Please help!

[lforbesP1]

Hi there!

I am 30 years of age and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 27.5 years ago. For years I have attended regular appointments for retinopathy screening, however I have received a letter this weekend saying that there have been diabetic changes to my eye(s). I am being referred to a specialist eye doctor who will examine my eyes and assess whether any treatment is needed. I am sick with worry! I have phoned my GP daily since Monday but they are still waiting on receiving the results. I phoned the retinopathy department at my hospital and they informed me that an appointment had been made for me to attend an eye specialist on Monday. Should I be concerned I am being seen so quickly?!
I am reading some terrible things online. Also I would really love to have children but am currently single and am concerned about whether or not this will be possible in the next few years due to the risks involved with pregnancy and retinopathy.
I have never let diabetes stand in my way but I am very upset at the moment.
Please leave some feedback if you can.
Thank you! xxx

 

[Hobs]

Awww, you poor lass. I know its easy for me to say, but please don't think the worst until you have been told its something to worry about...which I doubt, as they probably want to lightly treat in the early stage (if any is needed) rather than wait until something more urgent is needed. Like me, you attend regular screening sessions and up until this one you have always been clear. We know diabetes is a progressive 'illness' so we do have to accept that eventually some little 'defects' will be noted and treated as necessary, and our eyes are no exception.
It will soon be Monday and you worrying will not help, so please keep busy and try your ultimate best not to get stressed out... good luck.

Don't forget to come back to us and let us all know how you got on :thumbup:

 

[donnellysdogs]

Aaaw... Think positive.. As you always had checks for retinopathy that it may well be early caught..

Must confess I dont knowmuch about retinopathy, but feel for you and hope so much that your appointment may turn out ok...

On a +++ I too got sent urgently years ago to eye consultant from specsavers screening..... Always planned 6 months apart from hosp screening. I went... Nothing wrong at all.

Then few years on got told for a few years that I had background retinopathy.. But specsavers and hospital confirmed this year that it has gone.

My hosps have always given a form to me in post telling me the results for each eye individually..

Sorry, can't be more helpful.. But I too worried like hell.. But mine was totally unecessary... I hope. Yours is too,

 

[Indigo]

Hi there

Just thought that I would offer a big hug to you. I too am single and really want children, and like you am worried as hell about my eyes. I do have retinopathy and have just finished laser treatment for it. So what I can say is that if you do have it at least you will be doing something about it. I think the worst part is not having anyone to talk to that knows what it is like, so I hope this helps a little. Take it as it comes, think about getting throught the hospital appointment first and keeping yourself busy helps to take your mind off it all.

Indigoxx

 

[lforbesP1]

Thank you all for your feedback. Indigo can I please ask how old you are & how long you've been diabetic? Xxx

 

[Indigo]

Hi there

To be honest the retinopathy was the first sign of being diabetic in October, so I've been walking around with it without knowing, for goodness knows how long. Changes were noticed on a routine eye test (even though I am a frequent visitor to the opticians for contact lens checkups)and shared the **** out of me so I went to A&E at Moorfields and then got the double wammy of news. I'm 35 and it all just brings home how much you need to look after yourself. My eye consultant has been great and the treatment really good but the main thing with the retinopathy she said is that you keep good sugar control. Easier said than done but finally I hope that they are taking me seriously as going to the Diabetic clinic at the hospital to sort myself out on that score. So as I said as scary as it is at least you are doing something about it and hopefully if caught early enough can be stopped without the zapping. Also I should say that the laser treatment is a shortist session and not as bad as I thought, but hopefully it won't come to that.

Sorry to babble....
Indigoxx

 

[donnellysdogs]

Indigo
Will keep fingers and everything crossed for'you.. But lower stabke levels are the longterm answers I'm afraid...
Do hooe you get some +++ news..

 

[lforbesP1]

Hi Indigo!
What an awful shock you must have received. I went to my optician yesterday and he was extremely helpful. I'll just need to wait until Monday to find out more

 

[lforbesP1]

POSITIVE NEWS!!!
Just left hospital appointment & great news. It was a false alarm - all is well & no signs of retinopathy whatsoever. What a relief!!! No treatment required.
Thank you for your positive support. Xxx

 

[donnellysdogs]

What a result!!!

 

[Indigo]

That is wonderful news!!!
Glad you are OK.

 

[carb-counting-mum]

That's great! Bet you feel so relieved!

 

[Keefles]

Hi I have type 1 diabetes, have been having trouble eating. Afterwards I feel very full and can feel my food lying there for way far too long. My stomach and under my ribs is very tight and painful. I feel very bloated and uncomfortable. Is this a problem related to my diabetes? Does anyone else have same problem? It's gettin me down !