I need reassuring !!!!!!

[drennan]

Hello Everyone

Hope all is well. Just feeling a bit sorry for myself at the moment in Coventry town centre Saturday just pondering around when I thought to myself I need a new pair of glasses, I'll treat myself, so of I go into vision express and ask for an eye test.

I must state that I have worn glasses since the age of 4, I am partially sighted in my left eye (only see light & dark etc) need glasses for my good eye for driving. So I thought it would be just a straight forward eye test and if anything the prescription on my good eye would go up a tiny bit.

Horror The obtician done a glaucoma test and clearly looked unhappy with my results apparantely the pressure in your eye is meant to be between 8 and 22 however mine is 26 in my good eye and 25 in my bad eye Not to worry said the optician we've caught it early I will refer you to your Doctors who will refer you to the hospital so they can do some more tests etc and take it from there. So as you can imagine I came out of there a little upset to say the least and clutching my new glasses phoned my DH who came to pick me up and try to reassure me

Monday morning and I phoned the Doctors straight away, gave him the letter the optician gave me only for him to say and I quote "Gosh yes that is high pressure for someone so young, I will refer you but it is a 24 week waiting list at the moment but try not to worry in the meantime" HELLOOOOOOO What does he expect me to do, just forget it's been mentioned my god I might have GLAUCOMA which can lead to blindness and he says try not to worry.

I know I'm going on and on and on, but I was upset then scared then bloody angry and now I'm worried.

Is there anyone out there what has been through this and how did you cope, I'm just praying that it isn't Glaucoma its bad enough not seeing out of the one eye.

ttfn

 

[Theresa Hudson]

Hi Sharon,

I would feel exactly the same, a 24 week wait when it is so worrying.

Maybe once they have got your details, could you try ringing each day to see if they have a cancellation? People do cancel at short notice and they often can't fill these slots because they write to people.

I hope someone who has been through this can help you.

Theresa

 

[Janice]

Hi Sharon

I am sorry but I have not been through this myself, but just wanted to offer my support and a {{{{Hug}}}} for you.

I hope that you can get some positive news - do keep us posted, and dont forget, we are all here for you, should you need us.

Take care

 

[kazzie]

I'm sorry to hear this very unsettling thing happened while you weren't expecting it at all.

24 weeks is a terrible wait while you'll be worrying all of that

 

[WDWfan uk]

Sharon, I'd suggest making another appointment to see your Doctor ......... is it a group practice? Perhaps there's another doctor there who you are happier to talk to that you can see instead?
When you are there, you should explain that you are really worried and that the stress of waiting for so long is going to be very difficult, and also raise all the questions that you have about glaucoma and request leaflets and ask if he/she can suggest where you'll be able to get further info and support.
I also think that once you have your appointment come through - I assume the doctor has referred you and that he said you will receive an appointment through the post? - calling the eye clinic/department and requesting a cancellation is a good idea even if it means calling every day. That department will also have literature and info on your condition which should help you.

{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} to you and hang on in there - I'm sure being as proactive as you can will help you and we are always here for you whenever you need us.

 

[drennan]

Thanx for all your concerns, the thing is when I went to the Doctor I was shocked by his matter of fact attitude that I left with no real information, just that the Hospital will be in touch. Therefore I have no confirmation that he has actually referred me, no telephone number which I can ring to see if there is a cancellation. I might do what you say though Shirley, I'll give it to Monday then go back and explain the stress of it all is just too much

I've had people say to me "well they can operate on it now as well as eye drops" the thing is they wouldn't be able to operate on me as I have no sight in my bad eye to fall back on, so to speak Its just so frustrating that a professional like a doctor can shrug it off, the optician who I seen was lovely and very concerned for me and I thought for some mad reaon the Doctor would be same silly me aye, but thanx again at least I feel some people out there care and it is really appreciated.

I will let you know next Monday or Tuesday how I get on with the 2nd appointment with another Doctor, fingers crossed

ttfn x

 

[Dimplenose]

Has the optician rechecked? I only ask as 2 years ago (when I was 38) I had a very high reading. My optician said I was stressed and she would like to do another test in a couple of days - I must admit the test itself was a shock, I'd never had one before and thought she was just looking at my eyes when puff and my eyes watered for ages after.

Anyway to cut a long story short the retest was fine and so have the subsequent ones at my annual sight tests.

So it might just be worth seeing a second optician as well as the GP.

Good luck.

Libby

 

[Mazzy]

Sharon, I'm so sorry you are having such a stressful time at the moment. I can understand how you must feel, especially as you have little sight in one eye so it must be worrying for you.

My Mum (who is 82) has glaucoma which was discovered by chance a couple of years ago when being examined at the eye hospital for another matter, and she has been given eye drops to take. The drops should stabilise the condtion, she has not been told she will need an operation. I now have to go for yearly eye tests just in case I inherit the condition.

If you don't get anywhere with the other GP and the waiting list being so long, maybe you could consider going private just to get a consultation with a specialist? I was given a 6 month waiting list to see someone about a foot problem and decided to go private initially - it cost £50 to see the consultant - though I know that must vary. I know you shouldn't have to do this, the NHS should be able to accommodate you quickly in circumstances like these, but it did help me seeing someone more quickly at least to get a diagnosis.

