I was reviewed by the eye clinic consultant today
Apparently I have an abnormal Right eye from a blood vessel bleed which probably occurred a few years ago
I cannot abide anyone assessing my eyes
A no nonsense nurse that felt as though she could handle herself in a pub fight squeezed painkillers and a pupil dilator in and as I half struggled to stop her , she held me down like a reluctant Virgin to complete her pressure studies
LOOK FORWARD ! She instructed as if she was training a horse and I tried to comply…..
By the time the consultant reviewed my scans and asked for my blood pressure to be taken it was 200/100
I wasn’t fucking surprised
He frowned and said “This is not good”.
My blood sugar was a little high too but hadn’t dipped after my lunch only an hour before
I tried to explain I was stressed but he was convinced I was devoid of any moderately healthy symptoms
I nearly fainted when he said the treatment for my condition was injections into the eye itself
I wondered if the robust clinic nurse would be doing it? And when?
An hour later at home my blood pressure was 140/88 and my blood sugar was 6
I think you behaved marvellously in refraining yourself from wrestling both Dr and Nurse, sure you would have liked to kill the buggers!! Take further advice from other medics or asked to be referred elsewhere either way rest up and relax 🙏. Jan in Castle Gresley
ReplyDeleteI’m a nightmare patient.
DeleteAren’t we all! Jan
DeleteMy husband had to get shots in his eye which absolutely makes me weak in the knees. But he said it wasn't bad at all. I don't know how its even possible to not freak out seeing the needle. Linda from PA
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda x
DeleteJohn, I don’t like the doctor or the nurse! Bullies! Why are they in the medical profession? I’m sorry that happened to you. It’s so good all your numbers straightened themselves out once you got home.
ReplyDeleteCarol in Atlanta
T he y. B oth werefine I’m a very difficult patient
DeleteOoh 'eck. Sounds very unpleasant.
ReplyDeleteYou can't even get a sweetie for being a good boy!
A scotch egg may of helped
DeleteCan you get a second opinion just to verify the shots in the eye diagnosis? Or maybe a sedative of some sort before they examine or treat your eye?
ReplyDeleteThere is laser treatment too
DeleteYikes! It's no fun being on the receiving end of tests and treatments. I, too, would get a 2nd opinion and/or ask for sedation or CBD gummies.
ReplyDeleteI've seen lots of White Coat Syndrome and resulting high BP. Time and getting back home cure the high BP.
Wishing you well.
Hugs!
My friend colin has called he knows the procedure well as he’s worked for a blind charity
DeleteGulp
Colin is an excellent resource person for what you might feel during the procedure. Perhaps he can come with you if you have the procedure? Any port in a storm, eh?
Deletemore Hugs!
I also suffer from white coat syndrome, due to appalling treatment as a child - regular check ups until the age of six due to having suffered trailblazing treatment as a very premature baby to keep me alive they did not know the after effects about, which has apparently given me atypical reactions to medications.
ReplyDeleteMy last dog was blind in one eye and regularly had injections into his eyeball. So hopefully you will be fine, the anticipation worse than the actuality. You know - "Nothing to fear except fear itself." Good luck!
Gulp
DeleteI was told many years ago that doctors and nurses make the worst patients. Perhaps because you know too much? Anyway, as others have said, get a second opinion. If you do have to have the injections, request a mild sedative. I think I'd want knocking out, but I suspect the idea of it is worse than the actual procedure. There's always something, isn't there? xx
ReplyDeleteIt’s only eyes I cannot abide both dealing with eye injuries and dealing with being the patient with an eye condition ,
DeleteI am quietly impressed she coped with me
Fucking helll, my blood pressure would be through the roof too. She held you down like a reluctanct virgin. Oh dear:)
ReplyDeletePoetic licence lol but she was firm
DeleteInjections in the eye? I'm sorry that's even a thing. (The title picture made me laugh.)
ReplyDeleteOh it’s thing
DeletePoor you, sounds awful. I hope it doesn't need to be a regular thing.
ReplyDeleteIt will there’s more than one injection if I accept it
DeleteMy aunt tells me she just felt pressure at the side of her eye. She was far more traumatised by attending a public place without her customary high heels and ton of makeup! PS she is in her 80's 😁 x
ReplyDeleteOh lord
DeleteMy mother in law has had eye injections for six years. It’s saved her eyesight. You’ll get used to it. A rest, paracetamol and good eye drops post injection are recommended.
