Reflex Tears Washing out any eyedrops and causing a lot of pain

[MLE]

Hello,

I have been doing allergy shots for the past few months to try to help my DES. Autoimmune disease, hormonal issues, etc were all ruled out previous to this.

However, as the shots progressed, my response to them got worse and worse. The next day I got severe tearing and eye pain, and as the doses went up the duration and intensity of this went up also. After the last two doses I decided to discontinue. I was very sorry to do this because I TRULY believe that allergies are a a major culprit in my dry eye (I should also add that the shots also seemed to flare up my MGD). I have spent the past week almost entirely in goggles in severe pain, with my eyes shut most of the day. I feel like my life has been taken away from me. According to my ophthamologist my corneas look great- so I'm one of those people where the pain level doesn't match what's under the slit lamp. I feel like someone is kicking the backs of my eyeballs. My latest schirmer2 is 2 in one eye and 1 in the other- which is down from a when I was first diagnosed (3 and 3).

What seems to be causing the pain is the intense reflex tearing that I'm getting. My eyes (which have 4 sets of plugs) are pouring out reflex tears all day which are washing out any "helpful" artificial tears that I try to put in (genteal ointment, soothe, etc). Does anyone have any suggestions? I just want these evil reflex tears to lessen so the artificial tears can do their job! Or- can anyone offer me suggestions for the pain? A medication of some sort? I'm doing all the "home" remedies (goggles, showers, eyes shut etc) to little or no avail. I'm not sure how long I can stand this.

Maybe what I also need is just a big "we understand what you are going through" from this forum. People around me are sympathetic but unless you have this devastating condition you have NO idea how physically and mentally debilitating it can be and how it can rob you of your normal life.

Thank you,
MLE

[PAllen]

We understand what you're going through. We do. I've had days with so much pain, it was majorly depressing. But I kept trying different things and was able to see some improvement.

I wouldn't suggest long showers. I think it may wash away the oily tears. I found some relief with cold compresses. maybe give that a try? Also, I hope you're using preservative free drops.

Good luck. Hang in there. It'll get better. Maybe consider changing doctors?

[MLE]

Thanks for the support and well wishes. The gremlin kicking the backs of my eyes isn't there today, I "just" have the burning of the reflex tears, so some improvement.

I'll actually stand up for my doc and say that he's great. He is VERY knowledgable and importantly, compassionate and sympathetic about the pain, and has a great bedside manner. When he tells me things look good in the slit lamp its to reassure me- because I come in thinking I have to have something horribly wrong with the pain signals I'm getting, but my eyes for now seem to be holding their own.

-MLE

[PAllen]

OK. I have to ask - what are you allergic to? is it something that you can avoid? And why 4 plugs? when I had all 4, the tears ran down my cheeks,which was just lovely at the time, but I can see that could cause the oily tears to be washes away.

glad to hear you're having a better day.

[MLE]

I'm allergic to Dust Mites (the biggest reaction on the test), Ragweed, a variety of trees and grasses, and the dander of several animals (none of which I own). I've done the dust mite proofing on the bed, had the vents cleaned etc. but I can't totally avoid any of the allergens obviously.

I had all 4 plugs put in because I'm one of those people who is pretty intolerant of a lot of eyedrops and without them I was on the sofa with a washcloth over my eyes by about 2pm due to severe dryness. With all this overflow I have considered maybe getting one set removed, but then everything (including my pathetic level of basal tears) would drain out and I don't know if I would be any better-

I'm flaring up again horribly today. That's what I hate so much- the unpredictable nature of this disease. I had a pretty good day yesterday and now. . . Before I started the allergy shots I was much more stable and comfortable so I'm sincerely hoping that the trouble I've had lately was due to my last few shots. It can take weeks for antigens to get out of your system so I'm trying to stay hopeful. . . but nothing like pain to affect your mood.