I know it's not easy, but try not to worry too much, as it has been caught in the early stages hopefully eye drops will suffice.

Do let us know how you get on with the GP won't you?

Take Care.

 

[drennan]

Hi Everyone Thanx again, I'm staying positive, Libby can I ask, can you remember what your reading was I'm 33 and apparantely 26 is very high for the pressure, but i know what you mean the squirts or air do make you jump and hopefully it will be nothing to worry about, but when you have lived all your life relying on just the one eye its a bit scary to say the least to find out something maybe wrong

Mazzy - if i don't get anywhere when i go to see another doctor early next week - then maybe i will have to go private to put my mind hopefully at rest

ttfn x

 

[Dimplenose]

Sorry, I don't remember the reading, just that the optician said it was above the acceptable limit. She also quizzed me on if I had any family history of glaucoma (which I don't). I wish I could be more specific but I was so releived after the second test I haven't really given it much thought since.

I hope things are as simple for you.

Libby

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Oh Sharon - what a nasty surprise for you. I, too, have been for my yearly eye test today. My father had glaucoma and therefore I need a test every year.

My father's levels were extremely high when his glaucoma was detected, even for his age and family history of high blood pressure (yep, inherited that from him, too ). For six months he was on drops and his pressure returned to a normal reading, much success.

I have heard, too, that stress can bring this on.

I absolutely HATE anything near my eyes - could never wear contact lenses, just about put make up on and mascara is saved for very special occasions - and I really don't like the nasty spraying of water/air test - I have so many times tried to explain to the opticians that I seriously don't like it and I'm not being stupid, just get it over with. Today it took too many goes - again -but I persevered. They even have a note on my file about it (probably says oh, oh - here comes trouble again

I'm in agreement about revisiting your docs and asking for something a lot quicker, the stress of the wait will make your health suffer. I am a great worrier, unfortunately - nowt you can do about it, it's in your genes.

Please try not to worry too much though, I'm sure it can very easily be helped.

 

[drennan]

They also asked me if I had any family history with glaucoma which to my familys knowledge is NO. Libby you mentioned stress may be a cause, well I have been pretty stressed lately - alot of family problems has been happening and me being the only daughter and youngest I tend to get all the grief and worry, and I'm one of those people who worry about what people think and like to please everyone. But that has been sorted so hopefully when I go for more tests it will show I'm more relaxed and I will know what to expect with the puffs of air etc.

I'll keep everyone informed and thanx again to everyone who took time out to reply and showed their concern. I really do appreciate it.

ttfn x

 

[GO2209]

If you are still concerned, or want more information, give NHS Direct a call on 0845 4647 (yes, unusual looking number, but it is corect).

They are very well equipped to answer a whole range of medical queries and advise on side effetc of drugs, etc.

They have an online resource www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or for information on glaucoma

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/nhsdoheso/display.asp?sSection=Introduction&sTopic=Glaucoma&sInfoView=

 

[Carol Ann UK]

My son has only sight in one eye like you, and when we were told this by the consultant at the hospital when he was 5 months old, we were told that if we had any problems with his good eye in the future to go straight back to them without going trough the doctors.

Tis would avoid any unnecessary delay in treatment.

Have never tried this in practise luckily. My son is almost 18 now.

Try phoning the eye department yourself and explain the situation. Having already only sight in one eye already should make you a priority case.

Good Luck.

Carol

 

[drennan]

Hello Me Again

After all your threads and words of encouragement I have phone my Doctors this morning and explained to them how anxious I am, my Doctor came on the phone to apologise that he was unaware of my concerns and that he was filling my referral form in as we spoke he also said that seeing as I have only sight out of one eye he had put in big bold letters that it is URGENT . He did sound pretty genuine and he also hopes that once the consultant at the hospital has seen my referral form it will not take the 24 weeks he quoted at the beginning of the week.

So a big {{hug}} from me to all of you for all your advice and support

ttfn x

 

[drennan]

Hello Me Again

After all your threads and words of encouragement I have phone my Doctors this morning and explained to them how anxious I am, my Doctor came on the phone to apologise that he was unaware of my concerns and that he was filling my referral form in as we spoke he also said that seeing as I have only sight out of one eye he had put in big bold letters that it is URGENT . He did sound pretty genuine and he also hopes that once the consultant at the hospital has seen my referral form it will not take the 24 weeks he quoted at the beginning of the week.

So a big {{hug}} from me to all of you for all your advice and support

ttfn x

 

[Mazzy]

I'm so pleased your GP has spoken to you this morning, and hopefully it won't be too long a wait now.

Keep us posted won't you?

 

[Theresa Hudson]

That is good to hear.

Don't be afraid to push for this appointment and question people (even if they are Doctors) to get the information you need.

Theresa

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Good - now you won't have to hang around waiting.

By the way, did you get to choose another pair of specs like you'd planned??

I had to choose my new ones today . . . to much choice but managed to get anyway.

Last time I actually bought them in the States, but I need new lenses NOW so can't wait until October.