Eye Doc Says She Doesn't Know What To Do

[msienkiewicz]

Missie,

I have heard many people describe restasis in this way - acid. I am lucky that I didn't have that experience. There are ways to ease into using the restasis. Often doctors will prescribe a steroid like lotemax to use with the restasis for the first 2 weeks or so to help jump start the restasis and minimize the burning. You can also put the restasis in the fridge to make it a little easier to tolerate. That's what I do. I asked the doctor about restasis and plugs, and some have said that restasis works even better with plugs because the medicine stays on the eye longer and gets more of a chance to work. I do not have plugs as of yet.

I am so sorry about your dilemma. keep trying because there are options out there that will help. You have to find the right doctor. In the meantime, give the soothe xp a try. It really did help to stop the burning, and you can get it almost anywhere. Also, I wear sunglasses with foam in them that creates a seal like a goggle and that helps too. When I was at my worst, I was wearing my ski goggles 24-7 in the house. My kids and their friends thought I was nuts, but it sure did help. I also bought a cheap pair of paintball goggles from Walmart that did the trick, but the ski goggles didn't fog. What we do for comfort.

Keep posting with your progress or private message if you have more questions,

Best wishes,
Melissa

[Missie]

Thank you so much Liz & Melissa. I am so thankful for this site and for ya'll helping me.
The goggles sound like what I need. I have been looking for something and also they guy that made my glasses is helping me look for something to keep out the air conditioning. I just wish I could stop crying so much ~ I think that is why my eyes are sore

[dj5000]

Frustrating I'm sure...

Hey there,

If you're in TN I would highly recommend Loden Vision Centers which are located in the Nashville area with 5 locations to choose from...I've been suffering from Recurrent Corneal Erosions for the last couple years and actually just had the Superficial keratectomy procedure done today...(the doctor actually uses a scalpel to scrape off the out layer of cells from the cornea - not saying that's what you'll need to have done, but they are practicing surgeons and know their stuff...I started with a family eye doctor who I liked very much, but who really just wasn't qualified enough to go outside of testing vision and doing refractions. I recommend you visit a corneal specialist...your eyes are worth the drive.

[Teri]

Missie,

I'm sorry you're going through this terrible experience. I agree with the advice you've gotten so far. I can take a while to find a good doctor. There is a "Plug a Doc" section on this site that may list a doctor that is within driving distance of you. You could also just start calling local doctors and quizzing the staff (my husband and I did this, which is how we ultimately found my doctor), asking about their experience treating dry eye and stressing that you need someone who is also gentle/kind.

There have been threads here which discuss over-use of eye drops, but please don't beat yourself up over this. This is not your fault! And there is some debate about how many drops are too many. At the height of my suffering, I was going through 8 vials of artificial tears a day (every 30-60 minutes).

Goggles sound like a great idea for you -- to keep the moisture in and the drafts out.

It is also understandable that you'd be depressed. I think it is very common with this disorder. It really struck a chord with me when you said that you weren't eating and yet were not losing weight. This is what depression does! As hard as it might be right now, you need to address the depression issue, too, and take care of yourself. Be gentle and forgiving with yourself, get plenty of rest, and know that you will eventually find a doctor who can help you and that this will get better.

Good luck!
Teri

[msienkiewicz]

Teri,

Very well said!

Excellent advice!

Melissa

[liz56]

I agree, Melissa, and btw, I love your story about the ski goggles. That is a good suggestion. I used swim goggles, but the would fog up.

[Missie]

Thank you Everyone!

I appreciate all the advice and options more than you know.
DJ5000 ~ thank you for the name of the vision center
Teri- I never knew depression could be like this. Usually when I didn't eat I'd lose 10 pounds in a week ~ now not 1 pound nothing.

Thank you all for everything.
I had several high recommendations about a cornea/dry eye doc here locally and how he saved several eye sights just recently. I am seeing him in the morning; so I am praying and praying that he will fix all this. If not then back to the drawing board. I am just praying also with all these visits that it's not messing up my eyes even more.
I was told the numbing drops that they put in your eyes thin out the ocular surface layer of your eye. I don't know how may of those drops in a certain period of time will thin it out and I'm totally scared of eye dilation now...

I just hope in the process of searching/going to different doctors that it's not ruining my eyes.

[rubyslippers]

About the crying? Nothing I can do will aggravate my eyes like crying.
I know--easier said than done.

[Missie]

About the crying? Nothing I can do will aggravate my eyes like crying.
I know--easier said than done.

As I've gotten older it seems I'm more emotional; I don't like that I'm that way. I'm still trying to figure out how not to cry. It may be a long time before I conquer that one.