’ just after I am fully recovered. I am guessing that is my immune system in full attack mode thinking ‘what can we go for now…oh his eye will do’! I tend to get a large ulcer in the roof of my mouth first. What I was doing was leaving this to sort itself out, but what I do now is use Bonjela on it which usually gets rid of it in about 24 hours. I then dose myself up with about 3 little bottles of Yakult until I feel it has gone away, then I take about a bottle a day.
I have to say the normal bottle a day I often take generic/cheaper brands, but tend to swap to Yakult if I think I may have problems as it just seems to work better.
I am glad to say too that one doctor told me that my immune system may need ‘re-training’, and it seems that is gradually happening. I don’t seem to get the ulcer very often, if at all now, and haven’t had iritis for over 18 months.
Hope this helps. Please let me know how you go on. I would really like to get some evidence together and try to get a doctor to look at this more closely.
admin
22 Jul 09 at 9:33 am
Good to see these posts. I am amid my second bout of iritis this year. (I have never had it before.) The steroid drops seem to help, but I would love to address the problem in a more holistic manner, one that will help keep it away for good. I will definitely start on the Yakult drinks! Best of luck to you all …
ceb
23 Jul 09 at 2:53 am
Hello Simon,
Could you please let me know where you bought Yakult drink? I checked Albertson and Walmart stores nearby (SF Bay area) and I couldn’t find it there.
Thanks in advance!
rj
13 Aug 09 at 7:33 am
I live in Australia and you can just buy it from the supermarkets here. I did a quick search though and it seems like Chinese supermarkets might be your best bet (http://www.yelp.com/topic/san-francisco-yakult-in-the-fidi). Let me know if you can’t find it and I will talk to Yakult here. They have recently sent me some info to read through so I can post a bit more up online. It is heavy going medical research though so it’s taking me a bit of time to get through!
admin
13 Aug 09 at 9:28 am
Thanks Simon
I have had 4 attacks of Iritis in one year – first after sinitus on the same side as eye (right side) and antibiotics. Again after colds. I have read and thought about the link between the immune system and attacks of iritis. I will definitely try Yakult. I have just gone through a dozen in the last month for other reasons and my eye has not had an attack. I will give feedback.
Thanks
Cheryl in Brisbane
Cheryl
25 Aug 09 at 1:14 pm
Hey Cheryl, I went through the same thought process which is why I tried Yakult. I have been reading through some info they sent me and though I don’t think it will work for everyone, it does look good for some cases. If you are in Brisbane, feel free to get in touch as I am too! I have been going to Dr Rowan Porter in Mt Gravatt. My email is simon@webxopt.com.
admin
25 Aug 09 at 7:56 pm
Hi I was diagnosed with iritis 6 years ago and it has gotten much worse in the last year. I was diagnosed with Ankolysing Spondilitis (AS) and Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) in June last year. I have weekly injections of Enbrel for my conditions that are supposed to keep the iritis under controltoo, but I have had 6 bouts of iritis already this year and am looking for any help i can get. I am dairy intolerant and was wondering if you know of anything with Yakult properties that is not dairy based.
Thanks
Tracee
26 Aug 09 at 7:09 pm
Hello Simon,
I finally found Yakult in one of the stores here in California. Thanks for the guidance! I am drinking one Yakult a day for past one week. I currently do have iritis and I am using drops called Lotemax four times a day. Will post my updates to let everyone know about any improvements in my situation..
Thanks!
rj
29 Aug 09 at 6:23 am
Sorry for the delay in writing back. I thought I had read something on this and it took me a while to track down. In the end after reading I don’t know how much I just Googled it and there it was!
Yakult contains “Skim milk powder, sugar and dextrose are mixed with filtered, sterilised water to make a sweet milky solution.” I am not sure what part of the milk you are intolerant to but they claim that it is okay for lactose intolerant people. I have to say that I don’t really follow their answer on http://www.yakult.com.au/resources/popups/pop_faqs03.htm as it say: -
My guess is that 1g of lactose is not considered much, though it seem a whole lot to me!
I have had some info sent to me from Yakult and will ask the person that sent it to clarify what they mean and let you know.
admin
30 Aug 09 at 11:01 pm
I have had some clarification on the whether you should be able to take Yakult, and a lot seems to depend on what you mean by dairy intolerance and whether this is lactose intolerance or cow milk protein allergy. The difference between the two is as follows: -
Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is different from an allergy. If an individual is intolerant to dairy, he or she may have a chemical reaction to drinking milk, much like a side effect to a drug. They may have symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation, migraine, etc.
Allergy
In the case of cow milk protein allergy, this relates to an immunological reaction to certain protein components of milk. This can cause more severe reactions such as eczema, asthma, severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and in extreme cases an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis that can cause death if not treated appropriately.
Individuals with mild intolerance can usually tolerate small amounts of the foods they are intolerant to; however individuals suffering an allergic reaction in most cases must avoid the food item completely.
If you have the allergic reaction you SHOULD NOT take Yakult. If you are lactose intolerant it is more a matter of degrees and how sensitive you are.
Most lactose intolerant individuals cannot tolerate a cup of milk. A cup of milk has about 11-12g of lactose. However these individuals often find they are able to tolerate cheese, yoghurts or ice-cream as these products contain lower lactose levels due to processing changes. Yakult contains 1g of lactose; so if an individual can tolerate cheese, yoghurts, ice-creams then they most definitely will be able to tolerate Yakult.
Below is a list of different dairy products and their lactose content:
Yoghurt (1 cup) 5g
Milk (1 cup) 11g
Swiss cheese (1oz) 1g
Ice cream (1/2 cup) 6g
Cottage Cheese (1/2 cup) 2-3g
Yakult (1 bottle) 1g
Having said the above, if you are highly lactose intolerant even tiny amounts of lactose may set you off, which you may be able to get around by taking a lactase enzyme when they are consuming dairy products to help with their intolerance to dairy.
Having said all that there are no none dairy versions of Yakult IN AUSTRALIA and no plans for any production of alternatives that I can find here either. However in Japan Yakult produces juices, capsules and powders containing the same probiotic ingredients. If you live in the US, maybe try a Japanese store. However I couldn’t find anything much about this on the web at all.
What I did find was http://www.goodbelly.com/. This seems to be a US based non-dairy, probiotic fruit drink, that could be similar and would certainly be worth a try if you really cannot live with the dairy. As I have mentioned I find Yakult to be the best brand here in Australia and always try to take that, but occasionally when I haven’t been able to get it I will try to get any probiotics I can down me. In your case, and I assume you are in the US, Goodbelly may be your best option. They have a find a store feature in their search bar too, so getting some nearby shouldn’t be too bad.
Hope this was helpful. Sorry it took so long coming. I really hope that it helps for you, as I can only imagine 6 episodes in 8 months. Please let me know how you go with it. As I mentioned my reason for posting this was that I felt so strongly that it helped me I should tell others suffering the same, but also to try to get researchers interested in looking at it more carefully.
admin
31 Aug 09 at 8:53 pm
Thank you so much for looking into all that. I have opthamologist appointment next week and will give him all this information. (He specialises in iritis). I really appreciate all your help. I am in Australia but have relatives in USA so can probably get some of the fruit drinks sent over.
regards Tracee
Tracee
3 Sep 09 at 8:26 pm
Hey Tracee. Sorry I didn’t realise you were in Aus. Maybe one to try is http://www.earthincommon.com/grainfields-lemon-ginger-liquid-p-108.html. This looks like it could be a similar thing.
admin
3 Sep 09 at 9:34 pm
Hi There
I have iritis to . do you think its is anything to do also with hayfever season as last time that i got it was this time as well?
Michele
25 Oct 09 at 2:58 pm
You know, I had thought something similar as I always seemed to get it at the same time of year. Mine was usually about a week before Christmas unfortunately! I think that it probably relates to quite a few things that stress your system to the point where it starts attacking itself. Allergies probably don’t help, but probably stress and as I mentioned mine always came on after a cold of some sort,
I’m don’t think the causes are the same in every case though, but yours might be similar to mine. Have you tried the Yakult thing? I am still clear of it now so am almost up to the 2 year mark so it does seem to work for me at least. I guess I should test it further by coming off it for a while, but I really don’t want those drops every hour again!
admin
26 Oct 09 at 4:41 pm
Hi Simon, I first had iritis 18 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. I had many recurrences and lots of eye drops and cortisone injections over a period of years, and then the symptoms just stopped. Then about 5 years ago I had an anaphylaxic attack and have had anaphylaxic problems ever since. I have been on prednisolone since the attack because I can’t go off it. Every time I try to wean myself off them my body starts to go into anaphylaxic shock. Do you know or could you find out if there is any connection between iritis and anaphylaxis. I am at my wits end because I want to go off the steroids but my body won’t let me. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks for your time, Marg
Marg Talent
4 Nov 09 at 4:36 pm
Wow, sorry it’s taken me so long to reply. I can’t say that I can find any links in anything I have read, but it really wouldn’t surprise me. One of the common causes of iritis is irritable bowel syndrome, which is in turn associated with an allergic reaction. I have to say that I had a dodgy stomach pretty much all the period I was getting iritis and I think that this is what the Yakult actually helped.
I have to say I am no expert and it may be worth looking to contact some of the experts in the field you can get hold of at iritis.org. I would try Yakult too as it may help you for the same reasons as it does me.
admin
18 Nov 09 at 8:58 pm
Hi, just wanted to let you know I have not had iritis for about 6 years now. I had it all the time was on steroids and even methotrexate (a drug given to cancer patients)to restart my immune system, I was taking so many steriods I even have the start of a cataract, not really what you want at age 30!!! Anyway after a massive amount of reasearch online I found a letter from a woman who said she cured her iritis by never drinking cows milk. I was desperate and so gave it a try, 6 years later I do not have any problems what so ever and have not taken a single drug in that time. I am so glad to be free of it, I thought I would pass on the information.
Colette Fellows
11 Dec 09 at 8:18 am
Hi, just wanted to let you know I have not had iritis for about 6 years now. I had it all the time was on steroids and even methotrexate (a drug given to cancer patients)to restart my immune system, I was taking so many steriods I even have the start of a cataract, not really what you want at age 30!!! Anyway after a massive amount of reasearch online I found a letter from a woman who said she cured her iritis by never drinking cows milk. I was desperate and so gave it a try, since then I dont have any problems what so ever and have not taken a single drug in that time. I am so glad to be free of it, I thought I would pass on the information.
Colette Fellows
11 Dec 09 at 8:19 am
I was diagnosed with iritis six months ago. The first doctor I went to told me I had pink eye and was treating me for that. It seemed to clear up after two weeks of antibiotic drops but then reappeared a month later. I then went to an eye specialist who said I had iritis. I started on the steroid drops and it cleared it again. But it comes back all the time and now I feel like My vision in one eye is not as good and I’m so afraid of going blind. I am such a healthy person and can’t understand how this could happen. I would love to try this yakult you talk about. I am in Arizona, do you know if I can get it here. Please let me know and thank you so much for all your advice.
Georgette Tanner
19 Dec 09 at 3:55 pm
Hey Georgette,
I’m not sure about Yakult. It does seem to be available in other Areas of the US from Asian stores (it’s Japanese originally).You could also try Goodbelly (http://www.goodbelly.com).
I had the same feeling about my eye btw. I think it is the drops that dilate the pupil taking a long time to get out of your system but you should probably get them checked if you are worried about them.
Cheers
Simon
PS Sorry to have taken so long to get back to you.
admin
27 Dec 09 at 9:49 am
This is my 3rd time with iritis. I had it 6 years ago and didn’t have it again until Nov. 2009. I just got over it but now have gotten it again. Unfortunately none of the drops, ointments or pills they give me works. The only thing that takes care of it is a steroid injection into the eye socket (not very comfortable). I am on my way in the next couple of weeks to see a doctor in Boston, who apparently is the best in the country if not in the world for treating iritis. The cause of mine is the fact that I carry the HLA-B27 gene which causes my ankylosing spondalitis and I also have arthritis. I have yet to find this Yakult that you talk about. I am in NH, USA.
Tami
29 Dec 09 at 12:45 am
Yeech, I don’t like the sounds of that injection. I thought the drops were bad enough! As I mentioned I don’t think Yakult will do the trick in every case (I don’t have the HLA-B27 gene or any arthritis), but it’s definitely worth a go. I have heard that you can buy it in some Asian supermarkets in the US but you might have to look around. Another option may be to try Goodbelly (http://www.goodbelly.com). For me the one that seems to work the best is Yakult, but Goodbelly is also a probiotic so should work in a similar manner.
admin
30 Dec 09 at 10:17 pm
The post by Colette Fellows is very interesting. I’m assuming from reading above Yakult does not contain cow’s milk.
I have had HSV in my right eye since I was a small child. I am 38. In September I developed HSV and iritis for the first time in my right eye. I had a sinus infection as well. I am still on drops for the HSV and now on Valtrex for the HSV and on Pred forte drops every 2 hours. I had been very stressed for the few months before the flare up so I am not sure if that contributed or not.
I will try the Yakult and see what happens. I really want it to clear up and I want to be off of these drops as I can’t get an injection in my eye due to the HSV in my eye.
I did cut out a ton of sweets and soft drinks and began drinking more water and eating healthier. I think that has helped some, but it still isn’t gone.
Thanks for this site. I’ve researched Iritis several times on the web, and so far this is the best blog I’ve seen on it.
Bonnie Ruffin
7 Jan 10 at 9:12 am
Hey Bonnie, Yakult does contain skimmed cows milk unfortunately but they are still claiming that it is ok for those with lactose intolerance. If you look at the comment from me (admin) on 31st August I recycled a load of info. Seems it’s all a matter of degrees of intolerance (never easy is it)!
If you are in the US try Goobelly, again I refer to it in the comment. They have a store finder on their site too. I’m not 100% sure they use the same strain of bacteria, but it is a probiotic so should help.
Thanks for the comments on the blog, but I’m afraid I’m a bit of a 1 hit wonder. Yakult worked for me and I just wanted to spread the word and try and help others out if I could (and maybe get some research done).
