I had my 12 injection yesterday. The scan before the procedure showed that the massive swelling had gone down as a result of the previous injection 6 weeks ago. What a relief after the palaver of me ending up at A&E 8 weeks ago! So good news! The other good news is that the injection was almost - almost - pain-free. I was right pleased with myself for sailing through it so easily. But when I got home the soreness started, it was so bad for the rest of the day despite painkillers and on and off naps I felt really miserable despaired. I promised myself never to go for treatment again. I have never felt that bad before after treatment.
This morning my eye feels much better - though quite bloodshot - and I know I will soldier on as we all must do. The alternative is unthinkable. I wonder how many of you have been on the brink of giving up or have actually given up?
I feel for you ayayay! One time an injection caused me extreme pain for at least a week! My eye was very bloodshot and the doc admitted he broke a blood vessel and that is why I have pain. He refused to give me numbing drops and told me to use lubricating gel drops. They didn't help at all. I changed docs and am very pleased with the new "painless" one. I hope you don't have any more of those experiences! It's good news that your swelling went down. You are so right...we much soldier on... : )
Thank you RandyM for your support. I sometimes feel it is all getting me down and dreading the autumn/ winter gloom aspect does not help. But I will be fine - I always pick myself up again. So thank you again.
Did you feed back your post injection soreness to the eye clinic? It is important that you do, so that they are given the opportunity to identify the cause and guard against it when you have your subsequent injection.
This is a link to our pain after injections factsheet, which could be used as a discussion point:
Thank you Rosalyn. Your fact sheet is very useful. The antibiotic drops our clinic always gives us after injections to instil 4 times a day for 3 days also helps to keep the eye moist and gives some relief. I will let the clinic know though just as you have advised me to do. Again thank you.
Glad you have had such a positive scan. The last injection had improved your condition and that's what you have to hold on to. It's why we go back for more. Horrible as they are sometimes. I think we are allowed to feel a bit sorry for ourselves sometimes. You are such a positive person, but you are only human ayayay. Give yourself a few days and I think you will be back to your best and planning another walk.
My last injection was my worst. I was shaky afterwards and I had a burst blood vessel. It was sore for a few days after as well as looking rather unpleasant. Didn't put contacts in for 8 days. That was injection no 6 so I've no idea how I will feel after 12.
As eyesright always says; be kind to yourself. (Sorry to pinch that phrase eyesright).
Thank you so much. Believe it or not, your lines made me weep, which I badly needed to ease the stress I felt. I do not easily cry; sometimes I need someone to trigger such a reaction. Ah, I feel better already!
Odd isn't it. I consider myself to be quite tough. Last Sunday I walked with our group in pouring rain for 3 hours across mud and mire and we all thought it was hilarious. And then I get all weepy over a stupid injection! But I guess you are right: we all have our moments and are entitled to them. Whether it is our 6th or 12th injection - we have to accept that it will go on and we cope.
I have CRVO (Central Retinal Vein occlusion) in one eye - it basically causes a swelling of the macular similar to AMD and the injections are the same. With CRVO we also get hemorrhaging all over the retina. After my 5th injection , for the first time, the macular showed signs of "improving" - the "volcano" was almost gone. BUT - it has not improved my real-life vision in any way, hence I am starting to wonder what is the point of it all???
I know exactly how you feel. But for all my whinging I tell myself - and I like to say to you too - even if things don't improve at present, at least if it is kept at the same level it is worth continuing. Sooner or later some new and better treatment will be introduced. We all have to cling to that hope. So, deep down I feel, for all the unpleasantness, it is still worth it. Don't give up even if you are tempted to. Wishing you all the best.
Sending you a hug ayayay X & bazza too x oh I so know how you feel x after the awful trauma of my 1 st inj I nearly didn't go back. So glad I did though as I've hung on to my sight over the last 4 years which I wouldn't have done otherwise.
I've had blips, the rollercoaster goes down as well as up, but looking back the view from the top is worth it lol.
I consider myself tough too but this area of illness just has such a power to shred our spirit. CRY! Get that dismay out of your system. Let it wash away and soak yourself in the calmness that comes after ( I usually cry whilst in the bath, the hot water is relaxing too).
The treatment we undergo is in itself incredibly stressful and can feel relentless so it's no wonder we have days where we ask if it's worth it.
Liberal use of hylotear drops after inj has helped my soreness. Have you tried it?
I am so grateful to have sight that others don't - when I read, watch birds in my garden, even drive to work I remember how lucky I am. So, be kind to yourself ( lol) , indulge in a little ' woe is me' cos you've earned that right, then remember what beauty you see as you stride out across the hills like the superhero you are x
Wishing you, and everyone else all the very best.
PS great news on the oedema going down!
PPS I know that you know all this stuff and the pain had just brought you low for a little while - your friends here will carry and raise you back up whenever you need x
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Thank you so much for your wonderful encouragement eyesright. I know you have been on the roller coaster many times yourself and you know how it feels. And now that I am getting over my moment of self-pity I am beginning to think that I was quite pathetic. Of course, like you, I realise I have so much to be thankful for when I ramble across our beautiful countryside, sometimes alone when life is so peaceful and tranquil, and sometimes with our club when there is laughter and friendship. I am so grateful that even at my age I can still keep up with the "youngsters in their 60's and early 70's". Yes, I have over 130 friends and acquaintances locally, but the friendship I feel on this site is very special to me because we understand each others problems.
As to the artificial tears - I have changed from viscotears to hylotear a few months ago. I haven't noticed much difference between the two, except that the latter will keep 6 months instead of 28 days. It is certainly more convenient.
Thank you again, eyesright, and a big hug for you too.
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Not pathetic, never that, just human. We bend under pressure like the willow so that we don't break xxx
What wonderful posts! I'm so sorry RandyM your doctor wouldn't give you pain killing drops to take home for post injection pain. I found the longer I had to wait in clinic the worse the pain was when the anaesthetic drops wore off at home.
I was very fortunate: I had tried everything to ease the pain to no avail, and when I told them when I was having one injection, I was given a tiny vial of anaesthetic drops to take home. They work a treat. I always ask for them now.
Thank you fed13. I doubt our clinic would give us anaesthetic drops to take home, but to be fair I have never thought of asking for them. I don't think it is the normal run of the mill. Anyway, as a rule I cope fairly well with the after pain.
I agree with you that having to wait too long between the first iodine drop and the injection aggravates the situation. I once had to wait 20 minutes and I could feel my eye burning even before I got into the sterile room.
Well done that's such good news that you had a good response. We will all soldier on luckily I never had to have an injection last time, but I do worry in case the fluid builds up again, there is always something to stress about, but I consider us so fortunate to have the treatment even if it is sometimes painful, there was no treatment for my mum and dad, and I watched them struggle, it was hard and made me sad to watch.
I have felt that way many times. I do feel like quitting. But I can thank my friend who always drives me to the eye doctor for the injection. She is a great source of encouragement to me and that is why I keep going.
And so, ayayay, your words are also encouraging to me, as I sense I am not alone in having these thoughts of sometimes “wanting to quit.” We must help each other through words of understanding and honesty to muster up the commitment we need to save our eyesight with these injections.
My husband had a crvo back in July this year. He has just had his 3rd Eylea injection, thankfully all 3 have been pain free and he has not suffered any pain in the days after. His sight has improved massively, now I know that the injections aren't doing this and it is his body healing itself but never give up. He now has an 8 week break and then a scan to see how things are going. I am just thankful that there is treatment out there 😃
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