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Severe COPD and cataracts.

Burbagegran profile image
74 Replies

Hello Everyone,

I had my eyes tested recently and the optician told me I had cataracts. He said, ‘you do know you can’t have the operation?’ Which I didn’t. From what I can find out it’s because I can’t lie ‘supine’ or flat on my back and also because of the increased possibility of coughing. I can’t have any surgery on my lungs as they’ve degenerated too much, so just another blow. I’m stage 4 COPD and on oxygen 24/7 and been told there’s nothing more they can do for me.

Does anyone here have a more positive experience?

Best wishes to you all.

Joan xx

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Burbagegran
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74 Replies
sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Hello Joan, I’m sorry to hear of your problems and I’m sure there must be a solution. I’m carer for my husband Pete who has COPD, asthma, heart disease and chronic back problems. He’s had both cataracts removed as a private patient because he didn't want to wait. He lay flat, didn’t cough and had an oxygen tent over him so he was fine.

The surgeon was very reassuring and told him to squeeze the nurses hand if he felt like coughing, he didn’t. Pete was also told that, if necessary, he could be slightly propped up as they we’re determined to help all they could.

Private treatment is costly but hopefully the NHS can accommodate you. I’d get a second opinion. Good luck to you and I wish you well.

Carole xx

Izb1 profile image
Izb1 in reply tosassy59

Thats a very positive reply Carole and am sure will help Burbagegran. Hope you are feeling ok x

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply toIzb1

Thank you Irene, l hope Burbagegran gets the help and support she needs.

I’m doing well thank you and hope you are too. Xxx🩷🥰🩷

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply tosassy59

Thanks for taking the time to tell me of your experience, I appreciate it. I have 39 other responses to give to all the replies, so I need to also read them . Joan xx

coughee profile image
coughee

Everyone’s experiences are different and what they can tolerate but: My late Mum had both her cataracts successfully done on the NHS. She had Alpha 1, emphysema, Bronchiectasis, arthritis of the spine, dodgy heart, oxygen 24/7 and the most god awful cough. She had to lay flat and no coughing, she managed 🙂 If the cataracts are “ripe” ask to be referred to the eye clinic and see what they say.

Maybe find out if there is somewhere else you can go and be given that bit extra time you may need?

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply tocoughee

Thanks, it was the optician from Specsavers who told me. i cant get an appointment to speak to my GP, its impossible. That's why I thought I'd ask my friendly advisers! xx

coughee profile image
coughee in reply toBurbagegran

Specsavers can make the referral to the eye clinic for you, might save you a GP visit?

Good luck.

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy

I would certainly ask for a referral to eye clinic. Optician or gp can do this. Let eye clinic make decision as to whether or not they can operate on cataracts. I know of a number of people who have successfully had cataracts operated on with a variety of different additional issues. I wouldn’t simply take the word of an optician who isn’t qualified to do the operation.

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toBevvy

Yes, thanks for the advice. I shall see if one day I can manage to get an appointment to speak to a GP, its impossible at present. Thanks for replying. xx

Jaybird19 profile image
Jaybird19

i cannot ie on my back and i have bronchiectasis and asthma . i cough but dont need oxygen but i think there was a an open bowl with oxygen flowng into it the first time . this was resting on mt chest under muy chin i had both my cataracts done years ago with no problem .head can be raised enough to do the op with different surgeons on each eye . first was brilliant but second was blood stained . neither surgeon was concerned at having to deal with this . dentist does cope too. a towel under the head works there.

do not accept this and let surgeon decide himself

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toJaybird19

Thanks, your reply helps me a lot. xxx

Jaybird19 profile image
Jaybird19 in reply toBurbagegran

good luck .

actually i had to wait almost 6 months between right eye and left eye ecause I broke my leg and couldnt live at home due to too many stairs so had to go into care in local hospital and then couldnt go from that hospital to the other hospital ( cross infection rules apparently) So had to join the bottom of the 3 month waiting list again having waited almost 3 months already .! it was worth every minute of the wait . woke up to purple fields and all odd colours after the first eye and then could choose whether to have a sky with clouds or without because the second eye had yellow haze of the cataract over it and the other was clear . It acted like a yellow filter on a camera . so I went around squinting and only using the one eye, depending on my choice of clouds or not . I do like clouds to look at so that was fun . >

leo60 profile image
leo60

Hello Joan. I had my first one done today! I have severe COPD. As the others have said, get referred, let the surgeon decide, mine was lovely and helpful 😀 Sorry this is so brief, my eye is watering!!

