Flare ups?

[Ella]

I have MGD and too low production of tears. I can understand there are better days and worse days but I seem to get really sever.flare-ups from one day to another. Last 2,5 weeks I tried a new regime drinking green tea with lemon as a member in this forum gave advice on. Seemed to work the last 2 weeks as I got but better actually but yesterday I out of the sudden got a major flare up, going from feeling around 4 on a scale of 10 to 10 of 10 in only a day! Does anyone else have sudden flare ups and what do you do to control them? The flare ups seems to happen me all of the sudden, without changing anything in diet, weather, sleep whatsoever. I have also been gluten free for 6 months and stay out of suger but this doesn't seem to help. I also tried the autoimmune paleo diet for a while but two weeks into the diet I also got a major flare up and then back to square zero again.

Anyone have the same experience and what do you do to control the flare ups? I write diary trying to track what's happening but so far no red thread.

[Faith1989]

Are you a woman? Mine flares depending on where I am in my cycle.... or from stress too.

[CharlieGreenEyes]

Like Faith1989, I also get worse flare-ups depending on my cycle. Always seems to be worse in the week before my period. And stress definitely makes mine worse (my opth told me emotional stress is a big reason for flare-ups). Difficult though to avoid stress always - especially when the actual condition is so stressful!

I find it really frustrating because I hate doing nothing - but I find all I can do when I get bad flare-ups is rest my eyes as much as possible. Which means staying away from the computer/phone for internet, no reading, limited TV (I listen to it but don't watch). I also increase the amount of compresses I do - sometimes I only do 2 a day, but when it's bad I do 4. No idea if it helps get things better quicker - but I find it soothes my eyes so I do it anyway.

I also try to eat as healthy as possible - I try to anyway with this condition, but sometimes feel I need a treat. And I try to get good sleep - go to bed early, etc.

Sorry can't help more.

[Hokucat]

You ladies may have a point. Based on this NIH study, the eyes are affected by a woman's cycle...per the study:

RESULTS: Subjective symptoms, tear production and stability, surface dryness and inflammation were significantly related to hormonal fluctuations in the menstrual cycle. In particular, the impairment of these functions appeared to be related to the estrogen peak occurring during the follicular phase, especially in patients with dry eye.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/17701769/

I wonder if the flare-ups could be eliminated or the severity lessened with birth control pills or supplements? My niece would have severe acne break outs because of her cycle, and after they put her on the pill the breakouts were significantly reduced.

[Faith1989]

I tried being on the pill and it actually made things worse. The birth control pill can actually cause MGD by reducing testosterone. My ophthalmologist advised me to stay away from birth control and she is a corneal specialist. I don't know what else there is to do though about that. I am very careful with what I eat ect. the week before my cycle. Sometimes the flare I get is debilitating and its hard to even work.

[MGD1701]

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[Hokucat]

Yeah, it sure can be complex being a woman!

Dr. Hyman has some suggestions to balance the hormones, including foods, supplements and herbs:

http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/09/17/h...-simple-steps/

Perhaps try being very careful what you eat the entire month, versus especially the week before your cycle. It sounds like you already eat pretty healthy, but consistency may help.

[PG]

Estrogen is inflammatory to the eye.
Supplements targeted for the adrenals might balance hormones.

[rm14dp]

Hello, I have been managing my Dry Eye Uvitis and MGD for over 6 years. ( yes Female ). and have regular check ups at the local hospital eye clinic, and Moorfields eye Hospital. I have fairly good weeks, and then for no apparent reason not good days. Flare ups come and go. I have found that if I feel a flare up coming, getting stressed over it makes it worse.I cant stop it coming, I haven't found the triggers, but I try to break the cycle by relaxing and distracting myself. The episode seems to be more manageable then. The pain is awful but doesn't seem to last as long.
I have found that taking Omega 7 Sea Buckthorn berry oil, 1000mg twice a day has helped me, I don't need to use eye lubrication drops so often, and the MGD, the oil doesn't get so thick and clogged on my lids. My consultant at the hospital has MGD and dry eye, like she says, its a chronic condition so just try different drops as they come out, different food combinations, and different suppliments. If they help you, keep going with them, but don't stop trying new things. Each of us are different, and our symptoms will be managed differently. Keep trying different things, but give it time to see if it works good luck.

[dominorose]

I totally relate. The week before my periods start I also have the worst flare ups :/