I was thinking of setting up a social network for us iritis sufferers. That way we can compare notes. The trouble I always find though is that people don’t tend to come back if they have good news and I wouldn’t want a site to become too depressing! After all there are those of us out there like me, that have got through it and ‘touch wood’ I’m back to normal now.
What do you think? Do you reckon a social network would be useful?
admin
7 Jan 10 at 12:47 pm
I suppose you could try it. Do you mean like on Linked In or something? It would probably get more attention. I researched Iritis several times before I was lucky enough to come across your blog.
Bonnie Ruffin
7 Jan 10 at 11:04 pm
It was so good to find this! I have suffered from iritis for about two and a half years & it was mis-diagnosed at first. I have discovered that as I suffered badly from mouth ulcers as a child that it is in some way connected & is a different way my body now reacts (I am 50). At first I went for all the blood tests etc but nothing was found, but I have recently been advised that I have artheritis in my knees. My main problem is that I have been told during the last two bouts that I could return to work, yet I find it impossible to see all the time & my eye tries to close & is quite painful. I have never been able to link it to stress before – it used to happen when I was due to go on holiday. But this time I know I am stressed & it has flared back up in its second week.
I will certainly try the yakult, but I love milk so maybe that is the problem. Also during the last 2 years I have put on about 3 stone in weight & when I am on the medication I must admit I feel bloated & not in control of anything I eat! I do have a bad diet so maybe I do need to look into that side as well.
Lynn Mercer
14 Jan 10 at 7:31 pm
To me you sound like a great candidate for Yakult. You seem to have pretty much the same issues as me and don’t have any if the markers, also same as me. I also tended to get it at holidays (specially Christmas for dome reason) and I have the same ulcer issues.
I would definately give Yakult a try. Try by taking one a day, them if you start getting the ulcers, up it as much as you can. I was taking 2-3 if I thought it was coming on.
Please let me know how you go on too. I’d love to get a few follow ups from other people!
Simon Griffiths
17 Jan 10 at 8:31 am
You might want toread this article: http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/burgess_laughlin.html
I’m giving it a try.
If i doesn’t work i’ll give the yakult a go. Thanks for your blog.
Sue
18 Jan 10 at 12:37 am
This is quite interesting and worth anyone reading. It essentially takes the same approach as seemed to work for me. By solving the same problems. The method used by guy in the link (sorry forgot his name) takes the approach of removing irration from the diet. I have to say that this didn’t particularly work with me and I actually found that it irrated my stomach rather than cured the irritation (I went on a dairy and wheat free diet but was eating things like spelt bread). I did lose a lot of weight though, and would have lost more if it wasn’t for corn chips! The Yakult approach tries to do the same thing but by adding probiotics into the diet. That way you can keep a fairly normal diet, except the Yakult.
What I seem to have found too is that this has ‘trained’ my immune system so that I don’t seem to have any of the issues I was having. One of the doctors mentioned this retraining was possible, although his method seemed to involve taking immune suppressing drugs first.
I have to say that as with Yakult these methods may only help some causes of iritis, others may not be effected, but they are both definitely worth a try. If you can get rid of your eye problems by just changing your diet, that is always a great way to go!
admin
18 Jan 10 at 10:12 am
Thanks very much for the feedback, much appreciated. I have looked on the link Sue gave & I have been having pains in my arm & legs much the same as were described, and have also been given anti-inflamatory drugs in the past which have had little effect other than giving further problems! As I am 50 I feel my age has been used as an excuse. Like I said earlier I do need to do something about my diet, and hsve bought some actimel which is like yakult (but much cheaper!). In fact in the UK we do have quite a good selection to choose from. So I will let you know how I get on. I did ask the eye specialist at the hospital last week but he had not heard anything, and I am due to go back tomorrow & will ask if I see a different specialist then. But I do think prevention is much better than cure & the specialists are not very good at letting you know what to do to stop this from happening & I don’t think they realise just how much it affects your quality of life.
Lynn Mercer
25 Jan 10 at 1:53 am
I tried the diet for 2 weeks and it was awful! I have food intolerances (wheat, dairy, egg, garlic,carrot) and some veg that i need to rotate i.e. can only eat every 4 days so it was very hard to find food that i could eat. Although having said that I found some info online about the accuracy of food intolerance blood tests and it showed that they can be 90% accurate for negative response and 55% accurate for positive response!!!! I emailed the company where i had the test done asking how accurate they are and they didn’t reply….anyway back to the diet. So basically I ended up very grumpy and had an upset stomach and the iritis was worse. I’ve been trying zambroza which is an anti-inflammatory drink and what with weekly eye tests and the eye hospital I have noticed that my unaffected right eye has improved eye sight and my last attack of iritis only lasted 10-12 days. I am also taking some chinese herbs tht i have to boil up and drink. Will try the Yakult approach next, will keep you posted. I to do not think doctors realise how iritis affects your quality of life. Today at the eye hospital (eye pressure 40) I asked what could be done, the doctor laughed at me, saying i was on everything. I didn’t think it was very funny.
Sue
30 Jan 10 at 9:37 am
I tried the diet for 2 weeks and it was awful! I have food intolerances (wheat, dairy, egg, garlic,carrot) and some veg that i need to rotate i.e. can only eat every 4 days so it was very hard to find food that i could eat. Although having said that I found some info online about the accuracy of food intolerance blood tests and it showed that they can be 90% accurate for negative response and 55% accurate for positive response!!!! I emailed the company where i had the test done asking how accurate they are and they didn’t reply….anyway back to the diet. So basically I ended up very grumpy and had an upset stomach and the iritis was worse. I’ve been trying zambroza which is an anti-inflammatory drink and what with weekly eye tests and the eye hospital I have noticed that my unaffected right eye has improved eye sight and my last attack of iritis only lasted 10-12 days. I am also taking some chinese herbs tht i have to boil up and drink. Will try the Yakult approach next, will keep you posted. I to do not think doctors realise how iritis affects your quality of life. Today at the eye hospital (eye pressure 40) I asked what could be done, the doctor laughed at me, saying i was on everything. I didn’t think it was very funny.
Sue
30 Jan 10 at 9:37 am
Well I have been on actimel & stopped eating wheat & dairy produce -one slight hiccup as I bought goats milk intead of soya at first! Done this for a week now and finding it difficult to find something to eat for lunch as I am at work, so it has had to be salads. My eye is on the mend & I did ask at my last visit what damage has been done so far & the specialist said that they check this at every visit to monitor it (yet he did not have my past notes with him as they have again ‘lost’ them), and that because I have used medication the damage is only very slight. Which I suppose is good, but again he could not offer anything to try to stop it re-occuring. They never tell me what my eye pressure is, but do test every time I go. My weight has not chnged even though the diet is completely different than what I ususlly eat, and I still feel like all my body is inflamed. My left eye is my unaffected eye & I still have perfect vision in that eye but it hates to work on it’s own if I need it to! My job is in tax, so the deadline was yesterday & the stress is sometimes too much so I have to try to use one eye & get told off as I cannot see half the time when I put the drops in (and get my figures wrong!). Only for that I would not go to work as I find it very hard to function at all when I have got this. I am on 6 drops a day of pred forte & 1 drop of the one I keep in the fridge, but my eye is not sore any more or red. Far from funny though, I agree.
Lynn Mercer
30 Jan 10 at 8:39 pm
Lost notes, unreadable notes, no clear information or advise given – are we visiting the same hospital!!! My hospital (Southampton) notes are so bad that I now keep my own notes and ask questions like What is the current cell count for the iritis? (they’ll say +3 or +1 or <1)and what is the pressure? The doctors now ask me all the questions as my notes are readable. I take all the doctors names and write down everything they say. It's well worth doing as every time I go (nerly every week at the moment) I see a different Doc.
Sue
30 Jan 10 at 11:52 pm
I got the same impression. The first doctor I saw at the hospital thought it was all a big joke, despite the fact mine came with flu like symptoms that left me hardly able to keep my eyes open (I actually fell asleep in his office, which probably wasn’t good). The consultant I had in Brisbane took better notes though. I still think there wasn’t much emphasis on trying to cure, just treat the symptoms!
One comment I would make on that is to make sure you give the drops bottles a good shake before you put them in. I read somewhere that the difference in concentration of unshaken bottles can be the cause of some of the side effects you can get.
admin
5 Feb 10 at 10:30 am
I have just gotten iritis for what I think is the first time. Before I saw my optometrist for diagnosis, I thought it was zoster in the eye (which I had once before, and had many of the same symptoms) so I started taking the amino acid lysine, which has been a HUGE help. I went from not being able to open my swollen red eye to having an only slightly painful eye in the space of an hour or two, and the improvements are continuing. Lysine is an amino acid so it’s natural (it’s found in eggs, meat, beans, etc.) and all the chemists sell it in the vitamin section, sometimes labelled as a cold sore remedy. Lysine is great for treating any herpes or zoster type infections, and it seems to help the iritis a lot. Plus it relieves anxiety, aids sleep, and calms an irritable bowel, which is a nice bonus. I also found I was retaining a lot of fluid (my weight went up by 3kg overnight), which I thought was aggravating the condition, so I took a horse chestnut pill (which are harder to get hold of; you have to shop around or buy them overseas) which helped heaps as well, and made me shed 2kg of fluid in one evening and helped with the dizziness/motion sickness by making my lymphs drain properly and my veins work better. I’m not sure if horse chestnut is a remedy anyone else has tried, and I would not suggest taking much of it, since it lowers histamine, which for all I know might not be such a good thing in the long term if you’re fighting an infection, but one capsule of it did help and didn’t seem to hurt, and boy oh boy was it a relief to get rid of all that fluid that was swelling me! I would also suggest lowering intake of the amino acid arginine (found in brown rice, whole wheat, nuts, chocolate, coffee, etc…google it for a more complete list) since arginine is what all of the herpes and zoster and glandular fever type viruses feed on. That’s probably part of the reason why lysine works, because lysine competes with arginine and lowers its levels in the body.
Elise
6 Feb 10 at 2:21 pm
That’s some good advise about the drops – thanks. My wonderful Doc wrote me a letter to take to the EyeHop explaining my frustration with their flippant and incensitive attitude, I got better service yesterday when I went. I noticed how other people didn’t though!
Sue
6 Feb 10 at 5:02 pm
Going back to shaking the drops up, yes you need to do this as it is a suspension. Trouble is, you cannot read the description at the time!! Been on this dairy & wheat free for over 2 weeks now but no weight loss & finding it quite hard to keep up with the cooking of fresh things (but meals taste much better). Going to go for blood test probably week on Monday (to fit around time off work) as not had one for a while. Have got arthrytis now though. Did mention all these to Doctor but he insists that I just use drops & don’t need to change diet. Told him I’d try anything. I come off the drops tomorrow, but did have problems with my eye last night for some reason & had headache since – I am stressed though, so put it down to that.
Lynn Mercer
14 Feb 10 at 6:12 am
What a great idea to take Yakult, I will try that if I ever have a bout of iritis again. I was first diagnosed with reactive arthritis about 12 years ago and told to watch out for iritis in the future, sure enough it happened a few years after I first got sick. I am now pretty much arthritis free after changing a few things (and therefore have not had an iritis attack for years now), I cut back on potato consumption, I keep warm and I do my best not to get stressed or angry. Reiki helps me too. As iritis and RA are immune disorders I think there is a very strong mind/body link. Good luck to everyone having to deal with this.
Andrea
14 Feb 10 at 11:25 am
Hi
I last wrote in August 09. I have had Yakult almost everyday since then, and have had only one attack of iritis in those six months. The iritis attack was after I ate a lot of honey (is it the natural antibiotic in the honey that set it off?)
I am continuing with the probiotics! Thanks
Cheryl
22 Feb 10 at 5:07 pm
Thanks Cheryl. It’s good to hear that it you are going better. I have been meaning to get in touch to see how you have been. It was an interesting comment you made about the honey too. I’m not sure if that would effect things, but I’m guessing that it is possible.
Let me know how you go on. As you know I’m a fellow Brisbanite so feel free to get in touch at any time and we can have a chat about local doctors etc. I have to say that I agree with a lot of the comments that have been made, in that the first doctor I saw (at the Mater private hospital) didn’t take it seriously at all!
admin
24 Feb 10 at 1:06 pm
Hi,
Just wanting to say that I was diagnosed with Iritis for the first time a week ago (in my left eye). I have been on steroid based eye drops for 10 days, and was taking the pupil dilating solution every night before bed over the first 7 days. Anyway, just yestarday (March 1st, 2010) I went back to the Mater Eye Clinic (I live in Coorparoo in Brisbane) for a follow up check up and the specialist that saw me suggested that my left eye was completely back to normal (same as right eye) and that I now needed to phase down the application of the steroid drops over a period of 1 month. He didn’t quite explain the reason, but I have now gone from applying the steroid drops every hour (over first 7 days), to every two hours (over 2 days – just prior to my follow up appointment at the eye clinic), to 4 times a day for the next 5 days, then 3 times a day for 5 days after that, then 2 per day/5days, then eventually 1 per day/5days. Now, he didn’t explain the reason for this but I am guessing it might have to do with your body reacting to a large change in balance (withdrawal symptoms) if you suddenly remove the steroids from the system. This could possibly spark a relapse of the Iritis condition. In fact today is my second day of taking the drops just 4 times a day and my eye is actually slightly sore (some discomfort when rolling my eye) – but it wasn’t yesterday when I was getting checked (prior to dropping the dosage). Anyway, just food for thought. In my case also, the cause or source was not found. Specialists suggested was probably my immune system attacking for whatever reason. But i do know that my Iritis has come at a time when I have just enrolled in uni to do a masters degree after 12 yrs in the workforce, I had been doing long hours at work and trying to balance pre-uni enrollment stuff and orientation events, I was stressed about having to find time to accommodate visitors that were here from overseas, and I had started to get back into lifting weights – and had absolutely killed myself on the first training session back after 4yrs of not training at all (I was in pain – from the weights – for over a week, then straight after that I got Iritis). So anyway, I reckon if you can find a way to live a balanced life and lower stress levels, most people would be free of this aweful Iritis condition. The worst part (and most frustrating) of it all is that your friends, family and people at work think its all a joke and don’t understand the seriousness of it all ! I am engineer and work for a large defence contractor in Brisbane and this, combined with study at nights, does not help relax my eye enough through the healing process, so I am really hoping that after the steroid drop phase out period my condition completely goes away. fingures crossed – but won’t be surprised if i get a relapse. Anyway, I would also really like to know of a doctor/specialist in Brisbane (Simon you may be able to suggest one) that can treat me for any relapse of symptoms without me needing to check back into the Mater emergency ward (as I have discovered, its the quickest way to get a referal to the Mater eye clinic – unfortunately). Simon, my GP is in Coorparoo and he is impossible to get an appointment with for a referral !
