Minocycline appears to be more effective for me...

[Natalie06]

After almost one year on Tetracycline and then Doxycycline, the DE specialist just switched me to minocycline since my MGD had not improved at all since April. I also just started erythromycin ointment at night.

Well, things are getting rather active (and uncomfortable). The last week my lid margins are really sore and itchy and I even have started developing MGD bumps. I saw the MD today and she really believes it's now a case of things getting worse before they can get better. My MG's are now "peaked" versus just clogged, meaning they are starting to respond to the therapy.

I would love Richard's constant heat therapy device right now! (I love the idea of it, by the way) But I also wanted to let other MGD sufferers know what my MD is doing and that the minocycline sure has "stirred things up."

Natalie

[GeorgeT]

Hi Natalie,

I have also zero tear production and ocular rosacea. Have you tried punctal plugs, upper and lower? I am also taking doxy 100mg/day and after a few months of watery eyes I am dry again..and seems like doxy does not work anymore. I cannot tolerate Restatis.
How are coping at work ?

All best !

George

[Natalie06]

Hey George!

I just realized that I haven't been logged in and just saw your private message.

The problem with plugs is that after a while they can stop working. That's what happepened to me right after the lasik surgery. I had both upper and lower plugs then but by a month my eyes were just as dry as before. Dr. G calls it the feedback loop.

Anyway, right now I just have lower plugs but can't say it makes a whole lot of difference. I gave up on Restasis as the side effects were terrible...as bad if not worse than the MGD/Blepharitis. And I tried it using Lotemax for 2 weeks first and the same for Alrex. Still terrible. Plus, they both aggravate symptoms of corneal dryness.

The dry eye specialist says that I almost certainly do have Ocular rosacea. She just switched me to Minocycline as she said sometimes people don't respond to Tetra/Doxy. Since I've been on it, things are definitely "happening" though I am leery that it's a good thing. But my glands are surely reacting to something.

I am doing hot packs 2x per day plus lid scrubs. And just pouring in the tears as the stuff coming out of my glands is really irritating to my eyes and my eyelashes are frequently a mess. I am also using an anitibiotic ointment at night or when the itching gets too intense for me to stand it. Plus the Alrex 2 x per day for a month to keep the inflammation under control and for comfort.


So, the Alrex/Monocycline/Ointment/Hot packs and lid scrubs are just for the evaporative problem.

She is trying to source autologous serum drops for me locally and is supposed to ask the Allergan rep about clinical trials for the androgen drops that Allergan is supposedly testing. So we don't really have any plan yet for the aqueous production problem that Lasik left me with.

Work is terrible and I wish I had some answers for you. I just keep using drops and am going to try and use a heat pack once during the day (much easier said than actually done). I have been using a beeswax based "purifying" balm on my lid margins and I do find that helps to prevent the AC from making my lids crazy and seems to slow down some of the evaporative loss of tears. But be careful of anything you use near your eyes.

I am trying to remember that it took years for my glands to get this bad so it won't be overnight for them to feel better.

Good luck. And if you hear of any great tips, let me know!!

Natalie

[GeorgeT]

Hi Natalie,

Did you think of moisture chamber glasses?? DHEA drops might be worth to try.
I am just having 4 plugs, and I am getting more dry after 4 months. I am also having more pain and burning. I don't know if 4 plugs bring any benefit...
In the first 2 months I did not use drops and I had no pain......After that all changed....
All best !

George