Long-term MGD/Dry eye from Kava…….but how?

[Klint]

Hi Everyone,

I would really appreciate any advise/feedback on the following issue.

I have been using kava on and off for well over two decades. I had only been using noble varieties as an effective antispasmodic when I experienced the issue I am about to describe.

Almost one year ago I took too much kava in one day as I was experiencing particularly painful and uncomfortable IBS symptoms and was desperate for relief. I have since experienced quite severe dry eye symptoms daily as if I had taken a strong dose of kava the previous day, despite not having used kava since. I honestly thought I would recover and have never heard of kava causing long-term dry eye. I have been diagnosed with MGD and the composition of the meibum has altered to the consistency of toothpaste.

Kidney and Liver function tests have shown up no abnormalities, despite this I have performed kidney flushes
and liver detoxes. I have tried many supplements and remedies and none have improved the condition, yet the symptoms can easily be made worse by various foods, medicines and supplements.

I am desperate to find out exactly how kava has triggered this problem so I can find a way to reverse it. I’m currently of the belief that it is an issue related to the endocrine system. Studies have shown that the composition of meibum can be drastically altered through changes in hormone levels. I’m wondering whether certain hormone receptors have been damaged or downgraded. Has anyone else experienced this issue and can anyone provide a lead to help?

I would be very grateful for any constructive advice or feedback. The MGD has had a very negative impact on daily living. Not only have I had to discontinue kava use for IBS, but other medicines and supplements I was previously using. Some overnight change has taken place in the body that I am still trying to understand.

 

[The Kap'n]

Hi Everyone,

I would really appreciate any advise/feedback on the following issue.

I have been using kava on and off for well over two decades. I had only been using noble varieties as an effective antispasmodic when I experienced the issue I am about to describe.

Almost one year ago I took too much kava in one day as I was experiencing particularly painful and uncomfortable IBS symptoms and was desperate for relief. I have since experienced quite severe dry eye symptoms daily as if I had taken a strong dose of kava the previous day, despite not having used kava since. I honestly thought I would recover and have never heard of kava causing long-term dry eye. I have been diagnosed with MGD and the composition of the meibum has altered to the consistency of toothpaste.

Kidney and Liver function tests have shown up no abnormalities, despite this I have performed kidney flushes
and liver detoxes. I have tried many supplements and remedies and none have improved the condition, yet the symptoms can easily be made worse by various foods, medicines and supplements.

I am desperate to find out exactly how kava has triggered this problem so I can find a way to reverse it. I’m currently of the belief that it is an issue related to the endocrine system. Studies have shown that the composition of meibum can be drastically altered through changes in hormone levels. I’m wondering whether certain hormone receptors have been damaged or downgraded. Has anyone else experienced this issue and can anyone provide a lead to help?

I would be very grateful for any constructive advice or feedback. The MGD has had a very negative impact on daily living. Not only have I had to discontinue kava use for IBS, but other medicines and supplements I was previously using. Some overnight change has taken place in the body that I am still trying to understand.

(Not a doctor)

While it's difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of your dry eye symptoms, it's possible that your excessive kava use may have contributed to or triggered the condition that day. It's also worth considering other factors that might have played a much larger role, such as genetics, age, environmental factors, and other health issues.

Some suggestions that you might consider discussing with your doctor include:

1. Hormone testing: Since you suspect that your endocrine system might be involved, it could be helpful to have your hormone levels checked. This could give you a better idea of whether or not hormonal imbalances are contributing to your symptoms.
2. Dietary changes: In some cases, dietary changes can help alleviate dry eye symptoms. For example, increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, may help improve tear production and reduce inflammation.
3. Environmental factors: Consider evaluating your environment for potential irritants that could be contributing to your dry eye symptoms. This might include allergens, pollution, or dry air.
4. Stress reduction: Stress can exacerbate dry eye symptoms in some individuals.
5. Hydration: Ensure that you stay properly hydrated, as dehydration can contribute to dry eye symptoms.
6. Over-the-counter treatments: Artificial tears, lubricating eye drops, or gels can provide temporary relief for dry eye symptoms. However, it's essential to consult with your healthcare provider before using these products.

Personally it sounds like to me that MGD was present, just latent, and that day of overconsuming kava might have allowed it to finally come to some sort of clinical significance. Of course we're only random people on the internet, so the continued discussion with a healthcare professional is highly suggested


Chhadva, Priyanka, Raquel Goldhardt, and Anat Galor. 2017. “Meibomian Gland Disease: The Role of Gland Dysfunction in Dry Eye Disease.” Ophthalmology 124 (11S): S20–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.05.031.

 

[Supplementer]

Hi, I made the original post but for some reason have been unable to log in under the previous name.

I give an update 2 years on from my original post.

Firstly, I have to report that I had absolutely no signs of any kind of dry eye leading up to this. I‘ve only ever experienced it with strong doses of noble kavas and only after many years of using kava on and off. 4 years ago I experienced a bad reaction to a specific noble strain: hives, itching and - worse of all - it felt like a needle was going into the oil glands around the eye. I felt I should have discontinued kava completely but I just used different strains and drank more water. I didn’t get that reaction again but did experience the following: longer recovery time from side-effects which included foamy urine, difficulty in processing sodium and calcium, bad skin and dryness around the eyes. It ended up taking a week to recover. I overdid it 3 years ago and now experience: frequent dry mouth and nasal mucus passages; constant - though variable dry eye (each morning my eyes are as dry as if I has done a heavy session of kava the previous night); I also experience foamy urine which makes no sense as I drink 3-4 litres of water per day. I can no longer handle salt. A small amount now feels like a large amount when ingested. There’s no doubt that kava triggered these issues and that I seem to be a rare case, if not a one-off according to the research I’ve done online. The point is, I’m experiencing effects that kava is known to induce such as a change in the composition of mucus. Due to issues with dry eye, I’m trying to find out the mechanism behind this alteration in the body to see if I can ‘flip the switch’ or at least, reduce the symptoms. Quite a few things now make the dry eye symptoms significantly worse including things that are not known to, like GABA. If I touch any kind of cannabinoid it makes the problem worse long-term. This includes
P.E.A as well as CBD and THC. I cannot now take natural pain relieving products without long-term consequences. Despite not touching kava for over 3 years, avoiding alcohol and being health conscious, especially in relation to diet, the problems have not gone away. I have tried many remedies based on different possibilities of what change the kava may have triggered. Having so far drawn a blank, I’m posting here again hoping a new lead may appear that I could explore.