Wake up, I can’t see clearly, everything is blurry. Maybe I have pink eye? Get some pink eye drops, doesn’t work! Ugh!
Make appointment with eye doc, must wait 3 weeks, ugh!
Eye doc dilates eyes…bad news…ugh!
Left eye has hemoraghed and lots of scarring, ugh! Diabetic Retinopathy!!!
How did this happen? ok, so when I had my radiation in February, I had to go off my thyroid medication for a whole month, which lead to higher sugars and high cholesterol. But nobody told me to go and check my eyes after such a big event!!! ugh!!!
Laser scheduled for August, 2385 laser burns, with only anesthetic drops, painfull but I don’t care, I can’t see…I want my vision back!!!
2 weeks later eye bleeds again, ugh!!! They do another 2085 laser burns, without anesthetic? painfull
Eyesight gets worse…
2 weeks later, eye is still bleeding, cannot do more laser, have to wait another 2 weeks and maybe do a vitrectomy, ugh!!!
Diabetic Retinopathy has been halted and /or reversed with Pulsatile INsulin Therapy.
Do some research, you may be surprised.
CLinics are open in at least 4 states.
Good luck
Cassie
Last Feburauy I wa told I have End Stage Renal Failure. Today my creatine level is almost nornal.
I am not in dialysis, hope not to go there. So far, so good.
Pulsatile INsulin Therapy is working for me. There are several companies offering this therapy.
I believe there are clinics in 4 states. Do your homework, SAVE those kidneys.
I had extensive laser eye surgery back in the 90s. I don’t know how many zaps I had because I didn’t know to ask back then, but my current eye doctor calls it extensive. It took awhile for my eyes to settle down, but my current vision is 20/30 and I only use the over-the-counter reading glasses.
I know you want to have trust in your doctor, but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion. Seeing a doctor that specializes in retinas is something you should consider if your current doctor is not one.
So sorry to hear about this. I have had 2 laser surgeries. Before each surgery I had injections that reduced the swelling. Surgery was about 10 days after shots. I was given an RX for Nevanak(spelling??) an anti inflammitory eye drop. The drops REALLY help. I did not experience any pain during the surgery. There was some discomfort at times, but not pain. I still have difficulty reading, but overall I can see much better. I’m hopeful that I can get an RX for new glasses after my follow up in a couple weeks. This whole process started 10 months ago. Kelly is right. You should see a retinologist if you aren’t already.
My heart goes out to you. I know how you must feel. It was very scary and upsetting to suddenly be unable to see. Do everything you can to keep your BG in check and know you are not alone in this battle.
@Randy, I didn’t look at Vikki’s profile to see where she was from. One of the doctors that I see is from Africa - he is one of the best doctors I have ever seen and I also feel very lucky to have found him. I wish everyone could have a doctor like him.
I am so sorry to hear this.Vikki. I have been having Laser Zaps for 1 year now, every 6-8 weeks. My right eye is worse, and I still have spider leg type clots in the right eye. I think I have had a total of 6000 zaps. I will need to go to a Retinal Specialist for a few injections into eyeball, may help. I know it is painful, I don’t numb and feel alot of pain. I know this is scary for you. I understand. Please stay strong and fight…do what you have to do. I wish you all the best and others have given great advice. Please let me know how you are doing and if I can help, or you just need somebody to chat with that is going through the same thing please let me know. Best wishes to you. Robyn xo
honey, i’ve been there. i had my babies in 2005, the entire pregnancy my sight weakened to the point (i was bedridden as well) that all i could do all day was listen to the radio. i too have had a million lasers. in both eyes. i have also had to have a vitrectomy in my left eye. i wear glasses for distance now, and every day my vision is different lol. some days i feel i can see better without glasses when i look to the distance. i did a LOT of research into this when i was going through treatments, and i have a few helpful hints for you…
NEVER hold your breath for more than a couple seconds.
don’t run, speed walk, but don’t run!
avoid as much garlic as you can (natural blood thinner)
stay away from all painkillers that are not tylenol (all bloodthinners)
go for a walk, every day
sleep on top of at least 2 pillows. when i was doing treatments, i used 3
Hi everyone, thanks for all the support, I truly appreciate it.
I am with one of the best doctors possible for my eyes and he is very supportive. He didn’t want to do the vitrectomy or injections because I am so young. He says there can be complications and at my age he wanted to prevent this. So we will be waiting another week and then check again to see if the blood is draining.
I had my eyes checked last year June 2010 and both eyes were perfect. Now it’s just my left eye. He says he cannot understand why my right eye looks so perfect and my left looks like a disaster. I’m just happy I can still see through my right eye. I have good days and bad days, and am just holding on to Christ for strength.
I do marketing and therefore travel alot, and that is what has been so difficult, I cannot drive or concentrate at the moment. My boss has been supportive, but I don’t know for how long. In February this year I was off the whole month to do radiation for my cancer and now I am not able to drive. I am just hoping that she will stay supportive and understanding. Just wish this eye thing didn’t have to take so long, but our time is not God’s time.
I have asked Jesus previously to give me patience, but He said “patience is not given, it is learned”. He has placed many obstacles in my path to teach me patience, but I have failed every one. Now, with my eye, I kind of have no choice, but I am thankfull that Jesus has chosen me, because it can only make me stronger.
My husband, family and friends have been very supportive, and I am thankfull for all of you. It’s very encouraging to hear from other Diabetics who have gone through the same thing. It makes me feel Not so alone.
I am seeing my doctor again next week and will keep you updated. Thanks again for all your support and prayers, that’s what I need most
I had CNVM four years back. Its kind of like Gloucoma. I definitly did’nt have diabetes then. They gave me laser and lucentis injection. But the laser was’nt painful? What is this Diabetic retinopathy. Since i’m again having pain in my eyes.
For those of you who don’t know what Diabetic Retinopathy is, here is a short description:
What is diabetic retinopathy?Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.
In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.
If you have diabetic retinopathy, at first you may not notice changes to your vision. But over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes.
What are the stages of diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy has four stages:
1.Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy. At this earliest stage, microaneurysms occur. They are small areas of balloon-like swelling in the retina’s tiny blood vessels.
2.Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy. As the disease progresses, some blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked.
3.Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy. Many more blood vessels are blocked, depriving several areas of the retina with their blood supply. These areas of the retina send signals to the body to grow new blood vessels for nourishment.
4.Proliferative Retinopathy. At this advanced stage, the signals sent by the retina for nourishment trigger the growth of new blood vessels. This condition is called proliferative retinopathy. These new blood vessels are abnormal and fragile. They grow along the retina and along the surface of the clear, vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye. By themselves, these blood vessels do not cause symptoms or vision loss. However, they have thin, fragile walls. If they leak blood, severe vision loss and even blindness can result
My update:
Saw the doc on Tuesday and the blood is still not draining from my eye. I can see absolutely nothing out of my left eye. He said that I would have to do a vitrectomy.
So next week Tuesday 11 October I am having Avastin injections in my eye, and then on Thursday I will have the vitrectomy. Not looking forward to all this, but I trust this is the next step.
My sugars have been so good the last 2 months, ranging in the 6’s, so I am happy with that
Once I am done with my eyes, I have to go for another cancer scan to make sure I am still cancer free! Can’t believe it’s been 9 months already.
Thanks again for all your support. Any comments or feedback is greatly appreciated.
Will keep you all updated.
xoxo
Update:
Going for my Avastin injections today. Feeling a bit scared at the thought of a needle in my eye, but will face anything to get my sight back. Will post an update on how it went, hold thumbs!