Manny
2 Mar 10 at 1:45 pm
Yes it was never fully explained to me why you have to go on this long, slow reduction of the steroid drops. I’m guessing that you’re right though and it is something to do with withdrawal. I also tended to find that my eye was sore at times, specially when the drops went in.
I also went the Mater emergency to get diagnosed, but they sent me straight to a specialist eye doctor that is based in Mt Gravatt and Annerley. The practise name is Porter Eye Care and I saw Dr Rowan Porter (tel 07 3343 2578 or 3848 9861 for Annerley). I managed to get my GP to give me a permanent referral (I think partly because they spent about 10 days mis-diagnosing it) so if I felt it coming on, I could get there quick. I also keep a new set of drops in the fridge, as you get quite good at spotting it once you’ve had it a few times.
I know the feeling about everyone thinking it was a joke. The first time I had it I was in danger of ripping my iris, and it was star shape for quite a while. That scared me to death, but everyone else thought it was hilarious. I have to say that they didn’t take trying to do something to stop getting it seriously either. They just said get the drops, and if you get a cataract, just have it taken out. Not exactly my idea of fun! That’s why I did my own research and tried Yakult and posted this having had it work.
Let me know how you go on btw. You’re the second person we’ve had post from Brisbane, the first was Cheryl below, who seems to be improving now (see below).
Cheers
Simon
admin
2 Mar 10 at 2:27 pm
Thanks a lot for the posts. I wish I have seen this blog earlier. I am 34. I had my first Iritis when I was pregnant in the end of 2007. It got very bad since the doctor was afraid to let me use steroid drops then. But in the end she had to inject a shot in my eye. The Iritis cleared up after 2 month. The second time happened right after a very tiring trip in Oct, 2009. However, this time whenever the Ititis seemed to be gone (with one cell left, down to one drop a day), it recurred. I have been using steroid drops for 4 months, nonstop! I had bad canker-sores right before the second Iritis. I am HLA-B27 positive. I’ll definitely try the Yakult and report later. Maybe I should stop drinking cow’s milk too. But what about other dairy products, like yogurt?
Julie
2 Mar 10 at 4:21 pm
Hey Julie, how are your eyes now? How many drops are you taking? The doctor I went to always wanted to ‘hit it hard’ so I ended up on a drop every hour for about 2 weeks then reducing very gradually from there. That way it seemed to take about 6 weeks from start to finish. Have you had the genetic test done? To be honest I’m not really sure what those tell you as you can’t do anything about it anyway!
Manny in the previous comment mentioned de-stressing, and I think that is certainly part of it. From your comments it sounds like you have a 3 year old. Do you take some time out for yourself? I know that can be very stressful (I have a 6 year old) and amazingly tiring! I don’t know about you, but I went into parenthood thinking that things would be tough in short bursts, but what I actually found was most of the time in the baby stage is was just constantly wearing.
I’m not sure I’d particularly recommend stopping drinking cows milk unless you feel it’s upsetting your stomach. I think the key for me was getting myself in balance rather than cutting out particular foods.
If you read through the comments below Elise has some vitamins and supplements that may be worth a go too. I haven’t taken these personally but if I was you I’d hit it with as much as you can. Hopefully things will settle down for you and you can then try taking a few things out.
I’m guessing your in the US, so Yakult can be hard to get hold of (although I think it’s worth trying to find in Japanese stores). Although I’ve never tried it Goodbelly might be an alternative. They also have a lactose free probiotic if you are intolerant to milk.
Hope you get better soon. I know what a worry this can be, and I wish it was taken more seriously by doctors. Please also let me know how you go on. As I mentioned in my original post I love to get feedback and hope that at some point I can pass results to someone who then at least might take the time to do some research.
admin
2 Mar 10 at 11:35 pm
Hi Simon,
Thanks for your quick reply. Iritis is rare and very suffering. None of my family members or friends have ever had it or even heard about it before. It is nice to know what other people’s experience is with Iritis.
I did use steroid drops once every hour when it started and slowly taper it down under doctor’s introduction. But it seems that at the end of every 6 weeks, it recurs, but not as serious as before. This time my doctor suggests me to switch to Lotemax (a less concentrated steroid)after using Pred Forte for once a day.
I am very easy to get canker-sores since I was a little child. I had all the blood tests done and was found HLA-B27 positive. HLA-B27 is an antigen that is in my gene. Maybe that’s why I am very easy to get canker-sores since I was a little child. I also went to see a rheumatologist and took some X-rays at my lower back. Everything is fine. I don’t have Arthritis….yet.(knock on wood)
HLA-B27 positive and stress is the main cause in my case. I am very easy to get stressful and angry. Should try harder to control it…I am in the SF Bay are. I can easily get Yakult in local Chinese grocery store. Thanks again for your post. I’ll report later.
I also heard that Stephen Foster, in Boston, is like the father of Iritis. Wondering if anyone ever went to see him. Just find this website today: http://www.iritis.org/index.php Haven’t got a chance to read it yet. It has forum on it.
Julie
3 Mar 10 at 5:39 am
Hi Simon,
Thanks for your quick reply. Iritis is rare and very suffering. None of my family members or friends has ever had it or even heard about it before. It is nice to know what other people’s experience is with Iritis.
I did use steroid drops once every hour when it started and slowly taper it under doctor’s introduction. But it seems that at the end of every 6 weeks, it recurs, but not as severe as before. This time my doctor suggests me to switch to Lotemax (a less concentrated steroid)after using Pred Forte down to once a day.
I had all the blood tests done and was found HLA-B27 positive. HLA-B27 is an antigen that is in my gene. Maybe that’s why I am very easy to get canker-sores since I was a little child. I also went to see a rheumatologist and took some X-rays at my lower back. Everything is fine. I don’t have Arthritis….yet.(knock on wood)
HLA-B27 positive and stress is the main cause in my case. I have two kids, 7 and 2. I am very easy to get stressful and angry. Should try harder to control it…I am in the SF Bay Area. I can easily get Yakult from local Chinese grocery stores. Thanks again for your post. I’ll report later.
I also heard that C Stephen Foster, in Boston, is like the father of Iritis. Wondering if anyone ever went to see him. Also, I just found this website today: http://www.iritis.org/index.php Haven’t got a chance to read it though. There are forums on it.
Julie
3 Mar 10 at 7:25 am
Simon,
Thx for the Doctors information. I have one more appointment at the Mater Eye Clinic with the specialist there, early next month once I finish this phase out period of the Iritis. I’m still on 4 drops a day now and seems the eye has not inflamed again – but is still only slightly sore (but i think also might be due to my lack of sleep and long hours reading – some eye strain symptoms most likely). On my way home from work yesterday, I stopped at Coles and bought some Yakult. Will try taking 1 a day and see how that goes. Also, someone told be that yogurt is full of good bacteria which may also be beneficial in sorting out problems with immune system. So even though there is dairy in it (I still don’t think that dairy is the problem – not in my case anyway) it also contains the stuff you need to be healthy. So try giving yogurt and fruit salad a go (i find its the best way to include yogurt in your diet).
Anyway, reading all these posts, to me it all comes down to being healthy and living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Generally speaking when you get ill the weakest part of the body cops the brunt of it – the eye is no different. Eat well, have good sleeping patterns and rest eyes throughout the day – they’re the principles I am following (or at least trying to). But to that I am throwing in yogurt, 1 ounce of nuts a day (about 2 handfulls) and Yakult !. Thx again Simon for doc details and will keep you posted on my progress. Great posts by the way – best I have read on this condition. There is hope for all it seems.
Manny
3 Mar 10 at 1:12 pm
I have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondalitis for about 18 years. I am 42 and I started presenting when I was about 21. I started getting iritis when I was about 26. Since then I get a flare up about every 9 months. I take steroid drops every hour for two weeks then back off over the next month to nothing and it almost always goes away. The longest respite from this condition I have ever experienced was after a particularly nasty bout at around age 30 that required steroidal injection into the back of the eye. Sounds unpleasant but it provided excellent relief as I didn’t get another bout for nearly 3 years after. I am absolutely certain that flare ups are relatively random. If there is any one thing I can point to that might cause a flare up it would half to be lumens. That’s light that I refer to. When I am exposed to excessively bright light for excessively long periods I almost always get a flare up. I live in Canada and the days get to be over 16 hours long in the middle of our summers and 90% of my flare ups occur in the summer months. The only time I get winter flare ups is when I spend time around very bright lights for long periods of time. I am currently having a flare up and I know it was due to a high lumen exposure that I had recently at a friends greenhouse. I avoid them like plague usually. So maybe this helps some people…maybe not…buy a good set of sunglasses.
Scott
11 Mar 10 at 1:46 am
An interesting comment, specially as quite a few people live in Aus., where the light is intense to say the least. Personally I haven’t really noticed this, but that’s not to say that it doesn’t have an effect. I guess that the eye will get strained when the iris is pulled more closed which it is in bright light. I have to say though that since I first had iritis I do try and wear sunglasses when it’s really bright.
Simon
11 Mar 10 at 9:21 am
[...] With this condition you will notice iritis symptoms like pain in the eye or the brow region…Iritis a possible cure? at Simon Griffiths BlogI first started getting iritis about 3 years ago, and was getting it increasing … big ulcer in the [...]
iritis
4 Apr 10 at 11:39 am
heya remarkable little website ya have here
I work with the exact same template on my own blog though for whatever reason it looks to reload more efficiently on this website eventhough your own provides way more content. Are you implementing different plug ins or widgets that quicken it up? If you might be able to have the programs so that I can use them in my webpage so twilight breaking dawn followers could watch twilight breaking dawn online trailers and films more quickly I would be ever so pleased – thanks in advance 
stephanie meyer
8 Apr 10 at 3:10 pm
Simon, So glad I found this!!! I am experiencing my first case of Iritis. My daughter accidentely poked me in the eye and it flared up! Few days after, my vision was blurred, started drops. A day later my other eye became inflamed. Have been on drops for 3 weeks. Last Drs visit the inflamation had appeared to be gone in the front of the eye, but now it appears I have inflamation in the back of the eye!! I see a specialist tomorrow. Drs are telling my the poke in the eye was coincidental. Trying not to have anxiaety over the unknown and I find relief here that I’m not the only one. Anyone ever had it in both eyes?? What about inflamation in the back of the eye??
Jackie
13 Apr 10 at 7:57 am
You know I had exactly the same thing. I received a good poke in the eye too, and was also told that had nothing to do with it! I was never too sure as I often seemed to get it a few weeks after I received a noticeable poke. Kids…you got to love what they put you through! If I were to put up a theory about this (based on no scientific facts whatsoever), my guess would be that the poke in the eye causes your white blood cells to go to your eye in greater numbers, then other factors related to your immunity make them start attacking your eye.
I never got it in both eyes, the same one seemed to get it every time. However the specialist I went to did say that there was something like a 25% chance I’d get it in the other eye as well when I first went to him. One of the things I’ve also wondered is that the eye I get it in also got hit with a squash ball twice. I’ve always wondered whether some damage from that was a contributing factor.
I haven’t had any back of eye inflammation either. I guess that wouldn’t be iritis, but could be caused by a similar autoimmune effect.
I would start taking Yakult if you can get it and see if that gets you anywhere. I used to have about 3 a day if something was wrong, which can get expensive, but worth it if it helps. I’d also have a look through the comments as there are a lot of other supplement suggestions.
Post a comment on how you get on too. It’s good to know when people get over it for me and any other people that come on afterwards.
Simon
13 Apr 10 at 9:51 am
I actually don’t have any plugins to speed the site up. Have you tried WP Super Cache (http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-super-cache/) though? I believe that one is very good, although every times I’ve tried it its given me problems with other plugins.
There’s also a load of plugin suggests at http://skyje.com/2010/04/wordpress-performance/. I think super cache is the big one, but if that doesn’t kelp minifying may be useful for you.
Simon
13 Apr 10 at 9:58 am
Sorry for the late reply, you got caught in my spam filter. I guess the answer is yes to both of the above. I did seem to get pain in the eyebrow region as things were building up. That was one of the things that gave me the warning that I needed to start taking preventative action. There are lots of other causes of that too though.
The eye pain was intense at time in bright light in particular. I can remember when I first got it running from my car into the chemist with may hand clamped over my eye to try and keep the light out! It’s hard to describe the pain…if I’d ever experienced it I would say like someone poking a needle in your eye! Apparently the cause is your iris trying to contract, but being stuck to your eye ball..lovely!
Simon
13 Apr 10 at 10:03 am
Went to the specialist, no more inflamation in the back in the eye. Off the dialating drops and just every 3 hours on other drops. YIPEEEE. It will be 5 weeks on Monday. Not feeling any pain, still a tiny sensitive to light, could be dialation drops haven’t worn off?! Going Monday to get blood drawn, better safe than sorry. Thank you Simon!! We will see what happens my next follow up.
Jackie
18 Apr 10 at 11:28 am
That’s great news!
Those dilating drops do take a while to fully recover from. I reckon about a month before your eyes are totally ok again.
I always found that I got a bit of pain, sort of like grit in the eye, as I was reducing the steroid drops, so I don’t think that’s anything to worry about.
Did you try the Yakult or any of the other things people have posted about?
Simon
19 Apr 10 at 1:31 pm
Hi again. I have just come across a mention on the web of iritis resulting from trauma (http://www.emedicinehealth.com/iritis/page2_em.htm). I have never seen any other reference to this, but it backs up your and some of my experiences. Both of us having received pokes in the eye from our kids before it flared up.
