To be absolutely dreading the next week?

[WanderingNotLost]

Long story short- got a contact lens infection in the centre of the cornea in my left eye- if it's resistant to antibiotics it could leave a scar across my cornea resulting in permanently damaged eyesight or even possibly lead to loss of vision in that eye. It has to be treated 'aggressively' with strong antibiotic eye drops (that sting like hell) which I have to put in once an hour, every hour, day and night for the next week.

I'm not a great sleeper at the best of times even without an alarm going off and having to get up every hour, I have an under active thyroid so am constantly tired anyway and have struggled with depression the last 2 winters - both times led me to losing my job so I'm really worried that a- it'll totally fuck up my sleeping and I'll be utterly exhausted and b- it'll trigger another bout of depression. Not to mention being seriously freaked out about the possibly of going half blind.

I'm only on hour 10. How the hell am I going to do this?!

[WanderingNotLost]

Also wanted to add- I'm also pissed off that this has happened to me as I'm so careful with my lenses! I've read the horror stories about people who got this infection who never took their lenses out, cleaned them etc and though well that'll never happen to me, I never sleep/shower/swim etc in them, I clean them & put them in fresh solution every night, change them regularly, take them out as soon as I get home, don't wear them if I'm just at home for the day etc. Apparently I'm just really bloody unlucky

[WouldHave]

You are very clearly NBU, it sounds really tough. Can you take the week off as sick leave? It clearly merits it.

[Maz2444466]

WanderingNotLost I also had a rare contact lens infection and had to put drops in every hour. Luckily I had a friend who was amazing and really helped me through it - put the drops in, woke me up and everything. I couldn't have got through that time without him.

Do you have anyone that can help? A friend or family?

So sorry you are going through this, I know how frightening and exhausting it is

[SavageBeauty73]

How awful! You poor thing. I use daily disposables but I had a nasty infection a few years ago as I managed to rip the contact lens taking it out and a fragment was left in my eye. It wasn't as serious as yours though. Moorfields were amazing.

Fingers crossed for you.

[WanderingNotLost]

I've got my DP with me, he's being really supportive but I want to minimise the impact on him as much as possible. I don't want to take the time off sick as I'm still on probation at my job and I've already had time off for gastroenteritis (wasn't kidding about being unlucky) and regular medical appointments so I really don't want to push it. I had today off and will speak to my boss tomorrow about possibly working from home, but then there's the danger I'll just fall asleep (between alarms).

[Spermysextowel]

Can you check whether hourly is essential? From my experience of meds the gaps between can be altered.

[WanderingNotLost]

The Dr at Moorfields stressed that it absolutely has to be hourly. Believe me if there was any flexibility I'd have jumped on it!

[Butterymuffin]

It's going to be shit, but you'll get through it. Let your DP help you. It's a long time for you but it's a week of support for a very good reason. Accept help. See if he can do some of the waking and drops like
Maz's friend. Get him to be around to remind you on the hour. I think you're right about going to work as a staying awake strategy, at least for now.

Can you see your doctor about some pre-emptive help with your depression? Maybe after all this is over, try a full-on attempt at getting back into a regular sleeping pattern. Illness does fuck up your sleep pattern though, as I know from experience, so it is hard to sort that. But it's all about just getting through the week for now.

[user1478863011]

I'm so sorry you are in this position Wandering. Also sorry if I'm not posting right but it's my first time.
I lost the eyesight in my right eye 8 and a half years ago in exactly the same way. I insisted i used my contacts correctly..daily disposables , regular eye check ups. Ended up at the Royal Free and was so lucky that a 3rd year medical student spotted it was an ulcer in the cornea. I was in hospital for the week and had the eye drops on the hour and ten past the hour for a week (days and night too), discharged to home and the same with a small break at night to sleep. Won't lie it was a very exhausting and teary time. Of course you are also so stressed and upset. The one thing that really worried me was losing all eyesight. I think that is very very rare. Try baths, music , anything just to get through the week as it is the most important of everything.
I spent 2 years after the infection was gone with no eyesight in one eye. I was so surprised how quickly i adapted. I was back at work within 9 days , still with a plastic eye shield on. It wasn't easy but I felt getting back to normal ASAP was important if that was how it was going to be! I also went to Moorfields for all my aftercare. I had Mr Tuft/Taft..and Ms Forbes at the Free. They were amazing!
I almost didn't have the corneal graft when it was offered as i had got so used to "bopping" around with my one eye and was petrified it might end up worse than what I was left with.
I had the op March 2010 at Moorfields with Mr Tuft/Taft ...i always get it muddled! I had my stitches out June 2011 with Ms Forbes .
Be aware there is alot of follow up care to keep an eye on eye pressure etc. I looked on it like there was always someone keeping an "eye!" on me.
Almost 7 years on , I still go for a twice yearly check up and thats only becaues they had to stretch my graft as the ulcer had eaten so much cornea away.
Sorry if i wittered on but i know it is so so so so important to do this part. It is the total worse thing I've had to put up with medical wise but if the eyeball is good then they can transplant cornea onto it and you get yr sight back.
Thinking of you and know you can do it! This week is definately the worst bit!
Please msg me if I can be of any help or even just for a chat .

[SavageBeauty73]

How was your night? You definitely should phone in sick this week.

[VivienneWestwoodsKnickers]

The hourly is very important. My friend had something similar, but the kept her in hospital and administered the drops every hour.

I know you want to minimise disruption, but this is your eyesight here, not a minor medical issue. You need help to do this properly, and the chances of you being able to work while this goes on are minimal.

Protect your eyesight first and your job second.

Normally I'd suggest a SAD lamp for winter depression (helps me no end), but I'm not sure how that would help your eyes at the moment - it could be too much for them. Maybe take some advice on that? Have a look at the Lumie website.

Hope you've got through the night with plenty of eyedrops going in.

[WanderingNotLost]

My night was extremely long... haven't gone to work today, I'd be neither use nor ornament. Thanks so much for the support.

[mum2Bomg]

Omg I had this! It cleared up but took over a week. I wasn't told I could lose my vision but my Mum googled it and freaked herself out (she didn't tell me!) Your health (and any impact on your long-term vision) have to come first. Don't be too grovelling or apologetic and make sure work know how serious this could be if you don't concentrate on getting better. They'll just have to deal with it. Send them any medical documents you have ASAP so they know the situation. Get well soon

[mum2Bomg]

Close the curtains and tape a cotton wool pad over your eye too - and no to the lamp...when I had mine any light source felt like I had a tree branch sticking out of my eye!

[SavageBeauty73]

How was your second night?

[user1478863011]

Don't worry about work , Moorfields will give you the appropriate stuff to give them.