I am special! hmmm not sure if that is good

Andy_nut · #1 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 09:31 AM

Hi

Just had my first visit to the hospital to review my first stage of retinopathy, and instead of seeing one doc, I saw 3 because I am special apparantly. The main doc called in a consultant who suggested a student should see me too.

** Disclaimer ** I was a bit blown away by the day and the nerves and the ups and downs to get all the info stored in my head.**

I have cotton wool spots that show are the second stage of a more serious problem, but the first stage hasn't happened... they have never seen this before.

Lucky me gets to have a photo shoot in 3 weeks to see what is going on. I wonder if I will be spotted by an modelling agency who specialise in retinas?

I am a bit nervous as they mentioned lasers but what can I do about it? Worrying won't help, so I am doing my best to shut it out and concentrate on my general health an BGs

Just thought I'd get it off my chest and it may make it better.

Cheers
Andy

CaptainMike · #2 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 09:53 AM

Good Luck Andy, Just Frozen Shoulder and a bnch of 'floaters' here, hope you get the eyes straightened out with a minimum of fuss and you can be 'NORMAL' like the rest of us!

Mich · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 04:18 PM

Hey Andy, We are honored to know a famous guy. It is a bit off-putting when they start calling in people from other rooms to take a look. Just be glad you're not having a baby. Many of the women on this board will know how THAT feels.

The photo session isn't much. The only really interesting part is when you get home and begin to "get rid" of the dye. Hint: you see it just before you flush.

We will all be waiting to hear how you are doing and we wish you the best possible outcome. Here's a group hug, too.

Mich

poper77 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 05:22 AM

Andy,
I am "special" too!! (Not only because my mother said so either

)The doctor was confused to see a cotton wool spot on each eye but not bleeding in the vessels. I got pics taked and returned 3 weeks later to see if anything changed...This time he saw a tiny drop of blood in my retna...He told me I just need to watch my bs, bp, and cholesterol and get my eyes checked (at a retna place) every 6 months.
Good Luck!

Andy_nut · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 08:02 AM

Well, where to start.

1> I am a wimp
2> I am currently yellow (inside & out)
3> ZAP!!!!!

I went to the flourescein clinic today to have some photos taken, and nearly passed out. Nothing to do with the dye in the blood or the photos or anything like that, nope, I saw the nurse get a needle out to go in the back of my hand and that was it.

I went light headed, pale and very hot, I had people litterally running down corridors to help me. WIMP!!!

The actual photos and the dye were a walk in the park, the news wasn't so great but then that is life. I have some bleeds in both of my eyes that will need laser surgery to stop them getting any worse, so I just need to wait for the magic letter to drop through the door to let me know when they can sort it out.

So that is the news so far...

Andy

princesslinda · #6 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 08:20 AM

Andy, you're not a wimp!...or maybe we both are wimps....i'm the same way with needles when it's my arm they are going in to.

Hang in there. Keep us posted on how things are going. Not had to go through any eye problems (yet), but i'm always anxious to read of the experiences of others.

Take care!
Linda

xMenace · #7 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 08:20 AM

I had an eye doc once tell me he only worries about young men fainting. Apparently old men and most women don't faint much if at all. Take it as a sign you are still young and full of vitality

Andy_nut · #8 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 11:21 AM

Cheers for the feedback linda and X...

Quote:

Originally Posted by xMenace

Take it as a sign you are still young and full of vitality

Young? Hmm not sure, don't feel it,

Full of Vitality? If lying on the sofa with a cold feeling sorry myself fits that criteria I am doing well

Fingers crossed my specialist is nice to me. There are two of them and they both have great names.. Dr Hercules & Dr Moriarte (good cop/bad cop?)

Despite my wimp tendancies, a cold and sinusitus, a stupid dog next door that wakes up my 9 month old daughter all night and bright yellow urine

(nice).... I am feeling alright about it all.

Will update soon.
Andy

Dawn · #9 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 12:06 PM

Andy
It is all very scary and of course you feel anxious.

I've been lying on the couch feeling pretty whiney myself with a cold and just waiting for the doc to call me to say I need my gall bladder out. Needles, tests and other barbariac measures FREAK me out. I'm the gal who needs major drugs to just have x-rays at the dentist and anxiety medication to have the doc just LOOK at a mole that is near my eye. I totally understand the anxiety and tell them in order for any procedures to continue you want some kind of medication. I don't mind the dentist any more....the drugs make me giggle and I don't remember a thing.

You can't be serious....Dr. Hercules and Dr. Moriarte??? Now that is funny to me!!!

Keep us posted.
Dawn

Alice · #10 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 04:07 PM

One benefit of getting "diabetic check-ups" at the eye doctor every year...occasionally they find something not diabetic-related that needs to be fixed. So, I consider us similar to fine race horses...our every body part is examined...pity the poor people who don't get the attention we demand!

Andy_nut · #11 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice

, I consider us similar to fine race horses

Nice way of putting it,

Andy_nut · #12 (**permalink**) 11-19-2007, 02:20 AM

The letter from the hospital arrived on thursday and I only read as far as the line stating an apointment had been made for me at the eye specialist on Tuesday 20th November.

I didn't see the line that said for laser treatment, until today, now I feel sick again! I am sat in work with lots to do and no interest in doing any of it. Far more important things on my mind.

Glass of wine should help me sleep tonight...I hope

Will let you know I how I get on.

Andy

Andy_nut · #13 (**permalink**) 11-20-2007, 08:00 AM

Well that wasn't worth all the fuss!

680 shots into my left eye and I am done! No pain, no unpleasantness, just bags and bags of nerves.

If I need to do it again it is a walk in the park!!!!!!

The worst part is sitting around. In the hiospital for 2 hours for 15 minutes of flashing lights. Fingers crossed I am done for now!

Thanks to everyone who has given me encouragement from different places, I reaaly do need to stop being a wimp

notme · #14 (**permalink**) 11-20-2007, 08:08 AM

I am so glad it is over for you Andy. You are very special to us.....and your not whimpy. Hey, its your eyes! We can't grow new ones.

xMenace · #15 (**permalink**) 11-20-2007, 08:53 AM

That's the typical response, mine included. It's more hard work than anything.

It ain't over though. If one eye is bad, you can count on the other being close. There are also failures where the blood vessels do not shrink. More laser, more check-ups, more laser, possible hemmorhaging, blah, blah, blah. At your stage I was told I had a 10% chance of going blind in five years. I think if the eyes respond well, you are good for 20+ years or so. It's the next six months that are important.

Some people also lose significant vision from the laser. I think today things are much better, but when I had it done the BBS/usenet chats had some horror stories. Some eyes just don't do well.

It is imperative that you keep your A1C down!