Advice: Newly Diagnosed Type 2 in a wheelchair, what can I do?

Diabetes
1

Hi everyone, so at 11:30 yesterday morning, my GP finally tells me that I am type 2, but not much else. Makes an appointment for me to see a nurse on Wednesday 10th Feb, 2016) and gives me some diastix (urine testing strips), telling me to go home and test myself at random once or twice a day.

The GP also has changed one of my other medications because apparently it is loaded with sugar. The only thing the GP did say was that I needed to completely cut sugar and starches out of my diet, something which I will do, but am already finding there is sugar in things like the sugar free squash I use and in bread.

What should I be entirely cutting out; what should I be avoiding, and what can I still eat?

Also; any more general advice. I am in a wheelchair 24/7, so physical exercise is very limited.

I am on a LOT of other medications (including a mixture of both liquid and long release morphine, at around 600 to 700mg per day.)

I am on benefits and feel extremely lucky to be so, even if having tried working and volunteering in the past has left me in hospital, I'd still give my left arm to do it if I could. Unfortunately it's just not practical.

So erm; I guess what I want is advice and help. I know virtually nothing and am kinda scared to eat anything now. But I know there are a lot of people who live with this condition and make it through the day. So I will be able to; I just need to be a bit more informed. That's all.

Thanks in advance;

Christopher.

I am in a wheelchair and use a urine bottle, so testing this way is a lot easier than I would have thought it would be for most people. (#perksOfTheChair)

But I must admit; I do not really know anything and there seems to be so much conflicting advice out there.

2

Hello Wheels

Diabetes comes in two 'flavors' ~ Type 1 and Type II~ so begin your research there to get a picture of what the difference is on them and be clear what is happening with you being Type II~ it is helpful to find a diagram which shows the pancreas, and illustrates how the mechanism of insulin and sugar works.

Very basically, our bodies require sugar to function. Every cell inside us requires sugar to work. That sugar must be taken from the blood and introduced into the cells. In order for that to happen, a hormone, called insulin has the 'key' which allows and helps the sugar in our blood (blood sugar) to enter into the cells where it allows the cell to use it as a fuel to do its work.

So, regardless of being diagnosed as diabetic, your cells still require sugar to function, but need help getting insulin (the key) to make everything happen.

The way to manage is to change to a healthy manner of eating, while being aware of what to eat and how. You should not 'be afraid' to eat, you must eat. In fact, diabetics should be eating something about every 4 to 6 hours, depending, and eating regularly. Missing meals is no good.

It is important to learn how to interpret food nutrition labels~ to be aware of what is in the food, (ie sugar, carbohydrates, fiber)  This is not difficult to do and it will become second nature to you.

Sugar; comes under many titles on labels...glucose, fructose, dextrose, corn syrup, lactose etc and = sugars

Carbohydrates~ these are important because they are converted into sugar when you eat them. Some people are very sensitive to carbohydrates and know they will raise their blood sugar a lot. Breads, pasta , doughs, etc and many processed foods will have carbs. These should be limited in amounts when you eat them.

Fiber~ is great. Looking for foods that have at least 4grams of fiber in a serving will help your blood sugar stay more level as well by slowly down the processing of sugars.

Eating protein along with carbs is a great idea as well.

So for now, eat vegetables, lean protein like poultry, eggs, small amount of reduced fat cheese, cottage cheese , peanut butter. For cereal look to oatmeal or oat brain. Whole grains in breads and cereals are good.

Stay away from candies. etc and definately NO soda pop , not even diet.

I would highly recommend you make certain to be in touch with a Dietician. They are invaluable and will help you a great deal.

Exercise; is possible while sitting. Look to get some stretch bands (exercise babds)..they are cheap and there are many arm and legs exercises that you can do while sitting that will help you gain muscle and also, exercise helps burn up sugar. Until you get them, start out by doing some arm raises using canned soup or vegetables.

There is much to learn and you cannot do it all in a day. There is a learning curve.

And testing your blood sugar will be something the nurse will help you with and explain.

Take it a step at a time. You will accomplish much!

Eat your breakfast, lunch and dinner and have a light snack at bedtime. The dietician may advise you to have a morning and afternoon snack as well.

Hope this will get you through!

3

Hi Lill83898,

Thanks for your advice; I'm not allowed to use resistance bands because of the potential for them to cause further damage to my spine. (They say this about most things I suggest when it comes to exercise; the consultants and physiotherapists are not happy about me even using a manual wheelchair... And have been constantly "encouraging" me to use a motorised one.)

I know it's type 2. I understand the basics, but nothing about the practical side of things.

4

Hi Wheels,

I have posted the following information on forums with similar questions, important to remeber we are all but you can soon learn what does and does not work for you. When I was diagnosed this is what I did.

I was diagnosed T2 back in Mar this year my blood test result was high, enough to make me think. I was put on 3x500mg metformin daily.

The action I took was as follows:

Stopped all carbs, potatoes, rice, pasta, whitebread, biscuits and any vegetable that grows below groung i.e. carrots, parsnips etc.

Stopped eating food cooked in batter - Fish and Chips one example.

Eat lots of cabbage, cauliflower, brocolli and peas and other similar veg.

I have always avoided sugar in drinks as well as sweet drinks. I know drink lots of water.

Purchased a self testing blood sugar kit and took readings 5 times a day. Kept detailed records of my readings and alongside a food diary so that over time I could see how different foods affected me.

I also purchased a book by Dr David Cavan-Reverse Diabetes, this book helped me to understand in detail the aspects of diabetes. It was a great help.

