autologous serum: comparing different strengths

[Lea]

Hello
I'm in the process of trying to obtain autologous serum drops. Just curious if they have made a considerable difference for anyone?

[Guest]

In these cases, the patients did not need autologous serum drops either, what they needed was a psychiatric consultation.

Wow... thanks for posting that excerpt Irish Eyes... I ended up clicking over to read their entire post... That resident is just despicable... horrible to think that a callous individual like that will be treating patients some day (well, as a resident, I suppose he/she already is treating patients... ugh)



As IF us previously perfectly normal well adjusted people suddenly started losing our minds and spontaneously imagining all this discomfort!

[irish eyes]

Hello
I'm in the process of trying to obtain autologous serum drops. Just curious if they have made a considerable difference for anyone?

Yes, they helped my eyes considerably.

They are not 100% but compared to what they were around 18 months ago, there is a dramatic difference.

We had exhausted all other available options and this was one of the things we had left to try. (I've suffered with DE for many years so there was a solid medical record of my `journey' - and proof that I had been compliant.)

The nurses at the Blood Donor Centre get to meet patients who use autologous serum; I understand that we are quite a diverse group but the feeling is that the majority of us derive benefits from the treatment.

[irish eyes]

Wow... thanks for posting that excerpt Irish Eyes... I ended up clicking over to read their entire post... That resident is just despicable... horrible to think that a callous individual like that will be treating patients some day (well, as a resident, I suppose he/she already is treating patients... ugh)



As IF us previously perfectly normal well adjusted people suddenly started losing our minds and spontaneously imagining all this discomfort!

I wonder why he had such a `downer' on serum - was it the cost?

What else came into his category of "....needing a psychiatric consultation.....". Punctal plugs perhaps - who knows?

For those who he sent to have a chat with a psychiatrist, it would be interesting to know how their eyes are now.

One would hope that if he actually went on to practise medicine , he makes patient care his first concern and that he treats patients with some dignity.

[Ariel]

Irish eyes-- If I understand correctly you obtained AS in Spain and the UK? If this is the case, what has been your experience with each lab? I imagine you didn't get it in single-dose vials in Spain but I'm sure you paid a fraction of the cost in the UK.

Did you get the same serum in both countries? Did your eyes respond to it the same way? Is there a reason why you're not using it 100% serum at this time? I was told that after repeated use 100% serum can create a film over the epithelium but I don't know if this information is accurate. I also would be interested in knowing if the transportation arrangements you made from Bilbao to the UK worked for you. Sorry to hit you with so many questions.

[irish eyes]

Ariel

No, only in the UK.

Sorry - I might have misled by talking about Bilbao; that is because I needed to travel to Spain and I couldn't take the drops on a flight.

[Guest]

I was told that after repeated use 100% serum can create a film over the epithelium but I don't know if this information is accurate.

Interesting... wonder what repeated use means though... ie. 2 times per day? 4 times per day? 8 times per day? 16 times per day? etc.

[Lea]

Yes, they helped my eyes considerably.

They are not 100% but compared to what they were around 18 months ago, there is a dramatic difference.

We had exhausted all other available options and this was one of the things we had left to try. (I've suffered with DE for many years so there was a solid medical record of my `journey' - and proof that I had been compliant.)

The nurses at the Blood Donor Centre get to meet patients who use autologous serum; I understand that we are quite a diverse group but the feeling is that the majority of us derive benefits from the treatment.

Oh that is encouraging. I'm really quite excited to try them. I'm still waiting for my doctor to find a place that makes these close to where I live. I have tried almost every eye drop and they all tend to make my eyes worse. I would have to guess allergies to the ingredients. Thanks for the information.. I would be happy with any improvement at this point..

[irish eyes]

Yes, I know that feeling i.e. any improvement would be a bonus. I had reached a stage where we couldn't even open a conversation about the discomfort because language seemed inadequate.

The Science: The consultant says the ocular surface is in much better shape than it was before the serum.

The Symptoms: I still have discomfort but not to the same degree. I experienced the benefits immediately and then reached a `plateau'.


I do hope you get the chance to try them

[Lea]

Yes, I know that feeling i.e. any improvement would be a bonus. I had reached a stage where we couldn't even open a conversation about the discomfort because language seemed inadequate.

The Science: The consultant says the ocular surface is in much better shape than it was before the serum.

The Symptoms: I still have discomfort but not to the same degree. I experienced the benefits immediately and then reached a `plateau'.


I do hope you get the chance to try them

How many times a day do you use the drops? Do you use them at night as well? I hope to hear from my doctor soon and hopefully he can find a place that makes these drops. It is surprising but so many doctors have not even heard of them.. I think that is great news that the ocular surface of your eyes is in much better shape.

[irish eyes]

Lea

Initially I used them about 6 times a day - and usually during the night as well. I tend to use them about 4 times a day now and not during the night.

The consultant recently suggested I persevere trying to find some kind of ocular lubricant as well so this is an ongoing quest. Genteal (Severe) isn't too bad so I use that at night time.

I'm also using a low dose steroid at the moment because of the inflammation. Sadly, the serum hasn't helped my anterior blepharitis so I've got to keep going on that one.

Candidates for this therapy need to have a good blood count; I was very anaemic for a few years so I've got to watch my general health. Don't we all?

[syclone]

I have to get AS days before getting on a long flight to Japan where I may stay for a couple of months. I'm worried about it as all I can think of doing is placing the serum in a big ball of ice inside a cooler. Hope the airline doesn't have a problem with it!

Dry ice (solid CO2) is the key. I`ve had it in my backbag several times when flying. Lasts easily 24h and is allowed by international air-regulations.

[Ariel]

Thank you Syclone--- That's great news to me.
Sheralyn--- I'm getting the AS in two days so I'll ask them some questions about "RU".

[irish eyes]

Dry ice (solid CO2) is the key. I`ve had it in my backbag several times when flying. Lasts easily 24h and is allowed by international air-regulations.

Hi Syclone

It's interesting that you managed to do this - I wonder if it depends which airports you are flying from. Apparently a small amount of dry ice is permitted in your luggage - and of course airlines would need to know what you were carrying and why it needed to be packaged in dry ice.

I checked this with a number of UK airlines but all gave a consistent `no', citing terrorism fears. Even when I tried to argue that dry ice evaporated rathern than melted, it made no difference to them. My consultant was happy to provide supporting documentation but it was still `no'.

The lab who produce my serum drops said that they are frequently approached (by travellers) for help with this but there wasn't anything they could do or say.

http://www.airsafe.com/danger.htm

Dry Ice (frozen carbon dioxide): Up to four pounds (1.8 kg) may be carried on board for packing perishables providing the package is vented

[Ariel]

I don't know which airline I'm going to use yet but I'll check with it as soon as I do to be on the safe side.