Lazer treatments have begun

[Cinnabon]

Hello everyone...
I had my good load of lazers, bright and early this morning. Wowzers, I had 700 done on my left eye. I must say it is not excruciating pain, but it is not pleasant. I'd like to think iI was pretty brave, as most patients have asked the doctor to stop several times in between, I held on. Next Friday, will be my next load on my right eye.

[jdstein11]

Wow. Hang in there, bud.

[duck]

I had lasik done years ago...As for being brave, I'd post what I said to my dad when I was done, but this is a family-oriented forum...lol

So how many more surgeries do you have total?

[Cinnabon]

LOL.. I have a REAL good idea exactly what you said.

[camjen1]

Good job Mars. Was thinking about you the whole time.

(((((((((HUGS)))))))))

[gettingby]

Way to go!!! I had a feeling that you would be fine and my feelings are correct 99.999% of the time. LOL :D

[Lorna]

Thats goood news, has your vision returned to normal after it?

[Cinnabon]

No not at all... But I think that it could take longer than 1 day to see normal again.

[am1977]

Hey Cinn...

Hope you are doing ok...we're thinking of you :)

Be well :)

[Cinnabon]

thank you guys!!!

[Sparkle]

Good luck and everything crossed for you

[KickStart101]

Wow that's alot to put up with Mars. Good for you, I knew you'd be
brave(don't feel bad though if you need a rest in between). I had my left eye done to get rid of some vessels in back of my eye 20 yrs. ago. I
had the first session of 250 shots and after that I said," No More" to my Eye
Doc since I knew it was burning something near my eye. Couldn't stand it. He said, "Okay the next time, I'll freeze your eye so you don't have to worry about moving or the pain". Well, I said, "Why didn't you mention that before"? I found out why!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: On my next visit he took a 2 inch hyperdermic needle with the freezing solution and stuck it under my eye and through the muscule (cause I heard the squeeking noise). I grabbed his hands as he's doing this and exclaimed, "Oh my God". To which he replied, "Hmmmm, no one has ever called me that before". I said something insignificent back. He did his job.....OKAY< I AM A TOTAL COWARD :eek: ...and it went fine. I was at my Doc's last month and my eyes don't need any more laser still. :cool: I like him alot, he's a Great Doc plus he goes to the poor countries and fixes their eyes for them for nothing which is Great. I would go through it all again yes. I hope I didn't gross no one out, especially younger members. :eek: :)
My best to ya on your other lasers, Mars, you'll do Fine. :D :cool:

[Cinnabon]

Wowzers Kick...
Nver heard anything about the freezing w/ me. But I know what getting a shot there is ... :eek: LOL

That is great that you have not needed anything else done!!! :thumbsup:

[Dewey]

Wow that's alot to put up with Mars. Good for you, I knew you'd be
brave(don't feel bad though if you need a rest in between). I had my left eye done to get rid of some vessels in back of my eye 20 yrs. ago. I
had the first session of 250 shots and after that I said," No More" to my Eye
Doc since I knew it was burning something near my eye. Couldn't stand it. He said, "Okay the next time, I'll freeze your eye so you don't have to worry about moving or the pain". Well, I said, "Why didn't you mention that before"? I found out why!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: On my next visit he took a 2 inch hyperdermic needle with the freezing solution and stuck it under my eye and through the muscule (cause I heard the squeeking noise). I grabbed his hands as he's doing this and exclaimed, "Oh my God". To which he replied, "Hmmmm, no one has ever called me that before". I said something insignificent back. He did his job.....OKAY< I AM A TOTAL COWARD :eek: ...and it went fine. I was at my Doc's last month and my eyes don't need any more laser still. :cool: I like him alot, he's a Great Doc plus he goes to the poor countries and fixes their eyes for them for nothing which is Great. I would go through it all again yes. I hope I didn't gross no one out, especially younger members. :eek:
My best to ya on your other lasers, Mars, you'll do Fine. :cool:
:eek: Holy Snikeys!!!

Cinnabon,

Hope you're doing better every day, and please hang in there. Just wanted you to know, that we are with you & feel for you, even if we can't literally feel for you. :eek: Here's hoping for a speedy recovery, and safe procedures. :thumbsup:

[Lee73]

yay Cinnabon....Half way there. You are a tough cookie.

[Cinnabon]

Hey everyone....

Well.. here I am 800 shots down. I went for my right eye today and received 800 shots. WOWZERS!!!!! I'm on Xtra strength Tylenol. I am due back next week for about another 400 on each eye. A total of Right eye- 1200, Left eye- 1100. I had to reach out for the nurse's hand, lol.

