Tearing eyes post chemo

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SJ11
SJ11 Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After


Hello lovely ladies, I finally joined this discussion board after months of reading your wisdom here (thank you - it was super helpful, especially in the middle of the night when I used to wake up in sweats due to early chemo-induced menopause!!)



Is anyone else experiencing constant eye tearing post chemo? I had Taxotere and I hear it dries the eyes and so the extra tears are because my eyes are over compensating. I tried artificial tears over-the-counter stuff but it's not helping and I am constantly pushing tissue into my eyes to stop the tears - and constantly having to explain to those around me that "no I am NOT crying!" lol... it's beginning to be annoying and hard to see when I type, read, or drive.



Just finished 6 rounds of HARSH chemo 3 weeks ago (woohoo!). Now waiting to start Radiation in a few weeks. Phew, what a journey! I am so tired.

thank you in advance and love to you all!

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  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited October 2013


    I had the eye tearing problem during chemo as well. Constantly dabbing my eyes was a pain! Unfortunately, 2 years after my last chemo my right eye still tears but not nearly as much. I hope your eye faucets will stop!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2013


    Many who have been on Taxotere find that the involuntary tearing (Taxo-tears) stop at about 8 weeks PFC. If that does not happen you may want to have your eyes examined - sometimes they have to put stents in the tear ducts. Also, be sure to use a lubricating eye drop, rather than one that has tetrahydrozoline, or anti-redness ingredients.

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited October 2013


    I had the constant tearing after Taxotere too. The right eye stopped after about 8 weeks, but I had to have a stent put in for the other side. It was not a big deal at all, and it is wonderful to have dry eyes again. Taxotere can damage the tearducts, as the eye surgeon explained to me. He sees it all the time.

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  • auntienance
    auntienance Member Posts: 4,216
    edited October 2013


    It was six months before my taxo tears dried up. But I have allergies which aggravated the condition. They do go away though.

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  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2013


    Took me about 6 weeks to stop tearing up. I also had some eye twitching as well- it subsided as well.

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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited October 2013


    SJ11..First and foremost, congratulations on finishing chemo! I also had a lot of tearing with TC and I thought that all my side effects would be gone 3 weeks PFC, but it took much longer. The other posters here are right, you need to give yourself a little more time. I am 10 weeks PFC. My tearing improved at about 6-8 weeks. My oncologist told me that I should give myself 18 weeks to recover from chemo, just the same amount of time that I was on chemo. She was right, I am feeling better and better every day, but the SE's didn't stop at 3 weeks the way I expected.


    I am doing radiation now and it is definitely easier than chemo. Feel well and take care of yourself!


    Sandra

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  • SJ11
    SJ11 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2013


    So sorry for not replying sooner - I was away from my computer and I couldn't log on from my phone. Thank you so much to all of you who have replied!!! :) YES, Taxo-Tears lol... mean stuff! it's getting better now. I find it is on and off with the tearing

    Thanks again wise women <3

    Sherri

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  • SJ11
    SJ11 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2013


    Thank you dear Sandra! Yes, congrats to us for finishing chemo - oh man, what a tough road!! Taxo-Tear is no fun at all (and the ice bags on the fingers & toes are a welcomed prevention for black nails but I don't miss this stuff!). The yes are getting better, thank you God!

    Starting Rad next week...!

    Well wishes for courage and health to us all!

    Sherri

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