Hayfever or PMR?

[Louisa1840]

My eyes have been red, sore and slightly swollen for the past few days. It's Spring here in Tasmania and we've had some windy days (which would blow pollen) . But I've been taking an antihistamine to no effect . I am wondering if I can blame our old friend PMR? I am also experiencing the deathly fatigue so often talked about on this forum. I'm so tired I can hardly move.....I'm on 7 and a half mgs pred tapering by half a mg to seven using DSNS.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are your eyes watering with thin tears? It could be dry eyes which are not uncommon with autoimmune disorders and that can make eyes very uncomfortable. Try using eye drops for dry eyes - it made an amazing difference to me.

In Germany they talk about "Spring tiredness" - the body having to adjust to lengthening days and it worsens after the time change. That plus the fatigue of lessening pred dose might be the answer for you.

[Louisa1840 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your prompt reply dear Pro. I'd worked out you would be up and awake in Italy! I will go and talk to a pharmacist tomorrow. I'm going away for a few days next week up to the north of Tasmania to see the Tulips at Table Cape. I so want to feel well and have some energy! I agree about feeling tired in Spring that plus adrenal insufficiency.......?

[SheffieldJane]

I have an on-going problem with sore gritty eyes. I use Theoloz Duo preservative free eyedrops, I clean them with Blepharitis wipes, I no longer wear eye make up and only use cream for sensitive eyes on the skin around them. This way they keep comfortable and look normal. If I skip this routine, even for a day the symptoms worsen. I believe that it is to do with my autoimmune condition. I have a blocked or runny nose too - nothing seems to help that. It seems to be affected by pollen and grass but not exclusively.

[Louisa1840 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you Jane. As I said to Pro, I'll go and see a pharmacist tomorrow......

[Louisa1840 in reply to SheffieldJane]

I was thinking, Jane, what a blow to our vanity having PMR deals. Not only have I gained at least 15 kgs but now I can't wear eye make up! What is it the BIble says "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity"!!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to Louisa1840]

In my humble opinion the young and beautiful look ridiculous in their huge false eyelashes 😊. Taking care of the eyebrows can make you look less washed out and some colour in the face. Yes, bit by bit our beauty is stripped away. Let’s hope is does shine from within. X

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

What with slug eyebrows and furry caterpillar lashes - they look daft! It seems to be a UK thing - don't see either here. And very rarely do you see the ridiculous talons, long nails but not silly long. How on earth young mothers can look after babies with them!

Do you ever see the 24/7 A&E from Barnsley? There is a sister on there who when it first started was really attractive. Now she is so botoxed her face doesn't move, and she can barely keep her eyes open for the eyelashes!!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

I agree with you and trout pouts!. I once saw a group of girls on a “ hen” night in Sicily, they looked enchanting and natural with flower garlands in their hair. Think of the U.K. vulgarians! Gosh I sound like a grumpy old women. I expect we looked daft in our mini skirts, hippy dresses, bells, beads bangles, and bare feet (me). 😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Oh lord yes - one of the patient's girlfriend on a London episode looked so pretty full on but when she turned sideways it looked absolutely disgusting!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

I expect we looked daft in our mini skirts, hippy dresses, bells, beads bangles, and bare feet (me)

We might have, but at least we looked like young women, not some of the Botoxed, pouted people you see now.. dread to think what they are going to look like when they get to our age….

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

I know, I think that. They strip their young faces of all personality. Thank goodness my daughters missed this odd computer inspired phase.

[Louisa1840 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Totally agree. Some modern " beauties" look almost like avatars or Barbies. Yes, I'm giving myself strong eyebrows these days. They do help lift and frame a face. True beauty does shine from within "Amen" to that!

[Louisa1840 in reply to Louisa1840]

But, to all of us isn't it fun being OLD and having a good old moan. It's real" It wasn't like that in our day" stuff!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Louisa1840]

Yes - but there are strong eyebrows and the slugs that almost meet in the middle obviously done by untrained operators. The inside end of an eyebrow should be in a vertical line with the outer edge of the nostrils.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Nothing much to add- except to say that adrenals just need time, very slow taper, small steps (as you are doing), time, resting when you need -and patience.. and yes go for a combination of eye drops and spray..

[Louisa1840 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you D.L. what would we do without you and Pro and all the others so ready to give advice and support? This forum is everything to me....I'll visit the pharmacy tomorrow and arm myself with eye drops etc.

[Gimme]

You could try a heated eye mask for your eyes if it is due to dry eye. A face cloth soaked in warm water works well for my dry eyes.

[Louisa1840 in reply to Gimme]

Thank you Gimme. I will try that. My Granddaughter suggested ice but I like the sound of a warm cloth much more!

[Gimme in reply to Louisa1840]

well, if it is really dry eye and not hayfever, that's what the opthalmologist recommended, together with the moisturising eye drops. I hated the eye drops as they made my eyes so blurry that I couldn't see where I was going. But luckily the warm eye mask or the face cloth on its own works for me. I did need to persist with it. Now I do it first thing when I wake and then only repeat later in the day if it becomes bothersome. Most days I don't need to repeat. Anyway, I figured it can't actually do any harm, as long as I don't accidentally over heat the gel mask. I'm fed up with all the drugs that I am taking and medicalising everything and it pleases me when I find a simple more natural remedy.

[Louisa1840 in reply to Gimme]

I do agree Gimme. I would love to be off all the drugs I am on!! I will buy a gel mask and try that. It is definitely dry eye and not hay fever.....