I ran into quite a few sugar-challenged characters too They were there for Laser treatment but refused to take control of their blood sugars......., pretty incredible. :frown:

[duck]

Hey everyone....

Well.. here I am 800 shots down. I went for my right eye today and received 800 shots. WOWZERS!!!!! I'm on Xtra strength Tylenol. I am due back next week for about another 400 on each eye. A total of Right eye- 1200, Left eye- 1100. I had to reach out for the nurse's hand, lol.

I ran into quite a few sugar-challenged characters too They were there for Laser treatment but refused to take control of their blood sugars......., pretty incredible. :frown:

You're almost done, then?

[Cinnabon]

I really hope so.

[Lori M.]

Cinnabon

Sounds like your doing great so far. :rock: I go for my first appointment with the ophthalmologist on July 18. :vroam:

[am1977]

Cinnabon,

Hang in there, girlfriend :rock: . You've made it this far, it won't be long until you are finished with your laser treatment and I'm sure this will all become a thing of the past. Stay strong :elefant:

[Cinnabon]

Well I just came home from having 400 more done. I think next Friday will be my last treatment, hopefully(at least for now)

[Cinnabon]

Ok everyone....
Today was my last treatment for now.I am due back in 2 months. My eyes will get a break! LOL
My doc said "Now we will see the results of all the lazer treatments when I see you again".

[WhyNotSmile?]

I would realy like to know how did your first symptoms look like? My dioptry doubled, although I am still fresh :) (one year) ?

[KickStart101]

Well, that's Great news Mars! I'm sure glad that you made it through
that "ordeal" :top: :cool: NEXT..... :biggrin: j/k. Have a Good rest.
Cool Pics by the way. I'm assuming the one with the headache and nice tan is you. :biggrin:.....or is it....well we get the idea anyways. :)

[Cinnabon]

I went for my check up this morning, 4 weeks after the laser treatments, and He confirmed the hemmoraging has stopped!!!! I was as happy as can be!!!!
I mentioned my left eye, as it is not seeing well after all those treatments, and he did see swelling (Macular Edema) and I might need another shot (Kenelog). But, NO more Lasers for now!!!!! :elefant:

[Jayo]

I went for my check up this morning, 4 weeks after the laser treatments, and He confirmed the hemmoraging has stopped!!!! I was as happy as can be!!!!
I mentioned my left eye, as it is not seeing well after all those treatments, and he did see swelling (Macular Edema) and I might need another shot (Kenelog). But, NO more Lasers for now!!!!! :elefant:


Thats great news indeed!...hope the left eye fares well...

[Cinnabon]

I went today for another follow-up this morning. Good & Bad news, but not unexpected....

I have 20/25 on my right eye!! :elefant:

Now my left eye, the problem, still needs a shot and a lil Laser still :tomato:

The trick to all this, for anyone that has to go through this, is patience, A LOT of patience!!! but it can be resolved! :proud:

[Cinnabon]

Update on the Left eye....

Got my Kenalog shot today.... Honestly it was good, kinda odd.. huh? LOL
Now I will have to wait for a few weeks and get some lasers..... Blah!

[Lorna]

Hang in there you seem to be doing fine- and you said it yourself, it takes patience!!!

[StepFather416]

I too have just completed 8 rounds of Laser therapy...ohhh the headaches. I have had Type one Diabetes for 17 years...alot of those years I did not take care of myself.

Let's hope none of us that has had the treatment end up taking another visit. Keep those AC1's down.

Good Luck.

[Dewey]

I too have just completed 8 rounds of Laser therapy...ohhh the headaches. I have had Type one Diabetes for 17 years...alot of those years I did not take care of myself.

Let's hope none of us that has had the treatment end up taking another visit. Keep those AC1's down.

Good Luck.
Hi StepFather, and welcome to the family. I'm sorry to hear you've had to go through all this mess, and sure hope things get better for you. Feel free to vent, share and ask questions, as there's bound to be someone who has either experienced something similar, or feels the same way. Welcome, and glad you've found us. :shakehand

[StepFather416]

thankyou very much...a very warm welcome indeed.

[Cinnabon]

Well I am having a check up tommorrow (1/3/06).
I know that my right eye is having major problems but we will see what my Retina specialist :rolleyes: says.... I will let ya know......

[camjen1]

((((HUGS))))

Good luck! Come back and tell us all the good news. ;)

[KickStart101]

Well I am having a check up tommorrow (1/3/06).
I know that my right eye is having major problems but we will see what my Retina specialist :rolleyes: says.... I will let ya know......

