Fall Setback

[MommyandMe81]

Hi Everyone! I finally joined this site as part of my quest to overcome dry eyes. I am 35, diagnosed with MGD in June 2017. I am also a mother to an amazing 5 year old. After my initial diagnosis I was prescribed steroid drops ($200 after insurance) and Restasis ($400/month after insurance). I could not and would not conform to this and so started my quest. I read and listened to as much information as I could. I started the eye drop hunt, massages, fish oil supplements, humidifier but not much improvement. I read about castor oil and immediately purchased some- hexane, cold pressed, organic in a glass jar. I started by putting some on my upper lid and voila! Every symptom I had seemed to magically disappear within days. No redness, no pain, no inflammation. I was back to myself, so much so that I eventually left behind the massages, eye drops and even skipped the castor oil from time to time. I was so grateful and happy for months. Unfortunately November came and with it cold dry air and heating systems. This put me back to day one. I started my whole regime again and have had little relief. I even tried putting the castor oil drop in my eye but it does not provide the results it once had. Now I am lost and sad and panicked. I cannot let this take over my life. I HAVE to work (in front of a computer), i HAVE to be there for my little one. Therefore I HAVE to get a hold of this.

After reading the posts all day (at work..hehe) I went out and bought some vitamin A and flaxseed oil. I have not tried those yet but read great things about them. I also purchased a mini humidifier for the office and the car. I am trying, i really am. I refuse to live life like this and I refuse to believe that $400 drops- that sting - are the answer. We have to think positive and help each other. Please let me know of any tips that have brought you comfort, any off the wall ideas (like castor oil) that have worked for you. I'll try anything and do anything to avoid having my little one suffer due to my situation. Thank you.

[mbperso]

Hi,
You should first get more info in order to identify the cause and then the right treatment.
Is it only MGD or problem with tear? what is the diagnosis precisely ?
Are the MGs clogged ? => heat and massage
Did you do a Schirmer test or Phenol Red Thread ?

[MGD1701]

Hi
Pheonl Red Thread: What are the purposes?? Thanks!

[mbperso]

Hi,
Phenol Red Thread test is a test of tear volume and tear production (AD). Same than Schirmer but easier to do.
I did it, it takes only 15 seconds and very easy to do. Non-invasible , faster than Schirmer (15mn)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmSRLmZ18A4

[MGD1701]

Thanks. Most doctors in USA now do the osmolarity test (pretty standard) - easy & Non-invasible too.
- tear quality & as a monitor tool, etc., for info. Should be available in France??? Many videos in YouTube.

----------------------
Hi MommyandMe81

great that you are active. I am sure you can put it under control, like me. What helped me
combined omega 3 (bio cold pressed flaxseed oil) + GLA --- new studies show it is more effective than omega 3 alone.

Try new things is great but maybe wise to collect more info to support first. What do you think?

[mbperso]

Unfortunately in France, I've never heard about osmolarity test, nor inflammaDry, nor Keratograph 5m. No doctor use them and proposed me to do it.
There are only a few doctor who know about MGD. I had to manage myself to get appointments with the right doctor and handle to do the right test.
The only thing I found is the Lipiview which is easy to do and quickly, once you know that it exists.

BTW do you think it is interesting for me to do inflammaDry and blood test for omega3 or anything else ?

[MGD1701]

hi mbperso. Hard to believe as osmolarity test is not complicate nor expensive tool, I think.

InflammaDry Test
We dont have it too. It seems pretty standard test in USA.

Blood tests:
I did omega 3 & 6 because I was curious and dont want to add without knowing if I really need them.
My results were pretty high but I later figured out (based on my research)
I should reduce omega 6 (i.e. nuts) and increase GLA to thin the oil and it works.

Visited 15 doctors (2 were professors) and only about 6 know MGD yet NoNoNo doctors even mentioned omega 3 which can serve the same purpose too.

[MommyandMe81]

Hello! Sorry I didn't respond quicker. I've actually felt much better and have tried to keep my mind off of my eyes (as much as I could anyways). I logged back in today to catch up.

My eye doctor said it was MGD, my tears not having enough oil was the root cause of my dry eye. Unfortunately, the two doctors I visited only recommended Restasis and eye drops to help me. They did also suggest the massages but no type of alternative treatment. I witnessed my father cure himself of Diplopia (double vision) solely by experimenting and trying all types of techniques and exercises. His doctors were already recommending surgery to fix it. This was my inspiration to try to cure myself of dry eye. There has to be something to work for me. I vowed to try everything.

