Dusty's Frugal Fortnights Return!

Katiehound · 24 February 2023 at 3:39PM

My only comment is to say that round here Specsavers (don't know about individual opticians) have the power to refer you directly to ophthalmic clinic/ consultant/ whatever. A friend got a referral for cataract removal that way. They are seen as primary optical health care now.

Sorry things are so problematic for you.

dreaming · 24 February 2023 at 7:22PM

To be fair, I have only had good experiences since February of last year and as I said, I am grateful for the rapid treatment for my cancer. Most of my problems have been discovered after being admitted to hospital (exactly one year ago this week) with what was thought to be a stroke. It wasn't but after 2 CAT scans and an MRI/MRA (which showed some long-standing problem with my inner ear) I was discharged with the patch for my glasses as I still had double vision. The ophthalmologist I saw a few weeks later immediately suspected myasthenia gravis (later confirmed after blood tests) but he did a thorough eye check and also found a macular hole in one eye so referred me to the eye hospital. The tablets I take daily control the double vision, which is caused by the myasthenia, but the macular hole causes "spots" of lost vision and straight lines look wavy. The myasthenia also causes my eyes to be extremely light sensitive, just to add to the fun. The cancer was found after some scans for thymoma (a tumour on the thymus gland in the chest which can cause myasthenia). That was clear but a small "nodule" was found in my lung which led to a full body scan and that is when the womb cancer was discovered. The lung problem has been put down to possible old infection but will be monitored over the next 12 months, and the hysterectomy was performed very quickly. So all in all I have experienced the NHS at its best and the conversation with the GP I actually found sort of funny as we were talking at cross-purposes for about 10 minutes until I twigged what was going on, although it did confirm my low expectations of him. The trouble is there doesn't seem to be much choice as talking to friends who attend different practices it seems they are all much of a muchness. If I were you Dusty, I would go to the optician because then you have ticked all the boxes (so to speak) and then you can push for more urgent treatment from the eye doctors. That is assuming you have faith that your optician won't just sell you new glasses as some seem to. I still need to get my ear problem sorted as any sound on one side is extremely muffled (but intermittently improves) but I decided to work my way through my problems one at a time and for now the eye is priority.

tooldle · 25 February 2023 at 8:57AM

Another vote for Optician (Optometrist) They can refer you as needed to an Ophthalmologist (eye clinic or eye casualty).

retiredinfrance · 25 February 2023 at 9:33AM

I support Toolde- go for the Optician- keeps that route open and you can always say that you are doing your best to help yourself. Bon courage as they say here in France.

dustydigger · 25 February 2023 at 11:09AM

thanks people for your comments. I will opt for Specsavers. Certainly the little optician would send me back to the surgery.The big company seems to have clout. I sigh for my wonderful old optician . His shop was down a narrow little side street tuck up against the wall of the cathedral. He was old,but taught at the Eye Infirmary,addressed conferences and the like. You were safe in his hands. he put me forward for some new technique for cataract removal in 2012,which was better and less fraught than what Mr Dusty and my sister went through.Then the company started hassling him - as he put it,dont know the details - and young men of 25 started telling him he was doing things wrong,his accounts were inadequate etc etc. He got sick of it and his health was bad,so he closed down. We've not been satisfied with his replacements since,themn with covid they shut down altogether.

As you say they just want to sell you new glasses.I think I told you that after my cataract removal when I went expecting to have to get new glasses,my dear old optician said that my eyes had adjusted to each other,were compensating,and I could do without glasses,which delighted me. He knew so much and put the patient's needs and desires first. Mr Dusty has a yearly checkup with the eye infirmary,and there's an old school consultant there who tells him what is necessary for his eyes. We have lost faith with opticians.

.But I'll try.

dustydigger · 25 February 2023 at 11:25AM

Its after 10 and I have done absolutely nothing. Mr Dusty is in full football mode,wanting to put bets on. I teach him one day,next day he has forgotten how to use the phone app,and I start all over again. Keeps messing up the log in,then the company close his account,we have to go through the rigmarole of unblocking the account with a new password. We are onto our 5th password but he always thinks he can do it.Since he rarely accepts ANYTHING I say,its a hassle everytime. I now call him ''Doubting Thomas''. When I make a comment which he doesnt believe or accept I call out ''Doubting Thomas''. Yeah like Thomas in the bible,Mr D would have wanted to poke his fingers in the holes. Probably would have scraped off scab sleft from the crown of thorns. We now just laugh,it breaks the tension and makes him think again - sometimes!

