Posted by medlib on February 17, 2000, at 21:45:17
In reply to I need info fast!, posted by quilter on February 17, 2000, at 14:56:38
> I have just been told that I have pigmentary glaucoma, with the pressure in my left eye so high it was off the scale. I have struggled with severe refractory depression for more than fifteen years, taking all kinds of medication combinations during that time. I am currently taking the following medications: Effexor Xr 375 mg , Cytomel 25mcg, lorazapam 1.5 mg , Celexa 30 mg , cyclobenzaprine 20 mg ( for fibromyalgia), neurontin 900mg, and now xalatan drops for the glaucoma. I haven't been able to discover what the implications are regarding my current meds , and what options are now going to be eliminated in the future because of this new horrible dx. I'm really frightened . Will see an eye specialist tomorrow a.m. and really need to know what to ask him. This may be the last straw.
Dear quilter,
I empathize with your terror--have been with my mother and aunt thru opthalmic emergencies. If you can, have someone go with you--you may need them to drive you home and it's difficult to hear accurately when you are terrified.
Information on your condition on the web is available at: http://www.glaucomanet.com/pigmentary/pigmentary.html
Re what to ask the doc:
If a drug regimen is recommended ask
1)Will this drug conflict with current meds?(take complete list including any OTC or supplements)
2)what are common side effects and adverse reactions; how often do you see these in your patients?
3)What is this Rx expected to do and why this drug and not others?
4)Is this Rx considered a long-term fix?What is prognosis on this therapy?If surgery is recommended, ask:
1)Is this an emergency procedure or is there time for a second opinion? (always a good idea)
2)Is the surgeon board-certified in opthalmic surgery?
3)How many of these surgeries has he performed and what has been his outcome experience for a case such as yours?
4)What is this surgery expected to do, is it a permanent fix, what are complications, what is prognosis post-surgery?
5)Why this procedure and not other alternatives?Hope some of this helps. Please post again and let us know how things go. Best of luck
medlib
poster:medlib
thread:22074
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000209/msgs/22187.html