Why are there so many terrible opthamologists?

[Arcaeon]

Thanks so much to everyone for your positive replies. I did in fact get anti-depressants from my GP but haven't started them yet, still trying to conjure up the courage to take them, I've never had any mentally-altering drugs before and am scared of the concept of my brain chemistry being altered... especially when I asked the doctor how these things work and he said - I'm not even exaggerating here - 'We don't really know. We guess that they inhibit a serotonin receptor' ( or something like that). So, yeah, that's encouraging. I probably won't take them unless I am literally about to throw myself in front of the train lol.

As long as I have this site though I think I will be okay, reading the many problems people have overcome and shared with everyone gives me so much inspiration (yeah,that sounds corny but I don't care). I honest to god think this site has saved my life. But anyway, enough of that sappy crap.

I am just wondering... after about a week on the steroid drops my eyes are making a pretty drastic improvement.. so hmm maybe that opthom wasn't so clueless after all. It still doesn't make sense to me though that I have allergic conjunctivitis, because I *never* get itching. Although I am allergic to a lot of pollens and dust mites and stuff. Anyone know if it's possible his diagnosis could be correct despite the lack of itching? Maybe allergies manifest themselves in other ways in me, or something. In yet another frustrating turn, though, I read that using anti-histamine eye drops (such as Patanol which I have) can cause as a side effect.. .wait for it... DRY EYE. OHMYGOD. Can it get any more frustrating?? The medication used to help prevent dry eye causes dry eye as a side effect. Arrrgh it's all too much sometimes.

I must rest lol. Thanks for any more help.

[rubyslippers]

If an area is damaged enough it won't itch if the nerve endings are shot.

The best way to explain anti-depressants is that your brain chemistry is out of wack. These drugs will ONLY work if the chemicals are out of wack. They are not meant to "alter" but to balance. If you don't need them, they won't do anything to you. If you do need them, they will help. Not saying there are not side effects, but the side effects to your long term health when you are depressed day after day are devastating.

[skygoddess]

Hi,
I am pretty sure at least a part of my problem is allergy related, and I have absolutely no itching either.
It is just my observation, but it seems a lot of people with ocular rosacea, are also troubled by allergies.
Contact allergies are different from hay fever , dust mites etc.
Testing is done differently also. You wear patches for 48 hours, then a first reading is taken , then a second 48 hours later.

Contact allergies occur when you touch something , then transfer that substance to your eyes.
I was tested for the most common 29 contact allergies,
I tested positive for a black rubber mix. I was scheduled for more extensive testing,
for over 200 items, but had to reschedule for August.
Till then , I just try to follow the advise someone gave here earlier,
Someone said " try not to touch your eyes" I can't agree more.
( Very difficult I know!)

I have been to so many Dr's I have a reputation as a stalker, but too bad,
One day I am going to lick this thing.
My Dermatologist has helped me the most, He at least keeps trying to help, and is not afraid to try another option when something does not work.

The depression thing is awful, I have had some terrible times with this,
I was abused as a child, was raped, and suffer terribly from migraines,
But none of that got me down,

Till this eye thing,
That was what almost beat me.
I ended up taking antidepressants because of it, and now I am better able to cope. I only take them as needed, and I had to try a few before I found the one that helped without the side effects.

But that is another Dr story......

[MeganAlyse]

just a note one patanol...
i believe that it was the beginning of my dry eye

any anti-histamine = dryness correct?

i stopped taking the patanol after 2 days of use
my eyes have never been the same since using it
i had a GPC infection prior to use of this drop and that may have been what pushed me over the edge but i truly believe that it was the patanol that started everything

maybe try seeing if your doctor will let you use the steroid without the patanol
that's what mine did
i've been on Lotemax for about a year now and although my eyes still bother me it's nothing like when i took the patanol
and the steroid is definately working. My Rheumotologis recently asked me to stop taking it and by 5 days in... well lets just say i had forgotten how bad my eyes really were