Cataract ops,PMR and vertigo

[Pym1]

I haven’t posted for more than a year but on opening the app was delighted and amazed to see PMRPro and Dorset Lady still giving up their time helping us all.

After 4 years I’m alternating between 4.00 and 4.5 every other day. PMR still hanging round but yoga and other exercises to start my day tend to help. I still cycle for an hour or more twice a week and find that helps.

I had cataracts done, two weeks apart, the last one 6 weeks ago. Sight is great but balance and vertigo really quite unpleasant.

I just wondered whether anyone else has experience of this and whether I’m just being impatient (as always!).

Thanks and best wishes all.

Pym

[HeronNS]

Not had your experience, but I've got a little book on treating your own knee, and in it there is discussion of something called proprioception, which basically is the ability to keep your balance. The exercise to help improve this is to stand on one leg for 30 seconds, at first with your eyes open and probably holding onto a doorframe, chair back or table to keep your balance. People can work up to the 30 seconds if it's difficult at first. Eventually one can do this without holding on. The next step is to do it with eyes closed. I'm at the stage where I have to hold on when my eyes are closed, but I'm getting better with letting go and not feeling myself falling.

[Pym1 in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks. I also have had knee problems! Have had great help from a body movement management coach, but will try the single leg ‘blind’ stand, too.

Thanks.

[HeronNS in reply to Pym1]

Oh, in that case, the book is: Treat Your Own Knees by Jim Johnson.

[HeronNS]

P.S. Welcome back!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi ...again.

Probably being impatient - can take2-3 months for everything to settle after surgery.

[Pym1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for your guidance. As always!

[Megams in reply to Pym1]

~Just had one eye done 3 weeks ago & spatial perception + balance all over the place. Told it takes one month for the eye to settle down but interesting to note DL saying it can take 2-3 months.

Having other cataract removed as soon as I able to be accommodated.Came close to tripping today when walking down stairs from library so your question timely + important for those of us post cataract surgery & being extra careful with balance & watching our step..........

Take good care in meantime ~

[Pym1 in reply to Megams]

Interesting. Thanks for the response. I think opticians and surgeons perhaps look at cataracts slightly differently. The surgeon recommended the lenses I should have and certainly made a great job of the operations. He did not warn me of potential balance problems.

I’ve since found info saying some people find two separate ‘single lens’ ops (with different focal lengths) can be difficult to get used to. I’m certainly finding that out now!!

Best wishes with yours and take it easy.

Pym

[herdysheep]

I underestimated the time it takes the brain to deal with the changes in vision. It took me a long time but it did resolve.

[Megams in reply to herdysheep]

~That's precisely what I believe is happening here.A new learning curve + the warning of taking things carefully whilst adjustments brain wise settle into what will become our "new normal".