Week 12 - Eyes, Sinuses Burning, Draining, Stinging

This is about the only real side I'm having at the moment. Had some itching a few weeks ago, but that pretty much has subsided. The one thing I can't shake though is the eye/ear/nose/throat issues.

By the middle of the afternoon, my eyelids are stinging and my eyes water. I look like I'm wasted. By 7 or 8 at night, I have to go to bed cause all I want to do is close my eyes in the dark and let them rest. Sinuses are in constant pain, with discharge, and a severe case of congestion. My nose doesn't run, but I do have to blow my nose hourly to remove the junk.

This does vary in intensity from day to day, but for at least 4 weeks now, I notice *some* degree of it every day. I can;t really correlate it with my shots. It's quite random from day to day.

Anyone else known these kinds of things to be sides of IFN/Riba? If so, which one? Anything you can do about it? I'm wondering if it makes any sense to go to an allergist while I'm on treatment. Best to wait maybe?

Thanks RBW

[paen53]

I had some eye issues similar to yours - and about the same time. Mine turned out to be dry eye syndrome (in spite of all the watering) and an OTC dry eye remedy worked fine to clear it up, then it just went away, like the cycle was broken or something. I couldn't say which tx med caused it...

The other sounds like a sinus infection. You may need some antibiotics to clear that up if it lasts too long.

Hope they both clear up soon!

[blondie717]

I started tx and study with alergies (allergies). study doc said to get generic clariton. I did not. Have you had your study doc or primary car doc look up your nose? my study doc said my nostrills were blue and not red, which would indicate alergies (allergies) (I thought I had the flu)...Did U also have stabbing eye ball pain? I thought that was U that did. Good luck. Looking forward to your good news.

[CoStudy]

I had the same thing. I would take Advil cold & sinus and used nasel spray.

Good luck.

[carol411]

I used benedryl and a neti pot with a mild saline solution.  Somehow the combination helped enough that I could keep my mouth closed while sleeping and that helped stave off too many mouth problems.  And the benedryl helped a lot with itchy eyes.  I bought my husband a neti pot too, as he's had problems with sinus infections for years, and it has made a real difference for him.

Carol

[RobertBeWell]

I have heard the Ribavirin can cause congestion - actually, I think the stat was that about 20% of people had "moderate to severe rhinitis" as a side effect, according to the drug maker.

Thanks for all the tips guys - I'm pretty much doing them already, guess I was hoping for some miracle. I take Zyrtec daily, use prescription nasal spray, Visine. Actually, what helps the most is to just take a dishrag, soak it in hot water, and lay it over my eyes as a compress. Man does that feel good.

I'll have to check into that neti pot. I can't really take Benadryl, as I'm already taking an antihistamine daily (Zyrtec). Mixing them is probably a bit much for the liver.

Oh well, I can't complain. If I'm UND next week, with what few and mild side effects I've had, it'll be worth it. My hemoglobin is pretty much stabilized at 14, and my WBC counts are almost at the low end of the normal range, having bounced back up significantly a few weeks ago on their own.

So there are many things to be thankful for.

[RobertBeWell]

Whoa - checked into this neti pot thing. Quite an unusual little device. Just got done trying it out. I will say my nasal passages feel squeaky clean, hydrated, and my facial pain has subsided. I'm not going to describe what washed out of there. It was absolutely incredible.

I bought a unit made by Waterpik. Comes with these handy little packages of salt, super easy to mix up and use. It was only $15.00 at Walgreens, and came with 60 packages of saline, enough for a month. It's got some other stuff in there too, aloe and some herbs.

Looking forward to seeing how this works out. I'm going to try this every day in the morning. It can't be worse than dumping Zyrtec, Dristan, Veramyst and God knows what else down my schnoz every morning.

[blondie717]

Great Yea to Carol411 w/neti pot!!! it must be better 4 you than the meds..I am also encouraged with your hgb and wbc history...As mine is simular...Now I really ,really look forward to your good news. Cause we are simular???with the blood count stuff. How are your alt and ast's????  Kick

[RobertBeWell]

Everything is still looking good, enzymes have pretty much stabilized at the low end of the normal range. My blood work really hasn't changed since about Week 6 to speak of.

The only number that really matters is a week away though.

I'll have to see how the netipot works out. I'll try it for a week and see what happens. I've only used it once, and it seemed to work well. If it lasts, that will be the real test.

[Kristina538]

Same happened to me - the saline rinse was excellent (and I recommend to anyone with sinus or hayfever issues) - I couldn't have managed tx without it!!

