So I have been diabetic since time began and it has got gradually worse over the years, year before last developed cancer in the bladder, start of last year had a heart attack then in July blue lighted into hospital couldn't breathe. Diagnosed with heart failure. That last one scared the living daylights out of me. Waiting for the ambulance to arrive, convinced I was dying - painfully.
After a week was released from hospital and determined I was not going to go through that again. Last 6 months struggled with the fluid restrictions, taken every med exactly as told, done all the exercises I was told to do (gradually building up) made and recorded all the measurements and slowly, this month got rid of the walking stick, doing 1 hour of walking up and down my lounge a day (on top of going out to shops etc)
Had a full set of blood tests a week or so ago and the follow up with my doc on the phone this morning. My long term blood sugars down so low that I barely count as diabetic any more. So I have to cut the gliclazide down to 1 a day, from 3. Cholesterol down to 3.5. I'm nearly normal! Still getting the odd days when breathing involves a bit more effort than it should but the doc thinks that I get into a sort of vicious circle - slight breathing problem makes me anxious which affects the ticker which affects breathing, well you can guess. The fact that I had a little weep as I was telling her how scared I am of going through last july again may have helped her think that. Anyway she gave me an appointment for a face to face next week so she can see how the ticker and lungs sound.
I am feeling so positive!
Just did an extra 30 minutes walk up and down to music to celebrate. There may very well be light at the end of the tunnel (which is not the taxman with a torch looking for me)
Written by
rizal
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Really thrilled for you and your very positive journey. It is so rewarding to actually see the results after all your hard work, long may your achievement continue!
You have certainly been through such a lot but how far you have come reading your post you deserve it you have worked so hard to get where you are today
I got a tip from your post as well as I have been looking for complicated ways to exercise and reading how you walk up and down your room made me think I can do that and how simple and as it is so cold outside I can stay warm to
So thank you for your positive post giving hope to others and I will start my walks up and down my room now
Wishing you all the best x
• in reply to
I walk up and down my lounge too, completed 2 1/2 miles yesterday while listening to the tv. Outside the rain was drizzling and wind blustery. Enjoy your inside walking exercise.
My flat is tiny, so I have added extra obstacles, a chair and one of those exercise steps that they use in gyms (I bought it recently to use in video exercise classes which are still just a little bit to difficult to do as often as I want) So as I walk round and round I do a mini slalom and a little step up and down. Just for interest) Important to have some music playing as that "forces" you to keep up a pace. It is boring, but I live in fear of experiencing once again the drowning of HF when I was taken into hospital last time, that is my motivator. Sometimes I listen to a podcast, but that does not work the same as music with a bit of a pounding beat. Also it adds to the reward at 30 minutes I can switch that terrible music off!
It took a while to build up to 30 minutes a session, but the reward a few short weeks ago when I could walk up to the reception area of the flats without using my walking stick was marvellous.
I do live in a house but to be honest it is not very big at my living room is not very big either so I will take those tips and I might walk past my stairs and use the bottom stair as a step up
Well done, you have worked so hard. I discovered walking indoors during the first lockdown when I couldn't go out for my morning walk. I found that it was 20 paces from my front door to my rear lounge window so 5 round trips gave me 200 paces and doing that 5 times during the day was 1000 paces. Not as good as a walk outdoors, but better than doing nothing. Good luck.
Thank you. Problem is, I'm on restricted fluids and sometimes gasping for a cuppa, but know if I have one too soon, I will run out of allowance too early.
When you get your face to face appointment, ask what you can drink or perhaps replace it with fruit you can have. I myself walk up and down stairs using the bedrooms and kitchen for the walking bit. Ive always loved ice pops so have one when I'm finished, only amounts to about half a cup of fluid but the coldness is welcome. Keep up the good work, no pain no gain n all that 😌
Great idea thanks. I was chatting on WhatsApp last night to my son, he suggested using ice cubes (but make them smaller) it is something he does with his indoor plants during hot dry spells to give a slow release of water. I have ordered from Amazon, today a set of ice cube trays, smaller ones with lids, so I can start trying that out. My mouth gets so dry
HUGE congratulations. I am reading your post to my husband who is also diabetic and getting worse. He'd do better if he could control his obsession with cakes, biscuits and the huge amount of salt he uses. His eye pressure has risen and he has early diabetic retinopathy. Your story may just be what he needs. A fantastic result. Well done.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
x
DAY 44............THE JOURNEY STARTS HERE
Aortic valve replacement- the journey begins
Sorry on a bit of a downer
Is anyone else afraid to use their fitbit after experiencing heart problems?
My New Leg - A Step Forward
