New Plugs

[SueAnn]

I was finally given plugs today after asking my eye doctor for two years for them and being told no.   Well, I got a new eye doctor and what a difference, no waiting with screaming kids, no two hour wait, and no rushed MD trying to get everyone in.

I can already tell the difference!  He was reluctant to give them as I was brand new today, but he said it was a simple procedure and did it. 

I have to go back in two weeks!

He also told me that Plaquenil checks only have to be done once a year now and would let my rheumy know.

SueAnn

[Patze]

Congrats SueAnn!  I'm glad to hear that you had no problems with the insertion, that's always a plus! 

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[DSPeter]

Went to eye dr today after being on Restasis for 1 month.  He told me he wanted to see me in 6 weeks and if my eyes arem't better he will insert plugs.  My question is:  if I am not producing tears what benefit will plugs be?  I didn't think of this until after I left his office.

[LeoLady]

SueAnn:

You are probably producing some tears, probably not enough or not good enough quality.  The plugs (in the bottom) ducts keep whatever tears you have from draining out and hold them in the eyes longer, thus relieving some of the dryness.  It works well for a lot of SJS patients.

Good luck!

Hugs,

LeoLady

[bloodless]

I love my plugs. Felt better right away. My eye doctor gave me a choice between a restasis script or plugs. She said the plugs work immediately and restasis take a while. I wanted immediate relief, so I chose plugs. Boy, did I decide right! My eyes are so much better! I hardly ever use eye drops any more. I don't waste money on another prescription and I don't have to feel the burning of the restasis eye drops.

I know some folks don't do well with plugs and some have to have both plugs and restasis, but if you can get away with just plugs, I highly recommend it.

[DSPeter]

Thank you for your advice!!  My eye Dr doesn't like how expensive the RESTASIS is.  Perhaps I will tell him I want to try the plugs even if Restasis is working to save some money 

[SueAnn]

Thank you for all the replies!   I have had a weird road with my eyes so I really don't know how dry they were when I first was diagnosis 2 years ago; except to say that I had to pull over many times in the afternoon because my eyes would slam shut.  The restasis did help a bunch for the first year or so.

I am just glad this doctor is listening to the fact that I have been on restasis and still not getting as much relief. 

I love the plugs and I don't have tears running down my face like the other doctor said I would.  I just gave up trying to reason with him, and he would not repeat any of the first tests that they gave me, so it was time for a new doctor.

SueAnn

[Pegasus47]

Sue Ann:

If you are really worried about not producing tears, or producing very little.  The plugs won't make that much difference, because it serves to back up the tears that you do produce. 

Since I have been using TheraLife Eye product- I am now producing more tears.  Just thought you might be interested.

Pegasus