Ive Met my Match. No Not a Dragon but a Immortal Thorn

[EternalTears]

I was diagnosed with cancer twice in 2008, once in Feb and a second time in Sept. The first time I had surgery and cat scan results showed no cancer. The second time the cancer spread and required 3 chemo drugs daily for 3 different weeks over a 2 1/2 month period. I finished my treatment on Jan 01 2009 and in March, my eyes were so dry, I couldn’t keep my eyelids open. I found out the chemo damaged the glands in the eyes by destroying the bodies cells that multiply the fastest, which include the cells that produce tears. Fortunately, my 20/30 vision is still intact and the dry eye has gone from Severe to mild/moderate since March. I tried plugs in lower lids but it made my eyes worse as my ocular surface filled with fluid. I take restatis 2x daily and GenTeal as needed.

I have seen 4 different opthamologists and a dry eye cornea specialist to find out the exact reason for my dry eye and treatments available. I found the doctors I saw to be casual about dry eye and not very helpful. I do not have inflammation in my tear film and my eye lids are fine. I have a hard time keeping my fingers out of my eyes and contribute to the irritation I’m sure.

I used to be a type 1 diabetic for 26 years and insulin dependent until getting 2 pancreas transplants in 2001 and 2004 that "cured" the diabetes (so far). I am a two time cancer survivor, successfully recovered from 2 yrs of back spasms due to a seizure and regained full movement and comfort in my hands from acute neuropathy. But as odd as it sounds, the most difficult and disruptive condition I have experienced is Dry Eye. I have slain the deadly dragons in the form of man's most savage disease but this disease (dry eye), while not as imposing or daunting, is so frustrating. Unlike my past dragons, I will not be able to eliminate this disease from my life.

I want to say to all of you here who participate in this forum, my heart goes out to each and every one of you for your daily suffering, tenacity, and diligence to make the very best of each and every day with Dry Eye

steve

[odydnas]

Welcome to the board. I am very sorry to hear of all the trials and tribulations you've been true. I hope this board provides some helpful information for you. Have you tried blood serum drops or sclerals lenses? THese two treatments are rarely mentioned by docs, because quite frankly, most docs have no idea how to properly treat dry eye. Many of us have been to and still continue to go from doc to doc. If you haven't had a chance yet, please check out the Plug a Doc section, hopefully you will find a doc in your area that treats dry eye more than just a casual annoyance. I did speak to one doc in San Diego, Dr. Bokosky, who does make blood serum drops, which could be worth a try for you, at least to see the doc and find out if it might help you.
Good luck!!!

[dianat]

Steve,

I just read your post with great interest, confused whether to smile or cry at your ability to overcome so many obstacles, many more than I've ever had or care to have.

But you, someone who has pushed on through so much, you have given all of us a lot of credit here...credit for continuing with our daily lives despite the mental and physical difficulties chronic dry eye brings.

The notion that someone who has experience a host of real, life-threatening and painful situations would go out of his way to discuss dry eye as the ultimate frustration is very powerful.

I thank you for your post, Steve, and for helping us to justify our complaints and constant search for the perfect product, effective doctor, cleaning and compress routine, and all the mental health issues we face in coping with this maddening condition.

Not sure how much time you've given to this site, but I might also suggest you dig deep here for information on dietary supplements as well as several types of eye drops sold here. Compresses for you are a must. Scleral lenses might be worth looking in to as well.

Steve I wish you the very best of health and comfort, and thank you for being here and for your empathy.

Diana

[mylittlem]

Steve,

I am touched and moved by your lovely words. Spoken by a man who has faced tremendous adversity, your sharing of your emotions and trials should instill strength in all of us who at times find ourselves very lost in life. Thank you for bringing such honesty and heart warming kind words to us who so desperately need to hear them.

MylittleM

[EternalTears]

Thank you for all your heart felt support

Thank you Odydnas, Diane, LittleM and all of you.

The tears within these eyes are not only physical in nature from dry eye but emotional and spiritual too. There is a reason for the steady presence of tears and that is it’s my way to show an enduring tribute and fond remembrance of those who have fought with their very lives to survive insidious diseases and life changing accidents.

Even though I have had my share of medical challenges which threatened my very existence, I consider my fate kind and my luck blessed. I have tried dearly to feel and understand what others have experienced, whether its cancer patients, kids with diabetes, aging ones who fall to Alzheimer’s, a middle aged woman who awaits a kidney from a donor, a baby with a fever, or a co worker who has dry eye. I have found there are no promises to these outcomes, except one. And that one promise is our very own spirit within each of us will devote all of its love to our heart and soul. And if were fortunate enough, we will have the support and love from family, friends, and yes, even strangers.

Steve

[Bennys]

Touched

Steve -

I was very touched by your comments. You truly are a very brave person and I really wish you all the best in life. You certainly have a very good attitude and I'm sure this will help you in dealing with your dry eye problem. Sooner or later, someone has to come up with something that will help all of us dry eye sufferers!! Thanks for your inspiring words.