Over the last few months it seems my skin has gone bonkers. This spring I again underwent neurological testing for neuropathy which my neiro thinks is stemming from some of my meds (flagyl in the past, and immodium and Pentasa now) and she put me on Neurontin. Not only did it not seem to help with my symptoms, but it caused increased incontinence . . . and then more recently I have had some new skin issues. Anyone else been down this road?

The most recent issue is that a new pair of eyeglasses, made from hypoallergenic materials, have caused an inflamed rash across the top of my cheeks where the glasses touch occasionally.

I am beginning to wonder how much more my body has in store for me. Walking is no fun, so my old aspirations of hiking the PCT are long gone. My diet is so limited that eating has lost its joy for the most part. And I have not had a week lately in which I did not have a doctor's appointment or had to make one.

And I hate to whine. I would rather be the one here who lifts others up. But this week has beena rough one. And now I don't even get to wear my new glasses . . . and they are just what I have always wanted!

I think its due to the colon containing bacteria that dampens your immune response but it may also be being triggered by your meds. My lacking a colon manifested as increased alergies, excema, mild asthma and odd reactions to metals. If you have had a reaction to your glasses I would argue that they are not hypoallergenic - take them back, get your money back! Try some plastic ones.

My skin sensitivies have decreased over the years. Are you taking probiotics? I think taking them has had a positive effect on reducing my skin probs etc.

Sad thing is, Dan, the glasses, at least the part that is causing the reaction, IS plastic! I am currently working with them for a replacement pair.

Funny how my one disease is now requiring a committee of different doctors to treat. I now see my gastro, my colorectal surgeon, my opthamologist (for epischleritis), a dermatologist, a neuro, and this week I add a podiatrist. That all besides my personal physician.

I have been living with my j-pouch for over 5 years now, and knock-on-wood, have never had a real live case of diagnosed pouchitis. I take VSL-3 and am increasingly eliminating toxins from my diet and my environment. I guess once the immune system goes off-line, it's gone, pretty much.

Plastic leaks toxins so don't be surprised, if its contact dermatitis just keep trying frames until you find ones that don't cause a reaction. Have you tried contact lenses?

It would be great if all your specialists were on a committee - the Debra Health Committee, that's inspired. Sadly allopathic medicine treats individual parts of the body and very often misses the big picture.

Keep cutting out toxins, everyone should do that. The only other advice I can think of is to try meditating for 30 minutes in the morning and evening every day for 2 weeks and see if you notice any difference in yourself.