Hello @dryeyes5, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled: "AREDS 2 and side effects" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/areds/. I did this so you could read through the experiences of other members and AREDS 2.
@dryeyes5, how long have you been taking this medication and when did your symptoms start?
Well, I am an Areds2 "veteran". I have been taking it since I was first diagnosed with AMD by my retina specialist. I was diagnosed years ago, at least 10-12 years ago. Initially, it was taken just once daily, and then eventually went to twice daily. I attribute Areds2 to keeping me Dry for all this time, because I never took anything else. AMD is very strong in my mother's side of the family. It caused all her siblings and many cousins to to legally blind, so I am thankful that I am still Dry!
I have never had any side effects from Areds, but FYI, I did have a few experiences with the pills feeling "wet" as I would get to the bottom of the bottle and this always made me a little leary, so I contacted the company. They responded by giving me two large bottles free and told me to never take the pills if they appeared to be wet.
P
Eye Dr advised me to take AREDS in May, take 1 in AM & 1 in PM. Take thyroid med for 30 years & amlodipine for 1 year, no side effects from those. Since May I awake feeling nauseous, abdominal pain, diarrhea and no appetite. This goes on all day esp nausea. Researched the anoint of zinc & think there is way too much in the AREDS. I do not have macular degeneration, on,y a tiny cataract & very nearsighted since age 8. I take a multi vitamin once a week and vit D daily. Had annual blood work done yesterday. & my total cholesterol has dropped from 170 to 123, LDL is higher & HDL is lower & my RBC is below normal. Have annual physical next week & will discuss the zinc dosage with my primary md. Stopped the AREDS two days ago & have had no side effects since. Comments?
Eye Dr advised me to take AREDS in May, take 1 in AM & 1 in PM. Take thyroid med for 30 years & amlodipine for 1 year, no side effects from those. Since May I awake feeling nauseous, abdominal pain, diarrhea and no appetite. This goes on all day esp nausea. Researched the anoint of zinc & think there is way too much in the AREDS. I do not have macular degeneration, on,y a tiny cataract & very nearsighted since age 8. I take a multi vitamin once a week and vit D daily. Had annual blood work done yesterday. & my total cholesterol has dropped from 170 to 123, LDL is higher & HDL is lower & my RBC is below normal. Have annual physical next week & will discuss the zinc dosage with my primary md. Stopped the AREDS two days ago & have had no side effects since. Comments?
If you’ll read this entire thread, you will see that the symptoms you mention can be attributed to AREDS, specifically Preservision. I’ve written about those very symptoms myself. It sounds to me like you are overdosing, particularly since you are also taking a multivitamin, which may have a dosage overlap with the AREDS. Neither my optometrist nor ophthalmologist mentioned this possibility. I was sick for a long time, getting progressively worse. I couldn’t even tolerate one AREDS a day. But as soon as I stopped taking it, the illness stopped. I just hope I didn’t do any long term damage to my body.
If you do read this thread, you’ll see that I’m also of the opinion that AREDS does nothing to help eye health or slow the progression of MD.
AREDs also made me feel sick so I started taking "NOW Supplements, Lutein & Zeaxanthin with 25 mg Lutein and 5 mg Zeaxanthin, 60 Softgels" which mimicked the two ingredients I wasn't getting other places and does not have the ingredients that cause problems and I felt much better
If you’ll read this entire thread, you will see that the symptoms you mention can be attributed to AREDS, specifically Preservision. I’ve written about those very symptoms myself. It sounds to me like you are overdosing, particularly since you are also taking a multivitamin, which may have a dosage overlap with the AREDS. Neither my optometrist nor ophthalmologist mentioned this possibility. I was sick for a long time, getting progressively worse. I couldn’t even tolerate one AREDS a day. But as soon as I stopped taking it, the illness stopped. I just hope I didn’t do any long term damage to my body.
If you do read this thread, you’ll see that I’m also of the opinion that AREDS does nothing to help eye health or slow the progression of MD.
yes I did follow the thread and saw the comments. I stopped the PreserVision Areds2 a few days ago when I read reviews online and saw comments about the amount of zinc. I bought bottle of B & L Ocuvite which has much less zinc but more lutein and zeaxanthin BUT I so far only took 1 of those capsules - last night - and had NONE of the side effects which I had with the Areds2. So I may finish the new bottle and see how it goes. I only was taking a multivitamin "gummy" once a week (recommended dose was 2 per day!). I only take vitamin D otherwise, not even every day. I have not been diagnosed with MD so I am uncertain why the eye doctor recommended the Areas! I am of the opinion that the best way to get optimal nutrition is from real food, not supplements. I try to eat organic foods when possible. So much for advice from doctors! Thank you for your reply
If you’ll read this entire thread, you will see that the symptoms you mention can be attributed to AREDS, specifically Preservision. I’ve written about those very symptoms myself. It sounds to me like you are overdosing, particularly since you are also taking a multivitamin, which may have a dosage overlap with the AREDS. Neither my optometrist nor ophthalmologist mentioned this possibility. I was sick for a long time, getting progressively worse. I couldn’t even tolerate one AREDS a day. But as soon as I stopped taking it, the illness stopped. I just hope I didn’t do any long term damage to my body.
