Swollen eyes

[Kazzza1976]

can somebody help me pls. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia around six months ago and lately been having swollen puffy eyes where you can see fluid on my eye lids And puffy all around both eyes. This comes and goes sometimes can last 2 days other times 1 day. Just wondering if anybody else has this symptom? This can happen once or twice a month but has been happening more frequently. Thanks in advance

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi Kazzza, it sounds more like an untreated eye infection or maybe an allergy. I would not say it was fibro imo.

I would nip in to the local chemist and have a word with the pharmacist if I was you xx

Momo

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Dizzytwo]

hi thanks for the reply

The nurse thinks maybe it’s a hormonal thing and has advised me to sleep on 2 pillows rather than one to help reduce the swelling. She has also sent prescription to my local chemist for antihistamines

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to Kazzza1976]

That's good if its an allergy the antihistamines should help 🤞🤞

[buddy99 in reply to Kazzza1976]

Has your thyroid been checked? Swollen eye lids (any puffiness) can be a symptom of hypothyroidism. Fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism have a lot of symptoms in common and doctors do get them mixed up at times, meaning the nurse could be right and your issue could be caused by thyroid hormones (or lack thereof). Could you follow up with the nurse and find out which hormones she is talking about? Just a thought. Could be completely wrong direction.

[Kazzza1976 in reply to buddy99]

thanks for reply

Yes I will follow this up as it’s annoying when my eyes swell. It’s not a little bit swollen it’s alot and I know when I wake up if they are swollen as much eyes feel tight sore and very heavy. Swelling comes an goes I had it on Christmas Day then by Boxing Day was all gone but day after Boxing Day swelling was there 48 hours and it’s clear now again.

[buddy99 in reply to Kazzza1976]

I hope that you can work with a knowledgeable healthcare provider on this and find a solution. It sounds like more than just annoying. Wishing you all the best as you start into the new year. May it see you happy and as healthy as can be.

[Kazzza1976 in reply to buddy99]

Thankyou Buddy

The same to you

Thankyou

[Alanna012]

It sounds like allergy, you can test this by taking an antihistamine like cetirizine or something like piriton. If it improves with a few hours of taking the meds, book an appointment with your doctor (you should an appointment regardless). Allergies particularly long term food allergies can result in sensation of pain. Formally doctors say a food allergy reaction is instant but not if it's something you eat regularly, then you can get a delay in symptoms.

Also have a look at histamine intolerance.

It may also be an infection but an allergy seems more likely if it waxes and wanes.

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Alanna012]

thanks for ur reply. The nurse called me today after looking at the pics I sent of my eyes. She thinks it’s maybe a hormonal thing and has also advised me to sleep on 2 pillows instead of one to see if this reduces the swelling. She also has sent a prescription to my chemist for antihistamines

Thanks for your reply

[Blearyeyed]

Is there anything you can think of which you might have been doing differently on the day before an episode , or if you have used new products or eaten new foods?

Have your eyes checked if it keeps happening by an optician, pharmacist or GP in case it is an infection or blepharitis popping up from an intolerance or allergy.

If you have blepharitis you will get a course of drops to help.

Fibro can make the eyes hypersensitive and we can get dry eyes , which can oddly make the eyes swollen and watery , especially in Winter with the cold weather , wind and the drying effect of central heating in the house.

Have you prescription checked if you have glasses and try a blue tinted plain glass spectacles for protection from screens and wind if you dont need glasses.

Use the glasses on a walk outdoors even on dark days to protect your eyes from the elements.

Reduce your screen time , especially when you have symptoms, including phone , computers and TV as these tire and cause eye issues , we blink a third less while looking at a screen than we need to so our eyes get dry and aren't cleaned enough.

Try warm compress laid gently on closed eyes with a flannel or cotton cloth , wrung out not too wet.

Eye drops , called gel tears or carmellose solution drops can help , especially with dry eyes.

Don't use eye make up , mascara or any product too close to the eye when you have symptoms it makes them worse and even products you have used for years can begin to irritate you with Fibro , especially if pain flares are effecting your immunity.

Drink more water and try a combined vitamin and mineral supplement , especially including Vits A, D, E, C after your fattiest meal of the day as low vitamins and internal dehydration do effect your eye health.

Try and create a bed routine and rest with eyes closed even if you can't go to sleep.

A daily Antihistamine can also reduce the allergy like reactions to food , products and the environment that can occur with Fibro , they aren't just for Hay fever , they are medications which stop the body overreacting to histamine .

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thankyou for your reply.

No I don’t do anything different. I just wake up with my eyes very swollen. I sent a picture to my g.p the nurse called me back today and can’t answer as to why this is happening . She said it could be a hormonal thing and also asked me to sleep on 2 pillows instead of one to see if this reduces the fluid around my eyes. She has also sent antihistamines to my local chemist for me to pick up . She said she doubts this is anything to do with fibromyalgia and these are two separate things. All the above I will try and hope reduces the swelling. Thankyou for ur reply

[Hoofprints]

This could also be a form of angioedema. See if you can get referred to an immunologist or other specialist who could test for this - there are different forms. It might be hereditary, or a non-hereditary type. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia many moons ago, but was tested 3 years ago by a rheumatologist for autoimmune conditions. I was highly positive for anti C1q antibodies and subsequently diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, a form of small vessel vasculitis (urticarial vasculitis syndrome).

I get swollen eyes and was told that it was probably a form of angioedema associated with my positive antiC1q antibodies. I am still trying to get this investigated further as it was once intermittent swelling, but is pretty much permanent now.

I'm not suggesting this is what you have, but as we cannot test for fibromyalgia, we can only look to exclude other causes. So it's well worth seeing if you could get the blood tests done to rule out other causes.

Good luck 🍀 and I hope your symptoms improve.

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Hoofprints]

hi Thankyou for you reply. I have already had the bloods test and my blood tests have came back fine. First they thought it could be the menapause that is clear. Then they done further tests and my bloods are all good.

[Chrisbel]

alternatively my Chinese doc said my eye problems were caused by liver fire and gave me herbs and accupuncture for to treat the liver and they cleared up and the puffiness went away after a couple of months.

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Chrisbel]

thanks for reply

I have had blood tests and everything is fine . Nurse has prescribed me antihistamines so I will try these. They think it’s maybe a hormonal thing as I have noticed when I’m due my monthly cycle the swelling starts

[Hoofprints in reply to Kazzza1976]

I hope what they have prescribed works. Auto immune conditions tend to worsen around the menopause. Always worth asking if they ran the anti- C1q antibody test as many doctors don't know about it and don't test for it.

God luck and I hope your symptoms improve soon.

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Hoofprints]

Thankyou

[fmlife]

my fingers are crossed for you that the suggested meds work,

swollen eyes can be alarming when look in mirror when not expecting.

[Kazzza1976]

Thankyou