Diabetic retinopathy with history of pulmonary embolism on clexane

Janeyb1979

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Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Banana's !
Hi all
I've been to a diabetic ante-natal clinic today which was a complete whirlwind to me ! I saw the diabetic consultant, diabetic nurse, dietitian, obstetrician consultant and midwife and discussed in length many aspects of my diabetes and condition including my first birth 15 yrs ago were I had a rather traumatic time and landed up in intensive care with multi organ failure, kidney dialysis was ventilated and eventually given a tracheotomy I also had p.e's this is not to worry anyone as this is rare and was a combination of lack of care and late diagnosis of possible pre-eclampsia all of which was admitted might I add the care after having my son was second to none ! This as you can imagine has made me nervous about this pregnancy but I am assured things have moved on since 15 yrs ago ! And I witnessed that today in the clinic ! Sorry for the long explanation but I felt it needed one I will finally come to my question ! I have diabetic retinopathy and my consultant wants to start me on clexane to prevent p.es as I have had previous history is there anyone out there that has had retinopathy and been on clexane whilst pregnant ?
 

Janeyb1979

Member
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Banana's !
At the clinic they did a risk assessment involving a points system as I ticked quite a few boxes which then gave a score it indicated a need for clexane. I too have read about clexane in pregnancy and seen the many bad side affects which are scarey ! Also as you mentioned the benefits for certain patients. I am going to try and contact the obstetrician and the ophthalmologist today and voice my concerns and also mention which I didn't think of so thank you for the thought ! What are the chances of re developing pre-clampsia ?
 

ButtterflyLady

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3,291
Type of diabetes
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Tablets (oral)
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Acceptance of health treatment claims that are not adequately supported by evidence. I dislike it when people sell ineffective and even harmful alternative health products to exploit the desperation of people with chronic illness.
At the clinic they did a risk assessment involving a points system as I ticked quite a few boxes which then gave a score it indicated a need for clexane. I too have read about clexane in pregnancy and seen the many bad side affects which are scarey ! Also as you mentioned the benefits for certain patients. I am going to try and contact the obstetrician and the ophthalmologist today and voice my concerns and also mention which I didn't think of so thank you for the thought ! What are the chances of re developing pre-clampsia ?
That's a good question and women and doctors probably wish they knew the answer. You would know a great deal more about this than I do (never been pregnant). I've known of 2 or 3 women among friends and family over the years who were close to getting P-E. Hopefully your specialists will be able to give you their best estimates of all the risk factors.

I think when doctors suggest meds with scary side effects they should explain fully how many people get those effects, so you can make an informed choice. Particularly with obstetrics and gynaecology, there seems to be a culture of doctor knows best, which can be hard to come up against. I've had to deal with this many times as a patient. The modern, enlightened, way of doing medicine is for the doc to explain everything fully, and answer all questions the patient has, and let them make the final decision. Anything less is substandard IMO.

Good luck! You don't need extra worries at this time. It's supposed to be a happy time :)
 
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Janeyb1979

Member
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Banana's !
Thank you ! Your right all patients should be given the full details so that they can make an informed decision and I don't intend to make one or take anything till all my questions are answered and I'm satisfied.
 

azure

Expert
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9,780
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Pump
Janey, I know a number of women who have taken Clexane in pregnancy for varying lengths of time. None of them had retinopathy though. I think that's the key issue in your case and I can understand why it's worrying you. Have you spoken to your consultant about these worries? If you're uncertain about their advice, you could ask for a second opinion.

Be assured they'll monitor your eyes carefully in pregnancy to check for any changes anyway.

The risk of pre eclampsia is slightly higher when you have diabetes. I was prescribed aspirin to take every day to reduce the risks of this, and I know other women here took aspirin too. However, as you've had it before, you should be monitored more closely and anything out of the ordinary will be picked up early.

Yes, that first ante natal appointment is scary with all the different people there! But I found it reassuring to get the extra care. Ask as many questions of your team as you want. They're there to help and reassure you. I used to take a list!

Congratulations on your pregnancy :)
 

Janeyb1979

Member
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Banana's !
Thank you so much and for your reply ! just to hear that you've known other pregnant ladies take clexane is in a way reassuring and that you yourself took aspirin which for me is all new three guidelines certainly weren't in place when I had my son 15 yrs ago ! I am reassured that there are many multi disciplines involved in my care if it is some what of a whirlwind ! I shall be voicing my concerns and hopefully get the answers I need
 
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ButtterflyLady

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,291
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Acceptance of health treatment claims that are not adequately supported by evidence. I dislike it when people sell ineffective and even harmful alternative health products to exploit the desperation of people with chronic illness.
Thank you so much and for your reply ! just to hear that you've known other pregnant ladies take clexane is in a way reassuring and that you yourself took aspirin which for me is all new three guidelines certainly weren't in place when I had my son 15 yrs ago ! I am reassured that there are many multi disciplines involved in my care if it is some what of a whirlwind ! I shall be voicing my concerns and hopefully get the answers I need
Good on you. It's good to ask questions of doctors and then make an informed choice. There are benefits and risks of any treatment and it's about weighing them up.