Daily Check-In

[dianat]

Dear John,

How 'bout a little liver failure to go with that dry eye syndrome? Does Tylenol really improve your symptoms?? I've gone the pharmaceutical route when I was at my worst, but ideally you should be getting control of your symptoms instead of just treating the pain.

There are so many things you'll need to try and it may take time to see results, but it'll be worth it. To name a few, have you considered: punctal plugs, Dr. Holly's eyedrops sold on this site, warm compresses, lid cleaning and massage, supplements, goggles, humidifier in your bedroom, Tranquileyes nighttime mask?

I don't have time right now to discuss every one, but all you need to know is somewhere in stores of this bulletin board. There is a search function if you need it.

These techniques do not represent a magic bullet. But with dedication to a regimine, you can and will make a difference in your comfort.

[Podiatric Medicine Studen]

Hi Dianet

Hi there, yeah, thanks for your reply. Yeah, I have worried about my liver as well. I usually only go the drug route if I am in some severe dire need- Like a few tests in a row at school that I am studying for. Anyway, I have had this problem since like 13, and have really tried a lot.

I have punctal plugs (both superior and inferior), use restasis, also lubricating drops in the night, have humidifiers in every room, take Omega 3 and 6 supplements, along with raw flax seed oil, and this supplement called Thera-life enhanced(not really sure if this one has helped). Last month I just recently did a complete diet change- No raw sugars, no junk food, and I am juicing lots of fruits, eating tons of dark greens and salads... I will get back to you on this one to see if it helps, but so far, I have noticed a difference with not eating the sweets.

I tried the Dwelle and Dakarin drops, and my eyes were like not having it. But, the red eye-drop is mellow, and I like that one.

So, that is my official drug list. What do you think of the wrap-around sunglasses? Do you have a pair of these? Do they work? I have some very large dark ones, but still really get wind blown when riding my bike to school.

Well, mainly I would be comfortable and feel good if I didn't have such a rigorous schedule with school and clinics- Maybe I am trying to overstep my bounds?? What do you think? Thanks, John.

[Rojzen]

sometimes pain cannot wait

Hi, PMStudent, and thank you for focusing us on the problem of intractable pain. . .I share everyone's worries about toxicity with some of the OTC pain remedies, but I am also a huge advocate of treating pain successfully, right up to the point where treatment may even have some small costs. . .

I wonder if you would be willing to give Dwelle and Dakrina a longer try. . .especially Dwelle. . .These products are not primarily designed as feel-good products to drive symptoms away, and, in fact, they sting many, on instillation. . .But their long-term benefits cannot be touched by the world of drops that are not high-oncotic in pressure . .Not everyone will be healed by Dwelle, but the science behind it is so incredibly serious and smart that this alone has always been enough to convince me that no other OTC drop even aspires to the kind of healing possible through Dwelle. . .

RE: Drugs. . .I'd be shocked if Tylenol could help severe eye pain, especially burning pain . .and so megadosing on that probably has a bad cost/benefit ratio (although ten 325 mg tablets of Tylenol is still below the recommended maximum dose, which is 4,000 mg/day.) . . .BUT how about seeing a doctor (Internist or pain doc) for something that treats neuropathic pain, like burning. . .I was on Elavil/amitriptyline (very low dose) for 2 years, before Restasis came out (Restasis reduced my burning, but was otherwise useless for me). ..and Elavil essentially eliminated my eye pain 'till the very end of that period. . The effect wore off after 2 years, but then I had other options. . .Today, there are many other neuropathic pain remedies, like gabapentin/Neurontin, tiagabene, and Lyrica. . .

Only YOU know how bad your pain is. . .Don't let me or anyone else discourage you from getting more successful control over your pain, if the direct treatment of your eyes doesn't kick in fast enough. . .Pain itself, as you know, can be malignant, in the sense of damaging nerves and triggering chronic pain syndromes.. .I say Go For It, and see how much farther you can get. . .

[dianat]

Do you mind if I just call you "Podiatric Stud"?

