recovery is horrible

[Angel5454]

I had my glaucoma surgery on the 20 th September the first week was horrendous and I felt absolutely terrible. Nobody told me I was going to feel like I’d been hit with a truck. First post up last Friday and they had to take a stitch out as the bleb was not draining. I still feel like crap and I’m wondering if I’m going to feel better soon as I want to get on with my life, but I can’t even get through a proper meal and I feel so knackered I’m in bed from 4 in the afternoon. I’m an active healthy person but this surgery has knocked me off my feet. Please anyone tell me I will feel better soon

[Cornwalleyes]

did you have it done under a local or a general anaesthetic?

[Angel5454 in reply to Cornwalleyes]

Yeah and I had a stitch taken out on Friday but I’m beginning to think it’s partly the medication. I’m going to ring the surgeons secretary today to see if they can give me some advise. I’ve been in bed most of the weekend. I don’t have this many problems when I had retina detachment

[Cornwalleyes in reply to Angel5454]

I would call them, it might be the anaesthetic or the medication, rather than the procedure itself.

[Angel5454]

I’m feeling a little bit better but nobody told me I would feel like this. I am going to ring them and ask if it could be the medication. I think it’s worse as I’m usually so busy and I’ve not been able to go to the gym or anything. I find it hard to slow down even when I feel unwell

[Fellowsufferer1]

Hi, I’m sorry you are feeling this bad after your procedure but I hope it was successful. You didn't mention what what the exact surgery but I will guess you had a Traubelectomy. Recovery period for it is at least 6-8 weeks where you really, really have to slow down, especially in the first 2-3 weeks, rest as much as possible, no water in your eye, keep your face/hands sterile as you can, no bending, straining, running, sports and absolutely no gym/sweat. You have to give your delicate wounded eye time to fully recover and heal so try to accept this as if not, it will only get worse, you risk complications and it will prolong your recovery. I know it feels horrible to just stop everything for a while but it will pass and you’ll be able to go back to your life. I’ve also had it, for the first month felt terrible and tired but things improved, especially when you get off meds. Make sure you keep up with your drops regime as prescribed. Best of luck!

[24Arbutus]

I have had three eye surgeries with local anaesthetic since December. Each time it took 3 to 4 weeks to recover and I definitely was advised not to go to the gym or lift anything too heavy. The most recent surgery was 4 weeks ago and I have found recovery particularly slow and frustrating due to needing to sleep all the time. I’ve also put on a few pounds due to inactivity. I feel that I’ve turned a corner this week and my energy is returning though I’m going to build up exercise gradually. My advice to you is be patient because if you overdo it you will delay your recovery. I’m 75 and usually very active walking a lot and going to the gym 4 or 5 times a week. I hope my experience helps. Good luck.

[Lovearoastdinner]

Sorry to hear. I had a Trab op in June under local anaesthetic. My big problem was blurred vision and not being able to do very much. I think your idea of contacting med sec is your best solution. Good luck. Angela

[Wika]

You have to find time to rest. One month minimum. Trabeculectomy, if you had it, is a very serious operation. Eyes are very sensible. Good luck.

[Angel5454 in reply to Wika]

You are right in the week since I’ve had the surgery I was out walking as I’m so used to being out. This weekend was the worse time after having the stitch taken out I just felt terrible. Today my stomach was a bit off but I think I’m turning a corner. I feel a bit better and not so drained. Today I’m just chilling and watching films as it’s pouring down with rain. I hate being inactive but maybe I should just chill while my eye heals. Thankyou for the advise

[haibikeMTN3]

Hi. Not good. I have had surgery in both eyes. I think like a lot of people here the recovery was around 6-8weeks in terms of stitches and overall soreness but in terms of feeling comfortable this can take several months, a year on and I still know I have shunts/implants and I can feel them although they do become more of a background noise rather than a in your face noise. A side affect has been dry eye symptoms so I take drops through the day. It does improve and does get better with time. Goodluck.

[Angel5454 in reply to haibikeMTN3]

Thankyou I am feeling brighter in myself. I just felt so ill and I’m not used to feeling ill like that. I had retinal detachment and cataract surgery in 2012 but I don’t ever remember feeling like I did after this surgery. Maybe it’s because im older and I think as you get older things like illness take a little more time👍👍

[Ironer]

hi there ,

I totally understand I had a trabulectomy on 1st Aug and what a roller coaster . Was told it would be up to 8 weeks but my expectations it has not met Im 70 and like some of you very active still working & walk a lot.

This has completely knocked me down , scary times as this is on my good eye as a precaution and the vision has been horrendous..

I’m 8 wks post op and have to go back into theatre for needling as it’s all to do with how quick your body heals and the scary.

I too have felt so tired & that’s one side effect of predfort I believe as some weeks I’ve been on that every hour.

I have been so good doing all things as I should not bending , no heavy lifting .

