And now the eyes...

ouchpotato
ouchpotato Member Posts: 453
edited 17. Aug 2013, 17:20 in Living with Arthritis archive
Aaarrgghhh....it's not enough that I have to crawl out of bed due to crippling SI joint and hip pain and all the other joints which join in now and again, but now my eyes are driving me crazy too! They itch, and burn, and feel tired ALL the time. They feel dry but at the same time I have water streaming from them. It's been going on for weeks now, but is getting worse and worse and is now almost constant.
Also, one of my toenails fell off the other night. All the nails on one foot are affected, as well as the skin, but this particular nail split from tip to root, and then fell off in 2 pieces. It looks disgusting. I am affected literally from head to foot!
Gut feeling tells me it is all related. I have also, at the same time as the nail and eyes thing, had a flare up of a rash on my face. It happened in exactly the same place about 10 years ago, and I have it again now. On one cheek I have a rash which consists of about 30 spots, all confined to a space about 3 inches in diameter.

I'm such an attractive creature! This arthritis creature really does wreak havoc doesn't it?

Comments

  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 779
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    So sorry to hear that you're really going through it at the moment.

    Just wondered if the rash on your face and the problem with your eyes could be rosacea. I get it from time to time - redness on my cheeks and small, raised spots. It can also affect the eyes. I've had an antibiotic cream from my GP in the past, which has helped.

    Hope things soon improve for you.

    Meg
  • ouchpotato
    ouchpotato Member Posts: 453
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Meg, and thanks

    I don't think it's rosacea...it's not so much redness as a group of spots, almost like acne (which I never had even as a teenager). It's not sore, it's occasionally itchy but it's very unsightly. My eyes are usually worse in the mornings and evenings, maddeningly itchy and hot, and I do have a lot of black 'floaters' in my eyes. I look a real sight when I venture downstairs in the morning...my eyes are red and bloodshot from the itching and I look hungover!
  • DebbieT
    DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Auto immune disorders like RA, PsA & SLE regularly have eye involvement. I'd go & see ure GP & also book for an eye examination.

    I have PsA with severe plaque psoriasis & I get blisters on my eye balls. I feared I had psoriasis in my eyes & went to A & E after suffering for years with painful, dry eyes, They REALLY hurt, It's like having glass in my eyes. They sent me to see the opthamologist (sp?) n I was diagnosed. There's no treatment for my problem but it's nice to know wots going on!! :)

    I also still think you should push for a dermatology referral.

    I hope you get some help rather than just putting up with it!!x
    Healing Hugs
    Debbie.x
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ouch
    Sorry to hear you have so many problems........I have the usual aches pains etc but I also have streaming eyes.....I don't have auto-immune Arthur......I have OA.
    I have been going to the eye specialist at the hospital for about 3 years now and its no different. He just keeps giving me the same nose spray although I say its not doing any good.
    Hope you have more luck than me

    Love
    Hileena
  • Boomer13
    Boomer13 Member Posts: 1,931
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi ouchp;

    I'm sorry you are having these problems :cry: Any chance you can go see a doc, esp about the eye problem? There is an eye issue or two that can be associated with seroneg. autoimmune disease, a doctor should look as you don't need another long-term problem! Especially since it's been going on for a week or more, and now worsening.

    If you can't go, I recommend photographs of your exposed toenail-bed and rashes to show docs when you go in.

    Best wishes,
    xxAnna
  • ouchpotato
    ouchpotato Member Posts: 453
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi all

    Thanks for the replies. I have booked an apt with my GP but the absolute earliest one I could get was 10th September! It's ridiculous, such a long wait to be seen but that's the way it is. Eyes have been ok all day and this evening they're killing me again.

    Can't wait for bed.

    x
  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 483
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi ouch

    Sorry to hear you're having such problems with your eyes, sounds very painful and I hope your gp will have a solution. Ridiculous that you have to wait nigh on a month for your appointment though! x
    Toots x