I went to my retina/MD doctor this week. He concurred with my optometrist who told me last week that my MD was slightly better than it was this time last year. I didn't know that was even a possibility. I thought the best we could hope for was for it to remain stable, but that it usually just progressively gets worse. I got this report despite being off the Preservision AREDS for six months.
Both doctors told me that I could switch to another brand of AREDS. But I told them I don't think I'm willing to risk getting sick again. I don't think my retina doctor really took me seriously when I said it made me sick. I didn't describe to him all the symptoms and he didn't ask. But he said if I'm not going to take the AREDS, then I should at least take lutein. He suggested two tablets a day, which would equal 10 mg.
When I came home and researched it, I found that 6 mg. is the RDA, although 10 wouldn't hurt. Since I hate swallowing pills and I don't have any confidence in supplements anyway, I'm going to try to alter my diet and get the lutein the way God intended...through food. Foods high in lutein are dark green leafy veggies (kale, spinach, broccoli), yellow colored foods (corn, egg yolks), and pistachios (that surprised me, but they are green, so I guess it makes sense).
I’ve been taking AREDS 2 twice a day with food. I’ve been noticing abdominal cramping and diarrhea ever since. Anyone else have this issue.? Should I lower my dosage ?
Most formulas indicate 10 Mg of Leutin and 2 Mg of Zeaxanthin daily. You can use this as a guide when you are researching different vitamin brands. I think that those doses, along with the right diet is sufficient and see no reason to take more than that.
My vision is getting slowly worse; esp far. I have gotten new glasses too. I guess the Avastin inj and vitamins are only doing enough to prevent severe vision loss. My Dr does not seem concerned. He is supposed to be excellent at treating this. I am pondering a 2nd opiion.
Avastin is for WET macular degeneration IAMD). I think this thread is mostly for the dry form of AMD.
AREDS2 will neither stop nor cure any type of AMD. It will, hopefully, slow the progression.
I have been taking AREDS for dry macular degeneration for 10+ years with no problems until recently. Don't know if it's age (I'm 70 yo female), but in the last few months I've had progressively worse nausea after taking am and pm with food. Talked to my retina specialist who guesed that it was the zinc. I then purchased each component individually in the same dosages as AREDS contains and tried taking those minus the zinc. Now the nausea is better but the diarrhea is worse! I noticed someone on this thread menetioned that COPPER might be causing issues. Guess I'll eliminate that next.......
Avastin is for WET macular degeneration IAMD). I think this thread is mostly for the dry form of AMD.
AREDS2 will neither stop nor cure any type of AMD. It will, hopefully, slow the progression.
While Avastin is for wet macular degeneration it is also used for other retinal problems. I have stable dry macular degeneration but developed macular edema (non diabetic edema) in one eye and it has been treated with periodic Avastin eye injections. This drug along with Eyelea and Lucentis are called anti VEGF drugs that treat the abnormal growth of blood vessels which can lead to low vision or even blindness if not treated.
Lucentis is very expensive and Eyelea is close behind which is why you will see mention of people being treated more with Avastin. Avastin is an off label drug originally approved for different types of cancer . I know it starts to work almost immediately but there are indications Eyelea may be better…that’s a conflict of opinions. It’s all about the cost.
It didn’t upset my stomach but I had a much worse side effect. I experienced an incredible muscle weakness to a point that I could barely function. After 2 months I was unable to climb stairs to a point that I felt paralyzed. It was dramatic and debilitating. After quitting AREDS2, I was back to normal! I lost most of the summer; never imagined vitamins and minerals could be so dangerous.
Wow! I’ve never heard of such a reaction. Now that happened to me when I was put on a cholesterol med. The only issue I have with AREDS 2 is the zinc dosage. I have to watch my vitamins that also contain zinc. Too much zinc has side affects. Stop taking all supplements than try the AREDS2 again because it has really improved my vision. Did you have the covid vaccine around the time you started areds2?
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I went to my retina/MD doctor this week. He concurred with my optometrist who told me last week that my MD was slightly better than it was this time last year. I didn't know that was even a possibility. I thought the best we could hope for was for it to remain stable, but that it usually just progressively gets worse. I got this report despite being off the Preservision AREDS for six months.
Both doctors told me that I could switch to another brand of AREDS. But I told them I don't think I'm willing to risk getting sick again. I don't think my retina doctor really took me seriously when I said it made me sick. I didn't describe to him all the symptoms and he didn't ask. But he said if I'm not going to take the AREDS, then I should at least take lutein. He suggested two tablets a day, which would equal 10 mg.
When I came home and researched it, I found that 6 mg. is the RDA, although 10 wouldn't hurt. Since I hate swallowing pills and I don't have any confidence in supplements anyway, I'm going to try to alter my diet and get the lutein the way God intended...through food. Foods high in lutein are dark green leafy veggies (kale, spinach, broccoli), yellow colored foods (corn, egg yolks), and pistachios (that surprised me, but they are green, so I guess it makes sense).
Yes, I have. Been taking it for a couple of months now, it just recently became a problem.
the doctor recommended that I take extra Lutein and Zeaxanthin, though I forgot to ask how much and am now waiting to call Monday and find out.
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2 Reactions@greely
Most formulas indicate 10 Mg of Leutin and 2 Mg of Zeaxanthin daily. You can use this as a guide when you are researching different vitamin brands. I think that those doses, along with the right diet is sufficient and see no reason to take more than that.
FL Mary
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1 ReactionAvastin is for WET macular degeneration IAMD). I think this thread is mostly for the dry form of AMD.
AREDS2 will neither stop nor cure any type of AMD. It will, hopefully, slow the progression.
I have been taking AREDS for dry macular degeneration for 10+ years with no problems until recently. Don't know if it's age (I'm 70 yo female), but in the last few months I've had progressively worse nausea after taking am and pm with food. Talked to my retina specialist who guesed that it was the zinc. I then purchased each component individually in the same dosages as AREDS contains and tried taking those minus the zinc. Now the nausea is better but the diarrhea is worse! I noticed someone on this thread menetioned that COPPER might be causing issues. Guess I'll eliminate that next.......
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1 Reaction@dales and @petersmom
While Avastin is for wet macular degeneration it is also used for other retinal problems. I have stable dry macular degeneration but developed macular edema (non diabetic edema) in one eye and it has been treated with periodic Avastin eye injections. This drug along with Eyelea and Lucentis are called anti VEGF drugs that treat the abnormal growth of blood vessels which can lead to low vision or even blindness if not treated.
Lucentis is very expensive and Eyelea is close behind which is why you will see mention of people being treated more with Avastin. Avastin is an off label drug originally approved for different types of cancer . I know it starts to work almost immediately but there are indications Eyelea may be better…that’s a conflict of opinions. It’s all about the cost.
FL Mary
I am at the beginning and the dr ordered Areds I tried two different brands and could not take them I am now taking Lutien -z. With. No problem.
Wow! I’ve never heard of such a reaction. Now that happened to me when I was put on a cholesterol med. The only issue I have with AREDS 2 is the zinc dosage. I have to watch my vitamins that also contain zinc. Too much zinc has side affects. Stop taking all supplements than try the AREDS2 again because it has really improved my vision. Did you have the covid vaccine around the time you started areds2?
When you say it's recommended for people with intermediate to advanced AMD, does that include DRY AMD or just wet?
Thank you!
AREDS2 is most helpful to slow the progression of dry AMD, including when one eye has dry and one eye has wet AMD.