Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: ange63 on August 31, 2022, 07:55:28 AM
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Hi all, need a bit of reassurance please. I'm having a bout of very dry eyes and sinusitis that is really making me feel wobbly and off balance. Feels like I have a virus all the time.... Light headed, whoozy, off balance. Thought might be sort of vertigo but its not in my ears. Not been able to drive or go to work.... Have eye test booked. Worst I've felt with everything thats going on... Anyone else had this at all ? Does it go away? making me so miserable. Thank you.. x
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Have you had a head cold recently? This can cause vertigo for me :o :( which is awful.
What are you taking for the sinusitis which is very very painful - like being hung over for no reason >:(
MayB ring a pharmacist for advice?
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You could have a sinus infection. I had one a few months ago and needed antibiotics.
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Also as oestrogen levels drop off the body may become dry, inside and out: including eyes, deep in the ears, nostrils ........
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Do you take HRT? It's really good for that sort of thing. X
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Do U have two threads about this :-\
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thank you for replies. Sorry late coming back to you. I still have same issue, have tried HRT and not helped with this at all. Indeed HRT may have triggered other problems and exacerbated stomach issues so looking at what to do about that now. I am using eye drops and optician check last week showed still have 20x20 vision and dry eye has improved slightly with use of drops. So perhaps this not all dry eye but may be mix of meno brain fog stuff - but its an awful feeling like travel sickness all the time... so not sure what I can do next..... never ends. thanks
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Wow, your vision is amazing! Sorry, I know you did not post to say that but I just had to tell you. :) I am pleased the dry eyes are improving but the other symptoms are horrible for you.
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thanks Flossie, its daft isn't it, great vision but dry eyes giving me hell......don't think the one is any good without the other! life is odd!!! Will keep you updated ... fingers crossed.
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I remember from when I’ve been doing research in the past, that dry eyes are linked to testosterone deficiency.
Testosterone drops for dry eyes was mentioned as well in a few articles, so perhaps using topical testosterone could help.
Mx
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Hi ange63, so sorry to hear you’ve got these horrible symptoms going on, but if it’s any help I also suffer from the same thing & it’s awful. My eyes are dry but water all the time to compensate for them being so dry, (if that makes sense). The lightheaded, woozy, off balance feeling I feel are my worst symptoms as I am terrified of them, I have a constant travel sick feeling in my head & stomach. My focus is off & when I turn my head I feel it takes my eyes a couple of seconds for my eyes to catch up. I have had time off work because of it & most certainly couldn’t drive. I feel I’m constantly on high alert with anxiety. I’ve had lots of tests done & all been ok, I’ve been told it’s just must be homonal. I can’t take HRT. I’ve been doing relaxation, listening to stories, soft music etc, sometimes it helps, hope you feel better soon x
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Hi ange63, I also had these symptoms a few weeks ago. I think low oestrogen levels caused dry eyes and sinus problems. These symptoms seem to be easing now that I’ve been on HRT for a few weeks. Katherine x
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Hi ange63, so sorry to hear you’ve got these horrible symptoms going on, but if it’s any help I also suffer from the same thing & it’s awful. My eyes are dry but water all the time to compensate for them being so dry, (if that makes sense). The lightheaded, woozy, off balance feeling I feel are my worst symptoms as I am terrified of them, I have a constant travel sick feeling in my head & stomach. My focus is off & when I turn my head I feel it takes my eyes a couple of seconds for my eyes to catch up. I have had time off work because of it & most certainly couldn’t drive. I feel I’m constantly on high alert with anxiety. I’ve had lots of tests done & all been ok, I’ve been told it’s just must be homonal. I can’t take HRT. I’ve been doing relaxation, listening to stories, soft music etc, sometimes it helps, hope you feel better soon x
Hi Poppy, its miserable isn't it. We both are dealing with these dreadful symptoms. I tried 3rd version of HRT recently in hope it might help this and again not good on it - made some things worse and seriously lowered my mood so stopped. Then this weekend had a minor bleed (after 5 years of nothing) so off to fast track gynae clinic and scans. Never ends does it... How are you getting along? are your things working? x
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Hi ange63, I also had these symptoms a few weeks ago. I think low oestrogen levels caused dry eyes and sinus problems. These symptoms seem to be easing now that I’ve been on HRT for a few weeks. Katherine x
Hi Kathereine, I've tried 3 types HRT so far and not helped me in this regard. I am seeing my local GP who specialises in menopause next week - didn't know we had one and have been back and forth for months with various meno issues!!! So hopefully will get some good support and continuity!!!! Hope HRT is working for you (what are you on and have you tried other versions before finding one that works?) x
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I second what Marchlove says about testosterone's relationship to dry eye & have copied in here & edited slightly what I posted on a thread on testosterone last year . . .
I spent some time researching HRT in relation to dry eye syndrome a couple of years ago when my pre-existing dry eye condition worsened after oophorectomy & suspected the consequent reduction in Testosterone was responsible. There is research suggesting that androgen deficiency is implicated in the development of dry eye but seems it's not straightforward & more research is needed. The following article is interesting, though I'm afraid it's rather long. I've scanned it & pulled out some extracts but for balance probably best to read the entire article if you have time & inclination. The bottom line seems to be they think it's an imbalance between the sex hormones that's important in dry eye - a relative deficiency of androgens, as confusingly apparently the high androgen state found in PCOS is also associated with dry eye.
