IBS Diverticular and red dry eyes

[cassie17]

i have have suffered badly with IBS and diverticular disease for 20yrs the last couple of years I have also suffered red,tired, blood shot eyes (the dr said its dry eye) does anyone one else have eye problems just wondered if it was associated with the bowel conditions?Thanks x

[denvajade]

Hi Cassie I know what you mean about red bloodshot and tired eyes, I too have this, a funny question to ask you have you had your gallbladder out? I have a condition that effects my bowel called Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, caused by having no gallbladder.

[Hidden in reply to denvajade]

Hi denvajade I've had my gallbladder out I've also got IBS and dry eyes .Could you tell me what your symptoms are for Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction are please

[denvajade in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gemimi71 I just wrote a long note to you and ;\lost it so hope it does not turn up twice,

40 years ago I had my gallbladder removed and no problems, stayed slim until a few years ago, then put on a few kgs that would not move no matter what I did, ww, exercise etc I developed stomach continual stomach pains, then 18months ago literally overnight I grew a stomach like I was nine months pregnant with twins and gained 7kg in 5 days, I was so ill I looked like I was dying, big black circles around my bloodshot eyes. Doctors panicked, believed I had liver cancer, neg. then pancreatic cancer neg, ovarian cancer negative again,after dozens of tests and speciIalists unable to come up with an answer they labeled it IBS. I knew it was not this as everyday I woke with a flat stomach but as soon as I put liquid or food in my stomach I develop an intense burning pain in the middle of my gut then the growing, by the end of the day I am so huge I cant sit and have to lie down, I am nauseated, extremely tired, have gone gluten and lactose free and been on the fodmap diet which have given some relief but still very ill. finally another doctor suggested this condition based on all symptoms and put me on meds that again gives some relief, a lowwww fat diet and no meat or raw veges because the stomach cannot digest it at all. Look up the condition and see if it sounds like you. Please let me know how you go. cheers Trish

[Hidden in reply to denvajade]

Thank you denvajade for having the courtesy to answer my question.I looked up your illness and no it don't apply to me.But having read all about it I sincerely emphasis with you.All I can say is I really wish you well.(If I could wave a magic wand I would wish everyone on this site well) x

[cassie17]

hi,denvajade,no I haven't had gallbladder out.

[orange123uk]

Go to an eye clinic at your hospital get a Dr's letter so as you can be seen urgently or go and get your eyes tested then any problems will be picked up. Dry eyes can be symptoms of other problems. This can be serous as your eyes are very important so go now .

[Ctb567]

Hi, I've had IBS my whole life and in the last couple of years I've also developed dry eyes in the last couple of years and its horrible :/ Especially as I got mine during the year of my A-Levels, one of them being in ICT so I know how horrible dry eyes can be. The next thing you need to do is see the eye specialist. I had to go to the doctors 5 times before they referred me and even then they gave me this condescending look and told me that there was probably nothing they could do for me as we already knew that this is dry eyes. If your doctors do that ignore them because there is so much more an eye specialist can do and it took a while but they've really helped my dry eyes a lot. First they do a load of tests to rule out eye problems and they can tell you what kind of dry eyes you have, for example I have blepharitis, where the part of my eye that produces the oily layer of tears is blocked so my tears are just evaporating straight off my eyes and drying out. Knowing this helps you choose a specific treatment. Eventually I had my eyes plugged, where they put plugs in the drainage part of your eye to keep more water in them which has helped so much.

I'm still trying to work out how IBS links with this at the moment but it seems like I'm low on vitamins because of my IBS which is causing dry eyes. If you kind of dry eyes is the type where you just not producing enough tears then this could lean more towards an autoimmune condition such as Coeliac disease, which could be causing your IBS. Either way its important you eyes are investigated and you should probably try to get a referral asap because it takes about 3 months to see an eye specialist, they're high in demand.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Lynsey_85]

I too have been diagnosed with IBS but currently having more tests done so see if there is an underlying cause/intolerance. I also have dry eyes..the optician said my tears aren't covering my eyes especially my right eye. They feel very gritty and as if I'm tired. The eye drops I've been given don't do a lot for it.

[Hidden in reply to Lynsey_85]

I don't know if IBS and dry eyes have any connection but I to have dry eyes,I've had both for about 12yrs and I was given Hypromellose Eye Drops Preservative Free 0.3% and they work brilliantly

[da88er]

Yes I've got dry eyes too. Didn't think related to its as had it for long time. Recently eyes swelled up too& very sore. Dxx

[Lyndalee]

Yes I've have the same problem. After an attack my eyes turn red for only a few minutes. I have IBS & Diverticulosis so severe I'm hospitalized.

[Rasputin1]

Yes, IBS and diverticular disease for 12+ years and also have dry eyes, though they weep when I get up in the morning.