Re: RE: Kathy - New, with some questions

[Guest guest]

" Clack, Rita " said:

> Welcome Kathy. I'm sorry you qualify to join us, but glad you are here.

> There are a bunch of knowledgeable people on this site... and tons and tons

> of support.

Yeah, this isn't a membership you want to have, for sure! But regarding the

support, I can feel that, definitely, and it's appreciated.

> Please don't feel shame at your diagnosis. The jury is still out on why we

> contracted the disease and even if it was preventable (and I'm not one who

> is sure that it is) shame is a luxury we can't afford to indulge in.

That's true. I've had a really bad year (had two unexpected deaths close to

me, got the initial doctor diagnosis when I had been unemployed for quite

some time, having lost my job for the second time when my employer folded,

for example) and getting the diagnosis was just a total feeling of " well NOW

what? not something ELSE! " I was already pretty well down when I received it.

And it seems to just slap you in the face... just recently had a life

insurance form that flat-out wouldn't insure you if you had diabetes, and

reading stuff like that makes me just feel so hopeless. I'm trying to get a

better attitude about it, but right now it feels impossible.

> there. I've been told that anything over 150 is doing nerve damage so I

> avoid going there. Right now I am diet and exercise controlled but when I

> am ill, really stressed or hospitalized, I do take insulin. I hate it

One thing I have seen already from this list is how much doctors' approach

varies to this as well. For example, my doctor told me I was just being too

overly cautious with the complete deletion of bread from my diet, so I

reincorporated it, and then I read LOTS Of stuff about the carb levels as a

huge factor. And I worry about the fact that I have had spikes over that,

that my average has been under 150 but certainly my high points haven't been.

> because it makes me gain weight... but my levels are my primary concern.

> Whatever it takes to keep them down, I do. There are a lot of complications

> that can go with this disease but tight control can avoid or diminish most

> of them. Eyes are a big thing. Blurred vision can happen when your levels

> are coming down also. Once you stabilize your BG levels it should go away.

> Be sure that you have your eyes examined at least once a year and

> immediately if you ever see black floaty things.

My understanding is that a simple eye exam is not sufficient, right, that a

retina specialist and a dilated exam is what is required. Is this true?

> Again, welcome. Sounds like you know what you need to do, so all you have

> to do is find out what it is going to take to get you there.

Thanks, Rita. I appreciate it very much. HOpefully I will become more

positive as time progresses.

> Kathy - New, with some questions

>

>

> I have been scanning this list and think I have a fairly good idea of

> the protocol and accepted behaviors here, but if I violate any of

> them on my first post, my apologies.

>

>

> **All email sent through this mail list is Copyrighted by the original

author. Permission must be obtained from the original author for the re-use

of any text (in whole or in part).

>

> Website for Diabetes International:

> http://www.msteri.com/diabetes-info/diabetes_int

> Shared Files: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetes_int/files

>

>

>

>

>

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>

[Guest guest]

========= I may not have gotten all the facts, but at approximately

10/17/01 10:29 AM I believe Kathy D. Lessa is rumored to have said:

>My understanding is that a simple eye exam is not sufficient, right, that a

>retina specialist and a dilated exam is what is required. Is this true?

Yes, the exam is done by a retina specialist and he/she must dilate the

eye. You should have it done on an annual basis unless the specialist

feels that it needs to be done more frequently. It is a very detailed

exam as he looks not only at the rear of the retina, but using a special

lens looks at parts of the sides of the eye. I have had it done every

year since my diagnosis in '87 and have had no retina degradation so far.

As a diabetic, I think most insurances will pay for the 'diabetic retina

eye' exam (must use the correct diagnosis code). The insurance will not

pay for the optical exam if you need an eye glass prescription change

unless general eye exams are included. That has to be a separate exam,

bummer.

=====================================================================

Maurer - Type II since 4/87, diet, exercise, and meds.

http://homepage.mac.com/maurerw/index.html

(only 45 minutes from Sequoia National Park in Central California)

=====================================================================

[Guest guest]

> Thanks, Rita. I appreciate it very much. HOpefully I will become more

> positive as time progresses.

Kathy, please read the success stories in the shared files (URL at the

bottom of each message). They are written by folks just like you, who

started out depressed and achieved good control.

Barb