Doctors, Dentists, and Eye Doctors

SPEEDY MCCREADY

Well, I was finally able to get to my eye doctor and get some new contacts. I should have been there for an exam 5 months ago, but I need not explain why that wasn't possible. Anyways, it went much smoother than I had thought it was going to go. Plenty of plexiglass separating workers and patients. Everyone in a mask, and a couple had face shields. I watched as every machine used for testing was completely disinfected, and wiped down after every patient. It was fine actually. Next for me will be a visit to the doctor for a checkup in a couple weeks.

How about you? Have you been able to get an appointment for eyecare? Everything go smooth? You feel safe?

And if you have been to a dentist? Please tell me how that all went? masks? face shields? Did you feel safe?

mickeyrat

eye doctor cancelled my appt without telling me or calling to reschedule, I understand the need to cancel but fuck off not even reaching out via email or a call.

I get cleaning every 3 months. regular and a deep clean. deep clean was fine, usually never busy in that office(periodontist) when I go. hygienist was double masked.

get a text to confirm my next appt with reg dentist 2 weeks ago,  reply confirm. get a call immediately sayong oh we changed our hours we apologize blah blah blah. FUCK OFF for not reaching out.

had appt with sleep doc ahead of med card physical. temp check, distanced during appt both of us in masks. same with med card physical. testosterone injection twice, temp checks and masks all around.

Bentleyspop

Been to the dentist 3 times in the last 2 months with no issues.
Everyone is masked and wearing a face shield 

brianlux

My optometrist told me I'm in that early cataract phase where I don't need anything done yet but very well may need to someday.  OK, now this is where I get really freaked out.  To remove the lens in your eye and replace it, guess what?  They have to do that with your eyes open!!!  Are you kidding me???  Whaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!   (Runs for the nearest door, screaming.)

But, yes, I have been to the dentist for a teeth cleaning recently.  It went fine except for the screening to get in.  They ask if you have a temperature or any symptoms of illness, then use one of those forehead thermometers to check your temperature.  So the lady does that and sets the device on the table and say, "OK, go on in."  I look down at the device and it say 100.2 degrees.  Well, bullshit, I say to myself, I normally run low at about 96.8 and know when I have even a slight fever, so I point this out to her.  She say, "Oh, that one isn't always accurate, let's try another," and she takes my temperature and, sure enough, it reads 96.8.  But Wednesday Thursday Friday???  She let's the first one pass?  Marvelous...

HughFreakingDillon

been to the dentist. they did the scaling but not the cleaning because of covid. can't recall the specific reason. but she was wearing a face shield and it was pretty normal. 

hedonist

I went to my dentist a couple weeks ago.  She and her assistant wore masks and clear face shields, and nothing was left out of the usual process.

lastexitlondon

Off to the dr now. First  time this year. Looks like rheumatoid arthritis from bloods. Fuckin great.

cutz

6 months over due for the Dentist. My Dentist retired last Month so not sure when I'll go to a new one.

Well over a year behind on my Eye checkup. 

Gonna be seeing a DR. next week  for the First time since the Pandemic. 

hedonist

Every doctor I’ve seen in the last six months (jesus, it’s been that long?) has been diligent with procedures. Even my physical therapist. Those are two places about which I have no worry visiting. 

Rob, good luck to you. 

lastexitlondon

Thank you. It was a bit scary as i have health anxiety.  The waiting room only had 3 but even then i haven't  been in a room with anyone outside my flat  for easy 6 months. I felt like a trapped animal.
Dr had positive  news so i wait. But as far as protocols  they were diligent. 
Cases are steadily rising here so its squeaky bum time anywhere out and about.

brianlux

Good luck, best wishes as always to you both, Rob and Hedo. 

I'm feeling pretty lucky so far this year with only one teeth cleaning, one minor skin cancer issue and a few chiropractor visits.  Compared to last year with a couple of trips to the E.R., this has been an OK year health wise (knock on wood).

Stay well, everybody!

g under p

SPEEDY MCCREADY said:

Well, I was finally able to get to my eye doctor and get some new contacts. I should have been there for an exam 5 months ago, but I need not explain why that wasn't possible. Anyways, it went much smoother than I had thought it was going to go. Plenty of plexiglass separating workers and patients. Everyone in a mask, and a couple had face shields. I watched as every machine used for testing was completely disinfected, and wiped down after every patient. It was fine actually. Next for me will be a visit to the doctor for a checkup in a couple weeks.

How about you? Have you been able to get an appointment for eyecare? Everything go smooth? You feel safe?

And if you have been to a dentist? Please tell me how that all went? masks? face shields? Did you feel safe?

I just went to the dentist yesterday for a cleaning and inspection of my teeth. All went well my dental hygienist had on two masks, head scarf and a face shield. I had an issue with one tooth I'll be back there to see the protagonist next month. That was it.

Peace

mickeyrat

if the hygentist wouldnt have called off AFTER i rescheduled cuz they changed hours on mondays. WITHOUT telling patients well before hand, I could have reported on my general dentists office and procedures.

Dr visit for neck/nerve twinge thingy , all good protocol wise. fit me in lady minute.

 xray last week. made me put on a mask THEY provided. mine wasnt acceptable to them apparently. all good there too. protocol wise that is.

Doc said she saw no issue with neck. but its a pinched/impinged nerve to the right. it isnt showing up on xray......

lastexitlondon

Mri?

mickeyrat

lastexitlondon said:

Mri?

maybe. insurance dictates the next step. imo ot it should be next. am seeing chiro too

lastexitlondon

I had mri and it shows nerve and disc  very well.

mickeyrat

lastexitlondon said:

I had mri and it shows nerve and disc  very well.

oh. I meant maybe thats next.  mri imaging is phenomenal.  creeps me out getting one.

hedonist

mickeyrat said:

lastexitlondon said:

I had mri and it shows nerve and disc  very well.

oh. I meant maybe thats next.  mri imaging is phenomenal.  creeps me out getting one.

