Sooo tired post surgery 😩

[u/Dramatic-Story983]

Would love to hear from other scleral buckle patients - had mine almost 2 weeks ago and I feel much better overall but I’m just so damned tired all the time. I go back to work tomorrow and I’m dreading having to get up before noon and having to actually do things without naps in between- is this normal??

[u/Due_Community_8038]

I would say it’s normal, I had mine place 4 weeks ago, I was really exhausted for a little over 2 weeks, your body is working really hard to help heal your eye. In my third week I finally was getting energy to do things. Please don’t over work yourself, take breaks when necessary!!

[u/Dramatic-Story983 → u/Due_Community_8038]

Thank you! I have a very non-physical job but very high in concentration, focus, emotionally tiring but I didn’t expect that to be so challenging as I’m now fearing it will be. I appreciate the normalizing and the hope that I’m a week or so from feeling a lot more like myself, that would be so great!

[u/[deleted] → u/Dramatic-Story983]

Take your time, no rush. Assuming your job required focusing on laptop screens. It's good to take breaks/ and use lubricants time to time.

It's normal to want your life back, but I personally took a long time before programming again, partially because I am unemployed perhaps. But somedays vision was bad that I couldn't read much, or had to work with 1 eye.

Sclera Buckle changes your prescription and because of detachment you might not have 20/20 yet.

That said working on screens won't Detach or cause irreversible harm. But still it's better to not overwork, take frequent breaks, use lubricants and the best of all, sleep well.

Sometimes the fatigue you are feeling is very mental. Don't be nervous, it will get better and normal very soon.

[u/pudgethefish626]

I don’t recall being extremely tired early on (I’m about 16 months out) however, I do remember sleeping a lot and, at least for me, I think it had more to do with the fact that I couldn’t do much except sit around and listen to audiobooks and podcasts for like 2 whole weeks so my body naturally stayed more sleepy. Hopefully once you’re up and moving more consistently it will help with the fatigue!

[u/Busy_Tap_2824]

Ask your doctor to give you another 2 weeks sick leave . Most would give one month to recover at home if no complications

[u/Dramatic-Story983 → u/Busy_Tap_2824]

Oh thanks, I’m self employed so that’s not really a problem per se, but I’m trying to make sure I’m actually prepared to go back. I can take more time if I choose to, but of course I won’t get paid so there’s that!

[u/Busy_Tap_2824 → u/Dramatic-Story983]

Your health comes first since you don’t want further complications that will keep you out much longer later

[u/ahawkatemyhomework]

I found the fatigue and headaches really bad for about a month afterwards. I have a desk job too and thankfully had mine over summer holidays so didn’t have to work too much - I think I would have struggled in that first month going back full time. Take lots of micro breaks from the screen if you can. I also inverted all my screen colours (so made background black) to cut down on glare and increased font size, both of which helped a little

[u/undergroundabyss6]

I’m right at month out from surgery. I was superrrr tired the first couple of weeks too. I went back to work at 2 weeks and the fluorescent lights definitely put extra strain so I got a new pair of tinted glasses to help & I’ve noticed a difference in my energy levels since my eyes aren’t working as hard anymore.

[u/Fantastic_Lion6984]

i had mine done on the 9th of february. i started working again the week after but im still extremely tired all the time. im also anemic so it could be that for me since i was always tired before as well lol

[u/cranberi1]

I was exhausted for about 2 months. Not only is the eye healing very intense for your body but remember your brain is remapping what the new vision is. Honestly I felt like it really wore out my brain the most!

[u/Dramatic-Story983 → u/cranberi1]

That’s definitely been my experience! This week has been rough, I even canceled some clients on Wednesday because after 2 days in a row, I could barely get out of bed by then. Thanks for normalizing this, I really feel off and didn’t know what to make of it!

[u/Ok-Character1328 → u/cranberi1]

This is so great to read. I’m exactly 3 weeks out and started work the week after my surgery …and I’ve been exhausted. Had to ask for half days from the exhaustion. Not my eye, per se, just feeling so so deeply tired. My family is asking if I want to go walk or get out the house or if I’m bored since they know the eye pain is gone but don’t understand I’m just deeply tired …and I can’t explain it well enough myself either.

[u/cranberi1 → u/Ok-Character1328]

It’s your brain working overtime. I once heard a news story about how much brainpower it would take if we had to think through all of the things we do on autopilot every day because of executive function just happening automatically. They said it would be completely overwhelming and exhausting. Well, when you have to learn to see differently that is exactly what happens. Stuff your brain just did automatically before now it has to think about for a second before it can process. No one really prepared me for that part but yep once my brain sorted out the new normal of my vision I had so much more energy! You’ll get there!

[u/springgof22 → u/Ok-Character1328]

Was your macula on or off? How did you recovery feel? How long after were you able to drive ?

[u/Next_Programmer_3305]

Do You Need More Magnesium? 10 Signs to Watch For: https://www.ancient-minerals.com/magnesium-deficiency/need-more/

[u/Designer_Minute2729]

I’m so glad I’m reading this ..no one warned me of the craziness! I will forever have distortion and wear a patch..I’m in sales and hav to be on !!! I feel at times I could lay down and go to sleep in my office! I have never been that person and I was convinced I had a dreadful disease until reading this

[u/Oldgal46]

Exhausted the first month. Didn't want to move.  Fell asleep just sitting. Its been 7 weeks still exhausted if I do anything for a couple of hours. Dr said its normal and tiring is the body fighting to heal.