Back again on my diabetes/arthritis catch-up

nanarose
nanarose Member Posts: 117
edited 22. May 2013, 06:58 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone.

Just popping in to update anyone interested in my life after diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (along with my arthritis and other medical stuff!)

I was totally determined to do something about my health, and I have managed to make inroads into both conditions.

It was such a shock to get yet another illness added to my list, that it gave me the incentive to try and do something to help myself....a huge kick up the rear in other words.

I went onto a lowish carb, and calorie-controlled diet which has brought my diabetes under control, not cured, as if I revert to my old diet, I'm sure my diabetes will return.
I can't say it's been easy, as it hasn't, but I have lost 2 stones in weight, so I'm now at my ideal weight, for me anyway. I don't totally believe in those BMI calculations anyway, as most athletes would be considered obese by their reckoning!

Also, I started to walk every day....sometimes just 5 minutes exhausted me and left my joints so sore, I was on strong painkillers, but gradually over the last 3 months I have refused to give in, and I'm now able to walk for half an hour at a reasonable pace!
I have surprised even myself, and I'm sure the reason I'm not in quite as much pain, is due to my joints not having to work so hard... :oops:

The hard part is maintaining this regime, which I will have to, if I want to remain healthy. The diabetes may get worse as it is won't to do, but perhaps I have staved off the worst effects for quite a few years, or so I hope anyway.
I might yet still have the energy and the ability to play with my youngest grandson this summer! :)

So, just thought I would let you know how things have gone for me, and I hope that it may give some of you a little hope for the future, although I was nowhere near as poorly as many of you who post in here. :(

Wishing all of you the best, and hope the sunshine is easing your pain a little. x

Comments

  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    nannarose that is brilliant news...I take my hat off to you...and I have one... :D you really have got to grips with things and are showing it what for.....good for you and keep up the good work..I do wish you well for the future xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello, it's lovely to hear from you again and I am impressed by your determination to make the best of things as much as you can. Like arthritis type 2 diabetes is not curable as such (controlled is the best we can hope for, yes?) so I hope you will keep up the good work and I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • nanarose
    nanarose Member Posts: 117
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Thanks Daisy and Barbara for your kind comments.

    No, it isn't curable, all I can hope for is to keep it at bay for as long as possible. In many ways similar to arthritis but without the pain for sure. Things might change drastically next month, or next year, but then again it might not, so I'm not taking this reprieve, if it is one, for granted, but I intend to enjoy it as long as it lasts!

    It's interesting that my doc thinks, privately, that my inflammatory arthritis, thyroid and diabetes is connected in some way, and I really wouldn't be surprised. These particular conditions seem to attack healthy tissue for some strange reason. I do wish they would do more scientific studies on this....maybe they are, who knows? :?

    I hope that others can take some small comfort in that the diagnosis of diabetes is not a life sentence, but it does mean major changes to your lifestyle....again so much like arthritis when you find you can't get around as easily as before, and everything is so much more difficult to attain.

    I'm taking each week as it comes, and the longer I can keep this up the better, although no doubt I will fall off the wagon at some point, and if I do, I hope my family will give me a boot up the bu*, a stern talking to, and throw me back onto that wagon again. :roll:

    Oh I so miss all the speciality bread though....crispbreads and rice crackers just do not constitute a great ploughmans lunch!! :mrgreen:

    Take care all. x
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Nanarose
    Its great to hear you again.
    I'm really impressed with you determination and how it is working for you
    Keep it up
    Love
    Hileena
  • HARPER04
    HARPER04 Member Posts: 34
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello Nanarose
    Like you I have Arthritis, Diabetes and a long list of other ailments
    I am so glad you staying on top of your Diabetes
    Weight control and exercise albeit difficult with Arthritis is so important in the control of Diabetes which I have had for over 10years now and because of my regime I am have managed to keep my diabetes progressing to Type 1 Insulin controlled
    Having diabetes is not the end of the world and like you say and is totally manageable as you have proved
    Once again congratulations to you and long may it continue

    Best Wishes to you