Mucous Fishing Syndrome

[skygoddess]

I have been to so many specialist, multiple contact allergy tests, and not one of them thought to mention to me that if you are allergic to latex, or rubber, you are also most likely allergic to bananas, avocados, kiwi, and chestnuts.

I only mention this here because when I stopped eating these foods, and putting avocado oil on my hair for a conditioner,
NO MORE MUCUS STRINGS!

I was eating a banana almost every other day. Our free company clinic physicians assistant warned me about the danger when I dropped in for a conjunctivitis episode. I had eaten a banana that morning.

I spent thousands of dollars on tests, and a free clinic helped me the most.
Figures.

If I do have an exposure, I put myself into a diphenhydramine hydrochloride induced coma for a night,
cold compresses, and it is usually over by the next morning.

Also try sitting on your hands, till the benadryl kicks in

acetylcysteine, NSAIDs, restasis and mucous filaments

Hello everyone. What you describe is called filamentary keratitis, and besides being a symptom of worsening dry eye, it unfortunately becomes the reason for fast deterioration of all the markers of the disease, especiall the condition of the cornea and its sensitivity, which in turn increases dryness and inflammation.....and there you have a snowball that is so hard to stop....

I have been suffering from this condition as well. What helped me initially was the frequent use of restasis, which seems to "precipitate" the mucous strands out of their hiding places onto the surface or in the corner of the eye. Contrary to what most doctors will tell you (not to touch), it is essential that these visible (tangible) filaments be removed. You can do that in front of the mirror, using the tip of a tissue paper which touches only the filament, not the surface of the eye.

Next, you need to instill 4 times a day a potent NSAID drop like Xibrom or Voltaren. It has been shown in clinical experience to resolve the mucus filaments after about 28 days, especially when combined with a mild steroid.

You need to instill Acetylcysteine drops as well, as they might be the single most important medication which can resolve filamentary keratitis. Like with the other medications, results are not seen immediately, adn it might feel like the pain and dryness increases; but that is just becoz these drops really sting, especially in the beginning. If you persevere, at least for about 20 days, you will notice the difference.

In addition you will need to take Acetylcysteine by mouth. I recommend the dosage that helped me, which is minimum 1500 mg a day. It reduces inflammation, normalizes immune function, dissolves mucus, and does a myriad of other things, which lead to dramatic alleviation of eye pain and discomfort.

You might want to try instilling saline solution 5% in your eyes, 4 times daily. That helps too.

[blondee028]

string white mucous , finally gone

This must be one of the most embarassing conditions people suffer. I have had this for many years and have tried to get help from several eye specialists. The last time, a few months ago, the doctor told me that this was a very boring condition for eye specialists - much like a neurologist would find epilepsy not as interesting as other neurological diseases.

Each time I have been, they send me off with a different eye drop to try and of course I know I should not touch my eyes. Nothing has worked. Even when I have tried very hard not to touch my eyes for months, the mucous is still there and I feel it. I feel I must produce so much more than most people. I am very self consious and would feel embarrassed if people saw mucous in the corner of my eyes - so I remove it. I started using a tissue as I think of the germs on fingers.

This is not something I can talk to anyone about. I really suffer from having to live with this. When I went to the specialist I printed off a net article about how a guy was helped. He was given an agent to decrease mucous production, etc and he was gradually helped. The doctor dismissed this info even though it was from a reputable journal. It is not as simple as using eye drops or stopping the removal. I need help and I don't know what else to do. Over the years, my condition seems to have just got worse. Even using an eye bath doesn't help - the mucous seems to heavy to be moved by the saline liquid.

Even though I know I am damaging the surface of my eye and could possibly end up with droopy lid syndrome, I can't stop this. I can barely even bring up my issue with a doctor let alone anyone else. My partner is supportive but gets sick of me doing it of course. It must be very unattarctive to others.

I wish there was support from others suffering as I know they must be out there. Maybe someone who has gone through this could provide advice. My eyes always look tired. Even though the mucous only looks tiny, it feels like a heavy weight on my eyes. I am at my wits end with this.

