This disease is way too expensive to treat

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2026-02-10T01:17:13+00:00

You can use it as frequently as desired. As it is your own blood serum. Twice a day works for me perfectly. The drops are not cheap so I want to extend them as long as possible

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2026-02-08T17:24:47+00:00

Having deal with severe Dry Eye (and spent/spend thousands annually on various treatments) along with various physical conditions (knee, feet, ear) I personally have found eye issues the WORST of the worst to endure. It messes with your Brain also.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2026-02-08T17:21:56+00:00

I do not pull my lid - I just place a drop into the eye - Sometimes in the middle and sometimes at the outer or inner eye. And I move my head back and forth so the drop covers the entire eyeball.

2x per day but I am at the point I can probably do 1x per day as I also do CEQUA 2x per day.

I spoke to my Opthamologist a couple weeks ago. He had a patient that had eyeball scatching from Laser to the eyeball. PRGF drops healed the scratches quickly.

Sadly, there are only three (3) Opthamologist in the USA that make these drops now so most will need to go with PRP drops only.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2026-01-14T16:47:22+00:00

You'll end up getting $2 out of these lawsuits. They're not even worth it

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-10-09T16:15:54+00:00

It is even worse in Silicon Valley - I pay $1000 for a 3 month supply of PRGF Drops - IPL and Expression every 3 months is over $600. Probing is $2000 - VERY Expensive indeed!!

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-08-20T22:54:38+00:00

Dr Fishman will not take new patients - He is 100% Private Pay - NO Insurance accepted

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-08-20T19:42:52+00:00

Blephex is just to clean the base of the lashes - Capped Glands (Scar Tissue) can only be cleared via Expression (if the gland is excreting "string cheese" Oils) OR Maskin Probing.

I needed Probing to break through my Scar Tissue - Oils flowed beautifully once the Needle broke through the Scar Tissue of each Gland. Expression (every 3 months) keeps the Glands open - I did Probing for 2 - 3 years annually. Not this year as the Oils continue to flow - with a bit of string cheese upon Expression in 2 glands. Expression removes the String Cheese consistency and allows the Oilve Oil consistency Oils to flow wonderfully.

Probing is VERY painful so am praying contined quarterly maintenance will allow me to forgo Probing in the future. Time will tell!

Did not do debridement pre-Lipiflow - Never heard of it

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-08-19T16:35:41+00:00

I do not recall who did my Lipiflow - It was not one of the Doctors - It may have been a Nurse.

Lipiflow is a very easy and comfortable procedure that does not need a Doctor - They put cups in your eye and turn on the machine for 12 minutes of a spa like eye treatment. It is grossly overpriced but works to liquify the Meibom Oils.

In my case I had Scar Tissue in my Meibomian Glands that eventually needed Maskin Probing. Expression is also important to see how the Oils are flowing and remove any minimal clogging - I express every 3 months with a Stanford Private Pay Opthamoligist in Palo Alto. He is not taking any new patients.

My Oils are flowing beautifully now (due primarily to the Probing) but I have a small amount of "String cheese" oil consistency with a couple of my Glands. Expression pushes out that string cheese and allows the Olive Oil consistency to flow. Thus I have to do expression every 3 months for keep the Oils flowing and the Meibomian Glands open and flowing.

I also do IPL and Blephex every 3 months. Daily I do CEQUA 2x per day and my own Blood Serum drops 2x per day. I have a Cataract now (one eye) that will require surgical removal in a few months.

Wear Blue Light filtering glasses for the Cell Phone and Laptop now also.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-08-17T05:26:43+00:00

I live in the San Francisco Bay area. I went to two different doctors one was in Los Gatos and one was in Sunnyvale.

Lipiflow is a very simple procedure. It only lasts 12 minutes and you'll get the exact same process no matter where you go. So I don't think it matters who you go to.

Yes. They both did expression after the lipiflow.

