Next month I turn 48 and it seems this stage of middle age brings with it a host of seemingly random, and at times rare, medical challenges. I am not referring to Perimenopause, though I am definitely in the later stages of that, and it probably deserves it’s own post. Last year, after we moved to Evanston and I had my first appointment with my dentist, he discovered through some kind of special x-ray that I have Fibrous Dysplasia, a rare bone disorder, on the top left side of my mouth/jaw.
Though at times I’ve had some discomfort from grinding my teeth and have experienced soreness in my jaw, I had no idea that there are what looks like extra bones there. My dentist did some kind of test and it was benign. So it’s not cancerous, which was certainly a relief. He said that as long as it isn’t bothering me, we will keep an eye on it and only treat it if/when we deem it necessary.
More recently, my new eye doctor, that we switched to after our move, became concerned about my having a high risk of Angle Closure Glaucoma, (also known as Acute Glaucoma or Narrow Angle Glaucoma). Our previous optometrists identified my propensity for this a while back and had been monitoring it for years. However, I don’t recall them ever suggesting any kind of treatment.
My new optometrist examined my eyes and compared what she found to their previous measurements/notes, along with referring me to an ophthalmologist who also examined my eyes. They both recommended that I have a proactive procedure, called a Laser Iridotomy, in each of my eyes, to address the issue. The Laser Iridotomy is happening tomorrow afternoon, in an outpatient procedure done by my ophthalmologist. Bob will take me there and drive me home.
Not long after my new eye doctor and I started discussing the possibility of my having this procedure, I joked with Bob about my not having “someone will drill holes in my irises with lasers” on my 2023 BINGO card. To which he responded, “I don’t think anyone did!” That really cracked me up in the moment, which I needed!
Though I am not exactly looking forward to my Laser Iridotomy tomorrow, I am ready to get it over with and have the peace of mind that I will be less at risk for Narrow Angle Glaucoma, which is what I was initially told the condition is called. Also, after all the bizarre medical experiences I’ve had thus far in my life, stuff like this seems to phase me less than it used to.
Lastly, another thing that came up, because of my risk for Narrow Angle Glaucoma, is that my optometrist encouraged me to stop taking antihistamines. Apparently, certain types of medication, including antihistamines, can increase the risk for Narrow Angle Glaucoma and/or make the condition worse. I admit that in recent years, especially in the time of COVID (which I’ve still somehow managed never to get), I became somewhat addicted to taking them.
I got to the point where I was taking one Zyrtec pill daily and Sudafed, as well as Benadryl, as needed. However, the “as needed” part was getting more frequent for my seasonal allergies and occasional cold symptoms. I never took more than the recommended dosages, but I often took them for more days/weeks than is indicated. Many years back, when I was getting what felt like chronic colds, a doctor recommend that when I have certain symptoms that I start with Zyrtec (once a day) and then also take Sudafed (during the day) and Benadryl (at night) to dry up my nasal passages. However, I realize they likely didn’t intend for me to take them as often as I was doing.
Cutting out antihistamines cold turkey three weeks ago was not easy for me. I had to deal with the allergies and some cold symptoms they typically help to curb and I got some pretty bad headaches. At one point I Googled, “Can you get addicted to antihistamines?” and the consensus from my “research” was, “YES!” I was still able to use Flonase daily, which made this time a bit more bearable. Also, after the first week or so, when my body had mostly gotten used to functioning without antihistamines again, I was better able to realize that I probably didn’t need to be taking them as often as I was. If/when I get the green light to use them again after my procedure tomorrow, I will aim to be more discerning about when I do so.
So this is where I find myself in early February 2023, a month before my birthday and the first anniversary of when we moved to Evanston/our new home here. Also, a few days ago I celebrated another milestone — 18 months of being back in the traditional workforce full time at Northwestern University.
It felt good to write and share here, as I still appreciate being able to process some of my life experiences this way. Wherever this finds you I am sending peace and love from the Midwest, where after a week or so of bitter cold the weather is changing/warming up and the snow is melting. The days are getting longer/the amount of sunlight we get to experience is increasing and tonight we have a gorgeous full moon in the sky.
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Weirdly, a friend of a friend had to have the same eye surgery, but her doctor linked it to Flonase. I hope your procedure went well, and you have no further problems!
Thank you, a! I asked my doctor about Flonase, after seeing your comment and he suggested that is linked to another type of glaucoma. Not sure what to make of that… The procedure went well for my left eye the first time, however ended up having to repeat the right eye two weeks later, as it didn’t stick initially. Apparently some pigment from iris in my right eye may’ve filled in the hole or something to that effect. So getting to experience the procedure, albeit only in one eye, again wasn’t fun, this time it worked and I am done with lasers in my eyes for the foreseeable future. Pun intended!