Dr hive, prayers please. UPDATE: # 36 #

[gardenmom5]

I have a small retinal detachment, and hemorrhage.

My dr is trying to find someone at this hour who can treat it.
Prayers please.

 

eta: the retina ophthal wants to do the surgery first thing in the morning when her staff is there.  it is still within the first 24 hours.

thank you for prayers.  I appreciate it.

1dd is taking off work tomorrow to babysit dudeling.  I don't want him alone, boys are in texas.

 

UPDATE # 36

Edited December 27, 2017 by gardenmom5

[Peaceseeker]

I am praying for you!

[rose]

I'll pray.

[rose]

I'll pray.

[Junie]

Hugs and prayers.

[umsami]

DH is a retina specialist.  You do not need to be seen tonight.  You can be seen tomorrow.  Most likely they will just laser you....possibly cryo.  Even if it's to the point where you need a vitrectomy, scleral buckle, silicone oil, whatever....they will just see you tomorrow during regular business hours.   I know it's scary, but honestly it's something that can be seen tomorrow.  WIll pray for you.  

 

Expect though a long day.  Typical retina appointment can easily be two hours.  Yes, without a doubt, you will be dilated, so have somebody with you who can drive (or call an uber).  You can expect to have something called an OCT.  You can expect to have your eyes dilated.  They will likely do something called a scleral depression, where they lean you back in the chair, and then the doctor takes an instrument that kind of pushes on the sclera (white bit) which allows her/him to see the edges of your retina better, and see if there are any tears there.  They may or may not do a fluoroscein angiogram (dye is injected in your arm which allows them to take pictures of the blood vessels in your eye).  If you have diabetes, they definitely will.  

 

None of the things I mentioned will hurt.  The most painful part is the drops.  

 

If you end up having a gas bubble put (sometimes done as it presses against the tear and lets it reattach), you may need to rent a massage chair (they offer them at the office) so that you can sleep in a certain position so that the gas bubble continues to press against the detached retina while it reattaches.  It's weird, but not painful, and really important that you follow any sort of instructions like that to avoid more major surgery.

 

There would be no change in outcome from having it fixed at midnight tonight vs. 4 p.m. tomorrow.  Of course, there could be a change in outcome depending on the skill of the vitreoretinal surgeon.

 

To find somebody go to asrs.org

 

 

Edited December 27, 2017 by umsami

[Lilaclady]

Prayers and ((((hugs)))

[Liz CA]

Prayers for you and a peaceful night.

[TravelingChris]

Prayers.

[Twigs]

Prayers and hugs.

 

I had a retinal hemorrhage (no detachment), I ended up with a vitrectomy the next day. In my area, it was no use to go to the ER since they didn't have the equipment to see my retina.

 

Best wishes.

[happi duck]

(hug)

[maize]

Praying!

[OneStepAtATime]

Hugs.  Hang in there and really read Umsami's post.  She obviously has a lot of knowledge.  

[Frances]

I'll be thinking of you. My husband has had two and both turned out fine with laser surgery. The toughest part for him was limitation on activity for a period after the surgery.

[PrincessMommy]

praying. 

[J-rap]

Prayers.  Good post above by umsami.

[Denise in IN]

Praying for you.

[hornblower]

thinking of you! 

[mumto2]

Praying

[MBM]

Prayers! ((( )))

[sbgrace]

Prayers you are able to sleep and the repair goes well tomorrow. 

[school17777]

Praying for comfort and wisdom for you

[gardenmom5]

DH is a retina specialist.  You do not need to be seen tonight.  You can be seen tomorrow.  Most likely they will just laser you....possibly cryo.  Even if it's to the point where you need a vitrectomy, scleral buckle, silicone oil, whatever....they will just see you tomorrow during regular business hours.   I know it's scary, but honestly it's something that can be seen tomorrow.  WIll pray for you.  

 

Expect though a long day.  Typical retina appointment can easily be two hours.  Yes, without a doubt, you will be dilated, so have somebody with you who can drive (or call an uber).  You can expect to have something called an OCT.  You can expect to have your eyes dilated.  They will likely do something called a scleral depression, where they lean you back in the chair, and then the doctor takes an instrument that kind of pushes on the sclera (white bit) which allows her/him to see the edges of your retina better, and see if there are any tears there.  They may or may not do a fluoroscein angiogram (dye is injected in your arm which allows them to take pictures of the blood vessels in your eye).  If you have diabetes, they definitely will.  

 

None of the things I mentioned will hurt.  The most painful part is the drops.  

 

If you end up having a gas bubble put (sometimes done as it presses against the tear and lets it reattach), you may need to rent a massage chair (they offer them at the office) so that you can sleep in a certain position so that the gas bubble continues to press against the detached retina while it reattaches.  It's weird, but not painful, and really important that you follow any sort of instructions like that to avoid more major surgery.

