newbie & fearful

[Gilly1959]

Hello everyone, Im new here but been reading the posts with interest. I had high eye pressures as was referred to the eye hospital, they told me I had glaucoma and cataracts in both eyes and suggested operation. I was so shocked and terrified of an op on eyes whilst your awake so they said they would do laser surgery.

I have a deep rooted fear of anything to do with eyes, stems from childhood, before school age, had lazy eye, should have been operated on but wasn't and had to be taken away from my Mum and held down whilst they put drops in twice a year for several years.

2.5 years after laser surgery pressures are up again, they had trouble doing laser as my eyes are dark, so was not straight forward and I was the last to leave. Now got to go back tomorrow and Im terrified of what they are going to do, Ive never been offered eye drops which Id prefer, I feel they will now recommend surgery and Im that fearful Im considering going blind instead!

I feel such a coward, Ive had many major operations in my 62 years, but this is for me the worse scenario, I feel sick to my stomach.

Its good to have this place with others that have gone through this, just wish I could be as brave of all of you - anyone got a pair of "big girls knickers" I can borrow?

[callie77]

Hello Gilly1959 and welcome to our group.You have every right to be frightened after all you've been through..I'm also waiting for a op on my eyes and am terrified, because of that they are going to do it under a general.

There are many people on here that give me hope and courage.

Hopefully listening to them will help us get those "big girls knickers" out of the drawer and put them on!

You are not alone in this we are all here for each other.

Take care and let us know how you get on.

[Eyehelp5 in reply to callie77]

I’m also waiting for my first trab surgery date which I’ve been told will be the second week of July - so could equally do with a shot of the big girl knickers!

[Gilly1959 in reply to Eyehelp5]

Thanks Callie, Good to know Im not the only terrified patient, feel such a fool, cant even stand the tests in the hospital which Ive got to go and have done again in a couple of hours.

[callie77 in reply to Gilly1959]

Hi GillyHow did you get on today? Hopefully you remembered your big girls knickers and came through all the tests. I was thinking of you today.

[callie77 in reply to Eyehelp5]

Good luck eyehelp for your forthcoming op.I know the fear you are going through.

We are all on your side and wishing you well as I hope everyone will when it is my turn!

[Toby_from_London]

Hi Gilly1959

You may have read my “Terrified of Surgery” posts but I am now a month post op and so far everything seems to be going well, so just to wish you luck and let you know that you can make it through.

I also had two unsuccessful laser treatments and now have a shunt in my left eye. I was such a bad patient that my surgeon said he would only operate under general anaesthetic, and I was happy to agree!

It’s frightening being told you have glaucoma but you are not alone; everyone on this forum is with you and sending you love.

Take care and good luck for your appointment❤️

[Gilly1959 in reply to Toby_from_London]

Hi Toby,

Glad Im not alone! Whats this shunt feel like, cant imagine having something in your eye like that, isn't it irritating? Do they stitch it in and then have to take stitches out later, as Ive read thats the case?

Thank you for replying to me, Ive never been given much info at all.

Gilly

[Toby_from_London in reply to Gilly1959]

Hi Gilly

You can’t feel the shunt but yes, the stitches will have to come out at some point!

I don’t want to alarm you but after laser treatment my understanding is the microshunt or trab procedures are the most common forms of treatment for glaucoma, as the eye isn’t draining properly, causing the high pressure.

I agree you are not told very much during consultations, and are probably in shock anyway so can’t take everything in. I would suggest doing some research before your appointment so you can ask any questions, and have a better understanding of any medical terminology that may be used.

Good luck and you can do this! I’ll be thinking of you❤️

[Eyedrop]

Hi Gilly, it's awful feeling so anxious about things but you are going to be fine. I am praying right now that you will feel really peaceful. Xxx

[Gilly1959 in reply to Eyedrop]

Eyedrop, bless you & thank you. Xx

[floki7]

You all have every right to be terrified of an eye op, I had a trab last year and i was so scared i was on the verge of walking out of the hospital whilst waiting for the op, which i had done awake, but believe me the thought is far worse than the actual procedure, honestly it will be a breeze, good luck to you all !

[Gilly1959 in reply to floki7]

Thanks Floki - you are really brave, Im hoping they will give me a general. Trouble is, from what Ive heard this is not a cure and can come back again

[Hollyberry3]

Hi Gilly1959. The prospect of eye surgery is always daunting, but in my experience the theatre staff are very kind and understanding. I have had a trabeculectomy to both eyes. You will have a local anaesthetic to the eye having surgery and most probably be offered sedation. Accept it! If it's not offered, ask for it. This will keep you very calm, as if you are in an alcoholic haze! Afterwards, you will get a welcome cup of tea and a biscuit and remain in the recovery room for checks on your pulse and blood pressure. Post surgery you will have frequent appointments and various eyedrops to apply.My first trabeculectomy was done in 2005 and in recent years the bleb has gradually stopped working properly due to a build up of scar tissue. So 11 days ago I underwent tube surgery and am now recovering.

Good luck. It won't be as bad as you think and it will be worth it.

[Anonoms in reply to Hollyberry3]

Sedation has never been offered in our hospital. Just saying in case people think it's automatically offered. There are no refreshments unless you bring them with you. Not even a glass of water. Same scenario for multiple surgeries. Its best to find out what the practice is in your unit.

[Stairs10 in reply to Anonoms]

Same here. I asked for sedation and was very kindly and politely ignored. Haha.

But it was fine in the end.

And forget tea and biscuits .... you're up and out a few minutes after the op. Given meds, next appointment and bye.

It's a surprise initially but is actually fine.

[BetiB]

Hi all,Well I'm 5 weeks post cataracts and shunt surgery in both eyes and 1 week post trab In my left eye.

Honestly Gilly you could be describing me!! When he told me I needed an operation I had a melt down in the clinic and walked out in tears. I was petrified....the poor doctors and nurses could say nothing to calm me down....everything they said just made me worse!

I cried everyday from the clinic to the operation....

But I have to say the anticipation was worse than the actual operation. I had the sedation, it didn't do a lot but it did calm me down to an acceptable level for them to operate !

They couldn't have been nicer to me in there. Everything he picked up something I shouted "what's that ...what you doing?" Honestly I must have been their worst nightmare patient!

I guess what I'm trying to say is...it won't be easy but you will be OK, they will look after you and you will get through it.

Good luck and let us know how you get on x