How Bad Is Laser

Gabby123 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008, 03:12 PM

I have had some avastin shots and now the Doctor wants to do laser. He is having me go thru outpatient and be put out instead of local.Is the shot to do it local that bad?He said they can do it with a local but he would prefer me to do it at the hosptal. Any advice on how bad it is under just a local?

xMenace · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008, 05:54 PM

I've been lasered a number of times. It is stressful and hard work, but it's not really painful. I found it best to freeze the eye with drops. This is how the vast majority of laser is done. The one time he tried a local I just about fainted and he couldn't do it anyway. Relaxation is critical. Some doctors have no ability to help their patients relax. If you've had a lens stuck to your eye already for exams, that's half the battle.

I don't know what's involved with laser for your condition. As far as I know, you are the first here with it. I suspect he wants to laser critical areas in the macula and wants to ensure there will be no movement on your part. Or he may have to do a lot of 'fiddling' to aim it at different spots. I can't see him wanting this for a rather simple 50 blasts. On the other hand, perhaps he senses a lot of tension from you and knows from experience that you'll have trouble coping.

Ask him.

markr · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008, 11:02 PM

Before I give you my answer regarding lasers, I want you to know that when I see someone injecting themselves on TV, I have to turn away. I have received numerous laser treatments for retinopathy in the past all as an outpatient. They didn't bother me at all. They worked so well, (along with me improving my lifestyle)that I have now gone several years without needing them.

Jill-O · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 03:34 AM

I also had avastin shots (2 in each eye) then on Monday had laser surgery. It was not anything to be worked up about. Took a few minutes, and did NOT hurt. It's easier than the shots (which I also found to be easy). Immediately following the surgery, my husband and I went out to a nice restaurant and had dinner.

morrisma · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 05:40 AM

Had laser in my left eye. Laser itself was a piece of cake. Shot prior was not so easy so the worst is over for you!
Good luck
Mike

xMenace · #6 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jill-O

I also had avastin shots (2 in each eye) then on Monday had laser surgery. It was not anything to be worked up about. Took a few minutes, and did NOT hurt. It's easier than the shots (which I also found to be easy). Immediately following the surgery, my husband and I went out to a nice restaurant and had dinner.

Avastin and local anethsetic shots are completely different. The LA is inserted under your eyball and into the back where the optic nerve is. It is very uncomfortable and stressful. It is somewhat painful too, like an extreme ice cream headache. I refuse to let them near me with one now. Freezing drops are fine. I had one for my vitrectomy too, but I was on happy juice and hardly noticed.

belyro · #7 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xMenace

I've been lasered a number of times. It is stressful and hard work, but it's not really painful. I found it best to freeze the eye with drops. This is how the vast majority of laser is done. The one time he tried a local I just about fainted and he couldn't do it anyway. Relaxation is critical. Some doctors have no ability to help their patients relax. If you've had a lens stuck to your eye already for exams, that's half the battle.

I have to agree with xMenace here. I'm not the laser vet that he is, but what he explained her pretty much describes my experience too. I had no local anaesthetic - just numbing drops and also a numbing gel. I also took an extra-strength Tylenol before going in and that made a big difference. (I forgot to take it once and I did notice the difference.) There were some areas that were painless, but some that were a bit painful (kinda like a rubber band snapping on my retina), but for the most part it was just "stressful" and "intense". The bright light, the zapping, the lens stuck to your eye, holding still....I got claustrophobic pretty fast. I'm a big wimp when it comes to anything like this, though, so if I can do it, so can you.

xMenace · #8 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 06:10 AM

Keep in mind that our lasers have been for pan-retinal coagulation and treatment of hemmhorrages and edemas. Gabby has an occlusion. I don't know where in the eye it is or how laser is even used to treat it. If it's similar to treating a hemmhorrage then it will be a breeze, but if there's any fiddling or concerns about the surrounding tissue, or more likelyhood of pain, then putting her asleep may be best. There's no room here for accidents.

Also remember your first time. Most of us did much better subsequent visits as we knew what to expect. This is a one shot deal.

Discuss it, but I think you have to trust the doctor's opinion.

Gabby123 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 05:55 PM

I think I am convinced I should be put out.
Thanks guys.

xMenace · #10 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabby123

I think I am convinced I should be put out.
Thanks guys.

Please discuss things. Regardless of your decision, you should be as informed as possible.

Good luck, keep us up to date.

Jill-O · #11 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 03:46 AM

I did not realize that the shot some people need (I did not) for laser surgery is so bad

xMenace · #12 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jill-O

I did not realize that the shot some people need (I did not) for laser surgery is so bad

Bad? It's probably not so bad when you consider purely the pain and effects (you need assistance to walk around). But it's very uncomfortable phsychologically, like getting a shot in the gonads. My vasectomy was much more fun. My second time was much better because of the drugs and I knew what to expect.

Jill-O · #13 (**permalink**) 01-11-2008, 06:10 AM

I guess I'm lucky. The avastin shots to me were just "nothing" other than inconvenient. The laser treatment was just smooth and easy and was totally fine following. The avastin apparently dried up / stopped most of the leaking in my own eyes and the laser on Monday was to take care of what was left. So far 3 sets of photos, which the doctor showed and explained to me what I was seeing, and the improvements were evident to me when he showed me the pics each time. Have another set of pics on like 2/20 just as a follow up.

Gabby123 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 10:04 AM

I will be seeing my medical Doctor in a week and will see what he thinks.The retina specialist did say they have to give the initial shot and get up in there and you can't move. He knows I have a phobia for needles so I am sure that is the main reason he wants me out. I did great on the avastin shots though which are much easier . I had an outpatient surgery done on my eye once for a schelasion and fainted after the surgery. My blood pressure was 60/40 and they actually cut my clothes off of me . They thought I was crashing but I had just fainted which I do pretty easy. I fainted watching the class for an ephideral when I was pregnant.I used to faint when I would get a booster shot as a kid. I am not that bad now.

peej07 · #15 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 12:59 PM

I've had extensive laserdone and I would say the worst part is thinking about it. As it's been stated before keep yourself calm and don't push yourself too hard. If you follow Beth's story you'll see she slowly worked her way into long treatment sessions.