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retinopathy scare

ExChocoholic

ExChocoholic

Well-Known Member
Messages
300
Location
West Kent
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
rude, loud people
I was dx over 7 years ago - i am not, never have been overweight, a couch potato nor any of the other things that T2s are repeatedly linked with. My biggest problem - as my name suggests is chocolate!

As with many T2s I went from diet then metformin control one x 1000mg SR a day . I have never self tested as GP sternly advises against. My last few HBA1 results pretty good, being between 6-7, or so I believed until today! For 7:years my rentinal eye scan has come back clear. Today I received my latest NHS tested result shows mild retinopathy! I was mortified! My husband, a retired optometrist assured me it is not uncommon in diabetics and non diabetics and not to worry. But I do worry and I am diabetic! I am in my early 60s and already suffering from ear problem for which I am seeing ENT next week - mind in panic is thinking deaf and blind - 0k that is my panic running wild. But also a wake up call. I intend to take charge of this henceforth. I do abide by diet rules such as moderate carbs - but I also have lapsed into some weaknesses of late - lulled into false sense of security by HBA1 results - or so it seems. But I can't think last few months have caused this difference within one year. Help and advice on this and what to do with regards to testing and diet please. I am truly quite scared and shocked!
 
Sometimes a mild scare can be a positive 'kick up the rear'
As a result of mine I have lost a stone anxiety now reducing too.
More good than bad will come of this, hang in there.
 
Firstly I am sorry that you`ve had this shock , and shock it must be . I also lapsed after doing so well , am also in my late 60`s when its not always so easy to exercise with the vigour that we used to have ! I got a wake up call when my six monthly check up showed an increase , am now firmly back on the wagon and feel better for it . Don't beat yourself up too much for complacency , we are human and we err from time to time , just try to cut the chocolate out, get back to healthy eating . I`m diet only controlled , was under threat of Metformin but asked for a second chance and so far its working . Sadly many HCP don't agree with self testing ( mine included ) and yet its really the only way to discover the enemy foods and what effect they are having on our blood sugars . I have a monitor and scrounge test strips from a friend who gets them for free , cutting carbs works for me .
 
Your husband is right, try not to worry too much and see what they say when you have a follow-up appointment, hopefully other type 2's will advise you on diet and such, but take a look at the following as it has a wealth of information on diabetic retinopathy which you might find useful:

http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/Information_for_patients.html
 
Exchocoholic, if you can afford it, get a meter and strips, the cheapest you can find. It will provide you the feedback you need to make adjustments in your eating. Your doctor is your doctor, not your boss. And you're under no obligation to tell him you're testing. ;)
 
Many thanks to all, I am going to use the online test company. I am also needing advice on diet, I try to eat healthily, but thinking maybe a bit high on carbs, so will test.
 
Informed is empowered. You're going to learn so much by regularly testing your morning fasting blood sugar and your 2-hour post meal blood sugar daily. :)

To answer your question about how to get started changing your diet to the LCHF diet, or PFC as Cassie Bjork, RD puts it (Protein, Fat, Carb), here's a place to start online...

Part 1: http://www.dietitiancassie.com/pfc-balanced-eating-part-1-what-is-pfc/

Part 2: http://www.dietitiancassie.com/pfc-balanced-eating-part-2-the-components/

Part 3: http://www.dietitiancassie.com/pfc-balanced-eating-part-3a-faq/

Snacks - Why eating a piece of fruit for a snack with no protein or fat will spike your blood sugar and make you hungry...

http://www.dietitiancassie.com/snacking-on-a-banana-is-bad-for-me/

Some snacks are naturally "PFC" and quick:

walnuts, almonds, pecans, and other nuts, though not peanuts which are legumes - (raw or dry roasted with no other ingredients such unhealthy polyunsaturated oils, or salt or other unwanted seasonings bought in bulk or in your baking section) or seasonings

avocado - I eat half with a spoon and put the other half, seed removed, cut side down on a flat plate in the fridge for later

1 ounce of cheese with a raw or steamed vegetable of your choice

vegetables - some have good amounts of protein and carbs, just add a small amount of extra virgin olive oil after steaming (e.g. brussell sprouts) and some have carbs and can be eaten raw with FAGE 2% greek yogurt which contains protein and fat (e.g. raw vegetables like 1/4 to 1/3 a red pepper and same of a green pepper sliced and eaten with yogurt).

In the beginning, small amounts of berries mixed with yogurt and perhaps a little bit of chopped nuts are better than fruit.

egg - with a raw or cooked vegetable or a small amount of berries - (boil 3 or 4 ahead of time and refridgerate)

Fast, Grab and Go Lunch...

2 slices ham, 1 or 2 slices cheese - (I like provolone) - wrapped around a dill sandwich pickle and a side of raw vegetables

A few more thoughts on the basics...

http://www.dietitiancassie.com/back-to-the-basics-nutrition-101/

One of the BEST online websites on LCHF...free, packed with information, recipes too...

http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf

To bottom line it...

Drink lots of water. I typically drink one cup of water for every cup of coffee, black tea, green tea, or chamomile tea I drink throughout the day.

Eliminate sugar, grains, starchy, root vegetables (i.e. vegetables that grow underground such as carrots, potatoes, etc.) and legumes, also cooking oils that are primarily polyunsaturated fats from your diet.

Eat whole foods, not processed foods.

Eat a variety of vegetables throughout the day for fiber and nutrition; eat a variety of colors throughout the week. Small amounts of berries - blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, unsweetened cranberries) - are preferred to fruit in the beginning.

Eat enough protein for their essential nutrients and to avoid loss of muscle mass.

Eat fat to curb hunger and cravings, also to get the calories needed now that you've eliminated the some problematic carb dense food groups.

If you buy one book, I'd chose Eat Fat by Trudi Deakin...

http://www.xperthealth.org.uk/at-risk-of-diabetes/a-step-by-step-guide-to-low-carb-living

Join us daily on the Low Carb Diet Forum...

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/low-carb-diet-forum.18/

It's learning process. I'm beginning week 10 on the diet and still learning, correcting my eating mistakes as I go... :)
 
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thanks for comprehensive reply Winnie53, quite a lot to get my head round, I think it will take time, whole new learning curve, my big problem is that I do NOT need to lose weight.
 
You can still help your BS recordings by reducing carbs and maintain rather than lose weight. Your metre will show you which foods are too challenging.
Let us know how you get on.
 
1 year on, now armed with test kit from new DN - sugars gone way too high due to quitting smoking last autumn but I am looking to fight this! Also, new retinopathy scan due in May - praying no bad news.
 
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