Xiidra or Plugs

[Lauranyc]

Hi,

I had Lyme, then Sjogrens for 3 years now.  My eyes keep getting worse.  I tried...acupuncture, herbs, supplements, massage and restasis and nothing helped.  I used restasis for 1/2 a year and just stopped.  My choices now are to try Xildra or get plugs.  I backed out of getting the plugs in the office because they only do the permanent ones.  Being autoimmune, the idea of having plastic plugs in my eyes did not sound like a good idea.

Having Sjogrens I didn't know if Xildra or the plugs were a better choice (plastic or chemicals)
If I do go for plugs should I try the temporary first?  Are there some types that are safer than others?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Pete0211]

"Permanent" plugs can still be removed - and often fall out on their own. They are only "permanent" due to being silicone or similar material, vs. "temporary" plugs witch use collagen or similar material (that eventually dissolves). The plugs have been used for decades. The only permanent option with the ducts is cauterization.

I don't think a trial run with the silicone plugs are a problem. You might as well give it a try to see how much it helps.

I'd hold off for Xiidra as a later option, as it's long term effects are unknown.

[DarleneB]

I have the silicone plugs with no problems.  What a relief to have tears

[Liz D.]

Having plugs put in was the only thing that helped my dry eyes.  Unfortunately they kept falling out.  So I opted to do the permanent cauterization and have never regretted it.  Definitely try the plugs! I think you'll be happy you did.

Liz D.

[Jenny]

I loved my plugs but they kept falling out. I opted to have my lower ducts cauterized and couldn't be happier!

[jazzlover]

As someone said, "permanent" plugs can still be removed. I'm extremely happy with mine. I had the temporary ones for about 18 months. They kept falling out.

The perm ones are wonderful. No issues at all. It took about 24-36 hours for me to get used to the them at first. Then all was fine.

[SunshineDaydream]

I've had upper and lower temporary plugs in since February and they have made a world of difference for me.

Before that, I tried Xildra a couple of times but stopped because of the terrible taste. Also, I tend to not be an early adopter of new drugs. Had the plugs not worked, I was going to move on to Xildra because at least the plugs would have prevented me from tasting the drops since they wouldn't go down my sinuses, so there's still that benefit.

[Lauranyc]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. You've given me some hope!

[Suslew]

My first step was permanent lower plugs. Worked wonders for years! Then restasis, stopped working after several years, but was great while it was working. Then autologous serum eye drops...very soothing and really helped, but dropped after about a year due to cost and hassle of getting them.

Currently sporting all plugs (new upper plugs), Xiidra, avenova eye wipe spray, oasis tear drops, and hot compresses (after filamentary keratitis diagnosis). When I feel filimentary keratitis starting I use an ointment called muro128 at night. This has evolved over many years. I found a dry eye/Sjogrens eye specialist FINALLY! She is wonderful. She has me on the above regimen along with a supplement called hydroeye.

I like the idea of the permanent plugs for you as a first step. They are silicon, mine have stayed in perfectly with no issues, mine have been in well over a decade. It was a perfect solution for me at that time.

[DarleneB]

I still use restasis with the plugs. .it is trying to dampen down the inflammatory response. ...it is working

[Lesley L]

Hi there.  I've been down this road.  I couldn't keep the plastic plugs inserted. They kept working their way out. The ophthamologist then added Xiidra to my Restasis routine, which didn't work. I was terribly allergic to the Xiidra and it caused terrible swelling and pain around my eyes, lids and surrounding area. Then, we opted for cauterizing my upper tear ducts. One of my lower tear ducts closed naturally, and we will cauterize the one in the other eye later if needed. That has helped tremendously, and it wasn't nearly as scary of a procedure as I expected it to be.

I now use Restasis, Systane Balance during the day as needed, Systane gel at night, warm compresses in the evening, eyelid foam before bed and in the morning if needed, and goggles with wet foam pads at night (especially important in the winter with the heater going). I still have a lot of blurred and double vision, but I am hoping some of the blur will go away after they do cataract surgery. The doctor is holding off til it's worse since the procedure causes dry eyes for a while and that is such an issue already.

[DarleneB]

I found at Walgreens a preservative free eye drop call RETAINE
.  It has light mineral oil in it.  It dispurses immediately after putting the drop in.  It makes my eyes feel normal.  It helps all three layers of the tear.