Guest guest Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 At my last check a few months ago, my optic pressure had dropped back down. We are not sure if it was due to Xolair or that I had been able to get off prednisone. Unfortunately I got sick at the end of February and had to go back on prednisone. My vision was definitely different though not in any way I can concretely describe. Thankfully yesterday was the last prednisone from the taper and I hope things calm back down in the next few weeks. If not, back to the eye doctor... It's great to hear you have some improvement in your vision field! Here's to it not being a test fluke! I think if we can reduce the inflammation that an allergic response causes, whether it be in the lungs, sinuses or eyes, it has to help our bodies. Prednisone did it some but with far too many other side effects (like increased optic pressure). If Xolair interrupts the process so the inflammation never occurs, that is best. Breathe easy, B. From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of mister_manganese Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 1:30 AM Subject: [ ] Xolair and Glaucoma I know this is a long shot but has anyone with asthma and glaucoma had their glaucoma improve while taking Xolair for asthma. A year and a half into my Xolair regimen my optic pressure has dropped to the lowest I can remember in ten years with glaucoma. This has occured without any change in my glaucoma medications. Also, on my last visual field test a small blind peripheral area in one of my eyes that has been there for years was gone. Maybe just a fluke of the field test machine settings. But .... I guess one could theorize that if their glaucoma was caused by allergic inflammation in the fluid drainage tissues of the eye, and a subsequent raise in optic fluid pressure, then maybe a body-wide reduction in allegic inflammation responses from Xolair could improve one's glaucoma. Any other members have experience or thoughts on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 > > I know this is a long shot but has anyone with asthma and glaucoma had > their glaucoma improve while taking Xolair for asthma. > > A year and a half into my Xolair regimen my optic pressure has dropped > to the lowest I can remember in ten years with glaucoma. This has > occured without any change in my glaucoma medications. > > Also, on my last visual field test a small blind peripheral area in one > of my eyes that has been there for years was gone. Maybe just a fluke > of the field test machine settings. > > But .... I guess one could theorize that if their glaucoma was caused > by allergic inflammation in the fluid drainage tissues of the eye, and > a subsequent raise in optic fluid pressure, then maybe a body-wide > reduction in allegic inflammation responses from Xolair could improve > one's glaucoma. > > Any other members have experience or thoughts on this? > My Lions Club, the state eye bank (I am vice president of the board of directors) and my eye doctor call me " The Professional Eye Patient " after having cornea transplants in both eyes, 3 cataract procedures (one had to be re done) 6 Occlinum procedures (a form of Botox to straighten eye muscles) and two other procedures to correct astigmatism for post transpant patients. This was all pre-Xolair days. the cataracts formed from all the Pred use during my life. Believe it or not, in all of this I have never had any eye pressure problems. I highly doubt that xolair can cause any eye problems but you never know. I would ask your doctor and eye doctor their opinion. My original eye diagnosis when I was 13 was Keratoconus. They don't know why some people develop this condition but one theory says that a lot of people with allergies and asthma develop it in their early teens. like I did. I was 14. My vision now you ask? 20/30 with glasses Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I see no reason why there could not be an indirect connection between your visual/optic improvement and Xolair. I agree with , if Xolair is preventing allergic and inflammatory responses, a number of systems that may be impacted indirectly should see improvement if our overall inflammatory responses decrease and/or our need for medicines whose side effects impact these systems decreases. OK, I'm not sure that last sentence is actually a sentence. I'm a little discombobulated by Duke men's basketball team BARELY managing to beat BELMONT last night in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Can you blame me? Addy Group Co-owner Duke grad and fan Forced to cheer for Clemson last week (augh) due to the rule - Duke first and then anyone who's playing Carolina! > > I know this is a long shot but has anyone with asthma and glaucoma had > their glaucoma improve while taking Xolair for asthma. > > A year and a half into my Xolair regimen my optic pressure has dropped > to the lowest I can remember in ten years with glaucoma. This has > occured without any change in my glaucoma medications. > > Also, on my last visual field test a small blind peripheral area in one > of my eyes that has been there for years was gone. Maybe just a fluke > of the field test machine settings. > > But .... I guess one could theorize that if their glaucoma was caused > by allergic inflammation in the fluid drainage tissues of the eye, and > a subsequent raise in optic fluid pressure, then maybe a body-wide > reduction in allegic inflammation responses from Xolair could improve > one's glaucoma. > > Any other members have experience or thoughts on this? