Posted on 03/08/2020 3:08:15 PM PDT by Lazamataz
As you may or may not know, I only really started taking care of the diabetes in 2017, though I was diagnosed in 2010. Even then, my control has been kinda bad. I sometimes see a blood sugar near 300, but I am getting better.
Some of my neglect has caught up with me.
Friday morning, I noticed I was seeing double when driving. I went to the doctor for a previous appointment, unrelated to this. I didn’t bother to mention this issue because it came and went, and I figured it was just eye strain or something.
Well, it got worse Saturday. My optometrist is open on Saturday, at 11AM, but I ended up calling the on-call doctor (they say to call if it is an ocular emergency. I figured this was close enough to an emergency.
So I got in touch with him, and he told me to come in right at 11AM, and that he would bump his previous person’s appointment, because this is serious. I came in, he looked me over (retinas, eye movement, prescription change). When he got done he told me what has likely happened is that one or two of the 6 major nerves, or a blood vessel feeding one of the eye muscles had either a stenosis (narrowing) or aneurysm (swelling). He would be concerned if is is an aneurysm, so we’d want me to get to my normal doctor)first thing on Monday in an emergency basis, and at his recommendation, to order a scan (CT or MRI) using angiogram / radioactive fluids so they can see what’s going on it there. So I will need to do these things to maybe get my eyes back to normal function.
There is a bit of good news – the optomologist said the prognosis for a recovery in weeks or months is pretty good, because my pupil function was perfectly okay. He told me the body will come up with new blood vessels to feed the nerve and the muscle that is in a state of palsy, and that if there is nerve damage, even that can be repaired. If it does not work out, that there are surgeries possible to repair things. Not sure that is a great option, I don’t see how they could correct that.
The level of double vision is extreme when I am driving, but near-in … looking at a computer screen … seems to be okay. If that deteriorates, I should be able to keep going by wearing an eye patch and using one eye.
Needless to say, I am terrified. The one thing I do not want to lose is my sight.
Prayers for your health. May the Great Physician restore.
Praying for you, Laz, that the Lord above heals you fully and completely.
Please keep us posted!
Geez, Laz, I got diabetus but not like that. Only have to shoot insulin after surgery which is getting more frequent.
Prayers for you, bro. Don’t lose your hit-on-it instinct.
Would somebody put up that pic of Catherine Zeta-Jones in her riding up sweater dress? Laz could use the morale boost.
So could I.
Must you continue driving even now? Can you pay for Uber or find another way to travel temporarily?
You have acknowledged that there are times when you’re seeing double for long distance viewing.
I know there is no cheap way to do it.
Most people don’t want to give up that independence, neither would I, but it may only be for a few weeks.
We’re praying for ya bro.
Exercise is critical in facilitating control of blood sugar. Doesn’t have to be obsessive. Get out and walk 1/2 hr a day when you get your vision back to proper functionality. It makes a surprising difference.
Hey Laz
Prayers going up right now.
Calling in the troops.
7
I’ve been dealing with diabetes since 2007 (diagnosed with an A1C of 11.7) . Played the carb counting and insulin injection game until 2009 when I got tired of the hypo/hyper glycemic roller coaster, then just quit eating carbs. Got my A1C down to 5.0 with diet alone.
We dig our graves with our teeth. Drop the carbs and live a long and healthy life.
Saying a prayer for you.
Since this is entirely the wrong time for some dark humor, I'm just biting my tongue, and pinging all lists to get as many in here as possible. Don't make us all come over there, make your appointments (consider Uber or asking a friend or relative to drive you) and follow the care recommendations.
Prayers us for a complete recovery and peace during the recovery process. May God give your physician His own healing insight and skill and may your body recovery quickly, and your eyesight be completely protected and restored.
One question. How will you know to hit it if you can’t see it?
= ==
Braille
Two-handed Braille.
All the Best from the Buckeye wing of Free Republic.
Will keep you in my prayers. Blessings
Prayers for full restoration my friend
I have type II and I try to watch the diet and carbs, also a great deal of exercise, at least 3.5 miles a day walking five days a week.
Now do you have Type I or II? You can help yourself a great deal and no it isn’t easy especially trying to control carbs and sugar, I struggle with it, but it can be done.
“”also losing my sight would be a scary thing.””
Indeed it would be. We have so much to be concerned about as we age - not worry but concern...We see a lot going on around us with friends/family and it can get very scary.
Laz, didn’t your mother say if you kept it up you would go blind? Just kidding, brother. It’s very important to tightly control your diabetes and not let your blood sugar go too low or too high. If you don’t, then Laz won’t be hitting anything.
Prayers for you.
Father, I lift up my brother to you that you will guide him to what can help his vision and diabetes. Be with him to let him know that he matters to you. In Jesus name, amen.
Prayers Laz!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.