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Retinopathy

jtg1964

jtg1964

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
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She/Her
Had my first eye screening today and just received a letter saying I have stage 1.Can anyone let me know treatments? any advice welcomed.Bit scary...
 
jtg1964 said:
Had my first eye screening today and just received a letter saying I have stage 1.Can anyone let me know treatments?
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So long as it says your next appointment will be in about 12 months, they don't want to do anything. In the meantime, keep good control of BG and your blood pressure, and follow all the usual advice (exercise regularly, have a healthy diet, etc.). There's every chance it'll reverse itself.

Or not (I've had background retinopathy (as far as I know) for decades. Since before I remember them reporting it in these terms, anyway.
 
Bruce Stephens said:
So long as it says your next appointment will be in about 12 months, they don't want to do anything. In the meantime, keep good control of BG and your blood pressure, and follow all the usual advice (exercise regularly, have a healthy diet, etc.). There's every chance it'll reverse itself.

Or not (I've had background retinopathy (as far as I know) for decades. Since before I remember them reporting it in these terms, anyway.
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Is background retinopathy the same as "stage 1"?
Like you it is some time since I have had background retinopathy reported and never seen "stage 1" but it could be a new name for it.

Whatever it is called (and whether it is the same thing), if the letter only mentions a follow up in 12 months, I agree it is not something to be unduly concerned about and may be reversible with good management (you know me, I don't like the term "control" when there are so many factors that can affect BG 😎 ) of BG and blood pressure.
 
Bruce Stephens said:
So long as it says your next appointment will be in about 12 months, they don't want to do anything. In the meantime, keep good control of BG and your blood pressure, and follow all the usual advice (exercise regularly, have a healthy diet, etc.). There's every chance it'll reverse itself.

Or not (I've had background retinopathy (as far as I know) for decades. Since before I remember them reporting it in these terms, anyway.
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Thank you Bruce you have reassured me. I was only diagnosed as year ago and they are trying to get my BG under control. I'm just under 8stone.Eat healthily and exercise.
Thank you so much for your reply.Truly appreciated
 
jtg1964 said:
Thank you Bruce you have reassured me. I was only diagnosed as year ago and they are trying to get my BG under control. I'm just under 8stone.Eat healthily and exercise.
Thank you so much for your reply.Truly appreciated
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Many people get that letter saying background retinopathy but by the next test it is all clear.
Making sure your condition is well managed will go a long way to making sure there is no progression.
When you say 'they are trying to get my blood glucose under control' what is being tried?
Much of managing the condition is down to you and what lifestyle changes you are also making as medication can only do so much.
 
I could not tolerate Metformin.Now on Glicazide up to twice a day.Readings are high but they said give it a few months.
I can not make any life style changes to be honest. Weight ...BP ...Cholesterol all excellent .I had a heart attack at 42...hereditary. So since I've always been careful. So being diagnosed with diabetes has flawed me.
 
jtg1964 said:
Thank you so much for your reply.Truly appreciated
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You're far from the first person to post about the letter wording! It is a bit disturbing. I think we learn to look for the "when do they want to see me" part of the letter: if they're worried they'll definitely bring it forwards. (I've had a couple of 6 month appointments a while ago (after I had a brain tumour) but it seems I'm back to annual screening.)
 
Bruce Stephens said:
You're far from the first person to post about the letter wording! It is a bit disturbing. I think we learn to look for the "when do they want to see me" part of the letter: if they're worried they'll definitely bring it forwards. (I've had a couple of 6 month appointments a while ago (after I had a brain tumour) but it seems I'm back to annual screening.)
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Gosh . Yes it can be alarming .I have gained alot of reassurance from this forum. Truly appreciated peoples reply. Hope your ok .
 
jtg1964 said:
Had my first eye screening today and just received a letter saying I have stage 1.Can anyone let me know treatments? any advice welcomed.Bit scary...
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I’m impressed you got your result so quickly…I had my first screening on Monday and told up to 6 weeks to get result but it’s usually around 2 weeks
 
MrsAA said:
I’m impressed you got your result so quickly…I had my first screening on Monday and told up to 6 weeks to get result but it’s usually around 2 weeks
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Hopefully having read my thread your not alarmed by any results.All the best.
 
I fully get your worries.I was diagnosed diabetic a year ago. Im a nurse but emotionally I've struggled with the diagnosis. I get very down especially as they can't get my levels down.
I don't think people understand that's why this forum helps.
It's your first...as Bruce said try not to worry. x
 
jtg1964 said:
I fully get your worries.I was diagnosed diabetic a year ago. Im a nurse but emotionally I've struggled with the diagnosis. I get very down especially as they can't get my levels down.
I don't think people understand that's why this forum helps.
It's your first...as Bruce said try not to worry. x
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I buried my head in the sand and refused to go for eye screening for the first couple of years, I know I’m stupid but I don’t like the whole being in close proximity to anyone in a dark room, I’m very claustrophobic, but I’ve done it now so will just see what the letter says when it arrives
 
jtg1964 said:
Had my first eye screening today and just received a letter saying I have stage 1
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A letter in the post? On the same day as your eye screening? I’d assume not my results!

If it’s an email then fair enough maybe they’re super quick but still suspicious timing as to whether they’re even your results
 
Glad you’ve been reassured @jtg1964 - those letters are often unkindly scary. Hopefully if you can keep gently getting your BG into line as smoothly as you can, then hopefully you can slow any progression to a standstill, or maybe (as happened to several members here, including me) you’ll get an “all clear” next time.

All the best with your results @MrsAA - let us know how you get on 🙂
 
@jtg1964 It the 'stage one' diagnosis is the same as background retinopathy then it might well have gone by the next test - that is what happened to me back in 2017 to 18, having been diagnosed in 2016.
I would mention that your description of your situation seems unlike many type 2s, and I do wonder if you have been misdiagnosed and could require different treatment than a plain ordinary type 2.
 
Thank you for replying.I do feel it's type 2. Speaking with the GP on Tuesday hoping he will do further tests. I feel like it's over taking my life at the minute.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Glad you’ve been reassured @jtg1964 - those letters are often unkindly scary. Hopefully if you can keep gently getting your BG into line as smoothly as you can, then hopefully you can slow any progression to a standstill, or maybe (as happened to several members here, including me) you’ll get an “all clear” next time.

All the best with your results @MrsAA - let us know how you get on 🙂
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Pleased to say there was a letter to my gp showing on the NHS app, results were all good, annual recall - which I will definitely go to…so relieved, I’ve been so very anxious!
 
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