New to this forum

[Bren]

Well........ I have never visited this forum much as the "experts" seem to take care of things here. But, now I find myself in need of help here.
Last weekend my hubby lost the vision in what we considered his good eye. Started slowly on Saturday and by Monday (when he finally decided to tell me) it was nothing but a cloud. We made an appointment Monday with the Primary physician. We saw him Tuesday, Wednesday was the eye doctor and Thursday was the Retinal Specialist. He is one of those rough tough types that would not go to the doctor. Three years ago he had alot of blood work done for another problem and his blood sugar came up fine. Sure enough the first thing we discussed is diabetes.
Cliff has diabetic retinopathy. There is nothing they can do for the left eye right now, only hope that the hemorahage is or will stop, then hope that the blood is absorbed. He is waiting a few weeks to deal with that eye. If the blood is not absorbed it will mean surgury. There is a chance he will have limited vision out of that eye again. The goal now is to save as much of the sight in his "good" eye that they can. That will be done through laser surgury.... and it is too different types. One is focal treatment the other is a panretinal treatment. The first will begin on Friday and as far as he can see it will be at least three surguries in that eye alone. Then when and if the other eye clears he is hoping that he can begin treatment in that eye to save whatever sight is left.
This morning was all the blood work, and this Dr. has a list too.
The procedure they did yesterday was to inject him with a dye and then take pictures of the one eye that he is working on. So, right now he can not see worth anything as the one eye is shoot and the "good" eye which is NOT... That procedure was a Fluorescien Angiography.
Amazing what they do and can do!
I can only think that I am here at the board for a reason now...............
I have a bajillion questions.
Someone tell me..........where do I begin?
I imagine I am going to be told to go out and get the Atkins Book on diabetes, which I plan on doing tomorrow.
I guess I am just looking for someone to answer my questions as they come up. And again, right now I have a bajillion but do not even know where to begin.
He had about 8 blood tests this morning and Monday we call the doctor to find out what happens next.

[Coop2004]

Re: New to this forum

Hi Bren,

Just caught this thread! Sorry about your DH's problems.

I just checked out Dr. A's book on Diabetes. One thing that the book says about retinopathy (blood vessel damage to the eyes) is that

it begins to develop at least seven years before clinical diagnoses of Type 2 Diabetes is made based either on symptoms or standard blood tests.

(Pg. 19 of the book).

Also, I do know that one of the possible AFTER effects of diabetes is eye problems.

Now this is from my own experience. Going back to 2/01, I had a battery of tests (pre-admission testing) one week before I had my back surgery. I also donated 1 pint of blood for myself. I find it hard to believe that if there was any indication at that time of diabetes, that I wouldn't have been told. Fast forward to 6/03. I started to have problems with my vision (sort of like being cross eyed, and blurry). Went to the Opthamologist, who ran a battery of tests and he said that it was sort of like Bell's Palsy in my eye and that it should go away (it did in a couple of weeks). In July, 03, I went to my Primary Care Doctor, who sent me for blood work. 8/03 - one test (A1C) was elevated. He then sent me for a Glucose Tolerance Test to see if I was diabetic. 9/03 - Obviously, the results showed that I had diabetes. NOTE: Right around the time I had the eye problem, my FIL asked me if I had diabetes, to which I honestly said no, but who knows!!

Has, or will, your husband be going for a complete blood work-up? If so, make sure they check the A1C. If that comes up over 6.0 (some U.S. Doctors still say anything over 6.5), he should be sent for the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT).

As you are very well aware of, IF he does have diabetes, Atkins is the way to go. Even if he doesn't (which I hope is the case), it may be a good idea for him to start doing Atkins, if he isn't already doing it.

You know I'm not giving out medical advise. I'm just give some information. Only a Doctor/Medical Professional can determine whether he has diabetes.

And as I have made mention here when I first joined, my maternal grandfather had diabetes since 1946. He had severe complications from diabetes. He died in 1973, long before we knew of the positive effects of Atkins. One of his sisters who had diabetes, however, died in January, 05, two months shy of her 92 birthday and all she had was some vision problems. So it's not the end of the world

Please keep us posted.

[Binsk]

Re: New to this forum

Bren, I am so sorry for what you and your husband are going through right now. Quite frankly, I am surprised that your husband progressed from good blood sugar results to diabetic retinopathy in such a short time.

The lazer surgery should be helpful, but if his blood sugars aren't kept in control in the future, the same thing may happen again. Also, if there is small vessel damage in the eye, he may be at risk for small vessel damage in the feet and hands.

