Common Variable Immunodeficiency Support Group

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a group of 20-30 primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) which have a common set of symptoms but with different underlying causes. CVID's underlying causes are different, but the result of these are that the body doesn't produce sufficient antibodies in response to exposure to pathogens.

661 Members
2,972 Posts
0 Online
Allergies & Immunity
/ Common Variable Immunodeficiency Support Group

Restasis?

PrincessButtercup
PrincessButtercup
I've had dry eyes and mouth for many years, and finally asked to be tested for Sjogrens since so many people in our group have it. My eye doctor found that while my tear quality is good, the production is about 1/3 of what would be considered normal. So, even though he feels I don't have Sjogrens, I do have dry eye syndrome (or whatever you call it) and he prescribed Restasis for me.

I have some questions for those of you who use it:

1) There are warnings that it's an immunosuppressant, have any of you noticed more eye infections, shingles outbreaks, or anything like that from using it?

2) Have you noticed any improvement from using the drops?

I guess that's it for now. Thanks for responding :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
i have used them for several yrs havent noticed any more infections but have def had improvement on the dry eyes.
PrincessButtercup
PrincessButtercup
Yay! Good to know, thanks Pam :D
TealOrca
TealOrca
I wonder if Restasis would work for me? I have ocular rosacea (went from my face into the oil glands in my eyes, so they look rather red all the time). I use Refresh lubricant at night and refresh preservative free drops during the day.
PrincessButtercup
PrincessButtercup
My doctor gave me a sample of Systane gel drops that might help you, Teal. I don't know if they get red out, but they have a higher viscosity than normal drops and last longer...the drawback is you can't use it while soft contacts are in your eyes. I've used Refresh before and didn't see much improvement.

I've used Restasis for 2 days now, and so far, so good :)
PrincessButtercup
PrincessButtercup
...ooh...I forgot to mention how expensive it is...If you don't have insurance, 2 weeks supply is over $500. With my insurance, the share of cost cuts down to $39.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Is dry eyes a side effect of CVID? Every time I am exposed to even a slight wind outside, the car AC blows in my face, or a fan blows in my face my eyes tear buckets. The ophthalmologist said I'm not producing any oil in my ducts and prescribed AzaSite eye drops followed by heat compresses. He is thinking he might have to probe my tear ducts.
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • deleted_user

    Allergies

    Posted by: deleted_user
    Last Reply: SunCloudJD
    4
    I went to the doctor a while ago to see about my allergies. He rubbed my arm and stuck things under the skin. Nothing. He poked and prodded, his phlebotomist drew so much blood people thought that we were dating. The tests all came back negative. Then one day I went back and I told him that I had found the cause of my allergy.It turns out, I am allergic to betrayal.
  • deleted_user

    allergies!

    Posted by: deleted_user
    Last Reply: acuriousfish
    4
    This isn't really bipolar related but there is never anyone on the parenting groups, this is the most active group I've been in.My 6yr old son has really bad seasonal allergies and they're in full force right now. He gets a terrible cough; he coughs all day and all night, making it hard for him to sleep, and his nose runs.I've tried every allergy medicine, OTC and RX, and none of them affect his...