Cateract op.

[Cosmos22Marigold]

Hi all. Everything went fine on Tuesday for my op except the delay as they were so busy. I should have gone to theatre at 3.45 but got there at 5.55. Last one of thke day but all good. Since then my eyes have been both been sore but can't complain. The surgeon knew my pmr problems and spoke to me about it beforehand. I thought that was good. My biggest problem has been that after being on 9mgs preds for a month I came down to 8mgs on the Wednesday as directed by my rhume. This has made me feel quite poorly. No pains but feel that I have no energy and can't seem to walk properly as balance is bad. Could be my eyes doing that as I have no glasses that I can wear and am using a magnifying glass to do everything. Too early to get new glasses as I have got to have the other eye done. Do you think I should go up on the preds. Really don't want to. No pains in shoulders or hips. Just normal aches and pains for my age.

[SheffieldJane]

You could go up by about 5 mgs, for between a week and 10 days. You won’t become dependent and you can return straight back down. Your system has had a blow, you need gentle recovery.

[Cosmos22Marigold in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Jane. I certainly need something to settle me down but wasn't sure if I had to stay on a higher dose. I'll try it till the 2nd Aug when I have an appt to see the rhume again. More expense but worth it I feel. He has suggested a brain scan but not a word from my Dr again and she had a copy of the letter. I shall get one done for peace of. Mind. Thanks for advice. Didn't sleep a wink last night.

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[Hidden in reply to Cosmos22Marigold]

I've been doing the Dead Slow and Stop method. I decided to go from 7mg after a month, then to 6.5mg. All good except for 7 days then a little pain in right shoulder on movement. Decided to go back to 7mg, which I will now stay on for a month. Then only tapering by 0.5mg monthly. Now I'm thinking of returning to the method of so many days on 7 and so many on 6.5. Hard to know which method works for me. Trial and error I suppose. Glad your eye went well and good luck for your next op.

[Daffodilia]

I got reading glasses from Poundland after cataract op before new proper glasses so you could ditch the magnifying glass - good luck

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

TBH I wouldn’t have reduced the day after procedure…and Rheumy should have told you that, assuming he knew you were having it done.

You could do as SJ suggests, but even back up to 9mg might be enough.

[Cosmos22Marigold]

Thanks all for your replies. Great help. I've just taken an extra 5 mgs to see how I go. Feel awful this morning so hope it kicks in.

[Joanbill13 in reply to Cosmos22Marigold]

I got Poundland glasses too. Really pleased with them

[LWNE in reply to Cosmos22Marigold]

Hello, i had same situation between the 2 ops, made worse by my being so very shortsighted in the eye waiting for 2nd op! I also took one lens out of my glasses. I also tried a pair of clear/light sunglasses and just obscured one side with some dark tape (as suggested by surgeon), and that worked well, though you have to get used to the feel of just seeing with your one good eye! I did find this worked ok for the 8 weeks I had to wait - should have been 6 weeks but covid precautiond slowed things. I used my 'old' eye for reading, or else cheap readers for the good eye, with other patched as before. Hope this helps!

[AyJayBass in reply to LWNE]

That's what I did, take out lens in glasses for the eyes that's been done. Got over the counter reading glasses. Vision is slightly weird with one lens knocked out and I didn't drive for a few days until I got used to it.

[Cosmos22Marigold in reply to LWNE]

I'll try that. Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

i really don't think I would have reduced my pred in the immediate aftermath of surgery - however minor some people might think it is! Did you TELL your rheumy you were about to have cataract surgery?

Your balance is very likely to be "off" because your brain is getting used to two different images - it will improve when the other eye is done too.

[Cosmos22Marigold in reply to PMRpro]

I think I just said that I was having cateract op in that hospital. I really cant remember exact words but he's a good man as far as pmr is concerned so I think he would have told me. Possibly my fault. I'm like that if I am worried.

[Nannie-C]

Your body has has a big stressor and you’ll feel shattered for a few days, I did when I got first done a year ago and second eye in January. I took the lens out of my existing glasses on the side of my operated eye and that helped me. Remember to put your drops in really regularly up pred back to nine and be kind to yourself. Take care

[Cosmos22Marigold]

Phoned the hospital this morning to ask waiting time for 2nd eye and yipeeeeee she has booked me in for 14tb Sept. Over the moon about that so I'll try and sort my glasses out till then. All your comments have been taken on board so lots of things to try. Thanks to everyone. I