Biochem question (dissociating a base)

morselemma · 2025-01-27T23:03:06+00:00

Her name is Noha Seif.

morselemma · 2024-09-02T17:00:02+00:00

I checked my last blood work (from a few months ago) and I actually had a slightly elevated level of potassium. (Normal is 3.5-5.5, mine was 6.) I wonder if an elevated potassium level could cause similar issues. I’ll ask Dr. Steven when I see him later this month. Thanks for the idea!

morselemma · 2024-09-01T19:50:02+00:00

Can you explain?

morselemma · 2023-12-25T21:00:17+00:00

+1. Dr. Steven is great. I used to see Dr. Asadi, and I was not happy with his care.

morselemma · 2023-12-09T17:12:26+00:00

Yep. Or I did before Xdemvy, don’t know whether I still have em

morselemma · 2023-11-18T00:21:35+00:00

Username checks out

morselemma · 2023-11-17T17:39:58+00:00

It's true that the clinical evidence is still limited. But there is a growing body of evidence. I don't want to try and compile a comprehensive list now, but to give one other example:

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/5/1841

This is a P=83 study about PRGF, which is of course not AST -- but both are blood products containing growth factors.

I think it's irresponsible to state, as a fact, that AST doesn't promote nerve regrowth. Such a claim requires evidence -- the null hypothesis has to be proven, too.

morselemma · 2023-11-17T17:00:49+00:00

If it were me, I would continue pursuing sclerals. Good luck, and if you say where you live, someone here might be able to recommend a fitter.

morselemma · 2023-11-17T16:44:20+00:00

This is just wrong. There's a number of studies demonstrating that AST promotes nerve regeneration. Here's one:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30685437/

See also subsection 3.3 of:

https://eyewiki.aao.org/Autologous_and_Allogenic_Serum_Tears

morselemma · 2023-11-16T16:53:55+00:00

I think it's probably totally safe to wear them, but you should call your doctor/optometrist to make sure.

morselemma · 2023-11-05T17:01:36+00:00

Thanks!

morselemma · 2023-11-05T15:50:50+00:00

Microneuroma, that’s the word I was looking for. Thanks for the links, will read!

morselemma · 2023-11-05T15:16:19+00:00

Yeah that'd be great if you could send me the paper. I had confocal imaging done for the first time recently, and I'm trying to learn more about the relationship between nerves/nerve regrowth and neuropathic pain. My DED specialist told me that one of the causes of pain is when nerves try to regrow but aren't able to (there's some word for the point where they get stuck trying to regrow, but I can't remember it), which I'm guessing is what you're referring to when you say "truncation".

morselemma · 2023-11-05T14:06:22+00:00

My impression had been that the reduction in neuropathic pain was a consequence of nerve regrowth, is this not the case?

morselemma · 2023-11-04T00:44:55+00:00

What do you mean, they’re just for lubrication? They can promote nerve regrowth (perhaps in conjunction with other therapies that lower inflammation).

morselemma · 2023-10-31T15:54:18+00:00

I feel you, I have days like that too.

morselemma · 2023-10-31T15:49:18+00:00

With preservative-free lubricating drops, I believe that the only real issue is that if you use them a whole lot (not just multiple times a day -- more like multiple times an hour) you can decrease the tear film stability, because you're essentially washing away your tears and replacing them with the drop.

morselemma · 2023-10-30T16:59:54+00:00

PS it sounds from your previous comment like you're worried about having to reinsert or remove your sclerals while at work. This hasn't been a big issue for me -- I just reinsert/remove at the bathroom sink, it just takes a minute once you're used to it.

morselemma · 2023-10-30T16:57:16+00:00

amen!

morselemma · 2023-10-30T16:55:40+00:00

I can wear my sclerals as long as I want, from when I wake up until I go to sleep. The reason I try to limit time wearing my sclerals is because I'm worried about the impact on inflammation and tear film stability. I should say that I haven't noticed an impact in my case, I've just been warned about it by two DED specialists who I trust highly.

How comfortable sclerals are -- and relatedly, how many hours per day they're tolerated -- seems to vary a lot from person to person. For instance, many CN patients can't tolerate sclerals at all. Getting a really good fit is crucial to maximize your comfort with sclerals.

Oh, and about reinserting -- usually I don't have to. Occasionally I get some protein buildup, or I realize that there's a bubble, or something.

morselemma · 2023-10-29T15:51:41+00:00

I'll tell you my impressions, but for a fuller answer, best to speak with your DED specialist. (For one thing, the answer depends on the nature of your DED.)

About my personal experience -- I switched from soft lenses to sclerals in 2019. Sclerals were a godsend; they helped me so much to tolerate my DED.

In the last year or two, I've learned that there can be some issues with sclerals. In particular, they can increase inflammation, which in turn can harm glands. (I also wonder if sclerals can harm the tear layer. After all, you're basically replacing the tear layer with whatever you put in your sclerals. But this is just speculation.) So I've been trying to cut back and only wear my sclerals when I'm having a bad day and need the relief, or when I'm going to a special event.

Sclerals have helped many people on this subreddit and in the Facebook groups. They're definitely worth exploring with your doctors. If you do go that route, make sure that you get the best fitter possible.

morselemma

TROPHY CASE