|
Post by Woobster on Aug 2, 2015 20:12:45 GMT
I suffer from RCE (recurrent corneal erosion) due to severe dry eyes that my doctors believe are a result of some gamma knife radiation I had a few years ago. I have plugs, have tried all kinds of drops and steroids, I use a nightly gel... I even tried Intense Pulsed Light treatment. Nothing has helped. I saw a specialist about a month ago who mentioned a procedure called Lipoflow. It's expensive though, insurance doesn't cover it, and it only lasts about a year. So... I'm still trying other things.
I did find a fish oil brand that I think is helping. It's PRN and was suggested by the specialist. I still use a warm rice compress twice daily. I use an antibacterial wash every night. And, I still use a gel at night a drops multiple times a day.
Severe dry eye is awful.
|
|
|
Post by librarylady on Aug 3, 2015 19:18:00 GMT
I had the plugs put in my eyes. I use Muro128 at bedtime and Refresh drops as needed.
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Aug 3, 2015 20:15:25 GMT
Another thing that really helps is to have a humidifier next to your side of bed at night. The extra moisture really helps. In the winter, I also have a humidifier in the living room and have it on and pointed in my direction if I am going to be sitting on the couch watching t.v. for a while - football games, movie at night, etc.
|
|
|
Post by kellapea on Aug 3, 2015 22:32:18 GMT
Something else that's helped me: when I apply eye cream under my eyes at night, I also put a little on top of my eyelids. I like CeraVe brand.
|
|
tanya2
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1604
Posts: 4,422
Jun 27, 2014 2:27:09 GMT
|
Post by tanya2 on Aug 3, 2015 22:53:14 GMT
I agree that you need to make an appt with your optometrist to make sure its not something more serious!
|
|
|
Post by meridon on Aug 3, 2015 22:53:15 GMT
My stepmom has been battling horrible dry eyes for going on a year now. She's had plugs twice (came out both times) and tried every drop and ointment you can think of, fish oil, flaxseed, you name it. I think she's gone to the dr. at least once a month about it. She had to take antibiotics prior to going to the dentist and her eyes were fine after 3 day on the antibiotics!! So I guess my point is if you have ruled out an infection, try antibiotics anyway.
|
|
|
Post by mirabelleswalker on Aug 3, 2015 23:04:20 GMT
I agree that you need to make an appt with your optometrist to make sure its not something more serious! I went to an ophthalmologist about six weeks ago and had my eyes examined inside and out. He said I have dry eyes, but he was not alarmed.
|
|
|
Post by genny on Aug 4, 2015 0:17:53 GMT
I have dry eyes at night really bad and have developed Recurrent Corneal Erosion. It is currently under control, thank God. I was desperate for ANYTHING to help.
I take Omega pills recommeneded by my eye dr - Physicians Naturals DE (Dry Eye) found on Amazon. I started on 10,000mg per day of Viatamin C, but now currentlly on 2.000. Systane during the day and GenTeal gel at night. It has been like a miracle that the 'attacks' have stopped.
I don't have any intestinal issues with these Omega capsules and no fishy burps like other brands I've tried. A little pricey, but worth it for me!
|
|
|
Post by genny on Aug 4, 2015 0:25:20 GMT
Woobster I just posted and then went back and read and saw your post. I have RCE as well. I also use PRN recommended by my dr. My dr recommended a high dose of Vitamin C as well. I started at 10,000mg per day for 2 weeks to start with the PRN 2X daily. It stopped almost immediatley on taking this regimen, along with Systane during the day and GenTeal gel at night. All I do now is the PRN and Vit C with drops only as I feel myself getting dry during the day. This condition is a monster and can change your life. Luckily (for me) My Dr suffers from the same condition and totally understood the agony. She uses the same regimen that I do with success. The temporary plugs worked for me, but when the time came for permanent plugs I was miserable and had them removed the same day. If the dr couldn't get me in that day to get them out I told my husband he could do it with a staple remover - they were horrid for me.
