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Diabetic Retinopathy and Maculopathy

R

Rosie9876

Well-Known Member
Messages
221
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I have had Type 2 diabetes for about 15 years. To start with, I took pills and generally followed the standard dietary advice. It got progressively worse, which I assumed inevitable. But since October 2024, I've been on a low carb regime to get it under control. My last A1c was 49 mmol/mol (6.6%) in July, so that's been going quite well. But recently I've developed worrying diabetes-related complications. One of the most upsetting is rapidly deteriorating retinopathy and maculopathy. Why, when my BG is at last gradually under control? I'm being referred to hospital and would appreciate to hear from anyone with this experience, and especially of London hospitals - Moorfields or Chelsea and Westminster Eye Clinic. In theory, I have a choice. Thanks.
 
Unfortunately the body doesn't like big changes, in BG or in weight for example. This is why desirable changes are hard to achieve. It also means that although the vast majority of diabetic complications happen when BG rises quickly and are often reversed when ot goes back down, in rare circumstances s fast drop in BG can cause those effects, both neuropathy and eye problems.
I've heard varying reports on whether they go away again after a period of BG stabilisation.
Wishing you good luck.
 
Th
Thank you. All those years, I thought I avoided side effects, but it seems, not so. I hadn't thought my diet was unhealthy - lots of fruit and veg, but also lots of bread, pasta, rice, etc. I was thin when I was diagnosed, and a vegetarian. You could have knocked me over with a feather.

Diabetes is an insidious disease. Good lifestyle needs to be promoted much more than it is. I recall Jamie Oliver tried a healthy meal programme for schools, but mothers protested, giving their kids junk food at the gates.
 
I don't consider any Jaimie Oliver food I've seen as being healthy for Type 2 Diabetics - they all tend to have far too many carbs.
I too was slim (BMI of 21.5) until I started eating a so-called 'healthy diet' of low fat and complex whole grain carbs on my GP's advice. It took about 15 yrs, but the weight increased, I had a 3x Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, then diagnosed T2D by which time I had gained over 2 stone and had a BMI of 25.

It was then I discovered this forum and how Low Carb can put TR2D into remission. Eating Low carb and I'm back to a BMI of 22.7 for the last 6 yrs in T2D remission for over 5yrs at the age of 74.
 
The ophthalmologist who treated both my eyes for photocoagulation in 1978-79 at King's College Hospital London, was "stolen" from Moorfields, so good is their reputation. You might find this useful: https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/
I hope you have similar success. Good luck!
 
I agree that Jamie Oliver food is not healthy for a Type 2 diabetic, but my point was, his emphasis on natural foods is healthier for children than the junk their parents wanted to feed them when they complained about his meals.

Not everyone who eats carbs develops insulin resistance. In truth, the vaunted Mediterranean diet features white bread (but more artisan baked), risotto rice, semolina spaghetti and deserts. There are lots of factors, like quantity of junk, deep fried and processed food, and lifestyle. I'm not one who believes that EVERYONE should be on a low carb regime.
 
I agree the food Jamie Oliver tried to introduce to schools was amazing, but kids will only eat what they want to eat, healthy food choices at home may not be in everyone’s budget which has a knock on effect. The cost of the food Jamie was proposing was well out of most schools budget long term also. I’m in agreement with you that not everyone needs to be on a low carb diet.
 
I do understand that nowadays kids pretty much dictate what they eat - not so back when i was a child, though back then (for me at least there was no/little advertising of food) just in the newspapers perhaps. No TV (at least not for the poor like us, and no commercial radio. I could hardly believe it when my brother reported that my niece wouldn't eat anything if it wasn't chocolate coated!
 
I'm Type 1; however, I actually developed retinopathy/maculopathy after I improved my HbA1c drastically. I was officially diagnosed in June of 2022 with maculopathy and referred to the Hospital for more regular eye screening. I never needed any treatment, just more eye check ups. Through the entire period, my blood sugars were stable and I had good control of my diabetes, but it wasn't a quick fix. I was officially discharged from hospital eye care just over 2 years later in August of 2024. The point being that good control, I think, can contribute to your eye issues "resolving" itself, but don't expect it to be a quick process.
 
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