Eyes, exercise and the future

[thomasb]

Ok, i admit to not reading up enough on the eye issue, on this forum that is. But i need to ask.

Diagnosed in december 06, i've had a1c's in the 5's since then. I workout with weights a lot and exercise.

Now, i think i will have pretty good control my a1c's in the future as well. I had my eyes checked a few weeks ago, and they said one of them was normal but the other might have had a slight growth of veins. they told me to come back in 2 years.

Now, if i were to keep my A1c's around 5-6, and continue this lifestyle, how likely is it that i will develop retinopathy(if that is growth of the veins in the eyes)? I have read that weightlifting is not recommended if you have this, and it makes me wonder wether lifting can cause it, or make it worse?

Any knowledge from you guys is appreciated...

[xMenace]

Don't worry about the weights unless you are hemmhoraging already. If they are going to bleed, they are going to bleed. I lifted weights after my panretinal photocoagulation. My optho and surgeon both said it was fine, just don't over-do it, whatever that meant. But if they are bleeding or if you are recovering from surgery, you don't want to make them worse.

I'd be concerned about waiting two years. If you have signs of growth, you should be back in three to six months, and you should have annual check-ups.

[Evermont]

Just a wild guess here...

I lift regularly now. Often I catch myself straining, holding my breath, grimacing my face etc. while doing various lifts. I catch myself because I learned somewhere long ago that this is bad form. I quickly revert to relaxing everything but the muscles being targeted by the specific exercise at hand. I try to go through my entire routine that way, relaxed. Deliberate and controlled breathing. It seems a little weird, unnatural even, but I think it might be much better.

Maybe the danger in lifting is only if you "do it wrong". I'll ask my daughter - she's a personal trainer.

[Alice]

You can still have diabetic complications with low A1C's...that is one mystery they haven't figured out yet...except the disease in general handicaps the body in almost every function.

[Evermont]

You can still have diabetic complications with low A1C's...that is one mystery they haven't figured out yet...except the disease in general handicaps the body in almost every function.

I read here somewhere that you if you're high half the time, and low half the time, your A1C will be normal... but you're control is not good so complications are possible. So a 3 and an 9 average out at 6, just like 6 and 6 average out at 6. Makes sense to me.

[xMenace]

Just a wild guess here...

I lift regularly now. Often I catch myself straining, holding my breath, grimacing my face etc. while doing various lifts. I catch myself because I learned somewhere long ago that this is bad form. I quickly revert to relaxing everything but the muscles being targeted by the specific exercise at hand. I try to go through my entire routine that way, relaxed. Deliberate and controlled breathing. It seems a little weird, unnatural even, but I think it might be much better.

Maybe the danger in lifting is only if you "do it wrong". I'll ask my daughter - she's a personal trainer.


You should breath out on the positive push or pull regardless of your health.

[thomasb]

You should breath out on the positive push or pull regardless of your health.

Yeah i heard holding your breathe is not good overall. Breathing is definetly a big part of lifting.
Hm, sounds like i don't need to worry though. I'll keep on lifting, and talk to my doctor next week. It seems strange that my eye would change so fast`? Does this happen to "normal" people as well?