I'm glad to see you have tried a few things, but am sorry you haven't had better luck. The therapeutic approach to the Dr. Holly drops is an easy thing to try. Rojzen explains and promotes it better than anyone here...and she doesn't even get paid or free product for doing it! I'm planning to order Dwelle for myself and giving it a try. Anything and everything is worth trying.

Do you do warm compresses? This might be the most important thing I do every day (twice a day). Between this, a humidifier in your bedroom and a shield over your eyes at night, you can really make a difference. Tranquileyes are pretty popular among patient on this site. They are sold here as well. I opt for the cheap eye mask that can be purchased just about anywhere. I'm convinced my eyes don't close properly without it. When my nights go better, my days are more comfortable.

Lastly, the wraparounds you refer to are a great idea, but I would suggest taking it a stop further and going for a goggle. I realize it's not the most attractive option, but preventing your eyes from drying out in in the wind or in the dry air of a car, is key to continued comfort.

You can purchase an inexpensive pair of goggles at a Harley shop, or you may opt for a more premium product like Panoptx where they are designed to vent, yet prevent any real current of air from affecting the surface of the eye. They are built "for speed". Rebecca sells them on this site, and you can find them at local retailers. Check out the Panoptx web site for more details on where...

Lasty, you might pick up Dr. Latkany's book sold here as well. I just read it and it did help me to understand a few things. I realize you probably have plenty of reading to do already.

I commend you for taking on podiatry school while suffering chronic dry eye syndrome. What a task. I do feel for students who are forced into long, late hours and extensive reading. Good for you. And what a great doc you'll be with this true understanding of pain and discomfort.

D

[Podiatric Medicine Studen]

Lasik Surgery...

Hey guys, since I am new here, I am not really sure how to start a new thread... but I was wondering if anyone saw this interesting article in the New York Times yesterday besides me...
It's about Lasik Surgery, and complications. Thought I would share it.

Here is the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/fa...yt&oref=slogin

[carabiner]

message deleted

[hasan]

Check in

my eyes are feeling ok because just had a nap...what a luxury...

[Dotanne]

Things are going quite well now. Rain has come at last and the atmosphere is moister. Since going on doxy over the summer, my eyes were much better than at the same time last year and I am enjoying life. Unfortunately the doxy and then a course of antibiotic for a touchy root canal job last month gave me acid reflux but today it is improving. (I am on omeprazole). My back played up last week but that has come right too so I am smiling again. I am using MSM and l-glutanine and yesterday tried the apple cider vinegar (2 tbsp) plus ¼ tsp Baking Soda in half a glass of water 2x a day for the reflux so that may have helped too. A warning – if you are on doxy do take it with a large glass of water and after food and take a probiotic. It was tough on my stomach!
Three and a half years after Lasik and I am still getting improvement so hang in there Lasik people! Dr Latkany's techniques for blocked meibomian glands are great!! My special glasses give me awesome protection and now I rarely use drops through the day. I still need my Poly Gel and sleeping mask at night and do lots of rice baggy treatment and eye massage.
Cheers all!
Dot

[hasan]

i am on a huge rice bag

feels so good.

i used it yesterday and it actually reduced my use of systane a lot. Only don't know it's toxic nylon or not. Still looking for info...

[Delilah]

Hi Friends!

Well it's just me here in Idaho still suffering from severe dry eye and those darn mucus strings! I've now developed a worse symptom that has nothing to do with my eyes For about 6 years I've suffered from a bad stomach and colon, so now I will be under going a colonoscopy and endoscopy, they think it might be Crohns, I think I've might of told ya'll about this problem a long time ago, but it's gotten worse. I've lost 28 pounds in less than a month and a half I only hope it's not colon cancer as I have many symptoms of that disease. I will keep you all informed on what happens. I go for my procedure on the 5th of May lol, go figure Cinco De Mayo, a special day I usually celebrate with margaritas, but this Cinco De Mayo I get to have two tubes going through each end Well I hope ya'll are doing good, let me know if you have any questions or just feel you need to vent. Sorry it's been so long I've been on, met a new bf He's wonderful and understanding of all my medical problems. Besides that Im doing pretty good, it's nice losing weight when I don't even have to work out. Later friends. Delilah

[liz56]

Hi, Delilah!

