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Dr mentioned retina issue for child- and now I'm nervous


Lieutenant Stranger
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So, we went to a new doctor yesterday for my youngest, who has been having strong stomach pains (comes and goes) for years. His previous dr told me there was nothing that could be done that wasn't invasive.

 

I'd had enough of his pains (I'd get worried, and then they'd stop...I'm sure some of you know this cycle) and decided we'd go to a new doctor. She had to do a well-child checkup and while viewing his eyes, she said she could see discoloring on his retina and he needed to go to an eye doctor.

 

So, I made the mistake of googling what the doctor said. While Web MD can be a choose your own adventure story where the outcome is ALWAYS death, Google was a bit sobering. The only thing that google said this could be is a genetic disease that could eventually cause blindness.

 

WHA? WHAT??

 

Of course, at this point, my husband is like "PUT THE COMPUTER AWAY!" But I could tell he was a bit worried when I could only get an appointment a month out. He encouraged me to keep looking and we found somewhere for tomorrow. 

 

So now, I'm waiting on results of blood tests (liver, celiac, food allergies....who knows what else) and worrying about what will happen at the eye doctor.

 

I mean, could the doctor just mis-see something like this? I don't know. I feel like I can't discuss with my husband (he likes to keep his emotions deep down inside his knee or something) and obviously the children are out. Bringing grandparents into it will make them worry and my bestie hates this doctor so she won't believe anything she says. (Her: She's probably wrong!) 

 

I feel like she really listened to us for the stomach pain and didn't just tell him to drink water and take laxatives. The amount of blood work alone made me feel like she was serious. So, why wouldn't she be about his eyes?

Does anyone here have experienced with discolored retinas? Can a pedi be wrong about something like this?

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Go to a retina specialist ophthalmologist.

 

Don't go to an optometrist or general practice ophthalmologist  or a lens specialist ophthalmologist, go to a retina specialist ophthalmologist.

 

If the doc you can see tomorrow is not a retina specialist ophthalmologist, get a referral. Since this is a retina issue, a dilated eye exam needs to be done (I've never known a family doc or pediatrician to do dilated eye exams). A retina specialist has the equipment and training to treat retina issues that a general ophthalmologist or optometrist can't do.

 

I had retinal problems several years ago, went to the ER where they could not even see the problem, ER doc sent me to a local ophthalmologist who was a lens specialist who sent me to a retina specialist and I had surgery the next day. I see an optometrist in the local office for my routine care now, but still see the retina specialist when needed. 

 

Keep us updated.

Best wishes.

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

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I figured we need to see a specialist-- but the kids are about to leave to go out of town, so I figured at least we could get into an opthalmologist who could at least say yes or no to the discoloration. I've been to this clinic before, so I know they dilate eyes-- they did mine.  The town I live in has a HUGE older population and it is ridiculously hard to get into doctors. (Good like finding a primary care here. Seriously.) 

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I figured we need to see a specialist-- but the kids are about to leave to go out of town, so I figured at least we could get into an opthalmologist who could at least say yes or no to the discoloration. I've been to this clinic before, so I know they dilate eyes-- they did mine.  The town I live in has a HUGE older population and it is ridiculously hard to get into doctors. (Good like finding a primary care here. Seriously.) 

Glad you are seen seeing an ophthalmologist, that should get the ball rolling.

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I figured we need to see a specialist-- but the kids are about to leave to go out of town, so I figured at least we could get into an opthalmologist who could at least say yes or no to the discoloration. I've been to this clinic before, so I know they dilate eyes-- they did mine.  The town I live in has a HUGE older population and it is ridiculously hard to get into doctors. (Good like finding a primary care here. Seriously.) 

 

Glad you are going to be seen so quickly.  This time of year is busy for the eye docs in our area with back to school right around the corner.  Until the appointment though, step away from the computer.  Dr. Google is only going to scare the poop out of you.

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