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Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: Maria3667 on November 02, 2018, 08:25:58 AM

Title: Dhea for dry eyes
Post by: Maria3667 on November 02, 2018, 08:25:58 AM
Just to test how effective Dhea is for dry eyes, I recently quit taking it. Within 5 days my eyes were burning from drying out whilst both cornea turned red like infected. It was very painful.

Then I added Dhea again. Not only did I sleep better, but next day the pain, redness and tearing diminished. Day after bought more relief.

Funny thing is, this ONLY works if I apply it using the intervaginal route. Oral or dermal Dhea don't do a thing for me. So I cut a 10 mg tablet in quarters, put into empty capsule and insert in bed before sleep.

Inconvenient? Yes. But as long as Dhea eye drops/ointment are not available it's the best - and probably cheapest - method out there.
Title: Re: Dhea for dry eyes
Post by: Judes on November 02, 2018, 09:20:32 AM
What kind of Dhea do you use, is it by prescription?
Title: Re: Dhea for dry eyes
Post by: Maria3667 on November 02, 2018, 03:27:57 PM
Hi Judes,

At the moment the brand I use is Natrol, 10 mg tablets. But I used a variety of brands in the past, which were all effective. I order mine on the internet.
Title: Re: Dhea for dry eyes
Post by: Carolina on November 02, 2018, 05:08:30 PM
Dear Maria,

I've been taking DHEA for years, to keep my hormone levels up, for energy, mood.  But I didn't know it helps my eyes.  No wonder I've had dry eyes for 16 years, and haven't found them to be too terrible except at night.

Opening my eyes in the middle of the night and in the morning is a nightmare.  I have to drop in drops right away.

DHEA is cheap and very useful for me.

Regards, Elaine
Title: Re: Dhea for dry eyes
Post by: bluegardenia on November 02, 2018, 05:17:46 PM
do you find rhea over the counter?
Title: Re: Dhea for dry eyes
Post by: Maria3667 on November 02, 2018, 05:44:03 PM
No in my country it's by prescription only. As this is too much hassle for me, I order on the internet.

@Elaine: it proves my point. How much do you take? And I suspect you take it orally? I wonder if it will be even more effective - and probably at a lower dose - if you were to try it intervaginally...
Title: Re: Dhea for dry eyes
Post by: Judes on November 02, 2018, 06:29:54 PM
Thanks for the information Maria. I found some natrol Dhea on Amazon I may try this. First waiting to try my Xiidra eyedrops which I still haven't started yet due to some allergic reaction and now waiting till my lip biopsy is done Monday. But he am desperate to try anything. What do you think would happen if you inserted it directly without the capsule?
Title: Re: Dhea for dry eyes
Post by: Maria3667 on November 03, 2018, 08:23:15 AM
Hi Judes,

You could insert a quarter tablet by itself I suppose, but I find a capsule more convenient.

Concerning the lip biopsy: after much consideration I declined for this procedure because it can be difficult and painful to heal. Sjogren's has already caused so much damage... Besides, diagnosis can be done based on symptoms. As far as I know, lip biopsy offers no medical benefits or greater insight into the syndrome as such. Just my 2 cents...