<p>I’ve never had pink eye before and assumed it was just allergies. Then I woke up Friday and looked like I’d been in a fight, so I went to my doctors. You can imagine my disappointment to find out that the cure did not involve an eye patch. No pirating for me this weekend.</p>
<p>She gave me anti-bacterial drops, which I have been using faithfully. No change yesterday, today it’s worse plus there is now a small but painful lump just infront of my ear on the same side as my bad eye. I’m assuming this is a swollen lymph node? </p>
<p>So, a few weeks ago my husband had pink eye and his doctor gave him antibiotic eye ointment. He had an extra tube which we broke open today and have been applying that about an hour after every other drop treatment.</p>
<p>I’ll see my doctor tomorrow but it’s occured to me that perhaps this mixing of eye drugs might be harmful in and off itself. Going by my eye, which is getting more swollen and my new friend lumpy by my ear, things are not getting better.</p>
<p>Any thoughts? Any good pink eye home remedies for the symptoms?</p>
<p>Use a warm compress on the eye, as warm as you can stand. It might help feel better and help healing. Wash your hands every time you come close to your eyes and do not re-use the compress without washing in hot water. Keep your hands away from the eye. If it is only on one side now, go ahead and start using the meds on the other eye, too to head off the contagion to the other eye. Mixing the meds is doubling the anti-biotic since they are the same thing just different delivery systems. I cannot see that it would help but I am not a Dr. But I had 4 kids that would get this often enough the Dr. gave me a standing prescription for the ointment so I could get it started before it took hold so badly.</p>
<p>WASH everything. pillows, towels, kitchen towels. Throw everything in washer with bleach. Then carry around waterless hand sanitizer and use it even if you have not touched your eyes. Take a good glob of it on your hands and rub down your computer key board. Like you said you got it from your husband and it will go round and round untill you break it. bleach rags on everything you touch like door knobs keys etc.
I would wear sunglasses when using antibiotics near the eye.
My DD picked up pink eye every summer soon as she went to camp at a different school. After the third summer I figured it out. Good Luck</p>
<p>It might be viral. In that case is has to work it’s course and no treatment really changes things.</p>
<p>If it is bacterial, and the topical treatments are not working (drops, ointment) you may need oral antibiotics. Call the doctor first thing Monday. I would use one or the other treatment BUT NOT BOTH. If it is getting worse, call the answering service now. This is advice coming from a physician.</p>
<p>I’ve had pink eyes a few times. I use Alcon TobraDex. It usually works within 24 hours. If it’s getting worse, then most likely it’s not the right medication. I know there are a lot of physicians on this board, but I like to call our doctor if I don’t see any improvement after 24 hours.</p>
<p>I am being careful about what I touch, using bleach to clean up what I do touch. We’ve been washing the bedding and my towel. My S and I are leaving for six weeks on Friday. You know, it’s hard to pack and finalize plans what with all the time I’m wasting feeling sorry for myself.</p>
<p>Sounds like you need to get in & be seen by an ophthamologist 1st thing on Monday, to help this all be cleared up before your trip. Bring in the meds & explain what you did with them so the doc can figure out whether that has had any effect on how things are currently.</p>
<p>I ditto the suggestion about warm compresses (I use a soft VIVA paper towel so I can throw it away when done). Keep hands VERY CLEAN & away from your face–especially your eyes.</p>
<p>DD1 had a similar experience with pink eye, no relief with treatment and it turned out to be viral. You really need to be seen by specialist asap. While viral pink does need to run its course, there are some palliative treatments that can make you feel a lot better. Because it was viral, DD was one pretty sick kid when she had it. Take care of yourself and don’t just think of this as a little case of pink eye.</p>
<p>Physician here. I disagree with the NEED for an ophthalmologist if the regular physician seems competent in handling the problem; sometimes even the specialist will need to revise a treatment. You can ask your primary care doctor about a specialist and judge your needs based on their response. They may happily refer you or offer enough added treatment solutions and explanations as the specialist would. This depends on your physician’s experience with the disease- some will have had many cases and discussions with specialists; others will need to defer to an expert. Also- be sure to tell any physician what you have done including unauthorized as well as prescribed treatments- don’t hide those.</p>
<p>what “may” look like symptom wise “pink eye” could be a blocked infected tear duct. I had a misdiagnosed pink eye by regular physician got the usual drops and it did not clear. Went to an eye specialist and found inside the lower lid was a blocked duct, he said probably pollen. It became infected and appeared to be pink eye but it wasn’t. He had to lance it with a needle, and almost 24 hours a day of warm compress/massaging it as well as oral antibiotics and drops. Had to be lanced twice, you can bet after the second attack near my eyeball with a needle I kept the warm compress/massaging all day and night.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much. I went to my doctor first thing this morning and she switched my meds. We agreed that if there was no improvement tomorrow, I would make an appt. to see the opthalmologist on Wed morning. </p>
<p>Perhaps it’s wishful thinking but I do feel a bit better following my afternoon nap (pink eye has made me so tired!) My eye looks the same but perhaps we’ll see improvement in the morning. I still don’t know if it’s viral or bacterial but as long as it gets better, I don’t care. </p>
<p>I’ve never had pink eye and missed the early signs as I just thought my allergies had gone nutty. I’ve learned a lot and while I hope I never get this again, I’ll be a lot better prepared next time. Thank you all again.</p>
<p>And the rest of the story is…it’s viral. I’m staying on the antibiotic eye drops to avoid an infection breaking out.</p>
<p>My eye is so horrible looking and the Opthalmologist said it could look this way for another week. I’m not a vain person but you should see the way people look at me! I don’t blame them, I try to keep my sunglasses on but I really can’t see indoors with them on.</p>
<p>Off to bed early, this is all making me tired.</p>
<p>Oh, Pug, I am so sorry for you. I had some personal experiences with bacterial pink eye, but when my DD had her bout with the viral form it was just horrible - her whole body was tired and she just felt terrible. She had to wear sunglasses for a couple of weeks because she couldn’t tolerate light. Even a year after her experience, the eye doctor could see some evidence of scarring on her eyes. Our D is just fine now, but it was a couple of weeks until she really felt good. I am not trying to be discouraging - really, but don’t be too hard on yourself if you are not peppy! Take care of yourself!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your kind words. I got this from my son and his bout with it was over and done completely within six days. I just kept telling myself, “tomorrow Ill turn the corner” and, of course, no dice.</p>
<p>We are leaving for the summer on Friday morning. I had so much to get done and it’s been like trying to walk through mud to run errands. I officially decided to vastly lower my expectations and sleep more. I think my unwillingness take it easy has prolonged this experience. </p>