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First eye screening result

Tirianne

Well-Known Member
Messages
137
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I was diagnosed with Type 2 in June this year and had my first eye screening at the beginning of August. The technician looked at the results and said that everything looked OK. But this morning I had a letter saying that the test result showed some 'background retinopathy' and that I "didn't need treatment at this time....however, it is important that I manage my diabetes as well as possible to reduce the risk of developing more serious damage". I suppose that's good, but I confess that it's scared me and I wonder if this is going to progress to something worse and whether others have had 'background retinopathy for a while... does it ever get better?

I think I'm doing all the right things to control blood sugar levels and really don't want to become increasingly dependent on meds. - I wonder how quickly my BG readings should be coming down - as after 2 months my 14 day average is working out at 7.4 (according to my meter) and I'm trying to follow all the advice on the forum.

In the morning I take Sitagliptin 50mg and Easybetic and am on a very low carb diet. I've started walking more -not always easy as I had a very bad ankle injury + broken leg a few years ago and it still hurts and swells from time to time.....I have 4 more stone to lose (having lost 21 pounds already) and have always found losing weight to be difficult - but am committed to keeping going. As a 'Newbie', I read a recommmended link on lowering BG levels and have started testing more and there was also a link to what a 'safe' BG level should be and I now discover that it's lower than recommended levels. Then I was given this link by another forum member - http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045678.php and am now really worried that my levels aren't within the 'safe range'.... what else can I do? - or is it just a matter of time and being patient. ...any thoughts.

I'm aware that I'm asking several quetions in one thread but any wisdom gratefully received. Thank you x
 
I had the same result at my first screening, probably because I'd been undiagnosed and out of control for god knows how long. I've been diagnosed 5 years now and have never had it since. All my screenings since have been clear so I wouldn't worry.
 
As for the questions about BG levels.

We would need to know the level at diagnosis before anyone can give advice about current levels/averages.

But it is a process, and you can't expect results immediately, it is the trend that matters most.
 
Croc said:
I had the same result at my first screening, probably because I'd been undiagnosed and out of control for god knows how long. I've been diagnosed 5 years now and have never had it since. All my screenings since have been clear so I wouldn't worry.
Click to expand...
Thank you - that's reassuring!!
 
britishpub said:
As for the questions about BG levels.

We would need to know the level at diagnosis before anyone can give advice about current levels/averages.

But it is a process, and you can't expect results immediately, it is the trend that matters most.
Click to expand...

On diagnosis, 8.6.2015, the HbA1c was 81 and BG was 10. The next day, I stopped all sugar and carbs. Was prescribed Metformin, but after constant upset tummy for almost a week, I stopped it myself but remained on very very low carb diet. My next HbA1c result 3 weeks later was 74. At my first diabetic clinic appointment with doctor at the end of July, he said I needed meds to bring levels down faster and told me it wouldn't happen with diet alone - and I was quite scared when he went through all the complications if my BG remianed too high. He prescribed Sitagliptin 50mg daily - don't know what time of day to take it - so I take it with breakfast! Apart from a few headaches the first week, I've not noticed anyside efffects -which is good for me as I'm very sensitive to meds. According to my meter, my average over 14 days is 7.4 - and only a couple of times has it been 5.something!! The fasting test in the morning remains around 8.00 sometimes 9.00 -and I've been advised to try a late night snack as I've reduced my calorie intake very significantly by day..... Is there anything else you can suggest?
 
Hi Tiranne,

I was diagnosed back in May I had to switch from 'normal' Metaformin to the 'Slow Release' (SR) version which worked out much better for my water meter (due to reduced loo visits). Also I never used to eat breakfast but I not have a routine where I eat moonflake porridge oats every morning and with reducing my carbs and removing sugars I now tend to hover around the 5-6 range on my meter. I found for me that its all about a routine, and yes my readings on the odd occasion I've tested first thing in the morning has been about 8-9. But as I started my journey with a meter ready of over 20, I'm happy with the control I've managed in my first few months... And while I discover what works well and doesn't for me as long as I stay under 9 for the most part I'm happy... But obviously as I learn more I'll be able to push this more around the normal mark... hopefully....
 
Hi Wookie,

Thanks for sharing. - sounds like we were diagnosed around the same time and my starting weight was similar to yours at 99Kg. I did have the slow release Metformin, but still had an upset tummy and I gather this is a common side effect. Can I ask you what 'moonflake' porridge oats are? and are you losing weight on the low carbs /no sugar. My appointment with the dietician isn't until mid October - so good thing I found this forum. I'm also due back for another HbA1c around then -so hopefully there'ss be a significant change. Hope to keep in touch. T
 
Hi Tirianne,

The moonflake porridge oats are a brand that I found in Tesco's (big 2kg bag) the important thing with porridge is to make sure that its proper oats, not ready brek. I found elsewhere on here that porridge (for some people) was good, and to be honest I also remember that it helps with cholesterol... So porridge oats (occasionally I have go to the loo, but they sort of keep you regular) but as I seem to have lost almost 10Kg now with a routine, I am looking better and still waiting to see how I've done when I get my next HbAC1
 
Thanks - that's really helpful, I'll look out for them. I have been buying gluten free porridge oats and mixing 20 g with some greek yogurt, almonds, nuts /seeds and blueberries - some of the foods that I've read about for helping BS levels.
Off on holiday now for a week -so hoping to come back with renewed energy!!
Hope all your tests go OK. T x
 
My first eye screening showed some issues but I had one 6 months later that was all clear, so I think it was just the effects of high BGs for the time before I was diagnosed. Are you able to ask for a re-test 6 months after your first test? That might allay your fear.

Your fasting BGs do seem a bit high for someone who has been low carbing for a couple of months. I wonder if you have one of the other types of diabetes... or if you need an increase in meds temporarily while you get it down? Here is some info about the other types:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/which-type-of-diabetes.html
 
I was told that my background retinopathy had developed and that I needed laser treatment. I freaked and said I wanted to think about it. In the meantime, I made aggressive diet changes and the only carbs in my diet come from natural sources and all of them are as low carb as poss.

Six months later my eyes had improved out of all recognition and my consultant told me to keep it up with that and the organic food. Three visits later and my eyes have more or less healed up and are stable. Consultant told me that if you feed your body the tools (nutrients) it needs it will do it's best to repair itself and adapt.

So I realise it's worrying, but retinopathy doesn't have to get worse and worse.
 
It's true that the body has its best chance to self-repair and adapt if you feed it the right nutrients, but for some people this might not be enough, and their retinopathy might still progress despite the right foods. Even so, it's still vital to have a good diet.
 
Celeriac said:
I made aggressive diet changes and the only carbs in my diet come from natural sources and all of them are as low carb as poss.
Click to expand...

This is really helpful as I'm also trying to make diet changes and am learning what's beneficial to eat. Please could you tell me a bit more about the 'agressive changes' you've made and where the 'natural sources' of carbs come from? Thanks
 
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