Terrible eye pain

Hello everyone.

 

DOes anyone have problems with terrible eye pain and sometimes temple pain?  My eyes feel like they are paralyzed and don't want to work right, plus they hurt all the time.  My doc wants to check my thiamine levels again, but my feeling is that after a week of thiamine shots (which did seem to help the eye probs a little), that this is probably valium related.  Just wondering if anyone else has this or is it just me?

 

Thanks for the input.

Hi Missy,

 

Eye problems are very common. Mine first appeared (in tolerance) as "eyeball pain," that is the best way I could describle it.  As time went on my eyes and eyelid felt numb and the eyelid would twitch.  My vision was very blurry, I felt my eyesight was going fast, but I went to several drs. and they couldn't find anything.  It has greatly improved, so it was all due to the drugs and coming off them.  Some experience what they call "floaters," and that seems common also.

 

Just give it some time, the lower you taper the better it will be.  

It definitely appears that eye issues are common with benzo withdrawal:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzodiazepine_withdrawal

 

fg

Ive had sore gritty eyes for the past few weeks also my eyeball aches on my left eye.  I do have eye problems called blepritis but usually its not to bad.

Ive had sore gritty eyes for the past few weeks also my eyeball aches on my left eye.  I do have eye problems called blepritis but usually its not to bad.

 

For the gritty feeling in my eyes, I use "TheraTears Liquid Gel" which is a Lubricant Eye Gel.  It was recommend to me by my eye specialist.  It is wonderful!  He said it would even help promote good healthy tissue in the eye.  The package says it is soothing, longer-lasting relief and protection!  It's great for bedtime use or daytime.  I buy it at Wal-Mart.  Maybe that would make your eyes feel better.  There is more than one type of this same kind of product made by the same brand.  The bar code on the really great one is 5879000228.  It is thicker and seems to work better and last longer in the eye.

 

I have Blepharitis, too, and wash my eyes and face with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.  It doesn't sting at all in the eyes and really helps to control the Blepharitis.  You may already have a cleanser that you like, but I was told to use Baby Shampoo and it really stung!  I hope this might help.

 

Lily

 

Lily,

 

Great info...I am a young woman and was just diagnosed with Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (or dry eye syndrome).  Sounds innocent enough but it's very painful.  Really hoping it improves after w/d but in the meantime I may try some of the things you recommended.  I've been using diluted baby shampoo to wash and Systane Balance restorative drops and ointment during the day and night.  Trying very hard to avoid infection and having to take antibiotics. 

 

Thanks! 

 

Hi Sunnygirl,

 

I am so glad you found my post and really hope the products help you a lot!  And yes, I have heard that dry eyes are very painful! 

 

Best wishes for your eyes to feel better soon with some help and to be much better after the taper.  Also, I really hope you not to develop an infection! 

 

You are most welcome!

 

Lily

I myself have dry eyes-- I just use baby shampoo and the cheapest drug store chain brand eye drops I can find (which work better for me than some of the more expensive brands). Anyone here also have Rosacea with the dry eyes? I use "Metrogel" for it. Sheesh, it seems like everyone on here has chronic problems!  It's like a hospital! Speaking of which, I was once in a hospital that didn't have "Metrogel" as part of its hospital formulary. I was in there for 4 days, and came out with two huge blisters on my cheeks (facial cheeks, that is). It was gross!

 

Well, I sympathize with everyone here.

 

I think I've posted too many on here, tonight. It's like a binge! Gotta take a break, but I do things in spurts.

 

Hope no one minds... 

 

I myself have dry eyes-- I just use baby shampoo and the cheapest drug store chain brand eye drops I can find (which work better for me than some of the more expensive brands). Anyone here also have Rosacea with the dry eyes? I use "Metrogel" for it. Sheesh, it seems like everyone on here has chronic problems!  It's like a hospital! Speaking of which, I was once in a hospital that didn't have "Metrogel" as part of its hospital formulary. I was in there for 4 days, and came out with two huge blisters on my cheeks (facial cheeks, that is). It was gross!

 

Well, I sympathize with everyone here.

 

I think I've posted too many on here, tonight. It's like a binge! Gotta take a break, but I do things in spurts.

 

Hope no one minds... 

 

 

I do the same thing...posting and messaging in spurts. 

 

I tried the Cetaphil but my eyes reacted very badly to it.  Had to go back to the baby shampoo.  My eyes have been bad for about a month.  Feels like they'll never get better.  I'm worried about the dry eye permanently affecting my vision. 

 

I DO have rosacea!  I have metro gel too but haven't been really diligent about using it since I've been so "sick".  I wonder if I also have blepharitis? 

 

Has anyone had these eye problems that got better after they recovered from w/d??

Hi, Sunnygirl, it's nice to find a fellow Rosacea sufferer!  (Sunglasses for the eye problems!)

 

I myself have dry eyes-- I just use baby shampoo and the cheapest drug store chain brand eye drops I can find (which work better for me than some of the more expensive brands). Anyone here also have Rosacea with the dry eyes? I use "Metrogel" for it. Sheesh, it seems like everyone on here has chronic problems!  It's like a hospital! Speaking of which, I was once in a hospital that didn't have "Metrogel" as part of its hospital formulary. I was in there for 4 days, and came out with two huge blisters on my cheeks (facial cheeks, that is). It was gross!

 

Well, I sympathize with everyone here.

 

I think I've posted too many on here, tonight. It's like a binge! Gotta take a break, but I do things in spurts.

 

Hope no one minds... 

 

 

I do the same thing...posting and messaging in spurts. 

