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Date: 14.01.2012
From: sandy

Subject: dry eyes / mouth

Hi
has anyone got any suggestions on how to deal with dry eyes and dry mouth apparently the ra causes this.Ive been given fake tears and fake saliva tablets from the gp - the eye drops i can just about cope with but the fake saliva tablets are disgusting!! im having awful dental problems with this its costing me a fortune cos i havent got an nhs dentist i could only get into a private practice.im constantly sucking sweets or sipping water but that only helps for a while. any ideas would be appreciated
thanks x
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Date: 14.01.2012
From: Colin

Subject: Re: dry eyes / mouth

hi Sandy
Sjogren's Syndrome goes with RA ie dry eyes etc. they do test with blotting pager in your eyes & it will show up they are totaly dry
I get Hypromellose eye drops on presciption & use it four times a day & normaly my eyes are on , when they are realy bad I use Rohto Dry Eye from Boots
not sure about the salive tablets , dont think I would use them , try get a NHS dentice or at least go on a list for when they set on up , if you get problem with dry sinus use a Saline Nasal Spray , it may help your throat as well
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Date: 14.01.2012
From: sandy

Subject: Re: dry eyes / mouth

Hi Colin
thanks for the reply - my gp has never actually said ive got sjogrens syndrome all he said was that its common to have this when youve got ra!
can i just ask - is it normal for your eyes to sting and feel itchy but sometimes to hurt and then pour with water that you cant control ??
ive constantly got mouth ulcers,a sore tongue and throat and problems swallowing and my gp doesnt seem particularly concerned but it gets you down after a while - how do you deal with it ? xx
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Date: 14.01.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: dry eyes / mouth

Hi Colin

I use Carmize eye drops which I find much better than hypromellose. Also viscotears sometimes. Might be a good idea to see your optician as he was the one to recommend the right treatment for me. Also, can you talk to your consultant about the problem, they will probably know what is the best treatment. Do you have a specialist nurse?
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Date: 15.01.2012
From: Colin

Subject: Re: dry eyes / mouth

Hi Sandy , they never said its was Sjogren's Syndrome , just dry eyes but treatment is the same .
my eyes do flood some times but normaly it makes them sore afterwards , as for mouth ulcers is goes with Methotrexate & folic acid helps it , dont know if you take , I am on 20mg Mtx & folic acid 6 days a week

bsk , hypromellose is only thing they offered , did talk to optician but he said they are all very similar , looks like Carmize is only on prescription so may look into it , did ask consoltant but he said use htpermellos 4 times a day , got to see rummy nurse next month so may ask her
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Date: 15.01.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: dry eyes / mouth

I had to ask my gp for carmize. She is very good about prescriptions and pretty much gives me what I ask for but it is much better than hypromellose. My optician is particularly good and up on all the latest treatment too so that helps. Just ask for it.
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