dry eyes during herceptin

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fightinhrd123
fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Anyone else?  I have contacts lenses, and by the afternoon they are so dry and blurry that i have to keep putting eye drops in to see.  I know its dryness because as soon as i put the drops in there fine, but its annoying, especially when driving!!

I think I may have to get glasses.  I'm thinking it must be the herceptin??

Laura

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  • REKoz
    REKoz Member Posts: 590
    edited April 2009

    Hi Laura-

    I'm still on chemo so it may contribute to this eye thing I am experiencing as well. I have not worn my contacts since beginning treatment. I can't imagine being comfortable 5 minutes with this eye dryness issue. I would have ripped my eyeballs with contacts in and all the rubbing I do! Just know I'm doing wonders for "that delicate undereye area!"

    As a matter of fact, I'm dried up EVERYWHERE! How can one have such a dry nose but yet it drips like crazy? Yeah, my body is doing all sorts of new things!

    Good luck to you.

    Ellen

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  • LittleFlower
    LittleFlower Member Posts: 405
    edited April 2009

    i remember that i couldn't wear my contacts at all during treatment.  Just glasses for the whole time.........maybe we're not alone.  Glasses would probably be more comfortable.

    LittleFlower

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  • robyn33
    robyn33 Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2009

    Hi all,

    Yes, I had problems with dry eyes--I ended up going to the eye Dr. because my vision was extremely blurry.  She said that the corneas were very dry.  She wrote a prescription for Restasis, but I am able to avoid having to take that since I began taking about 2400 mg. of Omega 3 Fish oil daily.  I did some research and discovered that many docs who do lasik surgery require their patients to begin taking Omega 3s about 6 weeks before surgery to counteract the dryness their patients will encounter after the surgery.  The Omega 3 supplement has worked wonders for me.  If you try it, be sure to get a kind that is of higher quality and has higher amounts of DHA and EPAs (read on the label), since these are the things that really are helping you....  Good luck!

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  • REKoz
    REKoz Member Posts: 590
    edited April 2009

    Thanks Robyn- I am def. going to get that. Do you mind if I ask what brand you use? I am getting so mixed up with the vitamin/mineral merry go round!

    By the way, I lived in Burnville in the late 80's-early 90's.The Minnesota Twins World Champion days! Smile To this day I swear living there was the happiest time of my life. Older now so the cold would do me in. But I hold MN and the people there so dear in my heart!

    xoEllen

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  • fightinhrd123
    fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
    edited April 2009

    Ohh I am going to try that too, thanks!!!

    Laura

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  • robyn33
    robyn33 Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2009

    Nice to hear from a former Minnesotan!  :-) 

    I take Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3.  Supposedly they are "burp free" and  contain 1000 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA for a total 1400 mg/day of Omega-3 Fatty Acids.  I believe that you can order them online--I got this tip from my father-in-law who lives in Texas where the stuff is manufactured and sold more widely.  Their website is www.coopercomplete.com, or you can call 1-888-393-2221. 

    It only took a few days to a week for me to see significant improvement.  I never did have to fill that Restasis prescription (to the tune of $180/month)!!!! 

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  • fightinhrd123
    fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
    edited April 2009

    I just did some more research online and it says a common reason for this is menopause.  Makes sense since i'm 39 and havent had my period in almost a year!

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  • robyn33
    robyn33 Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2009
    Yup.  That's true.  Dry everywhere else, too, I'm afraid.  I think the Omega has help with these issues a little bit, also.Laughing
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  • fightinhrd123
    fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
    edited April 2009

    OH i think i got the wrong stuff!!  Mine is just fish oil.   Does it have to be omega fish oil?  I just took two of them :)

    Laura

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  • robyn33
    robyn33 Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2009

    Look on the back of the label for the EPA and DHA levels.  These are the things that are "helpful."  The higher these levels are (combined) the better for you the supplement is.  My tabs are a combined 1400 mg DHA/EPA.  I take at least two of these tabs per day.

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