NAC Supplement...WOW!

[Tanner]

Interesting. I only saw where they studied eye drops but it shows it can help even if you use the drops.

[BigNate]

I do not have mgd but the nac helps the burning in my upper lids. My eyes have been so bad I have I have been in the house for two years. I don't work or do anything. So yes I get the pain. I heard NAC helps with keratoconjuctavitis (spelling).

Tanner,

It looks like there has been a study done on the effects of NAC and keratoconjunctivitis. Here's the link for those who are interested:
http://www.patentlens.net/patentlens...nguage=&#tab_1

[rppnj]

Hi rpnnj,

Thanks again. I've been told my MGD is allergy-related only I can't ID the allergen. But just in case I take an allergy eye drop (lasticaft, prescription) and Zrytec once a day.

best to you too!

Hi browneyesblu,


The trigger to my eye issues are allergens / irritants. I'm especially sensitive to tree pollen in the Spring. The tree pollen was high in NJ yesterday and my eyes started reacting as soon as I went outside. My eyes were very uncomfortable for the remainder of the day & night. I guess the Lipiflow is no match for my allergen sensitivities.


I'm ordering prescription sunglasses that seal your eyes from the outside environment and keep them moist. I've also made an appointment with an Allergist for testing and allergy shots...maybe that will help.


Kindest regards,

rppnj

[Tanner]

lids

I do not have mgd but the nac helps the burning in my upper lids. My eyes have been so bad I have I have been in the house for two years. I don't work or do anything. So yes I get the pain. I heard NAC helps with keratoconjuctavitis (spelling).

[BigNate]

Blu,

I have been researching this for about 2 hours every night for the past year of my life...and I'm still trying to figure all of this out. One thing I came across was that there was a scientific article posted stating that there is no connection between a food allergy and MGD. There are many occurrences of someone with GPC having MGD, but those are caused by an allergy to some protein or disturbance from a contact lens. Then again, if you know of some study done to link a food allergy and MGD please let us know.

Every night when I go to sleep, my nose is completely stuffed up to the point where I cannot breathe out of it. I have been tested for allergies twice- nothing. Based on my research, I am wondering about demodex and candida as possible causes. My eyes and nose got messed up at the same time. That's why I am persistent on the allergy route. However, I nothing shows in the tests. I have read of a couple of similar cases where people had a candida overgrowth. Unfortunately that's something that is controversial and doesn't seem to have a whole lot of evidence over. My right eye is slightly worse according to my TBUT but in actuality they feel the same.

Going back to the thread topic, I am also wondering if my issue is entirely GPC. I have no eye mucous (I used to every morning) so I am also wondering if NAC will help the mucous do what it is doing. Maybe the allergy has an effect on the mucous as well?

Other points of possible interest pertaining to myself are that out of ALL of the things I have tried (and like many people here, I have tried just about everything), two of the most helpful things for me were a multivitamin and a probiotic. My issues all started with what I expect with GPC---my contacts were perfect and then one day, they moved every time I blinked. Also, my upper eyelids burn a lot. Lower eyelids also do too at the margin, but only about once a day for a couple mins. The uppers burn about half of the day.

Here's my question/thought- if GPC causes inflammation of the papillae (spelling might be off?) then why can't it cause inflammation elsewhere in the eye i.e. the MGs? My eye doctor says my meibomian glands look fine on the outside i.e. they don't have those "caps" crusted over on them, but as he says, "nothing really is coming out". That leads me to believe that there is inflammation from down deep in the glands. So the big question is what causes this inflammation? The only POSSIBLE answer I found is demodex, but many eye doctors say that is debatable. In my case though, that may be a legit answer since demodex can cause nasal congestion.

Hopefully this wasn't all too confusing. I'll take note of this discussion and I'll send you a message if I ever figure out what is going on. It sounds like we are in similar situations. Please do let me know if you find any information yourself.

Thanks,
Nate

[browneyesblu]

browneyesblu,

I am in the same situation. I have been tested for the common allergens but that didn't come up with anything. Any ideas of allergy tests that test for not so common allergens? Also, do you have other issues pertaining to allergies such as nasal congestion?

Hi BigNate,

I'm thinking of seeing a dietician to ask if they can put me on some kind of diet that systematically tests for food allergies. Have you tried that? I tried to do it myself but it's very hard if you don't really know what you are doing. I have slight nasal congestion and sometimes my ears clog. Can I ask what your symptoms are? Is one eye worse than the other? It is in my case.

Regards,
-blu

[BigNate]

browneyesblu,

I am in the same situation. I have been tested for the common allergens but that didn't come up with anything. Any ideas of allergy tests that test for not so common allergens? Also, do you have other issues pertaining to allergies such as nasal congestion?

[browneyesblu]

Hi rpnnj,

Thanks again. I've been told my MGD is allergy-related only I can't ID the allergen. But just in case I take an allergy eye drop (lasticaft, prescription) and Zrytec once a day.

best to you too!

[rppnj]

Hi rpnnj,
Thanks for the detailed report. It's great to hear you are doing so well and really amazing it worked so fast! Please keep us posted. What did you think of Wills? Did you need a referral or did you just call to make an appointment? lol
-blu

Hello Browneyesblu,

My Opthamologist is affiliated with the Wills Eye Institute so I did not require a referrel. My eyes are still much better and I have not had a 'full blown' bad eye day since my Lipiflow treatment. It has not been perfect, though. I am still sensitive to allergens / irritants. The tree pollen is back and it irritates my eyes, however, it has not 'tipped me over' to a 'full blown' bad eye day and my eyes recover within about 20 minutes. My wife, without thinking, used purel in the car and the fumes irritated my eyes, however, once again, this did not 'tip me over' into a 'full blown' bad eye day and my eyes recovered after 'airing out' the car. When I'm at home, my eyes seem pretty much normal and I even forget about them. Prior to this, I was almost always 'aware' of the discomfort in my eyes. I also believe that the 'NAC' and the 'HA" are contributing to my sucess and I continue to take them both every day. Soon, the green tree pollen will be all over everything...that will be the supreme test for me. I've done further research regarding Lipiflow and found that it may take several weeks for your eyes to 'stablize / get used' to the change brought about by the Lipiflow treatment so I expect that my eyes will improve further over time.

Kindest regards,
rppnj

[soaps]

Day 2 and Im liking this NAC thank God !! Eyes brighter and moister. Had a nice day. Dr visit soon will update any mgd change.

[browneyesblu]

Hi rpnnj,
Thanks for the detailed report. It's great to hear you are doing so well and really amazing it worked so fast! Please keep us posted. What did you think of Wills? Did you need a referral or did you just call to make an appointment? lol
-blu

[Faith1989]

I think NAc should only be taken if ur not already on doxy. I am using 100-200mg a day (200 during flares) but I used NAC with the doxy and my lids looked real bad, I couldn't even open my eyes. I mean that could just be ME.. But I still drink 1scoop of whey protein per day with milled flax in my shake. I also added black currant seed oil for the GLA (less tab 160mg per day) otherwise it becomes inflammatory. I think it's on Dr. Langes site. I have been able to tolerate Restasis better lately.. Which is a good sign. I also began cleaning the lids with Ocusoft pads (as per Dr. Langes recommendation) He's very intelligent and seems to know what he's doing. I am going to follow his instructions for the next four months and see.. The only thing he told me to do which I am not is stopping Restasis. My doc here wants me on it so I am going to give it some time.. But I am excited to start his Fortifeye regime.. I'm going off topic now as this was an NAC thread sorry guys lol

[romeodakins]

So this NAC is working for everyone?

[rppnj]

Glad to hear you are still doing well with the NAC. All the best of luck tomorrow.

Hi browneyesblu, Well, here's my Lipiflow report!

I've undergone the Lipiflow procedure at the Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, PA on April 5, 2013. The procedure was painless...kind of like a 'spa' session for your eyes. The Procedure is timed and lasts for only 12 minutes.
Here's an outline of the procedure as experienced by me:
1.) A drop of anesthetic is placed into each eye
2.) The disposable eyepieces are inserted into each eye.
4.) Both eyes are treated simultaneously
3.) A test is 'run' to determine that the unit is working properly
5.) The 'inner shells' (against the inner lids) are heated to 42.5% C (108.5 F)
6.) The 'shield shells' rest on the sclera, protecting the cornea
6.) At the desired temperature, a small bladder inflates / deflates to 'milk' the glands / ducts
7.) This 'milking' continues for the remainder of the 12 minutes

Afterwards, as the anesthetic wore off, I felt some slight irritation that I attributed to the manipulation of the treatment itself, however, the irritation subsided after about 30 minutes. I took a nap on the way home (I was not driving at the time) and when I awoke about an hour later, my eyes felt not only normal but also felt 'wet' (WOW!)

This morning, I had a small amount of 'sand' in the corners of my eyes and my eyes felt normal. I took a hot shower and let the water run over my eyes. Then, as instructed by my doctor, I heated my microwave 'hot-pack' and used it for 5 minutes. After the 'hot-pack', I gently cleansed the lid areas with an 'OcuSoft Lid Scrub Plus' Pad. Then, I inserted a drop of prescription 'TobraDex ST' (Steroid Drops) into each eye. I have to continue this regimen every day to ensure that my glands / tear ducts remain open. The TobraDex regimen is as follows: one drop three times a day for a week, two drop a day for a week, then one drop per day for a week. So far, my eyes feel great!

Note: While I was sitting at the table having my morning coffee, I sneezed and guess what happened...my eyes actually 'watered'! I can't remember the last time I felt my eyes 'water'. My wife checked them out and could actually see the extra tears coating my eyes. Then afterwards, she checked them again and could see that my eyes shined normally with a coating of tears and did not look dry.

I cannot guarantee how long these results will last but I will keep you all informed of my progress.

Regards to all,
rppnj

[Judi999]

Do you have the Oil deficiency as in meibomian gland deficiency or the water or has any one ever told you?