I thought you might be interested. You’ll be glad to know that now my sons a bit older I don’t seem to be getting poked as much!
Hope all is well with you.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
25 Apr 10 at 11:46 pm
hi everybody i am currently fighting my first case of iritis i was jus wondering how long well it take for me to get my vision back in my right eye i been off the dialating drops for about 4 weeks still taking the other drops every 3 hours or 5 times a day my eye specialist said my vision should have been back already since i have no more inflamation in the front or back of my right eye so can anybody tell me when i should expect my vision to be back thx
rithso
29 Apr 10 at 5:02 pm
Hi,
When you say get vision back, do you mean get back control of your focus? I have to say that I never really lost vision (I’m not sure about others). What I did find though was that the dilating drops take a long time to fully wear off. I reckoned it took about a month to really start being able to focus properly again, but probably a couple of months more for it really to have returned to normal.
If you really not seeing much at all through the affected eye, I would probably see if you can get a 2nd opinion as it may not be iritis. You mentioned that the back of your eye was inflamed too, and iritis is really inflammation of the iris, so is usually only the front part. However Jackie previously mentioned that the back of her eye was inflamed.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
29 Apr 10 at 5:28 pm
Hi Simon! All tests came back negative, I’m told my eyes are doing much better and have began drops 3x a day for the the next 3 weeks! (I am no 6 weeks into this) @Rithso, I did have inflamation in the back of my eye!! You must have a had a severe case of Iritis. When they found inflamation in the back of the eye, they asked me to start dialating that eye again and go back to drops every 2hours. A week later inflamation in the back of the eye was gone. I also found the Yakult drink Simon has been speaking of and have been taking it every day. I completely agree with Simon that strength of those dialating drops take some time to wear off. My vision was not crisp for a while. I hope you go have some lab work done to eliminate any underlying causes and just be patient. Iritis is a scary thing! Especially when the Dr. doesn’t really give you much information. They just ASSume we know everything. Be patient and let the drops do their thing. Are you using ointment in your eyes at night? (FML) That’s for inflamation too. Don’t be afaid to get a second opinion. These are your eyes we are talking about! Even if it’s for peace of mind. Good Luck! and Thanks Simon, I will keep you posted.
Jackie
30 Apr 10 at 3:40 am
Hi to everyone with iritis. I also suffer from Iritis and it seems to be a nervous system problem related to long terms stress. the reason the Iritis appears is that the herpes simplex virus which causes ulcers is in the eye and inflames when the immune system is under attack. A hard one to treat. treating the nervous system and relaxation can help with this problem as it is stress and sadly sunshine (for those living in australia) that inflames the condition. Taking lysine can help to keep it at bay. cheers
Angela Starick
7 May 10 at 11:01 am
Thanks, yes the herpes virus is one of those simple things that can cause iritis and the annoying thing is you can’t do much about it. Good recommendation for a supplement. I should try and keep a list of these somewhere so people can access them easily.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
7 May 10 at 5:36 pm
Hi all
So glad I stumbled across this page! I currently have my first ever case of iritis at age 46 and was completely freaked out, which probably wasnt helping if it is stress related. I just kept thinking what awful underlying condition do I have that has caused this. The specialist had said it could be any number of reasons and that often we dont find out what it is. I had thought I had aggravated the eye by rubbing it when my contacts were giving me grief, but within a few days realised it was something much worse than that.
I am on the dilating drops twice a day and was on the steroids drops every two hours for the first week, but after a trip to the specialist yesterday he has upped it every hour as it is getting worse not better
My two questions are: 1. How feasible is it that the drops are draining away down the nasal cavity too much – despite trying the trick of pushing against the tear duct when I put the drops in, I can still feel them trickling down the back of my throat, sometimes even half an hour later? and 2. I understand that your health is important, but the amount of money this is costing visiting an eye specialist once or twice a week is really not helping with the stress – trying to make ends meet after moving from Sunshine Coast to Sydney 8 mths ago has been tough! Is it worth trying the eye hospital and risk trainee doctors or do I just suck it up and keep going to a specialist who clearly knows what he is doing?
Cheers
Donna
Donna
15 May 10 at 7:42 am
Hey Donna,
Sorry its taken so long to get back to you. I think your doctor probably went a bit light on the steroid drops to start with. I always started at 1 per hour for the first week to try and knock it on the head quickly, “hit it hard” as the doctor used to say. What mine did was give me a sliding scale and essentially I used to see them at the start and at the end to make sure it had cleared up. If you’re seeing your doctor twice a week, that seems a lot to be honest, but hopefully when you start showing some improvement you can reduce that down. I’d probably try and hold out until it starts improving though, but maybe mention it to the doctor and see what they think. Trouble with going to a standard doctor is that they may not have the equipment to check it properly!
Your other question was about the drops draining away. I’m not sure how much of a problem this is. I would guess that it should be okay. What I would make sure you do is shake the bottle well. They do settle, so you need to give it a good shake to get an even dosage.
Good to see that you liked the post and comments. I actually started writing about iritis because I got a bit freaked too, until I realised that there is a vast majority of people who just get over this, as I have. The bad stuff I’m guessing is only a slightly higher chance than the general population.
I would try Yakult, and some of the other supplements mentioned in the comments below too if you can. The Yakult worked for me and seemed to get my immune system back in balance.
Let me know how you go on.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
18 May 10 at 9:57 am
Hi! I have suffered from iritis since my first bout in college (around age 21 or so) and now I am 34. I have had reoccuring iritis at least a few times a year since but it seems to be getting worse this last year. I do believe stress has something to do with my flare-ups as I am recently divorced with 3 busy crazy boys and run an in home daycare! I have also noticed that my iritis eye aches after caffeine…I think caffeine might play a role in my iritis but feel like it is overall a multitude of things….stress, caffeine, not eating properly, etc.. I too get sores in my mouth around the time of the iritis attacks. It is a very frustrating condition and I hope someday it will be researched enough to find a cure. I will find the Yakult and see if it helps (any suggestion…I live in Indiana) I need to focus on wellness within my body but it is so hard when everybody else needs to be taken care of! I know a natural diet would be the best thing for me. I currently have a friend that has cancer all over her body and is eating a raw fruits and veggies diet coupled with other treatments and her cancer is going away in some places! It is so nice to connect with other people dealing with the same thing.
Krista
25 May 10 at 12:11 am
Hey Krista, good to hear from you. Wow, you do have a busy life! Three boys, and family daycare! How do you find that? We are just starting to look into the family daycare scene too. Do your kids like it, or does it get to them a bit?
On the Yakult side of things, it doesn’t seem to be that common in the US, but people have found it in Asian stores. It may be worth ringing round any in your area to see if they have any. The other option, which I’ve never tried is Goodbelly (http://www.goodbelly.com) over in the US. I believe that this is pretty easily available. Both of these are probiotics, but probably different strains. What I do is I take one Yakult a day, but if I start getting the ulcers, I up it to 3-4 a day. I found that seemed to get rid of the ulcers and I didn’t get iritis. Now I have to say that I don’t seem to get the ulcers either, so hopefully my immune system is back in balance!
There’s a load of other supplements that have been recommended below too. It can get a bit expensive, but it’s a lot better than iritis!
Simon
25 May 10 at 12:56 pm
Hey Simon, what a great blog:) Although after reading it, it worries me on how long i will have to take these drops.
Love the idea of Yakult and i will give it good go, as there is nothing to lose from trying. I live in Adelaide so there’s no probs in finding it.
I’m 33 and I have Rhumatoid Arthritis and have been painfree and very well (although medicated)for 7 years. I have fought hard to be as healthy as possible good food/excersise/stress free, my RA Dr is impressed how well i am… Until last week when i got a sore eye. The GPs had no real idea took me 3 visits until they realised i had to go to an eye specialist who then immediately told me i had iritis due to my RA, i’m on the drops hourly.
The thing about iritis is people just think it’s just a sore eye… *Sigh*…Autoimmune diseases are just baffling!
Naomi
26 May 10 at 6:18 pm
Hey Naomi, I’d be interested to know how you get on with Yakult. I don’t have arthritis (although I was tested for it) and I don’t have the genetic markers associated with the type of arthritis than can cause iritis. However, in theory it would still seem to be a reasonably valid way to sort your immune system out. The good news is that it does seem possible to retrain your immune system as I haven’t had it in quite a few years now, and don’t get the ulcers either.
I know the feeling about not taking iritis very seriously. A lot of people have said the same thing too. When I think back I can also remember going into the doctors and telling him about these big mouth ulcers I used to get in the roof of my mouth too. He didn’t take them seriously and just kept saying that I’d burned myself. Thankfully after a few episodes I started to know better.
Hopefully you should be able to reduce the drops after a week or so to every 2 hours and gradually wind them down from there. It takes a while but at least you feel a bit better about drops a few times a day rather than hourly, which is a complete pain!
Simon
27 May 10 at 9:37 am
Hi Simon
Finally got the all clear last week. Have been off drops for two and half weeks now and all good (so far – fingers crossed I am one of the lucky ones who never get it again!)
I think I will definately listen to my body a little closer now though – have always been healthy so was not expecting things to suddenly pack up the way they did. My darling 22yo daughter tells me …”Well you are getting older Mum”! Kids – who’d have ‘em?! he he.
Have not yet got on to Yakult but will try to get in the habit – cant hurt hey?
Thanks for all the advice your blog gave me – was a comfort to know so many others experience this hell.
Cheers
Donna
Donna Heemi
5 Jul 10 at 4:49 pm
Thanks for the update Donna. I would definitely try to get on the Yakult, specially if you start getting a cold, virus or generally get a good poke in the eye! It seems to help moderate your immune system when it’s likely under some stress. Mine always flared up a few weeks after a virus, I guess while my immune system was looking for something to do!
I’m glad we all helped you through it, there’s a lot of really great stories from people posting now. I must try to follow up a few more people to see how they are going. It’s great to hear good news like yours as you seemed to have a hard time of it to start with. Did you stick with the specialist or go to the eye hospital in the end?
Cheers
Simon
Simon
5 Jul 10 at 11:41 pm
Hi my name is Nick from the UK ive had iritis now for around 6 months , just cant get rid of it , did any of you have weird side effects like , cant focus on stuff sometimes , and when you look downwards get bubble effect in the eye , as if there is a bubble rising in the eye , think thats the best way to describe , and another question is iritis common to blind ? i know doctors say its very very unlikely. Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Nick
Oh and if you have any ideas on getting rid please share
Nick
3 Aug 10 at 11:06 pm
Oh and just to add i had all blood tests , x rays etc and all came back clear so as you can imagine ? quite annoying not being able to get rid.
Thanks
Nick
3 Aug 10 at 11:08 pm
Hi,
My son 19 was in the ER last night; misdiognoised and saw and eye specialist today. He was told he has irititis…I am so worried. He also shows signs of arthritis. He is on the steroid drops and a dialating drop to help with the pain. He needs to go back to the dr. in one week to further figure out the cause of this disease. My son had a bad infection (unknown) and was treated with Levequin for 20 days; for those of you that don’t know what Levequin is it is a very strong antibiotic that is rarely used. I am glad I had a chance to read this blog. I will keep my fingers crossed and in the meantime my son is staying in a dark room. Will keep you updated
beth
4 Aug 10 at 9:54 am
Hey Nick,
I had the focus thing too. I think that’s mostly due to the drops though. Essentially those give you a fixed focus, which is okay when your other eye is focused at the same distance, but when it’s looking at say a computer screen each eye will focus on a different thing. I always found myself covering one eye up or shutting it to avoid getting confused. I have to say that I didn’t like running with it much either. The jogging around with your eyes focusing on different things just seemed to make me dizzy!
I never had the bubble thing though. Maybe ask your doctor about that one. Probably something to do with the drops, but best to mention it in case. If anyone else has had that can you let Nick know?
My test were the same as yours. Try Yakult and/or some of the other supplements. Sounds like your immune system has just gone a bit out of whack and need straightening out. If you’ve got it at the moment. I’d have about 3 a day. I know it’s expensive, but worth a go.
Let me know how you go on.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
7 Aug 10 at 2:22 pm
Hey Beth,
Sorry to hear your son has got it so early. If he’s showing signs of arthritis too they should give him the gene test. Note though that it is a particular type of arthritis in the lower back and I think hips (that’s where they x-rayed me). There are a load of really good supplements that people have recommended and you’ve probably gathered that I’m a fan of Yakult. If you are in the US you may be able to get this from Asian stores, or try Goodbelly (http://www.goodbelly.com has a store finder).
I would try probiotics in particular because he has had the Levequin in the past. That probably played havoc with his stomach balance and it’s this that certainly effects me.
Let me know how he goes on. I’m no expert of iritis, but there is plenty of research that backs up the idea that probiotics have a helpful effect on your immune system, and as I say it certainly worked for me.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
7 Aug 10 at 2:30 pm
Hi there. I have just been diagnosed with Iritis and feel quite down about the whole thing. I am concerned about whether I can drive with this condition as I read differeing advice about this point.
Can anyone offer any advice on this for me.
Cheers
Mark
Mark
8 Nov 10 at 1:41 am
Hey Mark,
I actually drove and didn’t have too much problem with it as your eyes both focus on distance as you are driving. The only problem I found was looking at instruments in the car as when you just glance down it gets a bit confusing. I thought about this long and hard too, but when you think about it, there are people with only one eye that drive, so at worst you can cover one eye up.
My advice would be to drive as normal (as you can judge distance much better), but be prepared to close the affected eye when you look down. Drive slower, and keep a bit more distance to the car in front. Think of yourself as driving on a Sunday and having a virtual tweed cap! Ok, maybe that’s going a bit too far!
Cheers
Simon
Simon
8 Nov 10 at 10:25 pm
Thanks Simon
Will give it a few days and give it a go – in search of a tweed cap as we speak. I’m beginning to worry a bit as the other eye is starting to smart a bit amd am worried that it may start in the good eye. Should I go and get it checked out? Probably a bit of paranoia.
