Has anyone found any pain-releif meds that actually work for this HORRIBLE PAIN?

[britgirl]

The pain I get is a horrific burning sensation which comes and goes throughout the day.

I have tried all sorts of OTC pain relief (ibuprofen, aspirin, codeine, paracetomol) - these literally do nothing.

also low dose amitriptyline which also does nothing, dr might try a larger dose.

Has anyone found any drugs which bring relief? Need something long-term so I can get back to work.

[Margaret]

Have you tried:
Nortriptaline? I tried it once and it made me feel funny
Lyrica? I haven't tried it. You have to take it every day and titrate up to a level. I have pain, but it's more intermittent at this point so I didn't want to try it.
Ultram? Tried it twice. Both times made me not want to function during the day, just groggy feeling. Didn't like it (same feeling as Nortriptaline)
Valium? This works for me on those major pain days. I have used it twice now in the 9 months since I've had Lasik and I can function during the days. Nice to have in my med cabinet in case I need it.
Oxycodone? This worked for me on the nights I had major pain. It doesn't always work for me, however, and it disrupts my sleep.
You can also try Imitrex if you think the pain might be also a migraine. I had one eye pain day that was so bad it turned into a migraine. I used an Imitrex once and it knocked out all the pain within about 40 minutes.
If you have any anxiety that goes along with the pain, then you'll feel more pain. Lorazepan helped me through a bad bout of chronic anxiety that lasted about 12 weeks. I still have anxiety and pain, but I'm happy to say (knock on wood) I am drug free for months now! I do use a half of an Advil PM every now and then and I'm sure I'll use a valium or oxycodone when I have a bad pain day, but so far so good. There is hope. I'm also using silicone goggles at night and those have been useful in keeping my eyes comfortable at night.

Hope any of this helps?!
Margaret

[britgirl]

Have you tried:
Nortriptaline? I tried it once and it made me feel funny
Lyrica? I haven't tried it. You have to take it every day and titrate up to a level. I have pain, but it's more intermittent at this point so I didn't want to try it.
Ultram? Tried it twice. Both times made me not want to function during the day, just groggy feeling. Didn't like it (same feeling as Nortriptaline)
Valium? This works for me on those major pain days. I have used it twice now in the 9 months since I've had Lasik and I can function during the days. Nice to have in my med cabinet in case I need it.
Oxycodone? This worked for me on the nights I had major pain. It doesn't always work for me, however, and it disrupts my sleep.
You can also try Imitrex if you think the pain might be also a migraine. I had one eye pain day that was so bad it turned into a migraine. I used an Imitrex once and it knocked out all the pain within about 40 minutes.
If you have any anxiety that goes along with the pain, then you'll feel more pain. Lorazepan helped me through a bad bout of chronic anxiety that lasted about 12 weeks. I still have anxiety and pain, but I'm happy to say (knock on wood) I am drug free for months now! I do use a half of an Advil PM every now and then and I'm sure I'll use a valium or oxycodone when I have a bad pain day, but so far so good. There is hope. I'm also using silicone goggles at night and those have been useful in keeping my eyes comfortable at night.

Hope any of this helps?!
Margaret

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'll ask my GP about these.

side effects aside, did you find these drugs take away the pain completely for the whole day?

My pain is almost exclusively in the day, I have few issues at night. Just need something long-term for daytime so I can get back to work!

[kitty]

Be cautious with meds like amitriptyline and nortriptyline. They have dry eye as a side effect. Amitriptyline (Elavil) made my dry eye much worse. Check the side effects before you take any Rx drug as many can have dry eye side effects. I'm speaking from experience with taking amitriptyline, and antihistamines, and birth control pills, and Xanax, and ....

[britgirl]

Be cautious with meds like amitriptyline and nortriptyline. They have dry eye as a side effect. Amitriptyline (Elavil) made my dry eye much worse. Check the side effects before you take any Rx drug as many can have dry eye side effects. I'm speaking from experience with taking amitriptyline, and antihistamines, and birth control pills, and Xanax, and ....

did amitriptyline help you with the pain at all?