Best of luck, xx

Bingo88 profile image
Bingo88 in reply toleo60

Good morning Leo60. Hope your doing ok and recovery soon from your eye operation. Brian

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply toBingo88

Hi Brian, that's sweet of you, I'm doing fine thank you! It's a good excuse not to do much today😘 Hope you are doing ok? xx

Bingo88 profile image
Bingo88 in reply toleo60

Yes I am OK. Just 1 hospital appointment after the other lately. Shall have a season ticket there soon. Take care. Brian

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply toBingo88

Oh bless you, Brian. I hope things resolve soon, hugs, Laurie xx

Bingo88 profile image
Bingo88 in reply toleo60

Thank you

Izb1 profile image
Izb1 in reply toleo60

Hope you are feeling ok now Leo and the eye has stopped watering x

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply toIzb1

Hello! How kind 😀 Yes, my eye has stopped watering, thank you! Looking forward to being able to see properly and here's to getting the other one done while I am well. This one had to be postponed three times as they wont do it until 6 weeks after antibiotics🤞 xx

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply toleo60

Glad all went well leo and wishing you a good recovery. Xxx👍🥰

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply tosassy59

So kind, thank you😘 and you more so! xx

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toleo60

Thanks so much for bothering to help me with a reply when you are recovering. I appreciate it very much. Joan xxx

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply toBurbagegran

No problem 😊 The difference is incredible and no pain. Go to your doctor and get referred, it really shouldn’t be a problem. Hope it goes well for you xx

tillie profile image
tillie

Hi Joan. I have COPD on oxygen, asthma, arthritis, lupus to start with etc and have had both cataracts carried out with no problems. Sure surgeon is aware of all our issues and everything is done to put us at ease and adjust where necessary. Dear help us all if we had to be as fit as a fiddle first. This should be up to an eye clinic to decide. Please don't be beaten just yet, hear what they have to say. Be thinking about you, wishing you all the best.

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply totillie

Thanks, what a caring person you are. I appreciate your advice very much and the time you've taken. Joan xxx

vk21 profile image
vk21

Hi Joan

I work as an Optometrist and have referred many patients with varying levels of COPD. I would absolutely advise you to ask your Optometrist to refer you. When you speak to the consultant you will find out what they can do to make you comfortable during the surgery and discuss any concerns which can then be addressed. Best of luck x

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply tovk21

Thanks very much vk21. I'm grateful for your reply and advice. Joan xxx

Lilylung profile image
Lilylung

Hello,

Yesterday I had my left eye done , six weeks ago I had my right eye done , the surgeon was amazing also the nursing staff were incredible they are used to people with breathing difficulties they told me and go above and beyond to help you relax,the operation lasts approximately ten minutes,so please get a second opinion. It’s so worth it I can now read! Good luck to you in your quest . Anne xx

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply toLilylung

Hi Anne, I hope you doing ok after yesterday? I had my first one yesterday and was wondering if there was anything you found that I should watch out for please? Thank you, Laurie xx

Lilylung profile image
Lilylung in reply toleo60

Hello Laurie,

My experience was all positive,so I can’t say look out for this and that, I’m very happy.

I hope your recovering well and it’s made a difference for you. Good luck, Anne xx

leo60 profile image
leo60 in reply toLilylung

Morning Anne, it's great to hear everything was all so positive! I am doing fine thanks, can't get over COLOURS!! 😂 It's like the difference between sepia and colour!

Thanks for taking the time to reply , enjoy having two bionic eyes!

Laurie xx

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toLilylung

Dear Anne, Thanks so very much for replying. I'm glad your experience was so positive for you. I shall get the optometrist to organise an appointment with an eye clinic. Joan xxx

PaulineHM profile image
PaulineHM

Hi Joan,

I concur with everyone’s answers here that you should have the opportunity to be assessed by the ophthalmologist who would carry out the cataract surgery.

Given that it is a very simple short surgery which makes an incredible improvement to people’s lives then it should be possible for you to have this surgery.

I have Severe COPD and use oxygen (but not when stationary) when on the move. Spec savers referred me to NewMedica locally and they offered me an NHS appointment very swiftly. They were really caring and it was all done in the blink of an eye- forgive the pun please!

So perhaps ask your optician again for a referral to let the ophthalmic surgeon make the assessment and decision. If the optician refuses then perhaps seek a second option.

