Forced from Restasis to Xiidra

[eye2dry]

Oh....how different we all are.  We have same diagnosis but not all of
us find relief with the same meds.

The Restasis did nothing at all for me. The Xiidra works well for me,
I use way.... way... less OTC drops and my eyes do not feel or
look inflamed as they did.

I too, put my opened vial of Restasis in a shot glass in the frig
to make it go further. I also do the same with my Xiidra, it is
not recommeneded by pharm. to do that either.


take care all.

shelly

[Linda196]

Just an overcautious comment, because you're probably joking, but it is illegal in most places to exchange, trade, provide to another person,  or sell prescription drugs

[eye2dry]

Ladydi.

I was talking to my eye dr. today and asked him if anyone complained to him on sinus
symptoms using Xiidra....he said yes and gave me that a little tip that may help.

To keep the Xiidra from running into your nasal passage rom your lower tear ducts

: stay upright after putting drops in for a few minutes.

: press your "clean" fingertips lightly over lower eyelid by your tear ducts also
  for a few minutes.

My lower tear ducts have been closed since 2010....so apparently nothing will run
through them to sinuses. Upper tear ducts aren't much of a concern as lower.




***** I read your post this am. prior to my visit with him today********

shelly

[LadyDi]

Thanks for all of your replies, suggestions etc.

eye2dry, Even though I have the lower tear duct plugs, I still had severe nasal congestion while using Xiidra.

I think that I will stick with Restasis, as I never would have stopped using it and switched to Xiidra if I had not been forced to do so by my insurance company.

[AnneNeville]

My eye doctor put me on Xiidra in addition to Restasis last week. I already feel an improvement. I woke up this morning without my eyes feeling painful and gritty (though they were still red).

No sinus problems, but I am not prone to them.

Getting my lower tear ducts closed today. Fingers crossed that between the three, I'll have significant relief.

[Sharon]

Do any of you have an explanation as to why the Xiidra would cause sinus issues?

[Pete0211]

Aside from Xiidra seeping around the plugs and getting into the sinuses, or simple coincidence, no.

[eye2dry]

Could it be that the way it works to keep your eyes
wet also makes your sinus membranes more wet too?

shelly

[Sharon]

I get sinus congestion from dryness, so I find it strange that an eye drop that is meant to
relieve eye dryness would cause sinus congestion.

[irish]

I would guess that a different process is going on with the nasal congestion. I am wondering if the new eye drops could be causing an allergic type response or irritation of the sinuses. When you put drops in the eyes they can drain back into the nasal pharynx area which would also affect the sinuses under certain circumstances. This is just a thought.

Also, I saw immunologist today and he asked me if my Restasis was helping me which it is. He said that many of his patients are using the Xlidra and are having good luck. The price is a problem though. Irish

[lorigacc]

I had been on Restasis for quite some time, I don't think it ever helped at all (that I could feel the difference), and burned my eyes continously the entire time I used it.  My transition to Xiidra was not planned at all. I had been having new symptoms with my eyes and made an emergency call to my eye doctor. He happened to be out of the office that day, so I saw a different doctor from that group. She did things totally different. Prescribed Xiidra, gave me a Bruder mask, and also gave me a gel to put in my eyes at bedtime.  My own doctor had never mentioned any of these things.  Went home and gave everything a try, and within a weeks time, my eyes felt better.  Prior to the treatment, I was having episodes where I couldnt even keep my eyes open, so being able to function is a big deal.  I don't think my eyes will ever feel normal, but I will take what I got right now, and be thankful.

[Sooki]

I really like Xiidra and have used the Xiidra card to get it for $20 a month.  The last time I tried to fill it, they said it no longer worked with Medicare.  I had to go through my Part D company only.  They agreed to cover it, with authorization from my doctor,  but because it's a name brand drug my copay is $150 a month.  I guess I'll do without and see how it goes.

[Lindabridge]

I wasn't forced to switch from Restssis to Xiidra, but my eye doctor quickly told me to stop using Restasis when I complained of constant burning. After only one week on Xiidra, I can feel the relief. I think the vials are smaller, and I won't be able to stretch them out as much as I could with Restasis.

It's still too soon to make any definitive comparison. I must tell everyone that I have been off Plaquenil since December, and haven't noticed any difference. It really wasn't doing anything for me. Whatever relief I thought I experienced was probably due to the placebo effect.

I may have Sicca instead of Sjogren's for I don't have the debilitating fatigue and joint pain-- just dry eyes and dry throat and mouth. But frankly, it's bad enough.