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I can't believe the day has finally come and I'm actually posting this, but I have now been exactly one week with absolutely no dry eye symptoms. I have gone from using PF drops every ten minutes in the evening, to using absolutely none. What has changed?
On Jan 5, I had an appointment with a new opthamologist who seems to know his way around dry eye. Imagine my surprise when instead of hearing "try PF drops", I heard "you should try moisture chamber glasses; here is a website where you can purchase something called TranquilEyes".
To be honest, I think he's simply giving me the cookie-cutter approach but since this is the first medical professional I've seen who didn't trivialize the discomfort I've been in ... I'm quite happy to make cookies for awhile!
I have just finished two weeks of the steroid drop, and have two more weeks to go using a steroid ointment that I work into my eyelids before bed. I've been very diligent about warm compresses, lid hygiene and massage (4xday), plus am taking the usual course of Doxy. I wouldn't have expected things to turn around so quickly (within 1 week of starting the new regiment) ... but they have.
Two other things of note which happened these last two weeks ... I finally had a "bad" tooth taken care of ... and have been seeing a chiropractor for a pinched nerve in my neck. I'd been ignoring both for about 4 months (since my eyes went off the charts). I read some posts recently about a possible connection between dry eyes and teeth. In my case, the tooth had a root canal done years ago, but I've had intermittent problems with the bone becoming irritated. I put off the visit to the dentist this time, being so overwhelmed with the condition of my eyes. But believe it or not, the day after the tooth was extracted, my dry eye completely went away. The chiropractor I saw that week told me I had a severely compressed nerve in my neck (likely had it a long time) which was causing all kinds of trouble in my shoulders and upper back. I asked him about the dry eye connection and he said anything is possible.
Of course, the other explanation is simply that the weather has changed and we are now in full blown winter with snow cover and no more autumn debris blowing around. I still think there may be an allergy connection, but everyone I've seen so far, says not.
Anyway, I am looking forward to a pain-free spring and summer. Hopefully if I maintain my routine, my problems won't resurface again come September.
Thanks for everyone's support and I hope you're all having a good week.
Debbi
On Jan 5, I had an appointment with a new opthamologist who seems to know his way around dry eye. Imagine my surprise when instead of hearing "try PF drops", I heard "you should try moisture chamber glasses; here is a website where you can purchase something called TranquilEyes".
To be honest, I think he's simply giving me the cookie-cutter approach but since this is the first medical professional I've seen who didn't trivialize the discomfort I've been in ... I'm quite happy to make cookies for awhile!
I have just finished two weeks of the steroid drop, and have two more weeks to go using a steroid ointment that I work into my eyelids before bed. I've been very diligent about warm compresses, lid hygiene and massage (4xday), plus am taking the usual course of Doxy. I wouldn't have expected things to turn around so quickly (within 1 week of starting the new regiment) ... but they have.
Two other things of note which happened these last two weeks ... I finally had a "bad" tooth taken care of ... and have been seeing a chiropractor for a pinched nerve in my neck. I'd been ignoring both for about 4 months (since my eyes went off the charts). I read some posts recently about a possible connection between dry eyes and teeth. In my case, the tooth had a root canal done years ago, but I've had intermittent problems with the bone becoming irritated. I put off the visit to the dentist this time, being so overwhelmed with the condition of my eyes. But believe it or not, the day after the tooth was extracted, my dry eye completely went away. The chiropractor I saw that week told me I had a severely compressed nerve in my neck (likely had it a long time) which was causing all kinds of trouble in my shoulders and upper back. I asked him about the dry eye connection and he said anything is possible.
Of course, the other explanation is simply that the weather has changed and we are now in full blown winter with snow cover and no more autumn debris blowing around. I still think there may be an allergy connection, but everyone I've seen so far, says not.
Anyway, I am looking forward to a pain-free spring and summer. Hopefully if I maintain my routine, my problems won't resurface again come September.
Thanks for everyone's support and I hope you're all having a good week.
Debbi
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