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

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!

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

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

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.

 

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 

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