Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

I was diagnosed many yrs ago with dry eye I was blinking every 2 seconds and driving home off night duty was a nightmare as my eyes felt as they were not only sore but clouding over.The eye surgeon Px'd Restasis eye drops . I have no extended benefits and are expensive as they come in a box of 30 pippets to use twice a day then you are supposed to throw the pippet out . My eye dr told me to not throw them out as they do not start to deteriorate so to keep them in a little sealed pill bottle.1 pippet lasts about 3 days now. When I 1st used them they stung like a buggar but 'I carried on for England' anyway long story short I now use them only once a day which is great as they now last me double the time.The Dr has told me to definitely NOT go back to the twice a day ( not sure why) and to just use a moisturings drop of an OTC . Restasis doesn't work like normal eye drops they actually stimulate your tear ducts to produce tears,it's NOT a cure though so will have to use them for life,small price to pay though. Hope this is useful Warren

@dotie
Sadly every medication comes with the risk of side effects. I have had numerous reactions to medications and my physicians and I have discuss the side effects and we decide if the risk is worth the side effects which can be frustrating. The medication I have a hard time taking is Procardia ER because it results in headaches, flushness and overall feel horrible but right now it’s the only one that effectively keeps my heart rate regulated. Without it my heart rate runs 150’s but now it runs 90’s which is still high but I can tolerate the side effects on the lower dose. I encourage you to keep talking with you doctor and trying to find the right medication or the right dose that you can tolerate. I pray you find the answer soon.

How’s it going with the olmesartan?

@frank, @anniebrook Just a suggestion for you..... keep your pippets in the refrigerator. Then the application won't "sting like a buggar". The newest dry eye treatment is Xiidra. After several years of deteriorating cells even with Restasis, my ophthalmologist had me try Xiidra. Within a few months my eyes, according to him, "looked the best I have seen them in 3 years". I am thrilled. We need every cell we can muster to be able to have good eyesight. I am just adding info, not making a recommendation. I also use the doubling up method to save $$$$. That works well for me. I add a preservative-free gel during the day and a nighttime ointment when I go to bed. My only other option was to go live in a rain forest.........where the humidity is above 80%. Be safe, be well, protect your eyes.

Hi All..
I was going to post last Friday that other than my arthritis, I am virtually pain free. My 2 spinal surgeries were a success.

Then on Saturday, it happened, again, I fell. I went down hard!! I was outside and fell onto the concrete walk and landscape river rock. Ouch!

My poor 7 year old granddaughter was with me
She saw the entire thing and was terrified! I was able to get up. I wasn't going to tell my hubby but he walked by and asked me directly. I couldn't deny it. I was all scrapped up.

Anyway, I am back in pain in my lower back. I don't think I did anything to the fusion. I feel I took one step forward and two steps back.

This is my 2nd fall since my 2nd spinal surgery. And today, the new neurologist changed my appointment.

Well, just thought I'd share.
Hoping for a pain free day for us all!!

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)😎😎

I am so sorry your are going through this. Headaches are terrible!!! With my own experience with my crazy blood pressures I know how unpredictable and painful they can be for me. I know my body is use to my blood pressure being 210/118 that’s have sensation that I feel terrible when it’s normal. My body is not use to working st a “normal pace. Good to see your number is getting close to the acceptable ranges.

Prayers
Dawn

Hi all,

I have entrapment/compression of all the major nerves in my leg due to a major and poor surgical approach during a release of all 4 compartments in my leg 4 years ago. I am on the road to healing, but it has been hard to make it as far as I have made it. I am finally getting surgeries to fix my entrapments and this is working for my pain. I'm so glad I stuck to my guns and never gave up even when many doctors told me I'd never get better, I couldn't be helped, etc. I am thankful for caring doctors who listened to me and believed me, while also ruling out anything more common. I'm so lucky to have personable, caring, patient focused doctors.

Hello @grandmar
I am so sorry to hear of your fall. You must feel discouraged. I hope your pain is relieved soon. Have you had an x-ray or other exam to be sure everything is still in place?

Hey Ronnie, oh no! I winced when I read your post! Dont jump the gun - maybe this back pain will subside! You took a hard fall. Just give it time! I hope you will feel better. ............Karen