Ophthalmologist appt today, feeling really deflated...

[missyb]

You know what I think? So what. Who cares.  He's just an ophthalmologist! LOL As long as I've had this no eye doctor has done a dang thing besides tell me to use eye drops. So? He told you that too.   I mean really if you have a rheumotologist thinking it IS sjs, who cares what a rude eye doctor thinks, the schirmer test speaks for it's self, and that is all the rheum will care about anyways. So really look for the positive, you got the eye test done, and it was positive, that is still a step forward, regardless of what his personal opinion is about whether you have sjs or not. There's an awful  lot of "specialists"  out there that have been trained on these matters but for whatever reason are not able to recognize something when they see it.

[dbab]

Wow Leah, I'm sorry you went through all of that.  You know some of these doctors really don't ever try and put themselves in our shoes.  How dare we try and find an answer to our problems?  Unfortunately sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs but there ARE good docs out there.  Some its a delicate balance because some may not have the best bedside manner but may be a very skillfull knowledgable doc.  Its wondeful when you can find both.  I knew I found the right rheumy when he flat out told me that he "can't even begin to imagine how difficult it has to be" for me.  Wow, when a doc says that and he knows his stuff, KEEP HIM!  I unfortunately couldn't because he didn't take my new insurance.  Luckily, my new rheumy is a good doc, just not like my last one you know?

I can't believe that he didn't want to at least suggest something more for your eyes than just drops.  Just because you don't have damage now doesn't mean that without the proper treatment you won't in the future.  Preventative measures are just as important as treatment.  I would give the feedback to your rhuemy about your shirmers test results and see if there is anything they can do for you and discuss your concerns.  They may be able to put you on a treatment for the dry eyes even.

Good luck and keep us updated!

[irish]

I have one DIL who is an optometrist and she watches my eyes like a hawk. She gives very go examples and keeps her eye out for cornea problems, etc. As soon as I was diagnosed with sjogrens she started me on Restasis(dry eyes was the last symptom that I got and came just weeks after diagnosis) and I have been really lucky to have escaped the really severe problems. I swear by the Restasis and when I was in my sjogrens study at the U of M they remarked at how good my eyes were on the Restasis.

In my state my DIL says that the state optometric association meeting is always deluged with information about sjogrens. They are very up on their training and info. I think a lot of the problem is with some docs not wanting to get that involved. All some want to do is do eye exams.

If you find a good optometrist or ophalmologist hang onto them other wise keep on looking. Too bad we all have to spend so much money on food, gas and dr bills not to mention our time and comfort level. Irish

[lelole]

Hi,

Thanks for all of these replies! I feel so looked after...

I haven't been able to get on line since Friday, so missed all of these replies, but time is the great healer (well emotionally, maybe not for Sjogren's  )...
Looking ahead to the Rheumy appt, and remembering what he was like (he was a sweetie, just like yours dbab), I am more certain it does not matter what the Opthalmologist thought - the fact is, as you so rightly point out missyb - I proved I have a major SJS symptom - very dry eyes!

As far as the products are concerned, I am just going to see how things go for a bit, and maybe by a few things online, as I am also lucky that I have a very nice GP too, and if I find something I like, I feel sure he will prescribe it for me, and as I have thyroid probs, I get my prescriptions for free...

Thanks again,

Yours feeling a bit sheepish for having been such a drama queen,

Leah xx

[JannaLee]

Darling Leah,

You certainly are a Queen and we happen to love your drama!

Let go of that sheep!

Don't forget to update about the Rheumy visit!

Janna