So I'll stop here for now.. Got all sorts to talk about,will try in snatches. But I MUST get into the bombsite,sorry,kitchen. Tidy up,scrape down the hob,clean benches,then mop the floor. Its minging.Then I will make dinner. Corned beef pasties,but have sirloin steak in the slow cooker,for supper if my back is up to it,it will betomorrow's dinner if not.

MrsCD · 27 February 2023 at 2:39PM

Dusty, when our DD had a serious eye problem, the optician told us to take her immediately to Sunderland eye hospital. She eventually got better and found out why it happened. Might be worth explaining all of your issues to the optician.

dustydigger · 28 February 2023 at 10:51AM

Hi people. Arranged an appointment with Specsavers for 20th March,earliest possible. Also made appointment for my usual diabetic eye check on 30th March.The nurse may be a bit surprised that they totally ignored her opinion on the need for laser treatment,saying there was only minor natural vision loss. Or perhaps not,she may be be used to being patronised by consultants!

Also tried to make a call to Bishop Auckland hospital to make a physio assessment appointment but when they said I was number 20 in line I gave up.

Maybe will do better this afternoon,Monday is madness in hospital appointment making.

I have been giving serious attention to cutting down on online time. Mr Dusty tends to be here most of the time,asking for my help or just companionship,and I was a bit stressed. However after 3 weeks I am feeling even more stressed,and very lonely without you all!. I am going to come back in full force,but limit my posts to before 9.30 am,and after 9pm.so Mr Dusty doesnt feel put aside.

But today he has gone off to town for an appointment,so I can chat to you all - in between at least a semblance of housework. The day just seems to get away from me. Everything takes so long since I can only stand 5 mins before I gave to sit down and rest for about 10 mins,then start again - if Mr Dusty isnt asking me to sort his pools or something.

Off now to mop kitchen floor. Never got it done a few days ago when I said I would, See you soon!

dustydigger · 28 February 2023 at 11:38AM

I'm back!

Nice clean floor now,it was making me miserable.Next will be the washing machine,its really really dirty. Its just under the bench where I prepare veg and other cooking chores,and stuff can run down easily.So that will be next.So,updates.

+ health - rotten as usual

No,apart from my back I hadnt been too bad lately. Boasted too soon about my bones doing so well,I am having knee issues,. Still delighted that my fingers are not very curled up so I can work online,but my hands have been looking swollen lately and very stiff. I am a two finger typist,and today my right hand is really stiff and a bit tender. Better get in as much work as I can before it gets worse.Hmmm....just tried to use a different finger,and its not too bad,but just feel a bit odd.Apart from the hands and the back and the knee,and the ear infection and tender gums I feel fine. Just shows how bad I can be at times that I think I am in pretty good shape

+this is birthday week. GGS1 on 21st,GD4 on 26th,and GGS2 today. Actually he is a Leap Year baby,so its a day early really,to keep it in right month. I have DD2 on 4th,then DS2 on 6th,then thank heavens we have a break till end of April.Expensive time,though Mr Dusty and I share the cash gifts between us,but my share still comes to £60. Good thing its Feb and Mar are free months for my water rates,that covers the costs exactly.

Every little helps

+About the water rates,it seems there are going to be rises,but at the same time the water company has been heavily find for dumping sewage in the water,so we should get a reduction there. No signs yet of Northumbrian Water telling us our new payment,though new rate starts first of April.

Ouch,this post took 25 mins to type.Must be lovely to touch type with good handsAs usual achieved less than I expected. Off now to clean that dirty washing machine,then start dinner. Unusually I didnt add my usual salmon fillets to my asd@ order on Saturday,so I will have to get creative. Rice and various veg to look like a risotto or paella sort of thing.. Green veg in peanut butter as the sauce. . Oh well,its colourful at least,though no meat or fish. Mr D gets a bit sulky when there is no meat or fish

-------

Here's Mr D back already. Didnt get much done did I?

Off to make him tea,he's freezing.Supposed to be 5C,but feels less than that.I didnt have the heating on while he was a way and now the house is cold.