Nola Anne all you need to do is tell the dr ahead do time that you have panic attacks and are concerned the upcoming surgery will bring one on. When dad had cataract surgery I think they gave him some vallum or something. I know they did when DH had his LASIK surgery. I will keep you in my prayers.

nola anne, just saying "hello" and wishing your good luck with your surgery.

Thanks so much Tami...I WILL do that!

And...glad you popped in just to greet me, Glenda! You are one of the originals here on the KT, too, and I am glad you remember me...I remember you - always traveling, always eating the finest of foods (and sharing some great recipes that I still have in my recipe box!)

You two have a great day...it's wonderful outside and I heard we are having a bitter, cold winter ahead (Farmer's Almanac, if you can believe them!)

Thanks,

nola_anne

I had my eyes done too ..piece of cke but I agree just tell the doctor and ask if he might give you a couple of valium or something...start the night beforw and one the morning of...My doctor had a student on board and he talked all through my procedure so I got to hear everything he was doing...it was very interesting...Dn't be afraid...you won't feel a thing and you will be so thrilled with the outcome..

I also had cataracts removed from both my eyes one at a time 6 weeks apart and it was a piece of cake. I wish you good luck with your surgery.
Mary

Hello, I am so sorry that you are going through this. I am having cataract surgery this coming Tuesday but I do not have the burden of anxiety. Be SURE you tell your doctor! Are you normally on medication for your anxiety? If not, see your primary care physician for advice and possibly a prescription.

It is unnerving to undergo surgery on the eyes but it is a very simple procedure.

I'm having catatact surgery this coming Tuesday, followed by the second eye a week later. I've been told that I will be put into a very relaxed state, but not fully asleep. Afterwards, I'm planning on going to breakfast with my husband.

If you like, you can email me next week and I will talk to you about my experience.

Dorie

I had both of my cataracts removed,then had to do a lens exchange...all of which I chose to have nothing so I could be fully awake, but there was some who were ahead of me that we're put asleep....it did take longer to wake up, but they did not know anything what was going on. On all occasions, it was a "piece of cake" for me and I hope you will experience the same success.

Welcome back.... and best of luck with the surgery. I've had it done as well.... piece of cake, but one eye with macular degeneration has not responded well. As for the anxiety; are you taking a medication for it? Years ago when my claustrophobia was at its' worst and I needed a cat-scan, I learned to self hypnotize , which I continue to refresh and use when situations require it. It worked for me. Sending good wishes for a great outcome.

If you normally take something for your panic attacks (xanax I presume) take it the morning of surgery. We tell our patients to take their blood pressure meds too, but every place is different. Just make sure to let anesthesia know that you took your med, they should ask you anyway. If that is not enough to calm you down they can always give you something in the IV. When they do their pre-op phonecall double check with them if it's OK to take meds with just a tiny sip of water. You should be NPO (nothing by mouth) before surgery, but like I said we allow our patients a little sip to take their meds.

Nola, yes, you must let the doctor know there maybe a problem, and do call ahead of time. Don't tell them the day of the surgery. That way they can plan what to do (maybe call your regular doctor or arrange to have the meds on hand). Good luck, and I know it will go well for you.

Hi Nola-I remember you as well-good luck with the surgery-come back whenever you can!

I've never had surgery on my eyes, but I can certainly understand being worried about an anxiety attack. I agree with calling your doctor about getting something to help you. Maybe for now until the surgery too.
I'll add you to my prayers.

best of luck to you Nola!!

I hope you are feeling better about this now. We need to do lunch again one of these days. You would think living on the same road a mile or so apart, we would see each other more than once! I've at least seen your sister twice! LOL. Still sending you hugs and prayers.

