topic Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina? in Wellness

Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

fresh kitty — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 00:21:08 GMT

Well I'd like to sit down and cry or start throwing up because I'm totally overwhelmed. I have gout in my ankles and knee and that's not enough pain I now have to have surgery tomorrow to fix my eye . I had to call my son home to help me and I feel so guilty because his job is not very understanding and said he can take the first week for vacation but the second week would have to family leave. So does anybody know how long it might take me? We have to go out of town to the eye institute for treatment and I can't drive distance. Then I have cataracts to but the Dr said no retina and cataracts together . I will have to miss Louis linea show and that makes sadder. This getting older I'd depressing so heaven help and give me strength to through this.

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

Shelbelle — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 00:24:41 GMT

I have not, but I know a few who have, they are fine today. good luck.

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

willdob3 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 00:33:55 GMT

@fresh kittywrote:
Well I'd like to sit down and cry or start throwing up because I'm totally overwhelmed. I have gout in my ankles and knee and that's not enough pain I now have to have surgery tomorrow to fix my eye . I had to call my son home to help me and I feel so guilty because his job is not very understanding and said he can take the first week for vacation but the second week would have to family leave. So does anybody know how long it might take me? We have to go out of town to the eye institute for treatment and I can't drive distance. Then I have cataracts to but the Dr said no retina and cataracts together . I will have to miss Louis linea show and that makes sadder. This getting older I'd depressing so heaven help and give me strength to through this.

@fresh kitty

Not detached but I had emergency laser surgery for a tear several years ago. I’d just been told I was at risk because I am very nearsighted or I might not have recognized the symptoms as being serious.

No idea how long it will take to heal but your doctor will be able to tell you.

Take a deep breath & slowly let it out. It will all work out. It will be OK. It will be over & you’ll be better before you know it!

You’re in my prayers.

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

Carmie — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 00:36:12 GMT

My retina wasn’t completely detached, but it was torn. I had outpatient surgery at the eye clinic and was back home the same day.

I was back to my regular routine the the next day, but my eye was red and I wore sunglasses in public for a few days. No pain meds needed.

My friend did have a detached retina and his surgery required him to lay on his back a few days after surgery. He had a bubble or something that required him to lie flat.

After a few months he had to have a second surgery, because he was still having trouble...which is quite rare

Thank goodness, we both can see and have good eyesight.

Yes, it is not pleasant to have surgery and have to take some time out to relax and recover, but it’s a miracle that medical care is really good today and we can be repaired and made to be almost as good as new.

Take a few deep breaths and forge forward. Soon this will be over and behind you.

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

kelsey17 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 00:55:32 GMT

@fresh kittywrote:
Well I'd like to sit down and cry or start throwing up because I'm totally overwhelmed. I have gout in my ankles and knee and that's not enough pain I now have to have surgery tomorrow to fix my eye . I had to call my son home to help me and I feel so guilty because his job is not very understanding and said he can take the first week for vacation but the second week would have to family leave. So does anybody know how long it might take me? We have to go out of town to the eye institute for treatment and I can't drive distance. Then I have cataracts to but the Dr said no retina and cataracts together . I will have to miss Louis linea show and that makes sadder. This getting older I'd depressing so heaven help and give me strength to through this.

I am sorry for you having to go through these health issues all at the same time.....i have had times like that myself and it seems neverending and you hate to have to depend on others to get you through it.........i know my late mother in law had the detached retina...but she got through it just fine and was fine afterwards....i am sure it will all work out.....and you will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel....

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

OKPrincess — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 01:00:26 GMT

@fresh kittywrote:
Well I'd like to sit down and cry or start throwing up because I'm totally overwhelmed. I have gout in my ankles and knee and that's not enough pain I now have to have surgery tomorrow to fix my eye . I had to call my son home to help me and I feel so guilty because his job is not very understanding and said he can take the first week for vacation but the second week would have to family leave. So does anybody know how long it might take me? We have to go out of town to the eye institute for treatment and I can't drive distance. Then I have cataracts to but the Dr said no retina and cataracts together . I will have to miss Louis linea show and that makes sadder. This getting older I'd depressing so heaven help and give me strength to through this.

So sorry you’re having a rough time. We find getting older with health issues can be overwhelming. You’re in my prayers too. Somehow we find the strength to make it through. Bless you.🙏🏻🙏🏻

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

Jtdmum — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 01:03:41 GMT

Wishing you well. Detached retina's are pretty common as we get older, that doesnt't make it easier.

