How long does probing last?

[Faith1989]

I am considering getting the probing done on both eyes for my MGD. They do it now in Canada. My flight/stay for a day or two would be costly but it only costs about 200.00 an eye which is pretty good considering the cost in the US. The doctor is only a 1.5 hour flight from me. I'm sure I will feel better immediately after but how long approx would it be before I needed to go back? I know no one can answer this but just from others experiences...

please reply or PM me!

[MGD1701]

Hi Faith
I asked one dr if probing, BlephEx, expression and IPL would help me. Yes, he said.
But the one who can perform the first two say, I do NOT need them (I guess he meant all my 50% glands are open (after LipiFlow)).
just for your info.

[Hokucat]

Hi Faith. I had probing done five times over two and a half years. My two probe doctors recommended getting it no more than every half year or so, because it is a relatively newer procedure, and given it is more invasive the probing itself could possibly create scar tissue. If you can get it once, then find a way to keep your glands open some other way, that would be ideal.

For me, the first four times, I felt some but not significant immediate relief, however within ~a week my eyes started to get dry again. I think it was because my oils were so thick, like "Crisco" per the probe specialist the first time I had the procedure. If your oils are not that thick, it may last longer. If your glands are generating little or no oil, you might not get any relief from probing.

After each of the first four procedures, I tried making different diet changes to change my oils from thick to flowing in hopes it would not get blocked again, but it didn't work.

Soon after the fifth probe procedure, I started drinking fresh lemon juice in green tea 2x daily, and within a week my eyes started feeling more moist, and have continued to get better. I have not had a probe since that fifth one in late 2015, nor a bad dry eye day since then.

So my advice is probing could unblock your glands, especially if you have stubborn blockage from thick oil and/or scar tissue, but to keep them open so they don't get blocked again, you need to find what works for you to change the quality of your oils, assuming you also have oil quality issues. I found diet changes worked for me, others have found maintenance IPLs after probing helped their oils flow, or perhaps even meds like doxycycline or testosterone cream.

Glad probing is available in Canada now. I hope it works out for you!

[Faith1989]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to give it a shot. It's the only thing I haven't tried besides IPL. I know a few of my glands are capped and are not going to open with hot compresses. Regarding diet, I do eat a paleo diet which is low carb and I am strict with. I really don't cheat often at all. I will try the green tea thing too. I'm only 28 and don't want to be on doxy forever.... I watched a video on probing and it looks pretty painful! I'd do anything for relief

[MGD1701]

Hi Faith
Did doctor express after IPL? Just wanted to know if it makes a difference.
I know a guy who did IPL and probing but dr did not express and he still suffers.
Thanks!

[Faith1989]

I have never tried IPL.. there is no one in the area I live who does it. Plus you need numerous treatments so travelling would be to much

[MGD1701]

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[Hokucat]

Hi Faith. I think probing is worth a shot, especially since some of your glands are capped. And yes, probing is NOT very comfortable. They typically apply something topically to numb the lids, but sometimes also ask if you want numbing shots. I've had it both ways. The numbing shots do help further reduce the probing discomfort, but to me the shots themselves hurt just as much as the probing, so it's a toss up. One of my probe doctors also did expression as part of the procedure, which I felt hurt just as much, if not more than probing, so if you've had expression before, you have some idea.

That said, I'd go through it all again in a heartbeat, as unblocking my glands first with probing was the key initial step to my turnaround. Great that you already have a healthy baseline diet...I agree if you can get your oils flowing by tweaking your diet further vs. doxy or other meds, that would be ideal.

Good luck with the procedure! Let us know how it goes.

[Faith1989]

My doctor has just sent the referral so who knows how long it will be to get in. I am hopeful though. I know I need to drink less coffee during the day as I think it bothers me. I know doxy helps a lot but I hate being on it all the time. Anyway, I was like 90 percent paleo but am trying to go 100 percent. I know triggers usually need to be cut out completely. I think I will be okay with the pain as long as it helps me long term.

Hokucat, can I ask your age and if you are male or female?

[MGD1701]

Hi Faith
Doxy: did it help you? if so, in what way?

After LipiFlow, my oil still half thick (glands are all open), I wonder if doxy, (Restasis, cyclosporine) would help me.
None of doctors gave them to me - they just told me warm compress etc.

Thanks!

[Faith1989]

Doxy helped my oils thin out I guess, and it reduces inflammation. I am trying to just use diet to do that but it hasn't seemed to work 100 percent. If you have MGD then yes doxy and cyclosporine may help. I find the side effects (burning) of cyclosporine pretty bad though. Where are you from?

[MGD1701]

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[Hokucat]

Hi Faith. I'm female. As far as age, I'm somewhat private about disclosing personal info, but I can tell you I'm over 40!

Hope your referral goes through soon.

[Faith1989]

I am 28, but have had this since 22. I understand and respect your privacy totally . You have provided helpful advice on here. Today it was finally a warm summer day in Ontario which we haven't been getting much of. All I wanted to go was go sit on a patio and drink wine BUT obviously didn't as sun+wine=torture. It's weird because my rosacea is SO mild on my face it is barely noticeable but around my eyes its pretty bad. Sometimes I wish I didn't take the things I used to go without pain for granted, but I guess we all move on. I am going back to cutting down on natural sugars as it seems to flare me. I am hoping I get into that clinic for probing before Christmas but it really depends.

MGD 1701: I have not tried Bleph Ex as they do not do it where I live. I am sure it is helpful but am not willing to travel for that treatment. Also haven't tried black sesame.

[pythonidler]

Faith,

My doctor who performed the probing has said it should last about 1.5 years... and that's assuming you don't get IPL or Lipiflow treatments. He believes that probing is a one-time procedure to clear out scar tissue. When the tissue has been broken up, treatments like IPL or Lipiflow will be more effective than before.

FYI, I had probing back in December 2016 and it definitely helped me. I've had 4 IPL treatments since then and I'm feeling much better now.