Restasis making eyes worse?

[calli66]

like some one put some black pepper in them

for me: cayenne pepper!

You guys can tell your doctors to give you this combination of drugs. It worked for me plus I like lotemax because it is a mild steroid and I used it before for months and my IOP never changed. It is kinda safe.

Makes me want to try Restasis again. But only if I hear something positive from some other older dry-eye sufferer like me.
Thanks Jim
C66

[jim220]

for me: cayenne pepper!

Makes me want to try Restasis again. But only if I hear something positive from some other older dry-eye sufferer like me.
Thanks Jim
C66

Hi calli, well you can say it burns like hell from the moment you apply the drop until the moment you apply the next one. Not anymore. I would also recommand that you put all of your drops in the frig. They are more effective for some reason and cold drops are very soothing especially when your eyes are very irritated. Yeah, about older dry-sufferers, my previous doctor who put the plugs in my eyez told me that mostly women in their 40s and up benefit from these drops. LoL, I am not a woman and not in my 40s . I wonder if they will work for me. I will keep using them as long as they don't make my eyez worst. I don't know why my eyes felt a little bit better even though it is my only 4th day using them . No gritty feelings whatsoever which is kinda weird and I know it is very early for Restasis to start working and it might be the lotemax. I used lotemax before and my eyes did not feel this good. I really don't know but all I know that my eyes feel better after using this combo.

Jim

[Rebecca Petris]

I would also recommand that you put all of your drops in the frig.

Jim... did you mean Restasis specifically or literally all drops?

Hate to contradict here but it cannot be assumed that this is a good idea with drops in general. They may "feel good" cold but some formulations can be destabilized if stored at cold temperatures and perhaps have reduced efficacy. I don't know too much about it but I wanted to comment because I know Dr. Holly always used to advise not to store Dwelle or Dakrina in the fridge (not a good thing with certain polymers) and so I would guess there may be others that have a problem with cold storage.

[jim220]

Jim... did you mean Restasis specifically or literally all drops?

Hate to contradict here but it cannot be assumed that this is a good idea with drops in general. They may "feel good" cold but some formulations can be destabilized if stored at cold temperatures and perhaps have reduced efficacy. I don't know too much about it but I wanted to comment because I know Dr. Holly always used to advise not to store Dwelle or Dakrina in the fridge (not a good thing with certain polymers) and so I would guess there may be others that have a problem with cold storage.

I don't know about dwelle and dakrina, but yeah, I meant restasis and lotemax. Even artifical tears such as refresh plus, my doctor said they are more effective when they are refrigerated and I found that to be true although as I said in earlier post that artifical tears never helped me and that still applies. He told me that drops are more effective when refrigerated and he gave me a sample of refresh plus that was stored in the little frig in his office. You know what is so special about this doctor, he has DES and he feels what the patient is going through. I think it is good to have a doctor who has the same condition as the patient because he will try his best to treat you since he knows how it feels .


Jim

[DrG]

Jim... did you mean Restasis specifically or literally all drops?

Hate to contradict here but it cannot be assumed that this is a good idea with drops in general. They may "feel good" cold but some formulations can be destabilized if stored at cold temperatures and perhaps have reduced efficacy. I don't know too much about it but I wanted to comment because I know Dr. Holly always used to advise not to store Dwelle or Dakrina in the fridge (not a good thing with certain polymers) and so I would guess there may be others that have a problem with cold storage.

Ah, now you're starting to sound like a chemist, Rebecca. Of course, temperature does affect solubility, and cold could conceivably cause some solutes to precipitate out of solution.

However, both Lotemax and Restasis are suspensions, i.e. their active ingredients are not held in solution, but are in the form of tiny particles dispersed in the vehicle. This is why you must *SHAKE WELL* before use.

Just some tidbits from an old "chemist."

[MissP]

Thanks for the tips

I think I was on another site where someone directed me to look at the Restasis side effects - red, burning eyes. I went down to once a day and I do try to put in Systane FREE (LOVE IT) first. I was on steroids for months - so I am going to stay off them for a while. I do find that Nevanac works if your eys feel sore. It is a Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory. But it is expensive $40 for a small bottle with insurance.
I am on month three of Doxy and I think it is helping. My advice - talk to your doc and go down to once a day Restasis if it is causing your eyes to be red and burn all day. I think I am getting BETTER relief with one!

