The season has begun: I heard the plow go by this morning.
But we have our snowblower ready to go.
My eye infection is back, so Jane’s going to have to do the driving…I can’t wear my contacts and my eyes are watering nonstop. I swear I have battled this since we got back from Texas, in September. I am so annoyed. It’s not too bad. But I have had two rounds of antibiotic, and am probably going to try a drugstore remedy like boric acid (the weak eyewash solution, I assure you.) It’s what we used in the 40’s and 50’s, and it kills bacteria by brute force. There are a few things I resort to when all else fails: one of them is this eyewash, and the other is merthiolate for a hangnail. Yep, it’s mercury: but it also is the ONLY thing that will help a hangnail when it’s getting infected. Stops the pain and cures it usually with one application.
So we try an old, old one: I just need to get to the pharmacy to pick up a bottle.
We always used Boracic Acid (another name for Boric Acid) as an eye wash way back in the 40’s and 50’s. It was, IIRC, marketed as an eyewash in a bottle with a dropper and was in every bathroom cabinet.
Woops, wrong about that. Mum used to make it up from the crystals and then you used an eye bath.
I read somewhere that as part of Einsteins’s theory of relativity, it is impossible to prove objectively that snow falls down. In fact, the Earth may be falling up into the snow.
Are there not more modern eyewashes?
Be Well and Drive Safe.
It’s probably viral so antibiotics won’t help. FYI, it could also be shingles.
That can cause blindness!
Very true, Paul. Bad, bad, bad. Opthamologic herpes zoster is a true emergency.
Not totally impossible. I’ll bear that in mind. If it doesn’t respond to the boracic acid I’m headed for a gp instead of an optician.
I’ve always found frequent hand washing with warmer than normal water, and letting it run for several extra seconds on the infected fingertip works. We have “circulation” to carry away excess heat, but the bacteria don’t. Really hard for ’em to develop immunity to simple hot water!
Bacterial = colored exudate / Viral or Allergic = clear exudate.
I’d get some ‘roids if it is clear.
Are you using the same contacts as before or are they fresh lenses? What about the lens case? I’m wondering if maybe there’s some residual infectious agent left over from the previous bout. I’d say if you don’t have the chance to go out to get a new case, then I’d put the lens solution in each cup, close them tightly, and then boil them for about 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, and hopefully, the solution you’re using isn’t going to be the cause. I hated having to switch solutions, because I’d just open an 8 ounce bottle, and have to go buy a different brand or formula, and it isn’t exactly free.
I’m certainly not trying to diagnose your condition, so hopefully, have given you some ideas, though.
Oh, definitely fresh lenses, no lens case.
Bacterial AND viral or allergic. With the weather I haven’t ventured out to the drugstore, but what’s helped it so I can at least see is Simulsan eyedrops, from the med cabinet. Alkaloids. 😉
Don’t worry that I’ll let this go unattended. Either it gets better or it goes to an md, preferably an opthamologist.
For the ears Mom always ‘boiled’ our ears out with Hydrogen Peroxide. The fizzies tickled and the nasties generally didn’t like all that O2.
Much sympathy on the eye troubles. My eyesight makes me prone to eyestrain and other issues. I *think* I may have gotten my diet and computer usage and other things in line to ease that, after a bout of severely tired, dry, bleary eyes a few weeks back forced some time off.
For ears, I use either rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. However, there’s something stubborn with my right ear that is very mild yet irritating. One doc didn’t think anything of it. I’ll likely have to see someone else. But I don’t think it’s critical.
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Our second or third cool spell of the season has started. Temps more seasonal, Should be down in the 40’s the next few nights. I believe my heater’s doing fine, unaffected by the AC problem. We’ll find out for sure tonight, likely. — Hah, not expecting trouble. An extra blanket, two warm cats, tea or coffee as needed, a sweater or jacket or sweatshirt, we’ll be fine. Also, I’ll know with time enough to see to it before we get any real cold later.
…What a ham. For some reason, Smokey wants extra attention *NOW*. So he’s plopped down on my hand and wrist while I’m trying to type. Hahaha, OK, kitty, I get it. 🙂 (Not even vaguely cold yet, he’s just wanting attention.)
When I was talking to a visitor in my backyard, my late and very much lamented dobie would heel very close, push her nose between my hand and my thigh, and get her whole head in there. “You’re not doing anything special with this hand and you’re ignoring me. Scratch arounf my ears!”
…Huh, and then off to something else, kitty business never rests, I guess. Must’ve just wanted a good greeting. Oh, now it’s Goober. Hmm, tag team on the human. Must be wanting supper early. Ah, but a good bout of attention seems to be the thing. LOL.
I got out my mom’s everyday dishes, just the teapot (for company) and teacups and saucers. Had forgotten two teacups were casualties over the years, and the teapot lid. They’re all washed and drying, ready for SFX. (I usually use a mug and saucer. These are everyday china, more formal than a mug. I’d use ’em for everyday, but they have gilt edging, pre-microwave era.) I’ll wash the bowls and dishes too, might as well. May store ’em later.
But — the lack of lid for the teapot has me thinking of getting one. Down, boy. I have a tea kettle. Water goes from there to a plastic pitcher to brew, then into the fridge. My “I want it” is trying to justify having something more formal…but the good china is (supposed to be) packed in the garage. LOL. Silly avarice.