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 Were you able to cut down or stop Prednisone because of the Xolair? If so, that is most likely why your pressure is lower. I have a family history of Glaucoma so I get screened for it frequently. My Optometrist told me to avoid Prednisone as much as possible. She said it is possible Advair could contribute to Glaucoma but it's unlikely. As long as my pressure stays in the normal range I don't have to adjust my Advair (currently 500/50) dose but if it goes higher it's something I have to consider. Prednisone is just such a destructive medication. mister_manganese <mister_manganese@...> wrote: I know this is a long shot but has anyone with asthma and glaucoma had their glaucoma improve while taking Xolair for asthma. A year and a half into my Xolair regimen my optic pressure has dropped to the lowest I can remember in ten years with glaucoma. This has occured without any change in my glaucoma medications. Also, on my last visual field test a small blind peripheral area in one of my eyes that has been there for years was gone. Maybe just a fluke of the field test machine settings. But .... I guess one could theorize that if their glaucoma was caused by allergic inflammation in the fluid drainage tissues of the eye, and a subsequent raise in optic fluid pressure, then maybe a body-wide reduction in allegic inflammation responses from Xolair could improve one's glaucoma. Any other members have experience or thoughts on this? --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 I'm not aware that eye allergies have a role in glaucoma so I'm thinking it's unlikely that this would be a direct benefit of the Xolair itself. But I'd bet the bank that a great reduction in the amount of steroids you were taking (including inhaled steroids)is responsible for this terrific improvement in your glaucoma (glaucoma is increased pressure within the eye for those unaware). Steroid- induced glaucoma is known to be almost always reversible when the steroid dose is reduced enough or stopped, usually within a few months. That is fabulous!!! I'm so happy for you - Fran > > I know this is a long shot but has anyone with asthma and glaucoma had > their glaucoma improve while taking Xolair for asthma. > > A year and a half into my Xolair regimen my optic pressure has dropped > to the lowest I can remember in ten years with glaucoma. This has > occured without any change in my glaucoma medications. > > Also, on my last visual field test a small blind peripheral area in one > of my eyes that has been there for years was gone. Maybe just a fluke > of the field test machine settings. > > But .... I guess one could theorize that if their glaucoma was caused > by allergic inflammation in the fluid drainage tissues of the eye, and > a subsequent raise in optic fluid pressure, then maybe a body-wide > reduction in allegic inflammation responses from Xolair could improve > one's glaucoma. > > Any other members have experience or thoughts on this? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 , my Glacoma goes back ten years but treatment for Asthma only about four. Asthma kicked in with a vengence in my late 50's although I had symptoms many years that I somehow managed to live with. Even after starting treatment for Asthma which included periodic taper doses of Prednisone the eye pressures, held down with medication, remained unchanged but now, after 1-1/2 years on Xolair and one year without Prednisone the pressure dropped about 3 units without any change in the Glaucoma medicatons. I still take Advair 50/250 and sometimes 50/500 for a couple weeks at a time. The most surprising thing was my recent visual field test that revealed a small area of blindness I had went away. That had been there for years and I thought it was irreversible. Again, maybe just a fluke and it will show up again on the next visual field test. > > Were you able to cut down or stop Prednisone because of the Xolair? If so, that is most likely why your pressure is lower. I have a family history of Glaucoma so I get screened for it frequently. My Optometrist told me to avoid Prednisone as much as possible. She said it is possible Advair could contribute to Glaucoma but it's unlikely. As long as my pressure stays in the normal range I don't have to adjust my Advair (currently 500/50) dose but if it goes higher it's something I have to consider. Prednisone is just such a destructive medication. > > mister_manganese <mister_manganese@...> wrote: I know this is a long shot but has anyone with asthma and glaucoma had > their glaucoma improve while taking Xolair for asthma. > > A year and a half into my Xolair regimen my optic pressure has dropped > to the lowest I can remember in ten years with glaucoma. This has > occured without any change in my glaucoma medications. > > Also, on my last visual field test a small blind peripheral area in one > of my eyes that has been there for years was gone. Maybe just a fluke > of the field test machine settings. > > But .... I guess one could theorize that if their glaucoma was caused > by allergic inflammation in the fluid drainage tissues of the eye, and > a subsequent raise in optic fluid pressure, then maybe a body-wide > reduction in allegic inflammation responses from Xolair could improve > one's glaucoma. > > Any other members have experience or thoughts on this? > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 If Prednisone increases optic pressure then it seems it should be a red flag for people with glaucoma. Compound that with the apparent problem of cataracts that I've read can be brought on by Prednisone. My specialist doctor for glaucoma once told me not to worry about the effects of asthma medications on glaucoma. " If you can't breath, you die, right? So take care of your asthma and I'll take care of your vision " she said. My glaucoma