Newly diagnosed Type 2

[Lyngo]

Hi, just diagnosed type 2. I’m wheelchair bound (3years) but with a possibility of walking again. Physio once a week. I’d love to know why disabilities are never discussed in any of the literature you receive? Am I looking for something that doesn’t exist? Any advice gratefully received. Thanks

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Lyngo 🙂 Which literature are you referring to?

 

[Lyngo]

Hi Inka, any that I’ve seen so far. I’ve had the new membership pack and I’ve not found anything yet but I realise it’s early days. Just being in a wheelchair and living in a reclining chair means at the moment, exercise of any significance is impossible. I would love some advice from anyone in a similar position. Do I look at keeping under 130 carbs a day with no chance of using up many calorie/carbs to make much of a deficit?
Sorry for the late reply, Lyngo

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Inka, any that I’ve seen so far. I’ve had the new membership pack and I’ve not found anything yet but I realise it’s early days. Just being in a wheelchair and living in a reclining chair means at the moment, exercise of any significance is impossible. I would love some advice from anyone in a similar position. Do I look at keeping under 130 carbs a day with no chance of using up many calorie/carbs to make much of a deficit?
Sorry for the late reply, Lyngo

It is always mentioned that exercise helps but there will be many people for whom that is not possible like yourself, there are some seated exercises which you are using your arms on the an NHS website if that is a possibility but really dietary changes are going to be the most important and have the greatest impact. You have picked up on the suggested no more than 130g carbs per day but some people do need to go lower than that but they determine that by using a home blood glucose monitor to do some strategic testing of their meals.
I had a knee injury and was basically immobile for 3 months and by sticking with my low carb regime I still lowered my HbA1C at the next test.

 

[Lyngo]

It is always mentioned that exercise helps but there will be many people for whom that is not possible like yourself, there are some seated exercises which you are using your arms on the an NHS website if that is a possibility but really dietary changes are going to be the most important and have the greatest impact. You have picked up on the suggested no more than 130g carbs per day but some people do need to go lower than that but they determine that by using a home blood glucose monitor to do some strategic testing of their meals.
I had a knee injury and was basically immobile for 3 months and by sticking with my low carb regime I still lowered my HbA1C at the next test.

Thank you for that advice, I’m not checking bloods during the day. I think I need to talk to my doctors surgery again. Much appreciated

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you for that advice, I’m not checking bloods during the day. I think I need to talk to my doctors surgery again. Much appreciated

You may have special circumstances that will persuade your doctor to prescribe a monitor and test strips but for most who are Type 2 they have to self fund so choose a monitor with the cheaper test strips which can be bought on line. The GlucoNavii or TEE2 are a couple people find satisfactory.
Testing that you do should be for a purpose to allow to to make better food choices, both indicating what it would be wise to avoid or have in reduced portions and which foods are safe options. People test before they eat and after 2 hours to see the effect of that meal and would be aiming at no more than 2-3mmol/l increase or no more than 8-8.5 mmol/l, once levels are coming down the aim is 4-7mmol/l fasting/morning and before meals, though many will never be as low as 4 and be happy with 5 - 6 mmol/l.

 

[Inka]

Hi Inka, any that I’ve seen so far. I’ve had the new membership pack and I’ve not found anything yet but I realise it’s early days. Just being in a wheelchair and living in a reclining chair means at the moment, exercise of any significance is impossible. I would love some advice from anyone in a similar position. Do I look at keeping under 130 carbs a day with no chance of using up many calorie/carbs to make much of a deficit?
Sorry for the late reply, Lyngo

I would guess that that’s because they’re wary of giving inappropriate advice due to the wide range of possible disabilities, and, if asked, would say something like Consult your specialist.

As you’re limited for exercise, then you might need to focus on diet and be a little more strict than if you could exercise vigorously. I’d get a blood glucose meter and maybe use a Fitness App like MyFitnessPal so you can see how many calories, carbs, etc you’re having in a day and whether it works for you.

 

[Lyngo]

You may have special circumstances that will persuade your doctor to prescribe a monitor and test strips but for most who are Type 2 they have to self fund so choose a monitor with the cheaper test strips which can be bought on line. The GlucoNavii or TEE2 are a couple people find satisfactory.
Testing that you do should be for a purpose to allow to to make better food choices, both indicating what it would be wise to avoid or have in reduced portions and which foods are safe options. People test before they eat and after 2 hours to see the effect of that meal and would be aiming at no more than 2-3mmol/l increase or no more than 8-8.5 mmol/l, once levels are coming down the aim is 4-7mmol/l fasting/morning and before meals, though many will never be as low as 4 and be happy with 5 - 6 mmol/l.

Thank you so much. That’s helped me enormously. Much appreciated

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Lyngo

Sorry to hear you’ve been finding it tricky to find materials that explore life with diabetes and using a wheelchair.

I’ve found a couple of links and articles which share experiences of wheelchair users with diabetes in different ways.

There are hints and tips for seated exercise on this page

Free exercise videos, phone support, and extras

Whether you’re just starting out with physical activity, or you’re looking for some inspiration and new activities to try out, take a look through our collection of free resources - designed to help you get moving in your day-to-day life.

www.diabetes.org.uk

And some personal stories…

T2 wheelchair user who found Swim22 helpful

Swim22 team helped me cope with my type 2 diagnosis and other health conditions

Michelle talks about managing being a young person with type 2 and living with other health conditions. Coming to terms with diagnosis In late 2019, Michelle Wacek was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 24 after feeling shaky, unquenchably thirsty and drained of energy. She ignored symptoms...

www.diabetes.org.uk

T1 wheelchair user and hand cyclist: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/your-st...ve-with-the-freedom-and-enjoyment-it-gives-me

Neuropathy and wheelchair user https://www.diabetes.org.uk/node/4515

T2 with limited mobility

"I just hope that with greater awareness we can help prevent more amputations."

Pat needed to undergo a toe amputation due to her diabetes. She didn’t think complications would ever affect her, and wants people to go to there checks.

www.diabetes.org.uk

Hope some of these help you feel less alone with your limited mobility and diabetes

 

[Lyngo]

Welcome to the forum @Lyngo

Sorry to hear you’ve been finding it tricky to find materials that explore life with diabetes and using a wheelchair.

I’ve found a couple of links and articles which share experiences of wheelchair users with diabetes in different ways.

There are hints and tips for seated exercise on this page

Free exercise videos, phone support, and extras

Whether you’re just starting out with physical activity, or you’re looking for some inspiration and new activities to try out, take a look through our collection of free resources - designed to help you get moving in your day-to-day life.

www.diabetes.org.uk

And some personal stories…

T2 wheelchair user who found Swim22 helpful

Swim22 team helped me cope with my type 2 diagnosis and other health conditions

Michelle talks about managing being a young person with type 2 and living with other health conditions. Coming to terms with diagnosis In late 2019, Michelle Wacek was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 24 after feeling shaky, unquenchably thirsty and drained of energy. She ignored symptoms...

www.diabetes.org.uk

T1 wheelchair user and hand cyclist: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/your-st...ve-with-the-freedom-and-enjoyment-it-gives-me

Neuropathy and wheelchair user https://www.diabetes.org.uk/node/4515

T2 with limited mobility

"I just hope that with greater awareness we can help prevent more amputations."

Pat needed to undergo a toe amputation due to her diabetes. She didn’t think complications would ever affect her, and wants people to go to there checks.

www.diabetes.org.uk

Hope some of these help you feel less alone with your limited mobility and diabetes

Thank you for taking the time to help me. I’ll click on those links tomorrow. Much appreciated