Food intolerance and question?

[JAHughes]

I have suffered with chronic Iritis since 1999. I find that I am steroid dependant, 2 drops a day. If I stop it flares w/in a week. I found that I am allergic to shellfish and that causes a flare, but I just read something that anyone who has chronic Iritis should eliminate all:
dairy, wheat (gluten), soy, chocolate, corn, preservatives, and food additives. Avoid refined foods, reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.

I have gone through tests after test to figure out why I keep getting flares (HLA B27+) and I have come to the conclusion that it is food intorerances. I was wrongly diagnosed with chron's in 2006 but after the biopsy came back negative, I was told it was UC or both. Looking back at the pictures of my intestines and putting together what a colon looks like with food intolerances, it makes sense now. I will be drastically changing my diet to see if I avoid these foods I can get off the steroids. I have been very healthy (no colds or infections), except for chronic Iritis, allergies and severe chronic sinusitis which I think are all tied to foods I eat causing inflamation. My eyes are healthy and all the symptoms I've had since 2006 that my drs. could not figure out all now make sense. All the test came back negative, except for the Hla B27+ and that I had inflamation in my body. I keep getting flares unless I remain on 2 drops a day.

My question is, why don't drs. especially Iritis drs. suggest avoiding these foods? The last several years I have been thrown so many meds to control the problem, when it is quite possible that food was the culprit all along. I have been eating foods that make me sick and never really thought (until now) that it could be that simple. I know you are not the expert on this, but why doesn't the medical community address food as the possible culprit? Seems like there should be a 'perscription diet' that eliminats all possible culprits when a patient is sick and test cannot find the answer. Why is it that drs will give you a pill, but not address foods?
Thanks!

[Mike Bartolatz]

your uveitis is related to the HLA B27 gene. it doesn't impact food allergy but allergy causes IL17 production a pro inflammatory cytokine which triggers uveitis and many autoimmune disease processes. there are other factors in the inflammatory cascade that can also illicit the IL17 cytokine. recent studies show that adipose tissue, the fat cells of the abdomen give off adipokines seen in arthritis, type II diabetes, heart disease etc as well as IL17 and other cytokines and chemokines. sometimes allergy to wheat and Milk products shows up and anecdotally our members have indicated that their 'trigger' for uveitis is one of these things. I know of no scientific (double blind placebo controlled studies) to support this.
what works for you is appropriate for you so I can't comment.

ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are VERY serious conditions related to the HLA B27 gene often requiring chemotherapeutic immunomodulation to control and when uveitis related to them, it can be VERY serious and difficult to prevent long term consequences of uveitis that can be blinding. the opthalmologists job it to employ medications to prevent these consequences if at all possible.
hopefully new medications in development at this time will lessen complications to uveitis and to chronic autoimmune disease processes. once the body starts producing these inflammatory compounds and white blood cells that produce them it can take two years to retrain the immune system to stop attacking the eyes. if you are 'allergic' to foods, then removing them may stop that portion of the inflammatory cascade but you may still require these drugs to retrain the immune system to stop attacking your eyes through production of the white blood cells.

wish you the best,
Mike

[JAHughes]

I forgot to add after having more test my GI dr said it was not IBD or IBS but food allergies.

[donfrankmagic]

I find this topic most interesting. I am also hlab27 positive and also allergic to shellfish, specifically shrimp. I also found out I'm allergic to salmon, beef and many grasses and molds. The reason I found this out was because I went to an allergist to find out what I was allergic to in hopes of eliminating the foods, thus improving my Ankylosing Spondilitis. Well, both my Rhumatologist and Allergist said it probably wouldn't help, but it was a good idea to know what I was allergic to. When I found out that I was allergic to shrimp, I went out and ate some shrimp to see if anything would happen. It did, but not what I was expecting. The mysterious white pimples I got at random times were caused by my eating the shrimp. Hardly noticable.

If shellfish could affect my iritis, I should have a major attack right now, because last week I ate a ton of shrimp, with no signs of problems. It would be nice if it were that easy, and I would eliminate those foods right away if there was a proven connection.

That is why I think Mike's response is so interesting (regarding the fat cells). At one time I fasted for two days because I couldn't move due to joint pain. After the rest and fast I felt great. I have since had to have a hip replacement in that joint. I say that to say this: I have seen many shows and supporting evidence that suggests reducing calorie intake to a bare minimum can improve these conditions. Of coarse it needs to be carefully planned out, but I'm going to give it a try. There does seem to be a connection in my gaining weight and my flare-ups. Also, I read a study that shows genetic repair occurs on a calorie restricted diet (balanced of coarse). Mike do you have a comment on any of this?

[Mike Bartolatz]

IL17 is present in ALLERGY as well. there is an article on this in our related conditions forum. SO, it is quitte possible that an allergic reaction could worsen an existing bout of uveitis or bring on a renewed bout since IL17 is part of the inflammatory cascade involved in uveitis.
anti inflammatory medication such as NSAIDs can also help with chronic uveitis and ankylosing spondylitis - HLA B27 disease. if your uveitis returns, ask Dr Rao to put you on an NSAID such as Celebrex, dolobid or Naprosyn at prescription strength for a year.

good luck with getting rid of all excesss fat too. thats how people live to be 115 years old.

Take care,
Mike

[kfears]

I have had chronic uveitis for about 15 years and getting worse. I have been putting steroid drops in my eyes for so long that I have already had both lenses replaced. I KNOW this is caused by allergic reactions to food. I also have arthritis which was verified by a genetic test, but I have not had any symptoms in years due to a very pristine diet. I have been on the Paleo diet for about 2 years now and that has helped the uveitis. But I still have flare ups and most recently they are connected to eating fruit! Fruit!! I also have to be sure to drink at least 6 oz of water each and every hour or I risk a flare up. Again, the water connection and the food connection I have verified many many times. I can't believe I am the only person out there suffering from this that has made this connection. Why is there no research being done on this? And if there is, where is it? Thank you.

[Jaynienow]

Hi

My uveitis is definitely triggered by food intolerances. By avoiding gluten, dairy, soya and egg I have been uveitis free for over one year. If I eat any of these foods my inflammation starts. I too am very frustrated by Eye Specialists dismissal/ignorance of the role of food. This approach has kept me off damaging medication and potentially saved my sight.we need more research and awareness here! Dr Sarah Myhills website is a great source of information on using diet to control autoimmune disease.
http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Category ... infections

There is also the following publication linking food allergy and uveitis.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... x/abstract

[Mike Bartolatz]

anything that causes inflammation or infection anywhere in the body can illicit an inflammatory response in the eyes.
if you are allergic to foods, then eliminate them but I have to tell you to not say that eliminating the foods without any guidance by medical doctors Is not recommended by this site. we have guidelines established to govern this so that no person is harmed by trying unproven treatment of ocular inflammatory disease processes, anecdotal information is that, anecdotal and is a means of establishment of proof in fact.


I am now closing this topic,
Mike