[Injecto]

Alright peeps, I'm freaking out here. I get nervous, deadly nervous, everytime I have a Dr. appointment related to D.

It's been 13 months since my last Optometrist appointment and I just can't make the appointment. I'm too freaked out to find out I'm going blind. Some of you might not get it but for me I'm just scared to death about it and so I keep putting off the call. RRRrrrr. Right now I hate having the f'ing D because it puts me in this position...

What to do....

[xMenace]

First I'll reason with you with facts. At the rate of your control level, you'll probably die of old age before they find any signs of problems.

Emotionally, we all go through this. I was half freaking yesterday waiting for my bloods which I knew would be ok. I was a wreak Monday with an Optho appointment that afternoon. It sucks even more when you know you have issues.

Still, I know from experience that the only way to relieve your fears is to go. It won't go away if you don't. You and your family don't want that. You will feel like a champion when it's all done. I guarantee it. At least till the next one.

[Mich]

Injecto,

Boy, do I hear you. I was TERRIFIED to go to the optho. I hated anything touching my eye. I was terrified of nearly everything he did and told him so. It put us on a joking level by my second visit. He passed up the glaucoma exam at my request the first two times (bless his heart) because i was hyperventilating. He just looked in there and told me I was fine for now and that we would keep an eye on things (ooooo, bad pun.)

Yes, many of us DO know. It makes us mad. It scares us. BUT, we essentially have no other choice. I went as slowly as I could, not making any decisions unless I had to. Eventually just had to do deep breathing and suck it up. I also had him explain every little thought that was passing through his head, which made him laugh and also made me feel better. Knowledge is power-- knowing your options really helps. At least you feel a little in control. The odds are on your side, by the way.

Here's a hug, buddy. Suck it up and go. I'll be thinking of you.

Mich

[grace girl]

I go through it, too. It's just your basic run-of-the-mill paranoia that just really adds to the whole D experience. Best I can tell you is the same that everyone else did...just suck it up and get it over with!

[princesslinda]

I hate going to the doctor as well...doesn't matter how good I THINK i'm doing, i'm always afraid they'll FIND something wrong.....after all, I wasn't expecting my diagnosis of "Big-D" either...BUT, not going isn't going to fix anything, so I pull it together and drag myself to the appointments.

I always worry about my eyes, as I saw my mom struggle with vision problems...but after reading all the posts here, I'm much more encouraged that IF something is wrong, they can fix it if they find it soon enough.

Hang in there...make the appointment...you'll stress and worry either way ..I think that's just "typical" for the newer ones of us.

[morrisma]

Don't think of them as trying to hurt you or trying to find bad stuff. Think of them as trying to save your life. Makes the whole odious process easier.

...and now we are all waiting for whatever results you get!
Mike

[gettingby]

Injecto, I can understand your fear. I feared the optho and a fear of possible complications that I didn't go to the optho for almost 4 years. I finally decided to "bite the bullet" and make an appt. I went around the first of January. He said everything looked good. I was having problems reading or seeing anything up close with my glasses on and I got scared. Didn't want to hear that it was a diabetes complication. Seeing what John has been through gave me the courage and the inspiration to make the appt and go. I'm glad I did. Luckily, the seeing up close problem was solved by him telling me not to wear my glasses for reading and up close vision, just for distance vision and driving.

[peej07]

Let me just say I was in the same boat and it has cost me. I had some laser done in my right eye and was told to make an apt in 3 months or so to finish up some work on my left. I got busy, forgot, was scared, holidays, you name it but never followed up. Last April I started having problems with chronic hemoraging in my left eye that the docs feel could have been prevented had I stuck to my appointments. Now I'm facing a vict sooner or later, I guess my point is the same as everyone elses. It's better to deal with the fear and take care of things rather than ignore them and hope it goes away, trust me it doesn't.

[Injecto]

Alright, I booked an appointment for tomorrow morning. I can't believe I'm this frightened. I'm expecting the worst, but I agree with what you guys have said, that IF a problem is there it will be there with or without an appointment.

[princesslinda]

Injecto, i'll be sending positive thoughts your way in the morning. Hang in there! All of your "forum friends" will be there with you in spirit. We'll be waiting to hear what you found out, so be sure and let us know.

[Gangrel]

I'll simplify.

Go, or I'll kick your, well, you know.


Does that work?

[mzteacher]

good luck tomporow...sending good thoughts your way!
susan