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Definitely "D." That's the WORST!

D- MRI

DoriC wrote:D- MRI

Oh Dori, I'll trade 'ya -- I'll go in the MRI tube for you any day if you'll sit in the dentist's chair for me

kaiasgram wrote:

DoriC wrote:D- MRI

Oh Dori, I'll trade 'ya -- I'll go in the MRI tube for you any day if you'll sit in the dentist's chair for me

Oh yeah, me too. MRI...piece of cake compared to some of the other stuff. Of course now with the metal plate in my neck there won't be any more MRIs for me.
The colonoscopy wasn't a big deal...the prep was though.
The procedure that gives me the creeps is a lumbar puncture. We used to do them all the time and I would just cringe every time I saw it done. There's just something about that mile long needle that creeps me out big time.

Pugsy wrote: Of course now with the metal plate in my neck there won't be any more MRIs for me.

Don't go giving Dori any ideas!

I had both of mine done in my 40s. It was easy and well worth it. My biggest complaint if that people pictured in the brocheurs were all old geezers and iI was not yet 50. And they are easier than the prep for the "up my bum" look-see.

Pugsy,

Not to be alarmist. However, you might discuss with the eye doctor the possibility of Fuch's Dystrophy. It's hereditary, and apparently requires a special technique for cataract surgery -- a technique they didn't have about fifteen years ago when my Mom had one eye done.

Mom had major issues with that eye, had to have additional surgery, and struggled with her vision, requiring daily medication, for the last decade or more of her life.

Now, in contrast, my Dad had both eyes done, one at a time, and everything went perfectly. He doesn't need glasses to read or drive.

Like I say, it may be nothing. But it IS something which could go wrong if the doctor does not know that it is a possibility. (They may do regular tests now, for all I know. They didn't in Mom's time.)

I had my first eye done two weeks ago and I would choose that over teeth cleaning. It was not only painless and quick but if I hadn't been awake and not told which eye it was I wouldn't have known by how it felt. There was no discomfort whatever. But I am floored by the difference in my vision. I kept thinking light bulbs were dull and was re-washing curtains because everything looked yellowish brown the last longest time. I almost need sunglasses in the kitchen now with the white appliances. If I cover the eye that hasn't been done yet everything is a bright clear colour and if I cover the eye that was done everything is dull yellowish blech.

I can see without glasses with that eye but until I get the other eye done will wear my glasses. I will need reading glasses in the end.

I am still excited about how easy it was and believe me I am a coward. I was extremely anxious going in.

The only bad part is waiting for the second eye and remembering the eye drops.

I am happy for your husband and hope he can calm himself. Can he take an ativan or something?

I had mine done a couple of years ago because treatment of other issues in the eyes lead to early cataracts.

These issues also required a longer gap between eyes than normal. Surgeries in November and late January. I went from being legally blind in one eye and not good enough to drive with the other to being able to drive again using what was the bad eye in three days. I also went from -9.5 diopters to being legal without glasses in both eyes.

If you are going to have more than a month gap between eyes and due to astigmatism or other reasons will still want glasses afterward, I recommend you get a new prescription after about a month. It takes a while for everything to stabilize so don't try it a week after the surgery.

Eye glass companies sell glasses with demo lenses (also known as zero prescription or plano) lenses on the shelf then remove them in the lab. I liked having the plano lens over my unfixed eye for protection rather than having glasses with the lens removed especially shortly after the second surgery. This can be tricky to arrange with both lens eye doctors and the dispensing lab. Many places I called wanted to charge up to 150 dollars just for the plano lens. I wound up finding a place where they would let me buy the glasses, the right lens and keep the demo lens in. later the lens eye doctor did the other eye RX for a discounted fee as it was only one eye. Keeping the demo lens was tricky, they just kept it in the store so the lab would not toss it out. I could remove the advertising print on the demo lens with nail polish remover. Later when the second eye was finished and stable, they put in the other lens. I did have to go a few days with no glasses as they had to send them back to the lab.

Sorry this is long and off topic but I figure some people will be interested.