Let us know how you get on won’t you.

Go well.

Pauline

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toPaulineHM

Thanks Pauline, you're wonderful for giving me a reply with positive feedback as everyone has so far. I appreciate you all. Joan xxx

gingermusic profile image
gingermusic

Hello Joan, So sorry to hear about your problem and what a stupid optician to have told you that. I am also stage 4 COPD and on oxygen 24/7 I had my first cataract done a couple of months ago and am due the second one at the end of next month. I was allowed a pillow so I was not completely flat which helped and I had it done with the use of just drops in my eye. It was completely painless and only took around 15 minutes to do. If your likely to cough you can just squeeze a nurses hand so they can stop for a minute but I was fine just as I am sure you would be as well. Your may need to go through your GP to be referred for the operation if the optician won't do it but you should be fine. Best wishes Ruth

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply togingermusic

Thanks Ruth, I shall take your advice and seek to get a referral on Monday. I shall let you all know how I get on down the track. Joan xxx

gingermusic profile image
gingermusic in reply toBurbagegran

Well done I shall be thinking of you and wishing you well. Kind regards Ruth

LissacFrance profile image
LissacFrance

Hi, my wife had last year an operation to create a new tear duct. Similar problems re breathing, she has bronchiectasis. So physio 2x per day for 3 days before op and once back in her room after the op, an hour long session of physio. It does help that she goes to same hospital for both lungs and eyes and the doctors have full access to all relevant personal data.

Good luck with the eyes, and the lungs, Chris.

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toLissacFrance

Thanks Chris, for your advice, I appreciate it very much. Joan xxx

Mellywelly profile image
Mellywelly

I am so sorry they've told you there's nothing else they can do. My heart goes out to you. Sometimes I think they are too quick to dismiss these things. There must be something surely. 🤔

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toMellywelly

According to everyone else so far it has been much more positive feedback. His words depressed me so much as so many things healthwise have gone wrong for me. There is nothing more than can do for me as far as the COPD is concerned and my health has been declining over the last year. I can hardly move around and very much more breathless now.

Any way, I shall see what happens from Monday.

Thanks for caring, you are very kind.

Joan xxx

Mellywelly profile image
Mellywelly in reply toBurbagegran

You are very welcome ❤

Izb1 profile image
Izb1

Well Burbagegran I think we are all of the same opinion, dont take the word of your optician and go to the eye clinic. I hope you get this done soon so you can see clearly again. Best wishes x

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toIzb1

Thanks indeed, izb1, i appreciate your advice and reply. Joan xxx

watergazer profile image
watergazer

Hi Burbagegran. Sorry to hear of your situation. You’ve had some really positive advice above. Wishing you well in your journey to get your cataracts done xx

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply towatergazer

Many thanks watergazer, I thank you for your caring and kindness in replying. Joan xxx

Lutontown profile image
Lutontown

I had both my cataracts sorted, one at a time, under general anesthetic as I was worried about coughing whilst the scalpel was near. The doctor assured me everything would be fine. One of the best things I've ever done as although I now need glasses to read, my general sight for say, driving is the best I can remember. At the time when the operations were being done, I was always getting chest infections, so was always coughing. Had to postpone an op. once due having a chest infection. I too tend to fill up with muck if I lay flat, I'm sure not as bad as you sound from your words. I never lay flat if I can avoid it. I sleep in an adjustable bed.

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toLutontown

Hi and thanks Lutontown for your reply. I cannot have general anaestetic as I wouldn't survive now. I don't have a productive cough, I have a strange one that has developed it is random and dry. It just start whenever, but more if I am stresed or move. But as everyone says the eye clinic are the best ones to decide.

Thanks,

Joan xxx

Lutontown profile image
Lutontown in reply toBurbagegran

I notice people are saying that their cataracts would not be done as the were not "ripe" enough. My cataracts were done too late, as I found driving difficult, particularly at night; quite dangerous really, so I avoided driving at night if I could.

Have you been checked for a fungal infection? We had black mould in our bathroom which was removed in Apr 2018, and since then I never get chest infections any more (except for a 10 day stay in hospital with pneumonia and pleurisy). Used to have loads, including a fungal one. (18 bacterial infections in 2017, and similar the years before). Black mould can be anywhere there is damp, so leaks in the kitchen, bathroom or the roof. Worth checking.

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toLutontown

Thanks for your reply, we don't have damp or mould anywhere.

