 | Rheumatoid Arthritis 31522 Arthritis / Rheumatology I have been diagnosed with recurrent corneal erosion. My eyes are dry all the time. One eye doctor suggests putting small plugs in the ducts that drain tears from my eyes, which should make the tears stay in my eye longer and make my eyes moister. I use artificial tears all day long and an ointment at night. Will the plugs help prevent further eye damage? Also, I have a dry mouth and wonder if I have Sjögren’s syndrome. If I have it, would the plugs still help? I have been diagnosed with recurrent corneal erosion. My eyes are dry all the time. One eye doctor suggests putting small plugs in the ducts that drain tears from my eyes, which should make the tears stay in my eye longer and make my eyes moister. I use artificial tears all day long and an ointment at night. Will the plugs help prevent further eye damage? Also, I have a dry mouth and wonder if I have Sjögren’s syndrome. If I have it, would the plugs still help? htmASKTHEDOCpunctalplugsdryeye Placing “punctal plugs” has become a common procedure for patients with severe dryness of the eyes. These plugs block your tears from draining. So the tears you make last longer in the eye. Your condition sounds severe enough that this approach seems appropriate to consider. 1451326 InteliHealth 2012-08-10 t Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. 2014-03-10
| | Ask The Expert |  | | | | | | | | | Archive By Date: Arthritis / Rheumatology | Page 1 of 4 | | Answered questions from the past 2 years: | | I recently had a severe reaction to amoxicillin. I had to go to the hospital, where I was given Benadryl and cortisone through an IV. My doctor tells me that I now have "serum sickness." I have joint pain, fatigue and headaches. What exactly is “serum sickness?” | I have osteoarthritis in both knees. My right knee bothers me the most. How do I know when it’s time for a knee replacement? | I have been taking two Advil tablets two or three times per day to ease pain and inflammation in my knees. Could it be harmful to do this for an extended period of time, say a year? | What kinds of tests should lupus patients have done on a regular basis? | What is palindromic rheumatism? Does it progress to rheumatoid arthritis? | My husband is getting severe back spasms in his lower back, possibly as a result of twisting wrong while doing sit-ups. He is getting no relief from ibuprofen. Is there an over-the-counter alternative? | I have some type of cyst just above my heel, pressing on my Achilles’ tendon. It causes no pain now. But could it cause a problem later on? Should I have it removed? | I have been diagnosed with recurrent corneal erosion. My eyes are dry all the time. One eye doctor suggests putting small plugs in the ducts that drain tears from my eyes, which should make the tears stay in my eye longer and make my eyes moister. I use artificial tears all day long and an ointment at night. Will the plugs help prevent further eye damage? Also, I have a dry mouth and wonder if I have Sjögren’s syndrome. If I have it, would the plugs still help? | My 70-year old sister has had dermatomyositis for more than a year. Her muscles, joints, skin and lungs have been affected. She has not responded well to treatment with steroids and antibiotics. Are there any alternatives? I have read somewhere about transfusions of immune globulin. Is this a reputable treatment? | Over the past few months I have noticed that my toes feel "tight," almost "crunched" together. They look fine, but I fear this may be the beginning of hammertoes. Is there anything I can do to prevent this? |
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