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Eye Troubles

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
IM A TYPE 1 DIABETIC AND SUFFER FROM RETINOPATHY. BASICALLY FOR THOSE WHO DONT KNOW IT MAKES YOU GO BLIND. IM ONLY 24 AND THE THOUGHT OF GOING BLIND SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME. IM GETTING LASER TREATMENT TO (HOPEFULLY) STOP IT FOR THE TIME BEING BUT IM FRANTIC WITH WORRY. I FOUND OUT 4 MONTHS AGO AND ITS TURNED MY WORLD UPSIDE DOWN. ANYONE ELSE IN THIS POSITION OR HAD EXPERIENCE OF IT OR JUST WANT TO OFFER SOME ADVICE???:confused:
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Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    1. As someone with eye problems you will appreciate how hard it is to read paragraphs where only capital letters are used. Added to that, on the boards, it is considered shouting... Just a suggestion but please try not to use CAPS LOCK...

    2. Retinopathy cause my diabetes is something to be wary of, for sure. Have you already been referred to your nearest hospital? I know that this is somehting which they will want to monitor you from now on...

    3. My understanding is that the diabetes damages the blood vessels in your retina, hence a gradual loss of sight. This may take years and so probabaly isn't something you should be too worried about at this stage of your life. Certainly you shouldn't stop living your life to the max...

    Edited to add:

    Suggest that you read this which comes from the RNIB website and contact your GP is you aren't already seeing a specialist
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    im sorry but u have ure facts so wrong. i have proliferative retinopathy which is only caused by diabetes and it is something to worry about. if i wasnt getting the laser treatment right now i would definately go blind in the very near future, the laser at least gives me a chance. diabetes does not damage the cells. diabetic retinopathy is caused by new cells that grow(i cant remember why), these cells are weak and bleed and cause scarring which causes the retina to detach and hence u go blind. please have ure facts straight before you trivialise what im going through. yes there are different stages of it but i am at the final stage. which is very much something to worry about. how could you not worry?????
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    He was far from trivialising your situation, he was only trying to help.

    We're all trying to help here, nothing else.

    :)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    well it annoys me to be told it is nothing to worry about just now. it is it is happening now, not in the future. have u ever been told you have a disease that makes you go blind? have you worried about getting it since being diagnosed diabetic 15 years ago? have you lay in ure bed at night with ure eyes shut wondering what its like to see nothing. i know people are trying to help but dont tell me not to worry. because its happening to me, its not a case of it might happen, it is happening. its very real and im very scared.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by wee wuman
    well it annoys me to be told it is nothing to worry about just now.

    Well, gosh I am so sorry.

    Worry away because clearly that is the only thing which will save your sight :rolleyes:

    In fact, perhaps you shouldn't even read the link I gave you, which would take you directly to the RNIB site and gives details about laser therapy for diabetic retinopathy.

    You could also disregard the fact that I am a health professional who has been working with Opthalmologists for some time now and set up a system for the screening of patients who may be suffering from diabetes and the resultant eye problems this causes. That my area now has a mobile screening service which captures more people than ever before, and that we now can photograph more people quicker than every before. You also wouldn't know about my lobbying for £1m worth of funding for this service just in my area. A successful case it was too.

    You could also pay attention to the fact that you gave little detail about the condition you were suffering from, certainly you didn't express that your condition was so far advanced. You will have noted that I said that the progression of your condition may take years, not that it will take years, because I appreciate that things differ from patient to patient...
    it is it is happening now, not in the future. have u ever been told you have a disease that makes you go blind? have you worried about getting it since being diagnosed diabetic 15 years ago? have you lay in ure bed at night with ure eyes shut wondering what its like to see nothing. i know people are trying to help but dont tell me not to worry. because its happening to me, its not a case of it might happen, it is happening. its very real and im very scared.

    I appreciate all of that, which is why I tried to give you some assistance and why I directed you to the RNIB - I also suggested contact with your local specialists and to be honest they are more likely to be able to help you than a teenagers website.

    If you just wanted "tea and sympathy" then that's what you should have asked for, rather than advice.

    Yes, I symapthise with you. Everyday I appreciate that I can see reasonably well (I don't have 20/20 vision either) and for the very reason that I have worked with people who don't have such a luxury.

    The reason I suggested that it isn't something you should worry too much about now is becuase you aren't blind right now and because there is little which you personally can do to stop the onset. Only a specialist can help you there.

    You are getting treatment to slow the process and therefore you should live life to the maximum whilst you still have your sight. Once it is gone (assuming little medical intervention or improvements) you will regret not doing those things you currently can. So do them.

