symptoms and story any ideas?

[Ellie82]

These are my symptoms, any ideas or advice anyone?

I have been sufferring with sore dry eyes for around 6months. I have been to see a speicalist on the NHS who said i have dry eyes and I should use aretficial tears. I am doing that now and it doesnt seem to be doing an awful lot. My eyes today are sore, i have developed pains, like shooting pains in the corners of my eyes and my eyes are generally more bloodshot today. They are just soooo sore. Im sure there are many out there in a worse situation than me, but this is really beginning to get me down.

He has said I should put them in for 4 months and then go back. during in which i shouldnt wear contacts etc.

i am going to my gp tomorrow, should I be asking for blood tests etc to actually find out what is the cause? the specialist didnt seem to talk about the causes. just the worst case scenarios that can occur!

I also have an itchy face and scalp at times, which leads me to think it could be an allergy? perhaps i should be asking for an allergy test?

I stopped taking the pill around november time. could this be causing dry eyes? sudden change in hormone levels? should i be asking for this to be checked.

The only other thing that has changed would be that I have moved out of home in the last year.

Finally in the last could of weeks i seem to have a burning sensation in my throat at times. possible acid reflux related? indigestion? i really have no idea.

i have put this information on my intro post aswell as I wasnt sure where would be best to post it.

Thanks

[shoebox]

Hi Ellie82,
Sounds like you've got a lot going on!
All the eye dr said was to use artificial tears? What kind did he suggest?
With the eye pain and itchiness, I wonder if you have an allergy or a skin condition. Allergy testing can be extensive, and beware that allergy medicine can often increase dry eye symptoms.
It sounds like you need to be sure to take a list of questions to your gp tomorrow. The burning in your throat is of concern!

Good luck and please let us know what the verdicts and results are. Try not to get discouraged, and read all you can on this website. The people here are SOOOO supportive and knowledgeable! The community that has been built here creates a huge knowledge base from compassionate people who will never dismiss you. Hang in there!

[Ellie82]

Hi,

I saw my gp, i totally forgot to mention the burning. I think its just indigestion or something. I have however been referred to an allergist and have an appointment in 4 weeks time.

i also have had her write to my eye dr to speed up my next appointment. so this is quite good so far. I also have preservative free eye lube which sounds like it may be better. i was using viscotears before. not sure if they are preservative free or not.

mind you this new brand is a bit of a pain because the gel stuff doesnt drop off the end of the spout so its almost impossible not to touch the eyelid with the end of the spout which i know isnt good news.

Mmmmm im really fed up but not an awful lot i can do really.

[yoganut]

Just my two cents. I suffered from an itchy face and scalp too, at night I would constantly scratch, I then did a little research and switched to sodium lauryl sulfate/laureth sulfate-free shower gels, facial cleansers and shampoo and it seems to have improved my situation. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a cheap detergent type product that most manufacturers include in their personal care items to make the product 'sudsy', apparantly one of the uses for it in an industrial setting is degreasing garage floors. It may or may not be any help to you but thought I would suggest it.

As far as the lubricant being too thick, try not to squeeze it directly out of the tube into your eye. I use gel as a lubricant, what i do is wash my hands thoroughly and put a little on my pinky finger and pull down my lower lid and swipe the pinky over my lower eye rim while its pulled down. the lubricant will naturally spread over your eyeball.