restasis info, please | Arthritis Information

Could all you folks with dry eye and/or Sjongren's clue me in on Restasis? I just saw my RA and told him about the double vision I've been having. I've had brown's syndrome for years off and on, which in essence is tendonitis of the eye, but in the last few weeks I can barely focus my eyes, they are blurry and dry.

I see the eye doc tomorrow but would like to go in armed with info on the tear duct plugs, restasis, and lubricating drops. Any of it work? Thanks. BTW my liver tests are good, we are upping the MTX because of the increased pain since I've gone off prednisone, and he can only feel damage in a couple joints. So I'm doing well even though I don't feel like it. If I could just get my eyes feeling better...so sorry you're suffering, Bluehour.. I feel for you.

I have Sjogrens' Syndrome. I take Restasis and use non-drying low or no preservative eye drops: Systane and have had my eye ducts plugged (this did not work -- they both fell out.. ONe painfully)

I've considered having them permanently done, but I am managing pretty well at present so I will wait..

Try to avoid having anything blow across your eyes... the wind.. heat from the car's defroster, etc... That makes things so much worse.

I also use eye "goggles" to sleep in.. w/ moistening pads inside, it keeps the eyes moist and avoids any heats of the house -- on the nites I don't use the goggles I run the humidifier (means my nose is having it's Sjogren's issues) ...

I hope it's a temporary thing for you! Hang in there.. I will keep you in my thoughts.

I also have sjorgern's and the eye complications. I always have an "itis" of some sort.

Restasis didn't really work for me. I tried it for 3 months and it actually began making my eyes quite red. My opthomologist told me later that he actually has a less than 50% success rate with it and his patients. But, you might be in that group!

I have had the plugs-they did stay in for me. Felt strange when they were put in, but it didn't hurt. I also use Alrex-prescription eye drops.

Mr eye dr. can always tell when I am on or off the pred just by looking at my eyes. He's been right every time-it's that obvious.

Let us know what your dr. tells you. I would love some new ideas.

Restastis was an expensive failure for me as well. I also have plugs and wear moisture sparing goggles at night, humidify the bedroom, stopped blow drying my hair, use the forced air furnace at little as possible (have oil filled "baseboard" room heaters instead), cleanse around my eyes, eyebrows, eyelids, eyelashes with a no-tear infant shampoo diluted 1:5 with distilled water, and always wear moisture sparing protective eyewear in the gardens and have a bottles of systane in nearly every room for easy access.

I hope this problem is temporary for you and that the solution is an easy one.

Best wishes, Shug

I told my opthamologist my dry eyes were bothering me and he said he hadn't had good success with Restasis and that those who did have success would have to be on it forever. He said my eyes didn't appear that bad, so he gave me samples of OTC Refresh Liquigel. They're soothing and I shouldn't have read this post because now my eyes are bugging me, I must be really suggestive. Thanks guys, keep it coming. I'll check again tomorrow before I go to the eye doc, I will have a clue. You're already steering me away from restasis. Last time I went the doc (different one than I'm seeing tomorrow but in the same office) pushed hard for the plugs, and made ma mad because I decided he cared more about the four hundred bucks than whether it would help me.

You guys are great to share your experiences. Sorry ninilchicken to get your eyes bothering you! I'll keep you all posted.I, too, use Restasis. The drops burn my eyes sometimes, but like everyone said, the artificial tears are soothing and do help. I use Optive, but there are several on the market. See if your opthalmologist can give you samples of a few different kinds. Some are like gel, others more of a liquid.

My rheumatologist told me that Restasis is just about all there is on the market right now, that actually protects your eyes from future damage. As long as the side effects are not too severe for you, that is.

Good luck with your Sjogren's. I never dreamed it could be as uncomfortable as it is. But it can cause you a lot of trouble if you aren't very diligent.

Oh, I just thought of something! Be sure to see your dentist often and use flouride rinse, etc. Dry mouth, from Sjogren's, can be extremely damaging to your teeth.

Hope all goes well for you.

Hugs, Nini

Has anyone ever tried Lacrilube? It is something you must use just before you are shutting your eyes to go to sleep because it's the texture of petroleum jelly and you can't see anything after you put it in. You just pull down your lower lid and squeeze a line of it into your lower lid. Very soothing. Optive! yes, another good soothing drop! 0 for Restasis!! whoa.. I am not sure it is good enough to warrant paying that much.... I don't pay near that.

and Spelunker! how do you baseboard heat your entire house? I just humidify to help counteract the dryness

I have green Optive or white Systane every where too... in the car, in my handbag, in my ddesk.. in the kitchen, bathrooms....... everywhere!

good luck Bluehour.

My hubby suffers from dry eyes and uses a product called Refresh Liquigel that we picked up at Target. It's the only thing that has worked for him. I tried a couple of drops when my eyes were achey dry and it worked wonders for me. It has a velvety consistency and feels great on your eyes.

I hope you're able to find something quickly that provides the relief you need! Thanks, I am off to the eye doc. Babs, the 0 was for the tear duct plugs, not restasis, I don't know how much that costs though I will ask. It sounds like there are a lot of better OTC things to try other than the cheapest artificial tears I've been using.

I'll come back later and tell you what I find out.
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