Geesh, I finally go into remisission from this dreaded beast of a disease and then I go to the eye doc cause I had been having trouble.....guess what, I got the lucky gene once again. At age 49, I have cataracs...(sp) something new to research that is for sure!.
The gel in my eye is also not adhering to whatever it is supposed to adhere to ...whatever, I forget what he said, after the word cataracs my mind went blank, regardless, my retina is pulling away from the gel or something like that.HE said it was due to pred and genetics...probably the pred injections from years ago when the pain of RA was intolerable.
SO as I have learned here and in my own quest with RA, I will seek another opinion, ASAP. and see what is going on with my eyes.
I need a few prayers and of course your support, experience, insight, experience,sympathy, words of encouragement..... anything basically. I am a bit distaruaght right now and my daughter took me in to the opthamologist cause I needed soemone to drive me home, and she is very, VERY upset about this...so much so that when we went to the grocery afterward, she nearly passed out.....then said ( after I got her something to eat and drink and sat her down near the checkout with my sunglasses on cause I could barely see and very light sensitive)......She said, when are you going to be well??????? I told her, I wanna know the same thing. :(I nearly broke down and cried right there in Meijer. She did start crying........I AM SO SICK OF THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( WHINING >>>>WHY ME?????)THIS IS NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!I am Supposed to be in a loving relationship and anticipating my daughters' college next year and the dream coming true of being a grandparent....I am 49 years old I feel so very ripped off on life!
Jode
Jode, this is terrible news. I believe Linda or LindyK had the same thing happen. I just turned 49 too and I feel so cheated by life. I can help feeling that way especially when other people seem to be rubbing it in my face that "hey, we are just getting a little older."
They have no clue how devasting this illness is. I have glaucoma and Sjogren's and hope I don't develop cataracts which I know my grandparent's did have. And, I've been on prednisone for over 6 years plus all the steroids they gave me over the years for asthma. So, it could easily be news I could get myself.
I know you are hurting and afraid and I don't much about what happens next. Unfortunately, you're already on this journey. We can only pray for the best and that they can do something to stop this or correct it. I know a lot of people have cataract surgery. Hopefully, that will be one of your alternatives.
I understand about your daughter's reaction. This is hard on our kids. My son has asked me in the past, and not too nicely the same question, "When are you going to get well? Why can't the doctors fix you?" I just had to explain about the tests and the nature of the disease and let him deal with it.
It is very hard of our kids. For one thing, they aren't quite grown yet and not ready to emotionally or otherwise step in and help support us. Mostly, they are scared because they see someone they love in trouble and they don't have a clue what to do about it. So, give her something very specific that she can do for you even if you have to make something up.
Sit down with her and tell her that it is question and answer time. If she wants, say, "Come with me to my appointments." Or, look up info on the Internet, here's some good sites.
Understanding helps eliminate fears. It brings it down to being more controllable. It doesn't change reality, but it changes our ability to deal with it.
I am very sorry to hear your news and hope you get some better news from another doctor.
Jode,So sorry you are having to deal with this. Sure we're getting older but some of this stuff seems way too soon.
I know there are treatments for cataracts though so be sure to call the ophthalmologist again and tell him/her that you don't remember what was said after 'cataracts' and need to be told again.
Your daughter obviously cares so you have an ally. It's tough to watch her deal with YOUR stuff instead of her own stuff. But she will get through it.
Regards.
I'm sorry you had to hear that diagnosis, but it's at least not the worst one you can get. The surgery for a cataract is easy, recovery too. You can't pick up things on the floor for a while and a few other things, but no big deal. I don't remember any pain and the inplant they put in is better than the original. I'm having my second one done soon and I can't wait! I had the lasar thing they often do several years on the old inplant and it helped clear up my lens nicely. No pain, no recovery involved - very easy.
Don't despair over the cataracts and comfort your daughter too. Lots of older people have cataract surgery, even if they don't have RA. It comes with old age too.
Thank you all so much, I appreciate your support and kind words. I would not have changed a thing about the pred, I needed it at the time so there are no regrets and my RD made me full aware that the pred could do damage. I told him I would worry about it when the time comes...well folks.....the time is here!
I balled my eyes out to my sister and bro-in-law and she knows of an excellant opthamologist that has an expertise with cataracts and the like so I will call Monday for an appt. My vision is worth any cost it may be. She will go with me and we will take care of this ASAP. SHe said whatever it takes we will do it and I agree.
My maternal grandmother had cataracts and went blind before she died and we are not gonna to allow that in me, I have too much I want to do, too much I want to see. No stone will be unturned, I will not rest till I find the right DR. and a solution.
It is an awful thing to endure and I fear for my daughter who has been an absolute mess through all this. I know there is surgery and I am willing to do whatever it takes, it is just, this is not supposed to happen to ME! Not to me!!!!!!!!!!!!! But it has, regretfully, so we get a second opinion and go from there.
I will call my PCP first thing Monday morning and let him know what is going on and then tell him who we decided to see, get his ok on it and then go from there. In the mean time..... lol I have laundry to do and a life to live. :)
Again, thank you all so much, this has been yet another devestating punch in my life........
Jode
I really hope you get some peace of mind soon. I know this is upsetting for you. It is wonderful that you have such a caring family. I dont think you will have to worry about emotional or spiritual support.
I pray that you are able to have a succesful surgery and recovery very very soon. I just know that in a few months time this is all going to be water under the bridge. You have braved RA....you can tackle anythingelse!
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com