 

I tried the Cetaphil but my eyes reacted very badly to it.  Had to go back to the baby shampoo.  My eyes have been bad for about a month.  Feels like they'll never get better.  I'm worried about the dry eye permanently affecting my vision. 

 

I DO have rosacea!  I have metro gel too but haven't been really diligent about using it since I've been so "sick".  I wonder if I also have blepharitis? 

 

Has anyone had these eye problems that got better after they recovered from w/d??

Hi, Sunnygirl, it's nice to find a fellow Rosacea sufferer!  (Sunglasses for the eye problems!)

 

Lol.  I think I read there is a correlation w/ blepharitis and rosacea...but is there a correlation with rosacea and chronic dry eye?  Do your eye issues act up when your skin is bad? 

 

I don't know-- will have to think about that one. My rosacea gets worse with stress, I know... Not sure what makes the dry eyes worse. I don't have time to research it: too much going on right now (including problems with my benzo/Z-drug interactions-- also, a tooth infection, etc.), but if you ever find out, please let me know! Oh, and btw, drying drugs can affect dry eyes, of course... as well as weather, hormone changes, etc. I'm on too many drugs for them to test for Srogren's (sp?)

 

I should think that any stress and change affect any body system, with some people being more susceptible to one body system than another. 

 

 

 

 

I don't know-- will have to think about that one. My rosacea gets worse with stress, I know... Not sure what makes the dry eyes worse. I don't have time to research it: too much going on right now (including problems with my benzo/Z-drug interactions-- also, a tooth infection, etc.), but if you ever find out, please let me know! Oh, and btw, drying drugs can affect dry eyes, of course... as well as weather, hormone changes, etc. I'm on too many drugs for them to test for Srogren's (sp?)

 

I should think that any stress and change affect any body system, with some people being more susceptible to one body system than another. 

 

Oh.  I thought because you asked about rosacea that you knew something I didn't.  I'm thinking of going to an opthamologist, have only seen an optometrist so far.  I've been suffering for a little over a month now.  Is yours constant or does it come and go?  I'm worried about the dryness affecting my vision. 

 

Sorry you are having a rough time right now.  Will keep you posted if I learn anything.

 

Missy - how are your eyes?? 

Lily,

 

Great info...I am a young woman and was just diagnosed with Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (or dry eye syndrome).  Sounds innocent enough but it's very painful.  Really hoping it improves after w/d but in the meantime I may try some of the things you recommended.  I've been using diluted baby shampoo to wash and Systane Balance restorative drops and ointment during the day and night.  Trying very hard to avoid infection and having to take antibiotics. 

 

Thanks!

 

Just wanted to post an update on here.  I discovered a site much like BB for dry eye sufferers and have been learning a lot more information than what I initially got from my optometrist.  I learned that dry eye is not an actual diagnosis since there are different sub types.  I have an upcoming appointment w/ an opthamologist since I still have pain and want a more accurate diagnosis.  Also stopped using drops with preservatives (the Systane Balance which the optometrist gave me) and stopped the eye ointment.  Am still using the baby shampoo to wash and have just switched to Oasis Tears Plus drops.  Started using a moist heat rice bag because the heat last a little longer than a warm compress/washcloth and isn't wet and "messy".  Am using a humidifier.  Ordered Tranquileyes night time goggles (eek!)  There are coping tips and links to tools for reminders to take breaks from your computer (or blink or put drops in or whatever). 

 

This is the site if anyone is interested...

 

http://www.dryeyezone.com/

 

Good luck!

 

Strange, I experienced exactly the sxs tropicalsoul described, along with dry eye last week, exactly one day after spraying Nasonex (a corticosteroid) into my nose for my sinuses. It has been gradually improving over the course of the week. I am about 75% better now.

I noticed blurry vision with Flovent (an inhaled corticosteroid).  It can increase intraocular eye pressure, so I have stopped it (upon the doctor's advice).

 

fg

(Oh, terrific... I have to use both Flovent and Flonase!)    BTW, I got more side effects with Nasonex, too.

 

Thanks for that page, sunnygirl; will have to check it out! 

The Oasis Tears Plus drops don't seem to be doing much good.  Think I may need to switch back to the TheraTears Gel drops.  This is so frustrating...

 

 

TryingAgain, what were your side effects from nasonex?

Sorry, I don't remember!  It was awhile ago. I was only using a sample for a few days until my insurance kicked in and paid for my other one (Flonase). I just remember that I do better on Flonase. Sore throat, maybe? Forget. So many meds... so many side effects! 

Erg...In addition to my eye issues, I also have an itchy rash under my eyes and across my nose as of 3 or so weeks ago. Rosacea?!?!? I went to an optometrist a couple of weeks ago - nothing!

Hi, Princezz,

 

FYI, that's not how my Rosacea manifests (though of course, I'm no doctor). I might get something on my upper eyelid, but not UNDER my eyes. It's usually on cheeks, nose... occasionally, on chin. More like acne. Sigh...  What you have sounds to me more like an allergy, but then, what do I know? Good luck! 

Hi TA, mine is kind of like the butterfly rash of lupus, but itchy. I may have described it incorrectly by saying under my eyes. When I google pictures of rosacea, the location looks like mine. I doubt I truly have rosacea though. I'm sure it's just benzo weirdness that may resemble rosacea. Thankies!

  Hmmm. Mine isn't itchy... sure it's not something else? Do you ever get eczema? (I get that, too.) Maybe you should have it checked out?

I've never had eczema in my life. I initially thought of that but all the moisturizers for eczema make it itch more.