St. John's Wort - affect anyone's eyesight?

[Guest bighugbearphx]

If it does turn out to be something similar to what I had, it's apparently tough to diagnose, even in a dilated eye exam. I first went to my usual optometrist, and he didn't see anything. Told me it was likely harmless "floaters" (which I have too, as most people do when they get into their late 40's, but it has nothing to do with this), and shrugged when I pointed out it is a constant presence and doesn't "float" at all.

 

I had my MD refer me to an opthamologist, and even he had problems diagnosing what it was (Essentially, he first eliminated the possibility of what it *wasn't*, including the first suspicion of a detached retina). After the diagnosis, he asked me about what over-the-counter meds (including herbals) I had been taking regularly, and that's how the diagnosis was made (It was the old formula Alka Seltzer Plus cold tablets, which they since reformulated, eliminating the problem med which they acknowledge could cause "bleeding in the brain"). My hunch is that your St John's Wort may have done the same thing. Be sure to tell the doctor your suspicion on that.

 

My opthamologist retired about a year later, and my new one confirmed the diagnosis, said it is nothing to worry about, once you eliminate the cause. It doesn't get worse over time, only (perhaps) a bit better (in my case, a bit smaller and lighter), plus you adjust to it and don't really even notice it most of the time.

 

He also asked if I had my blood sugar checked lately, as one co-factor can be being prone to diabetes, though it is not the cause. At the time, my blood sugar was fine, but now (eight years later) I'm on some meds (not insulin) to control blood sugar. So you may want to have that checked too, if you haven't lately. Another co-factor, in my case, was my allergies (Sneezing increases pressure in the eye), which I now take oral meds and use eyedrops for when it's bad.

 

Just try to take it easy, and you'll know what it is after tomorrow. Take care.

[guptasa1]

I'm getting really anxious about this.

 

I'm still not sure what to think. I haven't taken the SJW in three days. I can't legitimately say the problem is better. It's not worse, but I notice my eye is sore (actually, both feel a little sore), and besides the obvious non-moving floaters, which are still present in my right eye (maybe slightly less noticeable now), I seem to be extra sensitive to brightness, my eyes are getting tired very quickly, and focusing seems a bit more troublesome than usual.

 

This is not something I wish to deal with long-term, and I hope the doctor can diagnose it and help with it.

 

If it IS due to bleading in the eye, I hope you're right and it's something that my brain works around and eventually isn't noticeable, because right now it's driving me nuts...and I can't imagine living with it long-term - it's incredibly annoying.

 

I will say (and sorry - I know this isn't pleasant to talk about) that yesterday my nose was a bit bloody, and unfortunately, I'm thinking that might indicate the pressure in my head you mentioned. Hopefully it was just a coincidence.

[Luv2play]

I think you should keep an open mind about what might be the problem with your eye. The SJW may or may not be at the root of the eye "floater". Of course you should tell the doctor examining you about starting on it just before the problem emerged. But it may just be a coincidence.

 

Diabetes can cause bleeding in the eye which can lead to retinal detachment. In my case the detachment resulted from an old sports injury, which had happened when I was at university. I had a concussion to the eye and it bled internally at that time. It cleared up but left a weakness, which caused the detachment some ten years later.

 

Another thing you might want to do is have your blood pressure checked. You should have this done on a regular basis by your doctor anyway but you can always check it yourself at a drugstore like Walgreens or store such as Publix.

[guptasa1]

Thanks. I'll keep you all posted as to what happens.

[Guest ncm2169]

< As someone who suffers from chronic depression and has tried EVERYTHING >

 

Ever tried 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan? AKA 5-HTP. It must be taken with Vit C and B-6 about an hour in advance. Also best used as part of a mega-load Vit regimen, best prescribed by a doc who understands "alternative medicine." Only works if you're free of chemical substances which cause depression - eg. alcohol. Takes a month for the full effects to take hold. It's a bit more complicated than just popping a chemical pill, but IMHO the long lasting effects are indeed seriously better than any Rx like Zoloft, etc.