Miss P

Shells, I am new to the forum, but this was the first post I wanted to respond to. I went on Restasis last March. I saw GREAT success initially. Then in August, I had a really horrible allergy attack, GPC (giant papillary conjunctivitis) and became contact lense intolerant. I was then bombarded with every steroid known to man and a few antibiotics for good measure. During all the steroid use I went off Restasis as instructed by my doctors. I started again in January. This time, I am having very poor results - my eyes sting and burn so much so it is unbearable. However, my last Schirmer's test was over 15mm (it was 8mm and 9mm a month ago). I don't know if the pain is worth it. My doctor did say that after two months I may want to go down to once a day. Has anyone else heard about reducing the dosage?

Miss P

[calli66]

I just decided to start up on Restasis again--only been on it now for 5 days, but I'm doing much better than when I tried it first (had burning before).

My dry eyes and inflammation were severe when I first tried Restasis, and I didn't have the benefit of knowing all the helpful tips for controlling the flare-ups, that I've learned on this forum.

This time I'm putting the R in my eyes first thing in the morning, then going back to bed and keeping my eyes closed for 15 min. I use that Genteal Gel at night which seems to heal and soothe my eyes so they're not so "raw" when I put in the Restasis.

I wear contacts, and after I take them out in the evening, my eyes feel pretty moist--so I put in my second dose of Restasis then.

AND- I have learned that, for me, certain OTC eyedrops aren't compatible with each other and with Restasis--mainly Bion Tears. These are comfortable when used alone, but if I use anything else around the same time, my eyes burn terribly (like saline, GentealGel, even tap water while washing----weird...) I'm still trying to figure out what's reacting with what.

If all goes well this time, I plan to go back to the Dr. at the end of 3 months and get a Shirmer test done. I never did get one done after my 3 month Restasis trial last year--so I don't know if it increased my tears at all.

C66

[Delilah]

Restasis and NAC Drops

Hi Everyone,
Hope you all are doing good. I've been on the Restasis for about a month now and it seems to be doing nothing but I am being patient, as for the NAC drops I am a bit concerned, it has not helped dissolve any of the mucus strings, in fact I think it's drying out my eyes even more and ruining the tear film even more, what tear film I have left Some one from the Health boards website said it might be doing this and adding to my Severe Dry Eye even worse and I've noticed that my eyes feel more dry, the only reason why I thought the NAC drops would work was because it helped dissolve mucus and filaments with patients with FK.
I don't have FK, I have severe dry eye and MGD, so I am going to try Castor Oil Eye Drops, I think a form of oil would do me better than drying out my eyes even more. I was wondering why my new eye specialist I went to see didn't think of the NAC drops drying out my eyes more? I am going to discontinue using the NAC drops and just stick with the Restasis and look into these Castor oil eye drops. How is everyone so far? I just don't understand why we have to suffer from all these eye problems when life is hard enough? Also I had a question, are we suppose to put the Restasis in the fridge? Mine is just sitting on the counter? I am a bit confused on which eye drops to put in the fridge and which ones should stay out? I know that the NAC drops have to be in the fridge. Anyway's I hope everyone has a good weekend and trying to stay positive D

[calli66]

Good to hear from you Delilah.
For myself, I've been one week on Restasis (the "second time around"). Had one horrible day--don't know why, but I guess that's "normal" for me, Restasis or not.
I don't think you have to put R in the fridge, but it wouldn't hurt--especially if you are using the vial for several days (I do that--to save money). I suppose there could be a greater likelyhood of bacterial contamination if left at room temperature (especially when summer comes). I usually put a bit of aluminum foil over the open end of the vial--whatever good that does.
C66

[Gaye]

Restasis

Hi Delilah - you don't need to put the Restasis in the refrigerator, but some people do to make it feel more soothing. My doctor just told me to put the vial in a shot glass (that's assuming that everyone has shot glasses laying around - with dry eye, seems like a shot of something might help once in awhile) to be ready for use at the next dosage time.

[kitty]

I know this has been posted before, but according to the Restasis product insert (www.restasis.com):

"Storage: Store RESTASIS® ophthalmic emulsion at 15° to 25° C (59°-77° F)".

