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quickly how retinopathy develops

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 45091
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well after 23 years of diabetes must admit last few years have been all over the place sugars everywhere drinking smoking etc had small bit of laser 6 months ago had a check up couple days ago just had a letter saying got sight threating rerinopathy that's some serious change in 6 months sort of suprised on one hand but with then sort if expect complications with this **** diseqse
 
I would draw a line under the last few years, nothing you can do to change it
I changed my life when I was scared enough. I don't know what will motivate you, but you need to find it.
 
It really is a good website with so much information, pleased you all found it useful :)
 
Brilliant info site @noblehead I started with mild laser after 10 years of being uncontrolled which got progressively worse over the years once I went on a pump in Dec 2000 things got better no laser for a few years, but the last few years I've had problems with sight a bit of laser, cataracts removed which ended up being partially sighted docs said its just progression of diab' problems and my own fault in earlier years. But look on the positives you can turn things around I think with the friends on this forum you will get a support service 24/7 second to none
 
not sure where to start to be honest Il see what they say when I go back I know my hba1c is bout 10% cholesterol bout 8 they wanted me to take statins but I said id prefer to make a few lifestyle changes which
 
thanks for replies, I've git a good idea what I should be doing, the way the letter sounded iam going to be like Stephen Hawkins in next year or so, I must admit I di push the boundaries regarding drinking which I love and now smoking I plan to at least give up that but on the whole its weird my eye test says my eye sight is excellent but then I get a letter saying got severe retinopathy
 
"but on the whole its weird my eye test says my eye sight is excellent but then I get a letter saying got severe retinopathy"

That's what I was told in fact I was only prescribed glasses after my cataracts were removed 18 months ago. :cool:
 
mate, you do know you are heading for blindness, don't you?

didn't you notice the risks on smoking and drinking from noblehead?
they didn't have 10% but you can continue the line to about 800% increase with smoking
hbaicsmoke1100.png

then add on the high BP from drinking
bloodpressureproblems1100.png
 
DannyH said:
not sure where to start to be honest Il see what they say when I go back I know my hba1c is bout 10% cholesterol bout 8 they wanted me to take statins but I said id prefer to make a few lifestyle changes which
Click to expand...
if it was me I'd...
do a basal test http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/info/?page_id=120 see the Dr with the results. you can't go from 10% too quick
go and buy some nicotine patches and stop smoking
some antidepressant and stop drinking
I'm afraid this is the result of the lunatics bagging statins, even with good cholesterol, one should be on statins, they can reduce the risk of retinopathy
 
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DannyH said:
thanks for replies, I've git a good idea what I should be doing, the way the letter sounded iam going to be like Stephen Hawkins in next year or so, I must admit I di push the boundaries regarding drinking which I love and now smoking I plan to at least give up that but on the whole its weird my eye test says my eye sight is excellent but then I get a letter saying got severe retinopathy
Click to expand...


You know where you are going wrong Danny and you've had some excellent advice from the forum members in the past. You need to work hard at getting all your levels within range, to do so you should work with your diabetes care team, if your not already under the care of a hospital diabetes team then you should ask for a referral.

Smoking has to be one of the worst things you can do when you have diabetes, this is particularly so for those who have developed diabetic retinopathy. All the information you need about lowering your levels are on the retinopathy website provided earlier, but just take note of one thing, when someone has diabetic retinopathy it's important to make any changes to overall bg control slowly over a long period of time, a sudden tightening of bg control can make retinopathy worse, so do talk with your diabetes consultant and ophthalmologist about how you should make any changes and over what time-scale.
 
masonbason63 said:
Brilliant info site @noblehead I started with mild laser after 10 years of being uncontrolled which got progressively worse over the years once I went on a pump in Dec 2000 things got better no laser for a few years, but the last few years I've had problems with sight a bit of laser, cataracts removed which ended up being partially sighted docs said its just progression of diab' problems and my own fault in earlier years. But look on the positives you can turn things around I think with the friends on this forum you will get a support service 24/7 second to none
Click to expand...

With diabetic retinopathy they say you can go into a remission period where all is well then it can return for reasons unknown, I've been clear of problems for 9 years now and thankfully the laser treatment I received has done little damage to my eyes, so much so that I don't have any problems getting a 3 year driving licence.

By my own admission my retinopathy was a result of poor bg control, it's times when you develop a condition like this that it gives you a much needed kick up the bum to take better care of yourself. I do hope your eyes settle down soon and you remain problem free Masonbason, diabetic retinopathy is a horrible condition and I do feel for anyone suffering from this condition.

Best wishes.
 
Hi noblehead I agree totally obviously I am really worried that it will get worse but I now keep very tight control, losing my driving license has been a nightmare but with my super coke bottle lenses glasses holding things close I can read things and I've adjusted my phones and computer to large txt, with my distance glasses I can just make out the tv so life's not so bad :•)
 
Looks like your doing everything you can Masonbason, The RNIB has some excellent advice and information for those who are partially sighted, might be worth having a look at their website or contacting them to see if there's other aids that might be of help to you.
 
Beat you to it ha ha
 
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