Looking awful

[araminta]

I sometimes think I could put up with a lot of this stuff if only I didn't look so exhausted all the time.   It's embarrassing going around looking haggard with dark circles under my eyes (however many hours I've slept), I don't enjoy social life much because of that, and going out in the evening is particularly awful because by then my eyes look quite red.

[Navigator]

Dry eyes, as the day goes on, can make you feel tired, like you have the flu.  You might ask your ophthalmologist for Restasis. If your eyes are consistently red there may be inflammation going on that can be treated.

[cccourt1942]

Ara:  One of my major adjustments was adapting to decreased social life.  My first problem was limiting places I could eat.  Friends objected.  I would go to be polite...and not eat.  Then I would be accosted!  But...my appearance in my eyes...not UNDER as you describe...but red in the eyes.   The first Ophthal AFTER SjS dx said the magic words: Omega 3.  It improved my appearance 10 fold.  (Remembering my age )  You are who you are--you do what you need to do for yourself.  If you are still working and/or raising children:  know your limitations.  You still have to get thru your day, your week, etc. 

Dark circles?  Go to the cosmetics counter.    Really!!

I suspect you are doing well but don't like what you see in the mirror.  Congratulate yourself for being up and moving.  It's hard when you are young and can remember being so active.  It's an adjustment in living.

Sjoldier c3

[angeldancer]

I am so sorry you are in this battle like I am.  I get what you are saying when you desire to go but your face says maybe people should not see you this way.  Yesterday i went to church and as hard as I tried to cover up how I was feeling it just didn't work and even the pastor told me to leave and go to the hospital.  Unfortunately I ER and they will just put me on pain pills and send me home.  It doesn't changed my eyes, my face, my skin, and it just covers up the intense pain that will return if I don't figure out how to cure some of these issues.  I have been up many hours researching what i can do outside of what the doctor is doing.  I can't afford Restasis (insurance won't cover it and it cost way too much).  My life cycle has kept me on the out from everyone and now I just feel that all I have is God and this blog.  People don't want to be around people that are suffering. 

I'm thinking about saving my pennies and hiring someone that knows how to apply make-up well enough to make me look better.  It is a thought.  I will never stop researching to find what could possibly help me.  Today I juice all day because it says maybe a juicing detox can help cleanse out the impurities and what is happening because of the extreme dryness.

Peace and blessings to you

Angeldancer

[Sharon]

I can really relate to this!
I too have terribly red eyes and my eyelids get swollen throughout the day.
Everybody who knows me can plainly see that I'm ill just by looking at me.

Some thoughts for you araminta and angel:
Dark circles may be caused by inflammation in the upper cheeck area which cause a gap-like appearance beneath the eyes. Besides meds which control inflammation, you can try using Lipikar from La Roche Pose to somewhat reduce skin inflammation.
Dark circles may also be caused by allergies. Trying different antihistamines until you find one that works for you may prove effective. Same is true for red eyes. Don't forget a compromised immune system causes all sorts of hysersensitivities and allergic reactions which may not be categorized as "true allergies".

A quick fix for red eyes is Visine drops and the such, used sparingly before going out. The effect is temporary.
A longer bright eyes effect can be obtained by taking oral Clarinase which is also a form of vasodilator. It can work up to 12 hours at a time, but take care not to abuse it or it will cease to work for you.
Something new I'm trying seems to be working quite nicely so far: It's called Clearinol eye drops and it contains Ectoin which coats the eye, protecting it from irritating allergens. They also have a nasal spray.

If all else fails, try wearing thick rimmed eye glasses to cover dark circles
and tinted glasses to mask eye redness 

[irish]

I have been too exhausted and sick feeling for so many years that I can't remember feeling good. I haven't used make up for years and I have those dark circles all the time and occasional red eyes. By night time I have really droopy eyelids from the myasthenia gravis plus the weak muscles in my eye lids that need to be fixed by surgery that I keep putting off.

I still have people tell me that I don't look sick. I can't figure it out cause I look like heck. I tell my friends that I don't give a flying leap about how I dress cause I am so exhausted by shopping for clothes that I don't do it much. I am just lucky to be up and dressed when I go out. I would bet that there are a lot of people that feel the same way.

A social life is long gone cause it is more than our exhaustion just handle. It is so exhausting to carry on a conversation much of the time. Never thought I would feel that way cause I was always such a social person. Somehow when you are feeling lousy it doesn't make sense to sit and discuss the price of eggs--so to speak. I told my internist this a few weeks ago and she said "I get it". Good luck all. Irish

[araminta]

Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful replies, and I'm sorry that so many of you have to put up with all this too.

Navigator:  I am seeing my GP tomorrow and am going to ask for a referral to an ophthalmologist, I will certainly mention Restasis and see if I can get hold of it.

CCC:   I have been taking Omega 3 (as flax oil) for a number of years now.   It did make a difference a few years ago, and the dry eyes actually improved, but they have come back now and the flax oil seems not to be helping any more.   You're right that I should be grateful (and I am) that I can still get things done, but I do feel quite self-conscious looking this tired.   I have tried makeup, to be honest it doesn't seem to make a lot of difference, but thank you for suggesting it!

Angeldancer:   So sorry you are feeling like this, and that the ER help is so limited.   Like you I have been trying all sorts of changes to diet, etc., and I try to exercise as much as possible, though when I'm tired it's not always an option.   Makeup didn't do it for me but perhaps it will work for you.   And then as Sharon says there's always the dark glasses option ...   I'm so sorry you are having to put up with so much pain and stres.

Sharon:   Thank you for all those suggestions, I will see if I can get hold of some of those products.   I already wear dark glasses more  often than most people!   Maybe thick rimmed reading glasses are the next step.   Oh dear.

Irish:  Yes it can feel like an achievement to get up and dressed every day, and I know what you mean about clothes shopping, actually I've always hated it.   Thank goodness we have this forum, knowing everyone will understand what we're talking about.