Geez, we were hoping the laser treatments would fix your problems just as you had hoped. :( I sure hope that the Retina Specialist. says it's an easy fix or something similar. Here's hoping.......Best of Luck. :top:

[sydneya]

Well I am having a check up tommorrow (1/3/06).
I know that my right eye is having major problems but we will see what my Retina specialist :rolleyes: says.... I will let ya know......

Best of luck with your appt today!! After what you went through, I hope that the right eye is a easy fix. I admire your courage--I'm afraid I would start the denial thing all over again just to get out of the treatment. But then our eyes are so precious. KEEP UP THE GOOD ATTITUDE!!

[am1977]

Keep us posted, sweetie...we'll be thinking of you :smile:

[Cinnabon]

Well,
I got some so-so news today from he specialist. He said that He sees the swelling in the right eye again and I need another KENELOG shot. I asked if I was hemorrhaging again and he said no its not new blood but he sees old blood on there that dried up causing me to see bad. The bleeding did stop as he told me once before but I will need more shots and Lasers. He mentioned a new medication for Retinopathy called Avastin. Insurance does not cover it because its experimental but it has NO side effects like Kenelog does. Unfortunately I cannot afford it and I cant afford the experimentation.

Here is a lil on Avastis:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Avastin+Intravitreal+neovascularization+success&btnG=Google+Search

I will post later on these new discoveries for treatments for Retinopathy/ Macular degeneration

[am1977]

Thanks for the update...
I'm so glad to hear that there is not a new hemorrhage (sp?)- that's good news :top:.

I'm sure going in for these appointments takes a lot of courage-I really admire that. You are a brave lady and I give you a lot of credit, b/c I'm sure going through this all isn't easy.

I wish you the best with these future treatments. May they go by quickly and pain free.

Take care :)

[Cinnabon]

Well today I was up, bright and early for some delightful Laser treatments.
I only have one way to describe them.... (Oh GOD!!!!)

One bad thing.. My pressure on my left eye the good one is up (17). I don't know too much about this, but it was high.
Good thing, I am not due back till March.
If anyone has had pressure problems in the eyes, please share...,.

[Harold]

Well 17 might only be temporary rise and 18 and under is considered normal by my wifes doc. My wife has been as high as 32. With some new eye drops that came out in the last year or two. She is now down to 21.

[maggiewjk]

Wow. Hang in there, bud.
I just wanted to say HI! Also i have a cousin in englishtown .NJ

[strike]

I can't speak to the pressure in your eye, but I can just about imagine how painful the lasers were. My wife is usually crying when she comes out of the laser room.

I too am glad to hear that the hemmhoraging is down, but yes, the adema is troubling. How has your blood pressure been lately? It's my understanding that higher blood pressure can have an adverse effect on macular adema, maybe it has to do with sodium & retaining water? Eh, just an idea. :stupido2:

Keep us posted on all of you visual happenings!

[Cinnabon]

Strike.. were you referring to my eye pressure or blood pressure?

My blood pressure has always been good, never had a problem (70/110)
If it was my eye pressure you were asking its: 17 when I went on Friday. I have been taking COSOPT (Cosopt lowers high pressure in the eye, a problem typically caused by the condition known as open-angle glaucoma. Cosopt works by reducing production of the liquid that fills the eyeball. )for that. Not sure if you wife has had to take this.. It sure stings!

[strike]

I guess I don't know what I was referring to LOL. I was talking about how I was under the assumption that high blood pressure can effect macular adema (referringi to a previous post I guess). Oh well, sorry I confused you, heck I even confused myself. :laugh:

[karen36]

I posted a few questions back in Dec last year about having swollen eyes. Its not the actual eye its self but underneath and all of my eye lid. Both are swollen (like i have done a few rounds of boxing) and very red they have been like it since the end of november and are getting worse. I have seen my doctor 5 times, the eye casualty twice, 2 eye consultants and a dermitologist, believe it or not no one knows what it is. I have just been given antibiotic eye drops as an infection was brewing.....now i have been told i need laser treatment on both my eyes, they will burn a small part of the retina away as i have new blood vessels growing...i am very very scared about this, does it hurt, how do you feel after,can any one help!

