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Stuff That Works For Me, Part 1

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  • Stuff That Works For Me, Part 1

    Thought I'd share a few random things that have worked for me on those bad days. The folowing range from the ridiculous to the sublime, and will definitely not please all of the people all of the time. This is not an exhaustive list; I'll add to it as I think up more STWFM...

    1 - atomic fireballs: These babies taste good, cover any bad breath, and make my eyes water. Sometimes I'll down three of these a day. Two negatives: you can't really talk to someone while they are in you mouth, and they require frequent teeth brushing. I find that the Ferrera Pan brand in the hottest an therefore the most eye-watering.
    2 - eating a warm meal: This always seem to gives me some rejuvenation, even on really bad days. A spicy warm meal is even better.
    3 - running - Probably those endorphins that exercise brings on are responsible for this ffect, but I always feel better after I run (though I'll feel worse later if I don't keep hydrated, so I carry water around with me for a few hours afterward.
    4 - a nap: The perfect eye-rejuvenation technique for those long lectures on "murine antibody reactions to pygmy squamous cells." Also great on Sunday afternoons. Seriously, I think that a small lipid layer is re-formed while I nap, so even a brief one can help a lot.
    5 - a hot shower: (duh)
    6 - holding my head over the warm humidifier and letting the mist (NOT the really hot part!) gently waft into my closed eyes. Sometimes, this bus me an extra hour of reading time before bed.
    7 - a swim: Even in cold waterm this seems to help a lot. My first dry-eye summer (2004), I would go directly from work with my throbbing eyes to the pool, just for 10 minutes or so. Man, was that a nice relief!
    8 - hot tub: I don't own one, but may have to save up--this realy seems to help, especially if I get my head under water a bit.
    9 - goggles: I swear by my Panoptx Vientos (Rx, expensive, but worth it). I can put them on with my eyes feeling awful, and 10 minutes later have forgotten about my eyes altogether (always a good sign).
    10 - distractions: (duh)
    11 - refresh plus, dakrina, dwelle, redkote, systane, nature's tears mist spray (but NOT theratears, freshkote, endura, soothe, patanol, restasis, or the Dr. ****** drops).
    12 - praying: I know not everyone is religious, and do not want to "push" anything here, but would be remiss if I did not mention the amazing strength and encouragement I get from having a talk with God, and just asking for some help.

    Honorable mention, because it doesn't seem to quite fit here...
    If you have not seen a pain clinic doctor, I would suggest that you do so. I did reluctantly, I think because it forced me to admit that I am a chronic pain patient (which sort of sucks to realize). But when I went, I was amazed at how good both the resident and the attending were: listened carefully to my problems and were both very sympathetic and kind. The regimen they prescribed to me included acupuncture, and two pain meds (I won't share which ones they were for personal reasons), and having that "safety net" has really helped me a ton. I now know that, if I feel I am going crazy, I can get out of pain if I need to. If you haven't seen a pain specialist and can afford it, consider doing so. You may find compassion, understanding and help that you haven't found elsewhere.

  • #2
    I am glad you find relief

    Erik: thanks for the good suggestions to help ease the pain on our eyes. My eye condition has been so bad that I really affected my emotional state. I agree nothing works better for me than a good talk with God. I will remember to have you in my prayers.

    I found interesting that swiming helps you. I should try it too. In the meantime take care.

    Jessica.

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    • #3
      acupuncture

      Erik - would you elaborate on the acupuncture? I have been thinking about it. Thanks for all the tips. I am surprised at the swimming......I have a pool and avoided it last summer. I figured the chlorine and stuff would be a bad move. I have also avoided hot tubs for that reason. I have been afraid I would get some hot tub water in my eyes and that it would hurt, or cause an infection or something.

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      • #4
        Jenny,

        I kep my eyes closed when I swim (I think post-LASIK patients should do so) unless I have goggles on, but mostly keep the goggles off so that I can let the water "swish" against my eyes--feels refreshing to me.

        --Erik

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        • #5
          Thank you! One more question though...

          I am brand new to this website and can not beleive there is help like this available. I had lasik surgery 3 months ago and am going through everything all of you are going through. I thought I was going crazy and I seriously thought I was the only one going through this.
          Eric, your suggestions were incredible. A friend of mine just asked me if a pool would help and I too thought it would burn my eyes more than help. Thanks for the suggestion.
          I do have a question for all the girls though. I just started wearing minimum eye makeup again (sorry, I just can't seem to go out in public without it). Is there an eye makeup remover that seems to work better than others for our condition? Right now I'm using the Physician Formula's pads, but I'm scared that they might be hurting me instead of helping me. Any suggestions?

