Betadine
Polls that I have read indicate that 3% of people W/AMD who get injections have an ADVERSE reaction to Betadine. I am one them. My Retina Specialist has told me that is in fact the Betadine. There is an alternative, Chlorhexidone! Retina Consultants of Calif in Victorville, CA. do not and will not use this alternative. The pain I suffer post injection is
AGONIZING. Asked for pain meds. They refuse. He has found a Ret. Specialist in Fresno CA.
who uses this. I'm 76, I take care of my disabled wife. I am unable to go that far. (100+ miles) I live in Victorville Ca. I have now gone 18 months w no leaking fluid or blood. No injections have been necessary. So what have I done? I have AFIB, I stopped taking my blood thinner (now worry about blood clots) and I take supplements, Areds &
Ananeoo, a company who has a liquid supplement that is subliminal (under tongue) that I take twice a day. Expensive. So why no bleeding? Leaking of fluids or previous injections? I do not know, but would you stop? Extensive flushing has NOT worked, patches, did not work. Chlorhexidine might, am told by some in THIS forum that it works.
One final commen, it's the
BETADINE, 3% of us wish you would address this. TK U for letting me vent.
Anthony Freund
Victorville Ca.
Anthony, I’m with you. The betadine pain is the absolute worst I have ever felt in my life. But my doc finally figured out something that does help: he puts erythromycin ointment in my eyes after the rinse. It’s not perfect because it blurs my vision to the point where I’m functionally blind for the rest of the day but it does eliminate the pain. So I plan on lying in bed with my eyes closed on that day.
The other alternative is oxycodone, which is an opioid. Many doctors refuse to prescribe it, but if you can find one who will, maybe a pain doctor, it really does help. And in my case, I onlt took it on injection days and addiction was therefore not an issue.
the tech rinses my eyes 3 times. They put in antibiotic ointment and patch the eye. It works pretty well. When I get home I use my nighttime gel drops. They stop any burning or gritty feeling I may have. Thanks for sharing your experience. Regards, Sharon Moore patient leader
Natalie, Appreciate your reply, Most doctors are avoiding the opiate alternative. One gentleman on this forum says he schedules his pain consultant appt just prior to his injection appt. Says it works. I may go in that direction but still feel it is the responsibility of the Retina Specialist to take care of patients post injection health. i.e. pain management.
After my last injection the pain was so intense I told my wife I'd rather go blind.
Stay safe, thank you for your input, have a good day.
you face a very difficult decision and I feel for you. I don't know what I would do in your situation. That's no help to you, but please know that others care. I believe that Betadine is considered the Gold standard in infection control. I've heard people here say they had to sign extra papers before their doctor would use chlorhexidine. Thinking of you, Wendy, Patient Leader. The pain from Betadine was so agonizing I told my Retina Doctor that I would sign a waiver releasing them from any liability if they would please NOT use Betadine, I will take the risk of infection. He refused. I believe he is hamstrung by the rules of his clinic. He is a good doctor but to me a doctor has a responsibility
to take care of his patients well being, pre and post injection in my case. I have to go to a pain specialist for opiates to combat my pain?
Seriously? For what? So you won't be investigated by the DEA? FRUSTRATING! Stay safe and have a good day.
Anthony Freund
Victorville, Calif.
