So many questions

[GrandmaPatti]

Hi, all. I found this site a few days ago and have found it very helpful. I have lots of questions but the most important ones right now have to do with finding a helpful doctor. I was diagnosed by an opthamologist but I get the feeling that she really doesn't want to deal with my chronic dry eye problems and was very general in her advice. I got a recommendation from an aquaintance who got complete relief with a prescription drop from an OD (she can't remember what it was). I know my situation may/probably is different but she certainly was happy with her results. So, I'm wondering...does it matter whether one sees an MD or OD for this condition? Also, does anyone have a list of "interview" questions for the receptionist that will help me determine if a particular doctor is really interested in working with dry eye sufferers? I really need to find someone who is not irritated by my questions since I always ask a lot of them (I used to be a nurse AND am old enough (60 y.o.) not to be intimidated by doctors-which seems to really turn some of them off).

FYI, my left eye is my main problem and it seemed to have started with an infection/inflammation of it's tear duct. That was cleared by an antibiotic/steroid combo from a Dr in another State.Then, a year or so later, I got some kind of dermatitis on my face that caused an infection to develop in my eyes (left one first) that caused severe itching, burning, and swelling. My current doctor diagnosed that as bleparitis (not dry eye via a dye test) but the erythromycin that she gave me didn't help. Thank heavens, when I went back for a follow-up, I had to see a different doctor (unfortunately, she's moved to CA) in the clinic and she said I didn't have blepharitis and gave me torbradex for external use only which cleared it up almost immediately. Recently, my current doctor diagnosed me with dry eye based on the 5 min strip test (didn't say anything about surface dryness though she sure looked a long time) and gave me a generic list of things to try along with a prescription for erythromycin "so I wouldn't have to come back if I had any swelling". Am I reading too much into her statement when I think she really doesn't want to deal with this?

Well, enough complaining. I'd appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks so much. Patti

[kitty]

Welcome. Where in Washington are you located? I am a nurse as well and am not intimidated by doctors. Maybe I have acquired a defeatest attitude because of several chronic health problems for which there is no fix. I have learned not to expect too much from eye doctors. I think most are trained in the general things, plugs, drops, Restasis, the occasional Rx for Lotemax and Patenol to manage flares. Beyond that, there is not much more that can be done, at least not for my DES. IMO, most eye MDs make their money from eye surgery and not from managing DES so no, it is not of major interest to them. It does not matter whether you see an MD or an OD, just that the doctor has some interest in DES and gets ongoing continuing education in that. The goal is to find a way to manage your DES so that you are not in agony every day of your life. If you are looking for a fix, 9 times out of 10 there is none. You might try checking with a local Sjogrens support group and find out who their members see for DES. I thought of doing that, but to be honest, have just come to accept my DES for what it is. I wish you the best. There are many wonderful people here who might be able to give you more assistance.

[GrandmaPatti]

Thanks for your thoughts

I live in Sedro-Woolley (near Mount Vernon in case you've never heard of S-W ). How about you?

I, too, have had other chronic conditions that I have mostly gotten under control so I'm hoping I can do the same with DES. I'll check to see if there is a Sjogrens group nearby...that's a good idea.

Best to you as well.

Patti

[kitty]

I live in Sedro-Woolley (near Mount Vernon in case you've never heard of S-W ). How about you?

I, too, have had other chronic conditions that I have mostly gotten under control so I'm hoping I can do the same with DES. I'll check to see if there is a Sjogrens group nearby...that's a good idea.

Best to you as well.

Patti

I'm in Bellevue. Yes, I have heard of SW.

[Rebecca Petris]

Welcome, GrandmaPatti!!

Off topic for a moment, just between us Washington folk... isn't this the craziest weather??? We were at church on Bainbridge Isl. this morning when we heard hail pounding on the roof... that left about 1" on the ground then turned to snow for the next hour... On the way home, it was dry and sunny coming through Poulsbo, and then we found an inch of slushy snow on the ground at home in Silverdale.... Just talked to my sister who lives near Sequim. They had 15 inches of snow on their farm.

If this is April showers, them May flowers better be pretty spectacular.

[Rebecca Petris]

Oh and by the way: If memory serves a Sjogrens group was supposed to be starting up in or near Mount Vernon the last I heard. There is a very nice group in Seattle but I think a lot of their members lived far enough north that they needed a separate group. Check with the Foundation for details. I'm not sure whether they've actually started meetings yet.

[kitty]

Welcome, GrandmaPatti!!

Off topic for a moment, just between us Washington folk... isn't this the craziest weather??? We were at church on Bainbridge Isl. this morning when we heard hail pounding on the roof... that left about 1" on the ground then turned to snow for the next hour... On the way home, it was dry and sunny coming through Poulsbo, and then we found an inch of slushy snow on the ground at home in Silverdale.... Just talked to my sister who lives near Sequim. They had 15 inches of snow on their farm.

If this is April showers, them May flowers better be pretty spectacular.

This is VERY strange weather indeed. I am a native and I don't recall ever seeing snow after late January/early February. And to think it was 80 degrees just last week. I am ready for Spring, and Summer. I hope we are not in store for a rainy summer, but we are past due for one.

[GrandmaPatti]

Washington folks

Well, I hate to tell you but we are in sunny (though coolish) San Diego for a total of three weeks. We return home Thursday and after reading about the weather, I hope our garden didn't freeze or get damaged by hale. Oh, well...that's life in the PNW!

Rebecca, thanks for the welcome and the info on the Sjogrens group. I'll let you know if I get any good names.

Patti

[brd888]

Dry eye

Getting back to your DES - doctors interested and informed about Dry eye syndrome are few and far between. Most folk on this site consulted several before looking wider and finding this site.
In my (self-educated) opinion I think you may have had several things happen to your eye recently and it may just be natural progression to have dry eye appearing at the same time. Dry eye is a symptom but finding the cause is very difficult.
If you take my advice you can try and get your dry eye diagnosed as aqueous or lipid deficient by a doctor which can be a pointer to which treatment may help. Also an eyelid cleaning routine seems to help a lot of people and is explained in detail on this site.
Best of luck.
Bruce

[GrandmaPatti]

Thanks for your thoughts, Bruce. Until I found this forum, I had no idea how varied and complex DES is. No wonder it's hard to diagnose and treat. I just hope that I can find a doctor that will listen to my history and use his/her knowledge to guide me through the trial and error process to comfort. In the meantime, I'll keep trying to learn how to help myself with help from people like you and others on this site. Though I sure would like a "magic bullet"!

Patti