Diabetic retinopathy advanced.

[Islamum]

In spring of 2017 I was given my first laser treatment, in Oct my last. In Feb I was given Gabapentin to help with nerve pain and numbness in my right arm. (Left side stroke)
A few days after taking my first dose I experienced a bleed in my right eye! Optition checked and sent report to the specialist. Appointments were made, but 2 weeks later another bleed in my left eye! A week ago, beginning of may I was told by specialist that I had gone beyond laser and might need an op! 6 days later, I was out enjoying the beech with my daughter’s when I realised I was getting another bleed in my right eye!
I was able to drive home, but later that evening it was bad. Imagine a smear of mud on your sunglasses and speckled dotted about. That’s kind of what it’s like.
My question (and I have asked the docs) is could these be caused by the Gabapentin?

 

[Flower]

Hello Islamum and welcome 🙂

I'm sorry to hear what a worrying time you are having with retinal bleeds.

I've lived with proliferative retinopathy for about 25 years and the tiny new blood vessels that grown on the retina are exceedingly fragile and bleed very easily. The laser treatment tries to seal off the areas with abnormal vessel growth to prevent them spreading further in the retina. I caused bleeds just by sneezing! the fact you have advanced retinopathy and have required laser is more than likely to be the reason for the bleeds rather than the gabapentin. The information leaflet gives blurred vision and dizziness amongst other side effects but do ask your pharmacist/doctor.

I find this site really informative about all aspects of retinopathy and treatment. http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/proliferative.html

If you need an operation it will be a vitrectomy where the eyeball jelly is removed and the eye filled with a saline solution. This will clear all the smudges of blood that get trapped in the eyeball and also any new bleeds will disperse a lot quicker in a liquid rather than jelly.

It is exceedingly frightening seeing bleeds happen in front of you but the blood does eventually disperse although it can leave a muddy brown area in your vision.

Do everything the ophthalmologist asks of you to control blood glucose, blood pressure etc and I hope the laser stops any further bleeds. I wish you well.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Great advice and information from @Flower. Sorry to hear about the bleeds you have experienced. Hope they can be successfully treated so that your eyesight can be protected.

Sounds really scary. Wishing you well.

 

[Shiv Gaffney]

Sorry to hear your news @Islasmum. @Flower - great advice and info and would think as well that bleeds aren't caused by Gabapentin. I was on Neurontin (branded name for Gabapentin) for a while years ago for carpal tunnel pain and I had no bleeds during the time I was prescribed it or for a lengthy time after; and as I've had laser I am more prone to bleeds. As @Flower says bleeds can be caused by very simple everyday things. Good luck in your future treatment.

 

[Islamum]

Thank you all for your support, thanks @Flower for your advice.