Unsettling news at the opthamologist
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi everyone.... Anyone who's been reading my posts is aware I had my appointment with my Neuro/optham. today. 1st off, I was immediately informed I should have been sent to Stanford! Oddly enough, NO ONE EVER said ANYTHING about Stanford to me!! (Funny how those Little details get lost in the shuffle!) Anyway, the doc at hand did give me an extensive exam, although nothing like I would have had at Stanford. The bottom line was a few things. #1) I have fairly bad cataracts, only NOT the regular type....mine are at the Back of my retina as opposed to the front of my eye (like NORMAL people!). She said being on prednisone really exacerbates this situation quickly!! She acknowledged that pred. is truly a miracle drug, but comes with a Slew of side effects. #2)I have 20/200 vision in my right eye (the one w/double vision). Said if I were to take a driver's test right now I'd fail miserably😱😖. #3) Since I can't afford surgery right now, which she Strongly suggests, the only thing she can do is have 2 different pairs of glasses made for me which I also Can't afford!!! I'm screwed! She says the glasses will only be a bandaid until I'm able to get surgery (to keep my sight!😢😢
. Wow, this was a FUN appointment. Any input?? Take care everyone....I need you guys to talk to!
0 likes, 12 replies
MhairiP lynda62707
Posted
Hi Lynda - sorry to hear your news. It seems to be one thing after another for you - poor you. I've got nothing constructive or informative to add because I'm new to this PMR malarkey (I think we started at round about the same time, didn't we?). I realise how incredibly fortunate I am as I seem to have settled in well with the pred - no side affects (yet!), no pain, the fatigue has more or less gone, too. I'm one of the lucky ones.
It makes me really appreciate the NHS in the UK (free healthcare) when I read of people who need healthcare but can't afford it. Sorry you are having to go through this, on top of everything else. Could you buy cheaper glasses online? (Here, opticians have to give us our prescriptions, and we can buy specs wherever we choose - online is usually a fraction of the price.)
Keep us posted! x
lynda62707 MhairiP
Posted
Hi and thanks for your very Kind words. I'm kinda needing them right now😢. As far as the glasses go, I was given a prescription for two pair of glasses. They'll cost $200+. They have to ne custom made as my eyes are so different in their vision. And the surgery will cost me 20% of, well of typical surgery costs, ie....thousands of dollars! When you're living on $1300 p/mo and fully supporting a disabled grown daughter, well it gets Tricky sometimes! I KNOW I'm sharing too much information right now, but that's kinda where my heads at....what the hell?? Sorry everyone...pity party time!😭
Elijo lynda62707
Posted
Hi Lynda, Sorry to hear that news.
some of the info may be a little mixed up because a cataract is a hardening of the lens in the front part of the eye, The retina is in back part of eye, so I'm wondering about your description. Yes, pred. can hasten cataracts.
Best wishes, Elinor
EileenH Elijo
Posted
There are 3 different types of cataract. What lynda has is a subcapsular cataract - the sort associated with diabetes and high dose steroids:
https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/cataracts.htm
lynda62707 EileenH
Posted
Hi Eileen, thanks for your clarification on my cataracts. Yes, for sure I was told they were at the back of my retina. She even likened it to looking through a very dirty windshield, which describes my problem perfectly! The thing is, I don't have diabetes ( thank God), and I didn't think my dosage of prednisone was that high (16.5mg). But, maybe I'm wrong. Wouldn't be the 1st time!!😉
EileenH lynda62707
Posted
It can happen with lower doses too, and pretty quickly. It is the luck of the draw! It is just more likely with steroids and diabetes. I assume there does come a point where glasses don't make that much difference. I suppose it all depends on your insurance.
lynda62707 EileenH
Posted
You are right about the glasses. Doc. said that would only be a "bandaid" until I can figure out my finances as far as the surgery. She said she's giving it a year ( with regular checkups) to make sure there's no changes. After that, she STRONGLY recommends I have the surgery. So, for now, I have to figure out how to get some glasses and then figure out how I'm gonna make this all work!! MANY folks have Much greater problems, so I'll be ok...I'm sure. I'm just going through a rough time right now ( along w/pmr, my Crohns is REALLY acting up), so I'm not feeling "tip/top"! But as I always say, this too shall pass!
Elijo EileenH
Posted
nick67069 lynda62707
Posted
Sorry about your trouble. Please check your email messages. I sent you link to online retail shop that makes glasses for very reasonable price and they are quick. You would enter your prescription and address on their web site and usually you would get glasses in week or so.
Michdonn lynda62707
Posted
Some doctors have such marvelous bedside manners don't they. Cheer up Nick has a website with less expensive glasses and with further checking you might less expensive surgery. Think positive and get that smile on. ??
lynda62707 Michdonn
Posted
Hi...I did get the link from nick and will look into it tomorrow. Thanks to you all for kind words and thoughts. And yes, I've got my smile on, well almost!😕.
Michdonn lynda62707
Posted
Good for you Lynda, things can always be worst, look to the bright side and keep moving forward, with that smile. 🙂