Eyes......

[clair]

Good morning everyone,hope you are all well?!!

I saw my RA nurse on Fri and mentioned to her that my eyes have been very dry,itchy and sore recently and I was worried it may be a side effect of the meds. After much debate with Dr it was established that it was just a progression of the illness but the didnt explain what this actually means to me!!!

I have all sorts of questions going through my mind and to be frank im s**t scared that it will effect my vision.

Please if anyone has any answers I'd be so grateful......

Much love

Clair xx

[sylvi]

I had dry itchy eyes due to meds. I was sent to the eye specialist and he suggested that he put a plug in the tear ducts and i found my eyes improved no end. I then went and had an operation to cauterise them and my eyes are a lot better. They are a clearer and brighter.It was a simple operation taking only about 5mins. This worked for me. The only down side is i have bags under my eyes.I have to wear glasses as well.

The drugs have a lot to answer for. Sometimes the side effects are worse than the disease itself.

Love the photo of you,you remind me of myself,shoulders back tits out front.

Hope this is of some help to you.

Love sylvi.xx

[nurumassage]

I have had three courses of antibiotics,

[beth48]

Good morning to you Claire,did the dr.mention Sjogerens as this goes hand in hand with RA,i have had this for years.What meds. are you on,i take MTX and this makes my eyes sore and itchy for 2/3 days afterwards.Eye drops were recomended for the dryness. What a lovelyclear photo !!! Beth xx

[LavendarLady]

I agree with Beth. It sounds like Sjorgens. Viscotears or something similar will help with the dryness and soreness. Also I use Optrex Actimist Eye Spray which I carry in my bag and use it whenever my eyes feel dry. I was diagnosed with Sjorgens last year which explained a lot! There shouldn't any effect on your vision but if you are worried, make an appt to see the optician and get it all checked out. They won't mind in the least and will be happy to set your mind at rest.

I have a wonderful eye surgeon at the hospital and I ring him if I am worried about anything - he did the cataracts for me 18 months ago. But my optician is very good and helpful as well.

Easy to say but try not to worry - RA has all sorts of peculiar side effects which we learn to cope with. Best wishes. LavendarLady x

[clair]

Thank you all for the messages!! Ive been given eye drops that I use twice a day at the moment and they help a little so will just keep going with them for the time being!!

xxx

[Hidden]

Hi clair.. what were the drops called? x

[WiseSarah]

Sounds like Sjorgens? I think this condition is often hand in hand with RA. I'd ask about this syndrome.

Good luck xxx

[Hidden]

I have Sjogrens too. Diagnosed 4 years ago after years of symptoms. I have had RA since 1992 and "Secondary Sjogren's" apparently affects 25% of long term RA patients. So I need a large carrier bag at the pharmacy!!

Sore eyes (lacrilube ointment every night, celluvisc eye drops 4 or 5 times a day, punctal plugs in my tear ducts);

Sore throat and swollen glands most of the time;

Dry mouth and lack of saliva which slows down the digestive system and is a cause of tooth decay (special toothpaste, mouth washes and mouth gel);

... and dry skin, a bit like eczema.

I feel like I keep the NHS in employment sometimes!!

Please get professional advice about eye drops as some of them make things worse (the ones with a preservative in them.)

All the best!

[clair]

Thank you Phoebe,Im beginning to rattle myself when I walk due to meds!

I put down the dry skin to it being winter and the dry mouth because i wasnt drinking enough.....this is a steep learning curve!!

xx

[allanah]

Hi

Just to say dont be afraid to go back if these drops dont work, there are lots of different types! And if it doesn't improve do go back as dry itchy eyes can also be a mild infection. Good luck

Axx

[Lorraine_NRAS]

Hi Clair

Lots of posts mention the possibility of Sjogren's Syndrome, I thought you might like to read a bit more about this. The BSSA site can be found on this link bssa.uk.net/ and there are some good suggestions for dealing with the symptoms on this link bssa.uk.net/downloads/Healt...

Give the helpline team a call if you would lkie to talk through things!

Best wishes

Lorraine

[Maggie6553]

I know how you feel, The condition is called sjogrens syndrome and is a side effect of Rheumatoid arthritis. It doesn't effect your vision but because your eyes get very dry they can hurt! My doctor prescribed viscotears for me and I have to put the drops in in four times a day! They work really well.

[Hidden]

Hi Claire I have dry eyes had them for years, I have an eye test every two years to keep an "eye" on them