Cheers
Mark
Mark
10 Nov 10 at 8:49 am
Hi,
I am a well experienced Iritis sufferer, who has has it for 20 years in my right eye, that is up until this year. In March I had it for the first time in my left eye. This was then followed by a second bout in my left eye when I returned from my holiday in Dubai. This turned into the worst bout I have ever had(apart from the very first one)and has resulted in it coming back in chronic form several times whilst taking steroind, using ointment and cyclopentilate. Regular visits of 3 times a week to my local hospital and seeing several different Dr’s, I have now for the first time had a considerable sight problem in my left eye. For the past 20 years I have been prescribed the steroid Maxidex, this last bout they changed it to Pred Forte and I swear this is more than a coincidence that I have struggled to eliminate this bout and the side effects are now getting very worrying!
After my recent visit, they sent me for a retina scan, returned me to the waiting room and then a nurse came to me, gave me another prescription for the same and said come back in 3 weeks..why the retina scan? why’s it not responding like it has done for 20 years and at least 5 times a year.
I have been on Actamel (yakult similarity)for about a year, but dieted before my holiday and then obviously after it!
I am now changing to yakult….I will try anything( I too was diagnosed as AS 18 years ago.
Cheers
Les
LES
1 Dec 10 at 5:36 am
Hey Les,
Sorry to hear you are having trouble in your other eye. I had a quick look at Maxidex as I always used Pred Forte. I found the following: -
“P: Are Maxidex and Pred Forte about the same?
Dr. Elliot Werner: Maxidex (dexamethasone) is actually a stronger steroid than Pred Forte, so it is usually given in lower concentrations. One advantage is that Maxidex is a solution. Pred Forte is a suspension and has to be shaken well before putting the drop in the eye.”
I must admit that I always gave the bottle a very good shake before I used it (my background is actually in fluid mixing, so I know that this can be a big problem).
I’m not sure why they would give you a retina scan, that seems totally unrelated. My only guess might be that they can somehow get a better idea of what’s going on by looking at the retina and how the scan looks compared to the normal!? Not sure about that one, but it sounds like it could be possible.
On the drugs side of things, as I mentioned I have used Pred Forte and apart from dry eyes towards the end, didn’t have too many problems. If Maxidex worked better for you though I would ask them to switch back and say that the Pred is working as well. I don’t think there will be any reason why they would say you can’t.
Anyway, I hope things improve. Let me know how you go on.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
1 Dec 10 at 9:55 am
Hi Simon,
Thanks for the quick response. I have seen my GP today, as my vision has deteriated and he has suggested that i return to the Hospital tomorrow and has given me a letter of urgency!
I am now really concerned as only 6 weeks ago I had my vision checked for works safety glasses and my eyes had not changed since the last test 2 years ago.
So, back I go tomorrow, I will keep you posted.
Thanks again.
Les
LES
3 Dec 10 at 5:42 am
I am currently going through my first experience of iritis – not nice at all! I will definately be popping out to get some Yakult, anything is worth a try. Mine started after I had the flu, followed by tonsillitis. I thought I had recovered nicely in time for Christmas, but just before New Year all of my joints and muscles became excruciating. My left eye flared up all red and swollen, and I was crying a river daily. I went to see a pharmacist who said it was spreading to the other eye too, and gave me some anti-allergy drops. The next day my eye became unbearable in pain, I could barely open it through the swelling and felt exhausted, very nauseous and every joint in my body was throbbing. After visiting my Eye Casualty Unit (Southampton also, as a lady above mentioned), I was diagnosed. I was given Maxidex to take every hour, along with the refrigerated pupil dilator drops. Will need to continue like this for another 5 weeks! Once the initial pain and swelling went down I could definitely feel it in the other eye so I’ve used the drops in both anyway which seems to have worked. It was very frightening to hear my immune system is doing this to me! Taking Ibuprofen for the joint pains, which are still crazily painful. Funnily enough yesterday I developed 2 mouth ulcers which I never normally get, so that seems like an unpleasant side-effect. I hope I have no lasting damage! But it’s very reassuring to read I’m not the only one, thank you for this blog.
Kind regards, Emma.
Emma
10 Jan 11 at 10:20 am
Your experience sounds amazingly like mine except I was just amazingly tired not particularly achey. So tired I literally could not stay awake try as I might and I hardly had enough energy to walk up a small hill to the doctors. It seems to like hitting at Christmas too.
I must admit I thought I was going to get it again about a week or so ago. I got an ulcer, then was feeling a bit dizzy. I dosed myself with Yakult a few times a day and hit the ulcer with Bonjela a very regularly and it all went away. I think I probably had a virus making me dizzy and achy and my immune system just went into overdrive.
I haven’t had any problem with it for ages now, but I am quite careful to load up on Yakults and make sure I sleep better than I normally do when I start getting a virus. Hopefully you’ll be able to do the same. It is a frightening thing that the doctors don’t really seem to take seriously. The fact that your immune system is attacking your eye seems pretty significant to me!
Do you remember getting a poke in the eye at all? I have seen some recent reports of trauma induced iritis. I was told that this wasn’t possible, but it seems that it is and I always remembered getting a good poke in the eye from my son about 2 weeks before I got it.
Simon
12 Jan 11 at 5:48 pm
My 4 yr.old daughter is allergic with all nuts. Is it okay for her to drink Yakult?
alex
19 Jan 11 at 12:10 am
Hi, thanks for this blog and thanks for my husband in finding it. I will be sitting down this evening and reading all the comments to see if they can help. I am 37 and have suffered with iritis for 25 years, yes 25 years. In both eyes but majority my right. I’ve had so many attacks now half of my pupil on right side is permanently stuck down. Drops have caused a cataract which they cannot operate on until the iritis has cleared up for a least a year, no such luck. The only times I didnt have any attacks is when i was pregnant with my two boys, told it could be due to hormones. Sometimes I can have 3 plus attacks in any year and when both eyes go that really is fun, NOT. Had all the tests nothing, but I know that if I am run down, tired, or stressed it doesnt help. Hope I can find some useful advice on everyones comments. Tasha
Tasha
19 Jan 11 at 4:37 am
Hi forgot to say that I have had scans in my eyes too, so they can get a better picture of what is happening at the back of the eye, injections of steriods in my eyes and I also had to go into hospital a few Christmas’s ago and had to have a mri scan and more tests as I had a massive attack in both eyes and it left both my pupils permanently dilated. Nothing was found yet again and after taking steriods through a drip it cleared up. I have also had the inflamation at the back of my eye too. I’m from the UK and visit Southampton hospital which is very good apart from the waiting time. Tasha
Tasha
19 Jan 11 at 5:18 am
I should think so but check with the manufacturer. Yakult is essentially a milk product though.
Simon
19 Jan 11 at 11:14 am
Hey Tasha,
Sorry to hear the problems you are having with it. There was an interesting post a while back with a whole heap of vitamin recommendations. I would probably try as much as you can! Might also be worth looking at vitamin D too. Although there has been no real study on this seems that it could help your immune system and it’s relatively cheap too.
Have you been to an iritis specialist? I believe there are a few in the UK.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
19 Jan 11 at 11:19 am
Hi Simon,
Thanks for your reply, I will definitely be looking into the Vitamin recommendations as well as the Vitamin D. The consultant I am under is an Iritis specialist, so I’m in good hands.
Regards Tasha
Tasha Garner
20 Jan 11 at 10:59 pm
Hi everyone,
So many of the previous postings have astounding similarities to my experience with iritis.
I had my first case of iritis last year at the same time when I caught one of the nastiest colds I have ever experienced in my life. I was in bed with the cold for at least 2 weeks and profoundly tired with achy muscles for several weeks (it seemed at the time to be a long duration for a cold lasting several weeks where I would seem to recover but then relapse back into the cold). My sinuses were a mess, and I had 2 cold sores during this time (an overall weakened immune system). I suspect I may have picked up more than one viral strains during this time as my immune system was under attack.
At the time the white of my left became red, dry and inflamed. I didn’t realize I had irisitis (it was my first case) and I used some homeopathic eye drops called (Oculoheel from Traumheel) which seemed to work very well for me and the iritis resolved itself in 3 weeks and disappeared.
Nearly a year has passed and I have come down with my second case of iritis (3 weeks so far with no sign of improving). I suspect it is related to my consumption of milk. Just prior to my second case of iritis I drank some 2% milk that gave me severe diarrhea that lasted a few days.
One of the known causes of iritis is brucellosis. Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Brucella. These bacteria are mainly
passed among animals. Humans can get brucellosis by drinking or eating dairy products that have the Brucella bacteria in them. There are acute (lasting 8 weeks) or chronic forms (lasting 1 year or more). Acute form symptoms are like those of the flu with fever, sweats, headaches, muscle pains, lack of
energy, back pain and physical weakness. Chronic symptoms include recurrent fevers, joint pain, lack of energy, and episodes of depression.
Looking back now I think what I thought was a “bad cold” may have been actually a bacterial infection (Brucella) caused by contaminated milk. Ever since last year I just haven’t “felt right” and I have experienced a lot of gas, bloating and minor gi problems. Other than higher than normal blood pressure at my last check up a few months ago my doctor says that I am otherwise healthy.
From my experience I might have had brucellosis as a trigger for iritis and many other postings have highlighted the involvement of milk being implicated.
Fighting Brucellosis may have altered immune responses, gi tract bacteria and led to weakened immunity leading to iritis.
Yakult is a Japanese probiotic milk-like product made by fermenting a mixture of skimmed milk with a special strain of the bacterium Lactobacillus casei Shirota (the drink has 6.5 billion bacterium per 65 mL bottle giving a concentration of one hundred million Colony Forming Units/mL).
While Yakult was suggested by one of the early posters there are a number of similar drinks that contain the same species of bacteria. My local health food store (and yours too) have several brands of probiotic drinks for sale containing Lactobacillus casei.
Also many regular food stores sell DanActive yogurt drink (known as Actimel in many countries). This probiotic drink contains the bacteria but different strain than Yakult (Lactobacillus casei DN-114001) but the bacteria are essentially the same.
After reading the previous postings I am going to try the Yakult-type L. casei drinks and supplement my diet with vitamin D (good for helping irritable bowel syndrome), lysine (to reduce retrovirus involvement that may be assaulting the immune system) and some eye supplements containing leutein (to help prevent macular degeneration and for eye tissue health).
I hope my information helps others. I will let others know what my experience with the probiotic drinks is in the next several weeks.
all the best for everyone battling iritis …. Mike
Mike
5 Feb 11 at 4:53 am
Hi Everyone,
Just as a follow up I checked to see if Brucellosis is a cause of Uveitis and Iritis. Several published research papers confirm this link.
See:
Karahocagil MK, Demirok A, Kiliç A, Cinal A, Caksen H, Yasar T. Brucellosis and uveitis. Ann Ophthalmol (Skokie). 2008 Spring;40(1):48-50.
and
Sungur GK, Hazirolan D, Gurbuz Y, Unlu N, Duran S, Duman S. Ocular involvement in brucellosis. Can J Ophthalmol. 2009 Oct;44(5):598-601
The results of the second paper are quite interesting:
“RESULTS: Ocular involvement was detected in 21% of brucellosis patients. The most frequent manifestations were anterior uveitis (41%) and choroiditis (32%), followed by panuveitis (9%), papilledema (9%), and retinal hemorrhages (9%). Forty-one percent of these patients were in the acute stage and 59% were in the chronic stage of brucellosis. Interestingly, all the patients with anterior uveitis were in the acute stage and all the other patients with choroiditis, papilledema, and retinal hemorrhages were in the chronic stage. All patients responded well to systemic antibiotic treatment along with topical or systemic corticosteroid treatment. No recurrence of ocular manifestations was detected during the follow-up period, after completion of a 2-month systemic antibiotic treatment.”
Mike
5 Feb 11 at 5:11 am
Well, this is a great blog. Thanks Simon! I’m 58 years old and I currently have Iritis, AGAIN! First time, 2 years ago, was in my right eye and the last 3 times has been my left eye. I am using Maxadex drops every two hours, Isopto Homatropine 3 times a day and Hycor ointment at night before bed. Will definitely try the Yakult and also the Lysine. I do have rheumatoid arthritis and was told this was probably the cause of the iritis, although not for certain. I, too, find it very expensive going to the eye specialist. $130 for the first visit and $90 for each visit after that. Medicare doesn’t give much of that back either. I’m at Tweed Heads and there is no eye hospital down here that I know of.
It is good to talk to others out there who are experiencing this ghastly disease. I could certainly live without it!!
Hope everyone can find some relief soon, or preferably a “cure”. That would be loverly!
Cheers,
Evelyn.
Evelyn
9 Feb 11 at 11:44 pm
Hi Evelyn,
Which eye specialist do you go to? I’m up in Brisbane and always went to Porter Eye Care as they have the equipment to see the iris properly. I can’t remember offhand how much they cost though. Thankfully it’s been a good while since I’ve been. You seem to have the same frustration that I found. Iritis is related to so many things they just really take a punt at the most obvious thing they can find.
I hope things settle down for you quickly. There are some really good suggestions for supplements if you read through the comments. I must get round to putting a list up at some stage!
Cheers
Simon
Simon
10 Feb 11 at 9:05 am
Hey Mike
Sorry not to have replied to you post in so long. It sounds like you’ve done some great research. If you have anything else you can add let me know and I’ll try and put some resources together for people.
You are right about the Yakult, it’s basically a probiotic. I seem to find Yakult to be more effective than generic brands but I have not real evidence to back that up. Just my ulcers seem to go away faster if I have Yakult. Goodbelly was another I have come across in the US. That one is useful for those people who are Dairy intolerant.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
10 Feb 11 at 9:11 am
Hi Simon. Thanks for the reply. The eye specialist I go to is Dr. E. Svoboda in Tweed Heads. He is apparently one of the best down here. Yes, I have read other posts and I will try the Yakult and the Lysine. I used to get cold sores all the time but haven’t had one for several years. Touch wood!!! From what I’ve read the Herpes Virus is also a suspect with Iritis. Who knows??! I have good health so I guess I’m still a lot better off than many people with more serious illnesses.
Thanks again for this blog. It really does help knowing there are others who have to live with this “thing” and getting tips to help maybe stop it from coming back.
Cheers,
Evelyn.