ReplyDeleteMy friend colin will take me
Deletesounds very traumatic and reminded me of the time i went for an eye test.... and having been "tested" and found "wanting"..... i was escorted downstairs, clutching a prescription, and given a leaflet to read..... "what do you want me to do with this?"..... "if you can read it and sign it....."..... "see this prescription, i need glasses.... how am i supposed to read this" and i flounced out of the building and into the nearest lamppost
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me that the medical profession are surprised that our blood pressure is very high when we are in a very stressful situation. I had to go to firstly to minor injuries and then to A&E to establish that I didn't have a detached retina. They raised their eyebrows when they took my blood pressure and asked what it normally was. I wryly replied that it would nothing like the figures they were looking at. Seriously, you'd have to be an ultra-calm, cold-fish to have anything like normal blood pressure in these circumstances. Good luck with the injections; from all the comments here, it shouldn't be too bad.
ReplyDeleteI am rigorous about these things… Once a year for eyes and twice a year for dentist. . BP at home a few times a month and at Drs once every two months. Getting older means these things are quite important . John you must look after your health and get these checks done. You are too important to many people and your health is important to many of us.
ReplyDeleteI was once hospitalised with shingles in one eye. Do not mess with eyes!
ReplyDeleteOh gawd John, I hope you do not have to suffer eye injections.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you h d this experience. Even a ''good'' patient would be terrified. The medical personnel don't sound very kind. No wonder your BP soared. How were you able to drive home? It's good that your readings went back to normal afterward, seems a positive indicator.
ReplyDeleteDo you know/ remember how you injured your eye a few years ago. All so scary....
My husband has eye injections every six weeks as he has macular oedema caused by diabetes and has eye bleeds sometimes. Catriona
ReplyDeleteSo much for your relaxing time off work to rest and recuperate! Hang in there John ! X Bernie
ReplyDeleteThe very idea of injections into my eyes makes my tummy quiver, but probably all the people who have had it done would say it is not as bad as it sounds. I sure hope not, cause it sounds f- awful. We are only given two eyes and so it behooves us to take care of them, needles or not.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nuisance this medical stuff is. I sympathise with your squeamishness!! Or empathise perhaps is a better word. But if you take a good pull at those Bra straps, you'll be fine. Both my FIL and husband have gone through regular eye injections and I suspect that thinking about it is worse than the procedure itself. I'm glad Colin will take you for the next appointment, that should help keep the BP under control, and mean you're safe to get home afterwards.
ReplyDeleteOn second thoughts, actually we should be grateful we live where there is medical assistance, and in an age when cures are possible. I'll remind myself of that next time I feel like throwing a sad!. Virtual hugs John, you need them now. XX
I am so hoping your procedure goes well and hopefully not so bad. Best wishes
ReplyDeleteLinda from Alabama
Mostly everyone has things they cringe at - I don't care what you do to my eyes but please don't put anything near my gag reflex, ugh, just thinking about it makes me understand how skeeved out you are!! Those nurses that have to do unpleasant things know how to get the job done, don't they - our son had to have surgery as a two-year-old, and was given some kind of oral medication beforehand. He didn't want to take it, but that nurse tipped his head back, got his mouth open, and medication poured in before he knew what was happening. I felt sorry for him but vaguely impressed by her skill.
ReplyDeleteThe nurse you describe sounds like my surgical RN mother. She was brutal when it came to care. (Bandages were ripped off and my brother and I were told, no crying and wincing. She liked disinfectant too and it did sting.)
ReplyDeleteEye injections seem like a very delicate procedure that require specialized expertise. I hope you find an expert with a skilled hand.
John, I know that you were very stressed; I have gone through this for several years now. First of all, what was their diagnosis? Have you had any recent retinal eye bleeds? Is your vision impaired? What medication would they use? If nothing else, I'd strongly recommend a 2nd opinion with an MD that you can vet. If you want to chat further, please post your email and I will send you mine. Wishing you the best, Karen
ReplyDeleteHad cornea implants last year. I was pretty much out the first one….twilight sleep. Second eye I was totally aware as they taped my head down, clamped my eye open and put in some gel. I then spoke up saying hey guys…I’m awake and listening to you talk about going to lunch. Last thing I remember! It was creepy. Eye things are creepy…even the air puff at the optometrist! Kathy
ReplyDeleteI have had eye injections for a retinal vein occlusion for several years. It is not as bad as it sounds. The eye is numbed. The room is darkened, with the only light on the eye, so you don't see it coming at you. The needle is very small. The injection is quick, over almost before you notice. I usually go home and take 2 Tylenol for the slight irritation with no further ill effects. I hope your experience is similar.
ReplyDeleteI would say "NO".
ReplyDeleteMaybe they should take blood pressure on arrival as well as during or after. I would take hope from the comments which describe how it has been for their relations when having the injections. Also glad Colin is going with you to support. You are really going through it at the moment though, so wishing for better days.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that even with your years of experience, BP goes up at a time like this. Ten years ago in the emergency room, my BP was taken with an automated machines, that turned red and started to beep loudly with numbers like yours today. I am sure one of the nurses can somehow restrain you. Maybe more than one.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't some members of the medical profession understand stress..and how they can stress others even without doing anything?
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who like you doesn’t like anyone to get near his eyes. That sucks. It also sucks when you’re not respected and believed, although most patients don’t have your level of expertise.
ReplyDeleteGod, that nurse sounds awful, what a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteMy blood pressure is always higher at a hospital. One time I was at our GP surgery and the nurse took my blood pressure, it was very high. She said let's wait and do it again, she then chatted to me for 15 minutes about her son, as I am polite, I listened. The blood pressure was normal once she retook it. Carole R.
It sounds horrendous. I don't like anyone getting into my personal space unless they're invited, but have to put up with it annually.
ReplyDeleteJust reading this post has given me white coat syndrome. I'm so sorry you've had to go through this.
ReplyDeleteIs lazer a one time treatment? Gigi
ReplyDeleteI hate anyone touching my eyes too..the more forceful they are, the worse it is….I’ve heard I might need future injections, too. And dread it. Try some Xanax…seriously
ReplyDeleteI have regular neurologist appointments and my blood pressure is always very high when I get there - they are on the 4th floor, I don't do elevators. They now also take it at the end of the appointment and it's always fine (well, given my age.....). They always ask, why do you think this appointment makes you so stressed and I always say its walking up the steps that does it. Perhaps this proves that exercise is bad for you?
ReplyDeleteGood idea to take a support person along for the next appointment. Or of course some critters, but they can't drive you home.
Cheers,
Ceci
I can relate to this on so many levels. Going to the doctor ALWAYS raises my blood pressure. My mom developed wet macular degeneration in her 80's and I had to take her for bi-weekly shots in her eye for several years. One shot to "numb" the eye and then one for the medicine. I am deathly afraid of needles in any form and this particular ailment can be genetic. I just pray that it is the one thing mom didn't leave for me to inherit.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can get everything under control. It's really annoying that we wake up one day and find ourselves falling apart!
You'd think that having worn contacts in my teens-20s I'd have few issues with eye exams. Not so much. Now decades later, I can't even give myself eyedrops properly the first attempt. The only way I can get through a couple of the eye exam tests is by sheer force of will to hold my eyes open and still, knowing they'll keep trying until they get a usable test.
ReplyDeleteI can only hope those who are saying the shot in the eye is not as bad as it sounds are right!
Urgh I could think of nothing worse than anyone touching my eyes but me! Other than anyone touching my feet. I hope that the eye injections are not needed and if they are you find a kind sympathetic Dr to do the stabbing.
ReplyDeleteNeedle in the eye? I think I'd have to be unconscious or on serious drugs for that. I could barely tolerate it - and sometimes the aid had to hold my head still - when they had to touch my eye for the glaucoma test. Small wonder your blood pressure skyrocketed!
ReplyDeletePlease believe those patients who say the shots sound worse than the reality feels. My octogenarian neighbor drives herself to and from her monthly shot for macular degeneration -- and runs a list of errands to fill the day.
ReplyDeleteI get stressed when they puff air in your eyes at opticians to check for glaucoma. I'm a nurse too but a wimp at anything to fo with myself
ReplyDelete