How do you deal with dry eyes?

I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (genetic, diagnosed with blood work) and fibromyalgia is part of the overlap. Movement is so important to move the fluids that press against muscles and tendons, presenting referred pain. A daily walk and general stretching make a huge difference. Rest just lets you rust. Keep up with non-processed, low sugar foods, too as sensitivities lead to pain. I got images of sore joints, and no bone issues; it is all soft tissue woes. I avoid supplements for the most part, but magnesium citrate and D3 help.

I gave up filing; notebooks for critical investment info, deeds, medical testing
and such. Scan the interesting stuff and recurring information. I find I can now do with one file drawer.

@marye2 I've had fibromyalgia since the late 90,s Tried ever on the market finally looked into non prescriptions was in a fibro group they suggested isometric exercises and they do also just Light stretching I take magnesium malate. I haven had a flare up in awhi,awhile, but Zim sure you know how it is ,cant do anything and nothing you try helps thank good mine only last 1 day how bout you ?

Thank you for your reply. I'm glad to hear that Systane has worked for you and your reasons for using it. I'm new to using eye drops and not experienced with the types or brands, so really appreciate everyone's guidance. Thank you so much!

@marye2, et al. This has been a long and really difficult journey with these dry eyes of mine. I now, after many years of trying to find something to give me some relief....it seemed to only get worse and symptoms increased and worsened. After visitng my long-term opthomologist and more of the same, I saw the optomotrist at Mayo for glasses w/prisms for double vision assistance
Welll, I reminded her I have Sarcoid, autoimmune disease since I was 40, I'm 74 now, and it hits the eyes often as it does the lungs; I have sarcoid attacks periodically and am always aware it's there.
Funny thing...I had indications of residual sarcoid in my eyes. Missed by my doc and others.....several months ago I went through a couple of weeks when I actually thought I was losing my eyesight, going blind. It was weird, with wosening and long term blurry sight, dull and just off so nothing was clear. Then it cleared up, then back again and I went for several days with much worse sight, buring, dry, itching, light sensitivity was horrid....she prescribed a couple weks ago a steroid eye drop that is amazing. For the first time in years, I can see clearly, with few blurred times and all the other stuff is far less. Now, I live in Fl and we have everything in the world blooming now, so my allergy eyes are having tough time.

I'm tapering off the steroid drops. using Refresh Dry Eye and Systane Dry Eye as needed duriing day, have used PM jel drops and love them. Alwyas ck to be sure no additives, no preservatives, no thimerisol at all.

Also, this doc suggested warm eye patch compresses daily, and an eye mask at night with warm compresses. If you want to think you've gone to heaven, try it. Works wonders for relaxation of body, but also relaxation and pain removal of eyes. Highly recommend. Try Bruder, ordered on-line, got wipes for lids too. Good stuff.
Wishing you all well on this search. elixabeth

My favorite nighttime ointment is Bausch & Lomb "Soothe". Systane has some Lanolin in it, which sometimes makes my eyes itch. B&L is White Petrolatum and Mineral Oil only. No Lanolin.

@sue225 Thanks, Sue. I'll that. BTW: the Bruder was recommended by the Mayo doc. not me....blessings, elizabeth

@lacy2. Thanks for sharing. Sorry if this is embedded in your email but what did it end up being with your eyes? Jen

@ess77. Hi Elizabeth. Is there a Systane gel at night that doesn’t have preservatives or additives? I just looked at what I bought and it has .001% preservative. Thanks

@lacy2. I totally agree and am just figuring that out for my own body! 55 yo and just figuring that out, crazy. My sister had the narrow vision and the surgery corrected her vision but she takes no other medication. She’s almost 80, very overweight, and has no other issues while the me and one of my other sisters have all kinds of issues and we were the ones that worked out, ate healthy, watched our weight, etc. go figure