Evelyn
10 Feb 11 at 2:12 pm
This blog is fab. I am definitely going to try the Yakult theory and see how it goes. I have had two bad bouts of Iritis over the last 6 years. My first attack was 6 months after i had my gall bladder removed (not sure if there was a connection). I then had nothing for 3 years then had another attack about two years ago. This came on literally overnight with no real warning. The pain was really severe. I respond well to treatment (maxidex). I have never had any blood tests to determine the cause apparently because i am still young (35) and in good health generally. I am in the middle of a rotten cold at the moment and think i may have a sinus infection. This morning i woke with left eye pain and light sensitivity and i just know this is the start of another bout of Iritis. Off to docs and then probably up to eye specialist for diagnosis and treatment. I know in the scheme of things 3 attacks in 6 years is not bad after reading what some people have been through but it is still really horrible. I have it in the back of my mind everytime my eye feels a bit itchy or is watery. Anyway i am definitely going to try Yakult and see how it goes. Incidently i am also a mouth ulcer sufferer (especially when run down and stressed). Julie Egland
Julie
28 Feb 11 at 7:44 pm
Hey Julie,
3 attacks is certainly bad enough. That’s what I had too, but over a shorter time scale.
I have to say though that I had blepharitis after iritis, so it might not be iritis if you are lucky. I could usually tell by looking for a bit of swelling round the iris. I’m not sure if I imagined it or not but I always thought it looked a little swollen, mind you I don’t normally look at it to see what it’s like when it’s ok!
I’d definitely try the Yakult and some of the other suggestions that are in the comments below. I always go heavy on Yakult if I start getting ulcers. I also bonjela them like crazy, making sure I really rub the bonjela in well too. Stings like crazy, but seems to get rid of them faster!
Anyway, please let me know how you go on, and thanks for commenting.
Simon
1 Mar 11 at 11:57 pm
I was diagnosticated with reactive arthritis in 2008. My doctor thought that it was the result of a contaminated food I had in Cuba during vacations at the end of the year. I went through the AZ of the disease and the Z is usually uveatis/iritis. With my arthritis, I discovered that holistic treatments were more effective than the $1,800 shots of Embrel. I also changed my diet my lifestyle, I gave up milk, meat and coffee at last. The price has paid off and the results for inflammation have been coming negative for more that 8 months now. Still, it is too early to say it went in remission.
But here is the catch, I get flare ups about this time in the year. I got sick the very first time this time in the year. I was not born in this northern hemisphere were I currently live, and therefore I am not fully used to seasons. Have you found any pattern with the spring season among the other iritis suffers?
PS. Lutein seems to help with this bugger thing as well.
Good luck.
Rafa
3 Mar 11 at 11:43 pm
Sorry for such a lengthy delay in my reply, I’ve unfortunately been in hospital as my eyes got so bad! They tried to lower my Maxidex drops and my left eye went crazy, with a deep pain right through the socket! My doctor referred me to a rheumatologist as the aches and pains in my body became so unbearable, and I have been diagnosed with Churg-Strauss Syndrome, a vasculitis disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the entire body. This was causing my Iritis to stay put. I now have to take steroids orally for many years to come so I have quite an adjustment to make.
The good news is as soon as I started taking these the Iritis cleared up almost overnight, and although a little blurry my vision has all but returned to normal thank God. Whilst in hospital, other patients who were on large doses of medication were given free Yakult to drink daily to help the stomach lining, so I now drink it without fail! Luckily for me they’re sold in just about every shop local to me so they’re easy to get hold of. I will be keeping up with those! Thanks again for this blog, it’s really nice to find people in the same boat as you when you’re feeling at your most vulnerable through illness.
Kind Regards, Emma.
Emma
7 Mar 11 at 5:49 am
hi…just too say great blog…
i got my 1st iritis before xmas but did not know what is was..went to optician and she told me was a eye infection and to have drops put in it after 2 days was red and very sore lost my vision in right eye as it went cloudy..was then sent to hospital and was on the drops and cream.must say it cleared up and was givin the all clear in jan………….now after a month of no iritis it has now apeared in my left eye……happy times lol……….now waiting to go back to hospital next week and be givin the all clear…must say i do get stressed out and i hav also hav lower back pain for 10 years and now waiting to have dna test so fingers crossed…just a point does anyone know if this could be long term as in lead to blindness as this is my biggest fears…and good luck in finding a way to get rid of this problem…
Darrem
Darren
11 Mar 11 at 9:54 am
Hey Emma,
Sorry for not responding quicker, you have had a bad time of it. Hope you are feeling a bit better now.
Do they know what is causing the vasculitis? I’m guessing that is a bit similar to iritis and is caused my the immune system running wild, but behind that there is usually a root cause, which sadly can be pretty much anything.
On the iritis side, I had heard that some iritis specialists will put you on oral steroids if they are really pushed. Hopefully that should mean your eyes will get chance to retrain themselves too as I think mine did. You may get some extra muscles into the bargain!
It’s good to hear that you are taking the Yakult too. There’s a dubious ad for another probiotic here that is currently claiming that 95% of all immune issues originate in the stomach. I’m not sure about that one, but that is why they think it works when I read through the research.
Let us all know how you go on too!
Cheers
Simon
Simon
11 Mar 11 at 11:42 am
Hey Darrem,
Hopefully the DNA test will be useful, mine came back negative but I’m not sure what would have happened had it been positive.
The most common more permanent eye issue I have seen mentioned is actually cataracts which are the result of the steriod drops. You then have to have an operation with all the issues associated with that. The good news on that front though is that cataract operations seem to have really improved over the last few years.
Having said that, I was never that keen on cataracts either! My advice is get on the Yakult and the other supplements that are mentioned in the comments. The ideal situation is that you don’t get iritis again. Although there is nothing that can guarantee this, if you can reduce the chances that can only be a good thing.
It’s also interesting you say you got iritis just before Christmas. Both myself and a few others have noted that we tended to get it before a holiday. I wish I could tell you why as you’d think we would be winding down. Personally I don’t think this is because of the flu season either as I’m in Australia and out flu season is Jun/Jul/Aug. My theory is that it’s related to stress, but it just may be that we need that stress rather than we don’t need it. Maybe try not unwinding so much…invite all your relations round and have a thoroughly stressful Christmas! Sounds not so enjoyable, but better than eyedrops every hour!
Cheers
Simon
Simon
11 Mar 11 at 11:53 am
This is my first recurrence in 11 years and has followed being whacked in the eye by a two year old and my carpal tunnel syndrome having become acute- causing complete numbness in my thumb and two fingers. I wonder whether these were related to it?
It’s been so long since my last attack that I had to refresh my data banks regarding its symptoms, treatment and possible effects.
I had never heard of the yakult connection in keeping it at bay and am surprised that yakult would be effective as I read that the beneficial bacteria that yakult contain are in no way at levels which are of much benefit to alleviating the symptoms of gastric diseases.
I must add that though it was 11 years since my last bout (and that must sound great to some reading here), in the meantime I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (with which it is an associated symptom) and I had to have my ulcer laden colon (which had perforated) removed two years ago during emergency surgery.
Think I would have preferred a bout of Iritis actually!
Brett
25 Mar 11 at 7:25 pm
Hi iritis sufferers,
I am unfortunately one of you, suffering from this horrible condition. Mine started about 25 years ago. It did start with a complete red eye which scared me very much. Steroid drops cleared it up fast. I used to get iritis once every year or so, not much. As the years went by, it got considerably worse. Now I get it in both eyes. The left one is always with iritis. Cannot get off the drops: every hr for two or 3 days, then every 2 hrs for another 3 days, every 3 hrs for a wk, and then increasing every wk. On my last week it comes back in full. Back again and so on…..HORRIBLE. I’ve spent so much money in opthalmology care. I go there every two week or so, just to hear: continue with the drops and increase them.
I just found this blog. I will definitely try the yakult. Tomorrow I will run to the store first thing AM!!! I will keep you posted if I can see any improvement. I am the one, do to my condition who most likely can testify if it works. I have faith it will work. Thank you Simon for giving me a hope. God Bless everybody.
AnaMarie
12 Apr 11 at 12:42 pm
Stress. Must be. I’ve had enough of it in my lifetime to warrant it. I started with iritis when I was 19. Here’s the shocker….I’m now 68, and have had bouts of it several times a year since then. SOOOOOO tired of the drops, but will give the yakult drinks a try. Why not? Can’t hurt, and trust me, I have given up trying to find a cure for this thing. Fifty-nine years later, and I’m still battling it. Be careful, and get treatment, because you don’t want your retina to detach. Or, go blind in the infected eye. Here’s to a cure for iritis!! ( Let it be yakult drinks!) And, if they don’t sell them around here, well…will have to carry on the “old-fashioned” way, and hope it will burn itself out.
Gran
15 Apr 11 at 6:44 am
i was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis about 10 years ago and suffer from inflammation in my joints which seam to spread to other parts of my body normally hips knees and and eyes (iritis) i was given prednosoline which is a striroid pill which helped. unfortunately this cant be taken long term as it can cause calcium deficiency. i will try Yakult which is widely available in the UK.
PeterM
28 Apr 11 at 9:36 am
Thanks for the blog, glad to read so many experiences, hints and compassion. I am on my 3rd bout of iritis but this one does not seem to be responding to the drops. Vision in my left eye is very cloudy and the specilaist said he could see a membrane across it. Feeling very worried, can’t go to work or focus on anything for more than a few minutes. Tomorrow if no improvement he will send me to a “front of eye “specialist. Oh yeah, its my birthday today too, shall go get some myself some yakult, great present
Angela
10 May 11 at 12:41 pm
Hi Simon,
I have found your blog to be very interesting. Thank you.
After returning home from a 2-week holiday in Fiji last December, I experienced my first bout of what I now believe was Iritis. Initially, my GP prescribed antibiotic drops (Chlorsig), but these did not seem to have any effect. At first the symptoms were in the left eye, but soon spread to the right. The whites of my eyes were very red, my eyes were extremely sensitive to any light (to the point where I could barely keep them open), and they felt as though there was sand in them. When I focused my eyes downwards, a shooting pain swept up through my forehead and temples. At no stage was there any discharge from my eyes, though there was a glassy film covering them.
My GP then ordered blood tests to determine whether my eye condition was related to any connective tissue damage, as I was also experiencing swollen knuckles in my fingers and, to a lesser degree, in my toes. I had also experienced knee pain. The tests did not reveal any connective tissue damage.
The doctor prescribed Prednefrin Forte Eye Drops, which provided instant relief. The dosage was 3 times per day for 5 days. I was told that prolonged use of this steroid could cause lasting damage, including cataracts.
Unfortunately, my relief was short-lived, and the symptoms reoccurred two weeks later. I went back to the doctor and this time he prescribed steroid capules containing the same active ingredients as the drops. These, too, were effective in clearing my eyes, but after another two weeks, the symptoms were back.
I was referred to an eye specialist at the Canberra Eye Clinic, who diagnosed my condition as Blepharitis. I didn’t have the symptoms at the time, and I was sceptical about this diagnosis, but I persevered with cleansing the skin around my eyes with baby shampoo, as was the remedy. Not long later, the annoying symptoms returned, and continue to return (with corresponding joint inflamation) five months after my initial bout just before Christmas 2010.
I have another referral for an eye specialist that I need to follow up, as my GP now has labelled my condition as Iritis.
It was interesting to read Tasha mention a possible connection to hormone imbalance with Iritis. At the age of 48, I have experienced signs of beginning menopause, so maybe there is a connection here.
I am going to the supermarket now to buy the Yakult that you have indicated has helped you combat the condition. Apart from being kinder to my eyes long term, it should be kinder to my hip pocket than the constant supply of Prednefrin Forte Eye Drops that I have needed to purchase over the past five months. Fingers crossed that the Yakult works.
Ruth.
Ruth
22 May 11 at 4:04 pm
Hey Ruth,
Sorry to have not responded. I have been very slack with my blog over the last few months. Your experience sounds very similar to mine. I got told it was conjunctivitis for a long time too. How are you going with the drops and Yakult? Hopefully it’s all cleared up for you by now.
It’s also interesting that you got it after holidays. All my episodes were at holiday times. Twice at Christmas and once at Easter. I’m sure there’s a connection there as others have mentioned it too. I guess some of us just aren’t meant to be relaxed;-)
Simon
28 Jun 11 at 10:52 pm
Hey Angela,
Sorry I haven’t replied before now. How are you going? Did you find out about the cloudy eye problem? I haven’t really heard about that associated with iritis, apart from the steroid drops can increase the growth rate of cataracts. Let me know how you are going?
Cheers
Simon
Simon
28 Jun 11 at 10:56 pm
Hey Peter,
Thanks for your post. I have to admit that it was one of the reasons I hadn’t posted for a while. I had also had a ‘dodgy’ stomach for quite a while, and although manageable it had been a problem for a long while. I had thought that it was an allergy issue, but I finally had allergy tests done and dust mites are my problem, so unless I’m eating them…
That, your post and the one from Brett below finally got me to head to the doctors, knowing that I was of the age where I would be sent for a colonoscopy, and not looking forward to it!
Well, to cut a long story short (sadly I will post my colonoscopy experience at some point too), the colonoscopy wasn’t as awful as I suspected, and my results were clear. What they did find though in other tests was that I had a strange bacteria in my stomach which was causing my problem. Thankfully the colonoscopy ‘clear out’ did the trick and that, so now I am thankfully back to normal.
Sorry to here about your ulcerative colitis. I don’t know enough about that to know if probiotics could help, but just on a quick read, it looks like it could. Let me know how you are going on with it. If it helps it’s a lot less of a problem than steroid tablets.
Simon
28 Jun 11 at 11:06 pm
Thanks Gran, and apologies for not replying before now.
Simon
28 Jun 11 at 11:06 pm
Hey Brett,
Sorry not to have replied before now. I haven’t heard of a link between iritis and carpL tunnel, but will have a look to see if it’s likely. I had a poke in the eye too from my son about a couple of weeks before each bout. At the time doctors were saying there is no link, but I have since seen research to say that there can be.
I’m not sure about Yakult really affecting gastric diseases, but there is some reasonable research that shows it can help your immune system, and it’s that which causes iritis and I believe ulcerative colitis. I don’t think it will help everyone, but it’s worth a shot.