I am 36 and have been type 1 for 31 years, but this is the first time i have actually felt really scared and unsure about it
Karen :afraid:

[KickStart101]

Hi Karen, I'm sorry to hear that the Doc's still haven't dxd. you yet
and that you are still suffering.
I thought it was your eyes that were the problem first and then
your eyelids. IF it's just the eyelids then among many conditions, I
was wondering if you may have "preseptal cellulitis". Google it for info.
There is also a second related condition called "orbital cellulitis" but
it involves the eye also, so that can't be it.
As far as pain-wise most people get through the laser treatments
with no problem, just slight pain and maybe a headache, depending
on how many shots you need, of course.
I had new vessels near the back of my left eye so I had laser for
that. I didn't need very many. I usually have a high pain tolerance,
but it was the thought of the laser burning the vessels(slight pain),
that I couldn't stand. I don't like anyone fooling with my eyes
(complete coward there :D). The second time I went, I had freezing
(a Big needle, that hurt and caused a black eye, wore a patch). BUT
my eye was frozen so I didn't feel the laser and I couldn't move my eye,
which was good. I did have nightmares for about a month after it. That's
probably not common.
That was my experience. I hope that your treatment is successful and
satisfactory to you. Please keep us posted. :)

[Cinnabon]

Well....

I went for my check up today and he said my eyes are looking real good!!!
He doesnt want to see me for another 4 months!!! WOO-Hoo!!
Lets go Party!!

[am1977]

Well....

I went for my check up today and he said my eyes are looking real good!!!
He doesnt want to see me for another 4 months!!! WOO-Hoo!!
Lets go Party!!


This is GREAT news! I'm so happy for you :biggrin: .

All the Best:wink:

[KickStart101]

What a Relief!! That's Great News. Way To Go. :thumbsup:

[BriOnH]

:party:
YES!!! I am glad I read this thread! GREAT to read about your recovery.

[Cinnabon]

Well everyone, since I had to go back to see my retina specialist before time, due to feeling very unfortable with how I was seeing, he detected some leaking in my right eye, initially the bad one and wantd to do some Lasers. (Wasted time at the retina specialist..... 4/18/06)

Today I did it and its OVER and DONE with. It was short and I just experienced a dry-eye feeling afterwards.Ill be back there in 8 weeks.

:help:

[KickStart101]

Well everyone, since I had to go back to see my retina specialist before time, due to feeling very unfortable with how I was seeing, he detected some leaking in my right eye, initially the bad one and wantd to do some Lasers. (Wasted time at the retina specialist..... 4/18/06)
Today I did it and its OVER and DONE with. It was short and I just experienced a dry-eye feeling afterwards.Ill be back there in 8 weeks.
:help:

Well, it sounds like that appointment was short and sweet Mars.
Glad to hear that it went well. Now stay away from there for a
long time brave Girl. ;) Stay well.

[Georgia]

Well everyone, since I had to go back to see my retina specialist before time, due to feeling very unfortable with how I was seeing, he detected some leaking in my right eye, initially the bad one and wantd to do some Lasers. (Wasted time at the retina specialist..... 4/18/06)

Today I did it and its OVER and DONE with. It was short and I just experienced a dry-eye feeling afterwards.Ill be back there in 8 weeks.

:help:

Wooohoooo that must be such a great feeling to have it over & done with. You've done brilliantly & are such an inspiration to us all :)

[Cinnabon]

This is not my eye, but out of curiosity, since when this happens you dont actually see any blood, it is curious as to what is going on back there in the eye. These are actual images of what the eye really looks like:

[valc3]

This is not my eye, but out of curiosity, since when this happens you dont actually see any blood, it is curious as to what is going on back there in the eye. These are actual images of what the eye really looks like:

Thanks for sharing them. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this.

[Cinnabon]

Tomm at 7 am I will be going to my specialist to check on that eye to see if all that blood really went back in the body. I will inform you ASAP.

[KickStart101]

Tomm at 7 am I will be going to my specialist to check on that eye to see if all that blood really went back in the body. I will inform you ASAP.

:ahhhhh: Yike, 7 a.m.? I'd sleep through that appointment. :rolleyes:
Good Luck at your Drs. I hope it goes well for you Mars. :)

[Georgia]

All the best for tomorrow morning. I will keep good thoughts for you that your eye looks great & the blood has cleared up of it's own accord. Keep us posted won't ya...

[Cinnabon]

Well it looks good!!!
Finally at least some good news!!! My sight isnt all that, but much better, this takes a lot of time.

[am1977]

Well it looks good!!!
Finally at least some good news!!! My sight isnt all that, but much better, this takes a lot of time.


I'm so glad that you are seeing improvement (no pun intended :). Hopefully, this treatment will take care of things for awhile...

Thanks for the update :smile:

[KickStart101]

Good News is Right. What a Relief. Hopefully more improvement
will come Very soon for you Mars. Thanks for the post.

[Georgia]

Well it looks good!!!
Finally at least some good news!!! My sight isnt all that, but much better, this takes a lot of time.

That's awesome news, am chuffed to bits for you :) :) :) :) :)

Now, here's to continued improvement......

