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Yet another Newbie!! - eyesight problems

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
J

Jonesy

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hello everyone,

I have been reading all the forums, books and information I can get my hands on, to say it's all very confusing is an understatement!
I was newly diagnosed just over a week ago. I had felt fine until about 2 months ago when I started to have a dreadful thirst, blurry eyes, was feeling very tired, night cramps in my legs and went on to lose nearly a stone without trying - normally I would have been over the moon but I started to get worried because of the other problems. I did think that maybe I had pre-diabetes - I am 54, about 3 stone overweight, have a sedentary job and lifestyle and all the weight is around my middle. After seeing the doctor and having blood tests, it was a complete shock when the doctor called me in and told me I had T2. My figures were (sorry I can't remember which is which, I'm at work and still a bit confused with all the terms), 102 (should be 48?) and the other was 21 (should be 5-6ish?). The doctor put me on Metformin 500mg and I'm now on 2 a day, supposed to go up to 3 next week.
The thing I'm worried about today is my eyes. Before this happened I used reading glasses just for close up sewing, reading etc. During the 2 pre-diagnosis months my middle range vision went blurry and close up improved. Now the last 2 days my close up and computer vision is quite bad. Should I be worried? I'm sure I read something about vision changing with BG levels. I got myself a meter which I went to use for the first time this morning (Codefree) but I am getting an E-1 message so can't check my levels. I am also off on holiday on Sunday so want to be sure I'm ok before we go. Sorry to waffle on I would appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.
 
Hi Jonesy

I just joined this Forum recently myself and have found people here to be friendly, welcoming, helpful and above all, informative - you're asking questions in the right place. First thing I'd say is don't worry, that'll increase your stress levels which won't help anything. It's early days for your treatment and you will be confused by the jargon (I still am after 17 years!) If you're concerned speak to someone at your medical practice. Often they can allay your concern over the phone without you having to attend. I usually get the E-1 message when I've put a test strip in upside down (it's usually writing side UP but intuitively you'd think it would be plain side up). Have a read of the booklet that came with it (it'll be available online too). Enjoy your holiday, have a good rest and relax.

regards
Jonsi (said the same as your handle)
 
Just had a quick search
E1 means
  • The test strip is defective, damaged or inserted incorrectly. Discard this test strip and test again using new test strip. See Chapter 3 “2.Performing a Blood Glucose Test”
 
Jonsi said:
Hi Jonesy

I just joined this Forum recently myself and have found people here to be friendly, welcoming, helpful and above all, informative - you're asking questions in the right place. First thing I'd say is don't worry, that'll increase your stress levels which won't help anything. It's early days for your treatment and you will be confused by the jargon (I still am after 17 years!) If you're concerned speak to someone at your medical practice. Often they can allay your concern over the phone without you having to attend. I usually get the E-1 message when I've put a test strip in upside down (it's usually writing side UP but intuitively you'd think it would be plain side up). Have a read of the booklet that came with it (it'll be available online too). Enjoy your holiday, have a good rest and relax.

regards
Jonsi (said the same as your handle)
Click to expand...


Thank you so much Jonsi (great name 🙂), this forum is amazing. I have read many positive life stories that have cheered me up and lifted me when I was feeling so panicky and anxious after the diagnosis. I have had a stressful year and I asked the doctor if that could have played a part but she said not. I then read in the book I bought that is recommended on this site that stress/anxiety can play a part in raising levels, so again more confusion! I have tried two strips in the meter this morning, both with the same error result but the test strip said it was ok. I'll have to have another look at the instructions I think! Thanks for your lovely reply.
 
Jonesy said:
Hello everyone,

I have been reading all the forums, books and information I can get my hands on, to say it's all very confusing is an understatement!
I was newly diagnosed just over a week ago. I had felt fine until about 2 months ago when I started to have a dreadful thirst, blurry eyes, was feeling very tired, night cramps in my legs and went on to lose nearly a stone without trying - normally I would have been over the moon but I started to get worried because of the other problems. I did think that maybe I had pre-diabetes - I am 54, about 3 stone overweight, have a sedentary job and lifestyle and all the weight is around my middle. After seeing the doctor and having blood tests, it was a complete shock when the doctor called me in and told me I had T2. My figures were (sorry I can't remember which is which, I'm at work and still a bit confused with all the terms), 102 (should be 48?) and the other was 21 (should be 5-6ish?). The doctor put me on Metformin 500mg and I'm now on 2 a day, supposed to go up to 3 next week.
The thing I'm worried about today is my eyes. Before this happened I used reading glasses just for close up sewing, reading etc. During the 2 pre-diagnosis months my middle range vision went blurry and close up improved. Now the last 2 days my close up and computer vision is quite bad. Should I be worried? I'm sure I read something about vision changing with BG levels. I got myself a meter which I went to use for the first time this morning (Codefree) but I am getting an E-1 message so can't check my levels. I am also off on holiday on Sunday so want to be sure I'm ok before we go. Sorry to waffle on I would appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Hi Jonesy, welcome to the forum 🙂 The eyesight problem is very annoying - and very common! Don't worry though, things will improve although it may take a week or two. I had exactly the same problem around diagnosis time and ended up buying cheap reading glasses of various strengths and increasing the zoom level in my web browser so I could read things! When your blood sugar levels are high the lens of the eye becomes distorted, affecting your focus. However, as things improve and settle down everything returns to normal - in some cases sight can even improve to better than you remembered it being before 🙂

Enjoy your holiday, I hope you have a wonderful time! 🙂 Try not to worry too much about things whilst you are away, getting things under control will take time, so you don't need to feel you have to immediately change everything overnight. My advice would just be to avoid having too much sugary food and also to keep portions of carbohydrates moderate in size (things like rice, potatoes, pasta, bread etc,) Plenty of time to get to grips with things when you get back! 🙂 One note about the metformin - it can cause quite a bit of gastric upset, hope you are managing OK with it and it doesn't spoil your enjoyment of the holiday. Let us know if you have any questions 🙂
 
Thank you so much @Northerner for the assurance. I've taken your advice and got myself some cheap reading glasses, just glad that this is all normal. I have also been low carbing (and low sugar) for the last week and taking Metformin straight after the meal - so far so good, no tummy upsets.

My problem with the codefree meter has been solved - reading the manual properly sorted that out🙄. My brain cells seem to be declining, I'm getting forgetful and I have become quite clumsy - is that anything to do with diabetes or just my age I wonder?😉

Thanks to everyone on this forum, what a fantastic place to get help and advice 🙂
 
Not sure if I should post this here or somewhere else but I tested before my evening meal and the result was 14.6, I ate a pork (with fat on 😛) stir fry - no noodles and only a few drops of soy sauce. I tested again and the result was 12.7. Is that good? Does that mean low carbing works for me? :confused:

Thanks
 
Hi Jonesy, it certainly sounds like it works for you.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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