    BTW The website details I linked to go into detail about the condition and actually confirm what I was saying about the damage to the blood vessels which feed the retina. In fact, you confirm them too, so how were my facts wrong?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Perhaps you might also want to look at the information here
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    tell me how the hell not to worry about going blind????? i dont need facts, i know the facts all ive done is look at websites since feb. i know about my treatment, ive had 4 lots of laser so far. ive spoke to the specialists and they have been very very good. i dont want "sympathy", i know it could be worse, im not dying but im sorry this is what im going through so i cant always look on the bright side. i have been through so many emotions u wouldnt believe it. not everyone copes well with the shit life throws at you. i thought i might be able to talk to someone who has been through it who understands. its like the docs, they can give you all the medical facts and understand that part but u cant understand it totally til u are going through it.
    its not stopping me living but it has had a big impact on me and how i feel.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    nobody been through anything similar or knows someone who has? im not looking for facts, i know the facts of this disease. i just want to here from someone who understands or can help me cope. its a real scarey place to be!:(
    ANYBODY OUT THERE ?
    my family and fiance have been great but thet cant fully understand it cos its not happening to them.
    im just scared!!!!!!!!:nervous:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I saw something on TV ages ago that said smoking Marajuana helps diabetics to prevent blindness and this one diabetic started smoking weed to save his eyesight, but worried he might be arrested for trying to save his sight.

    Don't know if this helps in your case or is something you've looked into, just thought I should mention it.

    How does one get tested for diabetes? My aunt developted it a few months ago, although she is adopted so no blood link there.

    I live Harrow, Greater London. The mobile testing scheme sounds like a good idea. I'm a little worried cos I notice lately my right eye get a little sore compared to my left espacially in smokey environments.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    thanks diamondgeezer, someone said to me before about taking marajuana. ive considered talking to my doc about it. i think the only thing that can help now is the laser treatment m getting, but thanks anyway.
    the doctor can test u for diabetes if u are worried about it. its a simple blood test, do you have any symptoms that might make you think you are diabetic or is it just something you worry about because of your aunty? as for your eyes, thats probably nothing to worry about. if it worries you get the doc to check it. it certainly wont be retinopathy anyway, its only diabetics that get that.
    thanks for posting a message for me, its appreciated. :) xx
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by wee wuman
    ANYBODY OUT THERE ?

    Even if they are they aren't likely to help you when you respond like you did to my comments. You hardly encourage people to talk to you, do you?

    Might be worth losing that chip from your shoulder, it will help you get through the next few years...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Man Of Kent

    Might be worth losing that chip from your shoulder, it will help you get through the next few years... [/B]

    Well said !!!

    Man Of Kent went out of his way to help you, find information for you, give you links to other sites and you basically chuck it in his face.

    He actually cared about your situation thats why he put the information here for you.

    Sheesh whats the point in trying to help someone.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    well man of kent and becky boo, thanks ever so much, you obviously know how you would react to being told you have a condition that causes blindness. it must be great to be sooooooooooooo perfect. thanks for the support cos it came at the best time since i was informed 4 days ago that it has got worse. im glad you are so full of understanding :yeees:
    honestly your support over whelms me!!! and man of kent i have no chip on my shoulder i am just a very very scared girl. you dont know me or my life so dont dare try to figure me out thanks very much ! if i wasnt so mature ide tell you to kiss my ass but i wont!?!?
    once again diamond geezer thanks for your kind message i appreciated that!:thumb:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by wee wuman
    well man of kent and becky boo, thanks ever so much, you obviously know how you would react to being told you have a condition that causes blindness.

    Sorry but Man of Kent came to offer you advice in the way he knew best.

    Was he rude? No

    I appreciate how you must be feeling but the way you responded to MOK was really harsh. He didnt have to bother going doing some research for you, he didnt have to reply to your post, he didnt need to show you some compassion......but he did !!!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    look you back off i really dont need the hassle. i came on here looking for someone who had been through similar and could relate to me, ok! EVERYONES an expert arent they? :chin:
    i know im not the only person going through this and i know im not dying but its really really scarey so you pass comment when you have been through it! not only have i to deal with my diabetes (along with the other milion or so people that have it) and the retinopathy, i have to worry about wether i will suffer any of the other complications that diabetes causes so i really dont need your hassle. come back and talk to me when you understand.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by wee wuman
    come back and talk to me when you understand. [/B]

    maybe you need to look at what you have just written and maybe come back when you realise the whole world isnt against you, more your attitude problem.

    Bye Bye
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    why do i need to look at what i wrote? i didnt say the whole world was against me did i ? :confused: i need to talk to someone who has been through it who really understands. i dont have an attitude problem thanks i just dont appreciate hassle thats all. ive found it all quite hard to take in so excuse me for being a tad stressed. im not a bad person just very very scared.
    if you dont like what i have to say then dont read it. im a kind person not the bitch you are making me out to be, please dont try and make me out to be bad when you dont even know me! :(
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by wee wuman
    look you back off i really dont need the hassle. i came on here looking for someone who had been through similar and could relate to me, ok! EVERYONES an expert arent they? :chin:
    i know im not the only person going through this and i know im not dying but its really really scarey so you pass comment when you have been through it! not only have i to deal with my diabetes (along with the other milion or so people that have it) and the retinopathy, i have to worry about wether i will suffer any of the other complications that diabetes causes so i really dont need your hassle. come back and talk to me when you understand.

