No needles. They are put in using a small insertion tool, with minimal discomfort.
Do any one of you have glaucoma? My eye doc thinks I may have that. Is that common with PsA or Sjogrens? I'm supposed to go back in a month to find out for sure.Needless to say, I'm quite nervous about that.
Thank you Teri....wow,, we are vulnerable, aren't we?? This list was useful. Thanks.
Tez_20 said:
Hi Cynthia,
I don't have Glaucoma but my eyes are checked regular as my mom add it.
It can occur with sjogrens besides any form of RA...the info i'm adding you may find very helpful. Terri :)
Eye conditions associated with rheumatoid arthritis may include:
- Dry eyes. Generally, artificial tears can ease the discomfort of dry eyes. It's important to note that dry eyes can also be a symptom of Sjogren's syndrome — an autoimmune disorder that's often associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Inflammation of the interior of the eye (uveitis). Uveitis may cause eye redness and pain, light sensitivity and blurred vision. Treatment may include corticosteroid eyedrops and anti-inflammatory medications.
- Inflammation of the white part of the eye (scleritis). Scleritis is usually characterized by constant, severe eye pain. Treatment may include corticosteroid eyedrops and anti-inflammatory medications.
- Inflammation of the membrane covering the white part of the eye (episcleritis). Episcleritis may cause sudden eye discomfort or redness. Treatment may include eye lubricants, corticosteroid eyedrops and anti-inflammatory medications.
- Glaucoma. Inflammation within the eye can affect the eye's drainage system, ultimately leading to glaucoma — a condition that can result in blindness. Depending on the type of glaucoma, signs and symptoms may include gradual vision loss, eye pain or blurred vision. Treatment may include medicated eyedrops or oral medications. In some cases, surgery is needed.
- Cataracts. Several factors may lead to clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye (cataracts), including inflammation within the eye and long-term use of topical corticosteroid drops — often prescribed to treat other eye problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Signs and symptoms may include cloudy, blurred or dim vision. The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery to remove the clouded lens.
oh Terri...NONE of this is any fun, is it? I certainly did not sign up for this. LOL. Thanks for sending me all this info. I can thank God for the things I DON'T have
I'm not a person prone to crying.....so I haven't noticed that it is absent. Not sure if I could cry now or not. All I know is the relief I feel when I put the artificial tears in....My Sahara eyes..
Hello Everyone,
Thank you all for the information. It's good to know they don't use any needles to put in the plugs!!!
Ok, so I just got back from the optamologist's office and here's my story.
All and all he liked what he saw. My eye is almost completely healed. He wants to see me again in 1 month. He thinks all the cloudiness should be go by then and my vision should be about 20/20 again.
He took me off the Vigamox (antibiotic) completely. He's tapering me off the Lotemax (steroid). He said they really don't want me on this unless I really need it and I'm past that point. But you can't just stop it all at once.
My regular eye Dr. had me using Thera Tears 4 times a day. The Optometrist I've been seeing the last few weeks kept giving me samples of Refresh Optive Sensitive drops. (She didn't seem to like the Thera Tears.)
The optamologist said Thera Tears are very good eye drops. In fact, he said they were kind of the best that's on the market right now. So I'll be going back to them. The good news is that the only drops I'll be using is the Thera Tears, except for the new Gel he wants me to use at night.
The gel is a new over the counter product called Systane Gel. Its for severe dry eye relief and says it delivers long-lasting relief. (We'll see.)
I asked his opinion on the onion goggles. He didn't say anything bad about them, but he doesn't really think they're worth getting. Mine just came in last night though and I'm going to use them in the car and maybe still in the office because I have to have the fan on. It's just to hot for me in the office. I know it's not good for my eyes but I've got to find a way to protect my eyes and a way to cool off a bit at the same time. So, I'll probably take them to the office as well. (But I'll be off site next week, so it will be at least the week after before taking them in.)
My initial take on the onion goggles is that it's hard to make glasses like these that will fit a variety of people. I have a small face, especially for a guy. So, I've noticed that they don't actually seal to my face on the top side of the glasses and they slip down a bit. However, if you are out in the wind a lot or if you have fans or a lot air flow around you, I think they will block a significant amount of the air from directly hitting your eyes. But I would not expect them to create a seal . If that's important to you, I would suggest going to Bed Bath and Beyond or another kitchen store and trying a pair on to see how they fit.
This may not be a problem with the more expensive glasses that are specifically made for sjogern's patients. I don't know if they are custom or tailor made to ensure they make a seal and fit well. But as they are very expensive I would ask the question before deciding to buy them.
OK, back to the Dr. apt.
