Another Dead End. . .

[MyDryEyes]

And feeling rather glum about it.

I decided it was time to get an allergy test to see if there was an underlying cause to my super itchy eyes, inflammed eyelids and conjunctival papillae, besides the fact that my eyes are just messed up from laser surgery.

And so my visit to the allergy specialist went like this:

Initial contact: "Do you use eye drops? Have you tried Restasis?" (HA, HA, HA).

Later. . . .as he is looking in my eyes with his little light - "well, your eyes don't look dry."

And to wrap up the visit, after all of my allergy tests come back negative, he says "well, I have heard that some people have LASIK and their eyes are just never the same."

Yes, thank you, I understand this. Thanks for reinforcing what I have been freaking out about for the last 7 months.

And so, with no allergies showing up, I am feeling a bit perplexed and concerned about my current situation.

And, after one year the pain just gets worse and worse.

And, to top it off, I just can't seem to tolerate anti-depressants. Even a super low dose. I am on my third go with one and here I am, after just a couple of days, with that gritty sensation that comes and goes. This is a symptom that usually doesn't bother me frequently (except back in the early days), except from the drugs!! What am I supposed to do??

[bassfan]

Youre better off than me....I went and got tested and was allergic to many different things. After close to a year of weekly allergy shots, Im no better than before eyewise and out some money and a heck of a lot of "lunch hours".

As far as what to do next...Im asking myself that so Im probably not much help.

take care

Daren

[Rebecca Petris]

((((((MDE))))))

I am so sorry........

What am I supposed to do??

Pamper yourself to death. Comfort foods , spa. Hang out with your commiserating DEZ friends and have a decent virtual cry on some virtual shoulders. And ease yourself back onto the battlefield KNOWING that things WILL, WILL, WILL GET BETTER!!! Because they do, and will!!!

[marykate]

I'm sorry to hear that MyDryEyes. Did you test for environmental, skin, AND food allergies? ...Or just enviromental? Because there are things you put on your face (cream, lotion, cleanser) that can be irritating your eyes and eyelids. I'm not saying you will find the culprit, but it could be making it worse, even if you have used it before w/ no problems. I found that this cream (that I put on my chin!) I use causes my eyelids to burn twice as much, and 3 times as much if I instill Restasis right after I use the cream. So stopping the cream didn't stop the eyelid burning entirely, but it definitely helped.

[lboogie]

I know...it's terrible. One visit I had -- they were like -- do you use drops? Du'h............MyDryEyes and I talk quite a bit. I told her my new play today. Which is to do just keep doing what I'm currently doing -- and try to stop worrying until December. Which marks my 1 year lasik anniversary. Then I'll probably get upper permanet upper plugs. It's hard to think that you've exhausted your options --and I'm about there too.

My schimers turn up pretty darn good consistently now like wetting just under half the strip-- but I have "somewhat abnormal" oil consistency and flow. Must be the combo that is making me so dry.

I'm hoping it will be like job hunting -- seems like when you decide to take a break from applying for jobs, you find one. Fingers crossed!!!!

Hang in there -- and have your doc try out Restasis -- it surely can't hurt -- and might even kick that papillae!!

[kimby2007]

Allergies

MDE

Your situation sounds similiar to mine. I went through several rounds of allergy tests to no avail. I found that I am allergic to cat (I have one) but nothing out of the ordinary to create my dry eyes. Treat yourself to something nice and know that my thoughts are with you.

Kim

[brd888]

And, to top it off, I just can't seem to tolerate anti-depressants. Even a super low dose. I am on my third go with one and here I am, after just a couple of days, with that gritty sensation that comes and goes. This is a symptom that usually doesn't bother me frequently (except back in the early days), except from the drugs!! What am I supposed to do??

Hold on, are you saying the AD's actually bring on the gritty sensation? This could be an interesting find - is it with all type of AD you have tried?

Thx

[MyDryEyes]

Thanks everybody!!

