“Dry Eyes or Drool” Chapter 149

When I started the process of going down the long road of ALS, the biggest issue for me was drooling like a dog. Like most PALS I tried everything, paper towels, gauze, constant suction, Botox and drugs. Nothing seemed to work.

I was taking guaifenesin and that helped reduce my drooling a lot, but dried out my eyes too. I did this for about two years when my ALS team doctor recommended Attraphine drops for under my tongue that focused on my mouth and not dry out my eyes. The drops worked well for the most part.

I was able to move and see fine since being diagnosed. However, this has changed over time and to being able to see is the priority over the drooling. I wear progressive glasses which require you to adjust your head to see. Once you adjust to the glasses you don’t realize you’re moving your head at all. That is until you can’t move your head anymore.

Two months or so ago my vision started to get blurry and I was getting double vision. I finally went to the optometrist to see if my vision changed or it was something else.

Because I am unable to get out of my wheelchair the eye exam has to be done old school. Laura moved me into position as best as possible and I did my best Cyborg impression. I do have to say I have the best optometrist. She is very flexible to my needs.

 I was good, but because I can’t move my head anymore and since I mostly focus on my eye gaze device, I am going back to single vision glasses. However, that's not the only reason I was having problems. It turns out Attraphine can cause double and blurry vision. I stopped taking the meds and the drooling has picked up more so we change the gaze more, but the blurry vision is gone. 

Take a lesson from me the next time you are going to start a new drug, read the fine print.

Love and Blessings

 

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