Carolyn — please — you need to go straight to an opthamologist. Do not waste time with boric acid, simulsan, your family practice office, or an optician. Phone Spokane Eye Clinic for an appt — they typically have someone that handles urgent cases like this. You need to be seen no later than tomorrow. The ER probably can’t help you, btw, without calling in an opthamologist, so I wouldn’t waste time or money there.
Opthalmologic steroids may well be indicated but can be very, very risky indeed — and do far more harm than good if the diagnosis is missed. That’s why I NEVER prescribe them — and am very wary of anyone other than an opthamologist doing so.
FYI: this doesn’t sound like opthalmic herpes zoster (shingles). HZ is always unilateral. Diagnostic tip: if the optic nerve is involved (in other words, your eye), you develop a rash/outbreak at the tip of your nose.
OSG, thanks. I’ll look into it. No nose rash. It’s both eyes, and two different docs have prescribed two different antibiotics and two different steroids. The Simulsan has done more to calm it down in one afternoon than these other things have. I’ll see what I can find out if this isn’t miraculously healed or significantly better by morning. I have one other appointment tomorrow, and I’ll see if somebody at the eye clinic can have a look.
I certainly don’t know what is going on — only that it shouldn’t be happening. Glad to hear the Simulsan is helpful, but the persistence and recurrence is certainly worrisome.
Differential diagnosis: Infection? Allergies? Blepharitis? Uveititis? Corneal ulcers? (although your bilateral presentation, rather than unilateral, seems odd as best). Or maybe something systemic that is presenting opthamologically, such as sarcoidosis (rare at your age) or another autoimmune disorder?
Anyway, I’m glad you are escalating this up the food chain.
we’ll see. Given they try to tuck Neomycin, to which I am direly allergic, into eye meds, I’m always a little suspicious when they assure me on a stack of Bibles that there’s no neomycin in the stuff. I had to go to an opthamologist on one occasion to find out that the pharmacist AND the doc were mistaken on that point…fingers crossed it’s something simple.
It’s the antibiotic eye drops drying your eye out, just like they did mine, would be my guess which in turn allows the infection to take off again.
Rue-fennel eye wash, eh? And I’d do the olive oil every day or so until the infection clears up. And if it’s viral, the rue fennel will still help, or you could get some colloidal silver and drop a couple drops in your eyes every 6 or so hours. It’s completely harmless (they still put silver nitrate drops in newborn’s eyes) and is pretty darn good at whacking just about any pathogen.
It took me the better part of 6 months to get rid of mine. I hope you’ll listen to me and save yourself that much suffering. I know how bad it hurts, believe me. And don’t let them tell you that you need ‘tear duct plugs’ to keep your eyes moist enough. The olive oil will solve that problem and should help loads with the infection if you quit using that pharmaceutical ‘solution’ which is most likely the real reason the infection keeps coming back.
Oh and here’s a little quote I find to be oh so true… “The Pharmaceutical industry does NOT create cures—they create customers.”
CJC has the coolest readers EVER!
I have allergies that I’ve obviously inherited from my dad. Something we’re both allergic to provokes what is known in the family as “goo eye” that tends to form “sleep” deposits at the medial canthus. Something else we’re allergic to causes our eyes to water excessively, mine to the point that the skin of my face around the lateral canthus can become chapped from being wet constantly. Neither symptom is painful, just annoying.
FWIW, I agree with Orion Slave Girl. Get thee to an ophthalmologist! I tend to be highly proactive if I suspect something might be amiss with my eyes. I get floaters in my right eye from time to time, and you better believe I have eye exams every six months.
Off-Topic: I’m listening to the audiobook of Foreigner 01 for review, and really enjoying it. The reader, Daniel Thomas May, does a fine job. I’m still in the early portion, where Manadgi is about to meet the first of the “moon-folk.” I find myself wanting to read or reread a couple of early utopian or satiric fantasies from the late 1700’s, English and French, from my old college texts. The opening section reminds me of that era.
Another off topic post: Wanted to share the below with Jane, kind of a belated birthday treat —
http://theowlunderground.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/buds-clydes/
(For all she does, this Bud’s for her — and this one, and this one, and this one. . . — LOL!)
Our daughter’s cat “Halloween” has been staying with us for the last six weeks while daughter has been away for work. Miss ‘Ween has decided that the warmth and darkness on top of the tower computer in the den computer desk is the perfect place to curl up. We had very pleasant weather until this week, but suddenly the overnight lows are in the twenties and our house temperature is averaging between 55-60. She comes out to socialize when food is made available, and snuggles in when spouse and I sit down to watch TV together, but otherwise it’s gotta be in the computer desk which has a narrow door in the back to allow access to computer cables and is just perfect for egress/ ingress.
Snow! So jealous. I haven’t seen significant snow since I was six. At that age, three feet of snow remakes the world.
Of course I do remember that it’s cold, and gets into all your clothes if you play in it too long, and then you’re cold and damp, and presently sick 😛
Hope the eye gets to feeling better soon. I’ve had eye troubles myself. I hate it; not being able to see makes me panicky and very, very cranky.
Not trying to suggest you give up a lens you have been happy with. I had extended wear (week at a time, sleeping and waking) contacts in the 90s, and I loved being able to see first thing in the morning.
But my current doctor won’t prescribe ’em. He says even the most gas-permeable lenses should only be worn for 14 hrs or your cornea starts to not have enough oxygen to keep the cells healthy. And it’s pretty well documented that the extended-wear ones lead to more infections.
Course, sometimes I fall asleep with the lens in anyway (only one since cataract was removed and non-nearsighted bionic lens put in). But usually I try to follow the 14-hour rule.