Tear duct issues after taxol?

Options
anotherNYCGirl
anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
edited December 2019 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi,

I have been having eye problems the last few months, - eyelid bump, inflammation and very teary eyes. Steroid drops help, but those are a temporary fix and now I was told to have a procedure to open the drainage ducts in my lower lids.

Anyone else having eye problems after taxol? =/


· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Symphony19
    Symphony19 Member Posts: 4
    edited August 2019

    Yes anotherNYCGirl!!

    I was searching months ago when I did Taxol x 12 in the spring for someone else experiencing this SE.

    I tolerated treatment well. My only nemesis was one eye that constantly had large bumps on the top lid due to blocked ducts (a problem I had never had in my 49 years).

    I bought eyelid scrubs, washed my eyelids every day with baby shampoo and scrubbed them constantly. To no avail. I woke up the day before Easter Sunday with multiple clogged ducts that were close to each other and caused my eye to swell shut. Went to ophthalmologist who confirmed all was okay with the eye but for the fluid that was not draining. Gave me some tips, but they did not really help.

    My MO was perplexed. It is not a common side effect apparently. I was thankful to not have any serious side effects. It was just such a nuisance. I wondered if I would have cyst-like bumps on my eyelid that would never go away. Fortunately, about a month after the Taxol ended, I had a smooth eyelid again. I went at it daily with a dollop of alcohol on a Q-tip (for the drying effect of the alcohol). Between that and constant warm compresses and lid massage, things got back to normal.

    I am sorry you are dealing with this. Good luck!



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited August 2019

    Hi Symph!

    I am glad that your eye issues cleared up!

    I had to use eye drops twice while on chemo, but that was quite a while ago. All was fine until last January when a bump appeared and eyes tearing. I, too, was advised to use warm compresses, lid massage and use steroid drops, and also start taking fish oil pills. The bump gradually disappeared, and my eyes are fine while using the drops, but they cant be used long term. Eye dr said that I have 'punctal stenonsis' (or something like that) and the only solution is to have the drainage ducts opened in some type of procedure. ugh

    I am debating getting a second opinion before seeing the eye surgeon that my eye dr referred me to.

    I hope you continue to do well!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Symphony19
    Symphony19 Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2019

    Hang in there NYCGirl!

    My doc had referred me to an ocular plastic surgeon. I am holding on to the referral just in case!

    I’m sure once your ducts are opened /drained, you will be great

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited September 2019

    Thank you, Symph!

    (I hope that you never need to use the referral for the ocular surgeon! )

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pawsome
    Pawsome Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2019

    It's been over 1 year after my last Taxol treatment and my eye tears constantly. Every 30 seconds. Opthomologist only suggests eye drops which do not help at all. Putting eye plugs in are only temporary and only work if your tear ducts are clogged which mine are not. PLEASE does anyone have an answer for this terribly debillating after effect? My nose also runs probably because of the tearing eye.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited December 2019

    Pawsome,

    I had the tear drains opened by an eye surgeon. It took seconds, didnt hurt, and made a huge difference. I had drops to use after, that i weaned off of for the 3 weeks after. I continue to use warm compress daily (once or twice a day) and also wash my eyelids with Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo.

    I go back to the eye surgeon on Monday for a recheck, and if need be, I wont hesitate to have him repeat the procedure.

    I hope you find a good ocular surgeon to help you, too!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2019

    I had taxotere for 6 infusions. I did go see my optometrist for teary eyes. She gave me several sample drops and said we might have to look at the duct drainage, but the problem resolved once I finished the taxotere.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories