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COVID-19 and risk for people with Diabetes & Diabetic Neuropathy
Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 | Last Active: May 9, 2020 | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
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
Replies to "Don't laugh, this is what I have worked out for me at age 84. I never..."
@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
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@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!!