I had cataract surgery last week. I'm not everyone's favorite patient with my allergies including sulfites. I started my Prednisolone eyedrops before I found the package insert under the bottle. No problem for one drop, but then I read that they use sodium bisulfite as a preservative. I had looked it up before even getting the drops but did not find this information. Poor doc! I had to call and request something else. No other drops available but I am taking oral Medrol Dosepack. (I was already a big problem because I refuse Versed.)
My eye is still dilated and fuzzy at the edges, and everything is blue, but it should go away and I see the doc after the weekend. He's really sweet for putting up with me. I'm such a fussbudget always reading ingredients in everything. Sorry, but my sulfite allergy gives me tachycardia and has put me in the hospital a few times.
Just saw your headline on the Forums List-- so I came over from the UC Forum to say you have my total empathy! I am very over-reactive to dilation eyedrops, and my longtime ophthalmologist who understood that, so did my annual check-ups without them has retired. You are absolutely right to advocate for yourself to prevent further allergic reactions. Best wishes for recovery soon from the cataract surgery. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with UC, also some allergies to meds)
I am sensitive to dilation eye drops too. I had one optometrist who just put a drop on paper and touched the eye with it.
I absolutely am forced to advocate for myself. I had a "heart attack," actually a coronary artery spasm, that required a stent, after eating a bowl of cereal with dried (sulfured) fruit. I can't eat a Hershey's chocolate bar without causing myself tachycardia. (Yes, there's sulfite from the roasting the beans.) I had to calculate the amount of sulfite in the dose of the blue azo dye that is used to find lymph nodes during breast cancer lumpectomy, and insist on a different dye instead. I've had to have heart chemically reset after eating a store's chicken pot pie that had too many ingredients.
People with "sensitivities" (my allergist says they're all allergies) must do a little research on their problem.
I absolutely am forced to advocate for myself. I had a "heart attack," actually a coronary artery spasm, that required a stent, after eating a bowl of cereal with dried (sulfured) fruit. I can't eat a Hershey's chocolate bar without causing myself tachycardia. (Yes, there's sulfite from the roasting the beans.) I had to calculate the amount of sulfite in the dose of the blue azo dye that is used to find lymph nodes during breast cancer lumpectomy, and insist on a different dye instead. I've had to have heart chemically reset after eating a store's chicken pot pie that had too many ingredients.
People with "sensitivities" (my allergist says they're all allergies) must do a little research on their problem.