post op retinal detachment surgery blues ???

Hi, I had eye surgery 3 wks ago for retinal detachment, had scleral buckle procedure. I was very uncomfertable for the first few days after the op and have since been given stronger pills for the pain. Although all seems to be settling down now I have found myself feeling very low in myself, not wanting to go out or do anything, Im getting quite concerned about this and was wondering if anyone else had felt like this or am I just feeling sorry for myself? I am off work for another week or so and have an out patients appointment nxt wk, the 4 week check up. I know everybody is different in ways of healing and coping with things, I just have found the whole experience realy traumatic and find myself an emotional wreck most of the time. Any response or advise will be greatly appreciated, thanks x

[mhelen]

Hi, I had sclera buckle surgery 3 1/2 weeks ago (April 14th) on my right eye because of a detached retina, a gas bubble injected during surgery and then another a week later.  I have had 6 laser treatments to repair tears and to strengthen parts of my retina that were weakened.  My doctor wants to do another laser treatment on Monday.  I had a lot of fluid in my eye after surgery which is why he put the second bubble in.  I spent 2 weeks on my left side 24/7 then gradually increased the time I could be up.  I came back to work yesterday but I think it was too soon because I do computer work all day and today I am exhausted, my eye is hurting and I am about to go home.   I still have to sleep on my left side most of the time, can go on my right occasionally but can't lay on my back at all.  The vision in my right eye is about 1/3 impaired from the gas bubble and the rest is very hazy, I describe it like looking through beveled glass. So I keep my right eye closed most of the time because otherwise its too hard to function.

I can definitely sympathize with feeling blue. This came at me out of nowhere.  I had no symptoms, went in to get new glasses on Saturday and had surgery the following Tuesday.  Last Thursday after my 6th laser therapy I was very depressed and felt like I was never going to get my life back.  I don't know about others experience but for me the laser therapies hurt like hell (excuse my language).  I usually take vicodin before my appointment and again soon after which means I have to have someone drive me to my appointments, which usually last 2-3 hours amd the office is 45 minutes from my home.  

I am feeling a bit more positive this week - though knowing that this may be something I have to deal with forever doesn't make me too happy.  But since there is no alternative other than going blind I know I can't do anything about it.  I read another post and someone compared it to AA's "one day at a time" so I guess it's time to start reciting the serenity prayer. :-) So that's my only advice and hopefully it helps to know others are in the same or worse situation.  I know I am at least grateful I could lay on my side as opposed to face down.  Hope you start to feel better.  Hang in there with me :-)

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Use the search feature and archives there are a lot of helpful post RD surgery messages.

JCH MD