[Yvonne Burns]

Dear Georgia,
How are you doing now? I have not been to this message board for a few days.
Please update us.
All My Best
--Yvonne:whistling :biggrin: :D :itsme:

[Georgia]

Hi Yvonne - I am doing well thanks & it's kind of you for asking. I have finished my laser (woo hoo) & I go back for a check up in August. Hopefully all will be well then but if not I guess I will need a touch up. My Opthalmologist is not in any hurry to remove the mild cataract - so that's ok with me! How are you doing?

(Cinn, sorry to hi-jack your thread, lol)

[Yvonne Burns]

Georgia,

I will try and post this only ONCE!:D
I am doing very well. The cataract surgery was easy and painless. I am anxious to have the right eye done now so that I can have a matching set. It can get a little disorienting to wear glasses for one eye and have the other be blurry. My vision is greatly improved in the left eye and I can actually read without glasses (if I close the unoperated on eye). It can get confusing at times but it is nothing in the face of my deep gratitude for having it all be successful.
I pray that I will not develop leakage and swelling later on.:biggrin:

Life is good.
--Yvonne

[Cinnabon]

I dislike to report to everyone that about 2 days after seeing the retina sprcialist, my right eye got real bad. I can hardly see out of that eye. I have an appointment for Tuesday 27 , but I really have NO idea what this can be. The only thing that comes to mind is, all that blood that dried up is just disturbing my vision, light I see, but NOTHING clear!

This is very frustrating. and I have slight pain on that right side of my head, well, that comes and goes... :mad:

Any suggestions/ideas...

[Dewey]

I dislike to report to everyone that about 2 days after seeing the retina sprcialist, my right eye got real bad. I can hardly see out of that eye. I have an appointment for Tuesday 27 , but I really have NO idea what this can be. The only thing that comes to mind is, all that blood that dried up is just disturbing my vision, light I see, but NOTHING clear!

This is very frustrating. and I have slight pain on that right side of my head, well, that comes and goes... :mad:

Any suggestions/ideas...
Cinnabon,

I am so sorry to hear this - this truly sucks! It seems like bad things always happen in a compounded manner. Please know you're in my thoughts & prayers. I honestly don't have suggestions, but hopefully others here with more experience can offer assistance, and hopefully, the doctor will help somehow. I'm very sorry. :(

[am1977]

Cinn...

UGH! :(... I don't blame you one bit for being upset... dealing with everything you are dealing would be very overwhelming for anyone.

I wish I could offer you some words of advice that would help you, but I honestly don't know what to do... If you went to the ER, do you think they would be able to help you in some way?

I know I'm not much help here- but I am here for you... Feel free to email me, PM me or even call me (I'll give you my cell # if you like). You are not alone, you'll always have us behind you!

Please keep us updated with everything- we'll be keepin you in our thoughts!

[KickStart101]

Geez, I'm sorry to hear this also Mars. Just when we were
enjoying your improvement. I haven't yet lost my vision in
any way so I don't know what this could be. Sorry. Be nice
if you could see the Doc sooner also. I just hope and pray
that it will clear up for you by itself very soon.

[BriOnH]

Any suggestions/ideas...

Been trying to think of some since last night, and wish I had the right words. Just stay strong like you have Cinn, and know you will beat this.

[Georgia]

Oh no Mars when will you get a break. Is there anyway you can get into see the eye doctor before Tuesday? It may be worth ringing his office from time to time to see if he has had a cancellation that you can grab. I'm sorry but I do not have any suggestions/ideas right now but I will keep thinking for you. Try & keep strong & let us know how you are.

[strike]

I don't have any suggestions Cinn, just wanted to pop in and say that I feel bad for the recent developments and to keep your head up! Let us know what the Dr. says...we're very interested to hear.

[jenet]

I don't have any suggestions either, but wanted to say I'm thinking of you this weekend, and hoping for the best.

[Cinnabon]

Well here it is....Back from the specialist and this is what I got.....

"gotta give it time!, There is nothing you can take for this, it is all part of the hemorrhage you had recently.This is the Gel-like-substance ,that is there obstructing your sight. If this had been a repeated hemorrhage with this gel there, then we would have had to go in and operate"

No cataracts increase
No Optic neuritis - (from MS)

It was a little better news than all the other stuff I had , had. Got to have patience!
Back to NO bending over, No lifting heavy stuff, always upright! Lazy status!!!

Thank you fam!!!

[Dewey]

Well here it is....Back from the specialist and this is what I got.....