I know what you are going thru especially if someone is watching you ( they think your crazy) I have been going thru this for years and years. Doctor after doctor. Well this past week something happened but I couldn't put my finger on it. All of a sudden my eyes were clear, no slime, at all. Even when I wake up in the morning. ( thats when its usually the worst) Well I started taking these vitamins for the hair, seemed like my eyes cleared up two days later. So I read the ingreidents , they are for hair , bones and skin. I notice they had silica in them > so I did some research after intense reseaching I found where it says silica stops the production of excess mucous in your body. So I went to the store and got another bottle of just silica and added that to my hair, skin and bones vits. I have not had any white stringy mucous in my eyes since. First time in 15 yrs. Seems like your body requires this and for some reason my didn't. I am happy its finally gone.

[locky]

conjuctivitis

I have read all the posts concerning mucus discharge i too have this problem and i have real self concious issues. Mucus discharge is a result of inflammation or allergic exposure i.e blepharitis, mgd, dry eye, allergy etc you require testing if you have a mucus discharge the most common testing are as follows. Blood IGE testing (skin prick test) R.A.S.T blood test, tear IGE test (lacrimal test) to identify allergys , if your blood IGE is negitive and your tear IGE is possitive you still could have allergic conjuctivitis my advise get all three tests carried out then your doctor can determine the right tratment for you. Blepharitis can cause bleapharo-conjuctivitis , if your eyes react to irritants, chemical exposure, smoke ect you are likely to have this form of conjuctivitis. Claymidia can also cause conjuctivitis and requires testing ,viral or bacterial is unlikely if your mucus is chronic these are some forms of conjuctivitis....

LOCKY

[Schlem]

Schlem

OMGosh!

I can totally relate to all of you when it comes to eye "schlem". That is what my friend who is in medical school calls my eye mucus. To lay it out there plain and simple:
1) It is SO disgusting and SO embarassing
2) I have tried a number of treatment plans to no avail (eye plugs, restasis, optivar and am now on pataday, prednisolone and minocycline)
3) Most Opthamologist don't seem to take much of an interest in this HUGE problem.

And I don't remember who said it, but I totally know what you are talking about with the mucus "triangles" - lol! It is seriously such a huge, daily problem for me (and you). I sit in class, in the car, on a date, etc....and pick eye "bugers"/schlem/mucus (whatever you want to call it) out of my eyes. I seriously thought I was a total freak since I personally do not know anyone who suffers from this. I was up late last night and deceided to google "fishing eye discharge" and it got me here! My doctor had told me they call it 'fishing'. And when they first told me it is a combination of severe dry eye and an allergic reaction to whatever I thought they were nuts. I know I have dry eyes but I have never had allergies. I do not take claritin, I have never been to an allergist, I mean when I say no allergies - I mean what is wrong with my eyes! Okay, I'm rambling. Back to my schlem for now...

[EyEcU]

I never had the mucus 'strings' associated with Dry Eye; I had the constant white mucus globs for over 5-years on the inside corners of my eyes. I am now fixed though.

Background: I had really bad GPC from 15-years of contact neglect and my contacts drove me crazy. Also had constant mucus at the corners of my eyes and ended up getting Intra-Lasik to try to fix both my eye sight and the mucous problem. After surgery, my sight was great but the mucous was still there a year later.

After countless of hours of internet research and a fantastic eye doctor who listened to my findings and worked with me on trying new things, here's what worked for me:


1. Eye maintenance: I had neglected proper cleansing around my eyes for my whole life (I use a face wash but apparently that's not enough) so now I use Ocusoft Eye Foam every morning. HIGHLY recommended. This was key as I had to get my eyelids cleaned up first in order to treat the GPC. Can buy online.

2. Lotemax to get my GPC under control. Need a doctor's prescription. This step eliminated a good portion of the mucous, only leaving a small discharge throughout the day. Still way annoying though in social situations as it was constant, just in smaller portions.

3. Optivar for allergies. I've used Alaway and a few others but they did nothing to get rid of the mucus. With Optivar, I saw results immeditately. Unfortunately, it is by doctor's prescription as well and expensive but after 5+ years of becoming an introvert due to my mucus problem, it has given me a new lease on life. I can go out and socialize again without the constant worry of wondering if there is mucus in the corners of my eyes.

