Eye Question for the Docs

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by NY65912

Alex,

Yes embolism. He told me it would disolve. I believe it was dead ended in the retina. I did not have any symptoms.

Mike, how long ago was this?

[NY65912]

Two years ago. I go see the opthamologist in a month. He told me last year that it was gone.

Initially I was shocked. I had an issue with embolisims post back surgery, 5 clots in the left lung so I was rattled when I heard the E word again.

[2porscheguy]

Mike, there's no way to "sugar coat" this but the presence of emboli in your arterial vasculature, your arteries, is not a good thing. An embolism that is found in the retinal arteries is referred to as a "Hollenhorst Plaque". You can google that for more info. Essentially the plaque originates in the Carotid artery on the same side of your neck as where the H plaque is found....right eye - right Carotid artery. These plaques are a cholesterol deposit and will usually break up and may not be seen on subsequent visits. So, the fact that it was seen earlier is actually a rare event as they may be constantly forming and breaking up.

Mike, if you have not done so already, I would highly recommend that you get a consult with an internist, vascular surgeon, or cardiologist asap. Can your family doctor/GP arrange for that? In the meantime, if you are currently not taking any blood thinners (Coumadin, etc.) and if you are not prone to stomach ulcers, I would start taking a low dose Aspirin (81mg) daily until then. You can contact me directly via my iPhone:

agwilson_iphone AT yahoo DOT com

if you would like to discuss things further and would prefer a more prompt response. I am located in Calgary, Alberta so I'm 2 hours "behind" you.

I hope this helps?....keep me posted!

Alex

[NY65912]

Alex,

I am on 81mg Ecotrin. I have a good vascular surgeon, I had phlebitis 6 years ago in right leg (superficial).

I'll contact you by email.

Thanks

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

BTW, DonDavis I sincerely apologize for hijacking your thread!

Alex

This is all good and pertinent information. I really appreciate the contributions. No apology necessary!

Originally Posted by Rikao4

Hijack..

the reason some of us get to kick the can another day..
is because of folks like you Alex..

you cared..
we get informed..
thank you..

Rika

What he said...

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by NY65912

Alex,

I am on 81mg Ecotrin. I have a good vascular surgeon, I had phlebitis 6 years ago in right leg (superficial).

I'll contact you by email.

Thanks

Mike, I responded to your concern not knowing your background medical history but it sounds like you are being monitored by a specialist in that field, which is all good!

I wish you all the best in that regard!

Alex

[NY65912]

This is why the BBS is the best.

The combined knowledge and concern for eachother is like no where else, sometimes not even as good as "real life".

Thanks so much for your concern Alex, I will be speaking to my docs shortly.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

I remember those...back in the early 80's in Waterloo, Ontario. We, as interns, would provide "comprehensive" eye exams to the general public. The problem was that patients actually received two exams, one from the interns and one from the clinician, to make sure "we got it right". As a result, the patient was subjected to a 1.5 hour exam!....many of our senior patients would end up falling asleep on us!

Thanks Mike and I agree, this is a great forum!

Sammyg2, on a humerous note, I'm digressing a bit here but going back to my "intern" days at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry...as I had mentioned we were always paired up with a clinician...a real doctor... when examining patients. My good buddy's last name was Cox.

One morning he was paired up with clinician Dr. Dyck (I kid you not!). His patient that morning was a pretty hot looking "college girl".....so he goes to the waiting area to greet his patient along with his clinician in tow...and of, course, there are many other patients waiting there as well. He calls out her name and she comes forward...at that time all us guys are busy giving her the once-over discreetly...he presents himself...."Sandra, I'm intern Cox and this is Dr. Dyck...we'll be examining you today" ....the young lady and pretty much anybody else close by is just a "cracking a gut" laughing!

...Cox and Dyck!...what a team!