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I have diabetes. My glucose control at home is fairly good because almost everything I eat has a nutrition label, and I can calculate somewhat accurately exactl

I have diabetes. My glucose control at home is fairly good because almost everything I eat has a nutrition label, and I can calculate somewhat accurately exactly how much insulin I need to take. When I travel, eating in restaurants regularly, I have to make wild ass guesses as to how much carbohydrate I'm consuming. On a recent trip I had some health issues, including a significant spike in my glucose readings. My A1C went from 6.9 to 8.4 and I had noticeable vision problems. I went to my ophthalmologist and he told me that I had serious retinal bleeds, and I would need injections in both my eyes. It was serious enough that he gave me the first injection in one eye that day, and the second injection in the other eye the next day. My ophthalmologist is very good and I trust him implicitly. The procedure involved antibiotic drops in my eyes, anesthetic drops, and betadine on my eyelids before the injections. The needles used were very small gauge (they looked like 32 gauge). I didn't feel any pain; just a slight feeling of pressure. If you have a good ophthalmologist, nowadays there is little reason to fear getting injections in your eyes.

samstave 5y ago
>>My A1C went from 6.9 to 8.4 Whats good vs. bad?
- valenceelectron 5y ago
  Higher is worse. There may be different „schools“ of thought or opinions but according to my doctor 7.5 is a threshold you should not cross (type 1).
- inetsee 5y ago
  The [A1C] goal for most people with diabetes is 7% or less. [1] [1] https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/a1c.html https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/a...
JasonCannon 5y ago
T1D also, with not great control. I've had about a dozen injections over the last two years. A couple laser treatments and a full on surgery. The laser treatments are uncomfortable mostly because of the time it takes. The injections don't hurt at all and I barely notice them, but the little clamps they put on your eye lid to keep them open makes me uncomfortable as shit. Easily the worst part of the entire experience.
- inetsee 5y ago
  My opthalmologist doesn't use clamps; he uses his fingers to keep my eyelids from blinking. The injection only takes a few seconds to complete. I suppose it depends on your doctor's training. I've been fortunate that my opthalmologists have all been very good.

samstave 5y ago

>>My A1C went from 6.9 to 8.4 Whats good vs. bad?

valenceelectron 5y ago
Higher is worse. There may be different „schools“ of thought or opinions but according to my doctor 7.5 is a threshold you should not cross (type 1).
inetsee 5y ago
The [A1C] goal for most people with diabetes is 7% or less. [1] [1] https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/a1c.html https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/a...

JasonCannon 5y ago

T1D also, with not great control. I've had about a dozen injections over the last two years. A couple laser treatments and a full on surgery. The laser treatments are uncomfortable mostly because of the time it takes. The injections don't hurt at all and I barely notice them, but the little clamps they put on your eye lid to keep them open makes me uncomfortable as shit. Easily the worst part of the entire experience.

inetsee 5y ago
My opthalmologist doesn't use clamps; he uses his fingers to keep my eyelids from blinking. The injection only takes a few seconds to complete. I suppose it depends on your doctor's training. I've been fortunate that my opthalmologists have all been very good.