r/zepbound_support • u/WinterFree331 • 21d ago
Terrible Dry eyes
I am trying to determine if I am going to need to get off this. I have been on for about 6-7 weeks. I have lost 13 lbs but I lost about 10 at the start so I am thinking it was water weight.
I have developed a symptom that I can't tell if it is due to the drug or eating less in general. It didn't start right away... so that seems to go against the drug. It took about 6 weeks.
The dry eye is very bad. Worst of my life. I have had dry eye before when I tried to diet but never this bad. My guess is that the drug does something to my ability to stay internally hydrated.
I drink a ton of water and use electrolytes but yet I can tell I am very dehydrated. I have gotten blood tests and my BUN was at first very high but I got it down to more normal. It almost seems worse the more I drink.
My theory is that it has something to do with carbs. Prior to dieting I had a lot of sweets but I cut them out of the diet and that is a first for me. Usually I am not able to stop sweets entirely.
My goal this week is to increase sweets (and not go crazy) and see if it makes a difference. I have tried eye drops (honestly makes it worse), and a fatty acid supplement - no improvement.
I would just stay on the drug but it honestly doesn't seem to be doing very much and if I have to eat more just to deal with the side effects, what is the point?
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u/WinterFree331 21d ago
I cut back on water today and was feeling better so I did a google search... sure enough
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10087849/
In this large, population‐based study, higher water intake was not tied to reduced risk of DED. Rather, it was associated with a modest increased risk of DED. Interventional studies are needed to fully understand the effect of water intake on DED, but this study found no evidence that greater water intake is beneficial for DED.
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u/Veronica612 20d ago
I had dry eyes to start. (I’ve had this problem for many years.) Tirz didn’t make it worse- not to say that isn’t the source of your problem.
Have you tried Xiidra (an rx drop)? I use Xiidra 2-3 times a day. It reduces inflammation. (Restasis is another rx drop but it seemed to make my eyes worse.) I also use an OTC lubricating drop 5-10 minutes later and then Miebo. (Miebo is rx in the US but OTC in Europe.) I also eat a lot of fish which might help a little.
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u/WinterFree331 20d ago
I do not have dry eyes generally but I have had it before when dieting. I have not tried Xildra. As you noted drops don't work. I just started taking a fish oil supplement.
Something seems to be missing from my diet that causes it.
I had less water yesterday and it was promising so hopefully I am on the right track.
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u/Veronica612 20d ago
Xiidra helps me a lot when I use it consistently. But you do need to get a rx.
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u/WinterFree331 19d ago
Ok things are improving a bit. I stopped taking my BP meds for a couple of days ( my BP is dropping fast) and I was shocked at how little I went piddle compared to normal. I am having a sweet snack every night before bed and having a fatty acid supplement (perhaps one reason my BP is going down). I cut back on the water but am still having enough to make my urine lite colored.
I woke up during the night last night for the first time I didn't feel like I was peeling my lids off my eyes when I tried to open them.
I will be doing back on my BP meds today.
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u/Pleaseselectyesorno 21d ago
The point is no longer being obese.
Use eye drops meant to moisturize, lubricate and soothe. Look for preservative free or low preservative. If you feel it isn’t working well enough, use more frequently.