Just in Time!

[Dave Ward]

I was due to visit Gloucester Royal Hospital today to have my eyeballs photographed - part of screening my diabetic retinopathy. Due to the timing of the appointment, and the bus timetabling, I was due to leave my flat at 10:35, so I could make it on time. Just putting my shoes on, 10:25, & phone rang - consultant sick - appointment cancelled! One of the dangers of a Monday appointment I suppose - 20 minutes later and I would have been on the hour long trip to Gloucester ( and another hour back ). I've been having these regular check ups for about 15 years now, it's only the second time that the Hospital has cancelled an appointment ( sadly I've cancelled more............), so I think I've been particularly lucky so far, especially with the state of the NHS at the moment
( They've offered me another appointment for next month )
Dave

[Guest]

Glad you only had put your shoes on and not set off Dave.

When I had my detached retina the op was cancelled 3 days running, after I had done a 40 odd mile journey . In the end they put me up the day before the op .

[Bri62]

Just had my appointment @ St Helens Hospital for my glaucoma and retinopathy all unchanged thankfully .........we need our eye sight
Brian

[Dave Ward]

Just had my appointment @ St Helens Hospital for my glaucoma and retinopathy all unchanged thankfully .........we need our eye sight :smiling3:
Brian

When I was diagnosed with diabetes 22 years ago I was told that retinopathy was present, and I had several laser treatments on both eyes - which worked well - I then had a partly detached retina, which had to be laser treated as well. Until the COVID unpleasantness I used to go three times a year to have the eyes checked, since then one visit a year & a mobile eye scanning at the local health centre. Haven't had any change for about 5 years touch wood!
Dave

[Guest]

An online friend of mine was diagnosed as diabetic when he was a child, about 40 years ago, and for the last few years he’s been having bleeds inside his eyes, despite having injections and laser treatment several times already. He’s reached the point where the hospital has basically said, “Go home, no point in coming to us unless the bleeding is particularly bad” I used to play World of Warcraft with him, but he’s pretty much had to give that up last year because of the need to rapidly look at different places on the screen, which he can’t really keep up due to the dried blood particles floating inside his eyes driving him crazy, coupled with a fear that moving his eyes a lot might weaken more blood vessels …

[Guest]

No body totally appreciates their sight until they have a problem. Have to say they the support from Vision Express has been great since the it happened to me.

Hopefully Dave will get to see someone at the hospital with out any more cancelations.

[Jim R]

Well Dave it was lucky they caught you just in time but a shame the appointment was cancelled. Hope all goes well when you do see the doc.

[Dave Ward]

An online friend of mine was diagnosed as diabetic when he was a child, about 40 years ago, and for the last few years he’s been having bleeds inside his eyes, despite having injections and laser treatment several times already. He’s reached the point where the hospital has basically said, “Go home, no point in coming to us unless the bleeding is particularly bad” :sad: I used to play World of Warcraft with him, but he’s pretty much had to give that up last year because of the need to rapidly look at different places on the screen, which he can’t really keep up due to the dried blood particles floating inside his eyes driving him crazy, coupled with a fear that moving his eyes a lot might weaken more blood vessels …

I have a few 'floaters', but it doesn't cause me any problems - I was told that the better the control of your blood glucose levels, the less problems yo would have with retinopathy. Since I've retired I've managed to manage the blood sugars levels to an extent that my diabetic nurse has asked me how I'm doing it! The simple answer is a strict routine - injecting insulin & eating at the same time every day, not over-tiring yourself. It means boring meals, even though you try to vary things. You do have occasional blips - especially if I'm tired & not compensating with starchy food - this can cause a 'hypo', which isn't pleasant, and can take several days to get over. I do have to take more care. living by myself, but being aware of the problems on a daily basis helps
Dave