Dry Eyes

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Barbaraek
Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

No that's NOT a typo...dry mouth is common I know...but dry eyes? Anyone else have problems with this following chemoradiation or chemotherapy for head and neck? We just came back from the ophthomologist with artificial tears, an ointment and a spray because my husbands lacrimal glands are no longer working.

We have a follow up in a month and I'm hoping this is not a permanent side effect of the treatment. Our tx consisted of 6 weeks radiation (35x), with 2 concurrent Cisplatin. We followed up with one Cisplatin + 5FU after the radiation, but had to stop after that because it was too toxic to my husband's system.

 

Barbara

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  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #2
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    barb, i never had chemo, only

    barb, i never had chemo, only 35 tx of radiation but my eyes seem to be wet all the time.  seems they are always running.  i sure pray this is a temporary issue for your hubby.  we suffer enough as it is to say we are "cancer" free.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • corleone
    corleone Member Posts: 312 Member
    #3
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    Hi Barbara

    I had that, but wasn’t bad, and disappeared a few months after radiation. I guess depends on the radiation fields, if the eyes’ blood vessels and lacrimal glands are affected. Inflammation plays a role in this as well.

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #4
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    If his eyes are dry enough to affect his vision

    See an Opthamologist.  Mine put in temporary punctal plugs and what a difference it makes.  I still use drops in the morning, but only once a day now and my vision has improved.  Best of luck to you,

    PJ

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #5
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    PJ47 said:

    If his eyes are dry enough to affect his vision

    See an Opthamologist.  Mine put in temporary punctal plugs and what a difference it makes.  I still use drops in the morning, but only once a day now and my vision has improved.  Best of luck to you,

    PJ

    Thanks PJ

    We did see an ophthalmologist this past week. For now we have preservative free eye drops, some type of solution to wipe across the eyelashes morning and night, and an ointment at bedtime. Oh, and warm compresses morning and night. Follow up in a month. If no better, then I think she will put in the temporary plugs. Thanks for the feedback!

    Barbara

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #6
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    I had it too...

    Another little gift from 5FU, I think.  Like Corleone, it lasted a few months, and then disappeared...but uncomfortable as hell when it was happening.

    p

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    #7
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    phrannie51 said:

    I had it too...

    Another little gift from 5FU, I think.  Like Corleone, it lasted a few months, and then disappeared...but uncomfortable as hell when it was happening.

    p

    oh stop

    You always blaming 5FU for FU ing you up! bye

    and quit lighting all them fires up there, it causes air pollution Laughing

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