- Messages
- 28
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Hi,
This is my first post on here. My name is Anneka and I’m 28 years old. I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 21 years and back in August was diagnosed with background retinopathy in my left eye. I had scheduled laser a few weeks later for it and a week later my right eye suddenly filled with black dots, all leaking the very next day in which had me going to the emergency eye clinic straight away. The doctor didn’t really explain how the hell it came on so suddenly but said my eyes now had severe proliferative retinopathy. As everyone does, I googled and absolutely terrified myself into believing I’m going to go blind and during which I had cognitive behaviour therapy (which never really worked). Five months later and several laser sessions later (4 left, 7 right), I’m just recovering from another vitreous haemorrhage in my right eye and feel the retinopathy is not relenting. Though I am puzzled as to why it isn’t showing any signs of stabilising. Surely my the back of my eyes are like pincushions for oxygen now to reach it. I’ve taken control of my blood sugars gradually since October and recently my blood pressure too. Though it’s hard when every little bit of movement I do can bring on a bleed. I just need some hope please. I really don’t want to lose my peripheral vision and despite asking the doctor about injections to stop the retinopathy he simply said no it won’t work, laser is the only way. I’m very worried it’s going to keep getting worse no matter how much I’ve changed my lifestyle and eating healthily (spinach, carrots, fish etc). And to top it off I’ve come down with the norovirus recently and the pressure in my eyes when throwing up has caused multiple bleeding again everywhere. Got a Monday appointment which will probably equal more laser. I’m very deep down in a rut right now and need to see some light. Can anybody tell me if it’s going to be alright? Is laser my only option like the top consultant said?
Many thanks
Anneka
This is my first post on here. My name is Anneka and I’m 28 years old. I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 21 years and back in August was diagnosed with background retinopathy in my left eye. I had scheduled laser a few weeks later for it and a week later my right eye suddenly filled with black dots, all leaking the very next day in which had me going to the emergency eye clinic straight away. The doctor didn’t really explain how the hell it came on so suddenly but said my eyes now had severe proliferative retinopathy. As everyone does, I googled and absolutely terrified myself into believing I’m going to go blind and during which I had cognitive behaviour therapy (which never really worked). Five months later and several laser sessions later (4 left, 7 right), I’m just recovering from another vitreous haemorrhage in my right eye and feel the retinopathy is not relenting. Though I am puzzled as to why it isn’t showing any signs of stabilising. Surely my the back of my eyes are like pincushions for oxygen now to reach it. I’ve taken control of my blood sugars gradually since October and recently my blood pressure too. Though it’s hard when every little bit of movement I do can bring on a bleed. I just need some hope please. I really don’t want to lose my peripheral vision and despite asking the doctor about injections to stop the retinopathy he simply said no it won’t work, laser is the only way. I’m very worried it’s going to keep getting worse no matter how much I’ve changed my lifestyle and eating healthily (spinach, carrots, fish etc). And to top it off I’ve come down with the norovirus recently and the pressure in my eyes when throwing up has caused multiple bleeding again everywhere. Got a Monday appointment which will probably equal more laser. I’m very deep down in a rut right now and need to see some light. Can anybody tell me if it’s going to be alright? Is laser my only option like the top consultant said?
Many thanks
Anneka