@brd888 - yes, I do feel the grit quite a lot more with the AD. However, I have been noticing with the current one that it comes and goes, along with the dry mouth. My doc is starting me on a super low does since I am so sensitive to this med. Today, though, no grit. Just a really, really, dry, heavy feeling. I started with Lexapro a few months back and immediately I was super gritty (like the next day) so I went off of it. I also tried Cymbalta and was started on a way too high dose and it threw my whole system off - my eye pain was horrible the day after starting.

I am hoping with this new med (Prozac) I can slowly go on it and stay on it. I think I really must stay on it, even if it makes my eyes a bit dryer. I am that low!! Yikes.

@marykate - they tested me for molds, pollens, pet dander and dust mites. I am sure there is a whole host of other things to test for, but I honestly have never had allergy issues. I fear that it is not a systemic issue and that my eyes are just so sensitive that they react to anything and everything.

((((hugs))))) back to everybody!! Thanks so much for all of your support.

MDE

[dianat]

MDE,

I was so certain of the allergy. Well, at least you aren't allergic to your dog. Hmmm...please allow the doctor's comments to roll off your back. They're just as ignorant as anybody else about dry eye.

I still have plenty of hope for you...plenty! Have the hubby pick up a really good book on CD and enjoy it together. It's a great way to forget about your troubles...even when you have cold compresses sitting on your head.

D

[rubyslippers]

I am so allergic to our cat that if one of my sons holds it outdoors and then sits next to me in the house, my eyes turn to grit.

After a really rough time several years back I tried Lexapro for a few months, before my dry eye problem. When I went off it, I cut all caffeine, sugar, and other junk and got back to running 2 miles nearly every other day. It worked FAR better than the anti-depressant. Consider natural means too. Would St. John's Wort be an option?

[MyDryEyes]

Thanks DianaT for having hope for me!! I really appreciate your help and phone call!!

Rubyslippers, you know, I have been working with a naturopath as my primary physician since this all started and St. John's Wort hasn't come up. Maybe I should ask about it!! Thanks for the tip. I have been trying to eat a pretty clean diet (I am doing gluten and dairy free, which is hard when all you want is comfort food), but the sugar definitely creeps in. As for excercise, definitely not enough. I was in really good shape before all of this hit me, like running about 5-7 miles a day, yoga, weights, the whole deal. But then, with the pain and depression, it all fell away. The lack thereof maybe is contributing to my inflammation and most certainly the depression. But, geez, it is such a struggle to make myself move when I am in constant, chronic pain. Excuses, excuses, I know. I try to get out for walks here and there.

Anyway, thanks for the tips. I just need to digest for a bit.

[Rebecca Petris]

antidepressants etc

I have been trying to eat a pretty clean diet (I am doing gluten and dairy free, which is hard when all you want is comfort food),

Oops. Disregards previous advice. Comfort booze maybe?

Rojzen mentioned a couple of times that she found lithium aspartate (if I'm remembering correctly) useful in lieu of an antidepressant.

[lasiksurvivor]

Lorazapam

Lorazapam in very light doses helped me a lot when i was really stressed out about my eyes. My sister recommended staying away from xanax as she stated it can be addictive. Has your psychiatrist considered fluvoxamine? It's an obssessive complusive disorder drug and helped me a ton. When I went I was certain I needed an AD and thought the pscyh was nuts for prescribing an OCD drug, but she hit the nail on the head and I have been better ever since.

[MyDryEyes]

Good Morning!!

Thanks for the additional tips!

@Rebecca - no worries. Comfort food is always a good tip!! Maybe booze is the miracle cure I need. I have been avoiding it too!! I will ask my ND about the Lithium Aspartate. So far, I have found supplements (and I am taking so many) to be unsucessful in helping manage the depression/anxiety, but you never know what will help. I keep thinking there must be some powerful Chinese herbs out there that would help with this situation.

@lasiksurvivor - thanks for the drug tips!! I guess there is something out there that should work. It just seems that almost all meds that treat anxiety, depression, OCD (which I definitely have when it comes to the eyes!!) have dryness side effects. It is so frustrating!!

Thanks again, MDE