I am very claustrophobic and am dreading having the eye injections for wet macular degeneration,do they put anything over your face ,

[cocopops]

can you see the needle coming towards you ,im having nightmares and may change my mind and not have them ,but my right eye is very bad ,thankyou

[AlinaL]

Hi,

My first comment is... The thought of the injection is horrible, just the thought of it made me feel queasy and like you I didn't think I'd actually have it done when the time came. The reality was so much better. The consults do these all the time so it's pretty slick. I can honestly say it was okay having it done. So when you start to feel that you can't go through with it, remember that you're only afraid of your thoughts about the injection.

I had 3 injections that stopped the bleed and restored my vision, so NOT having the injections really isn't an option. You need to give yourself the best chance of saving your sight.

You asked about the procedure, when I had my injections they put drops into the eye these were local anaesthetic and then iodine, I don't remember them putting anything over my face but they do use a speculum to keep the eye open for the injection. Do you see the needle, that depends on whether the consultant does the injection from the side or the front. I had 2 different consultants so I experienced both. So if they do it from the front you will see a blurry grey thing coming towards you and you may feel a little pressure on your eyeball, but it's over in just a few seconds. Remember to take a pair of sunglasses with you, as your pupils will be dilated so you'll be sensitive to the light and as they'll tell you, don't touch your eye when it's numb as you're more likely to scratch it etc, so the glasses also remind you not to go near your eyeball.

My advice would be for you to find a quiet space, calm your mind and reflect on whether you'll let the thoughts about the injection actually stop you from having the procedure. It's your best chance of saving some of your sight and if can realise that your thoughts about the unknown are the things giving you the nightmares, not the actual event because you haven't been through it yet, then you can let go of the nightmarish thoughts, and resolve to let the professionals do their job and get the treatment you need.

Best wishes

Alina

[Lorelei1231 in reply to AlinaL]

Get treated in both eyes, in one with Avastin and in the other with steroid implant good for 3 yrs. I didn't feel a thing in either eye.

[Lizjim in reply to AlinaL]

I was so terrified at my first injection but the thought is much worse than the reality ,I have had 6 so far and I go now without any concern ,it honestly is realatively easy and has helped a lot so well worth it . I have a mask put over my eyes and then section over my right eye peeled back but its over very quickly ,doesn't worry me in the slightest good luck and try not to worry ( I know easier said than done ).

[cocopops]

Thankyou ,you are very wise,i KNOW it must be done,so I will give it a try ,I feel calmer after your kind words ,and as you say its the fear of the unknown,thanks again Patricia

[AlinaL]

Patricia,

My pleasure... I came to realise some years ago that the stress reaction of flight or fight can be strong but in the end you just need to calmly and quietly decide if you want to go through something and then let go of all the scary thoughts because thats all they are. Once you comitt to doing something... even if you're still apprehensive, everytime the scary thoughts appear just don't put any energy into them... you've already decided what you're going to do.

Be kind to yourself and let me know how you get on

[cocopops in reply to AlinaL]

I am having the injections in November ,so a way to go yet,i am going to put the thought of them from my mind until then,now I have made my decision I feel better somehow,i do value everyones comments ,thankyou I will be in touch come November ,thankyou again

[AlinaL in reply to cocopops]

Hi Patricia, I'm sure your consultant knows best but... It's usually best to get wet MD treated as quickly as possible, as sight loss can be swift and the injections don't cure it... They usually just stop the bleed and you're left with depleted vision.

I hope you are using the amsler grid each week and if you notice a deterioration in your sight, go straight back to the consult... Timely treatment is very important.

When the time comes for the first injection feel free to contact me if you need a bit of moral support xx

[cocopops in reply to AlinaL]

Thankyou for your reply ,I will defo contact you in nov if that's ok ,im feeling confident at brave now ,but nov is a fair way off,yes I use the grid each day,i see the consultant every two months ,my left eye is good at present ,right eye bad with wavy lines and floaty things ,I take an ared tablet which seems to help,sept and oct im going to see my daughter in la ,so nov is the only time I can fit three monthly injection in ,my consultant says this will be ok ,plus we have had this trip planned for such a long time ,im hoping things will stay ok for a little while .

[AlinaL in reply to cocopops]

Well I hope you have a fabulous time in LA! So for now I hope you do as you said, if the scary thoughts come up, just recognise that's it's just thought and don't put any energy into it... and as everyone else has confirmed, when you have an injection you'll wonder what you were so scared of. The professionals do it all the time.

Take care and stay in touch Patricia x

[cocopops in reply to AlinaL]

thankyou I have a lot to look forward to with my holiday ,its our 40th wedding anniversary in sept,so the good is outweighing the bad ,and this trip was planned before the bad eyesight ,so its not gonna spoil things ,thanks ill be in touch.

[cormorin]

Hello Cocopops

I do agree with Alinal for sure as i was terrified when told i needed the injections.

As Alinal said the fear is the worst part, do try to calm yourself before hand & not think of not having the injections.

I have had 7 injections in the last year & each has pushed the bleed smaller & smaller until i have been 4 months free.

The injections do work for many of us so go with a positive attitude & with all our best wishes you will be one of the ones the injections work for.

By the way i am claustrophobic also & do not like the paper put over my face but that it there for a purpose. The whole thing takes just a matter of a couple of minutes & the result is well worth it.

If you contact the Macular helpline they can introduce you to an Injection Buddy who will chat to you about their experience with injections & answer your questions. They did this for me & gave me lots of help for which i am very grateful.

Good Luck

Cormorin

[cocopops in reply to cormorin]

thankyou ,its November when they are doing the injections ,but I do feel much calmer because of everyones help and info

[sarahneil]

Dear Cocopops

When the injection is given the patient lies on a bed. The eye to be treated is held open with a device called a speculum. The eye is usually washed and anaesthetic drops are put into the eye to numb it. The patient looks to one side and the injection is given in the opposite corner of the eye. The patient does not see the needle and the injection itself only takes a few seconds.

We at the Macular Society also have treatment buddies that you can speak to. Our buddies have been through the same treatment and will be able to offer you reassurance.

Please contact the Macular Society Helpline for further information on 0300 3030 111.

Thank you

Macular Society Helpline

[cocopops in reply to sarahneil]

thankyou I value all the replies and feel more able to face things ,

[DESP]

its not as bad as you think and you don't see the needle .The staff are great. You will be okay .Its not a pleasant experience but you can get through it and you will be okay. I have had three and know it can be scary. Especially at first. Wish you all the best with it.

[cocopops]

thankyou for taking the trouble to give me this helpful advice ,its not while November ,so I have plenty of time to pluck up the courage and go ahead

[Hollyg]

Hi just had my first injection, I have wet and dry AMD.I too suffer from claustrophobia but the treatment wasn't anywhere NEAR as frightening as I anticipated. The procedure was fast and the Dr. and his assistant were right on the mark..all I did was confess to them my fears and then I made sure to remember to breathe and try to relax and not move..the head rest is very supportive and it was over in like 5 mins. And the treatment helped a LOT.

Take a FRIEND for support and chocolate afterwards and to DRIVE YOU HOME. I do not recommend driving yourself or taking public transit for the first treatment

Hope this helps