COVID-19 and risk for people with Diabetes & Diabetic Neuropathy

@wisco Yes bless the delivery peoplr

Yes, he does believe his own lies. He claims he is a holy Christian, and behaves like the devil lives in him. The daughter learned early in life, age 4, that if she screamed and cried and blamed it on someone else, she would be pacified. One time I told her to stop kicking the dog, and she ran to dad crying and telling him I hit her. He ran me into the ground mentally, because his kid does not lie. She still is doing this sort of behavior, and she's 22 and living with a boyfriend. Claims the whole place would fall apart without her. She should take second look...…...it fell apart long ago.

We can work on our physical health in many ways and for many years, but will probably not achieve the best success without addressing those mental health issues as well. These issues require a change in behavior and a willingness to live with each other in better understanding and harmony. Some mental health issues can be helped with medication and behavioral therapy, but the person needs to be willing to affect change in their lives, or live isolated. With diabetes, you are what you eat and no pills will adequately correct that.
My understanding of type 1 diabetes is that the body is permanently damaged and requires insulin to function well. A disease like this virus can damage the lungs. A person with mild type diabetes can eat well, exercise, and have good health, with discipline and effort.
I consider myself pretty well when I eat to keep my blood sugar numbers low and I exercise well. I have learned how to live well with others and have good mental health. A virus is something different entirely that can attack anyone and cause harm. I often say to people, "diabetes is not like measles" so they understand they can make changes and have better health. Many people see themselves as sick the rest of their lives and this is not necessarily true with type 2 diabetes. I stay isolated to avoid the virus. It is working well for me.
Of course I don't like it but my son is getting my groceries for me today so I stay away from the virus, to be safe. Doris

I want to share that I have been working very hard in my little greenhouse which is warm and sunny, and lifting more than I usually do, being careful to rest often. I am behaving myself on my diabetic diet, and want to report that I am not having any neuropathy at all, day or night. I am not really losing weight but my pants are looser now, and I still struggle with having energy to do what I want to do outside. This program seems to be working for me without pills and doctors, who give me more pills than I can handle. My shoulders are better, even though the doctor says I am rubbing bone on bone. I only have a little pain in bed at night, so I change over to my other side. This sounds simple, but it is difficult to manage, but I like growing tomato plants in the greenhouse and will be giving my extras away to those who can't get out to get anything. I can't do it all anymore, but I can still do some of my hobbies. Dorisena

Hi Dorisena, I'd appreciate knowning the details of the "program" you are on. I have idopathic peripheral neuropathy in my feet and am pre diabetic. I watch what I eat and my weight is actually less than what I should weigh for my size. Never smoked.
Thanks

@dorisena I love your post, it's so positive sounding. I'm glad your shoulders are feeling better and what a bonus, that your pants are a bit looser. I wish I could say the same. I have really been working on being good this week with what I eat but I have still gained some weight. I am exercising at home but I guess it is not as effective as the exercises I do at my health club.
I wish I was close by to get some of those luscious home grown tomatoes!
JK

Don't laugh, this is what I have worked out for me at age 84. I never was an athlete. But I studied physiology in college and learned about stretching and strengthening the muscles or they will gradually shorten. I also believe I have muscle wasting from resting after surgery on my back instead of being in rehab, which my surgeon didn't promote. The neurologist said I have neuropathy in my left toe, and I have had two knee replacements. She said exercise wouldn't help, but I believe in it anyway, because exercise reduces or makes it go away with mild diabetes. Now that my shoulder is better after rehab for a fracture last year, I am pushing my body to be more active, mostly with working in the greenhouse and planting in my garden. I do some exercise in the house, but probably will never be able to walk very far again at one time. I do heel lifts in the shower after heating my back, and sometimes I work on my balance which is not good, but was excellent in my younger age. I stretch in the kitchen while waiting for the toaster to pop, and sometimes I stretch my legs on the counter and do upper back exercises to prevent my pinched nerve from returning. I do stomach exercises. I don't really concentrate on the neuropathy problem because eating a low carb diet can keep the problem from happening much. After being on drugs for over a month after back surgery, I decided pain pills were not the answer so I relax and don't take anything for pain at all. I still want to take dance lessons, but my daughter says "no." The only good thing the doctor said was to not sit more than 30 minutes at a time. I consider myself well with a few problems here and there. My granddaughters think I am doing sensationally well for my age. I still want to achieve a little more if I can, without going to the gym, which is a long drive for me. That's it, for what it is worth, and I am grateful to be able to live on a farm and work in the dirt. I eat fresh veggies in the summer. I reluctantly buy them in the winter. Dorisena

@dorisena. You are an inspiration. I have to move more often. I have terrible pains in my legs when I walk, but I have been trying to ignore it. I can sit down when I get home. I definitely need to stretch more often. Thank you for motivating me!!

@dorisena So glad to hear you are feeling better . I found out I too have lost weight without trying by just doing these exercises the walking program Becky started and my own chair exercises . I dont take as many pain meds as I did before of course there are days nothing helps with fibro and all else I have . Good for you keep up the good work .

@dorisena I'm 15 years behind you, and I hope to be doing as well as you when I'm 84. It's funny. I used to think 80 was ancient, but the closer I get, the more my definition of ancient keeps moving.

Spring through the fall I get quite a lot of exercise. We have ten acres, with most of it in pasture which our neighbors are using for their horses and cows. I have a lot of flower beds, a big 50'x50' fenced garden full of perennials with spaces left for vegetables. I've been cutting asparagus for a couple of weeks, onions are coming up, potatoes planted, and I bought seeds for beans, acorn squash, pattipan squash, crookneck squash and gourds. I'm still trying to find delicata squash seeds, and cucumber seeds are on the way from Gurneys, along with strawberries and more asparagus. I've always thought a greenhouse would be a good thing to have. We at least have a cellar where I have grow lights for plants to overwinter and keep peppers and tomato plants until it's time to set them out.

I agree with you how good it is to have our hands in the dirt, even if it's just to pull weeds. It's a deferred gratification planting things - the ultimate pleasure is enjoying the produce and flowers. Anticipation!

My father had diabetes but was in denial for a long time and kept on eating the way he always had. I heard him say that he'd go ahead and eat the pie a la mode, and take an insulin shot afterward.

I know that the PT gave me a bunch of stretches to do, but I don't like doing them, and now that it's yard work season, I get a lot of stretching and bending and more walking than my feet want. Today I'm putting a new belt on my riding mower and hoping that that is what is needed to get the mower going.

A healthy body can be part of having a healthy mind. I commend you for maintaining a good balance in your life. And not just physical balance.

After eating fresh vegetables from the garden to the table during the summer and fall, along with supplementing at the farmers market, commercial produce is rarely as good as what we raise ourselves. I bid you well in growing, harvesting and eating from your own garden for many more years.

Jim