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Does anyone get dry eyes

Messages
35
I had to go to the opthalmologist and he says I have seriously dry eyes. I'm now having to put eye drops in every 2 hours and gel at night. Is anyone else affected. My husband is now wondering if I have Sjrogens disease and not ME. I'm seeing the specialist again in the new year and will ask him.
 

George

waitin' fer rabbits
Messages
853
Location
South Texas
Hey Carol do you have dry hands and feet, are you thirsty all the time, do you pee a lot? Cause that's pretty common for the CFS OI problems. As I'm learning. (grins)

Sorry no one answered earlier to your question but it's been all about the Blood working group and the FDA today.

That would be nice to have Sjrogens. I know I tried to have anything else other than ME/CFS in the beginning and of course only a CFS patient would understand that you would want to have anything else other than CFS. (big grins)
 

3CFIDS@ourhouse

still me
Messages
126
Location
Southeast US
Hi, Carol,

Yes, I have very dry eyes but no Sjogren's. I hope the drops work for you! I am sensitive to almost all medication and the drops made my eyes hemorrhage (when doctors talk about the 5% of people who have problems or side effects with anything, my husband and I always fit in that group.) A fatty acid profile showed I had plenty of Omega 3's but was really low in Omega 6's. Supplementing with omega 6 oils has helped more than anything, but when the air is dry or the heater running, they are still dry.
 

caledonia

Senior Member
I was helped by megadoses of fish oil (omega 3's). Use only pharmaceutical grade if you decide to do that.

As I have worked on my adrenals the amount of fish oil I need is less.

If you have dry eyes, you may also have a dry mouth, causing cavities. The same treatment will work for both.

My doc called it "sicca syndrome" which basically means "dried up".
 

WillowJ

คภภเє ɠรค๓թєl
Messages
4,940
Location
WA, USA
yes, it's very common to have dry eyes. Most of us have sicca syndrome, but it's good to get tested for Sjogrens. I finally had those tests this year and they were negative. I never did get anyone to do the test to see how little moisture was in my eyes, though.

One of my doctors recommended zyrtec for non-allergic rhinitis. That helps with the dry eyes.

A warm wet cloth is also supposed to help.

Your doctor can also consider a prescription with you.
 
Messages
35
Oh heck! Thought I'd found a better illness to have! Still I might ask my opthalmologist to test me cos all my symptoms got worse when I had to stop sulphasalazine 7 yrs ago. Thanks for the feedback. I'm still at junior stage for learning about this disease.
 
Messages
35
forgot to add, I'm ANA pos, speckled pattern, already got ankylosing spondylitis, and have reduced kidney function with intermittent glycosuria. Should have posted when I could think a little. Is that all ME? This disease is a b******! I pee very little, (fluid hangs around my hands and legs) and even that has to be done via a catheter since they poisoned me with Lofepramine. Life is never dull!!!!!!!!
 

rlc

Senior Member
Messages
822
Hi Carol, I think you can forget about CFS, your positive ANA indicates 8 possible conditions link here http://en.diagnosispro.com/differential_diagnosis-for/ana-speckled-lab-increased/11761-154.html unfortunatly this site is experiancing difficultys at the moment and when i try and add another finding it's not working, i think because of your reduced kidney function it's most likely lupus, as soon as it starts working again i'll try and add your other symptoms and see if i can narrow down the options, but it's late hear and i'm very tired so it will have to be tomorrow sorry. if you want to post more symptoms or tests you've failed it might help.

All the best Carol
 
Messages
35
Hi Ric. Thanks for your info. I've had intermittent leucopenia, all tests done were 6+ years ago when on sulphasalazine so could have been a result of meds. I have peripheral motor and sensory dysfunction mainly on the right side lower leg/foot and arm/hand. Dry mouth with added blessing of ulcers and lovely thick white paste on tongue ( husband and I gave up kissing long ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!)and no matter how much I scrub it's back within a couple hours. Saw rheumatologist last year but that was before dry eye diagnosis. He said pos ana speckled is in normal population so not necessarily indicative of disease process. He diagnosed fibro and discharged me. I wasn't well when I saw him, brain fog +++++ so did not tell him cold makes pain in arm legs worse by miles, did not give him complete history, should have written it.. GP wont refer me back as it would reinforce my incorrect illness belief!!!!!!!!! Just phoned a local private Dr and can see him tomorrow. He works using Biolabs for testing so I'll ask for test of sjrogens antibodies.At least then I'll know.Thanks for your interest, it really helps to talk things through.
 
Messages
35
Just read what you said about lupus. I asked rheumatologist if I had lupus he said no, but then I didnt help him with brain fog interference!!!!!
 

3CFIDS@ourhouse

still me
Messages
126
Location
Southeast US
Hi, Carol,

I too have a high ANA, but every antibody test came out negative. I've had several patterns of the ANA, and some combinations, but no one could figure out what I was making autoantibodies to. The first rheumatologist I was sent to wanted to treat me for lupus, but I was sure I didn't have lupus, and two other rheumatologists said I didn't have it. They just threw up their hands, said, "I don't know what you have, you just fall into the 'chronic fatigue' (sneer) category". I also have a very low white count and have had the lovely white, patchy tongue like you. I am XMRV positive- my guess is the retrovirus (along with chemical poisoning from an old home treated with a now-banned pesticide) just switched on the immune system in such a way to cause autoimmune activity, but no one has yet identified the target of the autoantibodies. Just a guess-I'm too exhausted after 10 years of this to be much a sleuth anymore.:D
 
Messages
35
Hi 3CFIDS@ourhouse. I totally understand the sneer. The rheumatologist I saw couldn't get me out of his clinic quick enough. Gave me the diagnosis of fibro and told me he didn't need to see me again. No explanation, help of any sort, just there's the door!! In 2011 it will change, it must change!!! If I want the test for sjrogens it will cost me 350 for the specialist and then the test cost on top. No can do. I once had two types of brucellosis and glandular fever for two years before I was diagnosed, Drs thought I was attention seeking. Still this time they might be right.
 

rlc

Senior Member
Messages
822
Hi Carol sorry for the delay in getting back to you, lifes a bit chaotic at the moment! ANA and leucopenia equals this http://en.diagnosispro.com/differen...increased-leukopenia/11761_10015-154_154.html I added some more symptoms and it looks like you have sjogrens link
http://en.diagnosispro.com/differen...87_25337_10015_24968-154_154_154_154_154.html If it's not that make sure they test for the other 7 conditions your ana indicate are possible. That rheumatologist was an idiot and should of followed up on the results! Still if you do have sjogrens or one of these other conditions your going to be able to sue for misdiagnosis! Hope everything works out for you soon

All the best