I have suspected for quite some time that I had Sjorgren's and the diagnosis was confirmed today as a result of an inner lip biopsy. My symptom's start with an extremely dry nose and eventually my eyes became affected. At this time, I start off with fairly good vision and by the end of the day, have trouble seeing things on the computer and written things. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I am going to do some searching and may find answers but does anyone know of a doctor who specializes in Sjogren's in the Central Pennsylvania region.
Some of the things that I’ve found to be helpful for my eyes are:
Ductal plugs, top and bottom
Night time gel
Warm compresses at least once a day
Daily eye scrubs
Clearly the plugs would be done with your eye doctor, but the rest you can start at home. The problem is often that not only don’t you make enough tears, but the tears that you make may be poor quality. Some of these management tasks can help out.
Thanks Stoney. My opthamologist did a test with strips of paper to see how dry my eyes are and they are between 2 and 3 instead of 9 and 10 like a normal person.
They put plugs in my lower tear ducts but no help so far. What is strange is my nose had been extremely dry and with the plugs, I don't have to use a sinus rinse twice a day and my nose isn't dry. It all began with my nose around six months ago.
I use warm compresses once or twice a day but I never tried scrubs and will do so.
Stoney said:
That's great that you have a solid diagnosis now.
Some of the things that I've found to be helpful for my eyes are: Ductal plugs, top and bottom Night time gel Warm compresses at least once a day Daily eye scrubs
Clearly the plugs would be done with your eye doctor, but the rest you can start at home. The problem is often that not only don't you make enough tears, but the tears that you make may be poor quality. Some of these management tasks can help out.
I got virtually no help from just the lower punctual plugs. I have top and bottom plugged. This means that what tears I do make have no place to go but out and down my cheeks. It’s not ideal, but my eyes are much more comfortable and healthy, so I am willing to have the minor inconvenience of overflow.
Currently I irrigate my eyes with the "eye irrigation solution for emergencies (by Bausch & Lomb)." It's very expensive.
Stoney said:
That's great that you have a solid diagnosis now.
Some of the things that I've found to be helpful for my eyes are: Ductal plugs, top and bottom Night time gel Warm compresses at least once a day Daily eye scrubs
Clearly the plugs would be done with your eye doctor, but the rest you can start at home. The problem is often that not only don't you make enough tears, but the tears that you make may be poor quality. Some of these management tasks can help out.
I do an eye scrub with diluted baby shampoo, as per my eye doctors suggestion. You can do it on a cotton ball. I just do it in the shower with my fingers.
That's interesting about the lower punctual plugs. I will look into it.
Stoney said:
I got virtually no help from just the lower punctual plugs. I have top and bottom plugged. This means that what tears I do make have no place to go but out and down my cheeks. It's not ideal, but my eyes are much more comfortable and healthy, so I am willing to have the minor inconvenience of overflow.
Went to the ophthalmologist this past week and they prescribed retaine drops which seem to be helping. I believe they are over the counter. You can get about 4 times a day use out of the little vial, just don't go past the 24 hour mark, then you need to throw it away. They also told me how to do the baby shampoo in the shower. Just rub on eye lids and eye brows, leave it on while you wash your face. Wash it off then. Also, they told me to let the hot water run onto your closed eyes for at least 5 seconds, this stimulates the eye to produce tears. I do a gel mask at night that I warm up in the microwave. It's awesome and I love it.
Thanks. Where do you get a gel mask and exactly what is it called? I have never heard of this.
frustratedmom said:
Went to the ophthalmologist this past week and they prescribed retaine drops which seem to be helping. I believe they are over the counter. You can get about 4 times a day use out of the little vial, just don't go past the 24 hour mark, then you need to throw it away. They also told me how to do the baby shampoo in the shower. Just rub on eye lids and eye brows, leave it on while you wash your face. Wash it off then. Also, they told me to let the hot water run onto your closed eyes for at least 5 seconds, this stimulates the eye to produce tears. I do a gel mask at night that I warm up in the microwave. It's awesome and I love it.
I found it at the rite aid pharmacy. It's just an eye mask that has little gel like balls in it. I'm not sure what it was called, but look in your pharmacy in the eye section. You can put it in the freezer for cold also. So...a hot/cold mask for the eyes.
Thank you. I will look for it at Rite Aid. Sounds like it would be very comforting.
frustratedmom said:
I found it at the rite aid pharmacy. It's just an eye mask that has little gel like balls in it. I'm not sure what it was called, but look in your pharmacy in the eye section. You can put it in the freezer for cold also. So...a hot/cold mask for the eyes.