There has been some discussion that storing this medication in the fridge may make it less effective.

[DrG]

Hi Everyone,
Hope you all are doing good. I've been on the Restasis for about a month now and it seems to be doing nothing but I am being patient, as for the NAC drops I am a bit concerned, it has not helped dissolve any of the mucus strings, in fact I think it's drying out my eyes even more and ruining the tear film even more, what tear film I have left Some one from the Health boards website said it might be doing this and adding to my Severe Dry Eye even worse and I've noticed that my eyes feel more dry, the only reason why I thought the NAC drops would work was because it helped dissolve mucus and filaments with patients with FK.
I don't have FK, I have severe dry eye and MGD, so I am going to try Castor Oil Eye Drops, I think a form of oil would do me better than drying out my eyes even more. I was wondering why my new eye specialist I went to see didn't think of the NAC drops drying out my eyes more? I am going to discontinue using the NAC drops and just stick with the Restasis and look into these Castor oil eye drops. How is everyone so far? I just don't understand why we have to suffer from all these eye problems when life is hard enough? Also I had a question, are we suppose to put the Restasis in the fridge? Mine is just sitting on the counter? I am a bit confused on which eye drops to put in the fridge and which ones should stay out? I know that the NAC drops have to be in the fridge. Anyway's I hope everyone has a good weekend and trying to stay positive D

Delilah,

It was me who said that topical NAC is used to help dissolve mucus filaments associated with filamentary keratitis. Plain old mucus strings not associated with filamentary keratitis are common in dry eye. If you don't have filamentary keratitis, then I don't think you will note any improvement by using it. Topical NAC is also used for a number of other medical conditions including psoriasis and cystic fibrosis.

Discomfort from using NAC could be related to the concentration which greatly increases the osmolarity of the tear film.

[Delilah]

Thank-you Everyone

Thank-you Dr.G and Gaye, Gaye you made me bust up laughing when you said we all could use a shot of something with dry eye lol. I hope all of you are doing good and a question for Dr.G, how come Dr. Tabin in Salt Lake City didn't say something about the NAC drops drying my eyes out more? Since I don't have FK then how come he gave the okay to perscribe that to me? Did he do bad or good? Im going to call the Moran Eye Center tomorrow and try these Castor Oil Eye drops, I threw the NAC drops away, they dried my eyes out like freakin sand paper. Now Im just on the Restasis and a gallon of whisky ha,ha,ha, just kidding, but the Restasis and my preservative free eye drops, Im giving Restasis a whole year and if it doesn't help then I don't know what I'll do? My last resort is to go to Paris France since I am catholic and see if that blessed water from St. Lourdes would cure them? Who knows if it would, never hurts to try right? Anyway's Im smoke free I can't believe it, not spending 7 bucks a day for smoking, no more smelly clothes, hair and hands, no more ugly cough in the morning and no more short winded when I walk!!!
I do feel better, but I just wish my eyes would do better? I hope every one is doing good and I will keep in touch. Thank you all for your help and support, I don't know what I'd do without all of you, you all truly good friends. If you ever come to Idaho I'd be glad to show you around. Thanks a bunch Delilah

[DrG]

Your doctor in SLC did good! How would he know that NAC would dry your eyes out? He's probably never prescribed it. He did it because you wanted it, and he said to himself: "What the heck, why not, she needs a prescription and I will help her."

Kicking the smoking habit was the best move you ever made. Now, start on a regular exercise program. Going to Paris, France won't help your dry eyes, but you may forget about them for a few days.

[Delilah]

Thanks Dr. G

Dr. G I wanted to let you know that Dr. Tabin had prescribed the NAC drops many of times and he works a lot with Leiters pharmacy in California so he is familiar with them. He is a wonderful doctor, I hope I wasn't making anyone think he's bad, I just wanted to know if he did good or bad and it's true I did want the drops and it never hurts to try as long as it's not going to hurt me, it just didn't work. Dr. Tabin took the time to help me and answer my questions and he really cares. Yeah going to Paris probably wouldn't help my eyes but if it did it would be a miracle Do you know any thing about the castor oil drops? Would that help my eyes? Thanks Delilah