Questions on prescription eye drops/meds for salivary issues

[AAACGRL]

I went to the eye dr yesterday for a follow up from being on Restasis for three months.  I have still felt "dry" but I thought maybe since I can now make tears then it must be better. Well, he did the slit lamp testing and they are still messed up pretty bad. He acted as if there wasn't much else he could do for me other than keep me on that and maybe have me get the punctal plugs. Did it take awhile for those of you who use Restasis to feel a difference? Aren't the plugs just more for comfort, not to help your eyes heal?  Also, do your eyes burn when you're out in the sun? I feel almost blinded by it.

Also, I was put on Salagen because my insurance won't cover Evoxac yet. I'm on b/p meds but my primary will not change my meds around even with taking Salagen. He says to just watch my heart rate (geeee, thanks! ) What are some of the side effects you have had on it? I will start it next week.

[Cheryl]

Aaacgrl,
I can relate to the burning eyes caused by the sun.   Try to get some good wrap-style sunglasses, use drops before the eyes feel dry, avoid wind or ac blowing near your face, and wear a wide-brimmed hat if you have to be outside in the sun. 

It sounds as if the Restasis is making a difference for you; if so, it will probably continue to improve.  My eyes (including the aches and stinging) began to improve with Restasis.   Punctal plugs and eventual cautery also helped.  The plugs will retain the tears you do have, and keeping your eyes wet lessens the pain and photophobia.   I have recently started using Lacriserts at night, and that is also making my eyes more comfortable.  At my last vision check-up, my eye doc said that my eyes were "glistening," and that he had never seen my eyes do that before .  I hope you can achieve improvement, too.

The only side effect I've have from Salagen is a little hot flash style sweating, and that was mostly when I first started using it.  Then there have been a few times that I woke up drooling on my pillow, but who can complain about that?  I take Evoxac now instead of Salagen, but I would recommend either of them.

Best wishes!

[eye2dry]

AAACGRL.

I used Restasis for little over 4 months and it did not help me. I went for having my lower tear ducts cauterized after wearing temporary plugs for 2 weeks...they helped so much I went right for the cautery.

The cautery keeps your ducts sealed and what tears you do make or drops you use, stay on your eye surface longer.

If I hadn't of got my eyes under control I was going to look into scleral lenses and autologus eye drops.

I tried pilocarpine for my saliva but I had side effects of spinning, vertigo,nausea and vomiting.. But I noticed the 4 days I took them..they worked for me.

Yes, I have photophobia too...inside the house and outside. Sometimes the TV seems so bright I feel I need sunglasses.

Hope you find some relief for your eyes, it has got to be the (or one of) worst SJS symptom.


eye2dry