 

There would be no change in outcome from having it fixed at midnight tonight vs. 4 p.m. tomorrow.  Of course, there could be a change in outcome depending on the skill of the vitreoretinal surgeon.

 

To find somebody go to asrs.org

 

I can't sleep - too uncomfortable on my back,  the position my dr wants me to sleep in, so, I'm up in a recliner.  with my left eye closed, as it's uncomfortable to have it open.  always my left eye.  apparently - the issues with it increased my risk slightly over a normal eye.

 

I'm on the west coast - so I was the last patient of the day for my own dr - who was running late with her clinic so it was approaching 7pm by the time she was calling her colleague to get me in with her.

this happened about 2 - 3pm my time, and I will be in the retina dr's office around 8am.  so, should be fine for time.  though she's 45mins away.

 

I briefly worked in an ophthalmology office -  six docs, including a retina doc.  probably a good thing, or I might have ignored this thinking it would go away.    there wasn't really any pain.  occasionally, - very minimal discomfort. very occasional brief flashes after I came home.  my dr is positive about the hemorrhage - but less certain on the detachment, though it is highly probable. - the bleeding makes it harder to see.

I didn't want dudeling alone while I'm being treated - so dd is taking the day off work and will be with him.

 

right now - the hardest part is not bending over or lifting anything.

 

eta:Umsami - I realized i didn't thank you for a more detailed description. so, thank you.  I did over hear a few snippets between my dr. and the retina doc - cryo being one that I heard.  so, I knew that was one possible method - depending upon exactly what is happening.

and my dr sees a lot of peds - so she has a standard poodle to help calm  more anxious kiddies.  apparently - he ate some almond roca, including wrappers, over christmas.  she didn't find all four wrappers - he threw them up in the treatment room as we were waiting for the return phone call.   more entertainment.

 

Edited December 27, 2017 by gardenmom5

[displace]

Praying for a successful surgery/treatment!

[happypamama]

Prayers for the surgery to go well!

[MomsintheGarden]

Praying!

[Soror]

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

[hornblower]

Hope you got some rest last night & that the procedures today go well. 

[readinmom]

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

[umsami]

Sorry, I'm just now getting on.  I hope everything went well.

 

 

Even though I should know better, I've totally freaked when I've had floaters and flashers, etc.  It's so tough when it's your vision.   I used to work for an ophthalmic medical device company and one of the weird surveys our market research people did showed that people would rather be dead than lose their vision.   Anything regarding decreased vision is so scary.   

 

That is really cool about having a therapy dog to calm pediatric patients.  

[gardenmom5]

UPDATE:

no surgery.

the retina doc is sure it is a vitreous detachment and that the retina is fine.     there's the possibility there is a small hole, but it's hard to see with my blonde eyes (her words) and the blood.  it is still detaching, and bleeding.  the blood can take a while to completely clear out, but it is heavier than the vitreous fluid in the eye.   she instructed me to call if there are any flashes (I had some briefly last night.)   so, it will be periodic checks and 'watching' for the next few months. (and calling at first sign of trouble.)  and, I'm at increased risk of something happening in my right eye for the next two years.

 

so - take it easy.  I  slept when I got home so the dilating drops could wear off.

 

I'm supposed to go back in two - three weeks - but I have to switch insurance because my current insurance company is pulling out of the three most populous counties as of Jan 1.  they want to force customers onto their more expensive (but doesn't cover more) policy under another name.   so, we went with another carrier - so I have to find a new retina doc under my new insurance.   I was on a related plan years ago - and they had a well regarded retina doc then.  I just hope he hasn't retired.

the doc gave me my patient notes to hand carry to the next retina doc.

 

thank you everyone for your prayers.

[gardenmom5]

Sorry, I'm just now getting on.  I hope everything went well.

 

 

Even though I should know better, I've totally freaked when I've had floaters and flashers, etc.  It's so tough when it's your vision.   I used to work for an ophthalmic medical device company and one of the weird surveys our market research people did showed that people would rather be dead than lose their vision.   Anything regarding decreased vision is so scary.   

 

That is really cool about having a therapy dog to calm pediatric patients.  

 

my husband thinks being deaf would be worse. (we had a deaf/mute couple in our congregation a number of years ago.)  you can still communicate/talk with people if you're blind.

 

the dog is great.  he's very quiet.  she's had him for years, and I've only heard him back maybe two or three times.  and it was 'one'' bark.   he has really long legs, so he's tall,   the kids love him.  I've watched some really try to play with him.