Hope the gout gets better quickly too. The getting older thing is well...getting old.

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

Annabellethecat66 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 01:12:15 GMT

@fresh kittyI'm so sorry to hear you are not feeling well. I, like so many other's have had a torn retina. I know it's not as serious as a detached retina (there was someone sitting me there who was treated for that).

The fact is no one know how another person feel or how long it will take someone to get better.

I don't know if it helps but we all know that as we get old(er) our body starts to break down.

I always say, "My brain says go go go and my body says no no no".

Just know that (speaking for myself) and I'm sure other's feel the same way. We are all thinking of you and pray that GOD will give you and those who love you the strength you need to heal and feel better.

When a person feels like they are hit (from accidents or illness one time after another) it's natural to feel like, "why me".

We've all been there. I know it doesn't help you but I hope it helps you to understand you aren't alone and you can always come here just to vent if you want to and most of us won't judge you (because, as I said, if we're honest with ourselves and others) we've been there too.

You take care and we will all be thinking about you. If you want to feel sorry for yourself, go ahead and do it, but then put on your big girl panties (we all have to dig them out of the closet sometimes) and say, "This too I will beat".

Take care sweet girl. Fondly, Linda

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

Nonametoday — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 01:35:07 GMT

I am sorry this has happened to you. I had a detached retina following cataract surgery. Cannot remember how long, a couple months, I think. I had the laser surgery immediately. I was shopping at Target with grandchildren. Got in my SUV, called the doctor's office, on-call physician answered. Told me to meet them at the ER right away. I had a procedure that night, went home, returned the next day with another procedure. A few days later I hosted (already scheduled) a tea party at the Senior Center. I was thankful that my health is so much better than many of them. I have done well ever since. I do not recall having any problems immediately. Then last year I went in for checkup, after having shingles in my eye, and my doctor told me I had re-detached. I had surgery for that, and had to lie with head in an angular position for a period of time. I do not recall how long. I have done well.

Life is full of ups and downs. Thank God that we have more ups than downs. We are fortunate to have lived to this age and have many good memories. Remember all those people in war zones, those families who had loved ones recently drown from flooding, the families of the children who died in the high school incident last week. Take heart. Tomorrow will be a brighter day following your surgery. Thankfully our lives are not like either of those aforementioned and remember, too, even a dark day in our lives could be a bright day in the life of another.

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

FrostyBabe1 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 01:39:07 GMT

Yes, I've had a detached retina and I'm in my 50's. The doctor said it was just a "stuff happens" thing.

They first tried to fix it in the retinal specialist's office with a procedure called a pneumatic retinaplexy. It's a cold laser, and then a gas bubble was placed in the eye to help keep the retina attached. Positioning for recovery from that was either sitting upright with my head tilted slightly to the right or lying on my right side. Unfortunately, too much fluid had accumulated in the eye and it began to lift again.

About two weeks later, I had a vitrectomy with hot laser and another, longer lasting gas bubble. That was done at the hospital as an outpatient. Some people also have a silicone buckle placed in their eye to hold the retina in place, but I did not have that. Positioning for recovery from that was face down for twelve days. I could be up for five minutes every hour and fifteen minutes, three times a day to eat meals. I rented a chair that looks like a massage chair to sit in. It came with a mirror that I could put on the chair tray to watch TV. I also had equipment for my bed.

I will be honest. I had NO pain from the surgery. I had tremendous neck and shoulder discomfort from the face down positioning. However; if your doctor tells you to do this, you MUST do it in order to recover properly. A heating pad for my neck and shoulders, as well as lots of audio books were helpful. Watching TV was allowed, but absolutely no reading for the first week.

I wish you all the best with your surgery.

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

Elri — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 01:48:41 GMT

@fresh kitty

It is good that you will have it done and over by tomorrow night.

I felt bad when you were expressing all the things that are bothering you so much. But when you said you were upset you would miss the Linea show, I had to chuckle. It was cute, actually.

You will get through this; you didn't get this far without a LOT of strength. I wish you the best during and after your surgery!

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

phluphy — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 02:03:32 GMT

My Husband had a detached retina...all went well for him. He did have to lay face down for a few days. He was in good spirits and my Sons bought him a chair with a hole in it so he could lay face down. we rigged up a mirror for him so he could watch/hear TV. He was happy for that.