You can walk but I have found the motivation hard some days, but try to stay positive as my Consultant in Manchester is wonderful.

Still got a few weeks to go and rainy days like today certainly don’t help.

Hang in there

[Angel5454 in reply to Ironer]

I’m 54 and they told me I was quite young for this procedure and it’s been horrible. They had to releases a stitch on Friday as the bleb wasn’t draining. I’m only just starting to feel better and I’m actually getting through a meal today. I didn’t feel this bad after my retinal detachment surgery and cataract. Nobody told me how ill I would feel after this surgery but I’m hopefully on the better end now.Hears hoping

[Jtansey1 in reply to Angel5454]

I recently just did two back to back 6 weeks apart. Right eye first followed by the left. I’m 36 so even younger than yourself. I think it’s entirely dependent on the person as to how your recovery goes. My first one was quite a hard recovery but I was having complications and a clot on the surgery that had to be removed with eye massage. Then it wasn’t working properly either. My second one has been a breeze to recover from. After one week I was feeling fairly alive and well. The first I was sleeping all day for the first week. I think this was don’t to my body having to recover more and also it was my first time going under general. Just stick with it and you will be ok.

[RobMitchell]

Hi. It tired me out too. I have been lucky with my health and never really taken a day off sick from work but I was off sick for 4 weeks. I felt really tired and it did take the full four weeks to feel anything like. I only began to feel like a return to my normal self when they took the first lot of stitches out after 8-9 weeks.

Good luck. Hopefully you’ll feel better soon.

[Angel5454 in reply to RobMitchell]

Im taking four weeks too. I was surprised at how knackered and sick i felt. I had a stitch taken out on the first post op appointment as the bleb wasnt working so my pressure went right up. The doctor said because of thst problem i was feeling really unwrll. The weekend after they took the stitch out i spent most of the time in bed. It was an awful feeling. Im eating now and feeling better than i was thank gid . I think im on the other side now.

[Crafty-gran]

so sorry to hear you’re having a bad time

Hope you start to feel better soon

Sounds like you’ve had an awful time

Just waiting for cataract and I stent surgery and hoping my recovery is ok

I’m not to sure what to expect

I’m hoping it’s nothing like yours

[Angel5454 in reply to Crafty-gran]

Thankyou im doing alot better now.I felt awful for just over a week but i do think its about accepting how you feel. Im such an active person that when it comes to a point that i feel so horrible that i cant do what i want it really effects me. I think that i did not take the first week easy and i went out with my mum as i didnt want to be in the house. I think you have to go with how you feel and i did that but suffered for it. Ididnt want to give in to it , but i know better now and i will be taking it a bit easy on myself so i can get back to work and the gym when its okag to do so. Please in the first week or so rest up and look after yourself. I know how hard it is to do and i suffered for it. I hope your operation goes well and you have a good recovery.

[LondonStadium]

Hi Sorry to hear you are feeling like this after your surgery , I think it might be a mixture of your meds and the anaesthetic that is making you feel like you are but I would get in touch with the hospital to be on the safe side .

I've had numerous ops over the years but the first one was a trab when I was 36 and I have to admit it was ok and I didn't feel too bad so I would err on the side of caution and contact the hospital or ward where you had the op .

Hope you start to feel a bit better soon .

[Angel5454 in reply to LondonStadium]

Ive been out for a walk today and felt okay. I did still find i was a bit tured when i got home but i think im getting on the right side now. im at the hospital on friday for my next check up so i will see what the consultant says. Thankyou for the reply. This forum is such a help and im glad i found it. We can all help eachother get through operations and appointments.

[LondonStadium]

Good to hear you have been out for a walk plus not long to wait before your check up and you can ask about why you have felt like you have post op .Your welcome I totally understand what you are going through and this forum has been a big help because it's so good to speak to people who have been through what you have .

I had 2 cornea transplants 1 in June and then July both failed but life goes on and we adapt and adjust , anyways I'm sure your eye will heal and you will be back to yourself in no time at all .

[Angel5454 in reply to LondonStadium]

Im sure i will thankyou how are you niw after your failed transplants can they do anything. Its good to chat to people of different ages and different eye conditions. I dont know many people with the same issues so its great to have these forums.😊😊

[LondonStadium]

Hi I'm sure you will it just takes a bit of time but if they need to adjust or çhange anything I.e your drops they will , sometimes one medication works for someone and not others bit they are the experts and will know when you are up for your check up .

I'm back up Moorfields in 6 weeks and the consultant will discuss about another op or not and I will go with what he says , with all the ops I've had I'm so grateful for what they have done , they did say I've got complicated eyes which is a tag I didn't want haha

I was off work for 2 and half months and did get very anxious about even going out but back at work who have been very good considering I only started in Feb but working in a hospital keeps my mind off of my problems .

It is good to chat to people who understand and have different ways to deal with pre and post op meds and feelings .