Episcleritis - What Has Helped

I was about 16 years old the first time I had the misfortune of experiencing episcleritis. Since then I've had it several times a year, for many decades. My eye doctor always recommended the Pred Forte, i.e. Steriod drops, so I used them several times a year, when I would get "red eye." They might have worked a bit at first, but as the years (and decades) went by, they stopped working, did nothing to help, and actually seemed to make my eyes even more inflamed! Stupidly, I kept using them, thinking maybe this time would be different. The pain when I had a flare up was unreal. I had to take a 500mg advil every 6 hours for days, even weeks on end. Until the pain and redness eventually went away on it's own. But my eye doctor--for years-- kept insisting the Steriod drops would work. They didn't. Finally, I found out the one thing that my (now ex-eye doctor) wouldn't prescribe was what I needed: Prednisone pills, which are the only thing I have found to help my episcleritis. If I feel it coming on, I take a 10mg Prednisone oral pill. Usually taking just that small dose for a couple days knocks it out. Really. I hope this helps someone, or at least gives you something to try if you are desperate for relief from the pain like I was. I know there's a stigma attached to steriod pills, but for me they have been an absolute godsend. Good luck to you all, it's no fun having this, it's caused me a lot of pain over the years. One more thing, if you have a bad flare up and have to be around people or go to work, using Naphcon A eye drops will remove the redness for a period of time. You can get them over the counter at any drug store. Best wishes all.

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