What is Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of diseases of the optic nerve involving loss of retinal ganglion cells in a characteristic pattern of optic neuropathy. Although raised intraocular pressure is...
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Hello Everyone!
My name is Wendy, and I'm a 33 year old lawyer from Canada. I was diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma on 15th September 2009. I have been visually impaired since birth. My primary condition was congenital cataracts, which developed in utero. I've had several eye surgeries which restored some of my vision; however, technology being what it was in the 1970s when I had my first surgeries, I was left with scarring of both eyes and also a torn iris in my right eye. All my life I've known that I was at risk for glaucoma, so it really didn't come as much of a shock when my new ophthalmologist told me in September that I have it. I think perhaps I've been preparing myself mentally and emotionally for that moment, for a long time. My reaction was very calm when my doctor told me the news. I think he was worried and confused by my reaction to the diagnosis, and I think he expected me to take it a lot harder. I tried to explain to him that I do take this seriously, but I don't think he really believed me. Now, of course, I'm worried that there's something wrong with me emotionally, since I'm not having a fear reaction or a panic reaction. I'm definitely not in denial. I know I have glaucoma and that it can cause me to have even more vision loss if I don't do all that I can to manage it properly. I never miss a dose of medication, and I am now staying away from alcohol. I'm not afraid of my diagnosis. I'm not even afraid of going blind, really. I just don't know if this kind of reaction is normal, or if I really should be "freaking out" My doctor prescribed me to take Timolol once daily. My pressure, which was measured on the day of my diagnosis at 31 in one eye and 34 in the other, was 18 in both eyes at my last examination. I'm now on Timolol twice daily, so hopefully this will be the maintenance drug of choce for me for a while. My brother, who is 28, was also diagnosed with glaucoma last year. We think our mother may have it too, but her ophthamologist is decidedly complacent about her care. We are trying to get her to go to a new doctor. Posted on 10/27/09, 02:10 pm |
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Timolol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search it is used to treat open-angle and occasionally secondary glaucoma by reducing aqueous humour production through blockage of the beta receptors on the ciliary epithelium. The pharmacological mechanism by which it actually does this is still unknown. Side effects The most serious possible side effects include cardiac arrhythmias and severe bronchospasms. Timolol can also lead to fainting, congestive heart failure, depression, confusion, worsening of Raynaud's syndrome and impotence. 
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@ JJFlash - You know what? I can read Wikipedia just as easily as you or anyone else with access to the internet. I am well aware of the potential side affects of Timolol (which, by the way, I was advised of by my doctor and my pharmacist), and I do not need you to copy and paste Wikipedia articles in here, solely for the purpose of implying I am wrong to go with my doctor's prescription for me.
In case you missed it, this is a SUPPORT Group. Now, unless I'm mistaken, the purpose of a support group is to offer support to others who are living with similar conditions, to offer encouragement and helpful, constructive input. Fearmongering and advising people to go against the advice of their doctors (which I've also seen you doing in other threads) is unsupportive and unhelpful. I have no doubt that you're firmly convinced that you are absolutely correct, but that does not give you the right to attempt to frighten people into giving up their doctor-prescribed treatment or to advise people to substitute said medical treatment with an unproven hollistic "cure" for their condition. You come across as bossy, arrogant and rude. You will convince very few people to side with you, when you come out swinging with an attitude like that. I have only been on this site a few days, and already I am thinking of leaving it. Reading your response to my post made me angry, because it seems to me that you didn't even consider what I had to say, and only posted some standard copy/paste about the "danger" of Timolol. Do you even care about the other members here, and what they might be going through emotionally and mentally because of their diagnosis? I get the impression that you don't, so correct me if I'm wrong. I find it disappointing and shameful that someone would come onto a support group like this, seemingly only to promote his agenda and not to acutally support others. I was hoping for an empathetic response from somebody, How sad that the first response I received was yours. I hoped I could find some friends here. Maybe I still can. I don't know. I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.
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Your pressures are coming down nicely with Timolol, Wendy. I'm happy for you. My reaction to my diagnosis was much like yours. I realized all that it involved and knew that I had the responsibility of seeing my glaucoma specialist regularly and following prescribed advice with nightly eyedrops and regular examinations. Like the doctor said, you now have one more thing to add to your regimen. I admire all that you have done with your life despite your visual challenges, Wendy. I will also add that I too have found JJFlash083 an annoyance here from Day One. All the best, Pat
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Thanks, Pat! ^^
It's good to hear of someone else who handled their diagnosis calmly. Educating ourselves really is the key, isn't it? I'm really pleased with the result from Timolol. I even noticed vision changes after about 3 days of using it; everything seems to look brighter to me now. That's a bonus, really. I'm going for an OCT scan on 30th November and then my next checkup is on 4th December, so I'll have more definitive results, then. I'm really thankful my glaucoma was caught before I had any significant vision loss because of it. Last year, when my brother was diagnosed, he lost a lot of vison before his optometrist even figured out what might be wrong with him. It was very scary for all of us.
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Hi there Stargazer. Your reply was very impressive. I was told of my high pressure a year ago and completely freaked out. I was so scared because no-one I knew had it except for my sister who had died a couple of years ago and had never told me she had it. Someone else told me. In utter despair thinking I was doomed and going blind by the day (I am far too sensitive for my own good) I found ~Daily Strength. I did use the carrot juicing method suggested by JJFlash and had an excellent result in my pressure going down from 27 and 28 to 18 in both. No drops yet and next check up after Xmas. I needless to say continue with this.
My Guardian Angel on this site is Queenie, after sharing my concerns before I brought my pressures down with her, her calm attitude did wonders for me. Even if my pressures go up again, I will then use the drops which as Queenie said, you can live out your natural life with your sight in tact if you use them and keep your appointments. As for side effects. I have been on BP meds for my blood pressure (4 different types) now for 20 odd years and the side effects are listed and sound horific. (As my husband says you won't catch me taking those things) but so what of the side effects, I would rather that than walk around with a potential stroke on my shoulders day in day out. I have tried many natural ways to bring it down including an expensive deep breathing machine and it just wont - so what are you supposed to do, it's obvious keep on taking the meds and I bet I go on for another 20 years and probably outlive my old hubby. If I am told my pressures have gone back up and time for drops - then so be it I will have them and be very thankful that I have been given something thank you very much. Don't give up on the site, there are many positive people on here, especially the lovely Queenie. Gwen
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Hi Stargazer,
It sounds like you educated yourself beforehand and pretty much knew this diagnosis was coming, so the fact that you took the news calmly seems reasonable to me. I'm glad your pressures are well-controlled with timolol. I've been on it for years and it seems to be often a first line of defense. Hopefully, that's all the treatment you will ever need.
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