 

As for St Johns Wort, I've taken it for several years -- again in conjunction with other naturo-pathic Vits -- with absolutely no side effects whatsoever.

 

With the BIG caveat that I'm no Doc, it's hard to believe that St J W could cause the eye problems described.

 

 

:o

[guptasa1]

May not be the St. John's Wort. But that was my initial reaction due to the proximity of starting taking it and the onset of the symptoms. I also know from researching a bit one reported symptom of SJW is increased sensitivity to brightness for the eyes, and there's also some speculation long-term use can lead to cataracts, so that's why I thought it might adversely react some people's eyes who's systems can't take it. I used SJW before briefly, but never consistently or as part of a regimen before.

 

I also take the following now:

 

- Centrum (Multi-vitamin)

- GNC Total Lean (Metabolism enhancer with no ephedra...been taking it a few months with no problem whatsoever...mainly herbal stuff like tea leaves).

- Skinvantage (Vitamin with a few herbs, specifically for healthy skin - haven't taken this too long [few weeks], but a little while, so I didn't think it was the cause).

 

And then I added the St. John's Wort, and 3 or 4 days later from what I remember is when this problem hit me.

 

(Could have even been an interaction between two or more of the above I suppose.)

 

I can't think of anything else I did that might have resulted in this. I am using a topical salicylic acid "spot" solution to try and control breakouts, and I considered that maybe some got into my eye or something, but I don't think that's the case really.

 

I dunno. We'll see. As someone else also mentioned, could just be a coincidence - maybe it has nothing at all to do with ANYTHING I did.

[Guest ncm2169]

Just a quick PS. Nearly every Vit or natural substance (like St J W) needs to be used in conjunction with other Vits, etc., to be functional. None of them "work" in only a few days. That's not to say that you couldn't have experienced something unusual, but it's not likely. Good Luck!

[+ Hoover42]

Incidentally, I've noticed eyesight problems two or three days after using either Viagra or Levitra, even in reduced doses.

 

I already have tons of floaters, so it's not that. My problem is that I become unable to focus on anything nearby. In other words, I can't read anything unless it is in VERY large print. I have to wear my (rarely used) reading glasses for most of a day before the problem clears up.

 

...Hoover

[guptasa1]

Ethan (thought I may as well respond here so as not to completely divert that thread), you're probably right even though you were joking - my insistence to keep using my computer as much I do is probably not helping anything, but I'm awful stubborn as far as that goes. LOL. (Though I really think it is getting a bit better progressively...either that or I'm just getting used to it, but the spots seem less noticeable than originally...so here's to hoping they'll disappear completely.)

 

Also, thanks to everyone wishing me well.

 

As to Butters, duke, I have black hair - sorry. =oP (Only a little familiar with the character, so I can't respond completely - lol).

[duke37]

>

>

>As to Butters, duke, I have black hair - sorry. =oP (Only a

>little familiar with the character, so I can't respond

>completely - lol).

 

 

Ok, I'll believe you for now. But if Professor Chaos shows up around here you are so busted mister!

 

http://images.southparkstudios.com/img/content/characters/74a.gif

 

http://www.southparkstudios.com/down/download.html?file=/media/sounds/308/BUTTERS_CHARLIESANGELS.wav

 

Jeff

[Guest]

It's Ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist

 

Here's my two cents:

(1) I don't think your problem was caused by St. John's Wort.

(2) If a visual problem is fixed, not moving around, it's probably not a floater. Floaters float (they're loose pieces of tissue between your retina and your lens that move as you move)

(3) If you have a new fixed visual loss, go to an emergency room. Your symptoms don't sound typical of a retinal detachment, but if you had one since Thanksgiving, it wouldn't matter if you went tomorrow or ten years from now. It would be much too late to do anything (needs to be fixed in a matter of hours, not days).

