I’ve been digging this morning. It is pager week, so we aren’t walking… it is going to get too hot too soon and I have to carry a heavy laptop and its power cord along with the pager and cell phone. So I’m taking the opportunity to dig into what Dr Stephanie and Dr B (the optometrist) have been talking to me about this week.
The MTX needles aren’t as big as the flu shot needles (got mine yesterday) and even with the cost of the MTX meds, it is cheaper than paying to park at the dr office along with the gas and wear and tear… so… I’m going to suck it up and do it for myself.
The eye doctor said that the Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy (EBMD) is actually getting a little worse. The erosion on my left eye is about twice as big but not yet interfering with anything, so that is good. He is all for the Restasis drops… twice a day. He asked me what the chances are of my changing careers. Really? I enjoy what I do and I don’t know what else to do other than be me. I don’t know if I could change careers. Add in that I have reasonably decent insurance (if they do make some silly rules on some thing) and we are more and more relying on that insurance. Pretty sure I won’t be changing any time soon…
So what have I learned this morning…
What is Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy (EBMD)?
Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy (EBMD) is a genetically influenced abnormality, which causes small islands of the corneas surface (epithelium) to improperly bond to the underlying tissue. Similar to newly laid sod, these islands of unstable tissue are susceptible to frequent erosions. Although not typically sight threatening, corneal erosions can be a chronic problem. They may alter the cornea’s normal curvature, causing periodic blurred vision. They may also expose the nerve endings that line the tissue, resulting in moderate to severe pain lasting as long as several days. Generally, the pain will be worse on awakening in the morning, or during the night. Other symptoms include sensitivity to light, excessive tearing, and foreign body sensation in the eye.
Between this and my Sjögren’s Syndrome… what am I supposed to do other than the Restatis? I have this cool Dry Eye Treatment paper…
Stop using Visine or other get the red out kind of drops
Drink enough water (he freaked when I told him I was drinking about 3 quarts of water a day… he told me to divide my weight by 2 and that is how many oz to drink, I shouldn’t be drinking so much!!!… hm… that is about 2.9 quarts a day… damn… I have to measure like 2 oz less a day… really? dork… )
Take regular computer breaks (LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL… okay)
avoid air blowing into your face
avoid ceiling fans even when sleeping
consider a room humidifier
evaluate your meds for dry eye side effects
use artificial tears 2 – 6 times a day
take oral supplements (omega 3 fatty acids, fish oil, 1000 mg 3 times a day)
use artificial tears oinrment at bedtime (gues he was never on pager patrol!)
start lid hygiene (LID hygiene? huh?)
use restatis
be fit with punctal plugs (yeah… not so much)
So… the next chapter of the adventure commences…
A Figment Of Fitness 