[peej07]

I'm just wonder of all of you out there like myself that have had some eye complications have you also had kindney issues as well? I've read that if you've had one you've probably have thw other. If any of you do have kidney issues what are you doing to treat it? I'm only asking beacause kidney problems are on my list of anxietys. I had a bout of high potasium back in april but my levels have come back down after changing my BP meds around and increasing my water intake. However I'm terrified to go get it checked again because I just got through my last major issues with my eyes. Thanks agin guys for everything.

[parrotletzoo]

Peej, yes I have both retinopathy and a small amount of protein in my urine from some kidney damage. I am on cozaar for my blood pressure and kidneys and they've remained stable for the past 6 years.

Since the eyes are really the only place doctors can directly see small blood vessel damage i think it is automatically assumed you have small blood vessel damage elsewhere once it shows up in the eyes. I started having issues with my eyes 10 years ago and didnt have protein show up in my yearly 24hr urine collection until 4 years later so you may not have any kidney issues yet. Still its best to have it checked out and have any problems be addressed before they become serious.

[peej07]

I've also been spilling some protien for about 8yrs now. I recently was put on Diovan for my bp and to help protect and repair my kidneys.

[HiImDan]

My kidneys were down to 18½% I was told "you got six months to a year" by countless doctors (Til dialysis) since 2002, finally found a doctor who cares, rearranged my meds and now my kidneys are at 30%. Also, I was completely blind in 2003, now I'm legally blind, again a good doctor. Kudos, Dr. Asseff, Dr. Flauto and Dr. Fanizia.

[xMenace]

Just very minor protein elevation. I'm on 5mg ACE Inhibitor daily.

[belyro]

I've never had any kidney issues - never any sign of protein in my urine. I have proliferative retinopathy, but I"m still pretty new to that. Hopefully my kidneys won't follow suit - especially since I'm pumping now and am hoping to bring my A1C down even more.

[Alice]

I take Lisinopril (blood pressure) as a preventative for kidney damage...didn't have high blood pressure, but it's recommended by most endo's.

[Jill-O]

Hey --

I do have eye issues. I'm seeing a specialist now and got approximatley 1,500 pictures taken yesterday. I have macular edema. Tomorrow --- oh lucky lucky me -- I get to go get a shot in my right eye (the worst of my eyes) and next week a shot in my left eye. Then I go back in 6wks for a re-evaluation and may need some "minor" laser surgery. Apparently, this shot is fairly new and will make the surgery if needed be less intense than if I just had the surgery and no shot.

Because of finding out how bad the situation with my eyes is, I had to do that test where you pee in a bottle for 24 hours. I was really scared what the results would be and the day I was pee pee peeing in the bottle, was the day that the death of Richard Jewel at 44 years old of diabetes complications was all over the news. I was like knees of jello all day. BUT, it turns out, my kidneys are fine (PHEW!).

So, I think it's possible for the eyes to be effected more severely or more quickly than the kidneys. I wish I didn't have any complications, and probably had diabetes for many years before knowing, but I'd rather have eye trouble than kidney trouble.

Jill

[peej07]

Well I went for my blood work today and the pee in the cup test. We'll find out thursday what's up.

[catgalla]

I've had diabetes now for 17+ years and so far so good but my endo has me on lisinopril to protect my kidneys. My opthomologist saw a couple of specs and they haven't gotten any worse but that's all and they showed up over 5 years ago.