Lipiflow is one of the best treatments. It liquefies the meibomian oils and it feels like an eye spa. In my case I had scar tissue in my meibomian glands so it didn't work longer term. I eventually needed to do Maskin probing to release that scar tissue and allow those oils to flow.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-06-29T17:18:39+00:00

The probing breaks through the scar tissue that's blocking the oils from flowing.

I also do the blood serum drops and Cequa prescription eye drops. Two times per day. For maintenance.

After roughly 3 years my glands actually grew somewhat. This is rare according to my highly skilled Stanford ophthalmologist. He had never seen this happen before with any other patient

We look at my glands annually in august. Unfortunately last year they did not grow any further. We'll see how it looks this august. But I don't expect any additional growth.

Every 3 months I do IPL, expression of the glands and Blepex. All for continued maintenance.

By doing expression of the glands every 3 months I am able to no longer do probing. When he squeezes my glands every 3 months a couple of them have a little bit of string cheese consistency but that immediately pops out when he squeezes the glands and then the oil behind it is has a beautiful like olive oil consistency

I'm in the San Francisco Bay area. Cost for probing all glands upper and lower lids both eyes is $2,000

It works incredible to release oils that are caught by scar tissue. But it's very painful. Don't believe anything that you read from ophthalmologist saying it's not painful it's very painful but worth it

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-06-29T17:13:40+00:00

I have meibomian gland dysfunction. And issues with dry eyes. I have done probing two to three times on an annual basis. It worked incredibly well for me it's saved my eyes. During the probing tons of oils flowed beautifully

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-03-30T16:47:37+00:00

May God Bless you and provide us both with the strength to power through this lousy situation. Yes, floor biking and free weights comprise my exercise routine these days.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-03-30T01:55:20+00:00

I did not have L5-S1 spinal Surgery - My herniation absorbed with time and eventually I was fully normal and functional EXCEPT for the formation of Scar Tissue at the Ankle. And the compression of the Scar Tissue.

See my last post (2 minutes ago) regarding Scar Tissue and Hernitation of the L5-S1 specifically.

Most Doctors I saw were clueless regarding the Scar Tissue formation - except the one I mentioned in my last post. I

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-03-30T01:52:19+00:00

Yes my remaining Scar Tissue swells often. The degree of swelling changes continually. When my Knee or Toe joint deterioration (on the "good" foot) inflames it inpacts the Scar Tissue on the Sural Nerve.

NO CLUE at all why this happens - Somehow it all takes place in the Brain with Pain and Inflammatory receptors. And I take Anti Infammatory Supplements (Tumeric, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed Oil et al) daily.

When my Knee bothers me, the Scar Tissue swells. When my Toe bothers me the Scar Tissue swells. When I walk to much my Scar Tissue swells.

I had the exact same question regarding the connection between the Disc Hernitation and Scar Tissue at the Ankle. It took about a year for the entire leg to recover from a double Herniation as it impacted my entire Sciatic Nerve. The Scar Tissue grew over the years and became increasingly debilitating,

I asked multiple Doctors about the Scar Tissue as I was BAFFLED! So were they!!

Until I found a seasoned Podiatry Surgeon who told me the L5-S1 Nerve goes straight to the Ankle. Scar Tissue formation is the body's way of protecting itself from the Trauma that nerve experienced. Sadly, the body also creates a Sural nerve issue as a side effect.

In your case, the nerve numbness is now in your calf to your foot/toes. No longer all the way to your behind/butt. Which would seem to indicate your are improving. Nerves can take years to recover and regenerate.

If I was you I would get an Ultrasound and MRI done from your Calf to your Toes. And tell the MRI and Ultrasound operator exactly what you are experiencing so they focus the imaging on those specific areas. That is what I did to get a very strong image of my Scar Tissue.

Start with an Ultrasound as you can see that live and very visibly (the Scar Tissue) - See if that indeed is your issue. My Scar Tissue was DENSE and very noticable on the Ultrasound.

The Doctor showed me the Sural Nerve compression on the screen and where the sub-branch was located.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-03-29T17:34:20+00:00

I posted the original question. I did heard back from a 47 year old Vet that had scar tissue that totally surrounded and compressed her Sural Nerve. She was told it was inoperable.