I took up a Hi Fat low carb diet, and light exercise, not easy for yourself and therefore I cannot help in this area.

I was retested in Jun and my reading was 42 about 6mmol/l, so as you can tell it has taken me 5 months to get to a reasonbale level. Tested again in Oct reading 46 or about 6.4mmol/L.

We are all different and it is was a bit difficult for me at times, however what helped was me doing the blood tests daily and seeing the figures come down.

I am now down to 2x500m Metformin a day and hope to reduce that further in time. My daily BS readings average about 6.8mmol/L.

I hope you found my experiances helpful and trust you get your levels down - it does take time.

Good luck.

G

5

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/ Try this site,  there is so much information there I'm sure you will find it helpful.

6

I have tried to send you a link for the diabetes uk website but this site has blocked it! Effing NHS doesn't seem to like any other advice being dished out other than it's own, which can be extremely dodgy when it comes to diabetes. but if you play around on google you will find what you need and that site is incredibly helpful.  Good luck.

 

7

Jane, 

Any post with a link will go for moderation but will be approved if it is suitable as yours has. We have nothing to do with the NHS. If you want more info about us or these forums there is an "About us" link at the bottom of the page.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/

Regards,

Alan

8

Hi Graham;

Thanks for your message. I had read the information you'd posted previously and think that you are a wonderful person for being so open. I am starting to look things up.

To add to the stress; I have also just had my ATOS assessment at home for PIP. Which has left me in a lot of pain and feeling slightly dejected.

9

Thanks Jane, I will have a look at it now. It looks like the link was allowed through, which was good.

10

Thank you for your kind words, as you start investigating if there is anything you think I may be able to help with I will try.

Sorry to hear that you are feeling low, I hope that things improve and you start feeling better soon.

G

11

Hi Wheels

Thanks for replying, and I'm sorry I did not give you the information you were looking for.

Sorry.

Lill

12

Thanks for the explanation.  I realised as soon as I'd posted that you aren't part of the NHS  but had pressed the button already. Apologies.

13

Thanks Graham;

One of the downsides of being in a wheelchair for me at least is that you are always depressed to some degree. Some days are better and some days are worse than others. Unfortunately when my pain levels are higher it makes the depression worse. Not getting out of the flat doesn't really help either.

You have all been very kind so far and I really am grateful that I can ask other people for advice and guidance who has been through the same/similar things as I am just about to embark on.

If I can think of anything I will ask; at the moment I am just taking everything in.

14

What you need to do is find out about / ask your GP to refer you to go on the X-PERT Health Diabetes Programme (or local equivalent), this is quite good. Google it 

15

I have just got back from drs appointment told I have type 2 diabetes I'm also in wheelchair so now following replys to you ! But iv been given appointment to see diabetic nurse foot specialist had full medical .I'm in remission from cancer so think it could be all chemotherapy radiotherapy drugs iv had and still on .but I know I'm over weight so now need to find a way of reducing weight but look after suger levels too ! Following your answers have helped so thanks for that best wishes Laura

16

Hi Laura;

I've had my follow up appointment with my gp and a nurse today.

They did a bit of a medical, but didn't do much. They are referring me over to the podiatrist, the dietetic people, and I'll get a eye test at some point apparently.

All the GP has said is that I need to cut the sugar out of everything, because of the damage to my nerves, my hands shake, so I mainly live off ready meals and microwave food. Both things which are very heavily loaded with sugar.

Exercise is a no go obviously.

I am really at a loss as to what to do.

Thanks everyone!

17

Iv got my self soup maker you just put anything i n stock cube flowering curry spices it takes 22 mins all done I use a lot frozen vegetables veg left over from meal ham peas its very filling ! Does for evening meal I know ready meals are high salt suger etc if can't cook what about meals deliver to door ? Yes I got eye test too !

18

Hi wheels. Sorry for your trouble. I too have diabetes 2. I'm 77 and very diet conscious I didn't eat cake for over a year. Just afraid. I also was 50lbs overweight. Now I've lost 25 lbs and allow myself to relax a little. I check my blood daily and my aic is under 6. I take 1/2 metformin a day. I love 40 calorie fudge pops and I love pasta. Trick with pasta for me. Keep it under 4 ounces and let it cool off before eating or reheating. I read this trick also works with rice. Remember. 4 ounces I only eat small portion of chicken or ground turkey. I eat large salad with reduced dressing. I eat whole wheat bread and little

Fruit. Keep in touch

Sandy

19

Hi Lottsey;

How thick does the soup come out? That sounds like a really good idea, but if the soup is too thin then I'm afraid I'd spill it everywhere and then have to pay the cleaner to come out every day. At the moment she comes once every two weeks and I cannot afford more than that.

I am still pretty much in a state of panic here, my GP has picked this week to go on holiday as well, which doesn't help matters at all.

20

Hi Sandy, thanks for taking the time to reply.

I'm massively overweight, according to the dietary nurse who used to visit me, this is because I don't eat enough, which doesn't help.

I am on two metformin per day now, and have stopped eating all the junk food, or anything that remotely has any sugar in, like yogurt! Of all things, yogurt! It had so much sugar in it I was absolutely shocked.

I'm still yet to have any appointments from the dietetics or anyone else. I'm not even sure who they are referring me over to if I am honest.

I've completely cut out pasta and the like, and am eating almost nothing other than the prepackaged salads. The only problem is that I am finding myself with no energy and feeling really unwell, as if I am going to vomit.

The only place I cannot cut sugar out is my medication, where I am aware of two of the medications which I take that do not have sugar free alternatives.