Monocular Vision

[BeardedCyclops]

Good evening,

I’m Brandon from Devon.

I sustained an injury to my eye in January causing blindness, I’ve had two operations but couldn’t be fixed.

Throughout this ordeal I’ve been struggling with anxiety and depression, as you can imagine.

I got to a stage where I was starting to leave the house and move forward but now I’ve gone backwards. This is likely down to eye pain in the good eye.

I’ve been on a few different antidepressants and propranolol but I’ve not responded well to it, lots of side affects. I’ve now been off the medication for nearly two weeks now.

I’d like to move forward with life but I’m struggling to do that. Soon as I leave the house my heart accelerates and I feel very sick. I’ve been going counselling but I’m also struggling with attending without not freaking out.

I honestly don’t know what to do with myself anymore. It would be good to hear from someone that might had a similar injury and how you might be managing?

Anything relating to anxiety and depression and how you peoooe manage it, I would definitely like to hear your recommendations? How do you handle the nausea feeling?

Thank you for reading,

Brandon.

[Hidden]

I can relate. I struggle with that same exact anxiety. All I can say is what helps me currently- that's telehealth. I wouldn't get help if it didn't exist, so, see if you can do that until you're ready. They'll help you get there. I use Teledoc for telehealth but, I hear good things about all kinds of telehealth services like BetterHealth.

The nausea I understand. I use grounding techniques, and medication. One is used for motion sickness-Meclizine, and the other one is an anti nausea-Zofran.

You'll get better, believe it. You're not alone.

Hugs and thanks for sharing!

[b1b1b1]

You have been through a terrible injury. It is understandable that you are very anxious. I think seeing a psychiatrist (not a counsellor, if possible) to work through your fear would be very helpful. You may also be suffering from PTSD. Also ask the eye doctor what to do about the pain in the good eye and how long it is expected to last and what you can do about it. I would think it would take quite a bit of time to adjust to the loss of vision in one eye and it is early days for you yet.

The very good news is that you are thinking about how to overcome your difficulties and actively working on improving your anxiety and depression,. I think it will improve as you continue to mentally and physically adjust, but it will take some more time. Try to go out a little bit every day, even if it is just literally for five or six steps. Perhaps you can make a game of it and try to take one more step each day, beginning with one step. I wish you the best and I do think you will be OK, but maybe not for a bit more time. Stay in touch with this site. x

[Agora1]

Hi Brandon...I'm so sorry you have gone through a traumatic injury to your eye.

Of course, it is very normal to be struggling with anxiety and depression. There

are world wide vision loss support groups (one in the U.K. that I think would be

most helpful for you. Talk with others going through the same experience. This

is more than just an issue where popping a pill can help. There is need for you to

adjust to the new norm for you and your life. Listening to other's experiences

can help you by learning from their advice. I wish you the best in moving forward.

Take the time you need. We are here for you as well. xx

[BeardedCyclops in reply to Agora1]

Thank you, that’s very touching. I honestly have been trying to find people that I can chat with regarding similar situations.

After the eye injury I was able to connect with a fella who damaged his eye but he managed to have his repaired but despite that, he was able to carry on with life as normal and is doing what he was doing before.

That actually helped me see a future (no puns here). I was feeling very suicidal before meeting this guy.

If my good eye stays good, I will be okay, I just need to pain to go and find a way to manage the anxiety.

[Agora1 in reply to BeardedCyclops]

BeardedCyclops, I'm happy that you were able to connect with someone who went through a similiar experience. My own uncle lost his eye in a job accident when he was 16y.o. I never knew until many years later because nothing stopped him from doing the things he did before. I like your positive attitude which we all need in life. I feel as well that you will be okay. One day at a time. May your pain go away in the other eye. Know that we are here to help you manage your anxiety. Sending positive and caring thoughts your way. xx

[catsrock]

I'm sorry - this sounds really hard. The main thing I keep sharing is how much tapping has helped me. I'll post the link - some of the meditations cost $, but I just do the free ones. It's great because it's always there for you to use, not like you have to wait for an appointment. thetappingsolution.com/

[BeardedCyclops in reply to catsrock]

Thank you. I’ve been trying to tapping therapy but haven’t found that I’ve managed to get it to work for me.

I’ve been trying the acupressure points too and I’m not sure if that actually works. Have you tried this?

[catsrock in reply to BeardedCyclops]

I'm not sure if I've done the acupressure points. Hope tapping works for you soon, sometimes it takes awhile and certain tapping meditations work better for me than others.

[Hidden in reply to BeardedCyclops]

I agree with catsrock here, The Tapping Solution official app is the way to go. Sending healing light your way ✨️

[designguy]

Sorry to read what you are going through, I agree that you may be suffering from some degree of trauma/ptsd. You could probably benefit from working with a trauma therapist, mine used emdr which was very helpful. You might also look for a vision impaired support group for help and advice. Try also to be kind and compassionate with yourself, you have been through a difficult situation and it's only normal to have fear and grief about it, it's a big change and could be very unsettling.

[BeardedCyclops in reply to designguy]

Thank you, I am actually trying to get EMDR therapy. As for talking with a trauma therapist, I didn’t think to look for that kind of therapist but I will do that now.

I’ve been trying to find people that I can chat with regarding visual situations. I’ve not been able to find anyone yet.

I’m waiting for a call from RNIB to arrange a group conversation.

Thank you for your comments. It’s definitely unsettling and hard to live with. I think if I wasn’t suffering the pain in the good eye, I would be moving forward and the anxiety would be at bay.

After both operations, I was actually having quite a good social life, off out doing things then one day the anxiety hits me and it’s crippling.

[designguy in reply to BeardedCyclops]

You're welcome the RNIB sounds like a good place to start, I hope it works out for you. I can understand about the anxiety because of the good eye, it's unsettling which can cultivate anxiety. What helped me with anxiety was learning that the more I struggled with it or fought it the more it persisted and the solution was to surrender to it, know that the anxious thoughts are lies and you don't have to believe them. Learning and practicing simple mindfulness meditation helps to calm yourself down and be able to disengage from your thoughts. You might check out the DARE Anxiety book and youtube videos and the youtube videos of Paige Pradko, both have helped me with my anxiety.

[lostgirl75]

I think you should tell your dr so you can get anxiety medication and until you get your anxiety/panic attack under control ask to see if you can do phone calls or Skype

[BeardedCyclops in reply to lostgirl75]

I appreciate your comment. I was on medication as mentioned above but I’m no longer on any as I was suffering with side affects.