swollen lower eyelids

[peter777]

I'm currently being treated for chronic lyme and ehrliciosis. I am on oral doxys for about 6 mths and have disturbed sleep/chronic fatique. Lately I've noticed that both my lower lids are swollen. It looks like fluid build-up. Is this a sign that one of my organs such as my liver is getting worse?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Hope it turns out well for you Peter. I hope you mean you will see an Ophthal (ophthalmologist) for vision problems not a ortho (orthopedist).

JCH III MD

[peter777]

Dear Dr. Hagan: I thought I posted already to tell you the test (liver) was very bad; but it didn't show up.  So I'm trying again.

Anyway I will still see an Ortho for vision problems; but I think the swelling is a sign of toxins and a failing liver.

Hope all is well with you.  Looks like I'm really up against it here; we'll see what the liver work-up shows.

Peter

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[peter777]

Appreciate your good wishes once again.  I tried to upload a photo of the eye but so far it hasn't shown up.  Maybe if you link to my sign-on ID you will see it.

I'm pretty sure it's not an eye problem; only secondary to something else I have.  There is no pain or discomfort of any kind.

The lyme disease attacks everything; but the 3 organs the Ehrlichiosis target are the liver, kidney; and I think spleen.  Also... either or both can mess up the endocrine system.

The tests should shed some light.

Thanks, Peter

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

thanks for the good news.
JCH III MD

[peter777]

Hello Dr Hagan:  I didn't go to the eye doctor yet.  They have improved along with my sleeping.  But there still is a sick look w/ the reddened and slightly swelled lower eyelids.

The dryness problem has improved; and my eyes don't droop in the middle of the night.

I decided to wait until I see the latest round of blood tests in a week or so.  In the last test, liver enzymes were more than double what they should be.

Hope all is well with you,  Peter

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[peter777]

I do sleep on 2 pillows, but will try the moisturizer and the warm compresses.  Thanks for the tips.  Next week I'll see what the Opthalmologist says and get back to you.
No...I don't wear any masks; although my Sig. Other probably wishes I did.

Thanks for your help and good wishes;   Peter

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You may be able to help your problem by sleeping with your head elevated on one or two pillows by using a bland over the counter moisturizer at bedtime like Refresh-PM and by using warm compresses on awakening.

Mostly get in to see a PPO Eye MD

Good luck.  I forgot to ask if you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. Air from around the mask often causes the same symptoms. Newer masks are much smaller and help this problem

JCH III MD

[peter777]

Thank you so much for your prompt reply to my inquiry.  I will do as you suggested asap; though I'll need to choose a physician from the PPO I belong to.

When I wake up at night; the lower eyelids are so heavy, apparently with fluid, that they actually hang low; showing the bottoms of the eyeballs. It looks awful; and getting a job appearing like this is not even possible; even if I had the strength to work. (if I lived in California I might get work in horror movies)

Ehrlichiosis, as you know, attacks white blood cells.  This has the eventual effect of harming various organs.  Meanwhile I need my immune system to work well to erradicate the lyme bacteria.  It's not looking good; literally......

Again, thank you; and bless you for helping people like me.......  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

No its not a sign your liver is getting worse but you should see an Eye MD ophthalmologist for an exam as lyme's disease can get into the eye. Find one at www.aao.org

JCH IIIMD