[Injecto]

I just came back from my appointment at the opto and I've got some mixed results.

1 - My vision (prescription for glasses) keeps improving. I've gone down in the last 2 years from a -2.75 to a -1.75 now. The opto is a bit surprised by this improvement but the facts are the facts. This isn't good or bad, just interesting. What WILL be more interesting is if this continues, will I actually ever get back to a point where I won't need corrective lenses? Only time will tell.

2 - I had eye pictures taken for the first time. Probably to no one's surprise, diabetically I'm fine. My eyes are healthy, no bleeding, etc...... I'll attach pictures when they send them to me.

BUT...

3 - NON-Diabetically related, I have "Drusens" in both eyes. In it's most basic form that means I have the beginnings of macular degeneration which will lead to blindness. NICE EH? She did say that it is VERY minor at the moment and so, despite having this new heightened risk factor, she says not to worry right now. The only treatment known at this point in time is to increase intake of a vitamin called "Lutein" daily. Apparently that can slow the progression of the drusens and in extremely rare cases, it can reverse some of the drusens.

So, obviously that is not really good news. But despite that I'm somewhat calm, even to my own surprise.

[xMenace]

Wow.

Will you be seeing an optho for this?

I knew nothing of AMD before today. It looks like you'll be popping pills regularly.

Macular Degeneration (AMD) - Symptoms and Treatment for Age-related, Dry and Wet Macular Degeneration

Treatment and Prevention of Macular Degeneration
There is no treatment to restore vision once AMD has reached its advanced stage. However there are methods to prevent the advancement of AMD from immediate stage to advanced stage. Taking a high-dose formulation of antioxidants and zinc slows progression of AMD significantly. According to the research done by the NEI "The specific daily amounts of antioxidants and zinc used by the study researchers were 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 International Units of vitamin E, 15 milligrams of beta-carotene (often labeled as equivalent to 25,000 International Units of vitamin A), 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc oxide, and two milligrams of copper as cupric oxide. Copper was added to the AREDS formulation containing zinc to prevent copper deficiency anemia, a condition associated with high levels of zinc intake." This high level of antioxidants is virtually impossible to achieve with daily diets or multi-vitamins.

[princesslinda]

Wow. I certainly wasn't expecting to hear this....and i'm sorry you had to hear it as well.

You are a bright guy, so I know you'll do LOTS of research so you'll have a better handle on what you might be dealing with....just as you did when you were diagnosed with diabetes. I'm betting there's a forum for this as well, where you can post and learn about what others are doing (diet/supplements,lifestyle changes) to help slow progression.

As always, we're all here for you!

[Mich]

Hey, Injecto--Yay for you for finally going!

My Dad has had Drusens for years (about 20) and they haven't gotten any worse The Wikipedia has a good explanation of the issue. Also, my friend has Wet Macular Degeneration and they are able to keep it stable with injections and laser treatments for a long time. Maybe even for good, I'm not sure. Soooo, don't give up the ship just yet!

I'm glad to hear you don't have any other complications.

Sometimes I think the experts don't know everything. We are alll different in how our bodies handle different conditions. It will make you be a better observer, knowing that there's a chance your vision could get worse, but I'm betting against the Doctor's dire warning.

Here's a hug for having to endure such a scare...

Mich

[Injecto]

Alright, throwing it out there for everyone now.

I'm not handling this as well now. When I got back to work and wrote the original post, I wasn't feeling to bad (maybe it was shock), but slowly panic and fear and despair has thrown me completely off today. I'm not functioning. I've accomplished nothing at work. Picture literally staring at a computer for hours doing nothing.

All I've been thinking is "when will I go blind now".

The Dr. told me, not to my surprise though, that I have a few risk factors to going blind.

1 - Higher intra-occular pressure (measuring 18-19 when the top threshold is 20 and the norm is 14-16).

2 - Diabetes

3 - Now the beginnings of macular degeneration with some small drusens.

My eyes are basically a walking time-bomb. I'd sooner give up loads of things before my eyes.

I took one of those lutein pills she gave me as a sample but it's making me feel queesy...how the **** am I supposed to keep that up everyday for the rest of my life. Nausea is no way to live day by day.

Sorry, I'm a "tad" ticked too.

[princesslinda]

If the pill is making you feel queasy, try taking it just before you go to bed...that way, hopefully you'll sleep through any symptoms. I do this with my vitamins/supplements. Also, you are probably feeling queasy in reaction to the stress of your day....which is certainly VERY understandable.

Also, why not get a 2nd opinion....even if you really like/trust your doctor, there's no harm in hearing another opinion and recommendations for treatment.

Remember when we were first diagnosed with diabetes how alone we felt...then we found others with whom we could share experiences, good and bad, and it made things easier?

Find someone else who has had this going on for awhile and talk with them...your doc may be able to help put you in touch with someone else he's treating for the same problem.

Make a list of your questions, fears and concerns you have and go back to the doctor and discuss it now that you've had a chance for it all to "soak in."

[Mich]

Darn, if the lutein capsules bother your tummy, you'll just HAVE to eat blueberries! 11.5 grams of carb in 1/4 cup, only 40 on the glycemic index, taste wonderful with low-carb yoghurt. You could do worse Order a big slab of blueberry pie and tell people to leave you alone, your doctor SAID!

MMM frozen ones make a nice snack too.

By the way, they make blueberry flavored chewable lutein too. It might not make you feel icky.

Mich

[Jan B]

I feel sad along with you Injecto, and I'm really glad you admitted you aren't taking it so well. I agree with PrincessLinda that your mind may be playing games with you -- it's hard to fathom Lutein making you feel ill. But, if it's true, take at bedtime like she said. And eat the foods with Lutein -- dark leafy greens and more -- you are sure to like a few of them. And learn to like a lot of them!
I've listened to Paul Harvey advertise Occular Nutrition for a very long time. ICaps is another vitamin especially for eye health. I've taken those for protection and they don't make me sick at all. My grandpa had Macular Degeneration and never did go blind. He also never took any supplements to delay the worsening of the condition. He had to use magnification and bright light, and never lost his ability to read. I know there are many different stories . . . . I don't want you to get too down.

I'm always trying to find positives . . . well in my opinion, this eye problem is getting a lot of attention these days, and I believe that means advances are coming at a pretty good rate.

I'm still curious about May 24. Is that your birthday?

[markr]

I can identify with you 100%, based on what happened to me during the past week with the problems I have been having with my eyes. All I can tell you is for the first time in my life, I have just started taking anti anxiety meds for various reasons, and they are helping. Hang in there.

[mg_2204]

Originally Posted by Injecto

I The only treatment known at this point in time is to increase intake of a vitamin called "Lutein" daily.

It really does slow down macular degeneration. It is worth taking the supplement.

[tanyatype1]

Well that sucks Injecto! I saw on the news about 3 or 4 weeks ago, about a new drug that is supposed to be like a miracle cure for Macular Degeneration. I'm not kidding! I thought that it seemed like a really amazing medical breakthrough! But of course, the downfall is that it's really expensive and I'm not sure how long until the drug is available to all. I can't remember, but I think it was a series of shots that the patient had to have.....something like that. Hopefully your MacD will not progress much and soon this stuff will be readily available!