Side effects question

[Patrickreed]

I started treatment in March 2013 with Cytoxan, 60 mg prednisone, among others...

The past few months I've had an issue where my eyes are tearing constantly. Could this be a result of the Cytoxan? Maybe blocked tear ducts?

My Rheumatologist doesn't think it is WG related and suggests I see an eye docotor.

I've been through so much, and I'm finally on maintenance meds.

I just want a normal life again....so I'm terrified to ask. Anyone hear of this?

[me2]

It could be blocked tear ducts. My own recent experience was tearing a lot from sinus infection and blocked tear duct. I think the eye doctor would be a good place to start.
In less than a month I am getting sinus surgery and surgery on one eye for the blocked duct. I'm actually looking forward to it because my condition has been a looooooong time in the making and I'm so tired of it I'm hopeful this will be a solution.
Your case could be something more simple and temporary though- hence the need for a doc to look into it.
The test they have for blocked tear duct is much more simple than when I had it done 15 years ago on my OTHER eye. They just numb up your eye with some drops and try and pump some saline through the blocked duct with a syringe full of saline.
Its not as bad as it sounds. I hate have them futz around my eyes and even for me it was just no big deal and over pretty quickly. Of course I had a pretty , young female doctor and I may have been a bit mentally distracted.
Really though it was the fact that was also very good at doing it. The 'pretty' part was really just an un-necessary bonus. You might even sound a bit off if you request an attractive doctor so maybe just accept whoever they give you.

[Pete]

Hi Patrick,

Going to your eye doctor would be a good idea. It may be something as simple as a blocked tear duct. If so, it'll get treated and that should be the end of it.

However, our dumb disease attacks in very sneaky ways. A question for you: How is your nose doing? Persistent sinus congestion? Nasal crusting (boogers) with or without blood? Nosebleeds? Any of those could be a symptom that the disease is attacking on a new front.

One thing I've learned about this disease is to be a bit paranoid about new symptoms. I keep a health journal and note when new phenomena occur. If they go away and stay away, I tend to disregard. If they go away and come back, I call my rheumy (who manages my disease treatment). If they persist, I definitely call the doc. In many cases, it's nothing, but sometimes...

Good luck and better health!!

[Patrickreed]

I do notice a lot of nasal crusting with blood. I never mentioned it because my Dr asks specifically about "nose bleeds" which is a little different. He never asks about blood in crustation...I also failed to report to him that I get dailt congestion and large masses of mucus/waste discharged often.....I got used to this so i never think to mention it.... I have a perferated septum so me and the Dr. are aware that the WG hit my nose.

[Pete]

Patrick,

Do you rinse your sinuses regularly using either a neti-pot or Neil-med bottle and saline solution? This has helped me deal with the effects of low humidity in the house for the past couple months.

[Patrickreed]

No I do not. It would probably have to be daily so I sort of just deal with it

[DJS]

Your thread is titled "side effects" one side effect not mentioned is your mouth and the loss of bacteria due to all of the medicines to shut down the immune system. My wife ended up with some bad fillings and lots of dental work. Her dentist actually had to prescribe a mouth wash(dexamethasone). Now she uses Biotene tooth paste and mouth wash for her dry mouth. So when your mouth gets sore, see the dentist too.

[pberggren1]

Patrick, I suggest keeping a daily journal of all your symptoms, med changes, etc and sharing all of it with your doc.

[mishb]

Hi Patrick,

The nasal rinses are two or three times daily for most of us - it is definitely a must do if you want to be on top of the crusting and the bloodied mucus.

As for the watering eyes - go and see the eye specialist recommended. It is probably a blockage, so best to be sure.

[drz]

I remember having excess tears as a side effect of the meds earlier in my treatment. I believe it came from dryness of the eyes and got better as meds decreased. It seemed strange to me that I had excessive tears cause my eyes were too dry but it was my body's way of trying to fix the problem. I think it might have also related to the higher dosage of pred meds at the time but it is hard tosay when you are taking several meds at one time.

[JeanMarie]

Lots of blood vessels in our eyes so lots of opportunities for wegs to be involved. Scleritis & uveitis to name 2. And pred also can cause eye problems. A good ophthalmologist should be able to help you.