Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 18, 2024, 10:15:27 pm

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772781
  • Total Topics: 66296
  • Online Today: 328
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 1
Guests: 226
Total: 227

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: Results of doc visit  (Read 9532 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Results of doc visit
« on: September 04, 2008, 11:16:43 am »
All went well at the opthamologist.

He asked the usual questions: "How are your numbers?" and "Have you changed meds?"

We talked about my low risk for CMV retinitis, the fact I have a few floaters, normal for someone "my age," and that my cataracts haven't progressed much since last year's visit.

All good news.

But it does bring up a point.  How many people think to disclose to their opthamologist? It really is important so he can look for signs of CMV retinitis as well as other things.

Anyway, I got a clean bill of health for my eyes - and a new, slightly stronger script for a new pair of glasses.

Now the bad news. My optician, whom I have been going to for all my glasses needs since 1989, is gone.

Without a word, he closed up his shop and is nowhere to be found.

SIGH.

I guess I will have to start looking around for a new optician now.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2008, 12:30:47 pm »
How many people think to disclose to their opthamologist? It really is important so he can look for signs of CMV retinitis as well as other things.

I can't imagine NOT disclosing to any doctor/specialist.  In fact, aside from a full listing of every medication that I'm taking on the intake forms, I initiate the discussion with the physician.  I've never encountered any oddness on the part of any physician.

Congrats on the good check up.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline allopathicholistic

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,258
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2008, 11:39:03 pm »
Glad for your eyes Mark. My opthamologist receives my referrals via my HIV clinic so the concerns/goals are printed on the referral sheet as typed out by my ID doc. However I still like to open my piehole to verbally remind him I'm a pozzie since I don't see him often.

Offline rondrond

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,729
  • 22 years HIV+ yet a yard could be the death of me
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2008, 03:03:03 am »
All my referrals are from the Hiv Clinic also. I still tell them verbally as I seriously doubt that they read it, as they always state, "No, I didn't know that"....

Good luck in your search for a new optician, Mark. It seems a lot of places I frequent, are gone. And it is silently and quickly.

I wonder about it as they always seem to have a waiting line, plenty of business.then, gone....what happened?
"I'm not done yet"....Glen Campbell

"I may not be exactly where I want to be, but I sure as Hell am not where I was"
Wynnona Judd

Diagnosed/HIV
1993
AZT
Norvir
1994-2001
Crixivan/Epivir/Zerit
No Meds for 7 Years

04jul07/DVT-right leg/Bi Lateral PE's     
16oct08/DVT-left leg
Aug09 Diagnosed: COPD

05may2015
Un-detectable
Tcells 700
44%

Offline joemutt

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,167
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2008, 03:20:33 am »
In all , good news, congratulatons.

Offline J.R.E.

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,207
  • Positive since 1985, joined forums 12/03
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2008, 07:36:54 am »
Hello Mark,

Congrats on the eye exam. I've always disclosed to my opthamologist. Although, I think even if one didn't disclose, that wouldn't prevent an opthamologist from seeing if something was going on.

He usually ask me how my current t-cell and viral load are doing.


Take care---Ray
Current Meds ; Viramune / Epzicom Eliquis, Diltiazem. Pravastatin 80mg, Ezetimibe. UPDATED 2/18/24
 Tested positive in 1985,.. In October of 2003, My t-cell count was 16, Viral load was over 500,000, Percentage at that time was 5%. I started on  HAART on October 24th, 2003.

 As of Oct 2nd, 2023, Viral load Undetectable.
CD 4 @676 /  CD4 % @ 18 %
Lymphocytes,absolute-3815 (within range)


72 YEARS YOUNG

Offline bear60

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,105
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2008, 08:06:28 am »
CMV is an especially viscious and unpleasant opportunistic infection.  It was only a year after Paul started his CMV infection that he died. He was going blind and internal organs were affected as well. Not pretty.... let me tell you!  So yea...the eye doc should be looking closely for any problems.
Poz Bear Type in Philadelphia

Offline Dachshund

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,058
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2008, 08:12:50 am »
Great to hear your good news Mark, thanks.

Aunty D

note to self: make appointment with opthamologist

Offline AlanBama

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,670
  • Alabama: the 'other' 3rd World Country!
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2008, 11:03:07 am »
Hey honey

Wish I was there to help you pick out new glasses....it's something I always HATE doing on my own, you need that second (and sometimes third) opinion....

My latest glasses came from Wal-Mart's optical department.   Even at that, they cost over $500.    We saw some frames at Costco the other day that I absolutely LOVED.   They also had an optician on duty in the Costco store, so that would be an option....

Don't know about you, but I will be glad when my cataract "matures" enough to be removed.  I want that sucker OFF.   Makes driving at night very difficult.

Love & hugs,
Alan
"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Offline pozniceguy

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,232
  • Niceguy Dallas
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2008, 11:26:26 am »
All good news  ...except the  Optician...
I have been with the same Dr  since first diagnosis..he has many HIV patients and is always very careful and specifically checks for all the possible issues.....  Glaucoma, CMV and other little things  like the number of floaters and the "stars and flashes" that indicate  other things may be happening...

since I only need glasses to see up close..read the paper etc....he advises me to just go with the store bought readers...have gone from a measly 1.5+  to 2.5+ over the years....he cheks to see what will work best for me...

