eye issues again

[rinaina]

It seems that every since chemo, it has been one thing or another with my eyes. First they were so dry that my corneas became affected. Then I was getting conjunctivits on and off. I was on steroid drops and ointments for months. Then I got something called a Calazion which is like a sty. Add another ointment for that. Now I have what looks like a sty but not on my eyelid...this is located on the skin by the outside corner of the eye. I have also had issues with small areas of irritated dry and red skin on my hands mainly and the bottom of my feet are peeling and cracking in some places but not the heels. I am only on Herceptin since very end of August and was never on any other chemo then A/C. Anyone else with these eye and skin problems? What's the solution?

[Sheila]

Rinaina
Try the AHAVA cream on your feet and hands...it is wonderful and healing.

[chrisy]

Hi Rinaina.
I have recently had a problem just like you describe - swollen on the corner of my eyelid. I never thought about that possibly being related to chemo or Herceptin. Maybe it isn't but now I'll consider it a possibilty. I can't offer any suggestions as I have just left it alone. If either of us figure it out, be sure to share!

[rinaina]

will do chrissy

[kymelody]

I wear contacts - eyes are very dry. Also had a "sty" after my 3rd A/C treatment ... I never really attributed it to the chemo but then again, it seem all the cells in our bodies are in a big train wreck !!!
It may be old wives tale, but my eye doctor told me to heat a wooden spoon in the microwave for about 12-15 seconds, and place it over the eye -- I don't know if its something in the wood, or the heat compress, but it does feel good ! Left my contact out during ....My sty cleared up in about 3 days.

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

Hi Rinaina

I also started having eye issues about three months after starting on the Tykerb/Xeloda trial.

I also have very cracked and dry hand and feet. Under my nails on my feet even erupt from time to time. I am seeing an Optamologist this coming Friday for the eyes to see what we can do and how bad he thinks it is. We think its from one of the chemos. I am at present using something called Restassis that my eye doc prescripted and it seems to be helping after using it for two weeks.

Sheila - I found the Ahava line of creams in my local Bath & Beyond store so loaded up on several things.

Are you using the Foot cream or body cream? There are so many different kinds. I just started last night so we will see how this helps. Thanks for sharing.

Hope everything works out for you with your eyes Rinaina. I know how fustrating it can be.

[heblaj01]

I recently became aware of an indirect side effect on eyesight of an anti nausea premed (prochlorazine) which causes dryness.
This dryness can result in cornea damage & possible conjuntivitis which are both treatable with occular lubricants & antibiotics (such as erythromycin ointment which does both jobs).
The cornea damage, according to an ophtalmologist, can be worsened by these factors:
-staying in overheated, hermetically sealed lodging with lack of humidification (as is common in winter time in cold climats)

-sleeping with eyelids not completely closed.(detectable by the narrow shape of the damaged cornea area).

[R.B.]

DHA (long chain omega three) is reported to ease dry eyes.

Omega three is reported to help with cracked skin.

I have been asking for a long time if Herceptin somehow interacts in the synthesis of long chain fats. IF it does an impact could be a shortage of long chain omega threes..........

Please use the search button above and look up omega three and six if of interest.

Please do talk to your medical advisor about changes of fat intake.

RB



http://borntoexplore.org/omega.htm
ABSTRACT

"Other parts of our bodies also need Omega-3 fatty acids. Symptoms of fatty acid deficiency include a variety of skin problems such as eczema, thick patches of skin, and cracked heels. In the fall of 1998, after reading about the Purdue study which associated fatty-acid deficiencies with learning disorders and hyperactivity, I began to give my six-year son a tablespoon of Barlean's Flax Oil each day, and I took the same amount myself (mixed with yogurt). Flax oil is extremely high in Omega-3's. I also reduced our consumption of trans-fats and increase the amount of olive and canola oil in our diet. After one month, the incurable eczema located on the back of my son's legs vanished, and it is still gone as of this writing (5/99). That eczema had not responded to diet changes, cremes, or allergy medication, and he'd had it for years, so bad that he would scratch it until it bled and caused him to lose sleep. Then, during the next three months my cracked heels slowly improved until they too were cured. Like my son's rashes, my cracked heels had not responded to any type of treatment for several years, even though I tried lotions and pumice stones to thin the skin. Today, they are fine. I can only imagine what the fatty-acid deficiency we clearly both had had was doing to me and my son neurologically, and I am grateful to have learned about it."

[rinaina]

R.B. thank you for this informative and interesting info on Omega 3. Is any fish oil supplement sold at Walgreen's okay? Do I remember reading something about Omega 3 can interfere with treatment? Chemo or Herceptin?

[R.B.]

I cannot give any advice on interactions. It is hugely complex, huge amounts are not known and I am just an amateur bringing the work of others to peoples attention. It is best to talk to your onc. Blood thinning is a known issue and rare conditions.

I have seen trials suggesting that herceptin intervenes in the fat pathways as one of its effects. Exactly how and to what extent that is a question I cannot answer. I have not seen any trials of DHA EPA omega three as an adjunct to Herceptin, but have not searched recently.

As to brands a good brand with high levels of DHA and EPA that is distilled or checked for contaminants. Somebody posted a link to a site that gave a list of suppliers. Here is another

http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:Skk_L3u1UtoJ:https://www.heartdecision.org/chdrisk/v_hd/main%3Fp%3D__viewfile__viewfile%26file_id%3D20+Wal green%27s+fish+oil&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=5&client=firefox-a

Bottled is cheaper. Here a re a couple of links but do check locally etc.

http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Liquid-Purified-Fish-Oil-Omega-3-EPA-DHA

They also sell Carlsons in bottles but the ingredients seem fairly similar but please check for yourself.

Come back if you need any more info. I will try and help with links etc if I can. IF you do go down this route after discussion with your onc etc please let us know if it appears to have helped or not.

The "Greek Diet" post has some material that might be of interest to your onc.

RB

[rinaina]

Thanks R.B. for the additonal info. Will definitely talk to my onc about adding omega 3 fish oil and get his take on it.

[R.B.]

You may want to consider your omega six intake too and thoughts on this site about balancing the omega threes and sixes.

RB