|
|
|
Post by Woobster on Aug 4, 2015 18:36:47 GMT
Woobster I just posted and then went back and read and saw your post. I have RCE as well. I also use PRN recommended by my dr. My dr recommended a high dose of Vitamin C as well. I started at 10,000mg per day for 2 weeks to start with the PRN 2X daily. It stopped almost immediatley on taking this regimen, along with Systane during the day and GenTeal gel at night. All I do now is the PRN and Vit C with drops only as I feel myself getting dry during the day. This condition is a monster and can change your life. Luckily (for me) My Dr suffers from the same condition and totally understood the agony. She uses the same regimen that I do with success. The temporary plugs worked for me, but when the time came for permanent plugs I was miserable and had them removed the same day. If the dr couldn't get me in that day to get them out I told my husband he could do it with a staple remover - they were horrid for me. (I have to figure out how to tag people...) genny, I have had issues with my permanent plugs as well. I have thought about having them taken out, but getting them put in wasn't fun for me, so I'm nervous to go back. How much vitamin C are you taking? I may try adding that into my daily routine as well. I agree though that the PRN has helped. I've gone from numerous attacks a week down to maybe 1-2... And its usually the same (left) eye. I really hope I'm on the road to being able to control it. I was starting to get anxious about falling asleep because I knew that when I woke up it was going to hurt... BAD.
|
|
|
Post by genny on Aug 5, 2015 14:06:44 GMT
Woobster I just posted and then went back and read and saw your post. I have RCE as well. I also use PRN recommended by my dr. My dr recommended a high dose of Vitamin C as well. I started at 10,000mg per day for 2 weeks to start with the PRN 2X daily. It stopped almost immediatley on taking this regimen, along with Systane during the day and GenTeal gel at night. All I do now is the PRN and Vit C with drops only as I feel myself getting dry during the day. This condition is a monster and can change your life. Luckily (for me) My Dr suffers from the same condition and totally understood the agony. She uses the same regimen that I do with success. The temporary plugs worked for me, but when the time came for permanent plugs I was miserable and had them removed the same day. If the dr couldn't get me in that day to get them out I told my husband he could do it with a staple remover - they were horrid for me. (I have to figure out how to tag people...) genny, I have had issues with my permanent plugs as well. I have thought about having them taken out, but getting them put in wasn't fun for me, so I'm nervous to go back. How much vitamin C are you taking? I may try adding that into my daily routine as well. I agree though that the PRN has helped. I've gone from numerous attacks a week down to maybe 1-2... And its usually the same (left) eye. I really hope I'm on the road to being able to control it. I was starting to get anxious about falling asleep because I knew that when I woke up it was going to hurt... BAD. I take about 2000mg a day of Vitamin C 3 or 4 times a week. I use the GNC chewables that are 500mg each, so I gobble down 4 at a time. I take one of the PRN DE capsules per day. I started out taking 2 a day with the 10000mg of Vit C and worked my way down. I also rarely have to use the drops anymore, but I keep them on me always in case I feel the dryness coming on. I was exhausted for months because I was scared to go to sleep. Then I finally started sleeping, but it was really light. I found that I had trained myself to cover my eye with the palm of my hand on waking so I wouldn't open my eyes too quickly and cause the tearing. Then I would use my thumb and forefinger to gently pull my eye open to avoid the damage. The first few times it happened I thought I was literally going to die or go blind. It would usually take about 2 hours to completely recover from an 'attack'. It's a miserable, awful thing. It happened once while I was driving out of town to a swim meet at night. Thank goodness I had another mom with me who took over driving while I writhed in pain the passenger seat. It was just terrible. Once I had a nightmare and DH had to wake me up to pull me out of it because I was crying out and thrashing. Thank God he remembered and covered my eye to keep it closed so when I woke I wouldn't snatch my eyes open. I hope the Vit C addition can give you a little more respite from it. My dr wanted me to have the surgery where they basically tattoo the cornea back on your eyeball. Are you kidding me? The thought of having to do that terrifies me more than the attacks do. I'm so thankful mine seems to be under control. I haven't had any trauma to my eyes, so the dr thinks it's just age bringing it on. Awesome. Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by jesq on Aug 5, 2015 14:20:05 GMT
What is the difference between temporary and permanent plugs? I had no idea there were different kinds. I have had mine about a year. Does that mean they are permanent?
|
|
|
Post by Woobster on Aug 6, 2015 15:01:59 GMT
genny... after waking up to an attack yesterday morning (and still dealing with one blurry eye because of it), I went out this morning and got some vitamin C to add to my regimen. I HATE RCE with a freaking passion!! It seriously felt like someone had taken their fingernail and scraped it across my eye... It cried and cried for a couple of hours. (Just long enough for me to forgo eye makeup for the day and show up to work looking like a hot mess!) I called my Dr., and she suggested upping my dose of PRN to 4 capsules a day for a month, and then will work my way down as well. I sure hope it helps.
|
|