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got my eye screening results :(

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eat2live

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi Friends.

there i am 2 months into being told i have diabetes, type 2 D&E,

got my results and told i have background retinopothy

its knocked me off my feet!!, not to mention scared me to death,

my blood pressure is good, my cholestrol was 4.6, hba1c was 7 on dx,

i thought i would walk it!! how wrong was i

and to honest i dont really know what it means!!!
does it mean it will progress with time?,

was already feeling fed up cos my weight it taking ages to come down, even though i am doing the SW diet, and swimming twice a week, going later infact

any wise words from anyone would be gratefully recieved,
xxxxxxxxxx
 
eat2live said:
Hi Friends.

there i am 2 months into being told i have diabetes, type 2 D&E,

got my results and told i have background retinopothy

its knocked me off my feet!!, not to mention scared me to death,

my blood pressure is good, my cholestrol was 4.6, hba1c was 7 on dx,

i thought i would walk it!! how wrong was i

and to honest i dont really know what it means!!!
does it mean it will progress with time?,

was already feeling fed up cos my weight it taking ages to come down, even though i am doing the SW diet, and swimming twice a week, going later infact

any wise words from anyone would be gratefully recieved,
xxxxxxxxxx
Click to expand...

Dear eat2live,

It's not serious, but it does mean that they should have asked you to get your eyes checked again in a year's time. It does not affect your sight - hence the word "background".

Regards Dodger
 
Background retinopothy is nothing to worry about.

The screening is done on a regular basis to ensure it doesn't get any worse. Although we are all different, most of us get the result back as background retinopothy.

The main thing is to go for the checks when you are called as it is a good indicator on how well you are controlling things.

Many people don't find the letters very reassuring and when I got the first lot of results I went to my GP who said the result was fine and I didn't need to worry. I think the letters are mass produced and each persons details are added as appropriate.
 
Don't worry! Many, many people get this, especially when they are recently diagnosed as it can be the consequence of higher than normal sugars for some time before diagnosis. Now that you are diagnosed and doing well there's every chance that on your next scan it will either be no worse or possibly even have disappeared altogether. It has to get much worse before it becomes a problem - they'll simply do another scan in 6 months or a year and make sure it's not getting worse. Everyone reacts like this when they get this news (me included!), I do wish they would explain what it means better!

Well done on all your results! 🙂
 
Lat year I was told there were Background changes but this year the changes had vanished. If there was anything serious they would have referred you to an eye clinic. They will just keep and eye on things and see if anything progresses. I know how you feel though you just want a letter that says all is OK.

If you need more information there should be contact details on your letter - or your GP could talk things through with you.
 
Disconcerting, isn't it. But as the other say, nothing to worry about, but something to be aware of and keep checked yearly. ((((((eat2live))))))
 
thanx so much everyone...i can breath again 🙂

they should send letters that explain more, thanx for the hug kate xxxxxx
 
I agree the letter should be more patient friendly and explain that background retinopathy is normal and will come and go through out life as a diabetic.........

My last 2 checks have had it................

Your HbA1c is good and your BP is normal, so most likely what you are seeing is the damage caused when being undiagnosed, keep up good results like them and your eyes blood vessels will heal in no time.............:D
 
Well speaking personally, I was first told I had this prior to when they had these lovely cameras to take the pictures of the backs of our eyes. I know for a fact it was prior to 1995.

Guess what? I still have it!! - one little speck in one eye .......
 
thanx very much trophywench, it as made me feel so much better reading the replies, i'm not going blind yet lol xx
 
I had the same letter , and felt the same as you - terrified ! I have to go back in Sep ( 6 months after this episode) to check..... Still wary but after the comments on this board not as scared as I was .

Hope yours turns out to be ok . 🙂
 
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