I wrote a comment above on PeterM’s comment saying that after your posts I also had a colonoscopy which thankfully was clear, but thanks for pushing me to it.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
28 Jun 11 at 11:16 pm
Hi, I also have recurring Iritis. What works for me is the generic PRESCRIPTION antihistamine “Hydroxyzine HCL 25mg” Take a pill 2 to 4 hours apart (depending on severity of pain) and the symptoms clear within 24 hours. Over the years I have stopped 3 outbreaks and have been Iritis free for about 4 years now. Obviously, ask your doctor.
Steve
25 Jul 11 at 4:33 am
Thanks Steve, that’s interesting as from memory that’s a pretty common antihistamine. I can see that the mechanisms would be similar too. Can I ask you if you also saw an increase in allergies at about the same time? I am now allergic to dust mites, but haven’t had any problems until the last few years.
Simon
26 Jul 11 at 11:25 am
Hi,
I am currently experiencing chronic iritis. This bout started in March in the right eye, eased up early May and now back again in both eyes. Before this I my previous bout was mid last year, 1 year before that, and 2 years prior to that. Seems the onset of the cold and flu session is when it rears it’s ugly head, though I very rarely get a cold or flu myself. Everyone in my team at work has had confirmed influenza this season, but my immune system must be working overtime big time.
I was diagnosed HLA-B27 positive some 13 years ago, and though I am not classed as having AS, I do have some very slight fusion in the thoracic spine and SI joints.
My rheumatologist has now suggested a course of Azathiorprine may assist with condition. Though my eye specialist was pretty non plussed last time I spoke with him about it.
Can’t say I’ve found any difference with the condition between when I’m extremely good with my diet and nutrition, or when I tend to be a bit slack. But I am going to try 2 months of no dairy, and switch to soy as well as trying the yakult.
Has anyone here had any positives from the use of immunosuppressants ? Would appreciate any feedback please ?
Tracey
27 Jul 11 at 5:42 pm
Wow! I am shocked and suprized to see all of this. I really thought this was more of a rarity. I am 41 and my first bought of Iritis was at about age 11/12. Although, no one could say what it was until my 3rd and worst case when I was about 21/22. All of my bouts only lasted a couple of months (which makes me feel lucky after my readings here) with the same aforementioned drops & cremes depending on the severity. My Iritis re-occurs every 5 or so years until this last year when I had it in June(2010) and then again this year (May 2011). I have always been okay with it other than the annoyance of it and severe pain. I had it so bad that I could not see the big “E” on the eye chart in the ER (I think they thought I was lying). Talk about driving – out of the question – the stabbing pain is present even if I cover the affected eye. There are pictures of me at Disney World with my family when I was 11/12 with sunglassess, hat with a visor and I still had my head down and hands cupped over my eyes.
Anyway, enough of memory lane. I do also feel lucky I have never had it in both eyes… however, my daughter has now had it twice begining at age 15 and this year (along with me) at her age of 20. I did have some trama to my eye when I was about 6 I ran into a lit cigarette, but the doctors say it has nothing to do with it. I’ve never had any or heard of all these tests. My specialist told me that all the tests they have are a waste of time and money because no one knows what causes it.
My biggest concern right now is that this last bout I had while taking the drops I seemed to have quite a severe reaction to the drops… nervousness, anxiety, panic. I didn’t know what was happening to me at first. I asked the nurse about the nervousness she said it was from the steriods (generic pred-forte) and that it would go away as I started to wean myself off. That would have been fine except that, that takes a while, three weeks of severe anxiety! I was ready to go have my eye removed. Somehow I made it. But now I am seemingly anxious about getting it again.
Seems like my eye is still not completely right. Some pain after overuse, lots of dust (like after I cut the grass) and sunlight on white rocks. I know that sounds weird. oh well, I’m seriously thinking about going vegan, or maybe mixed vegan with organic meat and dairy? Not sure if I want to hook my system on probiotics. Although, my daughter also has IBS & I’ve been trying to get her to do the probiotic thing. Just thought I would share. But I am definetely bookmarking this site & plan to visit back to see if anyone really finds the cure.
Brenda
2 Aug 11 at 10:04 am
Hey Tracey,
I remember reading about it a while back and to be honest it’s my big hope for iritis and similar issues (although it brings problems of it’s own). For me this would be a huge area for proper clinical research as it affects smokers as their prolonged coughing after a cold is due to a hyperactive immune system rather than a weakened set of lungs.
If anyone has any experience please let Tracey and me know.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
3 Aug 11 at 7:05 am
Hey Brenda,
Wow you’ve had it a while! With your daughter getting it too I’m guessing there is a genetic component to your particular case. You could get the test for that as it will at least let you know what is causing things.
Have a read down the comments as there are suggestions from other people too. Including vitamins and an interesting one on using antihistamines once you are getting problems. In the probiotics, I don’t think you get addicted to those. My system seem quite happy to be off them for a while.
I’ve never heard of pred forte giving the problems you got, but the gritty eye syndrome seems common.
Anyway, let me know how you and your daughter go if you try anything. At some point I’d like doctors to be looking at this as a starting point for more research.
Btw – I had been told that eye trauma was not a factor too, but there is reference now to trauma induced iritis. With your daughter getting it as well there may be more evidence for genetics at least giving you a predisposition towards it though.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
3 Aug 11 at 7:18 am
Another question on top of the immunosuppressants…anyone else with Iritis or HLA-B27 + been found to have very (and I mean very) low levels of Vitamin D ??
Tracey
11 Aug 11 at 10:20 pm
Hey Tracey,
It’s funny you should say that I have been meaning to ask the same question. I have recently started taking Vitamin D in reasonable quantities after I heard about the beneficial effects on the immune system. I don’t really know whether it’s doing any good, but I would be interested in others comments too.
For your info., the standard tablets you get over here are 500-600mg of vitamin D. This is not enough to compensate for the use we make of the compound (it’s actually not a vitamin despite the name). I’ve heard figures in the range of 1000mg, but actually more like 2000mg being more like the correct dosage. I currently take 1600mg.
Vitamin D is normally produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight. However it’s production declines sharply as we get older. Also the use of suncreams reduces the production of vitamin D quite substantially.
If anyone wants to know more about vitamin D, let me know. I heard about it on a computer security podcast of all places, but can find a link for anyone that wants it.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
11 Aug 11 at 11:49 pm
Hi,
i first had iritis when i was 15, im now 25 and its still as bad as its ever been, on maxidex at the moment which will clear it up for a few weeks if im lucky a month, during my iritis spells ive tried pred forte with cytopentilate ( diluting drop) maxidex which im on now, and even fml which is a lower dosage eye drop that is to be taking once a day for the long run, but even that didnt help, im starting to feel like im more qualified than some of the doctors that treat me as on occasion had to tell them the type of drop im usually on, literally just came across this blog , will be heading straight to the supermarket in the morning and stocking up on yakult, hope it works, anythings worth a try,
thomas
13 Sep 11 at 12:14 pm
Hello Simon,
I have been v. interested in this blog as, like others, have recurring Iritus – 3-4 times annually, for over 40 years – with a 5 year break after pregnancy.
I was interested in what seems to cause a flare-up, as well as what people are doing to avoid the problem. A summary of comments on your blog:
Initial Factor?
Sinusitus
Irritable bowel syndrome
Herpes simplex virus
Poke/Blow to the eye
Flu & tonsilitus
Very bad cold
Brucellosis
Gall bladder removal 6 months before
Before subsequent Outbreaks:
Physical
Hayfever
Coldsore
Mouth ulcer/canker sores
Cold
Ankolysing Spondilitis
Rheumatoid Arthritus
Pregnancy
stomach problems
Eating lots of honey
Lumens (Excess of bright light)
Mental (Stres related?)
Before Christmas
Before holidays
during holidays
over-work
menopause
Co-existing health problems
Blepharitis
Ankolysing Spondilitis
Rheumatoid Arthritus
ulcerative colitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
HLA-B27 positive
Potential Alleviators
Yakult Drink
Probiotics
No cows milk
Elimination Diet
Lysine (AMINO ACID)
Pregnancy
Any drink with Lactobacillus casei
Vitamin D
PRESCRIPTION antihistamine “Hydroxyzine HCL 25mg”
Barbara
20 Sep 11 at 12:16 am
Hey Thomas,
It’s worth checking out the comment above too. A lot of people have said what they find to be useful and this does a really good job of summing them up.
Hope the Yakult goes well for you. Let us know by posting again if you could.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
21 Sep 11 at 9:21 pm
Great summary Barbera, and thanks for doing this. I’ve been meaning to get this together for a while.
Is anyone interested in me setting up a more private community. Where we can help each other through this problem, but not out in the open? If you are, let me know and I’ll set something up.
Simon
21 Sep 11 at 9:25 pm
Hi Simon – I would be interested in anything that might assist in reducing my bouts of iritus!
Also – I was thinking it would be interesting to put together a survey of/for people with iritus, using this summary above – I can volunteer to do this as I have a corporate Survey Monkey account. I am interested to learn how many people have the concurrent disorders, and what life-style change or natural remedy has helped the most people.
And – can’t find Yakult in Canada – but I continue to look. I am taking probiotics daily now to see if that helps.
Barbara
24 Sep 11 at 2:37 am
Hi Simon and everyone else!
I was just diagnosed with Iritis for the first time yesterday! The doc said it is ‘mild to moderate’ iritis. It first started on Sept. 6 but it took me a couple of weeks to get around to having it seen. The optometrist initially thought episcleritis and gave me Systane drops and I stopped contact lens wear for 4 days, the red eye cleared up, but only for about 1 day, and it recurred. Basically, since Sept. 6 I have had it for about 5 or 6 days then it cleared up for about 1 to 2 days, and this happened twice, then the 3rd time was last Tuesday. I’m currently using the steroid eye-drops Prednefrin Forte and they are working well (only my 2nd day with them today). But I have been told to NOT wear my contacts while I am using drops which is annoying, but obviously eye-health is the priority!
It’s good to see your site here, and I will read through the comments, I think I will try out Yakult now, I don’t think I’ve ever had it before!
I noticed that each time I had the recurrence of Iritis it was towards the end of a ‘long’ day when I was getting tired and feeling a bit run down, in fact it felt like I was starting to come down with a cold, but no cold actually eventuated, just a bloody and unsightly red eye!!
I just turned 40 by the way, I celebrated my 40th with a nice red eye!
Cheers,
Michael
Melbourne, Vic
Michael
24 Sep 11 at 2:41 pm
I thought I would add to that I have had some sort of eczema / dermatitis since about 2004/5. I read that very interesting article in a link in this blog above about Burgess Laughlin and Dr. McDougall’s diet, I will go back over it later. Burgess explains his progress to good health explaining how all his ailments ended with ‘itis’ meaning that they were all inflamations in different parts of his body, I think he put this down to his immune system attacking his body mistakenly.
Maybe there is a link between my dermatitis / eczema and the iritis?
Michael
25 Sep 11 at 12:35 pm
Hi Simon,
I stumbled across your site when researching iritis and I have to say thank you for all your hard work, and that of your contributors. Reading everyone’s words makes me feel like I’m part of a special group! I’m just going through another bout of iritis and am so frustrated by it. Mine has a genetic link/marker though – a blood test during the last bout three years ago confirmed this. What I find frustrating is my first bout was in 1996, then in ’98 – then nothing until 2008! And now again this week – three years later. After reading the other stories I feel I get off pretty lightly. I just find it astounding that 10 years passed before it hit me again. I guess there’s no telling what the immunse system will do. Your site is very helpful, there are a few things I’m going to check out – Vitamin D for one. Thanks Simon
Cheryl - Windsor, Brisbane
2 Oct 11 at 1:19 pm
I cured myself of iritis having been treated for some 7 years with prednefrin.
One day my lens got stuck to the front of my eye and it eventually resulted in a cataract operation.
Even after the cataract operation I was still having iritis attacks and gradually causing more retinal damage.
I had searched the internet for many years only to find that the eye doctor was doing the right thing.
I used to have an iritis attach only a few months after stopping prednefrin.
The solution is that iritis is an autoimmune disease so all you have to do is fix your immune system and it goes away.
Now I didn’t believe there was anything wrong with my immune system apart from having high cholesterol.
I posted my cure on iritis.org and got banned.
One day I found on the internet that high chloesterol is the bodies mechanism for protecting you against tokins.
For quite a different reason I searched the mercury forum and I discovered it caused iritis.
I had 12 amalgam fillings and one root canal tooth and I found that amalgam fillings leak mercury and this was the cause of my faulty immune system. I live in Brisbane and went to see Dr Eric Davis http://www.ericdavisdental.com/
Each time he removed a quadrant of amalgam and replaced it with ceramic he gave me some intravenus vitamin C.
He removed my root canal tooth.
I went through a chelation process and have been fine ever since. I got iritis first when I was 48 and I am now 60.
Interesting my cholesteral dropped right down after the chelatin process.
My diet has changed considerably.
Hope this helps
Andrew Sheppard
5 Oct 11 at 1:56 pm
Hi,
on this advice, I have been drinking Yakult for a year (since my last bout), and I have just been diagnosed again. The Yakult theory seems sound (and it does pep me up in the mornings!), but it just doesnt seem to work for me.
I’ve also tried Lysine, Bromelian, Quercetin, Omega 3, Rooibos and the Eye Supplements compound from H&B. All to no avail.
One theory has arisen however – the iritis occured within days of the farmer spraying crops next door with a foul smelling chemical pesticide (which filled the house when the wind blew). A little research suggested that this can be a cause of iritis and it has been happening at the same time each year.
Anyone else come across this?
MatthewLED
5 Oct 11 at 10:07 pm
Simon,
what was the reason you decided not put up my post?
Could you please email me on andrew.sheppard@pobox.com
It would appreciate knowing why. Iritis.Org does not permit the amalgam solution but it did work for me.
