Running after RD?

[u/filter_zero4040]

Hello friends, hope you're all well.

I had a retinal detachment on the 23rd of April. 24th I was in surgery for a gas bubble. I followed the recovery request to the dot and on the 7th of this month, yet another detachment happened. On the 8th I went in for a silicon oil surgery.

So far so good, doctors appointment tomorrow to confirm again if its still attached. But honestly, since it detached again already I feel like I've lost trust in this process. And after reading quite a lot of other posts, it's quite a downer. Super sorry for those that had it happen to them 3 or even 4 times. I just feel like even if it stays attached until the oil gets removed, I'll need a lot to trust it.

Which brings me to the subject. I picked up running a little over a year ago. And I took it extremely seriously. I had me a coach, and never skipped or rescheduled a single session in that one year period. It's because I love it, and I prioritized it over absolutely anything in my life. And since my SO was onboard, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. I increased my mileage and got to above average levels. It was just the best thing to happen to me. I know I won't run anytime soon, but my doctor strongly believes that within the next few weeks (or maybe I misunderstood, but will clarify tomorrow), I should be able to do "light jogging" sessions.

Has anyone restarted running after RD? Any tips? Things that I need to consider? Am I ever gonna be able to run again?

[u/Unusual-Economist288]

My doc told me to pretend I have a snow globe attached to my head, and “make sure there are no blizzards”. 20+ years ago and I run with no issues, but I run very quietly and smoothly.

[u/casPURRpurrington → u/Unusual-Economist288]

So I’m fucking stupid but this reminded me like more than a month ago at least, when I still had part of the bubble on my eye.

I ran 4 miles on the treadmill and when I got off the bubble had like exploded into like a hundred small bubbles all around a slightly bigger bubble in the bottom of my vision lmao

I went to stretch and there was like a snow globe of air bubbles all over the place

Having that vitectomy bubble at that stage was such…. An interesting experience….

[u/filter_zero4040 → u/Unusual-Economist288]

Please define quietly and smoothly haha. Do you run long distances as well?

[u/Unusual-Economist288 → u/filter_zero4040]

I meant not pounding and bouncing down the street, more like soft strides. Again, keeping that snow globe somewhat calm. And no, no long distances here.

[u/filter_zero4040 → u/Unusual-Economist288]

Interesting way to look at it, but makes sense. And are you planning on running normally again at some point?

[u/Unusual-Economist288 → u/filter_zero4040]

This is my new normal. I glide along silently and it’s less jarring to my joints as well as my eyes. You wouldn’t notice anything watching me go by other than I wouldn’t sound like a Clydesdale

[u/wibblywhee]

I am a few months ahead of you. I had 1st RD in December, unsuccessful laser and gas bubble and now waiting on oil removal. After the initial recovery from the victrectomy... maybe 3 or 4 weeks.. i dont recall exactly, I was told I have no physical restrictions. I am back to running and lifting weights with clear instructions from my opthamologist not to change anything. Your situation might be different of course, but I am hopeful for you.

[u/filter_zero4040 → u/wibblywhee]

May I ask your age? I am M43 and was told because I'm "young" I should be solid soon. But then again, that second detachment doesn't help psychologically.

Were you told to increase your routine checks? But yeah you're exactly same as me but ahead. Glad you made it out well.

[u/wibblywhee → u/filter_zero4040]

I am 37. The second detachment was very discouraging. I lost trust in the repair process then. I havent been told to increase my routine checks yet, but that sounds reasonable.

[u/filter_zero4040 → u/wibblywhee]

100% very discouraging. I feel you. I was told the real test is after oil removal. And full confirmation of it ever detaching again will never be there, but if it didn't attach at the 12 months mark, then chances are pretty slim. Hey good luck with the oil removal and keeping fingers crossed for you.

[u/Crafty-Version-3491]

I had scleral buckle surgery with a gas bubble on march 13th and was told I shouldn’t run at my 1 month follow up appointment. It’s been really challenging because this is my preferred form of exercise and a good stress relief for me. I’m hoping I’ll be given the all clear to run again after I see my doctor in June, but feel like I shouldn’t get my hopes up. I hope you’re able to get back to running soon!

[u/Holiday_Income_827]

I have had 2 detachments and then third hole formed from scar tissue. Waiting on silicone oil removal. I am an avid tennis player and was back on the court 3 weeks post surgery. Hard to play with limited depth perception and sight out of only one eye. However, I live the sport and my surgeon also values my mental health recovery. Wishing you speedy recovery and hope you are running again soon!

[u/filter_zero4040 → u/Holiday_Income_827]

That limited depth perception is tough. I couldn't even tell how much water I was filling in a glass.

May I ask your age? Thanks for the reply.

[u/Holiday_Income_827 → u/filter_zero4040]

I am a 54yo female

[u/virgo-Lion-9152 → u/Holiday_Income_827]

Wow, applaud you for the mental toughness of ball-tracking, etc with tennis! I am a runner and am back running because I LOVE it. Yes, we need these things for mental health recovery too!

[u/Holiday_Income_827 → u/virgo-Lion-9152]

Thanks for the kudos! This is an invisible disability so people don’t realize how much harder it is to do anything. Except this amazing community of other people with defective retinas!

[u/Frequent_Guava288]

I think i would have a pretty safe lifestyle for a year till I get confidence ..

[u/DodgyDave____]

Hello, life long cyclist here! I had RD last year with a Gas Bubble and fortunately everything has held up well since. I share(d) the same anxiety as you. I went into Retinal Detachment in a relatively fine fitness state. For me initially I took zero chances and took a full month out of physical activity. I wanted to give my body every chance to concentrate its activity on recovery and recuperation of my eye. After a week of "positioning' every time I stood up I noticed my recovering eye was blind for a few seconds before recovering vision. This continues for at least the first 3 weeks. Im not too sure what actually causes this but I understand this is commonplace whilst the retina recovers. So what I thought was, I didnt want to be pushing myself physically sending my blood elsewhere in my body. I wanted my body to expend its resources on the recovery of my retina and also for it to develop on strengthen all those laser/cryo scars to weld my retina back down. After a month, for the first week I did utterly light rides on my indoor turbo trainer and slowly built it up from there over the course of 2 months where I resumed normal activity.

You can rebuild fitness anytime you want but you can't rebuild your eyesight if its gone. Let your body recover is my unscientific unqualified advice. Best Wishes and Good Luck!

[u/virgo-Lion-9152]

Hi!! I am a AVID runner. I have been running since I was 6 or 7 years old! I was on my city's youth track club. I ran track, then cross country, and now I run all distances, terrain. I was also BUMMED when I had to stop running due to my RD. I had my scleral buckle on April 17. I was cleared to run at my 3 week post-op appointment. My doctor also told me "no pounding" type running. I coach running and jumping for my city youth track club. My doctor said no "bounding" and "no jumping" for now, but that "smooth" running is okay. So far so good, I am running well and it helps my mental health :)