I'm new here

[Malvindersing]

Hi I'm new here and have been diagnosed with wet AMD, I was told to take Macshield supplements, by my opticians. But reading posts on here lot of people are taking Areds 2. Any recommendations please.

[springcross]

Hi Malvindersing. I don't have any recommendations - I just stopped by to say that someone will be along to answer you soon, if not in the morning. x

[Malvindersing in reply to springcross]

Thank you.

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner]

Good Mornign Malvindersing,

AREDS2 refers to the formula of ingredients in supplements. Macushield Gold follows this formula.

Lutein is a important vitamin that benefits eye health and can be found in foods that have big green, leafy vegetables. The vegetables that have the highest amount of lutein are kale, spinach, broccoli etc.

There has been a lot of research into whether nutritional supplements can make up for the lack of lutein, zeaxanthin and other antioxidants in people’s diets.

The strongest evidence is for the AREDS 2 supplement, which contains:

500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 10 mg lutein, 2 mg zeaxanthin, 25 mg zinc, 2 mg copper.

While we believe that taking supplements containing lutein may be beneficial to eye health, we do not endorse any brand. Shops such as boots and other health food places sell supplements which follow AREDs 2 formula, such as Macushield Gold. You can also look at butterflies-eyecare.co.uk/ and filter results specifically for AREDs 2 supplements.

Talk to your GP before taking supplements or making major changes to your diet, especially if you take other medications.

Here is our nutrition booklet for more information.

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

All the best,

Becky

Macular Society

Advice and Information

[e-mail]

[Malvindersing in reply to Becky_MacularSociety]

Hi Becky,

What's the difference between MacuShield original and Macushield Gold I'm taking Macushield Original.

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to Malvindersing]

Hi Malvindersing,

Macushield original follows the original AREDS trial formula, Macushield Gold follows the AREDS 2 forumala from the more recent AREDS research

[Malvindersing in reply to Becky_MacularSociety]

Thanks Becky, that's quite helpful.

[cormorin]

Hi do not often post but check regularly as do not know much about amd. Having said that many years ago my Consultant told me to get on Macushield Gold as it was , in his opinion, the best. Not saying it definetely works against amd but you do not know if you do not try. Sure it has helped slow down my amd a bit. Hope this helps. Take care!

[Malvindersing in reply to cormorin]

Thank you

[Wart123hog]

I was also advised to take Macushield Gold , It appears to slow down AMD

[Malvindersing in reply to Wart123hog]

Thank you

[quietly2]

I have been taking Macushield Gold for several years, after being recommended by my optician. Yes it is expensive bu t it seems to slow down AMD. I will continue to use it.

Good luck.

[Malvindersing in reply to quietly2]

Thank you so much.

[Rachmaninoff]

Hi Malvindersing, welcome. Four years ago I was diagnosed with AMD. 3 months prior to that my opticians passed my eye examination. Two years prior to that my optician recommended I start taking Macushield. I bought the pack which cost £17, wondered how I was going to keep paying for it so yes, its costly and yes it sounds like it will slow down the disease a bit, however being out of pocket and still getting it at some time in the future - have to weigh up the benefits. i am doing well with the injections - keeping it at bay. The future is bright and the wealth of research and technology that has many years behind its belt will benefit us all in the very near future.

[Malvindersing in reply to Rachmaninoff]

Hi Rachmaninoff, thank you for your words of comfort. I have been taking Macushield original now for 3 months and was thinking of changing it to Macushield Gold. which has more ingredients. I was diagnosed just before lockdown and I was in a dark place for 3 months and have just started getting used to the idea. Still researching, but there doesn't seem to be lot of support for people with AMD and lot of people don't know what it is. I don't know anyone that has it and feel so alone. I got a naturopath doctor to help me with my diet and supplements. Thank you again.

[Rachmaninoff in reply to Malvindersing]

You are very welcome Malvindersing. Must have been a shock having noone to give you reassuring advice. My son's mother in law has it - in both eyes she says...she soldiers on - I was shocked as she is such a bouncy person. My brother's sister in law has a worse eye problem that is a bit more complicated to treat. So all in all I took comfort in knowing there were close friends who had something worse than I had! I suppose having a sense of humour helps, but I do understand what you went through. Treating it early helps a lot and you seem to be on the right track. I am so glad I joined HealthUnlocked - here we are not alone and there is great help here when we need it. Do see your doctor again and get referred to an eye clinic as they will assess what stage you are at and if you need to start treatment.

[Malvindersing in reply to Rachmaninoff]

When I went to the opticians they gave me an Amsler grid and told me to check it every week and to come back if the lines weren't straight. I didn't realise that my doctor had to refer me, thought it was my opticians, but will ask them tomorrow. I've got a appointment tomorrow about my prescription sunglasses, so I might ask for another eye test, because I've been getting headaches and eyes been hurting. So not sure if its the lockdown effecting my mental state, or something else. I was diagnosed 2 days before lockdown. Also when the lady at the opticians was telling me nothing was sinking in, because didn't know what it was. I came home and researched. I still have good days and bad days, but trying to stay positive, but being on here as given me strength. There's wonderful people on here and I am so grateful.

Thank you everyone.

