NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

Posted by Estela on April 21, 1998 at 15:58:31:

The literature given me by my ophthalm. says that "some people" believe that nutritional supplements are helpful in controlling the progress of M.D. What are these nutritional supplements? What dosages? Who makes them? Side effects? Contraindications?

Posted by Brad on May 01, 1998 at 04:07:47: In Reply to: Nutritional supplements posted by Estela on April 21, 1998 at 15:58:31:

I have been experimenting with a number of supplements to strengthen the subretinal neovascularization of my M.D., but what seems to hold the most promise for the macula itself is Lutein, an extract from marigolds. I am currently taking 20mg, 2x/day. Someone mentioned allergies and environmental influences, such as smoking. I drove public transit (diesels for 6+years) have allergies that seem to exacerbate the problem, but I quit smoking years ago. My doctors say myopia is the most likely cause of my MD, but offer no suggestions as to nutritional supplements. Laser surgery does not look viable in my case, so I'm looking at alternatives. Any info would be appreciated.

Posted by Janice on April 23, 1998 at 14:30:46: In Reply to: Nutritional supplements posted by Estela on April 21, 1998 at 15:58:31:

My doctor has me taking 800 mg. of Vit. E. (to strengthen vessels) 200 of Zinc and 1200 of Aleve (to reduce swelling of retina) plus Voltanin eye drops (4 each day to reduce swelling). I have wet MD and my retinas are swelling. It has been one month and the swelling has not changed.

Posted by gianpietro on April 26, 1998 at 07:39:59: In Reply to: Re: Nutritional supplements posted by Janice on April 23, 1998 at 14:30:46:

I'm writing from Italy. I've asked my doctor the same question. He looking for this, but he has convinced that My MD might be caused from allergy to something that can be in what you eat. Try to ask at your side if can exist this possibility.

If I have other news I'll reply.

Posted by Estela on April 27, 1998 at 15:25:46: In Reply to: Re: Nutritional supplements posted by gianpietro on April 26, 1998 at 07:39:59:

Gianpetro, I have not heard of allergies to things in the food we eat as being a cause for M.D. However, everyone agrees that smoking is a contributing factor, so maybe your doctor was indicating that it is environmental factors (pesticides, heavy metals in food, smoke, etc.) that may have been a contributing factor in your case. Do You smoke? Do you work in a smokey environment--night club, restaurant? factory? I will ask my doctor about nutritional supplements and post the info.

Question re Vitamins I heard reversed MD

Posted by Mary Lou on June 16, 1998 at 17:37:20:

I read in a book by Dr. James Scala of a patient whose vision had deteriorated to 20/40 and read in a Spring '88 Readers' Digest article about research conducted by Dr. David A. Newsome of LA State U. Eye Center, showing the development of MD could be slowed by taking 200 mg of zinc daily. So she started it, and 5 mo. later the macula in each eye had improved so vision was 20/30. By a year and a half later, the right eye was completely clear, and the other eye just a slight bit left, 20/25. By 2 and a half years, the disease (by Jan '9l) was completely eliminated and her eyes tested 20/20. Why aren't opthamologists following up on this and telling anybody about it? The patient first saw the info. on the evening news, a Doctor being interviewed. Also, another "cure" I read about was achieved thru massive doses of vegetable beta-carotene, 80-l00,000 a day. Both were also on Vitamin E and other supplements, but the changes were observed with the zinc in the one case, and the beta carotene in the other. Does anyone know of an opthamologist who has heard of any of this research? (Mine, unfortunately is very "against" vitamins, like many MD's, and says there is "no hope" for reversal.) Help, anybody?

Posted by Dave Pearce on June 16, 1998 at 23:42:27: In Reply to: Question re Vitamins I heard reversed MD posted by Mary Lou on June 16, 1998 at 17:37:20:

Hi Mary Lou,
Like you, I have heard these same stories and was advised by my doctor in 1985 to try the mega doses of vitamins and Zinc. Unfortunately, this did not work for me. It actually created some highly dangerous side effects to my vision. I lost three quarters of my vision in both eyes for a short time due to a blood clot forming behind the retina in both eyes.

Since most of the vitamins and minerals that you are referring to are not soluble, there is a real possibility that a blood clot can form. I had to reduce the dosage and have taken Ocuvite vitamins for the past eight years. It has not improved my vision at all. I presently have 10/200 corrected acuity in my left eye which is wet and 20/125 corrected acuity in my right eye which is dry. I am not sure what my vision would be without the vitamins.

You may want to talk to a second doctor to make sure that you are getting the best advice for your particular condition. In the past six months, I have seen at least four doctors since my central vision area in my right eye has degenerated to about 15%.

Even though your doctor may be correct in advising you that there is little hope for reversal, it could be a lot worse. There are still numerous magnification devices available that can help you to function somewhat normally.

I am thankful that I still have my peripheral vision and have trained myself to get the most out of this. All of the information that I have found still supports the theory that it is extremely rare for a person to lose all of their vision from MD.

Don't give up and, above all, continue to investigate anything you hear about. You may be fortunate and find something that will work for you.

Good Luck,
Dave

Vitamins and Dr. Newsome

Posted by Ralph Black on June 17, 1998 at 09:14:18:

Hello Mary Lou:
I just wanted to respond to your post on Zinc and the Study being done by Dr. David Newsome.

At 41 years of age, in 1991, I was diagnosed with MD-Wet in both eyes, told to go home and grab a pillow and have a good cry, and get on with life. I was frantic at this and started searching everywhere for anything that would help. At that time I could still drive and read. I came upon a lengthy article in the New York Times on Dr. David Newsome and his work being done then at the New Orleans Eye Clinic. My wife and I made arrangements to see Dr. David Newsome and made the journey. He was very receptive, and thorough in his examination, stating I was in the early stages of AMD. He explained his study involved the vitamin, Ocuvite, which contains 40mgs of zinc. He recommended I take 1 per day. To make a long story short, I took the vitamin ever since, but have seen no positive results, I have developed several blood clots since that, and am now legally blind. My maculas are both pretty well degenerated, but I have good peripheral and with the use of magnifiers and special software on my computer, I get by just fine.

There is great hope of a cure for this disease, much is being done by excellent Doctors and Scientists. You should give great thought to joining the MD-People, Mailing List, you will find many caring and knowledgeable people available to you. You will find the link in any of Dan Robert’s postings. I urge you to do this immediately and change your life. SO MUCH HELP AND SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE FROM OTHER MD VICTIMS AND MANY PROFESSIONALS ARE MEMBERS.

Hope I have been of some help, contact me at anytime in regard to Dr. Newsome or anything.

Take Care,
Ralph Black from Canada

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