Would you feel on edge going to a hospital outpatient clinic at the moment? Shitting it

[AbsentmindedWoman]

I have to go tomorrow, it's quite urgent.

How would you feel about going?

I'd love to go!!!

They cancelled all appointments and shut the department down 9 weeks ago. I'm desperate to even speak to the department helpline, but that's shut down too and endlessly tells you the bloody virus symptoms when you call. How useful!!

I'd be there in seconds if I could!!

I know I’m very fortunate to have access to the healthcare I need. For now at least. I’m in nyc and if our infection rate spikes again it will all close then.

Worried sick in case I need ongoing monthly injections for next year or two and have to constantly fear them being stopped with covid.

But equally I can’t sleep because of the fear of an injection in my eye. I feel like vomiting with terror, no exaggeration.

I am the world’s shittest patient. I hate all invasive procedures that touch eyes, teeth or reproductive gear.

it will be safe, the staff wont want to catch it either.

You'll be grand, it'll be over before you know it, and they take all possible precautions. I had my appendix out a couple of weeks ago and it was very reassuring to see how well they controlled things to minimise infection.

Hi @AbsentmindedWoman - I also get eye injections and have been for treatment since this started. As others have said, outpatient treatment is exceptionally quiet at the moment - I don’t know if you are being seen at a specific injection clinic but if so there will probably be almost no-one there as the vast majority of patients are 70 plus and none of them were there (don’t know if down to personal choice or the hospital risk-assessment for their attendance).

One point to note was at my appointment they didn’t do any of the usual tests and scans, just went straight to the injection - this was their protocol for everyone at the clinic to minimise time in the hospital and exposure. That said, if your clinic situation is different to mine (almost certainly the case!) then you may be seen in the normal way.

Good luck!

@AbsentmindedWoman Sorry, just seen your latest post that you are in NYC, no doubt you’ll have different hospital approaches but hopefully my post is still of some use!

Have you had an injection before?

Amazing in 1 way but shocking in another that basic services have ground to a halt and cancer patients cant see a doctor or have any tests.

Guys Cancer Centre open and treating!

God seriously OP? There are fewer and fewer live cases daily. Your chance of catching it right now is so low, even more so in a hospital where the focus on hygiene will be high.

I feel like vomiting with terror, no exaggeration.

Are you a particularly high risk

oP - can only speak to Guys Cancer Centre - but EXCELLENT! infection control

Masks given with explanation how to use, hand sanitiser and temperature taken . And all staff wearing masks

@queenatom no never have had one, and it could be laser treatment, not sure until the doctor sees the lie of the land. It’s for stupid bastarding diabetic macular oedema but I also have retinopathy that’s being closely monitored as it can all change so fast.

Honestly I am a massive wuss. What is your experience of the injections like? I hope they are working well for you.

“I fee like vomiting with terror”

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland to be fair, I think she’s talking here about the fear of having to have an injection in her eyeball, not of COVID!

My husband is taking an elderly relative this week to an outpatients appointment. Will he be allowed in with her or will they make him wait in the car. I have been so anxious about it since she asked him, so glad I have seen this thread.

When I say I’m queasy with fear it’s about having my eye clamped open and watching the needle go into the eyeball, and worrying if it will work or if i will lose my vision @NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

Sorry if that pisses you off

And yeah actually I’m type 1 diabetic so in a category where it is not great to get covid, either.

Goodness. That sounds scary. Good luck with your appointment. Don't forget to take some sunglasses

@AbsentmindedWoman Thanks - I am two years in to having injections for a spontaneous CNVM (was only supposed to be three months but fluid build up continued beyond this and now I am on a treat and extend with a view to getting off them).

Honestly the injections seem terrifying psychologically but are completely straightforward in practice. Time in the treatment room is sub 10 mins and most of that is waiting for numbing drops to kick in (they go mad with those for obvious reasons!) The actual time from when they put the clamp in to the procedure being done is less than 2 mins and you should feel a tiny bit of pressure but no pain. My eye feels slightly bruised for a day or so after (once the drops wear off) but I have never had any serious discomfort.

They have also helped my vision massively, I had very quickly lost a huge amount of sight prior to starting treatment and the first one honestly felt like a miracle. (Appreciate that this isn’t going to be the case for everyone!) Takes a bit of bravery but I’m sure you’ll be fine if you need to go down this route.

Thank you so much @queenatom that is really reassuring to read how it unfolds. I’m so pleased your vision was so much improved, the relief must have been immense.

I’ve tried posting on my diabetic support groups about this before, and one of the first replies was a guy who ended up having his eye removed because everything went wrong so I didn’t post there when I started getting really anxious about this appointment, learned my lesson

So thank you for your calming post again! Eyes are so precious.

No problem, @AbsentmindedWoman! It’s a very scary thing to imagine going through and before I had my first treatment I struggled to find much guidance on what to expect - if you’re anything like me your mind fills in the blanks with all sorts of horrible situations. I won’t pretend the injections are my favourite thing ever but they are nowhere near as bad as people might think - and ultimately if they help preserve or improve your sight then they will be well worth it.

How did it go @AbsentmindedWoman? I've been thinking of you today.

Thank you! It went as well as could be expected - no laser or injections needed yesterday. Massively relieved. It buys me a bit of time, I am very thankful.

The hospital was quiet, and they did temp checks on the way in. Everyone in a mask.