Daily Check-In

[neil0502]

My eyes have been feeling better since I stopped using Genteal Gel at night. I think I was starting to develop some irritation to a preservative in the gel (even if the label indicates that the preservative dissolves in the eye).

Julie, this rang a bell. After my LASIK, I thought Genteal Gel has a miracle, the only thing that provided real relief. I have kept a stash of a couple of the small tubes, in case I need something strong - after intense irritation, on air travel, etc.

Well imagine my surprise when I realized that on the contrary, it proved to be very irritating...?! I don't understand why. It feels irritating in my eye now, and it was such a dissappointment because I used to consider it excellent I don't use it anymore.

An interesting study, conducted by refractive surgeons, looking at effects on corneal clarity while they used several different lubricating drops:

Click me!

The conclusion?

All eyes started with a corneal clarity grade of I (best possible). Corneal clarity decreased significantly faster in eyes where Goniosol was used to a median grade of III at 1 hour of surgical time. In eyes where GenTeal gel was used, corneal clarity decreased much slower, to a median grade of I at 1 hour of surgical time.

In other words, GenTeal gel -- normally put in our eyes AT BEDTIME (staying there for 6-8 hours) decreased the clarity of the cornea a little more slowly than some other drops.

Again: this is a pretty clear indication that something in GenTeal (0.3% hydoxypropyl-methylcellulose, carbopol 980, phosphonic acid, sorbitol, water, and 0.028% sodium perborate) -- active ingredient OR preservative--is hurting our eyes.

GenAqua -- IF you have plenty of tears -- is supposed to convert partly into hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is used to debride tissue. Don't forget: if you use peroxide-based contact lens cleaners, you MUST rinse off ALL traces of hydrogen peroxide before putting in your contact lenses ... or ... it really hurts.

Best,
Neil

[sazy123]

Im feeling really depressed at the moment.

Recently my face pain has resolved due to things i have done over the past year and a few treatments at this doctors, which when i realised my eyes were going back to the horrible burning/pain they were before i stoped it but my face pain is gone and my eyes are back.

Im really enoyed at my self coz i could of lived with the face pain the way it was the last few months. It was definately alot more managable than dry eye. now its gone and im really pissed with myself..coz my eyes are NOT manageable! AND NOTHING I DO FOR THEM HELPS! ive tried everything and i have not seen any improvemnts! god im soo stressed with it! Most people on here find something that helps them live comfortably i.e plugs. but plugs didnt help nothing has helped! I wanted to go to UNI this year and probally would of been ok with the face pain but now theres no way i can go back with eyes like this.. all there is left to do is cry

sorry for the rant im just in a really low place right now coz ive had this condition 2 1/2 years and nothing HELPS! apart from only briefly i.e a hot compress helps the burning for 30 mins and drops help for 30 secs. but nothing lasts!

Here is something I've noticed - when my IBS/IBD is bad and I have abdominal cramping, fullnes and bloating and such, my eyes are better, almost like really great at times, like no dry eye! But when my IBS/IBD is perfect, I'm not feeling bloated or uncomfortable, my eyes are usually TERRIBLE - burning! I don't get it. It's like this terrible cycle that isn't improving either way.

Accutanejay:

This is exactly what happened with me, face pain= no dry eye! i think its something in the nerves. if only i could get this feeling without face pain

[Julie1]

Sazy,

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through a rough time. Dry eye is so hard to live with, especially when you are so young. I understand. I'm having a tough time with it too, but I just try to live each day one day at a time.

I think that your eyes will get better because you have written about how your eyes have been better since the onset of your dry eye. I believe you have said in other posts that your eyes have been almost normal at times. You've stated earlier that you have allergies -- maybe it's the time of year that's causing the problem. Keep doing your MGD and allergy treatments, and you will get better!!

-Julie

[Guest]

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time of it at the moment. I wish you well and hope that things improve again for you very soon.

How did you get on with the Lacriserts, I didn't find them very nice/good at all, hope you had a bit more success with them.

Take care of yourself and hang in there.

Regards

IanP

[sazy123]

Hi guys.

thanks for the kind words. My eyes do not seem to be connected to any time in the year, they have got worse lately coz the face pain is better Im addressing the likely hood that i might have perennial allergic conjunctivitis (all year round-house dust), as i apparently have allergies. But i dont understand why allergies would just dissapear with face pain.