Tami

Dorie...I will be thinking and praying for you TUES. and without a doubt I will check back to see how it went, but planning on breakfast with hubby right after sounds like you are planning on having a good time no matter what...LOL!

nanny98...I get anxious just thinking about a cat scan or anything like it! I was envisioning such procedures last week trying to practice what it may be like and couldn't get through the practice. :(

sleeperblues, justgotabme and louiseab...I've never taken anything for my anxiety...I avoid everything I can (ending up a real homebody!) I did take some Bach's Rescue Remedy the day of my pre-op tests as I was even dreading those, for goodness sakes!

socks12345....I am going to call my Primary Dr. and see if she can give me something and I'll call the Eye Clinic and see how close to the surgery I can take it, too. I'll do that a first thing Tues.

ruthieg, grandmamary, phoggie, liz_ga and tami_ohio...thanks for all the well-wishes and encouragement...it help, really! (Tami...I know about being close and never getting together...like I said I'm pretty much a homebody and only go when absolutely have to or on a good day for me. Thanks for asking, though.)

ont_gal...I will be back to let ya all know how it went as soon as I'm seeing and feeling good enough to do so!

Thanks again, everyone!

Reminder for prayers: Fri. the 5th: right eye and Fri. the 19th left eye (and ANXIETY most of all!)

nola_anne

Nola Anne. I understand. I have my days too but find in my case I am better off if I make myself leave the house. I also found 2 years ago when dad was so sick I I started having panic attacks again ( had them in high school and then very few after that until 2 years ago) that just having meds for just in case eased my mind enough that I haven't had to take them. I talked to my dr at the time and she asked if I wanted something for everyday or only if I needed it. I told her only if I needed it. Just having them acted like a security blanket for me. However, I can feel myself edging toward one with September beginning. As family knows why and will talk with me about it I know I will be fine and after the end of September I will be fine again.

I will be happy to continue to keep you in my prayers for the surgeries and the anxiety. Tami

Thanks, Tami!

Anxiety is horrible and I know with my mind there's nothing to really fear but the feelings are strong and so far I have kept myself (on the outside) under control. The inside is racing!

Sorry to hear you have the same problem. I'll keep you in my prayers,too. And...I think I would only want something 'prn' or 'as needed' and knowing I had it would probably work for me too, without having to take it.

I do not want to be dependent on anxiety medications.

The Resue Remedy did a pretty good job...purchased it on Amazon and paid maybe $20 for it. Keep it in my purse always and have never used it until this past week. I did feel a vague headache (maybe the herbs or peach alcohol aggravated my sinuses, I dunno, but it was better than having the anxiety for sure!

Thanks, Tami!

Will be back when I get this behind me, the anxiety is about the ONLY thing I'm concerned about, imagine that???

nola_anne

I have undergone a successful corrective laser eye surgery at See By Intravision (Oakville) few months back and I remember the level of anxiety I had exhibited before the start of surgery. I was unable to get a hold on my anxiety level. My doc helped me to get through it easily. You just have to feel free and tell your doc you have such anxiety issues. It will help them deal with it more precisely.

I remember you too and wish you the very best with your surgery. I've had both of my eyes done and it really is a piece of cake. I had some scar tissue buildup in the one eye following the surgery and a quick laser treatment done right in the doctor's office took care of that. Didn't feel a thing.

Hi, nola. Good to see you. I'm Sue from the old days.

I am presently going through a series of injections in my left eye. Diagnosis is Retina Occlusion. Simply stated is "Eye Stroke." Fortunately I am not subject to anxiety attacks. I have complete trust in my Retina Specialist, whose reputation is well known. I am sure you will be fine, if you let your doctor know your situation well ahead of time.

Relax the best you can.

Sue

This post started six mortnths ago. Nola, please share how the surgery went for you.

I hope nola's surgery was successful, and I hope she will come back and report. I also wish I could remember to look at the date of every post before I respond to it.

Sue

I had anxiety issues pre-lasik surgery. I had a lasik eye surgery procedure in Oakville a few months back (at the See by Intravision clinic in Oakville, Canada) , and I suffered from a ton of anxiety with literally everyone around me lecturing that lasik would give me dry eyes and a ton of floaters. In the end, I had eye irritation for 5 days, and that was it. I didn't have any panic attack though, just anxiety pre-surgery. The surgeon told me that it’s not at all uncommon, and he prescribed a few pills for the anxiety problem besides the medicines I had to take pre-surgery.

Add me to the ones who have had cataract surgery...agree with others, very fast and easy, I was nervous too.