So it's possible that anyone whose HRT regimen doesn't include one of the more androgenic progestogens (such as Norethisterone or Levonorgestrel) might find their dry eye symptoms (dryness in mouth & nose too) improve for adding a little testosterone. Mine did. :)
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cxo.12147
"Androgens impact on the structure and function of the meibomian and lacrimal glands and therefore androgen deficiency is, at least in part, associated with the aetiology of dry eye.
Loss of androgen support to the meibomian and lacrimal glands reduces the volume and/or stability of pre-ocular tears, decreasing the rate of tear turnover, increasing tear osmolarity and prolonging the exposure of the ocular surface to debris and microorganisms
In contrast, oestrogens appear to promote such inflammatory processes in the meibomian gland,14-16 ocular surface epithelia17, 18 and possibly the lacrimal gland;15, 19, 20 however, the role of oestrogen in dry eye is complex and remains unresolved.
The meibomian gland is an androgen target organ and its function is, at least in part, regulated by androgens.57, 60, 62, 68 Low androgenic activity may result in meibomian gland dysfunction, compromised meibomian gland secretions and therefore, evaporative dry eye . . .
Inherently lower levels of circulating androgens in women compared to men and the age-related reduction in gonadal androgen production in both sexes52, 73 may contribute to increased risk of dry eye in these populations.
The presence of oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the meibomian glands of human and various animal species suggests that this tissue is predisposed to the influence of female sex hormones.60, 94, 95 The influence of oestrogen on the meibomian gland appears to antagonise the actions of androgen, with resultant effects on suppression of lipid synthesis and promotion of meibomian gland dysfunction and thus evaporative dry eye.15 The antagonistic effects of oestrogen may help to explain the exacerbation of signs and symptoms of dry eye in post-menopausal women using oestrogen replacement therapy; however, the direct influence of oestrogen and progesterone on the human meibomian gland is yet to be understood . . .
. . . it may be the reduction in androgen action, rather than increased oestrogen action per se, that is responsible for the higher prevalence of dry eye in women. This provides a plausible explanation for the increased frequency of dry eye in post-menopausal women despite the cessation of ovarian oestradiol production.
The lacrimal gland, like the meibomian gland, is a target organ for androgens,104 which have a significant influence on the sex-related structural, functional and pathological characteristics of this tissue.50, 105, 107, 111 A reduction in androgen influence with autoimmune disease such as Sjögren's syndrome, results in inflammatory changes in the lacrimal gland, which leads to aqueous-deficient dry eye.
Dry eye in women has been attributed to their relatively low levels of serum androgen, which has anti-inflammatory effects on the ocular surface.
Current evidence indicates that it may be an imbalance of relative levels of androgens, oestrogens and progesterones in the circulation that triggers (or once triggered, alters the outcome of) inflammatory processes within the ocular structures of the lacrimal functional unit and forms the basis for the pathogenesis of dry eye."
I hope this helps.
Wx
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Thank you Wrensong... that's a lot to take in and not sure conclusions give any clarity. But all information is useful. I assume you are on HRT regime with added testosterone or do you have something topical for the dry eye .. tnx x
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Yes, agreed ange63 - as so often with endocrine articles, it's long & complex & frustratingly it seems more research is needed. I am on HRT yes, currently off testosterone & feel its lack in terms of the dryness. Been on prescription eye drops of one kind or another for around 30 years. Ophthalmologists have stressed the importance of keeping the eyes lubricated to prevent further probs developing & I find the drops do help.
Wx
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hello wrensong,
i've posted here about dry eyes a couple of years ago. Mine came on suddenly while I was in peri-menopause. My eyes were so dry I could feel the air on my eyeballs as I walked around. They were sore and irritated and i only got relief when showering, and when I went to sleep.
I was beside myself with worry, wondering if I would have to quit my job as it hurt to look at a computer for any length of time, let alone 8 hours a day.
I went to an Opthalmologist. She recommended I do warm compresses twice a day to warm up the oil in the meibomian glands. She also said to put in eye drops every hour for the first day, then every 2 hours for the 2nd, etc etc until I find a schedule that makes my eyes comfortable.
After a while, i think 4 to 5 months, the dryness abated.
This happened to me again earlier this year in January. I re-started the program, and again, the dryness abated. It's not completely gone but I am much better. I think the hormones played a role.
I hope you are feeling better.
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Thank you all. My 3rd attempt at HRT didn't work out either so I'm sticking with regime of frequent eye drops throughout day, protecting eyes with sun glasses and a rimmed hat. Will try more frequent warm compresses to see if that helps things. Wishing you all well. x
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Hi sophielee, sorry to know you too have had dry, sore eyes. I've used the warm compresses too - also recommended by Ophthalmology - but found they blurred my vision badly for half an hour or so afterwards, which is a nuisance. Also felt as if they were frying my eyeballs ;D I think the Meibomian glands may be too far gone in my case, but the drops really help & I make sure to apply them frequently throughout the day & in the small hours if I wake & my eyes are very dry.
I'm glad to know regular use of the compresses is effective for you.
I agree that hormones are very likely implicated & research seems to back that up. What it is to be a woman eh? ::) ;D
Hello ange63. Sorry to know you've not had much luck with HRT. It certainly can be hard to get right & doesn't suit everyone.
Sounds as though you're doing all the right things for your eyes & I hope everything goes well for you.
Wx