(4) It's ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist (pronounced off-thal-mologist).

(5) Stay away from "herbal" crap. Every herbal preparation has a disclaimer "These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This preparation is not intented to prevent, diagnose, or cure disease." Unlike FDA-approved medications, which have to go through studies to prove they're at least somewhat safe and effective, herbal "medications" have to do NEITHER. In fact the FDA would have to sue the manufacturer and PROVE it's UNSAFE to get it off the market. In just this week's JAMA, there was a placebo-controlled randomized study that showed that echinacia, marketed as a cold remedy, not only doesn't help with colds, but that it actually causes rashes and probably makes fever associated with colds last LONGER. I can't think of a single "herbal remedy" that has been shown to be safer or more effective than FDA-approved medications. Just because something comes from herbs or other plants does NOT mean it's as safe (let alone safer) or as effective as what's out there.

If it were up to me, I would not allow any of these companies who market herbal formulations to make any claims on their products unless they had serious studies to back them up, assessing both safety and effectiveness. Why are they allowed to do this? The herbal/health food industry has lots of $$ to lobby Congress with.

[guptasa1]

Actually, that sound clip's not as far off as I'd like to think it was. <=oP (Okay, I've never dressed in lady's clothes, but I am convinced I'm a wolf, so...well...thereya go.) =oP *waves a paw at you and sits on his haunches, wagging his big, bushy tail*

 

P.S. I'm weird if you haven't yet noticed. Harmless, nice, and all, but weird. <=oP

[theDCeBOY]

>P.S. I'm weird if you haven't yet noticed.

YOU???no fucking way!

[guptasa1]

RE: It's Ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist

 

Some good points, and apologies for the misspelling of...*points to the topic*...that right there. ;o)

 

I guess it's not a great idea to use the SJW or other herbal remedies, especially in combination. I still like the Total Lean, which admittedly has some herbal stuff in it, but nothing that should be too strong, and the rest are mainly if not all vitamins, so hopefully they're all okay (not planning to renew the skin vitamins either though - haven't noticed any difference).

 

I appreciate your input.

[Flower]

>Just as a further update, called the optometrist, and they're

>booked solid today, so they don't want to see me until

>Wednesday

 

Don't waste time with an optometrist--you should be seeing an OPTHAMOLOGIST (ie., MD for the eyes) as pointed out above. The latter is a medical doctor and can properly evaluate your situation, whereas the former basically ONLY trained to prescribe glasses and cannot prescribe medicines or evaluate medical conditions. Sorta like going to a chiropractor when you really need an orthopedist or neurosurgeon.

 

I did a quick google search which I'd recomment you do--

 

"st john's wort = side effects"

 

and you will get a ton of material, most of it warning re drug interactions.

 

One thing I noticed is the potential for elevating BP which could cause floaters. http://www.personalhealthzone.com/stjohnswort.html

 

Again, as others have said, don't try to Dx this yourself but see a medical doctor, ie., OPTHAMOLOGIST -- not an optometrist.

[Luv2play]

RE: It's Ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist

 

As I pointed out in my first post on this topic, a detached retina is an emergency and should be responded to immediately by seeing an ophthamologist (I was responsible for the original misspelling, sorry). But to say, as you do, that failure to act in hours, not days, would result in an irremedial situation,is not accurate. It would depend on how extensive the initial detachment was and how quickly it expanded. Permanent loss of vision is most likely when the retina detaches from the optic nerve at the center of the retina. Tears in the retina around the periphery result in a partial loss of vision, much like a window shade being partially lowered. These may persist for several days or even weeks as long as the tear does not extend to the optic nerve. As I said earlier, putting pressure on the eye or jerking your head could cause further tearing. The basic message is, though, get to a doctor IMMEDIATELY.