I have to take a relaxer before those. Toughest part is not dozing off while being told to hold your breath, now breathe normally, etc.

It helps though; an hour in that tube with the sound can be more than a bit disconcerting (understatement).

HughFreakingDillon

hedonist said:

mickeyrat said:

lastexitlondon said:

I had mri and it shows nerve and disc  very well.

oh. I meant maybe thats next.  mri imaging is phenomenal.  creeps me out getting one.

I have to take a relaxer before those. Toughest part is not dozing off while being told to hold your breath, now breathe normally, etc.

It helps though; an hour in that tube with the sound can be more than a bit disconcerting (understatement).

i actually find it relaxing, after the initial claustrophobia wears off. i almost fell asleep. 

brianlux

HughFreakingDillon said:

hedonist said:

mickeyrat said:

lastexitlondon said:

I had mri and it shows nerve and disc  very well.

oh. I meant maybe thats next.  mri imaging is phenomenal.  creeps me out getting one.

I have to take a relaxer before those. Toughest part is not dozing off while being told to hold your breath, now breathe normally, etc.

It helps though; an hour in that tube with the sound can be more than a bit disconcerting (understatement).

i actually find it relaxing, after the initial claustrophobia wears off. i almost fell asleep. 

LOL, Finding an MRI relaxing- I find that charming and amusing! Only HFD! 

Because I have hyperacusis, the loud volume of an MRI is almost unbearable even with earplugs and headphones (both together can only attenuate about 45 dB's because the skeletal structure transmits sound). So the two or three times I've had one done, I think of myself as being in a science fiction movie and the sounds are part of the soundtrack.  That actually helps a bit.

mickeyrat

brianlux said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

hedonist said:

mickeyrat said:

lastexitlondon said:

I had mri and it shows nerve and disc  very well.

oh. I meant maybe thats next.  mri imaging is phenomenal.  creeps me out getting one.

I have to take a relaxer before those. Toughest part is not dozing off while being told to hold your breath, now breathe normally, etc.

It helps though; an hour in that tube with the sound can be more than a bit disconcerting (understatement).

i actually find it relaxing, after the initial claustrophobia wears off. i almost fell asleep. 

LOL, Finding an MRI relaxing- I find that charming and amusing! Only HFD! 

Because I have hyperacusis, the loud volume of an MRI is almost unbearable even with earplugs and headphones (both together can only attenuate about 45 dB's because the skeletal structure transmits sound). So the two or three times I've had one done, I think of myself as being in a science fiction movie and the sounds are part of the soundtrack.  That actually helps a bit.

the one time I had one, they gave me headphones and cranked GnR. I had those little footies on and was getting hot and feeling closed in from the music blaring and the machine.

having apnea, any prone position can close my throat(ask the dental tech fitting a crown!!!) AND I have sinus issues so it will be a challenge getting one again.

brianlux

mickeyrat said:

brianlux said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

hedonist said:

mickeyrat said:

lastexitlondon said:

I had mri and it shows nerve and disc  very well.

oh. I meant maybe thats next.  mri imaging is phenomenal.  creeps me out getting one.

I have to take a relaxer before those. Toughest part is not dozing off while being told to hold your breath, now breathe normally, etc.

It helps though; an hour in that tube with the sound can be more than a bit disconcerting (understatement).

i actually find it relaxing, after the initial claustrophobia wears off. i almost fell asleep. 

LOL, Finding an MRI relaxing- I find that charming and amusing! Only HFD! 

Because I have hyperacusis, the loud volume of an MRI is almost unbearable even with earplugs and headphones (both together can only attenuate about 45 dB's because the skeletal structure transmits sound). So the two or three times I've had one done, I think of myself as being in a science fiction movie and the sounds are part of the soundtrack.  That actually helps a bit.

the one time I had one, they gave me headphones and cranked GnR. I had those little footies on and was getting hot and feeling closed in from the music blaring and the machine.

having apnea, any prone position can close my throat(ask the dental tech fitting a crown!!!) AND I have sinus issues so it will be a challenge getting one again.

Holy crap, man, that would make an MRI tough as hell.  Kudos for sticking it out!

hedonist

Try having one while lying on your STOMACH.

mickeyrat

hedonist said:

Try having one while lying on your STOMACH.

that may be an option for me. we'll see.  some home PT and positional mindfulness as well as working on posture should help me tons..

Halifax2TheMax

I need to see several doctors, at least one dentist and since I gouged my eyes out during the debate, a glass eye optometrist.

HughFreakingDillon

hedonist said:

Try having one while lying on your STOMACH.

why would that be worse?

hedonist

HughFreakingDillon said:

hedonist said:

Try having one while lying on your STOMACH.

why would that be worse?

If you have a bad back, or a double mastectomy like my cousin, or are already fairly claustrophobic.

If you can do it, great. 

lastexitlondon

I found i was making  a rhythm out of the noises to calm myself
 I was  scared of the outcome more than the procedure  but i see why its claustrophobic 

HughFreakingDillon

what i was scared of? totally irrational, but i'm lying in there thinking "ok, it's me in this tube, and one technician in a room 30 feet away, what if they drop dead, or if there's an emergency of some kind, i'm stuck in here until someone finds me". 

just took some deep breaths and realized how unlikely that would be in the 20 minutes i was in there. 

hedonist

You could always shimmy yourself down and out.  At least, I think I could.

I've got an ultrasound tomorrow and (like you, Rob) am more focused on the results than the safety protocols taken by the hospital and staff.  Fortunately, that part's become a non-stressor for me.

lastexitlondon

Good luck hedo thinking of you.