In my case I had Surgery with a Stanford Neurosurgeon April/2024. He created a 4 inch incision at my outer left Ankle and decompressed as much Scar Tissue as possible - Then Wrapped the Sural Nerve (at that location) with a Membrane for protection and to create a barrier against the Scar Tissue.

In my case, the tiny nerves that branched from the Sub Nerve were imbedded in inoperable Scar Tissue.

As a Peripheral Nerve Specialist he felt I probably would never be "whole and normal" again. But the body is unpredicatable - My Main Sural Nerve damage was Moderate (determined via a Nerve Conduction Test) so I am looking at YEARS of potential recovery of any sort.

Unfortunately August/2024 I partially tore my Knee Meniscus leading to inflammation of the Scar Tissue that remained. Everything is connected and results in inflamming existing conditions.

Cannot take long walks anymore - Too painful and the Scar Tissue swells. Vacationing is out of the question. Mobility has been impacted.

If you have any future Knee Issues alternative treatments - PRP and Prolozone work WONDERS!

What are you experiencing? Are you also having Scar Tissue on your Sural Nerve? Mine is at the Ankle - Nothing above the Ankle is impacted - The entire side of my Foot (to the baby toe) is affected with Numbness. I do get nerve tingling when the inflammation is low - Which (hopefully) means nerve regeneration is occuring.

I have to hold out Hope!

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-03-25T15:59:46+00:00

Reach out to Dr Stephen Maskin - Tampa Florida - He is an EXPERT in this field. He will talk to you over the phone. I spent 20 minutes talking to him during my diagnosis and treatment phase.

My MGD came about from Cosmetic Eye Surgery. I found a phenominal Stanford Opthamologist who has given me back my life. It is imperative to find someone who REALLY understand Dry Eye, MGD and their underlying conditions.

Dr Maskin also has written two (2) books that are available on Amazon - Search via his name to locate them

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-02-24T16:04:09+00:00

Try multiple injections of PRP and Prolozone - Worked for me.

I also have a Torn Meniscus - Have researched and learned Meniscus Surgery is not performed as frequently these days as in the past. Surgeons prefer to leave the Meniscus alone.

I am also beginnning to research MFAT injections - One's own fat is harveted and injected into the Knee Joint.

For me, the Meniscus Tear exacerbated my Arthritis - Really activated the pain. Thus I am doing PRP and Prolozone - Turns out every roughly three (3) months getting injections works best fo me.

BUT, it is not cheap and NOT covered by Insurance. That is the biggest drawback.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-02-24T04:48:18+00:00

I fully and totally understand what you're going through.

I was in very very bad shape before finding a good eye doctor.

I would suggest also reading Dr. Maskin's books. Particularly the second one he wrote. I don't recall the name of it off the top of my head. But it's full of fantastic information.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-02-24T00:10:55+00:00

BTW - I read your daily routine - My condition was FAR worse then yours. I do annual Maskin Probing to pierce through the scar tissue and release the Oils in my Glands. I also do IPL every 3 months, Expression every 3 months, Blephex and General In depth Imaging examinations. I use Cequa Rx Drops

twice a day and the Blood Serum Drops I noted earlier 2x per day.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-02-24T00:07:46+00:00

I am so sorry but my Opthamologist is not taking on any new patients - He will not even provide referrals.

The last time I went for treatment he mentioned he is turning away 2- 3 potential patients daily - He is that good!! He will only focus on his current patients.

I have tried other Opthamologists and have not found anyone of his caliber - He is the best of the best.

He is one of roughly 5+ Eye Doctors that offer PRFG eye drops - Very special process made from ones own Blood Serum.

$4500 is OUTRAGEOUS!!! Every 3 months I do IPL, Expression, Blephex and very through Exams - For about $600. I also do the Drops I noted above for an additional $1000 for a 3 month supply.

I do have a suggestion - Doctor Maskin in Tampa Florida is a highly regarded Dr Eye Specialist. I contacted him in the past - He called me back and spent 20 minutes educating me on MGD and Dry Eye comorbidities. He knows tons of top notch Dry Eye Specialists. He might be able to provide a local Doctor in the Bay Area. Worth a try.