Hey, a topic i can help with for a change! I'm an ophthalmic tech and the practice surgey scheduler. As everyone said, it's pretty easy. Just a few comments on things. The doing the same eye on everyone is a specific doctor thing. The doc I work for comes in and marks everyone. I want to giggle when the left eye patients come in with the big "L" on their forehead. The Fuchs dystrophy thing is very rare and it SHOULD be caught by the doctor, but it doesn't hurt to ask. It's a genetic (passed down from a parent) corneal disease that causes blurry vision worse in the morning at first. It's really rare so not much to worry about. I'm pretty sure all eye docs know what to look for nowadays but the optometrist here could tell you for sure on that one.

Cataract surgery is very mild and doctors have different techniques. Some use stitches, some don't. Some put you to sleep, some don't. I'd say most don't, but it's painless and there is still anesthesia involved. Our doc gives a Sedative IV and adjusts it as needed for a very nervous patient. Ask your doctor about those. He will sure see much better! The biggest pain is the drops after and taking off that patch they put on with all the tape.

The doctor that my husband saw happens to be the same one I saw last summer when I had the floaters pop up.
He is well thought of in our area..heck even in the whole state. Back in the days when I worked with doctors and patients his practice was considered "the top of the line" group of doctors. More importantly...my husband took a liking to him right away. While not a young whipper snapper he isn't old either. He's the doctor that doctors go to or send their family members.

I thought about some Ativan or something to help ease the nerves but he probably won't take it because of his CDL thing. We never know when he might be called in for a drug test (over the road truck driver) and a positive drug test (even with a RX and all the legal stuff covered) it just opens up a big can of worms. He won't risk it so I won't even go there with him.
The worry about a positive drug test and that can of worms would be much larger than the worry about the procedure.

I appreciate everyone's comments.
His whining has decreased a bit but I know it will increase again as the time comes near. The plan is to have one eye done and a week later (two at the latest) get the other eye done. With him it is just best to get it over and done with.

Yes, Fuch's dystrophy can cause problems, but should be seen by the surgeon pre-surgery, in general it is easy to pick up and something that is looked for in all exams. It is not something that you test for, you just see it.Thankfully it is rare, and completely harmless in the vast majority of cases...unless you are doing surgery involving the cornea...like removing a cataract.
The problem with the one eye imbalance after the first surgery is very frustrating, and there are several strategies for dealing with it. It is truly annoying, but not at all dangerous. If you can gut through it you will be fine on the other end. Patience, patience, patience.

Ask lots of questions, read all that you can. Take horror stories with a grain of salt. Walk out of the office of any surgeons who won't take the time to answer all your questions. This is an elective, but very necessary procedure, and there are lots of docs doing it. Like picking a DME, pick one you are comfortable with, but unlike DME, your insurance company won't say "this one". Almost all Ophthalmologists will participate with the major insurances in a given region. They have to if they want to stay in practice. If it were me, I would choose a surgeon who does 10-20 cases a week. Enough that he/she is good and fast at it, but not so many that it is a factory. There are docs out there doing upwards of 50 cases per week...too many for proper attention and care IMHO.

Jim

Mine also gave a mild relaxing drug IV. I would think if you have to have a medical procedure that required sedation the people taking drug tests should take that into consideration.

When I told my eye doc that I didn't need that for the second eye now that I see how simple the procedure was he objected. It is easier for him if the patient is relaxed.

My mother waited for over 20 years to get her cataracts taken out.
Imagine how bad it must have gotten! She was amazed at the difference;
and very pleased that her extreme myopia was corrected by the implants.
She had waited for so long because her own mother had passed away in
the 1960's after cataract surgery. The surgery at that time was so primitive
with sandbag immobilization; leading to deadly complications.
(that was then--this is now--it seems like a hundred years difference)
My mother is so happy that she finally faced down her fear and had it done.
She got a new sewing machine last year--she has always loved sewing, but couldn't for so long.

I was supposed to get mine done a week apart but really didn't like the first ophthalmologist so I switched and found out after having the first eye done that the second won't be done until June. I am not pleased since I have one good eye and one bad and glasses work on the old eye but don't need them for the repaired eye. The doc told me to stop wearing the glasses and they would compensate but I am uncomfortable to go bare faced.

Also, I only had to wear a patch the first weak to sleep only and wear sunglasses outside. I worried about air leaks into the new eye but haven't had a problem yet.