specialist doctor is world-renowned and I've told her I'm taking Xolair for asthma but she hasn't had any comment on that. That leaves me wondering if the Xolair manufacturer is not spreading the word where they ought to, or if there's no special reason to steer glaucoma patients with asthma away from predinsone and toward Xoliar. > > Were you able to cut down or stop Prednisone because of the Xolair? If so, that is most likely why your pressure is lower. I have a family history of Glaucoma so I get screened for it frequently. My Optometrist told me to avoid Prednisone as much as possible. She said it is possible Advair could contribute to Glaucoma but it's unlikely. As long as my pressure stays in the normal range I don't have to adjust my Advair (currently 500/50) dose but if it goes higher it's something I have to consider. Prednisone is just such a destructive medication. > > mister_manganese <mister_manganese@...> wrote: I know this is a long shot but has anyone with asthma and glaucoma had > their glaucoma improve while taking Xolair for asthma. > > A year and a half into my Xolair regimen my optic pressure has dropped > to the lowest I can remember in ten years with glaucoma. This has > occured without any change in my glaucoma medications. > > Also, on my last visual field test a small blind peripheral area in one > of my eyes that has been there for years was gone. Maybe just a fluke > of the field test machine settings. > > But .... I guess one could theorize that if their glaucoma was caused > by allergic inflammation in the fluid drainage tissues of the eye, and > a subsequent raise in optic fluid pressure, then maybe a body-wide > reduction in allegic inflammation responses from Xolair could improve > one's glaucoma. > > Any other members have experience or thoughts on this? > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 No doubt about it, prednisone and other steroids are truly " evil candy " as we like to call it here. But the Xolair folks got FDA approval only for treating asthma not adequately controlled by the conventional meds, including steroids. Obviously, many docs are using it " off label " in a totally appropriate and legal way to help patients reduce or eliminate their routine or frequent steroid steroid requirements but Genentech is legally prohibited from promoting it for purposes other than that for which it was approved. Fran I know this is a long shot but has > anyone with asthma and glaucoma had > > their glaucoma improve while taking Xolair for asthma. > > > > A year and a half into my Xolair regimen my optic pressure has > dropped > > to the lowest I can remember in ten years with glaucoma. This has > > occured without any change in my glaucoma medications. > > > > Also, on my last visual field test a small blind peripheral area > in one > > of my eyes that has been there for years was gone. Maybe just a > fluke > > of the field test machine settings. > > > > But .... I guess one could theorize that if their glaucoma was > caused > > by allergic inflammation in the fluid drainage tissues of the eye, > and > > a subsequent raise in optic fluid pressure, then maybe a body- wide > > reduction in allegic inflammation responses from Xolair could > improve > > one's glaucoma. > > > > Any other members have experience or thoughts on this? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with > Search. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 The reason your glaucoma specialist probably didn't comment on Xolair is because she probably doesn't know much about it. Last fall I went to the ENT and listed my meds and she hadn't heard of Xolair. Chances are many Doc's aren't even aware it's on the market. A few years ago I walked into my family doctor's office with an updated script list and the same story.....he hadn't heard of it either and it had been on the market about 3+ years at that time. Word is spreading fast tho..... mister_manganese <mister_manganese@...> wrote: If Prednisone increases optic pressure then it seems it should be a red flag for people with glaucoma. Compound that with the apparent problem of cataracts that I've read can be brought on by Prednisone. My specialist doctor for glaucoma once told me not to worry about the effects of asthma medications on glaucoma. " If you can't breath, you die, right? So take care of your asthma and I'll take care of your vision " she said. My glaucoma specialist doctor is world-renowned and I've told her I'm taking Xolair for asthma but she hasn't had any comment on that. That leaves me wondering if the Xolair manufacturer is not spreading the word where they ought to, or if there's no special reason to steer glaucoma patients with asthma away from predinsone and toward Xoliar. I know this is a long shot but has anyone with asthma and glaucoma had > their glaucoma improve while taking Xolair for asthma. > > A year and a half into my Xolair regimen my optic pressure has dropped > to the lowest I can remember in ten years with glaucoma. This has > occured without any change in my glaucoma medications. > > Also, on my last visual field test a small blind peripheral area in one > of my eyes that has been there for years was gone. Maybe just a fluke > of the field test machine settings. > > But .... I guess one could theorize that if their glaucoma was caused > by allergic inflammation in the fluid drainage tissues of the eye, and > a subsequent raise in optic fluid pressure, then maybe a body-wide > reduction in allegic inflammation responses from Xolair could improve > one's glaucoma. > > Any other members have experience or thoughts on this? > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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