    Once you get past the self pitying thing you'll probably find things a little easier.

    You are right, you aren't the only person going through this, it's something which affects a large percentage of the population.

    You asked for help from people who are going through the same things as you are, and so I gave you link to an organisation who would be better placed to help you than a teenagers advice site.

    I'm sorry if that wasn't good enough for you, truly I am. But perhaps you shouldn't ask for help if you aren't ready to accept it in whatever form it takes. In fact you would probably do as well to consider if your expectations are a littel unrealistic.

    I understand that you are scared. Much to your surprise (seeing as you have glossed over the facts I laid out in a previous post) but I have contact with people undergoing major surgery on a daily basis. I have worked with retinopathy patients before and I have seen the effects that this condition can have on a person. What I have noticed though, is that most a grateful for any advice and assistance they can get, anything which helps them get towards the information and support which they feel that they (as an individual) need.

    Now I can't help treat you condition. I don't have a magic cure.

    All I can do is direct you towards the people you are looking for and do point out that no-one will want to help you if you just chuck it back in their face.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    wee wuman calm down - Man of Kent went out of his way to help you, please give other users the respect you would want them to give you.

    Susie
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    maybe this started off on the wrong foot, this wasnt what i was looking for but to be perfectly honest i found man of kents first post a liitle patronising in places(this is my opinion wether you agree or not) so maybe thats what got my back up!?!? and to be told not to worry to me is ridiculous because i am unfortunately a worrier, if i didnt worry about it then i run the risk of letting my diabetic control go and making the problem worse.
    man of kent if this is a teenagers advice site why are you on it so often? just out of interest.
    i dont want to argue with anyone all i was doing was looking for some one who had maybe been in my place.
    so shoot me for being a little stressed and uptight !
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by wee wuman
    man of kent if this is a teenagers advice site why are you on it so often? just out of interest.

    Because I was once a teenager and so I have advice to offer.

    Apprently though it's not very good ;)

    Oh, and I spend most of my time in the Politics Forum which is mainly used by older people - students etc
    so shoot me for being a liitle stressed and uptight !

    Nah, we won't shoot you, but it would have been nicer for you to say "Thank you, but that wasn't really what I was looking for"...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    oh dear man of kent you had to get that last dig in didnt you?:lol:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by wee wuman
    oh dear man of kent you had to get that last dig in didnt you?:lol:

    It wasn't a dig
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK!:lol:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    This probably won't help you but, it's worh a shot.

    Firstly, using marij....weed for any type of medicine is still illegal in the eyes of the law. Do like everyone else, find a dealer and smoke the stuff somewhere secluded, like the woods or your garden. And don't make a big scene of it.

    Yes, you may be panicing about your eyesight, but you will still live. It's cruel of me, but it is true. Steven Hawking is very handicapped and look at all the great things he can do!

    My first thought was that you are just faking this, because of the way you addressed the situation. I still think this to some extent. However because of the nature of this message board, I have to believe you.

    Man Of Kent is a professional; alledgedly. So perhaps listening to the guy would help you because you really don't seem to know much about this subject. Also, be greatful people are responding to you in such a friendly manner - still offering advise. I read the whole thread and quite frankly you don't deserve half the advise given!

    I'm done, good luck with the treatment :)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    WHY THE HELL WOULD I FAKE IT? WHY ?
    it is a very real problem for me. i wish i was faking it. :mad:
    that is a real horrible thing to say!:crying:
    and to man of kent i apologise for being off hand with you. i realise that you were trying to offer help! shake? you must relise the amount of stress this has caused me and i can assure you that faking it i am not.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by wee wuman
    you must relise the amount of stress this has caused me and i can assure you that faking it i am not.

    Yes I do, and I wish I could offer you more help, but I truly believe that the groups whose sites I sent you to will be better placed.

    And I don't think you are faking even if others are suspicious.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    thank you :)
    i have looked at the sites. i just want to talk to someone about it. i know all the medical stuff and i know my options im just really really frightened, at times i feel at breaking point and i cry alot about it especially now as its a little worse. its just all too much at times.
    im certainly not faking it and it makes me sad that someone would say that. only someone that would do something like would suggest that i reckon.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Wee Wuman,

    I do believe you, but in some sense it appears fake. I'm not going to go on about it because like you said, that's cruel.

    I can't offer much advise, but I'm available for a good crying session and verbal abuse? Yes, you have a good 10 years on me, but that just means you have a wider vocab to use!:D
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    please tell me how it seems fake? i would like to know, thanks.
    if i was faking it i seem to know hell of alot about it if you read one of my earlier posts. please do tell! :confused:
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