anyone in somerset have KC

[matthew]

just wonderd if i was the only person in somerset who has KC?!it seems like it!!

[Claire Harrington]

Yep that makes two of us! I've only recentley been diagnosed, so still finding out whats good and whats not!

[Paul Morgan]

Oh no....you guys are not alone, trust me.

Where in God's county are you then? Are you both attending Musgrove Park, and seeing Mr Bates like me.

I'm a bit of a KC veteran really (although only mid 30's - note the only) as I was diagnosed in about 1993ish.

[Claire Harrington]

I am lucky enough to attend Bristol eye hosp and also Weston general (which is a real treat!) I am meant to see Dr Tole, but I ma usually seen by one of his assistants, who aren't as friendly

I am living in Weston for the time being - chosen through my job not through want of living here! It's ok really!

Who are Yeovil Town FC?

[Paul Morgan]

Yeovil town FC...ummm the team that knocked WSM out of the Somerset Cup I think....ho ho ho.

Anyway, welcome to this forum Claire. You sound very like I was at your age (how old do I sound??). I was diagnosed in my early 20's, wandered around for 5-6 years not being able to remember the word Kerataconus, let alone spell it or have any idea of what it was or what the implications might be. Managed with specs just fine until last year and now I'm on RGP lenses which hurt like hell today...ho hum, normally they are OK.

i hope someone answers all your Q's on the other thread...if not, I'll pop back on later and see what I can do...should do some work really....JAYUK, is usually very helpful!

[matthew]

theres me thinking i was the only somerset person with KC!!!i have the joy of going to bath r.u.h to see the delightfull,miserable and dull caroline!!!! hows the service at bristol claire i was thinking of being transferd there

[Claire Harrington]

Ok, ask me again if I do not answer your question, I may go off on a tangent! My first and only experience of Bristol eye hosp was ok, I had originally been refered to out patients at Weston general as the consultant who ran the clinic at Bristol did one at Weston too. So I toddled off to have some tests done at Weston but was informed after what seemed like a two minute consultation with a gentleman that they do not have the technology to test for Keratoconus. So I was then refered to Bristol.

My first 30 mins at Bristol were great, Had an eye test and a scan of my eyes etc etc and the waiting time was about 5 mins from the time I walked in the door, there was me thinking I was going to be in and out in 45 mins like my letter had described! However There was a long wait to see the doctor - to be expected I guess!! Unfortunately the doctor did not explain what the implications of KC were, and how I could manage it, and all the things you want to know when you have just found out you have something that you will have to manage for the long term - I was asking questions as the consultation went along and I was consistently told by the doctor he would answer them at the end, the docter was quite snappy and failed to explain to me what he was going to do to me, before he did it, when it came to poking my eye with this "stick" thing and me having to keep still and not move, speak blink etc etc I was a tad surprised to say the least! Anyway it was not all bad. At the end of it I managed to speak to Mr Tole, who is brilliant - he managed to see me at the end of my cosultation and explained everything and put me at ease and said everything i needed to hear and the facts too, so I did go away feeling semi happy about everything - but this was the day when I was diagnsed,but I would say if you manage to see Mr Tole, then brilliant.

Mr tole, also does clinics at Weston, so in my 3/4 month check up I will have my fingers crossed that I see him again, so I will keep you posted, but having only had two appointments at each hosp I am still only going on first impressions!

Matthew - how long have you been diagnosed with KC Isn't it a treck to get to the RUH?