Thanks in advance
Andrew Sheppard
7 Oct 11 at 8:32 am
Hi simon,
Its good to hear that Yakult drink help you! I have choronic iritis with secandary glucoma. I Suffer last 1 year, The uvitis never gone. I went to so many ophthalmologist in london including harley street.I went to Moorfields Eye Hospital.I went to western eye hospital.I Went to some top hospitals in tamil nadu in india also went to sri lanka. NO ONE CURE ME FROM THAT horrible diseases!
Finely, I fedup, also give up. One day my wife took me to one ophthalmologist, He Cured Me. His name is PROFESSOR WILLIAM AYLIFFE.
If you have uvitis- Cause is very hard to find out.Dont waste your time. Find out If You are HLA B27 Possitive or negative and start the treatment.
satheeskumar
24 Oct 11 at 5:24 am
That’s great thanks for the feedback. It’s worth mentioning to anyone in the UK.
Personally I am not HLA B27 positive so can’t really do any of these treatments. Can you tell us what they involve?
Simon
24 Oct 11 at 10:47 am
Hey Andrew,
Really sorry, I had missed a few emails coming in, but have approved your post. It’s an interesting solution. How many others out there have metal filling? I know I have, so next time I’m in for a replacement I’ll get them swapped to ceramic. Can you tell us why he also gave you a vitamin C drip?
Simon
24 Oct 11 at 10:51 am
Sorry that the Yakult didn’t work for you. That’s interesting that you can see the same period when the pesticide gets sprayed as when you get iritis. I should have a look at the spraying times here where I live. They spray the mangroves during the summer to keep the mozzies down, but I’m not sure when. I’ll see if they publish the times anywhere and let you know if I can tie them in with my bout.
Simon
24 Oct 11 at 10:55 am
Thanks Michael,
I must admit that I have tried extremely strict diets before with no luck, but that’s not saying that they won’t work for you and I would encourage people to give it a try and report back. Sadly there really isn’t any feedback on the site that I can find. For anyone that is interested here are some site links: -
- http://www.drmcdougall.com/free_1.html
- http://www.drmcdougall.com/free_4d.html
Cheers
Simon
Simon
24 Oct 11 at 11:07 am
Hey Michael,
Sorry to hear you have iritis and that I didn’t get to comment very quickly! I first got iritis at about the same age too. I was on Prednefrin Forte too, so you are on the right drop, which is good. Are you on the Homatropine to dilate the pupil? That was the one I didn’t enjoy as it sets you focus and makes it harder to see without closing one eye! It also takes a long time to recover from that one. Typically I reckon it was a least a month if not longer before my pupils were the same size again. Handy for Halloween this week, but not much good for anything else!
Simon
24 Oct 11 at 11:13 am
Hi Simon, (I am the same Michael as in the 2 consecutive posts above on 24th and 25th September in case you are wondering!)
I was just on the Prednefrin Forte drops for 4 weeks, 4 drops daily for 1 week, then 3 drops daily for a week, 2 drops daily, then 1 drop daily, I stopped the drops last Sunday, and so far so good! That’s the only medication I was taking, not pupil dilating drops. I’m seeing my eye doctor again on Monday coming up.
I’m lucky, my eye-doctor described it as ‘very mild’ iritis, it was 80% better he said, after just 3 days on the drops.
He gave me a couple of interesting bits of advice, he said that about 30% of sufferers have recurrence, and also I mentioned to the doc about people getting ‘hooked’ on the drops and therefore getting a recurrence when they stop the drops; he made the point that perhaps people are stopping using the drops earlier than the doc recommends, the eye may appear better long before the recommended course of drops is finished as in my case. This may be partly doctor-speak, but it made some sense to me… make sure you finish the full recommended course of drops. Any good eye-doc I assume, is aware of the potential side-effects of the drops, and will be keeping a very close eye on that!!
My doc, said if I have a recurrence, THEN he will order blood tests and look harder at why I got it, I had no obvious cause for it, no known associated condition.
Cheers,
Michael
Michael
28 Oct 11 at 7:03 pm
** I have some metal fillings by the way! I think most people have them don’t they? **
Michael
28 Oct 11 at 7:05 pm
It sounds like you must have had it quite mild. I was on drops every hour for a week, then gradually going down from there. It drives you nuts after a while, so I must admit that I tapered off quicker then the doctor said. I didn’t stop before I just didn’t like the large change in drop volume, as you say I’m sure your eye gets used to them. What I used to do is if I had a week of drops every 4 hours followed by a week at 6 hours, half way through I used to change to 5 hours so I got a more gradual reduction.
The dilation drops are the hardest too as I mention, they really mess up your vision. I used to sit reading the computer screen with one hand over the eye so I could focus on it properly with the other.
The other thing that is worth mentioning is that you should always, always give your drops a good shake before you use them. Most of these drops are suspensions that settle over time and not shaking them results in really uneven doses.
I had the blood test too, but was negative, and I have to say I don’t have any of the associated problems either thankfully. My doctors to be honest really lost interest when they couldn’t really track it down and are putting it down to a bad case of chicken pox when I was younger!
Simon
28 Oct 11 at 10:03 pm
Yeah, as for shaking the bottle, I’m really glad the pharmacist mentioned that, otherwise I may not have done any shaking of the bottle, I’ve never shaken any other non-prescription drops… interesting how the pharmacist’s advice can be as or even more important than the doctor’s!!
I’ll be honest and say I am rather disdainful of doctors with their approach to things like eczema and iritis, when they don’t know the cause and all they can do is hand out the stock-standard treatment. It seems as if they don’t really care about the cause, I wouldn’t even bother going to my doc now about eczema, all he will do is prescribe steroid cream (terrific!! pain in the arse to use it, you’re not supposed to use it long-term, AND it does not cure it, just keeps it at bay WHILE you are using the cream). And when I ask what is causing the eczema, he says things like, it’s stress, it’s the heat, you body hair in that area making you hotter… great help!! I hope you don’t think I’m getting side-tracked here; it seems iritis sort of falls into the same category, they don’t know what causes it usually, AND they don’t really seem to care! I think if the doctor had bouts of iritis he may be a lot more interested in what causes it and how to prevent it, rather than just treat it when it happens!
Anyway, now that’s off my chest!
Michael
29 Oct 11 at 9:18 am
Thanks to Andrew Sheppard for mentioning the amalgam fillings. I have just browsed online and there are countless pages and sites mentioning links between MERCURY and iritis, at least anecdotally.
(I’m the same ‘Michael’ as immediately above and some earlier posts)
I’ve been off the Pred drops for just one week and I suspect a recurrence albeit very mild, even milder than last time, nevertheless I’m depressed about it. I see the ophthalmologist tomorrow, Monday, which I suppose is good…
I’ll quiz him about mercury and other things.
I have also gone almost VEGETARIAN since June, so just over 4 months now, although I still eat fish, AND my FISH INTAKE would have multiplied by about three times or more, fish is the only meat I eat, is there mercury content in fish????
And, I have at least 3 amalgam fillings which I believe contain mercury, and I a habit of occasionally grinding my back teeth a bit where the fillings are.
My first iritis attack came on the very same day as my last dental visit, for a scale and clean!! About 10 hours after…
Interesting… all just coincidences…??
Michael, Melbourne, Vic
30 Oct 11 at 1:44 pm
Hey Michael,
Sorry to here you have had a bit of a recurrence. I just thought I would comment that fish is not that great for mercury content. I’m guessing that it depends a bit of the fish, but I know that in the UK, where I am from originally, there was always reports of high mercury content in cold sea fish. I think this is due to mercury pooling in the poles, but don’t hold me to it!
Cheers
Simon
Simon
30 Oct 11 at 4:13 pm
Hi simon,
I think you are lucky,because most austaralian are HLA B27 positive.
Everyone cases are individual.I treated by Immunosuppressive drugs.I am also hla b27 negative. It dosent mean you need the same drugs.
Uvitis cause by IBS,May be get better with Yakult drink.Doesnt need Immunosuppressive drugs.Sorry.Its depent how serve your uvitis aswell.
I think allways speak to some one who specializes in Uvitis.Most opthamologists dosent know how to treat this disease.sorry, Do you have IBS?
satheeskumar
30 Oct 11 at 10:56 pm
Hi, this is a fantastic website. I have been suffering from iritis, first in my left eye (three years) with a break of about 2-3 years and now in my right eye, which has been affected for over 2 years now. I have been taking prednefrin forte drops consistently for a two year period. As soon as I stop the drops the iritis is back after 10 days. I am now on methotrexate pills (7 weeks) and have just had my second flare up whilst on them. I am soooo frustrated with this disease. The flare up that I am currently suffering from is definitely less intense than usual and I have waited for a week before restarting the drops. I have taken Yakult in the past, but didn’t seem to have any improvement in the iritis, just a bit better in the stomach, but I am thinking I might give it another go! In the period of time that I wasn’t suffering from iritis, I got very severe cold sores for which I discovered L-Lysine pills which definitely work. I might combine them with the Yakult and see if I have any improvement. Will let you know.
Lynda
31 Oct 11 at 6:47 am
Simon,
After you have your amalgam’s removed you have to undergo chelation to remove the built up mercury in the body. The dentist, Dr Eric Davis has a nutritionist working with him Jim Noonan who looks after removing the mercury from the body. There are two main ways, chemically and using vitamins so naturally the vitamin approach is what Eric and Jim recommend. Vitamin C is the main chelation agent for mercury. So the normal process, besides other vitamins, is large amounts of Vitamin C. Now, since I would get Iritis at a drop of a hat Eric was very mindful that removing the amalgam could result in a slight build-up of mercury despite using a rubber dam and extractor fans etc. He thought it wise to have intravenous Vitamin C after each quadrant. You cannot chelate the mercury when you still have fillings because it would leach it out into the body and cause more problems. So I had in all four lots of intravenous vitamin C, one for each quadrant until I could start the chelation process.
I have changed my diet considerably but one thing I was told was never to eat seafood and I buy rock salt rather than sea salt.
An interesting story was a lady had multiple sclerosis, which is an autoimmune disease, and the doctors could only provide drugs to prolong her useful life. She went to Eric Davis Dental, had her amalgams replaced with ceramic and after chelation she walked away from her wheelchair. She was told never to have seafood but one Christmas she had a few prawns and the small amount of mercury in the prawns was sufficient to put her back in the wheelchair until the mercury was again chelated out.
There are many toxins besides mercury and Fluoride is a toxin so we have a reverse osmosis water filter that removes the Fluoride. Eric Davis has a completely fluoride free dental practice.
For the first few years I carry around a script for prednefrin but now I don’t as the scripts keep expiring.
I start each morning with a glass of lemon juice ( we squeeze lemons and turn them into ice blocks) to which we add Vitamin C powder.
I mentioned in a previous post that I had high cholesterol and when Jim told me to change my diet to a high fat, high protein low carbohydrate diet I was concerned about having a heart attack. He reassured me by saying “ There is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body called methionine and in the presence of toxin it mutates to homocysteine and it is the presence of homocysteine that causes the LDL to attach to the arteries. By taking folic Acid, B6 and B12 the homocysteine is retuned back to methionine” So I also take folic acid and a B complex.
Hope this helps
Andrew Sheppard
31 Oct 11 at 10:26 pm
Hi,
Thank you to everyone for contributing to this discussion. Andrew, the connection between amalgam fillings and an iritis outbreak is an interesting one.
I had my first bout of iritis in my left eye only, about 12 years ago. Unfortunately, it was misdiagnosed at first, but when I eventually received the correct treatment, it cleared up and didn’t recur until the exact time of the following year – late October and after a hot day!
The second time I was onto it quickly and within a few hours, I’d seen the specialist, started with the drops and iritis didn’t fully develop. Around this time, I came across an article in a magazine written by a long term iritis sufferer. He claimed to have freed himself of iritis with regular vitamin A supplements.
I took a vitamin A supplement daily for 10 years or so and had no iritis. Other iritis sufferers I know have also tried vitamin A with good success.
However, for the last couple of years I haven’t bothered taking the supplements. A week ago, I had an amalgam filling replaced, top left jaw and after a few days, pain started to develop. I had been thinking about contacting the dentist because the pain was increasing rather than subsiding, but the pain was above my jaw, rather than at the site of the dental work. After a hot day last Sunday, the pain was enough to keep me awake, but it wasn’t until this morning (Thursday) that I woke to blurry vision and inflammation in my left eye. In less than a hour of taking vitamin A, my vision has cleared.
Unfortunately, I can’t remember if my previous iritis attacks correlate with dental treatment. I also start each day with a glass of unsweetened lemon juice and take vitamin C powder a couple of times per week, but in future I’ll be careful to take vitamin A and increase my vitamin C intake before and after any dental work.
Duster
10 Nov 11 at 9:18 am
Hi Duster,
I omitted to say that I also take pharmaceutical grade Cod Liver Oil daily to keep up my Omega 3-6-9 since I don’t eat seafood.
As you know both Vitamin A and Vitamin D are contained in Cod Liver Oil and is a vital ingredient of a healthy immune system.
Your suggestion of Vitamin A is good because anything that boosts the immune system can only help in the prevention of iritis.
Andrew Sheppard
18 Dec 11 at 3:45 pm
Started getting eye pain upon wakening about 8 months ago. very painful, red, sensitive to light…thought it was an eye allergy as I’ve had lots of allergies and congestion. kept a cold wet compress on it and seemed to go away in about 3 or 4 hours. last week woke with the same thing only very painful (have had about 12 of these episodes) and went to see eye dr. she said iritis, dilated for 3 days, eyes drops hourly, then every 4 hours. several days later roof of right side of mouth broke out in large sores (never had before). havent been able to eat much in last week. need to figure out what is going on….I had a stent put in a major artery to my stomach a year ago, have arthritis in base of neck and have migraines. Not even sure where to begin to get my body strong.
Debra
9 Jan 12 at 9:01 am
Hey Debra,
Have a look at the comments below for a summary of recommendations. However, I would also try to get your doctor to give you the DNA test for genetic predisposition. I’m really only saying that because you mention the arthritis. Typically with iritis they check for arthritis in the hips but it might be worth getting tested. Having said that the test doesn’t really get you anywhere, so I would still look at the supplement recommendations, try Yakult, vitamin D, check your fillings etc.
Cheers
Simon
Simon
10 Jan 12 at 9:35 am