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Wey Macular Degeneration Treatment

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/2/2023 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
I have just been diagnosed with Wet Macular Degeneration. Currently on Entyvio. The First Line of treatment is Anti-VEGF treatment which is a monoclonal Biologic given thru an eye injection. Just checking to see if anyone that is on a Biologic for UC is also getting this treatment and any information from experience.

Thanks
Posted 8/2/2023 10:27 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry for the new diagnosis. I don't know anything about the disease (except from commercials on TV) or the meds to treat it. Since Entyvio is specifically targeted to the colon the meds probably won't interfere with each other. An injection in the eye sounds very scary! Please keep us posted on how you are doing.
Posted 8/2/2023 10:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, sorry to hear about your diagnosis. No I don't have this problem but I take prolia for osteoporosis which is a biologic, in addition to my UC treatment (xeljanz). I barely think about the immunosuppressive effects of prolia as it doesn't seem to be as risky as the UC treatments. Might be worth googling the side effect profile of Anti-VEGFs for an idea of the possible risks.
Posted 8/2/2023 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I looked in the archives & could not find any posts. I have looked around in the larger medical websites & found nothing that lists Entyvio as a medication to avoid with these injections. I suggest that you contact your gi & discuss this with him.

Keep us posted.
Posted 8/2/2023 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry you are going thru this.

I too googled and didn't find anything...so I'd talk to my GI, a pharmacist and the drug manufacturer just in case.

A shot in the eye.....once the numb it you won't feel it but have pain meds for after.

Clo
Posted 8/2/2023 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the response. My GI Doctor is out of town. Will check with him next week.
Posted 8/3/2023 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
My husband's friend was just diagnosed with early stage Dry MD...I didnt know much about either except there are 2 kinds. Sad to hear about your diagnosis, and yes the shot in the eye sounds scary. It seems worth the treatment from an outside perspective.

I'm curious if anyone in your family has it as well?

Please let us know how your treatment goes.

hugs,
q
Posted 8/3/2023 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Quincy,

No one in my family has had it. Without treatment the Wet progresses quickly. I just had the first shot. Not as bad as I expected. Will be checking with my GI Doctor next week to discuss this shot being an Anti-VEGF treatment which is a monoclonal Biologic.

Thanks for the response.
Posted 8/3/2023 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Good to hear the first shot wasn't horrific. Yes, I did read that type progresses quickly 😔. Hoping this is something that can be maintained to save your sight for a long while.

q
Posted 8/3/2023 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Very sorry that major problem happened to you, as if UC wasn't enough already. Were you DXed due to visual changes (such that Amsler Grid tests detect) or did the condition turn up on an annual ophthal exam? All best wishes for successful treatment!!!!! / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 8/3/2023 8:51 PM (GMT 0)

Old Hat said...
Very sorry that major problem happened to you, as if UC wasn't enough already. Were you DXed due to visual changes (such that Amsler Grid tests detect) or did the condition turn up on an annual ophthal exam? All best wishes for successful treatment!!!!! / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)

Opthal Exam-I get one every year. Have had Dry Macular for a while. Optal Dr noticed some vision change and ran the Retina Test he does every year and referred me to a Retina Specialist and he said the Wet was Just starting in one eye. Had my first shot that same day. Hopefully this treatment will stop progression.
Posted 8/4/2023 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely good that your annual exam turned up the wet progression early. Our UC steroids can cause cataracts so I suspect that other Rx meds may also affect the eyes. I'm suspicious of iodine-contrast imaging because an epiretinal membrane suddenly showed up in one eye at annual ophthal exam 4 months after my double-contrast transabdominal CT-scan at end of 2016. So far it causes me to see vertical lines squiggly in the affected eye. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 8/4/2023 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
I hope the treatment works for you.
Posted 8/6/2023 5:38 PM (GMT 0)

Sara14 said...
I hope the treatment works for you.

Thank You
Posted 8/8/2023 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
I hope it works for you too. Let us know how it goes. Do you have symptoms, or were you at a routine visit and you got the diagnosis?
Posted 8/10/2023 1:01 AM (GMT 0)

notsosicklygirl said...
I hope it works for you too. Let us know how it goes. Do you have symptoms, or were you at a routine visit and you got the diagnosis?

It was diagnosed on my yearly exam. I have had Dry Macular for several years. It progressed slowly but I really noticed when reading the eye chart this exam. Will keep you posted. I have my next shot in 3 weeks.
Posted 8/10/2023 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you are going thru this.

Thank Goodness you get a yearly eye exam and they caught it. I'm really glad that the shot wasn't too difficult for you.

How often and how long do you have to have these shots?
Posted 8/10/2023 12:44 PM (GMT 0)

clo2014 said...
I'm sorry you are going thru this.

Thank Goodness you get a yearly eye exam and they caught it. I'm really glad that the shot wasn't too difficult for you.

How often and how long do you have to have these shots?

The Retina DR has me getting them at 4 week intervals but will monitor progress to see if the time between shots can be extended.
Posted 8/24/2023 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
I consider supplementing with fish oil similar to just eating more fish. This won't cure macular degeneration but if it reduces the risk of getting it in the first place then it might help with your treatment.

https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2023/9/omega-3-macular-degeneration
Two large meta-analyses of human studies found that a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil is associated with a reduced risk of the development and progression of macular degeneration.
Posted 8/26/2023 5:03 PM (GMT 0)

IamCurious said...
I consider supplementing with fish oil similar to just eating more fish. This won't cure macular degeneration but if it reduces the risk of getting it in the first place then it might help with your treatment.

https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2023/9/omega-3-macular-degeneration
Two large meta-analyses of human studies found that a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil is associated with a reduced risk of the development and progression of macular degeneration.

Thanks
Posted 11/20/2023 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Here is an excellent video discussing ways to prevent macular degeneration. It includes eating fish and other nutrients such as lutein and zeaxathin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7h0k5lnkao&t=743s
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