Eyes again!!!

[altywhite]

So...today I saw a neuro ophthalmologist!! And I sort of got some good news! It turns out my MRI scan was normal for someone my age!! I don't have MS (I knew that!!) and the microvascular changes are normal as we age> He was so good, explained everything really well. The one little downside is that the small cataract has grown and something needs to be done, I also have a small one in my left eye now too. He's going to schedule them for around November, after our big holiday. It was a real relief to get that news! My eyesight has deteriorated so much over the last 18 months and it's the not knowing that gets you! I didn't actually realise how worried I was until I blubbed a little when he told me the scan was normal!! Goodnight everyone, hope it's a good weekend. x

[1Purplecrow]

Wonderful news! Cataracts can be treated, !! Good for you.

Happy weekend, Jerri

[Jackoh]

Wonderful news! Have a really good holiday xx

[kezzybabes]

Great new altywhite!! Let us know how you get on with cataract removal- I can see that on the cards in my future!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to kezzybabes]

Hi,

I had my "good" eye (except it wasn't so good!) when I was on about 8mg. Brilliant result.

Surgeon was a bit dubious saying it wasn't really bad enough, but I did nag him saying - as I've only got one eye anyway, widowed so I have to see to drive, am going to NZ in a couple of months and don't appreciate paying all that money and not be able to see it! He gave in! Good job, otherwise I might have had to cry as well!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Good news! Don't you just love that comment - "for your age!"

Enjoy your holiday, and then get the cataracts sorted - you'll notice the difference!

[altywhite in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi DorsetLady, yes....that "for your age" seems to be coming up in conversations a lot more these days!!! Thing is..I don't consider myself old at 65....Admittedly my head thinks I'm about 30 although my body certainly doesn't agree!! Haha..that's the way it is!! I'm just in the process of reducing to 8.5mg and our holiday is about 6 weeks away...but, unlike you, I won't be driving. my friend and are lucky enough to be able to sit in the back and chat and enjoy the views while our menfolk drive!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to altywhite]

However,

I think we all consider ourselves to be in our 20s or 30s - but as you say the body doesn't always agree!

Enjoy your holiday, but don't reduce just before or during - put that on hold until you get back. You may well be okay, but no point in risking it for the sake of a couple of weeks!

Enjoy being chauffeured! I do, when I can!

[altywhite in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes, I thought about the pre holiday reduction. I think if I'm ok on 8.5 I might just stay there until we come home. I'll take extra with me as well, just in case. Thank you.

[bunnymom]

I have my second eye done on Monday for cataracts. Easy to do. Once I get my new glasses in a month I expect to see like a super hero!I am doing anything to improve my quality of life.

[SheffieldJane]

Happy to hear this altywhite I have got an MRI coming up. I hope I'm lucky too. Also got cataracts, which nobody gets excited about except me - too soon to treat apparently. How was the scan experience? I am hoping that I don't shout " I am a celebrity get me out of here" or anything mortifying like that.

[Ankara in reply to SheffieldJane]

I have had 2 MRI just thought about walking on a Northumberland beach and saying to self it will finish

There are strange and weird noises.

I have 2 aneurysm but don't fancy surgery not really up to it anyway

Good luck

[altywhite in reply to Ankara]

Oh dear Ankara, sorry to hear you're still not well. The scan is very noisy but not painful, and it's only for a short time. if you get a definitive diagnosis from it it's worth it. I hope you feel well enough to contemplate surgery soon, if that is what has been advised.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Ankara]

That sounds lovely Ankara. Northumberland is so beautiful. Sorry that you are not well right now!🌺

[altywhite in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi Jane, you sound like you're in a similar position to me! I was dreading the scan because I am a bit claustrophobic...I say a bit because it doesn't really impact on my life but I do get a rising sense of panic if I am in too small a space or there are too many people around me, and I hate lifts!! But I tried my zen mama thing, deep breaths and all that and I was ok. Now bear in mind that I was nurse and have taken many a patient down to scan...that all seemed to go out of my head when it was time for mine! Haha! For some reason i thought they would put me in head first!!!..They don't, of course!! So I lay there, chatting to the radiographer while he was positioning my head in the rest and padding it to make sure i stayed still....then....horror..over came the lid, cover, whatever!! I managed to shut my eyes before it was over my face completely and started my happy thoughts!! The scans are very noisy and clunky, mine lasted about 25 minutes I think...but surprisingly, I was Ok and came out not as traumatised as I'd expected!! Haha! Good luck with yours..remember..happy thoughts and deep breaths xx

[Hidden in reply to altywhite]

That's comforting rr not being head first. I had three MRIs in late 90s all head first with no drug induced haze. I got through ok with eyes shut but ruined camping for me as visualisation I did was tent. Panic in tents now 😨

[altywhite in reply to Hidden]

Oh Noo!! ...hope you didn't love camping before!!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to altywhite]

That really helps, thanks! Something unusual ( not like other people) will freak me out, it always does. I'll do the breathing and the eyes closed and not tensing up, possibly mindfulness and......a small dose of Valium.

[altywhite in reply to SheffieldJane]

Good idea....you can ask for a mild sedative from your GP beforehand if you think you'll need it! Glad it helped..wondered if it was too much information!! I do tend to get carried away sometimes!

[Ronnie101]

Good luck with the cataracts! I too have pred induced cataracts, but apparently not bad enough to operate. What made them agree to do yours?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ronnie101]

They are supposed to put you on the list when it interferes with day to day life - and only YOU know that, it can't be measured...

[altywhite in reply to Ronnie101]

Hi Ronnie, my eyesight has been getting worse over months now and any new specs I get don't seem to last 5 minutes! He said it was up to me when I had them done, as PMRpro said..he said did I think it was affecting me too much. I do wear contact lenses and have just had a much improved prescription on those so he suggested we wait until after my holiday, which is only about 6 weeks away now. I should get the first one done before Christmas.....and then I will only need specs for reading!!