[Jean in Newcastle]

UPDATE:

no surgery.

the retina doc is sure it is a vitreous detachment and that the retina is fine. there's the possibility there is a small hole, but it's hard to see with my blonde eyes (her words) and the blood. it is still detaching, and bleeding. the blood can take a while to completely clear out, but it is heavier than the vitreous fluid in the eye. she instructed me to call if there are any flashes (I had some briefly last night.) so, it will be periodic checks and 'watching' for the next few months. (and calling at first sign of trouble.) and, I'm at increased risk of something happening in my right eye for the next two years.

 

so - take it easy. I slept when I got home so the dilating drops could wear off.

 

I'm supposed to go back in two - three weeks - but I have to switch insurance because my current insurance company is pulling out of the three most populous counties as of Jan 1. they want to force customers onto their more expensive (but doesn't cover more) policy under another name. so, we went with another carrier - so I have to find a new retina doc under my new insurance. I was on a related plan years ago - and they had a well regarded retina doc then. I just hope he hasn't retired.

the doc gave me my patient notes to hand carry to the next retina doc.

 

thank you everyone for your prayers.

My Dd has a great (non pediatric) retinal specialist in your area. PM me if you want the name.

[gardenmom5]

My Dd has a great (non pediatric) retinal specialist in your area. PM me if you want the name.

 

sent you a PM.

 

my ped is because she's  a really good developmental, and my most common eye issues are developmental.   more of a challenge when it's age related stuff.  we have to find someone else.  who generally have had a bad record with the developmental stuff.

[alisoncooks]

UPDATE:

no surgery.

the retina doc is sure it is a vitreous detachment and that the retina is fine. there's the possibility there is a small hole, but it's hard to see with my blonde eyes (her words) and the blood. it is still detaching, and bleeding. the blood can take a while to completely clear out, but it is heavier than the vitreous fluid in the eye. she instructed me to call if there are any flashes (I had some briefly last night.) so, it will be periodic checks and 'watching' for the next few months.

Two notes:

1. My youngest has a blonde fundus. I'd never heard it mentioned before until her most recent eye doctor appointment. Apparently it's more common amongst fair people (and also means, IIRC, that your COLON pigmentation is lighter, as well.) :p

 

2. My aunt recently had the same exact eye issue as you described above. She was explaining it all to us at Thanksgiving. (Just very interesting - two things I'd never heard of until recently, now I've read about here.)

 

Best wishes on a quick eye recovery and no further complications.

[Sandwalker]

my husband thinks being deaf would be worse. (we had a deaf/mute couple in our congregation a number of years ago.) you can still communicate/talk with people if you're blind.

 

the dog is great. he's very quiet. she's had him for years, and I've only heard him back maybe two or three times. and it was 'one'' bark. he has really long legs, so he's tall, the kids love him. I've watched some really try to play with him.

Helen Keller agreed; she said she'd choose to get her hearing over her sight because it was so lonely being deaf. :(

[Frances]

I had a vitreous detachment this fall with a small hemorrhage and after six weeks my follow-up apt was fine. I can certainly relate to it being scary when things suddenly change with your eyes. I hope everything goes smoothly for you and there is no progression. I don't like the fact that my eye doc said since my eyes are the same age, it's fairly likely to happen in the other eye within the next 18 months. I'm holding out hope since my husband has only had it happen to one eye and that was many years ago.

[umsami]

UPDATE:

no surgery.

the retina doc is sure it is a vitreous detachment and that the retina is fine.     there's the possibility there is a small hole, but it's hard to see with my blonde eyes (her words) and the blood.  it is still detaching, and bleeding.  the blood can take a while to completely clear out, but it is heavier than the vitreous fluid in the eye.   she instructed me to call if there are any flashes (I had some briefly last night.)   so, it will be periodic checks and 'watching' for the next few months. (and calling at first sign of trouble.)  and, I'm at increased risk of something happening in my right eye for the next two years.

 

so - take it easy.  I  slept when I got home so the dilating drops could wear off.

 

I'm supposed to go back in two - three weeks - but I have to switch insurance because my current insurance company is pulling out of the three most populous counties as of Jan 1.  they want to force customers onto their more expensive (but doesn't cover more) policy under another name.   so, we went with another carrier - so I have to find a new retina doc under my new insurance.   I was on a related plan years ago - and they had a well regarded retina doc then.  I just hope he hasn't retired.

the doc gave me my patient notes to hand carry to the next retina doc.

 

thank you everyone for your prayers.

 

I have a blonde fundus too...it makes things harder to see.  

 

Hope the insurance switch doesn't cause any problems. 

[gardenmom5]

I have a blonde fundus too...it makes things harder to see.  

 

Hope the insurance switch doesn't cause any problems. 

 

 

so do I.  I was able to get a retina doc and get scheduled.  so, if anything happens after the first of the year - I can also have someone I can call.