Restasis

[Meike]

My doctor told me this week that I needed to think about starting to use restasis, along with some other options like punctal cauterization. I'm now testing my first temporary collagen plugs.

I know that there's a lot to find about Restasis here, but I have some specific questions that I would like to post.

If use of restasis is succesful, then what happens when you stop using it? Do things go back to where you started? Or does restasis have a more permanent effect if you have used it for a period, and then stop using it?

As far as i understand, use of restasis is not recommended during pregnancy. If I would be pregnant, for example, in one or two years from now, would it be worth to try restasis at all if I would have to stop taking it within a year?

Thanks,
Meike

[Tanner]

Not a doctor but if you stop restasis you would go back to how you were. I think that getting pregnant in 2 years shouldn't have you worried about taking restasis now. I think i ttakes 6 weeks for restasis to wear off.

[hirentherock]

as far as i know, restasis is intended towards lowering inflammation by activating some of the glands. and i suppose its effects last longer.
in fact, as my doctor told me as well as experienced by me , the positive effects will start showing after six months to a year time. so here you need to stick to it as long as you can. it won't improve the symptoms in a hurry.need lot of patience.

the main problem with restasis to me and a few others is it gives burning sensation a lot too much. so you probably need to check your tolerance level to continue it longer.

all the best

[MikeM]

Restasis is supposed to increase tear production. I've read that the efficacy is not all that great, perhaps as low as 15% get a real benefit.

I've been on it for 8 mos and do not believe it is helping albeit hard to tell given all the things I'm doing. I am leaning towards getting off it and plan to have that discussion with my Dr.

[hirentherock]

Well mike..
Sorry to hear it doesnt help you at all.
I recently had a discussion with a few of the other members here on this forum,

Just like u i had been on Cyclosporine for past 6 months with no effects except buring.It was 0.05% concentrated product.
Out of blue, i decided to go for 0.10% concentration bottle.Just to have a try.

To my surprise its started working from day1 itself!Im feeling my eyes are wetter now.

I would advise you to consult your doc to shift to higher concentration drops for another 2 months and give it a try.

The doctor tells me, cyclosporine is the only drug that is intended to work for increasing tear production.So we dont have any other choice at present.
All FML and Loteflams are meant to give symptomatic temporary relief which does not work to CURE decease.

[Rebecca Petris]

If use of restasis is succesful, then what happens when you stop using it?

Seems to me that not all that long ago I read an abstract from a study where they found there was benefit to people who used it for a year and stopped, but I can't seem to find it right now. I'll post a link if I come across it.

[hirentherock]

oh i wish i could have one of the many green bars Rebecca is having!lol!

i had used cyclosporine before seven years for a month. it burnt me so much that i could not do my daily work.it was restasis i was using that time.

now m using that CYCLOIMMUNNE instead of restasis.this also gives discomfort if i use it in day time. so i use it just before i sleep. following day i can feel wetter eyes.

[DCRdryeye]

Ouuuuch! This is my third day using a compounded Restasis and it STINGS. My eyes are watering from the burning, but at least I have tears, tears, wonderful tears. I know it takes up to 6 months to work..and the success rate is low. I've been advised to use it 4 times a day by a leading corneal specialist (most papers I've read suggest twice a day).
Perhaps it's stinging so much because I've also had four Duraplugs put in a few days ago, so the Cyclosporine is being retained longer on my eyes.

[PotatoCakes]

A fair number of people have problems with the castor oil used in Restasis. I found that the more damage my eyes had, the more likely I was to have problems. Now that the surface of my eyes have healed (through use of serum drops), I can use regular Restasis without a lot of burning. Even so, I continue to use the compounded cyclosporine I get from Leiter's because it seems to work better for me. If you continue to have burning, call your doctor and ask if he/she will prescribe you compounded cyclosporine. You can get it from Leiter's; they will ship it to you for a fee. It's possible there are other places in the country that can compound it for you but I know of no others and Leiter's is very well-respected.

[DCRdryeye]

Thanks Potatocakes, the cyclosporine I'm using is actually compounded. It's the only way to get around the restriction we have in our country with Restasis not being listed. It still stings, it's akin to putting hot chilli on the eyes. Today two doses were better than yesterday, perhaps my eyes are getting used to it? The problem is I can't use my scleral lenses whilst placing cyclosprorine on every four hours. That sucks!