Ian: i have not tried the lacriserts agian yet as i have been upset the past few days and probally cry them out! but i will do.

thanks agian. dry eye is not easy.

[Dotanne]

Hi all!
Just clocking in to let you know that my situation has improved!
I did a bit of research and noticed that clonazapam was mentioned for helping neuralgia, burning tongue syndrome and similar. My specialist didn't want to do anything re pain management until I have had a MRI scan(on a waiting list) but I decided to do my own thing (I was getting really down because of the pain) and try 1/2 a tablet per day of some clonazapam that I have had since I had depression after having Lasik. I took it when my face pain and dry mouth started to deteriorate in the morning and I have found that the face pain has now become more manageable(less soul destroying) and my eyes are much more settled!! I can have a life again! My depression is a lot better and I have more energy. I have been doing this for one week. The dampness of autumn is probably helping too.

I have been using Theratears (quite frequently as as instructed saturation style) and Alcon Poly Gel at night and occasionally during the day, plus hot compresses and lid massage and a mask at night plus Theratear gel caps and fish oil caps and I wear protective glasses. I have even driven a couple of times at night which I was not able to do during my last flare up. Even better I was able to go to band practice last Friday and play clarinet at Dawn Parade (Anzac Day) and at the morning Anzac service today!!!! AND enjoy it!! The dawn parade was soooo good - the dew was settling on our music! Cool and damp! 8 deg C. and calm.

I know that clonazapam is a valium derivative and you can get hooked on it which is why I want to keep it at a minimum dose. I have stopped all the other pain relief (codalgin, diclofenac) as it didn't seem to work much anyway. My GP has given me another prescription of clonazapam now and goes along with it. She tells me that to get neurontin on subsidy you have to have tried tricyclics(dry eyes/mouth side effects) and Tegretol first. I do not have insurance. I still have trouble with my dry mouth and burning tongue but I am using Biotene gum, mouth wash and gel which give relief. Lots of snacking helps too and lots of water.
So hang in there all of you who are going through bad times - I really sympathize. I am praying for you. There is hope.
God bless and here's to better eye days for all of us
Dotanne
Just passed 2 1/2 years after Lasik!

[dianat]

I'm so glad to know you've made it through the flare up. Hopefully with your new-found remedy, you'll maintain manageability for a good long while. Enjoy these good days and thanks for the prayers on our behalf!

Diana

[Delilah]

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to check in to let you all know Im still alive lol. My eyes are still the same Im just living with it, taking each day by day and hoping that one day there will be a miracle eye drop that will cure all of us. Hope everyone is having a good summer. God Bless Delilah

[Lucy]

I know that clonazapam is a valium derivative and you can get hooked on it which is why I want to keep it at a minimum dose. I have stopped all the other pain relief (codalgin, diclofenac) as it didn't seem to work much anyway. My GP has given me another prescription of clonazapam now and goes along with it. She tells me that to get neurontin on subsidy you have to have tried tricyclics(dry

Hi Dotanne, I think physicians in the US are leaning away from the "addiction" theme for people in constant pain. A cancer patient friend who recently passed away had her family concerned about "being addicted" to pain meds. Well, she was in a hospice setting and what's the point? A little clonazapam will not addict you! My husband takes one tablet before bed for restless leg syndrome. I can tell if he doesn't take it because I'm kicked to death all night and end up going to another bed. The drs wanted to switch him to the more expensive REQUIP and I said "no" because this one is cheap and works perfectly.

I hope you continue to be more comfortable with your regimen. Lucy

[Dotanne]

Thanks Lucy for your comments on clonazepam. I am still taking it. If I don't I get sort of hypo and the dry mouth etc gets worse. I am rid of the face pain now but still get some burning tongue and dry mouth but it is not nearly so bad. I can enjoy a meal! My eyes are manageable now - just keep up the drops and compresses, omega 3 and massage and night mask etc. But I find I can sometimes go longer without drops. I get two hours in the morning when I feel as though they are almost back to normal. The humidity here is generally around 60% as we are into winter and we get lots of rain. I'm sure that helps. I found another optician who is sympathetic and I got a pair of glasses with the moisture shields (Eagle vision ones) inserted between the lens and frame. They can only be put in certain types of frame. It was worth it as I feel much more normal especially going out at night etc when I don't want the sunglasses/goggle look. (YES another pair of glasses! I can so relate to Lucy's posts!)
I am glad I did my own thing with the clonazepam. It helps me feel so much better! I am scheduled for the MRI scan on 11 July. Had to wait nearly 4 months.
Take care all
God bless
Dotanne

[dianat]

Dotanne,

You sound great...at least compared to this past winter. I'd been wondering about you off and on. I'm so glad you're managing!