Also I get gout and I now found that if you faithfully squeeze fresh lemons in a glass on an empty stomach it will help alleviate the pain. I squeeze the lemons every morning before my coffee. Hope it helps

Will keep you in my prayers..

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

Mz iMac — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 02:44:48 GMT

I've never had a detached Retina but have had 2 macular hole surgeries. Surgery is very similar because of the gas bubble inserted behind the eyeball.

As long as you follow your surgeon/doctor's orders to the "T", your recovery should be flawless as well as pain free.

The recovery period varies w/each patient.

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

Marieanne — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 03:31:12 GMT

So sorry you’re having health issues. It can feel overwhelming

when we have several things going on at the same time.

I pray for strength for you..you will get through this.

Take care😊

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

RealtyGal2 — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 03:34:41 GMT

@fresh kittywrote:
Well I'd like to sit down and cry or start throwing up because I'm totally overwhelmed. I have gout in my ankles and knee and that's not enough pain I now have to have surgery tomorrow to fix my eye . I had to call my son home to help me and I feel so guilty because his job is not very understanding and said he can take the first week for vacation but the second week would have to family leave. So does anybody know how long it might take me? We have to go out of town to the eye institute for treatment and I can't drive distance. Then I have cataracts to but the Dr said no retina and cataracts together . I will have to miss Louis linea show and that makes sadder. This getting older I'd depressing so heaven help and give me strength to through this.

So sorry to hear you are going through all this. I do understand though. I don't have a detached retina, but my best friend did and had to sit up for several weeks so the bubble would hold it in place, but she is fine now with no further problems.

I am scheduled for a corneal transplant and cataract surgery in a few weeks. I am looking for a job (can't live on social security), and my driver's license expires week after next. I can't renew until after the eye surgery because I won't be able to pass the vision test. In addition to that my unemployment runs out in April. Tricky timing. I live alone and will need some help from friends and Uber. It is too stressful trying to control all of this so I am just taking one day at a time and having faith that it will all work out.

This approach may work for you as well. Worrying will not make it easier and I'm sure that, in the end, it won't come close to what your imagination is manufacturing. You have lots of people praying for you - always a good thing.:smileyhappy:

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

september — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 03:52:13 GMT

@Mz iMacwrote:
I've never had a detached Retina but have had 2 macular hole surgeries. Surgery is very similar because of the gas bubble inserted behind the eyeball.

As long as you follow your surgeon/doctor's orders to the "T", your recovery should be flawless as well as pain free.

The recovery period varies w/each patient.

This bears repeating...."the recovery varies with each patient"

OP...you need to call your doctor tomorrow to find out exactly what procedure will be used for your surgery, and what the recovery will entail.

My husband had this surgery (successful) in each eye at different times, but there were two different techniques. He didn't need much care after the first one, but the other eye was a bigger surgery and it was at least a week before he was able to get back to normal.

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

MickD — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 04:03:33 GMT

@fresh kitty I had a detached retina in my mid-twenties and had scleral buckle surgery. Which is a rubber band sewn around the eyeball.

2 days in the hospital, then 2 weeks at home. I had to look straight ahead, not read.

It sounds like this was a shocking diagnosis for you, but an accurate and timely one, so thank goodness for that!

I don't know what surgery you're going to have, but technology is a wonderful thing and I'm sure your eye surgeon is top-notch.

The first week you'll need someone to help you out, but then after that.....little by little you'll get back to normal!

Post when you can.....sending you positive vibes and wellness.

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

IMW — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:24:00 GMT

My mother had detached retinas twice. She had great results, but needed to use drops the rest of her life.

Don’t remember anything else. Hoping you have a great result.

About gout do you use cherry juice and turmeric? It is said to be helpful. I use both, check it out.

Best of Luck

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

Ketra — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:40:32 GMT

@fresh kitty I’ve never had that type of surgery, but I believe folks have already offered

you some really good advice. I’m praying for you that God gives you his strength, peace, and guidance as you go through this really challenging time right now. It sounds like you have a wonderful son who will be helping you too. When things get to be too much to handle just ask the Lord for help and he will be there. He will never let you down.😊

Re: Has Anyone Had A Detached Retina?

Elri — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:21:15 GMT

@Mz iMac

That is the problem i have now--2 macular holes. I am trying to find a surgeon with a different technique; i.e., not requiring face-down positioning. I am unable to do that.