"gotta give it time!, There is nothing you can take for this, it is all part of the hemorrhage you had recently.This is the Gel-like-substance ,that is there obstructing your sight. If this had been a repeated hemorrhage with this gel there, then we would have had to go in and operate"

No cataracts increase
No Optic neuritis - (from MS)

It was a little better news than all the other stuff I had , had. Got to have patience!
Back to NO bending over, No lifting heavy stuff, always upright! Lazy status!!!

Thank you fam!!!
Thanks for the update, Cinnabon.....Hey, just think, you can be lazy & hang with us! ;) :love:

[am1977]

Well, :hmmmm: this isn't bad news... So I'll take it! :thumbsup:

Guess you and me can be lazy here together :biggrin:. I'm actually pretty limited in what I can do right now too, but I'll spare you the details :rolleyes:. Me and Cinn can just chill and veg out in unison :wink:. Let's see, I've already took my nap today, read my magazine, and watched my programs on tv- my goodness, it's hard work healing, isn't it :smile:

In all seriousness, I hope that you do try to take it easy, Mars... We want you feeling better asap!

Take care of yourself!

[jenet]

Glad to hear you may just need to be patient - of course, that is not so easy either! ;) Try to enjoy taking it easy.

cheers,
j

[Georgia]

Hey that doesn't sound like bad news to me, so let's keep that positive attitude of yours. I know you have to give it time but make the most of the lazy days & enjoy the things you like doing.

TAKE IT EASY!!!!!!!!!!

[strike]

Yup, that's what they said to my wife for every hemmorhage, "just let it clear" *sigh* easier said than done when you can't see out of one eye lol.

Glad to hear that's ALL it was, keep your head up!

[Cinnabon]

Well,
It is finally clearing up... Keeping the head up is definitely the trick. Its been over 2 months since this happened!! I can see pretty much everything, just have a gel substance around it....ewwwww..LOL

[Georgia]

Glad to hear it is clearing up, Cinn :o)

Take care of yourself & no bending or heavy lifting, you hear?

[KickStart101]

Well,
It is finally clearing up... Keeping the head up is definitely the trick. Its been over 2 months since this happened!! I can see pretty much everything, just have a gel substance around it....ewwwww..LOL


I'm so glad that you are seeing better. You did that BIG Job
Alll By Yourself.:marchmell

That is such a thrill. :D Great Job Mars. The ewwwww...is Way
acceptable, Sweetie. :flowers:

[richter313]

Hi There Cinnabon I m Brad seen your post about laser surgury on your eyes, I know exactly what your going through as i lost myright eye 3 years ago from retinopathy. I was constantly pooping blood vessels in both my eyes and under went extensive laser sessions takeing close to 1200 blasts in my right eye! It got to where there was so much blood in the back of my eye the doctor went in and did a posterior vitrectomy(i believe thats what it is called) After do that he found the retinal attachment was weak and eventually ended up becoming totally unattached causing me the blind right eye. my left eye is fine and still doing well but i really look after it now!! Anyways Hang in there it can be a very stressful situation when your dealing with your sight, its a precious thing! My thoughts are with ya !! A brother in the battle!!! Brad:ridinghor :ridinghor

[red]

Well, reading Cinnabon and everone'e eye adventures was quite scary. When I was diagnosed back in March (2006), I had a slight eye problem. Oddly, since April things have progressively worsened.

Went to see the Opthamologist 2 weeks ago and my eyes have issues. Leaking fluid and the blood vessels are at issue. He wants to see me again in 3 months and if nothing has changed, he;ll do the laser surgery on the BACK of the eye. He wasn' t the nicest doctor and i was scared to begin with...Now I am petrified! How can they do surgery on the BACK of the eye?!

My vision is strange now - everything seems slightly darker and I have alot of TROUBLE reading. 4 months ago, I was using magnifier type glasses (suggested by an eye doc) and had progressed from 1.25 in 1997 to 1.75 magnification. I do lots of reading, was a computer IT professional and did a great deal of craftwork (beadwork). Now a 3.5 magnification glasses doesn;'t do it and I am using a 4x magnifying glass for most everything I read.

I WANT MY VISION BACK!!!

I still think, that the meds I started taking adter being diagnosed, have done this to me. How could it change so much during a 10 day hospital stay??? (I had an infection and lost a toe - welcome to the world of dabetes!)

Okay, eenough venting.

From those who have gone through this, please make any suggestions that I should do to make the (probable) surgery fo better/smoother/less painful. I stand in awe of those who have had the process done and come out the other side! (well or not)

Thank you.

[Cinnabon]

I know exactly how u feel (ck your Priv.message)

[Cinnabon]

Ok ever1...
I went this morning to my specialist and this is what he found. My eye on the right (bad), first hemorrhage(Mothers day) has gotten worst. I didn't realize it. I was seeing at 20/70 a month ago and now... worst. He does not want touch it just yet.

