Negative Injection Reaction

By Sharon Hume

1 min read

Hi, my name is Sharon.

I had my fourth injection for wet macular degeneration in my left eye. This one was the worst. Each time I have experienced pain that they describe it as "can be" uncomfortable. That is not quite how I would describe the pain. How about intolerable!

Has anyone experienced this pain?

I wondered if anyone has experienced what I have. I did get to see my retina specialist today and she was very concerned and caring. She believes it's a sensitivity to the betadine and causes abrasions. She prescribed pain meds, but they did not touch the pain I was in.

It did calm down by the morning of the next day. I know I have to continue the injections, but I must say it scares me to go through this again.

Sincerely,
Sharon Hume

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Sharon Moore Moderator
<inline-mention username="sharon" user-id="3136944"/> i am sorry your injections have been so painful. Others in the community have mentioned the betadine used to clean the eye causes discomfort after the injection. Some have mentioned asking for a second thorough rinse of the eye following the injection has provided relief. If you haven’t already mentioned to your retinal specialist how painful you find the whole procedure, it might be worth mentioning to see if they can make it less painful for you. Best wishes, Sharon Moore Advocate
Sharon Hume Member
Dear Sharon Moore, Thank you so much for your reply. I did see my retina doctor the next day and she was quite concerned but the eye looked good she said and attributed the pain as an abrasion as like a sunburn would act on your skin. Sounded reasonable and she said the next time she would use ever so slightly betadine on a q-tip and more rinse and patch my eye for two days. Not sure this will help and you can imagine I am very apprehensive but I know it has to be done. The pain is unbearable! My next injection is in April, so she spread it out by 8 weeks as my eye is doing well. I dread it coming up but I will report back to this group if it helps anyone who may suffer like I do. Sincerely, Sharon Hume
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 Thank you for sharing an update after your visit to the retinal specialist. Her plan for your next injection sounds like approaches other members have posted. Sharing your experience is helpful to the community and I appreciate you doing so. Do let us know if things are better after that next injection. Best wishes, Sharon Moore Advocate
Katherine M. Member
Hello Sharon, I am sorry to hear about your experience, and I can say that I somewhat understand. I have had a similar reaction to all six of the shots that I got after a myopic CNV, and I have developed dry eye in the shot eye Unfortunately, my doctor was not understanding and actually rejected the information that I gave him based on my research. It sounds like you have a good, caring & sympathetic doctor, which is huge. I started taking the pain medication before my shot appointment, practiced major deep breathing, & rested my eye until the next day ( not even TV because it seemed to burn). I'm not sure how much my info helps, but I just want you to know you are not alone in your feelings. I hope the shot in April goes well and it sounds like you and your doctor have a plan, which seems reassuring.
chellye Member
 Hi Sharon, Yes I have experienced shot pain, and had quite a tough, painful time after the shots. I started getting the shots the first week of the pandemic, March 2020 and every 6 weeks then in 2020 every 8 weeks, so now 18 or so shots. Some shot days are better than others, no predicting which is a good one or not. I have adjusted and understand most of it now so it is easier. What really helps is calmness. For me it does not seem to be the betadine causing the issues of pain and irritation. They have done extra rinses and tried other infection prevention Every blink is painful, I do not watch TV or read that day. I stay quiet. Lots of podcasts and audio books. The next morning I am back to myself for the most part, sometimes a little residual irritation and a bit tired from dealing with the pain. I tell myself at least I can still see, one bad day for 60 days of great eye sight. Appointment days are anxiety causing for me. Some appointments are better than others. What helps me is deep breathing starting the day before, before appointment and during the appointment. I have talked to my doctor and we tried a few things and it got a bit better. Never great. I saw two other retinal specialists when my doctor was on a medical leave. Both tried to address it, One used a gel numbing agent and that day was far worse for me. Just have to try some things to see what helps you. I have been told now by two specialist that some patients do not have pain, some patients get use to the shots and are calm and collected. Some patients do not get use to the shots. Every patient is different. I am thankful I can afford the shots, I am thankful I can see and do most everything I ever did before this diagnosis. Until they come up with something else this is my best "shot" at maintaining the imperfect vision in my left eye. I am hopeful that each shot is better and I sail through painlessly. 
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="chellye" user-id="3114138"/> thank you for sharing your experience with injections. As your doctor said, every patient is different. I am glad you focus on the benefits, saving your vision, rather than the often painful injection best wishes, Sharon Moore advocate
Sharon Hume Member
Hi Chellye, I haven't given an update yet as I have had to cancel appointment but will have one coming up end of April. Of course, I am apprehensive but like you said fortunate to have my eyesight so I would think not to have the injection. Thankfully it's only one eye, the left one. About the pain though, it's not just in blinking of the eye that cause my excruciating pain, it's behind the eye and doesn't make a difference whether I blink or not. But I will report the next procedure on how it goes. Thank you for your comments, Sharon Hume
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Sharon Hume" user-id="4554906"/> I am so sorry you experience excruciating pain with your injections. I hope your upcoming injection is less painful. Best wishes, Sharon Moore advocate
Sharon Hume Member
HI Sharon Moore, Thank you so much for the wishes! I will let the group know if it's better this time. I have the injection next week the end of April. I think I mentioned that my retina specialist is going to try less Betadine and a patch over eye for two days. I pray it works but I got through the last painful ordeal once, I know I can do it again. Better than going blind so we have to weigh the benefits and just do what's best. All the best to everyone going through this, Sharon Hume
Sharon Hume Member