Interesting that your cataracts were done too late. i am sorry.

All the best

Joan

Kate124 profile image
Kate124

I have severe COPD and pulmonary hypertension. I’ve had one cataract done and having the other next week. They did ask if I could lie down flat but they put me slightly in an incline. All fine, no problems.

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toKate124

That's marvellous for you, good luck for the next one. Thanks for your caring reply. Joan xxx

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toKate124

Many thanks, Kate. Not been well enough to ring GP.

Loopylorre profile image
Loopylorre

Hi, I have severe COPD, oxygen whilst exercising, had my cataracts done a couple of years ago now, also was told by nurse at last COPD review there is nothing more they can do for me, no changes to inhalers, found her quite rude to be honest, but when I had mine done they were very understanding of COPD, I didn’t have a problem laying & they were really good & it’s a very quick operation , definitely do as everyone else has suggested, get referred & let the people who will be doing the operation be the ones to decide, good luck & I hope it gets sorted in your favour 🤞🏻😊💐

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toLoopylorre

Thanks, you are very sweet for caring! i'm taking yours and everyone else's advice and getting a referral. Joan xxx

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toLoopylorre

Many thanks for your reply, I appreciate it. Joan x

Karenanne61 profile image
Karenanne61

My brother has severe scoliosis, he has a hunchback and can't lie flat so they propped him in cushions to remove his cateracts! Find a different surgeon!

PaulineHM profile image
PaulineHM in reply toKarenanne61

Excuse me jumping in on this thread. Have you been offered a med called Roflumilast? I asked for it last year - it doesn’t suit everyone, but it has really helped me, especially the wretched cough! Huge improvement through the summer and a better winter too. Last winter was the first one for 19 years that I have need needed additional antibiotics through the winter.

It has to be prescribed by a consultant, then if all well then it can be prescribed by your GP.

Go well.

Pauline

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toKarenanne61

Thanks and shall do! Joan xxx

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toKarenanne61

Thansk so much Karen! Joan x

meicox profile image
meicox

Hi. Had mine done last year. I had the same problems as you in lying flat. The consultant was wonderful and arranged a rehearsal on a couch in a clinic room. Using a couple of pillows with my legs bent up, he arrived at a position comfortable for me and in which he could do the op. All done now and believe me, it's so well worth it.

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply tomeicox

That is fantastic. I shall be getting a referral. Thanks for the reply. Joan xxx

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply tomeicox

Many thanks for your kind response. Joan x

Spicypeach2 profile image
Spicypeach2

Hi, I also have COPD and on oxygen 24/7, I was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. When the biopsy was done my head was elevated so I wouldn’t be flat. I was recently told I had cataracts and the the doctor said they had to be ripe to remove them. I do not understand how they could say there is nothing they can do. Can you get a second opinion?

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toSpicypeach2

Thanks I shall be contacting the GP surgery for a refferral. Joan xxx

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toSpicypeach2

I'm in process of getting a referral. Thanks, Joan x

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

Best wishes. If eye surgeons and dentists can accommodate their patients, it sounds as if you were unlucky in the man you saw. I haven't had my cataracts done yet (not ripe enough) but I recently had a mole on my face removed- slightly propped up!

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toAlberta56

Thanks for your reply, I am going to ask for a referral on Monday from the GP (if I can get through.) Joan xxx

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56 in reply toBurbagegran

Good for you. I'm sure he'll be more helpful. xxx

Burbagegran profile image
Burbagegran in reply toAlberta56

The optician from Specsavers was the one who told me I couldn't be helped. Annoying.

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

Silly personage. I hope he finds out he's wrong before too long. xxx

Germantara profile image
Germantara

I can't believe they can't do anything like that try and get referral

Nor12 profile image
Nor12

Hi Joan, I have stage 4 emphysema and bronchitis, I also have osteoporosis of which I've had seven fractured vertebra and had a vertebraplasty. I too have a curved spine but still only slight, but was so anxious when having my cataract done. I'm sitting writing this with patch on eye as had it done on Monday. I was completely stressed out about laying flat. They let me have a slight pillow and didn't cough once. Couldn't believe it. Obviously I don't know how curved your spine is but I believe there is some surgeon s that use a chair and tilt you back.the only suggestion I can give you is IF you can afford privately they seem to be more accomodating if not ask your doctor if there's any other hospitals or possibly could you speak to a surgeon. I honestly do understand you and hope you get sorted

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