Need some encouragement

[shoebox]

Hi all...
Today (and I guess part of yesterday too) it seems that the plugs have made my eyes feel drier. They hurt. Unfortunately, I had to leave my house today because I discovered a problem with the new cell phone I got on Tuesday (to replace one that had broken!). I was squinting the whole time I was out (made my head hurt!) Driving home was really hard and I found myself leaning my head waaay back and driving with as little of my eye showing as possible. I don't remember my eyes feeling this bad before the plugs. It's not as bad at home but I do need to return to work Monday and I drive 30 miles each way.
I don't know if the plugs are rubbing on my eyes and making them inflame and that' increasing dryness or what.
I swore I was going to give these plugs a fair shot. I have been instructed to call my eye dr tomorrow, and I do plan to report these issues. Then I have an appointment to see him Monday so he can see how my eyes are doing.
You know how when your eyes are dry you can see it - mine look dry. I thought the plugs would help but now I am wondering if it's not a tear drainage issue after all.
I'm getting confused and frustrated. Compared to what some of you have been through this is nothing, but I'm in pain. I'm sure my FMS doesn't help matters because my brain tends to interpret many sensations as pain. Thinking about that makes me wonder if I will ever find relief or if my brain will just never cooperate.
Ugh anyone got some words of inspiration for me? Am I just being whiny?

[bostonlover]

Boy do I know how you feel! You are most certainly not being whiny! It is hard to say why you would be feeling drier now. How long have you had 4 plugs? I know when I got all 4 plugged it took about four weeks for things to settle down. I had all 4 plugs for about 6 months and things fluctuated with my eyes just as they had before. There were weeks where I was overflowing all the time; then weeks when I felt as dry as ever. Who ever know why . Anyway, just wanted to say I totally understand and I am so sorry!

Tera

[shoebox]

Thanks

Tera,
Thanks for the support. My 4 plugs - this is weird - are all in my lowers. I have 2 in each lower duct. My puncta (?) are "large and in-between sizes". The good thing about this is, the outside ones can come out and I will still have the inner ones.
I just called my eye dr (he's so great and sensitive as a person!) and I'm to go in this afternoon, even though I have an appointment on Monday. Must be he's concerned when I described them as "rubbing and my eyes are very dry".
I am trying today to focus on how fortunate I am to have a truly caring eye doctor and this website! Fewer battles to fight
Thanks again. I hope you are doing well!

[shoebox]

Back from the dr

Okay now it's changed. Now my left eye has one lower plug down inside AND one upper plug. My right eye still has double plugs on the bottom. He says the upper plug fits me much better. He also said he'd have to order some plugs that he thinks will fit me better. When he took the one lower plug out and put in the upper he said I'd be loving life in a few minutes.
Dr dyed my eyes this time and looked and said my eyes looked better but still dry, so we're trying an upper plug to see if it helps. He also squeezed my eyelids (assuming that was checking gland function) and I asked if they're fine and he said they are. (HAHA this website and Dr. L's book have me SO READY for appointments!!)
I took my "arsenal" with me (drops, eyelid wash, goggles, masks, and eye pillows, etc.) with me and he thought it was amusing and called me "guinea pig" -- but in a nice way, not insulting. I told him I'm not brand new to this game but he's the first that's really tried to help instead of saying "yeah they're dry, so?" I also reiterated the FMS and the resulting increased pain receptiveness.
Eyes are still numb, but wanted to get this down before I forget!
I have some restored hope
I go back Monday after work (that'll be interesting) for him to check things.
Once again, thanks to everyone here for keeping me hopeful and educated!