Initial Pain

[Butch51]

I was just diagnosed with wet macular degeneration. I have a friend who has had about 30 shots and said he never felt a thing. I had my first injection of Eylea and I felt like my eyeball was going to explode. It wasn't pain from the needle but felt like horrendous pressure, And I have a great tolerance for pain. The pain subsided and did go away in about an hour. Has anyone here had that horrendous pain during the shot? And does it happen every shot? Thank you for any replies.

[Rosalyn-helpline Partner]

Dear Butch51,

Could the eye clinic give you any explanation for this?

It is obviously important that they identify the cause of the pain in order that it can be guarded against the next time.

If no explanation has been provided, it may be worth you contacting your ophthalmologist via their secretary to ensure that this happens.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss this further.

The Macular Society helpline is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,

[thom3patty]

I hav had same problem with eyelea injections but my dr has taken extra steps to make it less painful and it helps a lot I use systane eye drops the week before shot(for dry eyes) they give me extra numbing solution least amount of iodine that is safe to get away with a complete heavy wash after injection then a gel on after all done the first 45 minutes can b thought but after that it’s fine I take Advil usually all day 1st day hope it gets easier for u please talk to your dr a lot of people r sensitive to the iodine which we def need but the wash helps a lot good luck

[Hidden in reply to thom3patty]

It never fails to amaze how many different experiences of the injections themselves exist. Anything between pressure to sharp pain to feeling nothing. My own vary quite a bit, mostly the sharp but quite brief pain of the needle going in, despite having loads of anaesthetic drops instilled.

[Bazza1234 in reply to Hidden]

I have had 4 so far - can't say that I have felt much . One time I felt "pressure" and instinctively pulled away . Now I tell myself that it is all going to be over VERY quickly (and it IS) and to stay STILL , otherwise I may indeed cause a problem for the opthmologist doing the procedure.

[yotboy]

I've had 'many' injections without pain, just some pressure. For the first 10 or so injections I was very nervous (just like at the point of injection at the dentist) but I did some deep breathing while on the table which helped a lot. I scared the nurse injectors once as they thought I'd hyperventilate.

I suggest you follow the advice in other replies and ask everybody. Different people obviously react differently and the more you ask, the more ideas you will get.

You'll see from other posts that after injection pain is often attributable to a reaction to the iodine - which can usually (apparently) be solved my meticulousl post jab flushing.

[Eyeproblems]

Hi Butch51! I've had 13 injections so far and a few did not hurt but the majority of them did, felt the needle going in. Usually have a sore eye after eyelea injections for the rest of the day and sometimes following day.

I've never had the experience of feeling as though the eyeball is exploding. You should speak to the clinic next time you go as I don't think your experience is very usual. Hope the injections improve.

Best wishes.

[Ayralin]

Hi, Butch,

As others have said - the pain or discomfort is a subjective experience - we each feel it in our own way. I don't say my pain is horrendous - I tend to apply that to giving birth twice without pain meds.... [joke there!!] BUT I do call it the most UNPLEASANT experience I have ever had. Agree - it's not a pain - but an intense pressure that slowly lessens through the day. For me it still dully aches, the eye and the bones around the eye, for a week. I use Ibuprofen and it helps. I agree with others that tensing the body in expectation makes it worse - I do the slow deep breathing. So many factors are at play: did you get enough of the numbing gel/drops, how experienced is the person doing the injection, are they having a good or bad day personally, did you flinch as the needle went in...on and on..... Last week my appointment was right before their lunch break - I checked in, had exam, eye test,pressure check,dilating drops, scan and injection, repeat pressure check - all within 35 MINUTES!! I could tell they wanted me in and out! -and I flinched and this one was more painful than others. I do have to keep telling myself - the injection pain is better than losing the sight in the eye.

The group here has been a wonderful sounding board and support - we understand what you are going through! Hope your next experience is better.

Linda

[Hidden]

Hi butch51, yes my first lucentis inj was horrendous. Absolutely traumatic. I felt the immense pressure and thought my eye would squish like a grape. Pain was too much to bear and I moved backwards! Thought I couldn't go through it again. But....spoke to different Dr and nurses and they were all shocked. Long story short - the injector prodded too heavy with marker and pushed too hard on the eye clamp. So simple ! I made sure to tell them not to push hard again and 22 more inj, 3 implants later, inj by drs, nurses, never had that terrible experience again. Some absolutely painless.

There's good advice from everyone about pain from other causes, and I've had a few that hurt but it was sharp and quick and usually when they inj in upper part of eye, lower ok for me. Some injectors are better than others so it can be a lottery.

Insist on a good washout as sensitivity to iodine is awful, like arc eye or sand. If washout doesn't help ask for chlorhexidine alternative.

I still take 2 paracetamol an hour before and regularly afterwards. Relaxing during inj does help - especially the face if you can.

Honestly, I think it was the clamp pushing for you like me. Please don't be put off, these inj are all we have and I'm sure you won't have such a bad one again if you tell them.

Diagnosis is known to be emotionally like a bereavement so be kind to yourself and stand up for yourself too.

Sending you a hug and good wishes moving forward x

[mick110]

Every time butch, it's not the needle going in it's the pressure from the fluid the hurts.

[Butch51]

I would like to thank everyone for their replies. My second injection went much better. Eylea said that only happens about once every 10,000 injections. Usually the 3rd or 4th, not the first like I had. Also they said eyesight gets much worse afterwards, which mine did, but so far had said it should gradually improve which mine has. I developed aniseikonia after the 1st injection along with worse near and far sightedness. The aniseikonia bothers me more than anything else. Hoping this improves and good luck to all here. Butch