We talked about Restasis and he said I might be a good candidate for it. But, he doesn't want to jump to that because he thinks the new over night gel may be all I need. Plus, he said it takes at least 6 months of persistent use before you see the benefits and not all people respond to it. So, this will probably be my next step if the gel drops don't work.
I also asked him about temporary plugs. Again he said this is a common procedure and he's done it many times. He doesn't want to jump to this quickly either because the plugs are a foreign object and can cause problems. Which, some of you have told me about too. He also said that while the plugs can be taken out, their not necessarily short-term. He has some patents who have had their's in for 10 years. So this is another possibility for my future.
I kind of like this optamologist. He doesn't seem like he's trying to throw a lot of expensive drops at me and he isn't pushing for expensive or invasive procedures either. He seemed to give an honest assessment and advice.
I hope there's some information here that will help some of you.
Thank you Kaz, Taz, Stoney, and the others who've given me advice and information. It's really helped me build a bank of knowledge that helps me know what questions to ask and in making more informed decisions!!
Josh
Terri,
Thanks for the video. It was kind of creepy at first but by the end it didn't seem like a big deal at all. It also makes me wonder if some people's come out in a matter of weeks because they need a bigger plug.
Very interesting.
Josh
Tez_20 said:
Hi Josh,
This video link shows how they do the plugs and on quite a few issues the video's on the site explains about them also besides discussions. :)
http://forum.sjogrenssyndromesupport.org/video/punctal-occlusion-with...
joshedu said:Tez,
Will do, thanks.
Josh
Oh my THIS IS INFORMATION I HAVE NEVER HEARD OR TOLD ABOUT..
Our area support groups meets this coming Friday and I cant wait to share with them all the postings on this site and now this information..our group consists in the range of near 40 and yes its over ten years old. Can you believe that for the west side of Montana state...
Thank you Nearly every one in our group uses Restasis.
Wow. 40 people or age 40>??? That's a lot of people to find with Sjogrens....WIsh I could find something like that around here......
Laura said:
Oh my THIS IS INFORMATION I HAVE NEVER HEARD OR TOLD ABOUT..
Our area support groups meets this coming Friday and I cant wait to share with them all the postings on this site and now this information..our group consists in the range of near 40 and yes its over ten years old. Can you believe that for the west side of Montana state...
Thank you Nearly every one in our group uses Restasis.
Absolutely my intentions. Such a help you all are...
stay strong...:) today is one of those not so good days for me...time to lay low and go slow...lol
Kaz,
I completely understand your hesitation and need to understand your meds.
I also agree about your concern that Dr's don't always make decisions about the meds you should take on the best one for you, but pushing ones they are pressured to use.
That was part of my concern with the Optometrist I was seeing through this. For one, she saw me 5 times in 4 weeks. The first 2 or 3 visits seemed important. But after that I felt like I was back to my standard problems and at the rate we were going I'd be seeing her every week until dooms day.
Plus she didn't explain why she was changing my moisture drops. Except that she wanted me using drops w/o preservatives. I told her I thought my drops didn't have preservatives. She said if the container they come in are larger than a single use container then they have preservatives. I checked when I got home and my bottle say's it's preservative free. The Opthamologist explained that all non-single dose containers do have some form of preservatives. However, my drops (Thera Tears) uses a preservative that disappears when it comes in contact with the eye.
Josh
Kaz said:
Hi Josh,
I'm glad you like this opthamologist as you'll be a regular patient and it's important to like who you see and trust them. Yes, the systane are good but I do think the gel contains a preservative. My opthamologist, who also does lots of surgery and does corneal transplants etc, likes to keep me away from the preservatives. Plus one bottle only lasts one month once opened, although I use a lot more than one bottle per month. ;-) Also too I only ever use the antibiotic or steroid drops when conjunctivitis etc occurs, as even though you are putting them in your eyes, they active ingredient still reaches the bloodstream. Less is best with these.
Each one will have their preference, but also please do take into account there also are pharmaceutical companies who push their new products with giving incentives to prescribing doctors etc. So do bear in mind that. Try what he suggests. If they don't work, try something else until you find what works for you. But do try and stay away from preservatives as eye drops in general (for most people) are not really intended for daily use.
I am yet to look into the research on Restasis (Allergan, Irvine, Calif.). The active ingredient, cyclosporine, is a T-cell modulator, which inhibits T lymphocytes from turning on and supposedly reduces the feeling of dryness.I want to look into research on this as no-one knows what the long term effects of this are. I'm pretty much a wait and see person with medications that are new, and given this eye drops actions, want more information before I personally would consider it. Especially when I manage ok with mine now.