BTW, I love this group! Gives people encouragement and lets us know about others and that we are not alone! Sharon Hume
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 Thank you so much for the positive feedback on our site. The support from members helps me as does all the resources. Sharon Moore team member
CommunityMember33 Member
Hi Sharon, I've worn glasses since childhood . Every year or so I needed stronger prescription glasses which got more and more expensive. At age 65 my vision got significantly worse. (near sighted, far sighted, astigmatism) Glasses got extremely expensive and I began postponing eye care visits. I coudn't see as well but figured I just needed new glasses again. Right before turning 69 I found out I had AMD in both eyes. Right eye was scared and atrophied and probably too far gone to be repaired, but DR. suggested we try a few injections to see if the dark areas could at least be lighted. I'm a painter so I was very motivated. I was told I'd experiece "a bit of pressure". What I actually experienced was more like every cell in my body was being injected simultaneously. For the next two days it felt like there wereglass shards embedded in my eye! I forced myself to continue with the series of 5 shots. Towards the end it was a bit easier to endure- but never just a bit of pressure. The saddest part was that it didn't help at all. 
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 Help spread the importance of annual eye exams with friends and family. Caught early, many eye diseases including macular degeneration can have a better outcome. Warm regards, Sharon Moore advocate
2. Sharon Hume Member
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember33" user-id="4656297"/> I am so sorry about your experience. When my mom passed away at the age of 86 she was almost blind. Of course being born in 1922 there wasn't a lot known about AMD but as her life went on she was being treated. I caught my MD almost instantly, saw eye Dr. next day and retina specialist the very next day. I consider myself very fortunate. Yours Truly, Sharon Hume
Sharon Hume Member
Hello, So here is my update for my last injection end of April. My retina doctor used less Betadine this time and an eye patch I wore after for a couple of hours. I still had the pain which lasted for three plus hours then lessened towards evening. I still needed pain pills to get me through and the pain is not in blinking it's just there more like the back of my eye and affects my whole head and sinus area, I talked to an Ophthalmologist friend I have who practices in Kentucky. She suspects it is not the Betadine but the medication. She says she give more than 2000 treatments using Betadine with no affects like I am having. I don't know what the name of the medication that's being used but I am going to ask next time which will be May 31st. I will continue with the injections as they are helping with the bleed and eyesight so in the end the pain I will just have to endure. Sincerely, Sharon Hume 
1. Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
 Thank you for updating us, Sharon. It is disappointing to hear that you still had pain despite taking the steps of reduced Betadine and an eye patch. I'm presuming the technician or doctor rinses your eye thoroughly after the injection to remove any residual Betadine. It will be interesting to hear which anti-VEGF medication you are using. It is a difficult situation because, as you say, the injections are necessary to help with the bleed. I wish you well in trying to sort this out and not suffer the pain you have been experiencing. Warm wishes, Wendy, Advocate.
Sharon Hume Member
Thank you so much Wendy. I will take not May 31st when I get another injection as to what medication is being used. At this point my retina specialist seems to think it's the Betadine but now I do not after the last injection. And yes, she does a thorough rinse. I will ask her what the medication is she is using. She doesn't want me to suffer either so I will report back to the group first of the month. Sincerely, Sharon Hume
1. Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
 Thanks, Sharon. I hope your appointment goes well and we will look forward to hearing back from you. I'm sure your medical team would like this sorted out for you and they will try their best. Warm wishes, Wendy, Advocate.
ny2sf Member
<inline-mention username="Sharon Hume" user-id="4554906"/> : I have to disagree. Based on my experience (both eyes, approximately 30 injections, 3 different medications, given by a total of 4 doctors) I say it depends on the skill and style of the doctor. Most of these shots caused no or very little discomfort, but those given by one particular RS were excruciating!
1. Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
 <inline-mention username="ny2sf" user-id="4572419"/> thank you for sharing your experience with the injections. It is interesting to hear that the injections given by one particular RS were the only ones to cause significant pain. I'm sure no doctor wants to hurt their patients, but I also imagine that giving the injections is a skill that has to be learned and developed. Did you have to ask not to have that RS attend to you any more? Wendy, Advocate.
2. Sharon Hume Member
 <inline-mention username="ny2sf" user-id="4572419"/> WOW.............I know the experience of my RS specialist and also my Ophthalmologist who recommended this office to me. But your comments are something to keep in mind and I will. Next go round is 31 May.............we will see! Also asking the name of medication. I have medicinal allergies and just maybe that's the problem. Thanks for caring, Sharon Hume
ny2sf Member
<inline-mention username="Brown Eyed Girl" user-id="3141081"/> : Yes, she is currently a retina fellow (ophthalmologist doing advanced training to become an RS). Unfortunately, I don't feel I have much choice: my regular RS is on leave, and the very experienced RS with whom I made my appointments apparently assigned me to his fellow instead. On the bright side, she has studied my scans in detail as no one else has. I'm constantly thinking of switching, however. 
1. Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
 <inline-mention username="ny2sf" user-id="4572419"/> it's good to have someone look very closely at your scans. It definitely takes skill and knowledge to do that well. My RS can tell which particular bump or depression corresponds to a which blotch or wavy line that I see on the Amsler Grid. She told me at my last visit that she was glad my "bumps" weren't right in the centre, because that meant my sight defects weren't straight ahead. I have dry macular degeneration, so no personal experience with the injections. I helped my father with them for over ten years though, so I learned a lot at those visits. I hope the situation regarding the pain with injections improves for you, one way or another. Best wishes, Wendy, Advocate.

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