If you do read this thread, you’ll see that I’m also of the opinion that AREDS does nothing to help eye health or slow the progression of MD.
From a UCLA professor of Opthalmology with a retina specialty I learned that Preservision AREDS2 slows the progression of dry ARMD into wet ARMD by 25%.
I’m not reporting my “opinion” here. This is medical science. We need to be selective about our sources.
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Has anyone experienced burning on urination after taking PreserVision ARDS2 for dry eyes?
Hello @dryeyes5, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled: "AREDS 2 and side effects" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/areds/. I did this so you could read through the experiences of other members and AREDS 2.
@dryeyes5, how long have you been taking this medication and when did your symptoms start?
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Hug
2 ReactionsWell, I am an Areds2 "veteran". I have been taking it since I was first diagnosed with AMD by my retina specialist. I was diagnosed years ago, at least 10-12 years ago. Initially, it was taken just once daily, and then eventually went to twice daily. I attribute Areds2 to keeping me Dry for all this time, because I never took anything else. AMD is very strong in my mother's side of the family. It caused all her siblings and many cousins to to legally blind, so I am thankful that I am still Dry!
I have never had any side effects from Areds, but FYI, I did have a few experiences with the pills feeling "wet" as I would get to the bottom of the bottle and this always made me a little leary, so I contacted the company. They responded by giving me two large bottles free and told me to never take the pills if they appeared to be wet.
P
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1 ReactionI cannot use Ared. I use Lutein
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1 ReactionEye Dr advised me to take AREDS in May, take 1 in AM & 1 in PM. Take thyroid med for 30 years & amlodipine for 1 year, no side effects from those. Since May I awake feeling nauseous, abdominal pain, diarrhea and no appetite. This goes on all day esp nausea. Researched the anoint of zinc & think there is way too much in the AREDS. I do not have macular degeneration, on,y a tiny cataract & very nearsighted since age 8. I take a multi vitamin once a week and vit D daily. Had annual blood work done yesterday. & my total cholesterol has dropped from 170 to 123, LDL is higher & HDL is lower & my RBC is below normal. Have annual physical next week & will discuss the zinc dosage with my primary md. Stopped the AREDS two days ago & have had no side effects since. Comments?
It is the high zinc content - depending on the brand. Preservision has a high zinc content that would cause those side effects.
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3 ReactionsIf you’ll read this entire thread, you will see that the symptoms you mention can be attributed to AREDS, specifically Preservision. I’ve written about those very symptoms myself. It sounds to me like you are overdosing, particularly since you are also taking a multivitamin, which may have a dosage overlap with the AREDS. Neither my optometrist nor ophthalmologist mentioned this possibility. I was sick for a long time, getting progressively worse. I couldn’t even tolerate one AREDS a day. But as soon as I stopped taking it, the illness stopped. I just hope I didn’t do any long term damage to my body.
If you do read this thread, you’ll see that I’m also of the opinion that AREDS does nothing to help eye health or slow the progression of MD.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsAREDs also made me feel sick so I started taking "NOW Supplements, Lutein & Zeaxanthin with 25 mg Lutein and 5 mg Zeaxanthin, 60 Softgels" which mimicked the two ingredients I wasn't getting other places and does not have the ingredients that cause problems and I felt much better
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactionsyes I did follow the thread and saw the comments. I stopped the PreserVision Areds2 a few days ago when I read reviews online and saw comments about the amount of zinc. I bought bottle of B & L Ocuvite which has much less zinc but more lutein and zeaxanthin BUT I so far only took 1 of those capsules - last night - and had NONE of the side effects which I had with the Areds2. So I may finish the new bottle and see how it goes. I only was taking a multivitamin "gummy" once a week (recommended dose was 2 per day!). I only take vitamin D otherwise, not even every day. I have not been diagnosed with MD so I am uncertain why the eye doctor recommended the Areas! I am of the opinion that the best way to get optimal nutrition is from real food, not supplements. I try to eat organic foods when possible. So much for advice from doctors! Thank you for your reply
From a UCLA professor of Opthalmology with a retina specialty I learned that Preservision AREDS2 slows the progression of dry ARMD into wet ARMD by 25%.
I’m not reporting my “opinion” here. This is medical science. We need to be selective about our sources.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions