• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2026 Survey »

Not quite what I was hoping for

JohnEGreen

JohnEGreen

Master
Messages
14,001
Location
Nottinghamshire
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Tripe and Onions
Had a letter with the results of my second diabetic eye test this morning was hoping that with my good BG control that the retinopathy would have resolved it's self but it seems not, but good news is it's no worse so have to be happy with that.
 
Yes, it must be disappointing, but look on the bright side. It hasn't got worse and it possibly would have done without your good BS control. Keep it up and next time you may have better news.
 
@Bluetit1802 thanks for your reply and encouragement. Though it has left me feeling a little down it could have been worse.

I just had myself convinced that it was at least one of my complications that I could reverse and if I could do that then I could maybe get rid of the others in time as well.:(

I suppose that I may have to accept that the damage done by years of un-diagnosed uncontrolled diabetes may be with me for good and move on from that. Stay controlled and hold it all at bay
 
@JohnEGreen I empathise with your disappointment but just think of all your achievements! You have done so much with your weight loss and blood sugar control. As @Bluetit1802 has said , without your hard work it maybe wouldn't have remained constant.
 
i wouldn't be too despondent. Background retinopathy has various features including microaneurysms (small swellings on the retinal capillaries) and haemorrhages. Although haemorrhages resolve quite quickly, once a microaneurysm has formed it usually hangs around for a few years. Even if you had only one microaneurysm visible in one eye at your first screening and no new features of background retinopathy developed, you would still get a background retinopathy result for the next few screenings until the microaneurysm disappears. I would continue to be screened but just focus on your blood glucose readings.
 
JohnEGreen said:
Had a letter with the results of my second diabetic eye test this morning was hoping that with my good BG control that the retinopathy would have resolved it's self but it seems not, but good news is it's no worse so have to be happy with that.
Click to expand...
Nice one John it shows your control is working well and next screening will show it's improving it's all that walking your doing they will be renaming that forest in your honour
 
Hi @JohnEGreen
Is yours graded as background retinopathy? If so I'm in a similar position to you. Both my check last year and again this month gave the same result. What I don't know and don't know how I can find out is has it improved since last time or got worse or stayed the same, I just get the standard letter saying will check again in 12 months. My HbA1c I think would be counted as well controlled for the last 18 months so was hoping for an improvement. I have read that improving HbA1c too quickly can cause the problem. Just hoping in time things will improve.
 
@Hiitsme Yes we are both in the same situation as to it being background retinopathy I inferred from the letter that it has remained the same as it was last year this in a way made me more depressed as if it had been a more serious form of the condition I would have expected less but as it was background I thought the difference I have made in my blood sugar levels may have been more beneficial and was hoping to have cleared it up altogether I know a bit optimistic. I too had read that a sudden drop in sugar levels could make it worse but I believe if the change is over a decent period that can be avoided.

I had hoped that if this could be improved then my kidney function could be as well and maybe the PN but I think it's going to be a longer process than I thought.

We will both have to hope for better things next time and keep our BG as low as possible. I too hope that things will improve for us both in time.
Chin up we will beat it yet.

regards John
 
Last edited:
JohnEGreen said:
@Hiitsme Yes we are both in the same situation as to it being background retinopathy I inferred from the letter that it has remained the same as it was last year this in a way made me more depressed as if it had been a more serious form of the condition I would have expected less but as it was background I thought the difference I have made in my blood sugar levels may have been more beneficial and was hoping to have cleared it up altogether I know a bit optimistic. I too had read that a sudden drop in sugar levels could make it worse but I believe if the change is over a decent period that can be avoided.

I had hoped that if this could be improved then my kidney function could be as well and maybe the PN but I think it's going to be a longer process than I thought.

We will both have to hope for better things next time and keep our BG as low as possible. I too hope that things will improve for us both in time.
Chin up we will beat it yet.

regards John
Click to expand...

Thanks @JohnEGreen
My HbA1c went from 95 to 50 in the first 3 months which could have caused the problem. No one tells you to bring it down slowly. I was only given 3 months to get control by my GP so worked as quickly as I could. He was convinced I was going straight onto insulin as that was why I was given a meter and told to test.
I do hope with continued good control your complications will improve over time. Best wishes.
 
JohnEGreen said:
@Hiitsme Yes we are both in the same situation as to it being background retinopathy I inferred from the letter that it has remained the same as it was last year this in a way made me more depressed as if it had been a more serious form of the condition I would have expected less but as it was background I thought the difference I have made in my blood sugar levels may have been more beneficial and was hoping to have cleared it up altogether I know a bit optimistic. I too had read that a sudden drop in sugar levels could make it worse but I believe if the change is over a decent period that can be avoided.

I had hoped that if this could be improved then my kidney function could be as well and maybe the PN but I think it's going to be a longer process than I thought.

We will both have to hope for better things next time and keep our BG as low as possible. I too hope that things will improve for us both in time.
Chin up we will beat it yet.

regards John
Click to expand...
As I said earlier, microaneurysms (one of the most common features of background retinopathy) will be visible for a few years after they have formed. In other words, even if your retina improved, you would still get a background retinopathy result for a few screenings.
 
Dark Horse said:
As I said earlier, microaneurysms (one of the most common features of background retinopathy) will be visible for a few years after they have formed. In other words, even if your retina improved, you would still get a background retinopathy result for a few screenings.
Click to expand...
@Dark Horse Thanks did not see your earlier post but that is good to know so will hope for the best and keep going.
 
eldergarth said:
Nice one John it shows your control is working well and next screening will show it's improving it's all that walking your doing they will be renaming that forest in your honour
Click to expand...
Thanks Ron that forest is a great place to walk actually makes me want to get out and about no matter the weather.
 
Hiitsme said:
Thanks @JohnEGreen
My HbA1c went from 95 to 50 in the first 3 months which could have caused the problem. No one tells you to bring it down slowly. I was only given 3 months to get control by my GP so worked as quickly as I could. He was convinced I was going straight onto insulin as that was why I was given a meter and told to test.
I do hope with continued good control your complications will improve over time. Best wishes.
Click to expand...

@admin, Possibly this should be included in the welcoming advice, or the moderators rules, as sometimes there seems to be a bit of a scramble to advise that BG should be reduced as quickly as possible by diet only?
 
douglas99 said:
@admin, Possibly this should be included in the welcoming advice, or the moderators rules, as sometimes there seems to be a bit of a scramble to advise that BG should be reduced as quickly as possible by diet only?
Click to expand...
Problems from improving blood glucose control too quickly are much more likely in someone who has had diabetic retinopathy for years rather than someone who is newly diagnosed. Also, some think the temporary worsening of retinopathy is outweighed by the longer term improvements in retinopathy brought about by tighter control.
 
Some like me had been diabetic for a long time probably years before diagnosis I for one had a doctor who for two years denied that I had diabetes by the time of diagnosis I had PN, kidney damage and retinopathy plus a couple of other things I am unsure of whether they are linked to D or not.
 
Dark Horse said:
Problems from improving blood glucose control too quickly are much more likely in someone who has had diabetic retinopathy for years rather than someone who is newly diagnosed. Also, some think the temporary worsening of retinopathy is outweighed by the longer term improvements in retinopathy brought about by tighter control.
Click to expand...

Many think it's wiser not to rush BG down in a mad scramble, and this appears to have been backed by studies in the past.
However, as you have said, there are such diverse opinions over complications such as retinopathy, this seems to be a good enough reason why the @admin should take a lead in subjects like this.
 
Just like with everything else in this game called diabetes, everyone is different and reacts differently to the same situations.
Personally, I didn't have an horrendous HbA1c at diagnosis (53) and had no complications or symptoms. I took it slowly by cutting carbs to around 120g. The weight came off, no problem, but the BS weren't great so I reduced the carbs again, and then again, slowly over a longish period until eventually arriving at 30g. I have been on 30g for over 12 months with no intention of adding any back at the present time (Christmas excepting). I escaped carb flu and cravings, and never felt deprived or ready to give up. But that was me. Others have done it differently and it has worked for them, for various reasons.
 
Back
Top