Hydroxychloraquine

[gilox]

Hello, has anyone had itchy eyes while on hydroxy? I’m also on mtx. It’s driving me mad! 😁TIA

[Hidden]

Check with your Dr, to see if you have'' Sjogrens Syndrome'' sometimes called'' Sicca'' Syndrome. It is often associated with Autoimmune Diseases, I suffer from this. It can also cause very dry mouth, dry nasal cavity. Dry skin and lots of other issues. Google it, to see if you have other symptoms associated with it... Good Luck

[Little-Lung-Lulu]

Yes. My eyes were itchy. I have used Hyco San drops as my eyes became very dry. Use it four times a day and it has helped. Also my skin became very itchy and in patches some eczema appeared. I take Marine Collagen oral supplement and it has smoothed the skin and helped my hair grow. I asked the pharmacist regarding the itchy skin and she recommended Cetraben, You can get other creams that are more expensive like Eucerin(I use this on the extra itchy dry areas. I Bath and soak in Oilatum now. Also talk to your doctor as there might be another reason your skin is itching. I did all this because I was determined not to give up the Hydroxychloroquine which has helped me. Hope you find a solution soon. xx

[gilox in reply to Little-Lung-Lulu]

Thank you, I’m worried as there is recurring blindness in my family, so think I will contact the opticians, then rheumy. Better safe than sorry!😁

[Fruitandnutcase]

Sounds like you could have dry eyes. I’d go to your optician or if you don’t have one ask around for recommendations and find one who is good. They can test and see what’s causing it. In the meantime get yourself some preservative free eye drops HycoSan are good as are Theolose Duo but there are lots of good preservative free drops out there. I tend to rotate what I use. At the moment I’m using one of those Optrex dry and irritated eye sprays - my optician rolled her eyes when I told her buts it’s working for me for now.You can also get gunky ointment for night time. Try holding a face cloth squeezed out in hot water over your eyes and massaging the lids gently. Or you can by an eye bag that you microwave.

You do need to put the drops in very frequently throughout the day though, the more you do it the better your eyes will feel. Don’t stop when your eyes feel ok - they only feel good because you are using the drops.

It might even be that it’s hay fever that’s making bad - there’s a lot of pollen around at the moment which will make them itchy and you can get antihistamine eye drops for that too.

I’ve also found that Omega 3 oil capsules has helped too. If you are very itchy all over definitely talk to your doctor about it.

[gilox in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you! I’m now waiting for a call from the opticians! Will try the eye drops though.

[gilox in reply to gilox]

Have been to opticians diagnosis ( very) dry eyes, now have drops & a mask I have to heat in the microwave! Both seem to help, although still a bit sore. So Thankyou all for your advice & help.

[London_Spud]

Hi gilox,

I have blepharitis (unfortunately common in people with RA), get your optician to check for this.

Note that my optician got it wrong though & I had to go to Moorfields eye hospital for my diagnosis.

Treatment is as Fruitandnutcase says above.

Good luck x