[guptasa1]

RE: It's Ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist

 

Alright, folks - I went to my appointment this morning. (That said, I do think he's only an optometrist. What you're saying concerns me a bit - maybe I should have gone to someone who's a true doctor/surgeon, but for the moment I'm satisfied as he seemed pretty knowledgeable).

 

He took a look at my eyes both with a light and with a microscope. He said my eyes are very dry and the corneas are beat up (hence the soreness/sensitivity to brightness/floaters), but that he sees no damage to the nerve or anything serious. He told me not to work out this week (because even that could have caused the strain), be careful with facial chemicals (not to get them near the eye), and to use lubricating eyedrops (natural tear type), and it should clear up in a few days. If it gets worse at all, I'm to get back there immediately.

 

He said there's no way to know the full cause of what happened, but he thinks the St. John's Wort could be to blame, but so could exercising too vigorously or getting anything I use on my face in my eyes.

 

He does feel what I'm seeing are floaters, and not anything more serious. He pointed out even though they seem to stay in relatively the same place, that I can only see them in regards to a fairly bright background and that when I try to focus on one I can't, which is true and still boggles my mind (because they still seem pretty much staying where they are at the same time - lol). He said they'll completely clear up if I'm lucky, but it is possible they'll never go away completely.

 

Anyways, I think this is good news, and I hope he's right. I'm just going to take it easy as far as exercising until next week and hope it completely heals with the eyedrops. If it gets worse or something, I'll definitely get back in there and have a surgeon take a look. (I'm in a small town, and the place I go only has two guys now since one died...the optometrist I go to, and then a surgeon who I've never seen).

 

Thanks for all the support and kind comments. Let's hope it clears up as he thinks it will. (Seems to be progressively getting better little by little, but it's still definitely there).

[BigK]

RE: It's Ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist

 

I have been taking Refresh Liquigel drops for 2 years in one eye where I was diagnosed with dry/scratched cornea. So this is a recognized problem. But I would be suprised based upon my experience if it is going to be just a matter of days. With my particular cornea problem the obective is not to improve the sight out of that eye greatly, but to stop further deterioration of the surface of the Cornea. I am 43.

[BigK]

RE: It's Ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist

 

I also put Refresh gel on the inside of my eyelid before bed.

[guptasa1]

RE: It's Ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist

 

I'm going to use the bedtime gel too - I have a bit of that from a problem I had a while back (I can't even remember exactly what it was; think it was maybe sinus related that time.). The impression I got from him is that in my case this shouldn't be a longterm condition...and he gave me the impression it would heal but just needed attention. I'm sorry to hear about your condition - is your vision okay?

 

Even though it's better, it's still driving me nuts sometimes. Most of the time it's not too bad. It's just slightly noticeable when doing normal tasks (driving, watching TV, etc.) - more of a...you know something's not quite right, but it's so close it doesn't matter much...but reading such as on these forums is the kicker where I notice it most. And despite using the drops 3 times today, my eyes still feel pretty dry and sore (both of them), though most of the visual stuff like floaters is still limited to my right eye. I still think it's better than it was a few days ago, so I'm hopeful.

[BigK]

RE: It's Ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist

 

Thanks for asking...My vision is OK unless I close my left eye then everything becomes blury from my right eye. I am down to 3 drops per day but I went for many months with drops every 2 hours. I don't think you can overdo the drops. Good Luck.

[guptasa1]

RE: It's Ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist

 

Glad it's going okay for you and you're doing better with the drops - impairment of vision is not a fun thing.

[guptasa1]

RE: It's Ophthalmologist, not opthalmologist

 

Ugh - just as an update, vision impairment is about the same, but I'm waking up all dried out with MASSIVE headaches the last two days. I'm beginning to think it may be sinus related. Tried to get an appointment with a regular doctor to get his opinion, but of course he's booked. Best I could do was leave him a message with what's going on and see if he'll get back to me. (Receptionist told me he might even prescribe something without seeing me, which sounds odd to say the least...).