Diana

[MJ]

Dotanne,
I was just wondering ... have they ever suggested Lyrica?

Lyrica's main use is for neuralgia and its secondary use is to supplement other seizure drugs.

[Kathel]

Hi Dotanne,

I'm new on this board and don't know your story (burning tongue?) but I can attest that Clonazepam has been a very helpful drug for me. (and the cheapest one I take). I had generalized anxiety and major depression after developing dry eye after refractive lensectomy 20 months ago, and took clonazepam, 1/2 mg three times daily for awhile at first. After I got better, I weaned off both the clonazepam and my antidepressant. Now, I just take 1/2 mg clonazepam at bedtime as it is wonderful for helping me get to sleep (and stay asleep). I don't think it really makes any difference with the dryness. I do occasioanlly get sharp stabbing pains in my eyes, usually one eye at a time, and luckily, not as often as before, but the clonazepam helps with that, as well as the anxiety it engenders. It does stabilize nerve membranes, so it makes sense. You may also be interested in trying Alpha Lipoic Acid, which is an antioxidant that has been reported to help with something called "burning mouth syndrome." I started taking it, thinking it might help with my "burning eye syndrome." I take 100 mg daily. Hard to say if it's helping because I'm doing so many other things, but I figured it couldn't hurt. Good luck to you!

[Dotanne]

Diana - Yes it is great to be able to feel better and get back to a more normal lifestyle. Last Feb/March/April were awful months. So to those in trouble at the mo - things can get better - I did begin to wonder whether I would ever feel better especially after the burning tongue syndrome and dry mouth set in with a vengeance back then!! The clonazepam made my life improve so much.
MJ - I haven't heard of Lyrica here in NZ but I did research it on Internet and it seems as tho it is more for post shingles pain or diabetic nerve pain only. Worth knowing about as one never knows what is around the corner. I do know that my pain must have been from my nerve messages going haywire after my tooth extraction last October. I think the dry eye contributes to the nerve pain too as my eyes improved as well as the face pain after taking the clonazepam.
Kathel - Thank you for your comments about clonazepam. It is good to know how someone else has fared with it and also what doseage you use. I know it has made my eyes feel better and not so inflamed. I am sure other pain makes one's eyes feel worse. I also know when I have a hot flush coming as my eyes feel bad just before! I have had that sharp stabbling pain in my eyes too - I used to think it was telling me I need more drops but I guess it is a nerve pain too. I experienced depression and anxiety for a year after my Lasik disaster in October 2004. I went backwards again earlier this year when I had a growth on my shin removed and had lots of pain with it. That is all healed now and most of the nerve pain in my leg has gone.
I did try amitrip 10 in January but it made my eyes worse so I am very grateful to be able to research on the Internet and I'm glad I still had some clonazepam tablets left over from my first bout of depression. They are very cheap (only $3 for 30 tablets here - subsidised by govt) and my eyes are not too bad - and my other symptoms have improved.
I also had another tooth out last month - not good(ended up surgical) and back on antibiotics again but settled now.
We even went out to a Scottish Dance last night and I managed to stay up past midnight without my eyes packing up. Yep - we danced to the bagpipes and got heaps of exercise - Anyone done 'Strip the Willow' and 'Dashing White Seargeant' ? So the clonazepam has not made me sleepy with the low dose I am on.
Now I must find some Alpha Lipoic Acid. I guess the health shop will know about it.
Thanks all
Keep on hoping and thinking positive
Dotanne

[Kathel]

Dotanne,

I recently heard from a colleague that he recommends alpha lipoic acid at 300 mg twice daily for burning mouth syndrome. Thought I would pass that along. Good luck,

Kathel