Swimming for the shortsighted

[Eve]

A bit random haha but I'm hoping to try and get myself some gentle exercise to help with arthritis/fibromyalgia and can't do a lot of the stuff I used to enjoy, step, dance etc... so figured swimming would be good to help get my energy levels up.

My worry at the moment (apart from emergency calls made to Greenpeace when I appear in a swimming costume!) is being really shortsighted. I obviously can't wear my glasses for swimming. I wore contacts for a long time but haven't been able to wear them the last couple of years as my eyes are very dry and my tears evaporate almost immediately.

I used to wear contacts for swimming before, years ago when I went to the gym a lot, and not sure I like the idea of going in not being able to see without my glasses.

It won't be anything too energetic, not a great swimmer as don't like my face in the water and have a cockeyed kick so swim at an angle on a slow gentle breast stroke but when I used to go I could keep going for a while. Never been able to master front crawl, technique or stamina wise (tried to do it for my Bronze Medallion lifesaving exam on a timed rescue swim and had to be rescued by my own casualty and a lifeguard when I had a bad asthma attack mid rescue!).

Has anyone found a good solution?

[Baldric]

OK, doesn't want to know,

I googled; Perscription Swimming Goggles

gook luck

[sophie_1003]

Don't go to specsavers; they are very expensive! Find out your prescription and get them from here http://goggleyed.co.uk/ I ordered some from there last year and they are fantastic, really quick delivery if I remember correctly too!

[Ann]

I'm like Boxtops - I also keep my glasses on in the water as I don't like putting my face under anyway.

[SMP]

Jenna, I remember you saying how dry your eyes are on my Sjogrens Synrome thread. I don't know if you use artificial tears but if you do i would suggest using them before swimming and after. I found the chlorine irritated my eyes dreadfully even with goggles. I have even used Lacrilube which is quite thick but in the end gave up swimming (never really enjoyd it anyway lol).

[Mosaic]

Sophie, the problem with ordering specs online is that these firms will only deal with simple prescriptions. Once you are over say -10 myopia they don't have any products for you.
I've also got an awful feeling that similar issues will apply to prescription swimming goggles.

[sophie_1003]

Yes; they do have that disadvantage; and they only go (I think) in 0.5 intervals so if your prescription is something .25 or .75 they go for the next one down so e.g. if you were -3.75 they would provide -4.0. However; when I went to Specsavers the cheapest ones they could offer me were around the £30 mark and the ones from that website are £13.47+p&p; a bargain for the occasional swimmer!

[Eve]

Wow, that is a bargain! That's a good idea SMP. How's the hydroxychloroquine going? I'm on it now but understand it can take a little while to make much of a difference.

[SMP]

Jenna, I've just finished week five of the tablets. Did first week one a day now one twice a day. My rheumatologist said probably not notice much improvement for first six weeks. Had no side effects, still find i get sore after walking for too long, but have noticed I am not sore and stiff when I get up in the morning. I do tend to get flare ups of the joint pain so I might just be going through a good patch but we'll see.
Got a consulation to discuss my lip biopsy end of the month so hopefully biopsy will be done in June. Mouth really dry at the moment.

[Eve]

I really hope it works for you SMP. It's so lovely not to have nasty side effects like the problems I had with sulfasalazine that I was on before and great not to have to have 2 weekly blood tests. I've been on it 2 weeks now and, as you say, it can take a while to kick in.