New here and desperate

[dominorose]

Hi LM thanks for your answer. I already use TTO shower gel from the Bodyshop, and I think the smell is really agressive... Ive ordered Cliradex wipes I will give it a try. My derm used a big light over my head but she looked at my eyes OPEN, I tried to explain I had small little "bumps" at the edge of my upper lashes but she didn't really look at my upper lids.

For the MG's my main concern now is I'm absolutely incapable of locating them. Are they at the edge of the lashes on the inner lid, or at the edge of the eyeball ? Im using a magnifying mirror with daylight but can't see anything.

I use Avene products to clean my face and a cream from Avene too because my skin is very dry. I dont notice any "flush" after a shower but the skin of my face is definitely drier after.

And for my eyes I use Ilast Care with sterile compresses

[dominorose]

Oh and for the IPL, it was mainly for the vasculitis on my cheeks and edge of the nose, really red and not really big but I hated it...

[Faith1989]

I just ordered more wipes yesterday as well. I find they help a lot. I am unsure if I have demodex, as doctors in Canada don't seem like they really know about it. I have also been told I don't have any signs of rosacea, which is just not true lol So who knows, if it helps I use it.

Just know they will burn for a minute. Just a warning it's normal.

[littlemermaid]

Dominorose, I can see your MGs really clearly in photos 1 and 3 - a line of shiny dots between the eyelash line and the junction of the eyelid to the eye surface. Sometimes we can see the oil by pressing and pinching gently upwards underneath the lower eyelash line with 2 fingers. On me, it's clear and easy to express, but junior mostly has MGD and we can't see it. Dr Latkany has a good point that after a hot compress and eye rub it takes a few hours to replenish.

Your eyes don't look allergic, do they?

Are you doing OK with a hot compress bag or mask? or do you still need cold?

[dominorose]

Ok just a qui k message before I reply to you LM : ive just cried a lot 5 minutes ago, and my tears were STUCK on my eyeballs, nothing came out of my eyes (just a little)

I dont know what to do Im really afraid

[dominorose]

LM thank you for your answer. I think I know where to look now but what really surprise me is what you wrote about the few hours. When I express my glands I don't have more than 5 minutes of relief, if any. I dont know if the relief comes from the heat (I use a "meibopatch") or from the expression btw.

And no, I've moved to hot compresses one week ago aproximately and stopped cold compresses (I still do them if the pain is unbearable during the day)

[dominorose]

Ok just thinking about something:

When I press on the top of my nose between eyebrows and blink I can feel tears coming out. Is it my MG's opening or the aqueous part of them? I thought it could also be related to my lid closure, with the pressure helping them to close fully. Is that possible?

[dominorose]

So basically this is how I do it.

[dominorose]

Omg this pic is horriiiiible

[dominorose]

Hi,

A quick update. My new bloodtests came back, and apparently my eosinophils are way too hogh (864). So apparently, my problem is due to allergies.

[dominorose]

I'm alone here!

So... I have an appointment tomorrow with an opht (Professor, responsible of the opht department in Strasbourg hospital), and I am REALLY afraid to... perform Schirmer's test. Don't moke me please, but I am REALLY sensitive, and can't handle anything in my eyes (I had an amoebic keratitis 10 years ago, hospitalized for 15 days at the Quinze Vingt hospital, and am really "traumatised").

Is it painful ?

[lizlou29]

I'm alone here!

So... I have an appointment tomorrow with an opht (Professor, responsible of the opht department in Strasbourg hospital), and I am REALLY afraid to... perform Schirmer's test. Don't moke me please, but I am REALLY sensitive, and can't handle anything in my eyes (I had an amoebic keratitis 10 years ago, hospitalized for 15 days at the Quinze Vingt hospital, and am really "traumatised").

Is it painful ?

I've had about 10+ Schirmer's tests and I don't find it painful at all. Only two with anesthetic. The only bit I occasionally find uncomfortable is when they take the strips out as I have a Schirmer's score of close to zero in both eyes so the bits of paper stick a little to the lower eyelid. I'm sure you'll be fine and good luck with your appointment.

[Rebecca Petris]

Just want to offer another perspective. I won't let anyone schirmer me, after the last time it was done. There are other ways to skin that cat. You absolutely should assert your needs at the doctor's office and you can refuse tests that you know may cause you problems (physical or emotional!). Some people have huge issues even with fluoroscein dye, or being dilated, or whatever.

It can be really helpful to fax or email information to a new doctor before seeing them. This could include a brief history and summary of your situation and what your hopes and goals for this appointment are. In that context you could also tell them you have concerns about some tests causing too much discomfort so they can be thinking ahead of time of the least invasive/uncomfortable types of tests they could use to assess you.

[lizlou29]

My notes say I won't have pressures checked by nurse before I see my Ophthalmologist. The anesthetic drops they use before measuring pressures make my eyes burn like mad then I have to wait for ages to see Ophthalmologist by which time my eyes are 10x worse than when I got there. I agree with Rebecca about saying what you are/aren't comfortable with. Took me a long time, partially due to my initial blind faith in medical professionals but I learned in the end that I know best in terms of what I can and can't handle.

You'll find a lot of Ophthalmologists don't do the Schirmer's test note as it's not the most accurate/best diagnostic tool so it shouldn't be an issue if you don't want it.

[dominorose]

Lizlou and Rebecca thank you SO much thats a relief. I was afraid I would be forced to do it, and it's a big no-no for me (same for plugs btw, I prefer to have dry eyes all my life but it is impossible for me to even think about it). The last time I tried to put lenses in my eyes I was shaking like hell and my opt told me "ok girl, put your glasses on and forget about it".

I had a bacteriologic exam last week (with a big Q tip, dont know the exact name in english sorry), and the nurse was so sorry for me after doing the first eye bc I was shaking soooo much!!