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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,322
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

Re: Have anyone ever had a hole in their retina?

@IMW  Not sure what your upcoming surgery is, but keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Could an adult child, neighbor or close friend help with your husband and his anxiety? Sounds like you've been through so much in the last few years and may have a system down, but  perhaps you need to take care of you right now.

 

Not sure what PVNS is (I'll look it up later), but keeping you in my thoughts and prayers on Wednesday and throughout your recovery. Please let us know how you are doing.  

Money screams; wealth whispers.
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,465
Registered: ‎03-27-2010

Re: Have anyone ever had a hole in their retina?

@BirkiLady   Have been thinking of you & wondering how the appointment w/the doctor went last Wednesday.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,745
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Have anyone ever had a hole in their retina?


@BirkiLady wrote:

I've been having a lot of problems with my right eye, but it has always been the weaker eye. In the past 2-3 months it's easier to close that eye to see.

 

Made an appointment and couldn't begin to read the top line of the eye chart! It was like being underwater and trying to read large letters through waves of water.

My Ophthalmogist ran additional tests; confirmed it is a hole in the retina. It apparently happens due to age. The other eye is fine (well, it will be with a new lens in my glasses . . . but that will be later).

 

First, he is sending me to a surgeon on Friday. I've always gone to specialists without any problem. This time, I called my son and asked if he would go with me. "Of course, mom." Gee, I'm feeling like a wimp today.

 

I wasn't even thoughtful enough to schedule the appointment on his day off. Think I'll try to reschedule it for Wednesday of next week for his convenience. Perhaps I won't be so rattled and may feel like going all by myself, as always.

 

If anyone has had this surgery, would like to hear your experience please. Is it worth it? The questions are adding up on my list! 

My Dr. said "seriously consider not having it done" after showing me the results of the tests and how my eye looks. He also suggested I call him and stop in to visit with him before making any decisions. I will; I've known him for decades and trust him completely.

After realizing I've been using one eye for quite a while, I'm not afraid of loosing my eye sight in that eye which really surprises me. I'm also taking the tests with me to the surgeon, although he'll probably run his own tests as well. It's all so unpleasant.   


@BirkiLady 

About rescheduling.  No.  If it is important enough to go now, it is important enough not to postpone it.  If this doctor is worthy  of caring for your eyes, his/her schedule will be blocked off.  Patients are probably clamoring to get in to see him/her.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,745
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Have anyone ever had a hole in their retina?


@BirkiLady wrote:

@PamfromCT  Thanks for remembering about the Prolia! How sweet of you. Unfortunately, a fourth fracture happened in my back in September for no apparent reason.

The ortho. surgeon wanted to use a cement-type procedure to fill the disc. I happened to have an appt. with my Rheumatologist later that week. He was astounded at the thought of filling one problem and not bothering to take care of the entire cause.

 

So, my wonderful and knowledgeable Rheumatologist took me off Prolia and I'm now giving myself Foleo shots daily (for 18-24 months) to build strong bones quickly. Then, I'll return to the Prolia injections every six months.

 

Ironically, today I did have a bridge replaced and (as usual) didn't use any numbing stuff at all (allergic to that stuff). My DDS tries to talk me into using very small doses, but it's not worth the migraines and hives. I always tell him I'll raise my left hand if I'm in severe pain . . . but it's never bad enough to need anything. He's also very, very good and dental work has advanced to far from when I was a kid and was white knuckled even with anesthesia! 

 

Thanks, again, for your kind reminder! 


@BirkiLady 

I never had any problem with Prolia, I thought, and then my DDS reminded me last year that my implant on the front came out, I had crowns pop off and that was because the Prolia was working so well, and now I have had a crown break (just break, that was not that old, about 5 years and another feels as if it is coming off).  I felt really bad also for 3 weeks following the Prolia this last time, just tired, back pain, neck pain, etc.  I have bulging disks and a lot of other minor issues so I think this is my last Prolia injection.  I do have very bad osteoporosis, so bad my endocrinologist told my DH that if I were fall on a granite or concrete floor, or something of the sort, I might not survive, but I cannot take another shot of Prolia.  I will have to be careful and take my chances.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,992
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Have anyone ever had a hole in their retina?