Check with your doctor, but I would recommend that your husband start taking COenzyme Q10, which is supposed to help repair and keep those small vessels open, I have also read that salmon helps remove arteral plaque and a diet rich in salmon may also suppress inflamation. You may want to visit the Dr. Berstein website, and find advice on keeping your husbands sugars low. Drinking lots of water helps to lower blood sugar as does exercise and the appropriate diet, also medications that your doctor deems appropriate. Managing his diabetes may avoid future problems.

Diabetes is a nasty wasting disease that should always be taken very seriously. I am not of the school, that a little treat here and there won't harm anyone. From what I have read here and on the Berstein website, any occasion of a blood sugar reading over 6.0 (I think that's around 90 in American testing) causes damage, and the cumulative effect of that damage is to completely block off vessels.

I certainly don't want to be the purveyor of doom and gloom, but I do want your husband to be healthy and avoid these complications in the future.

[Coop2004]

Re: New to this forum

Binsk,

Good thought about Dr. Bernstein. His book is entitled "Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution". He also has a new book concerning a diabetic diet which is similar to the Atkins WOE/WOL.

The following thread has links to both books. They don't give out everything from his books, but it's a start.

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=15047

[Desertthorn]

Re: New to this forum

Dr Bernsteins book, you need to get it. I understand that it is wonderful.

Youll be in our thoughts.

[Binsk]

Re: New to this forum

I have the book, and I love it. The website is great too, but you will have to register. There are large portions of the book on the website. The address is www.diabetes-book.com

[Binsk]

Re: New to this forum

Sorry, I forgot. The recipes in the forum are fabulous, the ones on the home page not so much.

[2big4mysize]

Re: New to this forum

Oh Bren I know that had to be scary.


well you got good info already.

one thing though if he is going for a GTT then wait to induct him cause low carb eating will give a false positive for diabetus when GTTed.
If he is a fighter of diet changes take Mrs Atkins advice and back him into it by cutting out some of his processed high sugar foods and add some of the lower rung veggies to his eating. fill him up on salads and lower GI veggies with his meat and he shouldn't even notice he is doing Atkins at the maintenance levels. If he is a diabetic then he will need to test his blood sugar to see if he is sensitive to the upper rung foods and alter his meal plan accordingly.

Will be adding him and you to the prayer list.

[Bren]

Re: New to this forum

I am not sure what tests have been performed as of yet. Will know more on Monday, I hope.

I am learning as I go here. But, THANK YOU ALL. Just knowing I can come here and get the support and knowledge of you guys is a huge relief. I have done ALOT of thinking the past few days and one thing I know is the good Lord put me here for a reason. Sure, I am getting healthier, but now I am here to learn and help Cliff. I have always needed ADBB, now it is my life line.

I thank you for the prayers as since yesterday he is now starting to be able to see some shapes in the worst of the two eyes. So, I am optimistic that the blood is being absorbed.

One day at a time. That is my new mantra.

[Coop2004]

Re: New to this forum

Prayers going your and your husband's way, Bren.

And thanks, 2Big, for mentioning about waiting to do induction before GTT!!

[2big4mysize]

Re: New to this forum

your welcome Hey Bren it is Tuesday how is he doing? how are you doing?

[Bren]

Re: New to this forum

We are doing! We see the primary doctor tomorrow. Thanks for asking 2big.
His sight in the really bad eye seems to be improving, slowly. Fingers crossed.

[Coop2004]

Re: New to this forum

We are doing! We see the primary doctor tomorrow. Thanks for asking 2big.
His sight in the really bad eye seems to be improving, slowly. Fingers crossed.

When you get the chance, Bren, please let us know!!

[Bren]

Re: New to this forum

WOW..... what a day. We are both pretty much on "overload" right now. I just got back from the drug store to fill the stack of prescriptions. As expected his sugar is sky high A1C is 7.9. The goal is to get it to 6.5. His BP is 165/88, goal is 130/85. Cholesterol is way up over 300. We are going to a class at the hospital as soon as I make the appointment. There is more blood work ordered and the test for the kidneys etc. They did a EKG in the office and the doctor was pleased with that, for now. Stress tests to follow. We see him again next week. Now, we have to learn how to use the monitor. I will be able to pick up all the meds and the equipment within a few hours.
There ARE positives here. Cliff is ready willing and able to make any and all changes. I already have him on maintenance diet and he is doing great! Now, my learning really begins. He is my rock............ I will do whatever it takes to get him healthy or at least stable and keep him that way.

[Bren]

Re: New to this forum

and adding, his sight is improving slightly every day. We are praying that means the bleeding has stopped and being absorbed. The lasar sugury for his other eye starts on Friday.