[Susan_1a_CC]

The neti pot is so much better for you than nasal sprays because there's no rebound effect from the neti pot.

[RobertBeWell]

Well, I've been using the neti pot for almost a week now, and I can say that I notice a DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE in my sinus issues. And I haven't used a steroid nasal spray in a week as well. My sinuses run much less, my sneezing has dropped off dramatically, and my eyes are no longer stinging.

The change was gradual, but I think I am a convert. And man, you can't beat that fresh clean feeling this thing gives your sinuses. It's like taking a shower for your nasal passages :-)

If you've never tried these things, and you have sinus issues (on treatment or off) give it a shot. It really helped me.

[carol411]

I'm glad it worked for you, Robert.  With all the tx meds it's nice to find something that works and has no side effects.
Carol

[Susan_1a_CC]

I am so glad that you brought this up and that Carol 411 recommended the neti pot.  Through the day my sinuses are clear and then not repeatedly.  Now, it just may be the dry air - regardless, the neti pot is a big help.  Reminds me of summertime and getting doused while surfing ;).

[murariji]

Jala neti is the best way I've found to keep the sinuses clear, Have used it for nearly 20 years on and off. If Jala neti ever fails, then the last straw is a (new) catheter in the nose, out the mouth!

[GSDgirl]

I have always had sinus issues and they got to be constant and worse on TX and 3 years later they are still awful.  I also have the stinging eyes full of gloop, eyes are red and high as a kite looking.  

Many years ago a doctor told me about boric acid eye wash, very diluted boric acid.  It washes out my eyes and if it happens to be cold it feels so good.  I bought a cheap eyewash to get the eye cup for the wash.  I also use the nettie pot, it tends to gag me.

[RobertBeWell]

"  I also use the nettie pot, it tends to gag me."

Try tilting your head just slightly more forward. I've found that as little as one inch makes the difference between it running through my sinuses, versus going down my throat.

Thanks to all for the recommendations. Sometimes the simplest and cheapest methods are the best. If only this were true in eradicating HCV.

[meakea]

Ah, yes, Robert...brings back some not-so-fond memories of treatment.  Burning eyes, gunky stuff in sinuses...all lovely stuff.  I used OTC Refresh tears and, in fact, had to get the thicker ointment stuff to use overnight when I was sleeping as well as the regular drops during the day (many, many times a day).  I carried saline spray with me to work for my sinuses and regular use of that seemed to help a great deal.  Because I had other allergy type issues from the meds (red puffy eyes, etc) I also used benadryl and/or zyrtec.  I carried an extra purse with me to work each day that had tons of symptom relievers in it...the nasal saline spray, tylenol just in case, eye drops, dry skin lotions, extra make up to try to hide the redness under my eyes, benedryl and zyrtec, extra riba in case I forgot to take it in the morning, etc.  It was a full time job just taking care of the sides while at work.

[paen53]

Lol, thanks for the memories (I think?) No such thing as traveling lightly in those days for me either - the assortment of remedies/extra meds just in case...... My nightstand is looking alot less cluttered these days too!

[GSDgirl]

I have also found that I suffer dearly if I use mascara on my blond eyelashes.  I have about 15 different types and makers, doesn't matter it always feels like it is IN my eyes.

On TX I had styes at least 3 different times, that was something that I never had and haven't since thank goodness

I guess I could put a bowel on the floor and kneel down.  I am not all that short 5"4' and my sinks are just too tall for me to bend over them.  When I get rich (yea right) I am gonna remodel a few rooms and the sinks gotta go.  

Good Luck on the next blood test!
Denise

[Diane12855]

I'm having a different issue. Instead of gunk... I get clear water. No warning... it just starts running. It's kind of embarrassing when it happens when I'm talking to somebody.

I'm on week 34 and this has been going on since the end of the summer. Also drains down my throat and makes me cough my head off. Wonder if that Nettie Pot would help that.

Diane

[RobertBeWell]

Water? Never heard of that one before. Only time I've seen it is if I've spent a long time in the swimming pool, and I bend over, like to tie my shoelaces or something.

I think it wouldn't hurt. This thing is stupendous, seriously.

[GSDgirl]

Even tho I am done treating almost 3 years the eye gloop and also clear water just runs for me too.  

[babs824]

yup, friend said at church "you have a drip on your nose" and asked if i need a tissue! im so used to it i was not even attentive! i now carry tissues everywhere. i dont embarass very easily any more but i guess it was weird.