I'm so sorry to hear this news. You are just too young to be going through all of this. How are you feeling about the procedure? Will they have to put you under? I had surgery in August, which was unrelated to my dry eyes, but I was obsessed with my eyes! I talked with the doctor about it and the anesthesiologist. I was so worried that I would have an erosion, but they put Genteal Gel in my eyes, and it was good.

I hope that things go well for you and that the tests turn up negative.

Have you thought that it might be something systemic-- the eyes, the stomach? That's just a question; I don't mean to imply that I think that it is something specific. I just learned that I was checking all of these different things, wondering why so many problems were coming up. Then, I discovered that I have a thyroid problem.

Let us know how things go, Delilah.

--Liz

[lboogie]

weekend okay

Hey all -- I'm in the COLD pacific northwest category.....and having an okay day/ weekend. No burning eyes (except for a trip to Home Depot -- good grief!! the dry air is ridiculous).

What I'm super bummed about right now is my motivation/ depression/ obession. Any lasik folks who can relate to me on this thread? -- i go from obessing about dry eye to night vision to "what about long term effects", and floaters and cataracts when I'm 70......the list goes on and on.

I dont' even want to know how much time I've spent worrying about my eyes and my future.

I just hope medicine can keep up with itself, and that I won't have to live with this regrett for my whole life.

Hang in there everyone.............and thank you for listening.

[Delilah]

Hello Friends

Thanks Liz for being so sweet, well they did the procedure and found NOTHING I go back to the doctor on the 28th of this month and hopefully he will have some answers for me? They did put me under and I didn't feel a thing which was nice. They found no Crohn's, no Ulcers and no Celiac's Disease and best of all no cancer. I just really want an answer to as why I've been so sick? Maybe it could be do to my eyes but I' am not sure and Im so tired of seeing doctor after doctor. The weather here in Idaho is crazy, this is suppose to be our Spring time and it's like 40 degrees, has been snowing and it's cold.

Im wondering if we will ever get Spring or Summer? Well friends I just had to let ya'll know how things went. My eyes are still the same, haven't had my check up yet as I have no insurance to cover my eyes. I need new glasses and I really need to get the check up, it's been like 2 years since I've been to the eye doctor. Hope all ya'll are doing good and I will keep ya'll updated on how things go on the 28th, until then Thanks for always being here for me. Your friend D

[Mika]

Hello everyone,
Hello Delilah,
I was asking you if ur fine, but i guess NOT...
ohh blo*dy h*ll.... i hope this strange illness go away bcoz its hard already to deal with dry eyes and mucus, now u have another ill on top of that...
must be courageous

well I am just dropin in to keep up-to-date...
Well, I am still in the club - still dry eye.. but i hope as I have read in Dr Latkany's book, that new promosiing treatment will come out -especially here in Mauritius!...

But I have started some little life change, most specifically, about the warm compress..
I replaced my Rice baggies with STEAMER... well I guess that personally, I now prefer the steamer!
not only do I feel more...."clean" and my pores are open up, but compared to rice baggies, I am doing a little bit more better sometimes, with this steamer...
but still there's still up and down...
Moreover, I also notice that Mucus crops up:
1- when the weather is veryyy cold.
2- wen eyelash is in ur eyebag....I mean, 3/4 of the time mucus develop is bcoz I always find some bloody eyelash stuck in my eyelid..
so.. for those having mucus, u migh consider rinse ur eyes with lots of saline... and it might go away...

btw, interesting.... I wonder wat must i do to become Dry eye veteran :P...post more often?

[lboogie]

crying

dang it -- I just broke down in a pretty raw crying binge, now my eyes are toast. I just need to get my head right and learn how to deal with this regret and come to terms with everything, and stop obsessing over the future and How I think I've ruined everything. I'm on the list to have a counseling appt. soon. Wish me luck.

Thank goodness for our loved ones who listen and give us hope -- and to you all!! Rebecca, and my dry eye buddy have been invaluable.