[Rachmaninoff in reply to Malvindersing]

Hi again Malvindersing, It's your doctor you see about the referral, obviously based on guidelines issued by the optometrist. Are the Amsler grid lines curved or straight? Are there blank spaces? if you have amd the lines should be a bit wavy. I would see the optometrist who diagnosed amd and they should have sent a letter to your GP who in turn refers you to the eye clinic but if the grid lines are straight then perhaps it is not yet considered to be urgent. I hope this is of some help. Good luck with everything.

[Malvindersing in reply to Rachmaninoff]

Hi Rachmaninoff, thanks for the information, the lines are straight at the moment, but when I go tomorrow to the opticians, I will enquire to see if they've sent a letter to my doctor to let him know about my AMD. But you have been great help thank you very much.

[Hidden in reply to Malvindersing]

Hi, if you have been diagnosed with WETmd I think the mac soc guidance is that the optician should refer you to the hospital to be seen within 14 days ( eliminating the potential delay of referring via a gp).

DRYmd is different, I think that's what you may have, the amsler grid can show if it is turning wet which is when the referral is urgent.

You might want to ring mac soc /optician and check with them.

Good luck going forwards, sight problems are known to be akin to bereavement emotionally so be kind to yourself x

[Malvindersing in reply to Hidden]

Hi, eyesright,

Sorry for the late reply, just read your post. Yes you are right, I went back to the optician's and had another eye check up now they're telling me I've got Dry AMD. I did ask them why would they tell me wet in March. Anyway they said it's definitely Dry. But thank you for the valuable information. Don't know why the optician's don't explain it like you have. I still have good days and bad days, keep thinking it's a bad dream and it's going to go away. I suppose everyone feels the same and we all have to be strong. But I do get comfort from this forum. Thank you again.

[Benhol2118 in reply to Malvindersing]

Hi I was diagnosed 3 days ago and not sure it has sunk in yet. It’s hit me hard and I have low moments and then I’m ok I have dry AMD so I just hope I can keep my sight a while longer as they tell me it’s slow to progress. To bring me comfort I hope research can help me for my future. Tough times

[Malvindersing in reply to Benhol2118]

Hi Benhol2118, I know how you feel, its not knowing the unknown. When I was diagnosed I didn't have a clue, after doing a lot of research I'm getting more positive I found lot of comfort joining HealthUnlocked, you will too find comfort and support. We are not alone and will get through this. I have learned lot since joining, I'm sure you will too. All the best.

[Hidden in reply to Benhol2118]

Sending you a hug x it's tough at the start and can be later too but you are not alone. This is a great forum and everyone here " gets it".

Sight problems are known to be akin to bereavement emotionally so be kind to yourself. X

Check out the " Helpful Stuff" posts under the pinned topics. It's a bit clunky to find them but we've tried to group useful info in one place ( under separate headings). They're not intended as conversational threads like this, just info made easier to find. Anyone can add more useful stuff if they know it.

Click the 9 circles on the header, click Macular society, scroll over to the Right hand side then scroll down to pinned posts, click ' see all' .

[Joankelley]

just wondering what the ZINC content is. I read somewhere that too much zinc is not good.

This forum is so helpful. Sending my sincere thanks to everyone who posts here.

[Malvindersing in reply to Joankelley]

Hi Joankelley, I'm not quite sure, but I'm not getting enough zinc in my food, I'm vegan, so I need it in my supplements. I'm waiting for my Naturopath to get back to me. When I find out more information, will let you know.

[Joankelley in reply to Malvindersing]

Many many thanks. Your Neuropath will have the answer. There is so much confusing info in the Internet.

I have heard something about zinc and hair loss.....

[Malvindersing in reply to Joankelley]

No worries, will keep you updated, yes internet is very confusing, take care.

[Polly221pj]

I was diagnosed 3 years ago and started macushield gold and so far no change. Look up the ingredients. I thing gold have same as Areds2 and more. I think Macushield Gold are more expensive but 3 for 2 at Boots. Free postage. Hope this helps

[Malvindersing in reply to Polly221pj]

Hi Polly221pj, yes that's why I was thinking of changing Macusheild original to Macushield Gold because of the ingredients. Thank you so much.

[Polly221pj in reply to Malvindersing]

It seems to be working ok. I take three at night. I couldn't find my needle threader the other day and the needle was minute and was able to thread it first time and a few more times. Maybe a coincidence but haven been able to do that for a good few years

[Malvindersing in reply to Polly221pj]

Wow you're doing something right, keep doing it. Take care and thank you for your support.

[Benhol2118 in reply to Polly221pj]

Hi I have just ordered the Gold from Amazon they do it slightly cheaper if you have every month

[Polly221pj in reply to Benhol2118]

I get 3 for 2 delivered free from Boots. But thank you. Get my Boots points to lol

[StokeySue]

I decided having read the AREDS and CREST studies that Macushield was a overpriced, personally I have chosen to take MacuSave with a Vitamin C+Zinc tablet taken separately (those are very cheap)

Either way it seems worth reiterating that the lutein and zeaxanthin content of any brand is not intended to treat the AMD, only to possibly help slow its progress, though CREST did see very slight improvements in vision, not enough that you'd notice in daily life, Like all vitamins and supplements they are prevention, not treatment

[Malvindersing in reply to StokeySue]

Hi StokeySue, that's a good idea too, thanks for sharing. Yes you are right its not a treatment, just to slow the progress. But thank you again.