Nick
remember the good times...honor the past but don't live there
Le stelle la notte sono grandie luminose, nel cuore profondo del Texas

Offline jkinatl2

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,007
  • Doo. Dah. Dipp-ity.
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2008, 11:28:40 am »
I have a couple of links to some cheap glasses sites. If you have need for a spare pair, and don't mind going through the hassle of getting the correct prescriptions and measurements from your optician, it looks like one or both of these sites could be a good idea:

http://goggles4u.com/index.asp

I think I am eligible for my annual medicare-funded glasses fit next month, and I know I will be checking out this site. I got it from the consumerist.com, and they are generally reliable.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline megasept

  • Member
  • Posts: 478
  • Steven here...
Re: Results of doc visit (% disclosure)
« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2008, 12:48:41 pm »
I can't imagine NOT disclosing to any doctor/specialist.  In fact, aside from a full listing of every medication that I'm taking on the intake forms, I initiate the discussion with the physician.  I've never encountered any oddness on the part of any physician.

Congrats on the good check up.

Yes. Congrats!

As far as disclosure, I have had seen 4 new eye specialists (last one is Cornea specialist) at the same eye center over the last 10 weeks. Each MD, though reading thru my rather slight eye (medical) file, has had to be told BY ME THAT I AM HIV+, and my #s. This is not a complaint, but it is kind of strange to me that I need to disclose over and over; of course, I always will. lying to a doctor will get a patient no where. Also, my eye file will only join my thick medical file because I took the initiative to see that it be sent to my HIV specialist (my true primary MD). Funny how this all works (or doesn't).

 8)  -megasept (who's glad he's had Lasik)



Offline minismom

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,660
  • Quocumque jeceris stabit
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #12 on: September 05, 2008, 03:10:49 pm »
slipping in really quickly to tell Mark that I'm glad all went well. :-*

Mum (who had no choice of disclosure to the eye doc since he's the PID's hubby)
www.watoto.com
www.MotherBearProject.org
"Whichever way you throw me, i will stand"
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today...it's already tomorrow in Australia"  Charles Schultz

Offline jkinatl2

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,007
  • Doo. Dah. Dipp-ity.
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #13 on: September 05, 2008, 03:26:55 pm »
Seeing as how over 50% of the population as a whole will probably test positive for the CMV, a virus that can cause blindness and  nasty deaths in HIV positive people, tellign your eye doc is a no brainer for me. As I have ahandful of cd4 cells jangling in my pockets, I know I am at risk. And  having seen what CMV can do to a person, that's no way to go out. No way at all.

If caught early, it can be treated. But especially for those with a low cd4 count, its imperative that we alert our medical practitioners so that they can spot things before we detect them.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline BT65

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 10,786
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #14 on: September 05, 2008, 09:27:08 pm »
Mark, glad things went as well as they did for ya.

I've told my eye doctor right from the start about me being poz.  I wouldn't not tell any doctor I see.

I had an eye exam today also.  The doctor said no diabetes in either eye (good news) but both eyes now have cataracts (it was only the left one before, so of course the left one is worse). I feel like you do, Alan; I wish he'd take the one on the left eye off.  However, he gave me a script for glasses.  I have to wait until I've met my spend-down with Medicaid (probably around the 15th) and see who has the best selection (being on Medicaid means about a choice of 4 frames).  Anyway, all in all things went well.  But boy, does having cataracts in both eyes make me feel old. :-\

Onward and upward.
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline jkinatl2

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,007
  • Doo. Dah. Dipp-ity.
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #15 on: September 05, 2008, 09:44:30 pm »
Betty, are you on Medicare as well? I ask because my mom had cataracts in both eyes, and Medicare paid for corrective laser surgery. They actually totally restored her vision :)
"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline BT65

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 10,786
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #16 on: September 06, 2008, 08:39:46 am »
Betty, are you on Medicare as well? I ask because my mom had cataracts in both eyes, and Medicare paid for corrective laser surgery. They actually totally restored her vision :)

Yeah Jonathan, I'm on Medicare.  I'm going to remember what you just told me.  The doctor said neither cataract warranted surgery right now, but he wants to follow-up with an eye appointment in six months instead of a year, so maybe that means it's getting closer.  That would really be nice.
I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Results of doc visit
« Reply #17 on: September 06, 2008, 10:19:44 am »
Hey all,

Thanks for the congratulations, they are much appreciated.

Jonathan, you and Joel are right. CMV is definitely no picnic. A good friend of mine had to do the IV gancyclovir twice a day through a shunt in his chest. He used to hang the IV bottle on the rear-view mirror as he drove.
He lost most of his vision before his death back in 2000.

Oh, and thanks for the info and link. I will check it out post haste..

Alan, boy did you hit the nail on the head. Cataracts are a pain and definitely affect my driving at night.
I wish you could be here too to help me pick out new frames. I can see about three inches in front of my face, so I really never know how they are going to look, which is why I tend to pick out the same frames over and over.

Nick, they did the pressure tests for glaucoma too. Gratefully, pressure in each eye is normal as can be.

The doc also always looks at my retinas. My eyes are actually not round, but more egg shaped, which is why I am so nearsighted. It also means I am at risk for detached retinas.

Gratefully, no problem there either.

The bad news is my primary care physician is now making noises at looking at the other end.  :-[

Seems I'm at the age when they want to take a gander inside my backside. I told the doc to rent the video. He wasn't as amused as I hoped he would be.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.