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          • #6
            Super Thoughts!

            Eric, thanks very much for posting your personal hints on how to handle the dry eye business. I am the self-proclaimed queen of dry-eye, so you know where I stand. It's been 5 years for me. Recently, I had cataract surgery in one eye. I've not been able to work since. That eye was the most painful since my lasik and the cataract surgery was not successful and started the circle of pain all over again.

            I'm glad to hear swimming helps you. I love to swim and now that I'm not working, perhaps I'll join a club with a pool. I always wear goggles though while I swim (since lasik). They would also have a hot tub. The steam from the hot tub sounds very good right now. My most powerful pain-reliever is ice. I've spent much of my time recently lying down with my ice-pack over my left eye, cheek and forehead. I also use potent pain-killers at night, but the ice is the crowning touch.

            Recently, I've gone to an MD who specializes in acupuncture. I'm not sure it's helping yet or not. I go once a week and have had 3 or 4 visits. I'll give it another few weeks. I also have a request in to my GP for a referral to a neurologist or neuro-surgeon. The pain is incredible. My pain is more than dry eye pain, notably in the left eye. I'm trying to pin it down. Possibly it's trimengal neuralgia. I have super dry eyes (last anesthesized Schirmers) at 5 minutes was 1 mm for each eye. Besides that, something else is going on. I'll re-read your hints again. I need all the hints that may work for me. Thanks.

            Lucy
            Don't trust any refractive surgeon with YOUR eyes.

            The Dry Eye Queen

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            • #7
              To Lucy about Trigeminal Neuralgia

              I not only have dry eye, but Trigeminal Neuralgia as well. If I let my eyes get too dry, the Trigeminal Neuralgia flares up even worse. An opthalmalogist/Neurologist finally figured it out and put me on Trileptal 300mg per day. This has helped some of the pain from the dry eye too. It also helps me sleep better.

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              • #8
                Erik,

                Have you started the Rebamipide study yet? I assume you'll know whether you're on the placebo or not. I know they don't tell you, but couldn't a guy like you know the difference?
                Never play leapfrog with a unicorn.

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                • #9
                  To Gaye: re: trigeminal neuralgia

                  Originally posted by Gaye
                  I not only have dry eye, but Trigeminal Neuralgia as well. If I let my eyes get too dry, the Trigeminal Neuralgia flares up even worse. An opthalmalogist/Neurologist finally figured it out and put me on Trileptal 300mg per day. This has helped some of the pain from the dry eye too. It also helps me sleep better.
                  http://www.umanitoba.ca/cranial_nerv...dications.html
                  URL above has some info on medication for trigeminal neuralgia.


                  I have been put on Tegretol a week ago by my GP trying to help mine. It has been a week and I take one 200 mg tab before bed and for the second week, I am supposed to take one additional dose during the day. I'm having problems w/nausea. Yesterday, I skipped the dose and tonight took 1/2 tablet. I didn't realize they were 200 mg so I thought I'd cut in half. I'll let my doc know as soon as I can figure out a starting dose!
                  Don't trust any refractive surgeon with YOUR eyes.

                  The Dry Eye Queen

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                  • #10
                    Some comments:

                    Because I'm so sensitive, hot stuff such as cinnamon, "fireballs", cayenne & onions give me terrible headaches & sore throat/sinus etc..
                    (the opposite is true for coffee/caffeine plus sweetener -- as i posted elsewhere)

                    Also, horseradish causes my right foot arch to spasm & feel like its exploding.

                    Finally, cold stuff & cold bathing causes me vessel constriction & pain.

                    I suffer from gross body calcifications, which is a huge factor in bodywide pain & sensitivity &neuralgia.

                    More compatible with me is "flashing" (i.e. alternating between cool & hot bathing. I.E. lying in hot bathtub, with cold water running from faucet, periodically, onto feet/ankles. Then dunking them back into warm tub again. NOT TOO hot AND ONLY BRIEFLY at risk of damage, due to allowing TOO much circulation into the equivalent ofa "bottleneck"
                    CHEERIO! HELIO! Dry Eye Minni

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