[Delilah]

NAC Eye Drops

N-acetyl-L-cysteine eye drops are the drops that I tried for my mucus strings, it dissolves the mucus but makes your eyes extremely dry and it didn't help at all, I found that it didn't really dissolve the mucus but only made my eyes even more dry. You also have to have these drops compounded as well. Those were the first drops I tried before the fish oil eye drops, the fish oil drops worked like I said for only 3 weeks, it's been years since I have tried them again. I hope this information has been helpful to all of you that are suffering from the mucus strings. D

[Delilah]

Hello Everyone

I usually post on the daily check in but I got an e-mail from someone that is suffering from the same thing as I have been for 5 years now. It's extremely embarassing and it's a hassle having to pull the strings out, blocking your vision and making you feel like your going out of your mind. When I first got it in 2003 I thought I was losing my mind and found this site. Next year will be 5 years that I've been dealing with this B.S. and I've done just about everything there could be done for it.

The only thing I use now is preservative free eye drops and muro 128, it burns but it gets rid of the mucus strings for awhile. I got a perscription for "fish oil eye drops" from the eye doctor and he sent them in to Leiters Pharmacy in California and they ship them to you. It worked for 3 weeks and it was nice but then it came back. I also had tried another eye drop that is suppose to melt the mucus strings but doing research I found out that it causes your eyes to be more dry and I can't think of the drop right now it's been so long that I've used it.

The compounding pharmacy can make many kinds of eye drops for you, so do some research on-line, Leiters Pharmacy. I know that not many suffer from the mucus strings, it's mostly dry eye which I suffer from as well and it makes it worse when there is the mucus strings. I have become use to my problem and just deal with it, I know it's hard when it first starts and you think your losing your mind but the only thing you can do is keep trying drops that work for you. Feel free to ask me any questions or even vent, having this now for 5 years I've become a bit of an expert lol. D

I get mucus buildup in the corner of my eyes about 3-4 times a day. It blurs my vision sometimes so I just gently remove it with a q tip.

[Rebecca Petris]

(Just fyi... we had two new users post in this thread and I moved their posts to the Open Forum for more visibility. Sorry, I know the forums can be difficult to navigate.)

[kakinda]

Just a thought but have you tried acetylsysteine?
It helps disolving mucos systemically (in the whole body). I've tried it myself and maybe it help ... not really sure since my mucos dependes a lot on allergies... so too many variables.
but ask your doc about it
take care
Kakinda

[angela641]

I use Restasis... I was told it takes 3 months for any results... so i am still waiting.

[kaypeeoh]

We were treating this condition in animals nearly 30 years ago, using aceytlcysteine and cyclosporine. Both drugs can be put in an eyedrop. Cyclosporine dissolves in lipids. In the U.S. if a doctor writes a prescription, custom pharmacies can make the stuff up. I use the veterinary version of cyclosporine, called Optimmune. The human version is Restasis. I imagine acetylcysteine could be added to Restasis. Just a guess.

[Mika]

well. i said ointment did help me....
but beware, its an ill for an ill...like i have found from statemen of regular users....
hm...but wat can we do....
but i continue2use ointment in the day n@home i use a.tears.
ointment, due to petroleum, disolve the mucus(like i said above)....well any kind of ointment can be "good"....i use duratears (without preservative)...
n the mucus don't appear4 an average of1 to2hr.. but dat depend upon the atmosphere condition....for e.g in very dry condition, it can appear 30min...n in good condition, for 3hr i can get NO problem...
but well it has indeed help me not to scare people away...
i found dat a.tears specially make the mucus more visible...dont kno y....

[Sydneysider]

Mucous fishing syndrome

Well, at least the dogs are getting help.

Neil says many of us have to deal with this. Is it very common does anyone know, when it gets to the chronic stage like it has for a few of us here?

I of course sympathise with Angela. It is just awful to live with this secretive problem that eats away at you because you feel helpless in knowing what to do and when you do go for help, not much changes. I have MS yet this eye business causes me more inner turmoil. At least I can openly talk about my MS with others and they understand and doctors do all they can to help and i accept there is no cure. With this syndrome, I am always searching for the cure.

I suppose the problem is is that you constantly look people in the eye when communciating. I am always wondering if I have mucous in my eyes as people are talking to me and that's I think what drives me to make sure my eyes are always clean.

I don't have contacts and avoided eye plugs.

The specialist i went to said that they don't know if the mucous consistency changes with "fishers" over time - what a great name hey? I wonder if that's why the problem has become worse over the years.

I undertsand that the problem began with dry eye - it makes perfect sense that the mucous is meant to be a part of the tear fluid for lubrication. In some of us though, this mucous business goes horribly wrong.