I'd like to read more scientific data and evaluate and wait and see, as the real trial on any drug (and it's classed as that in a sense) is when it hits the general public. They call this post marketing trials. Most replace the word trial with things like 'effect' etc to harshen the blow... But basically this is the trial period when it is given to everyone. As in research trials the criteria is strict. But when approved by FDA, or in my country TGA and then allowed on our pharmaceutical benefits scheme, anyone person who the doctors feels could benefit will prescribe.
Also (and this is with all meds) drug co's give out samples, they also offer incentives to doctors etc., to prescribe their item before the opposition. It's the way they work. Some doctors thrive on these incentives and will just prescribe that item regardless whether there's another more suitable one. Others will stick with prescribing what they feel best for their patient. Sorry for going bit off topic but this is just something that happens and when you have a medical condition that requires several different medications, whether that be tablets, injections, drops etc., it is important to ask questions, especially if they are new on the market.
Ask what does the doctor or specialist know about it. What are the adverse reactions. Were there any complications in trials. How does it work. What do they know about long term use, although most will have to say NO clue because they can't possibly know. Although if one says to you it is safe, no problems etc., as them how are they so sure. A warning sign here is if the doctor or specialist cannot answer your questions, it is a very good chance they are just prescribing for the sake of the fact it is a new drug and haven't looked into it or it is about incentives.
It's always good to know what you are taking or putting in or on your body about long term implications. It may be good to get relief of something immediate, however, if the adverse reaction of that long term causes a more serious issue a patient should be made aware and then they can balance up the benefits and negatives.
Just for information, and anyone else who is using this, or considering using it, it takes just over approx. 110 days before you will see any TRUE benefit, and this must be with daily use. Not skipping days etc. Lymphocytes have a life span of approx. 110 days, so in order to get absolute full benefit you need approx. 110 days to get the inflammatory lymphocytes out and their replacement is supposedly these inhibited ones. Basically what it's stating is that your eye should return back to normal production... Whether this is true or not remains to be seen and will be a time factor and to be honest the measurement of this also is going to be more subjective rather than objective. I don't know whether people have this explained to them or not. But in a nutshell this is their theory on how it works.
When I get some time I will have a look at some research data on this. If it works with no ill adverse reactions great!! But if its modulating something, or they THINK it is, well I personally myself will sit back longer and see what happens with people who use it long term. But as stated if someone is going to use these drops it must be every single day as prescribed or they will not get this 'supposed' proper relief from inflammation.
With the plugs ask him about the collagen ones as they naturally break down. Best ones to try. They other 'temp' ones can get tricky trying to remove them ;-)
Laura,
I agree with Tez. Thank you for sharing the site with your group. The more of us that share our experiences, the better prepared we can all be.
Josh
after the oil bath/shower....do not wipe dry. just blot your body..
I also use a heavy moisturizer lotion on my damp body (yes right after the oil shower) and it gives another layer of moisturizer. Should you not have any body lotion on hand...don't forger many many ingredients in your hair conditioner are also in your body lotions...fyi
and leave the shower stall doors open to keep the humidity in that room and I even hang my wet towel up just to keep the dampness around.. (Just a couple of hints, today)
Daily do all we can do to find comfort, right?
Stay strong....and please stay on line our group certainly understands all our issues...
I am new to this whole Sjogren's diagnosis as of this summer so I have a totally stupid question. Is there a problem with tears and crying?? All the sudden it just seems like I have no tears. My eyes are dry as can be. I have never had this. I am grateful to see all of the postings above so I have some terrific ideas. But is crying a problem with Sjogren's since there is very little tear production?
Thank you for your time!
I have dropped to my knees with emotions and felt as tho I were crying and with no tears..
only others with Sjogrens know what it is that I am trying to say...yes, you can cry with dry tears.
It's like having the dry heaves. Something just as wrenching...with no production.
Thank you Laura. I honestly thought I was going nuts. I have read just about everything I can get my hands on with regards to Sjogren's and saw absolutely nothing about it! So I appreciate you taking time to respond!!
Laura said:
I have dropped to my knees with emotions and felt as tho I were crying and with no tears..
only others with Sjogrens know what it is that I am trying to say...yes, you can cry with dry tears.
Thank you so much for letting me know. I thought I was going nuts...
Qadosh2him said:
It's like having the dry heaves. Something just as wrenching...with no production.
we have good days and not so good days...and then very nasty days..
take one day at a time...journal if you can...as what may not work now...may have worked two months earlier..
Absolutley, learn all you can here on this support line or if you have one in your town that meets. I cant say enough for having others gather together...I am a very very strong person...but when Sjogrens and other autoimmunes hit...I could not believe it was me...and my family and life style chages hit all of us hard...
Please write anytime and someone will write in for you...that much I am certain....Thanks for letting me know how you are doing, too.
stay strong, and yes YOU are!!!