my introduction to the group

[Poconoboy]

so yes, triple bypass surgery 10 months ago, i am a diabetic with an A1C of about 7.3 I quit smoking about 1 year ago, went through cardio rehab and felt pretty good after a rough start (first 12 visits). But i haven’t maintained my activity level and when i try to walk, i feel very stressed (tightness in my upper back)

I heard about Cavadex and have interest! However the daily/nightly enemas sound tough! Not sure if i can do it since i’ve never had an enema in my 66 years of life! But 3 months of them? Uggghhhh! I’d appreciate some insight.

[devonian186]

At 66 your fitness levels will not be what they were and your muscle mass is likely to be less than ideal if you haven't maintained your fitness levels.

It may be that will have coincided with weight gain. Walking is quite a physical effort so it may be that -with GP approval- you need to reintroduce some more exercise. I obviously don't know your current diet or whether you are overweight or eat properly but that will be a big factor.

Can't comment on the enemas nor whether they are a good idea. Surely best to try an appropriate health and exercise regime first, subject to your doctors approval?

[Blearyeyed]

Are you on any preventative medications like statins , beta blockers etc.? Are you a Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetic and taking medication or are you only diet maintained?

It sounds like you could do with talking to your GP or Cardiologist team that did your procedure and asking for some blood tests to double check how you are doing and some more diet and lifestyle advice.

Maybe , you could ask if you could be referred to be able to do Cardio or Diabetic Rehab again , or a referral to Physiotherapy for Cardiac Patients to help you get more confidence and build your fitness up again so that exercise will become easier for you to do and you will give your positive encouragement to keep up physical activity now you feel ready to make those changes.

If anyone spends a long time doing little exercise , even if they have no long term health conditions , they feel various symptoms when they begin again like Breathlessness, tightness in the chest , muscle aches and joints pain , even dizziness and headaches.

Much of the time this happens because we have lost physical strength and muscle condition.

That can be especially true if you suffer with Diabetes or a Cardiac issues as well.

This does get better as you keep going,

The key is to start slow and build up activity within your comfort zone , as you go each gradual step becomes easier and you can increase the time you exercise or the intensity of what you do. Your confidence grows at the same time as your fitness improves.

Try to begin by doing exercise little and often through the day rather than one big chunk. 5 minutes each hour if physical movement can work wonders, try strolls on flat surfaces, a few warm up and gentle stretching exercises just a couple of repetitions of each exercise at first, things will get easier.

How are you coping with your Diet?

Have you had advice about what diet management plan and foods would be good for you to chose for your health and long term ' Diet for Life'?

I don't know if you need to lose weight or are an ideal weight but getting your diet right can make a huge difference on how well you can cope with your symptoms and activity levels , as well as ensuring you drink enough water during your activities.

There are a lot of great online charity resources for Diabetes management , exercise and recipes. DiabetesUK is really good. You could see if there are any local face to face Diabetes or Cardiac groups in your area and join them as you can get great support and they often have activities or exercise groups that you can take part in , or you can find a healthy buddy there to get out and about with , you can motivate each other.

Personally, I would steer clear of treatments like Cavadex unless you have tried the less extreme and more tried and tested treatments and self care alternatives first.

Cardiac and Diabetes health care and prevention are long time changes that we need to follow for life.

It's a marathon not a sprint and our self care changes are something we must do but must also enjoy so we can keep it up.

There really aren't any quick fixes and more extreme cures , especially things like enemas can actually be very risky and cause their own health stresses and side effects.

Take care , I'm sure you will get there in the end , Bee