[kitty]

did amitriptyline help you with the pain at all?

I was taking it for jaw pain. The amitriptyline helped my jaw pain but it only made my eye pain worse due to the drying effects of the medication.

[mgshutterbug]

Not meds for the pain, but...

Hi, britgirl,
As far as meeds, I haven't found anything for the pain I get for excruciatingly dry eyes when walking outside, or from blowing air hot or cold, or just when sitting still in my heated apt. But what has helped me enormously is using moisture chamber glasses like 7eyes. I know that's not the be all and end all, but maybe it could help some??? or have you already tried them?

Maria

[britgirl]

Hi, britgirl,
As far as meeds, I haven't found anything for the pain I get for excruciatingly dry eyes when walking outside, or from blowing air hot or cold, or just when sitting still in my heated apt. But what has helped me enormously is using moisture chamber glasses like 7eyes. I know that's not the be all and end all, but maybe it could help some??? or have you already tried them?

Maria

I got a pair of wrap around goggles for dry eye. They do help slightly with pain but not as much as I'd hoped. Also, I am unable to wear goggles at work.

[mgshutterbug]

Did you see the Zienna Oasis glasses?

Hi,
If you could get the Zienna Oasis type glasses, they wouldn't look like goggles. They're new, but very expensive too. I'd like to get a pair to wear at work too, but just bought several prs of 7eyes. But they do look promising.

Maria

[socratese]

i take hydrocodone (lortabs) when i work or when im feeling extra bad at home. I am becoming a druggy =( but it helps ALOT.. it helps with the depression and it helps with the pain. hydrocodone literally changes my mood to more optimistic.

For a moment I almost remember what it's like being pain free pre-2005

[y-gwair]

I got a pair of wrap around goggles for dry eye. They do help slightly with pain but not as much as I'd hoped. Also, I am unable to wear goggles at work.

I think you might find them more helpful once you've started whatever treatment regimen is suggested and tear film starts to stabilise; on their own they are not going to do wonders at this stage. I bought some rx goggles too; really not very impressed with fit, wish I'd just bought a pair of cheap head-band ski goggles from ebay, as I only feel happy using them for computer/tv etc.

[odydnas]

I think the most typical meds used to treat pain is Lyrica, Neurontin, Topamax, and Amiptryptyline (or a drug similar to it).

Also, pain is notoriously difficult to treat, so you might have to try different things and combine treatments as well. And its also important to treat whatever is causing your eye discomfort whether its a poor tear film or allergies, etc. Don't ignore this.

If you find that your GP isn't helpful, ask to be referred to a pain management specialist.

[Rowanberry]

I started using celluvisc eye drops during the day and wearing tranquilleyes goggles at night and gradually the pain has reduced as my eye symptoms are better controlled.

I take gabapentin and tramadol for another medical condition anyway but still experienced eye pain. When I get RCE's at night I take naproxen or ibuprofen.

Blu blocker sunglasses cut down glare without reducing the light level so you can use them with a computer and they might rest your eyes.

I always wear sunglasses for photophobia but started wearing padded ones and they help to keep out drying air movement anddust and pollen.

Painkillers are very useful for background pain relief but are not so good at getting rid of it altogether. Other ways to reduce pain such as compresses might help you.

It is not easy when you have to work, but when I have severe pain I put in my celluvisc and put on onyx goggles to keep in the moisture and keep out all the light then just lie back and dose or listen to some music. The pain usually becomes manageable after about half an hour.

I hope you get something to help.

R.

[Gerri55455]

The pain I get is a horrific burning sensation which comes and goes throughout the day.

britgirl, how are you fairing three years later? I hope you found something for this pain that so sounds like what I got from FML. If so, please share. Best, ~Gerri