Once I experienced the "fall setback" i went hard on all the message boards and tried everything until once again I am in a comfortable position. I am not out the woods by any means but i am better. Currently I am taking a Vitamin A&D supplement, Theratears vitamins, 2 tbsp of Flax Seed Oil (Barlean's), sleeping with a humidifier, and doing my daily warm compress/massage. I am down to using eye drops (GenTeal Gel and ClearEyes Pure) as a refresher throughout the day. It seems this routine has helped. I believe the lack of massage and a change in vitamins (i was using a generic fish oil vs Theratears) may have brought upon my setback earlier this month. Additionally, the stress and anxiety of it all was contributing more to my migraines than the actual dry eyes. I have not worn makeup for a few weeks now. I am not loving it but accepting it. I might actually try cream shadows and liquid liners a few more weeks down the line. I am no longer using the castor oil as the effects didnt seem worth the mess.

I understand everyone responds to different things. These are what are currently helping me. I beg of you (whoever is reading this) to not give up. Theres 1000 different things that people are trying and some might work, some might not. Each new thing tried is a possibility. We have to remain optimistic. We can control this!!! Just have to figure out what works.

As I said in my first post, I have no choice but to live my life. My little one counts on me so my only option is to see what works. Also i recommend everyone go hard with the warm compress. I believe I've opened my glands a bit as I feel my eyes much wetter every time i massage. This is crucial and for me it works even better when i do it a little warmer than the norm. I DON'T DO HOT COMPRESS but tad bit warmer i think helps me more.

Please let me know if anyone else has any tips that I can try. I'm open!!!

[MommyandMe81]

MGD1701- which brand of omega 3 and GLA are you using? I use Barlean's Flaxseed oil (Fresh one) from Whole foods. I took a look at the ingredients and I dont see GLA. I started doing some reading and I hear good things so I would love to try. I want to keep going on the Flaxseed oil as well, its only been about 3 weeks with that.

I guess my question is since I take Flaxseed oil, fish oil (Theratears vitamins) and now would like to take GLA- is there a good combination form?

[MGD1701]

Hi
As advised earlier,
omega 3: bio cold pressed flaxseed oil

GLA: (bio, cold pressed,) Hempoil, there are about 5 different GLA.

The points are: combine omega 3 + GLA and best with food/salad
These are based on my own research and it works for me to thin the oil.
Dr Paul M. Karpecki has a few articles on this issue.

Many doctors in USA recommend -- not all fish oil are the same, effective/safe ones are expensive
*HydroEye (ScienceBased Health) contains omega-3s and omega-6, GLA
*PRN

[MommyandMe81]

Thanks MGD1701. I picked up some Hemp oil at Whole Foods today. I will start today. Another ray of hope.

[MGD1701]

Hi MommyundMe81

Great, you are active. You need to identify causes too.

Vit. D: Most people have this problem, regardless of age, race. Good to check it out.

Inflammation:
seems you have such issue? If so, it is vial to put it under control. Diet and lid hygiene play an important role.
I dont have such issues but pure HOCL, (like Avenova or Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser, Ocusoft Hypochlor,
the 1st & 2nd are only available in USA, but I have managed to find an alternative) helps me free from watery and discharges.
Now seems to be the trend, most/more doctors in USA recommend it.
Worthwile to learn more about it, you wont regret it.

Good luck!

[MommyandMe81]

Hi MGD1701,

I'll take a wild guess and say the computer screen is the culprit here, as I have studied and worked in front of a computer for much of the last 18 years. Honestly I never even thought about blinking or any of that. I looked away from time to time to avoid straining but not nearly as much as I should have. I'm considering buying eyeglasses specifically to deal with computer glare, figure it might help somewhat.

It's hard for me to describe my eyes right now. I dont see them inflamed. They don't itch or hurt much. I want to say its more of a tired,heavy feeling and a little numb. I've gone through all of the other symptoms at one point or another but this is where I am now. I'm not sure if this is better or worse.

I took the hemp oil yesterday, tastes very nutty. I took one tbsp and am stepping up the flaxseed as I read up to 4 tbsp daily is ok. Can I ask you your bedtime routine? Mine is not working as good as it used to as I don't wake up as refreshed so seeking ways to possibly tweek. Right now I do coconut oil, GenTeal nighttime gel and my sleep mask. Used to work wonders but not so much anymore.

Thanks for sharing your tips and for listening. I tell you having an open forum to talk about this is wonderful. I have friends and family that are super supportive but if you dont know what it feels like then it's just not the same.

[MGD1701]

Hi
Blinking exercise, every hour, would help you greatly.

Inflammation:
Some doctors consider that most MGD suffers have inflammation which I believe too.
Some people, like me, have very low (hidden inflammation so all doctors said I do not have inflammation with slit lamp)
- which only confocal microscopy can detect it. So the best strategies, in my view: keep lids/lashes clean, healthy diet.

Bedtime routine:
Not sure what are your issues? morning pain?? swimming goggle (easier to clean) helped me.
Sometimes simplicity is better - if you use sleep mask, maybe coconut oil is not necessary. I keep everything 1cm distance from eyes as dr recommended.

[mbperso]

Hi MGD1701,
When you talk about inflammation you mean inflammation of the lid margin and glands or inflammation of the cornea ?
Both can be seen with slit lamp ?
What is the cause of the inflammation ? bacteria ? => pure HOCL