recent pressure check not good news

[pinks223]

so my specialist is referring me onto a glaucoma expert in high pressures ( surgery on the cards ) I’m literally 40 years old like what is happening to my life my health is going down the toilet. I’m scared of the burden of this surgery I’m a single mum to a 9 year old like right on top of Christmas I could have surgery like what is my life now my dr didn’t tell me my pressures were last time I was him they were 25 and 39 no update today on what my pressure was just in and out not winning the battle like yeah very very shocked at how one minute pressure is stabilising next it’s too high again am I missing something .I’ve been on antibiotics, steroids this past week due to and infection and reaction to the infection I’m on work cover due to bullying and assault in my work place like how much more can I take ? It’s enough I just want to live my life and not have to spend 1000s of dollars on eye surgery it’s just mind blowing what am I going to do?

[Astilbe]

I am so sorry to hear about your situation pinks. I live in the UK so I get all my treatment for glaucoma free. Prescriptions for drugs, medicines are charged for but a lot of people get them free also. I googled what the health system in Australia was like and saw that Medicare doesn't cover optometry. I hope that you have insurance to cover it?

I have had high eye pressures for about 25 years and until recently they were controlled by using different types of eye drops. So this may well be the case for you as well and you won't have to have surgery.

Sending you my very best wishes.

[pinks223 in reply to Astilbe]

hi astilbe

I’m not sure on the Medicare cover thing in Australia I’ve had lazer eye surgery covered but my specialist requested it be bull billed to Medicare . I hope like u say my pressures can be controlled with medication at the moment it seems not to be which sucks I certainly don’t want surgery at all it’s a scary thought someone operating on your eyes very scary . Australia is very behind in its healthcare system very very Behind the government we have is useless at helping those who have health problems and disability’s. I have no health insurance but can probably sign up get eyes fixed and stuff but yeah it sucks but I am getting ahead of myself a lot but very very scared

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hi pinks223 It is a lot to take in for you at the moment. Give yourself. It is important to keep the vision you have now stable, with whatever treatment is advised to you. You mentioned that you have been on antibiotics and steroids for an infection. Sometimes steroids can increase eye pressure but I am not saying this happened in your case.

When you see the glaucoma eye specialist do ask about the various surgeries for glaucoma. If and only if they recommend surgery, ask which procedure it will be. There are now minimal and moderate surgery treatments, as well as laser treatments.

[pinks223 in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK]

hi Helen

It’s a lot for me to process my specialist is rushing appointments then rushing to book in with glaucoma expert in the treatment center giving me no time to process the information or anything it’s literally every 4 weeks and if pressure goes up then it’s every week I have to go I’m consumed by these appointments and have no time to deal with the information or even get the opportunity to ask questions it’s all mad house I’m not told what my eye pressure actually is and I’m actually scared to go to the optometrist and go for a test cause I just don’t think I can take it . I’ve had a lot this year far too much for most people I have depression, anxiety from work place bullying I have my work trying to force an early return to work I have work safe bugging me every few weeks with how I’m going I’m not good I’m not and these issues with my eyes is not helping at all I understand that my drs trying to help but he needs to understand I’m also freaking out . I’ve had lazer apparently it wasn’t successful in lower pressure ( it was lower 4 weeks ago was 25 & ( 36 not that these are good numbers but they were down then. I go bank check up after 2nd round laser pressure up again while I’ve been on steroids and antibiotics it’s like when’s it gonna improve it’s frustrating as I’m doing the drops I’m doing all I can but I just can’t make it go down and I’m sure all the added stuff in my life at the moment isn’t helping. I hope I get the opportunity to ask questions cause right now I’m not and I’m over it .sorry for the big vent whinge but yeah it’s been really really crappy .

[Bellamolly60 in reply to pinks223]

hi there

Sorry to hear what you are going through . Drops can stabilise the pressure I have had pressure problem since

1983 . And it has gone up down then stable for long periods off time . Last year and this I has stents

And this certainly has been beneficial I can hope

That it has been st last resolved

Always ask questions about the pressure regarding

Since I have been a patient from 1978

They never come forward and say I have to prompt

Them good luck

Kind regards

Philip