My left has gotten better 20/30 and he wants to do some Laser in 2 weeks because it is leaking slightly. He wants to seal this immediately. I asked if this had anything to do with the MS, he said No. Your vessels are very fragile, a quick move is enough.
Again, He is leaving the cut to my eye to be able to remove it all, as a LAST resort.....

Updating to my family..... what do U guys think of all this?

[Keezheekoni]

Wow, Cinnabon, I don't know what to say. It sounds like your doc is on the right path...but I don't know that much about it!

Hugs to you!

[Cinnabon]

I am just fed up w/ my eyes, I really am. I try to do everything right and this keeps happening.... (just venting) Tell me to shut up!! lol

[am1977]

I know it must be extremely frustrating, but you are doing everything you can to take care of things and that's all you can really do. Don't let this get the better of you... take it one step at a time.

We're here for you when you need us!

[Keezheekoni]

Vent all you want, Cinnabon. That's what we're here for! :knuddel:

[mageerobin]

On my next visit he took a 2 inch hyperdermic needle with the freezing solution and stuck it under my eye and through the muscule (cause I heard the squeeking noise). I grabbed his hands as he's doing this and exclaimed, "Oh my God". To which he replied, "Hmmmm, no one has ever called me that before". I said something insignificent back. He did his job.....OKAY< I AM A TOTAL COWARD

I had a reaction that normally only white males have to the laser, where my blood pressure dropped and I nearly fainted. AND OUT CAME THE NEEDLE. I did not say it but I did think it.

Oh My God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob

[Cinnabon]

I feel this way in general. Im really exhausted with all that keeps going bad. I have had Laser, more than 2000, and I survived.... but its just in all I feel this way.:confused:

[Cyborg]

Glad to hear some good news. At least one eye is getting better. Hang in there. I know it's gotta be tough. Best wishes. :flowers:

[red]

i just wanted to thank everyone and update you about my eyes and the laser surgery.

I had my first treatment yesterday. In the 3 months since my 1st appt., the vision in my left eye got slightly better and the right eye - slightly worse, at least according to yesterdays' tests.

But after the dye tests, I needed the laser surgery still on both eyes. They zapped 3 blood vesssels in my left eye yesterday. I will need another treatment in that eye and two treatments in the right along with a steroid shot to curb the fluid issue in the right eye which should help the vision in that eye.

I was scared and had heard all sorts of crazy things about the treatments (even from a friends' father who HAD the surgery), so I was pleased that the truth about the surgery was found here and you guys were right!

It wasn't easy for me. The bright light bothered me tremendously. But the headache went away fter a 2 hour nap, I got nauseous again when Greg cooked dinner (exactly what I said I wanted) but it went away about an hour laterand today, my eye did not hurt went I woke up, but now, 7 hours later, it's a little bit tender. Today, the light does not bother me as much as yesterday and I expect it to just get better.

Thanks again to everyone for being wonderful, for sharing info and kind words with me and for just being "here."

[Cinnabon]

Tomorrow is the day... I get more lasers on my left.... I only pray that my eyes get stronger. U are all with me tomm morning!

[gettingby]

I'm there with ya Mars. Everything will be fine.

[xMenace]

I feel this way in general. Im really exhausted with all that keeps going bad. I have had Laser, more than 2000, and I survived.... but its just in all I feel this way.:confused:

I had about 3k in total back in '94.

I'm with ya.

[am1977]

Hey Cinn....

Best wishes tomorrow- we know you'll get through it with flying colors .

I'll be thinking of you ;)

[Cinnabon]

Im BACK!!!

Long wait but Im good. The doc did very little, as he sealed a lot of the vessels. He has plans in getting started in the right eye.. the bad one!
He told me I will need more on both.. Pray for me and my eyes that nothing changes. If I would not have had these hemorrages I was so ahead! Pure Diabetics in that office today... lol All T2s. I tried helping out a lot as they were curious about my pump and many were getting it soon.

[jenet]

Im BACK!!!

Long wait but Im good. The doc did very little, as he sealed a lot of the vessels. He has plans in getting started in the right eye.. the bad one!
He told me I will need more on both.. Pray for me and my eyes that nothing changes. If I would not have had these hemorrages I was so ahead! Pure Diabetics in that office today... lol All T2s. I tried helping out a lot as they were curious about my pump and many were getting it soon.
Thanks for the update. I'm keeping my fingers crossed with much hope that your eyes heal up well after these treatments and are stable for many years to come.

cheers,
j

[Georgia]

Oh Mars I am so sorry to hear you are still going through all this - I have not been on DF for a while but I have been thinking about you & hoping your eyes are improving. I really hope that this lot of laser will do the trick for you. Take care & please keep us posted won't you. Big hug.