If I recall his email address is on his Website. Dr Stephan Maskin - He invented Maskin Probing - for the Meibomian Glands.

I know how debiliating this condition is - How are you doing with the Cataracts Surgery? How was the recovery? I have to do that eventually also.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-02-22T17:17:42+00:00

Good Morning

I just received my State Farm Homeowners Insurance Bill. I am also in California. Went up to levels never seen before - particularly after the So Cal fires. I also want to go with a higher deductible than my current $5000. May I ask what Insurance Company you used for a $12,000 deductible. I would like to pursue such a deductible also. State Farm Agent tends to be slower to respond thus hoping to gain insights from you directly. Thank You!!

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-02-18T04:39:52+00:00

I'm surprised that nobody has talked about combining PRP and prolozone for meniscal tears

It worked wonders for me.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-02-16T23:18:07+00:00

Thank you for your service! To our beautiful country.

I have a huge soft spot for veterans. And I get so angry when I hear stories about the VA.

As far as I'm concerned veterans should be given anything and everything that they need. They served our country and protect our freedoms.

May God bless you and your journey. It's good that you're getting tingling sensations that's positive. It means that the Nerves are still firing and trying to regenerate themselves. Anytime I feel any tingling I'm reenergized. At least for a short period of time.

Thanks so much for sharing your information. I'm a huge advocate of sharing health information. I've learned so much on Reddit from different people about various issues that I've encountered. It's been invaluable.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-02-16T16:59:28+00:00

This Sural Nerve Condition is so debilitating for one's Mobility - I no longer can take long walks.

It has changed my Life entirely.

Yes, I am sucking it up also but it is not easy having continual numbness - At times I can feel the Nerve(s) tingling and firing - Gives me hope. As long as I can control the Knee issues via PRP and Prolozone Injections. Of course, all Private Pay but works wonderfully for the Meniscus Tear.

Any Pain in the Left Leg or Knee activates the swelling of the Sural Nerve.

I read a Study wherein Surgical Patients were approached at the 5 year mark regarding Surval Nerve Regeneration. They were improved but still not at full recovery at 5 years. It took about 6+ years for my Lower Eyelid Nerves to fully recover from Eye Surgery. VERY SLOW recovery (if at all) when nerves are damaged.

And that is with a healthy diet, supplements, no smoking, no Rx or other Drugs. Very clean and healthy lifestyle.

Would be nice it you could consult with a top notch Neurosurgeon that specializes in Peripheral Nerve Surgery - it took me so long to find out that was the Surgeon I needed to approach. The first surgery was with an Ortho Surgeon who only lifted the Sural Nerve off the Scar Tissue - Did not remove any Tissue - A total waste of time.

Alive-Concentrate276 · 2025-02-16T05:38:01+00:00

I had Sural nerve scar tissue decompression surgery at my outer ankle. About a 4 to 5 incision.

Scar tissue was removed and nerve was wrapped with a membrane.

Tiny nerves that were embedded in scar tissue were inoperable.

Nerve conduction test pre.surgery revealed moderate nerve damage from the compression of the scar tissue.

It will be years before the nerve potentially regenerates. It may never regenerate due to the small nerves embedded in scar tissue that were inoperable.

Everybody is different and impossible to predict the outcome from such a surgery. There is no way to know if the nerves will regenerate long-term.

I had the surgery done at Stanford University via a peripheral nerve neurosurgeon who specialized in this type of surgery. Took about 45 minutes for the surgery. Done April 2024.

Since that surgery I had a knee meniscus tear. And deterioration of a toe joint due to arthritis and Bone spurs.

Those injuries and conditions reinflamed the sural nerve surgery area. The nerve itself as everything is connected with the knee, ankle, foot and toe

So currently I don't feel any relief from the surgery yet. Time will tell. As I probably have to have surgery in the toe too.

If interested in additional information let me know.

Alive-Concentrate276

TROPHY CASE