• From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 774

Topic: drug induced cataracts

Leave it to me to get yet one more interesting side effect. I've been having blurriness in my right eye since I was on Xeloda. It is a rare side effect, according to Genentech.
It's gotten progressively worse: so much so that if I close my left eye I can't read anything. It's all blurry and filmy. So I finally made an appt. with an opthamologist... I have drug induced cataracts!! Yay, me!
They are very fast growing and are are called "nuclear sclerotic cataracts". He says I need to do something about it within a matter of months, not years. So I guess for Thanksgiving or Christmas I'll be laid up and housebound.
Like I didn't have enough to worry about with the cc mets to my lymph nodes.
Have I said lately that I HATE CANCER???

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
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Re: drug induced cataracts

Sorry to hear this Kris, BUT, cataracts (OR CADILLACS) are a very easy solution, however I understand that it is one more thing to contend with. We are twins as I am being watched for mine (expect it though at 72) and turns out that the Predisone I have been on for almost a year is pushing them along too. I asked the  Opth. how do we know when it is time and he said when it reaches 4 on the "scale", mine are at 2. So, with all your chemo, and what ever else you now have Nuclear cataracts? Have you thought about becoming the Bionic Woman?

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 774

Re: drug induced cataracts

Thursday is my surgery for my cataract in my right eye. I can't wait to be able to see clearly again! It's been getting steadily worse especially over the past month. I'm getting to where I don't want to drive at night because I can't see very well. So Thursday can't come soon enough!

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,167

Re: drug induced cataracts

Kris.....the good thing in all the bad is that cataract surgery is a fairly simple procedure and rarely (if ever) has side effects.  Just think...you will see clearly now.
Be thinking of you on Thursday.  What time exactly?

Hugs,
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
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Re: drug induced cataracts

Kris, wishing you a ton of luck Thursday. Mine have progressed from Prednisone of which I hope to be done with next week after a year. The eye Doc is watching them. I understand it is a total non brainer surgery. Reminds me of a song, "I can see clearly now, the cataract (Rain) is gone" Please let us know your 'view' on things after!

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 774

Re: drug induced cataracts

Haha! I go in at 9:30. Hopefully all goes well. I can't wait to see "clearly" again! I'm not sure if theses are chemo or steroid induced. Doc just said "drug induced". Mine grew really fast. I noticed vision problems around May or June and my vision in my right eye is horrible now. I can't read anything anymore.

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • From: California
  • Registered: Mon, 20 Aug 2012
  • Posts: 274

Re: drug induced cataracts

Best wishes for a successful and easy catarac surgery, Kris.

Willow
  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,488

Re: drug induced cataracts

I am praying for a great outcome, Kris!

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

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  • Gavin
  • Gavin
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  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
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Re: drug induced cataracts

Good luck Kris! My fingers are crossed for you and I hope it all goes well!

Hugs,

Gavin

  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 774

Re: drug induced cataracts

I can see clearer now! It's not perfect yet, but... He had to cut something so my eye is all red but feels okay. Uncomfortable but not sore so I'm really looking forward to Saturday!
The big problem: no makeup! Haha!!!  The only makeup I wear is on my eyes, too. But not for 2 weeks! Ugh!

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • Lainy
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Re: drug induced cataracts

Kris, wonderful, and successful outcome.Well, now I guess I can't have that surgery as I can't go without eye makeup! LOL

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • From: Akron, Ohio
  • Registered: Mon, 11 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 407

Re: drug induced cataracts

Kris,
Thanks for your update. So happy it's over and it went well. You will look great Saturday !
Lisa

Everyday is a gift

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  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 774

Re: drug induced cataracts

I met with the doc today and he gave me the news... 20/30 vision 1 day post op! WOOT-WOOT!! My eye had some irritation because of some meds they used: it seems I have a slight allergic reaction. Of course. So my eye is a little inflamed. But I can't ask for much more. He did do an extra cut and had to force something with forecepts (not sure) but all in all he's happy.
And the best part is I don't have to wear glasses for now! My vision is good enough!! YAY! He did say if I felt more comfortable wearing them it wouldn't hurt me but why would I? I do have to stop tomorrow and get a light pair of sunglasses to wear for a while... with the redness in the eye and all that medication it looks kind of messy and yucky. Plus it will hide the "no makeup look".
I would say it doesn't matter, but since I'm back "on the prowl" (haha) I need to hide this "messy" eye for 2 weeks! smile

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
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Re: drug induced cataracts

Kris, all in all sounds good. Do you need the other eye done? I love you out prowling. If you find a Son and Father Duo let me know!

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 774

Re: drug induced cataracts

Lainy:
I will probably have to have the other eye done, but we'll see. It's funny how blurry the left eye looks now, compared to the right eye!
And my friend that drove me to the doctor today is mid-60s. In the waiting room I overheard this woman talking about her 62 year old son and how she needed to find a wife for him. I almost said something...

You mean Teddy's "gift" hasn't arrived yet?? I'm waiting to hear when he does!

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • Lainy
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Re: drug induced cataracts

Thanks, Kris. I am 72 and not a Cougar! Would like to find someone 69 - 79, not for marriage but companionship. But thanks for trying. No gift yet. Tomorow is my Chanukah then its Teddy's Christmas. Either holiday or in between would do! OMG that reminds me of a story about the "old" actress Mae West. She was a firecracker and I hope I don't offend anyone with this but here goes and I am truly sorry, can't help it. But it is true! Do not read this if you don't like a little raunchy. Guess I could get fired for this or have to delete it!
Mae West had a tatoo put on her right bun that said Merry Christmas. Then she had a tatoo put on her left bun that said Happy New Year. She would tell men, "Come up and see me between the Holidays" GROAN!

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 774

Re: drug induced cataracts

HAHAHAHA!!!! I KNEW she was my kind of woman!!

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.