Hello from Ohio

[dreamerdee]

I am very happy and relived to have found this site. My story is very similar to the ones I have been reading. I first noticed symptoms years ago when I was out dancing in smoking clubs. It usually didn't bother me until I was leaving. Then my eyes would water like crazy, so bad I had to wait it out before I could drive home.

Fast forward a number of year, and I have been having horrible painful erosions that can last for days. My ophthalmologist has me doing lid scrubs before bed and using ointments at night. After my last big erosion he had me try the muro 128 at night. The 128 seems to be doing a good job so far.

I have switched from using baby shampoo to using the occusoft. It seems like it is less irritating to my sensitive skin.

From reading the dry eye remedy book I have identified multiple factors that are probably aggravating my condition. I am looking to change the ones I can and hope the rest will be more forgiving with better treatment.

I look forward to getting better informed and participating in the forum.

Dee K.
Ohio

[liz56]

Hi, Dee.

I'm so sorry to hear that you are suffering with erosions. They are awful. When I was having them, I was trying to figure out what was wrong and what lifestyle choices I was making that might have caused them. Nothing I did was really a problem, and I doubt that going out was the cause. It might have aggravated the condition of dryness.

Have you seen a good corneal specialist who can tell you if you have a epithelial basement membrane dystrophy? I ask, because I have it, and for many of us who have not had a recent injury but who get into vicious erosion cycles, it often is an underlying cause.

It's a good sign that the Muro is helping you. When Dwelle come back into stock here at the DEZ, you might want to give it a try. I found that it does not make my eyes red, like Muro does.

Take care,
Liz

[Teri]

Dee,

Welcome to a fellow Ohioian!

I second everything Liz said. I was also having erosions for nearly 1.5 years, and I also tried Muro128.

Unlike Liz, I do not have BMD, and once my dry eyes got proper treatment and got under control, the erosions stopped.

Has your doctor theorized as to why the erosions are happening? Do you have aqueous deficiency? Meibomian Gland Dysfunction? Blepharitis?

I hope the Muro continues to work for you and that you find something that makes the erosions stop altogether.
Teri

[dreamerdee]

Thanks for the welcome!

I am going to have to be more assertive in asking my opthalmo more and better questions. He has told me that I have map/dot/fingerprint and that it is a "basement" syndrome. He also has said he thinks it is a lot related to auto-immune issues as I have several other auto-immune things going on including eczema and Hashimoto's thyroid disease. I am on Armor thyroid med for that condition, and am also on bio-identical hormones for some pretty bad night sweats secondary to menopause. (sorry if tmi)

I tend to over react to environmental contaminants like perfumes and chemicals. I have to wear all cotton clothes with no tags, socks inside out, etc. I have learned that the princess from that story about the princess and the pea was probably pretty miserable sometimes!

Pretty much I have learned to take it one day at a time and be grateful for every day of clear vision and being pain free (or at least tolerable discomfort, lol).

[liz56]

Hi!

I'm glad to hear that you are getting some answers. The thing about this dystrophy is that it can be managed, so that is good news.

I have a thyroid problem, too. My TSH numbers are normal, but I have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism, except for weight issues, but it might be related, because I go through times when I am not hungry at all. I'm still trying to figure out what is going on with my thyroid. I have nodules.

You know, we can never get "too much information" on this site. It seems like everything relates back to our eyes or can. Sometimes we find the most unlikely solutions here. I will not be surprised to see a topic some day about toenail fungus and MGD!

I wish you the very best as you work through the eye problems and other issues, too.

Take care,
Liz