@BirkiLady-- I'm also curious how you're doing and what did you find out at your eye doctor appointment last week?   Thinking about you.

* A woman is like a tea bag. You can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water. *
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,140
Registered: ‎06-20-2015

Re: Have anyone ever had a hole in their retina?

I had mine lasered.  It was called a tear in the retina and a sign of this is new floaters in your eye.  It took at least 20 minutes.  They numb the area first but it did get uncomfortable after the last few minutes.  I had to go back for yearly check ups but the last time the doctor said I didn't have to keep coming back.  Everything looked fine.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,322
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

Re: Have anyone ever had a hole in their retina?

[ Edited ]

@newname0  Mine is definately a hole (rather large hole) in the retina. I have before and after photos (tests) of my eyes since I'm on Imuran (one of my meds for Lupus).  No wonder I cannot see out of the right eye.

 

Money screams; wealth whispers.
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,322
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

Re: Have anyone ever had a hole in their retina?

@Nonametoday  I'm no longer on Prolia. Have been on daily injections of Forteo for 18-24 months (due to a fourth fracture in my back), then will return to Prolia. Forteo immediately promotes new bone growth. I recently fell hard and didn't do any damage other than knock the wind out of myself. This is an amazing program for me and I'm completely satisfied with my Rheumatologist and his plans for returning to Prolia in a couple of years for maintenance the rest of my life. 

Money screams; wealth whispers.
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,322
Registered: ‎02-22-2015

Re: Have anyone ever had a hole in their retina?

[ Edited ]

@colleena @tototwo  Thank you for asking!

 

The surgeon is the best in this part of the area (Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa) so his surgery schedule is very, very busy and holidays thrown into the mix. I'm scheduled for surgery on January 9th and won't be able to do anything for 5-7 days. I'll have a rented contramption (for lack of a better word) that will enable me to lie on my stomach with my head down and another chair-type thing that will allow me to sit and visit (even play bridge!) with family or friends but keep my head down.

 

As long as I keep my head down, I'll be able to stay home alone during that week, fix my meals and shower! Since I managed by myself with my fractured back for so many months by myself, I know this will be fine and am no longer filled with anxiety. My son will be with me for the surgery and again, for the follow-up appointment the next morning. I plan to have a LOT of library books for that week!!

 

In the meantime, I'm wearing an eye patch under my glasses to keep the light out and so I don't use the eye (or further damage it). It's a flesh colored adhesive eye patch which allows me to drive easily and is not very noticeable. Although at this point, I'm not being very vain!

Money screams; wealth whispers.
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,992
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Have anyone ever had a hole in their retina?

Good morning, @BirkiLady.  Glad it's all planned and you're ready!   I had the option of renting one of those 'contraptions', but decided to just wing it.  Probably should have got the contraption because my neck got sore being face down constantly.  You might want to double-check with your doc -- I was not allowed to read or get my face (eye) wet in the shower for the first week.  I had to wear a waterproof eyepatch when I washed my face, etc, because I was told to not get tap water in my eye (bacteria, etc.).  I couldn't 'strain' my eye muscles by watching TV or reading.  It got really boring!  I think I drove my husband crazy.  You might be lucky you'll be alone.  

 

At a large event yesterday afternoon, I talked with a woman who'd had the same retina repair surgery that I had.  She did not have a good report -- now I'm sorry that I talked with her!

 

You have a long road ahead of you -- I wish you all the best!

 

(btw, I had to travel to Kansas City for my surgery, so we're in the same general area)

* A woman is like a tea bag. You can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water. *
- Eleanor Roosevelt