[Cinnabon]

Ok everyone.. I have been having a real fuzzy vision in my just lasered eye... I am so mad, but for WHAT?!
I cant be mad and I hope I am exagerating, I think I might have a slight hem. I swear I am screaming out to god. :hmmmm2: I just dont understand.

[Mich]

Well, I've been lurking back here watching what all of you are saying about your eye treatments. I had my first laser (series of tiny "light" welds that net the entire lifesaver-shaped retina) treatment about a year ago. This was to treat continued hemorrages from the neovascularization in my right eye.

They had done the stuff-in-my-veins retina photographs and knew where the bleeding was occuring and how much new vessel growth I had in my eye.

I am the world's biggest chicken when it comes to eye procedures. I was terrified. I didn't want him to touch the surface of my eye. He talked me through the procedure and did not touch the surface of my eye, he held a lens just in front of my dilated iris. On the first treatment he only did 500 tiny laser burns. I was about as stiff as a board and holding on to the arms of the chair for dear life. I only had an "ouch" sensation on about 3 of the 500, the Doctor explained that this was because there was blood in my vitreous liquid and the laser beam had been diffused. He sent me home. On the way home, I marveled that I had been so afraid.

The second visit, he did 1000 more tiny laser burns (they don't really feel like burns but that is what they are) to complete the netting effect on my right retina. Knowing how it would go, I was much more relaxed. Well, a little more relaxed.

Observations:

The dilation process--drops in the eye--caused me to be sleepy when I got home.

My eye felt "worked over" but not really sore for a couple of days.

My peripheral vision was not as good afterward. Neither was my night vision.

Unusual light shows sometimes occur when I first close my eye.


The doctor explained that the cause of my bleeds was a natural aging process in which the vitreous gel becomes more liquid and shrinks, pulling away from the retina. Unfortunately, mine pulls the new blood vessels a little each time, causing one or more to release blood into my virtreous liquid. I found much information on this by searching for those terms on the internet.

Next Thursday, I will have a vitrectomy in which the doctor will remove the cloudy old vitreous liquid. It had cleared each time, then refilled with blood. I am tired of bad vision in that eye. I will be in a hospital outpatient area and also "out" for the procedure. I will keep you posted.

Last Thursday I had an injection of Avastin in preparation for the upcoming surgery. The purpose was to shrink the new blood vessels. The drug cost was comparatively low and not covered by my insurance. The antibiotic drops I had to use the day before and three days after were only partly covered by my insurance. Altogether, we paid $140 cash for both. We scraped up the cash because it was worth it. Avastin is approved for shrinking blood vessels in colon cancer. The other approved-for-eyes drug is called Lucentis, which is much more expensive. Both drugs are made by the same manufacturer but this drug is being used by opthamalogists experimentally with good results. Both drugs do the same thing and one of the drugs is even made from the other. Before doing the injection, the nurse put drops into my eye to "freeze" it and swabbed my eyeball and eyelid with lidocaine. He put a plastic opener to keep my lids apart, which after the lidocaine, I didn't feel. As a certified chicken, I can truly say he wasn't lying when he said I would only feel pressure (and not much of that.) He told me to look away from him at the wall and pretend it wasn't happening (I like his sense of humor) and kept the syringe out of my line of vision. It took about 5 seconds. It turned out to be another procedure that was much less than I had imagined. Afterward, for about two hours I felt my eye although it didn't really hurt, though it did water a lot. I later learned that it was equalizing pressure after adding more liquid. After four hours, it just felt different from my other untreated eye, but still no pain. Once again, it took me a couple of hours to sleep off the dilation drops. Upon awakening, I experienced no scratchiness although I had been sent home with liquid tears and was to use the antibiotic drops for three more days.

I will give you a report on the vitrectomy afterward.

I will also share my new problem with my left eye--a macular warp caused by the same pulling of the vitreous membrane as my other eye. It causes some interesting visual effects. The doctor is waiting to see how this eye comes out before considering treatment on that one.

Overall, be sure you like and trust your retinal specialist and be sure he knows if you are a chicken.

Mich

[Cyborg]

Ok everyone.. I have been having a real fuzzy vision in my just lasered eye... I am so mad, but for WHAT?!
I cant be mad and I hope I am exagerating, I think I might have a slight hem. I swear I am screaming out to god. :hmmmm2: I just dont understand.


Sorry things aren't going as well as you had wanted. Being mad is completely appropriate, although it doesn't help much. Hope you feel better. You're always in our prayers.