[Deejay14]

A little hope: my a1c has been high for my last four physicals each time the numbers creeping up. Last year average estimated glucose was in the 140's. Since December I have just been doing a strengthening program. I started off at 5 reps...that was hard with just 6 or 7 exercises. I now do 45-50 reps of the same exercises 4-5 times a week. Had my physical last week and thought for sure I was going on medication. NOPE!!! Got my labs back and everything is normal. A 'll this without any aerobic exercise. I will keep on keeping on. I have even eaten a dessert when I have wanted it, maybe once a week.

[Gus1234U]

hello, DeeJay, and congratulations~! if you can stay off meds, you are doing Grrrrrrreat~!

[Gus1234U]

i am really happy with my new doc~! what an astonishment~ she actually said that i know my body best~! she has me on a very low daily dose of a blood pressure med , Losartan 12 mg, to protect my kidneys. i have had bad reactions to bp meds in the past, and even this one gives me stomach gas, but my bp is the lowest it's been in ages (115/50). part of that might be that i walked about half a mile to the bus and to her office, and my bp tends to fall as i exercise. still, it's good to know she is really looking out for me~

she is also willing to believe that it's the Metformin that is causing all my IBS problems, and is going to help me work my way off it, and onto just Glypizide (which is not a typical solution). i also believe that the Metformin is causing dizziness and muscle weakness, and i hate that~! it would be lovely to get rid of the 3 biggest causes of my sense of a poor quality of life~

all that walking was yesterday. it was such a beautiful day, and i haven't been doing anything that might count as exercise, so i over-did it... today i'm paying, with stiffness and sore muscles, but i know i heal fast, and i just might be able to do it again tomorrow~ i have some truly lovely little places to go walking, living beside the green-belt of a subdivision. i used to walk a mile, and thru a little stoney canyon with a tiny stream in it. my oxygen tank makes that difficult, esp. with poor balance and muscle weakness, but i am going to try to work my way back up to that~! you all keep me honest, now, and help me get out at least every other day, by asking how it was ....

best wishes,, and if anyone has advice for someone who doesn't tolerate meds, there is a newbie in another thread on this forum, asking for suggestions....
best wishes all~!

[possum220]

It is really good that you have found a doc that wants to work with you.

Kudos to you for going on a walk. Do you need to take the gas bottle on the walk with you? If so that would be tricky. Rest your bones today and we will be expecting another report about how many birds you counted on your next walk.

[Gus1234U]

thanks, Possum~
here is a pic of the tank and it's cart, that i must have if i walk more than 100 ft (some days less ). it weighs only about 10 lbs, but creates quite a drag, and has exacerbated my damaged left hip. i still have a problematic phobia of the open sky, so i don't count birds when i walk, i look for stones .... i love rocks anyway, so 2 birds with one stone~! lolol,,, bad joke, i know~

i'm still really sore in the calf muscles, and simply must get out walking more. my cousin has been giving me rides, so i was not walking to the bus, or the market from the bus stop, and that little bit of exercise was what was keeping me in 'shape'. it's lovely to have company and a ride to the market, and pharmacy, but now i'm paying for my lazy ways!~ oh well, at least i'm eating well~ hope you are too~

[Gus1234U]

missed that pic post

[Deejay14]

In addition to my strengthening exercises I started walking today. I walk with a walker so it was probably very short by everybody's standards but big for me. My legs and lungs held up fine it was just my arms getting tired with the walker. Tomorrow I will walk past two more houses and back to the car. I haven't gone for a walk in eons! It felt good to be out in the air fora bit😊

[Gus1234U]

i walked 200 ft last nite, to the mailbox and back, down and up 8 steps and into the house without my oxygen. that is like a marathon for me, and i probably shouldn't do it often~. i was only sore for 2 days after that mile walk, which is marvelous~! i'm taking a sleep apnea home test now, and hope to get a new CPAP machine, which will help me sleep more soundly.

i hope your arms recover quickly, DeeJay~! i need to start doing my 'core' exercises again, but i have so little initiative... thanks for walking with me~

[Deejay14]

We'll walk together tomorrow- just a little bit further. Gus, ask for a smaller portable tank. My brother had one that didn't need any oxygen fill up so he could be on the go. Was much more active with it. It was about the size of a pocket book and He just sore it on his shoulder. He just had a double lung transplant at the end of September and just got back to his job last week. No more need for oxygen with the new lungs. He is my inspiration.

[Gus1234U]

sadly for me, i also have back (spinal) problems, and cannot carry even the weight of that portable oxygen concentrator for any distance,,, but thanks for the thought~!

[Deejay14]

Got my little walk in but walked past one more house than I did yesterday down and back. I am hoping to get to the end of the street by the end of next week, but my shoulders give out with the walker. My legs and lungs are fine. Also got my strengthening in. It's a full hour of exercise Monday to Friday now.

Honestly I can't believe I am doing this!! Been doing this since end of Nov or early December. The fire fighters coming at 2 am to pick me up off the floor in November was the turning point. I don't want to see these guys again as great as they are.

[possum220]

I fell over easter weekend. I didnt break anything but was lucky that I was near a chair that I used to lever myself up. Don't like to think of what will happen if there isn't something handy especially when I live on my own. I usually walk with a trolley trailing behind me. For some reason I find that grounding plus I can put a phone in it and my front door keys. Last couple of nights I have cooked myself some vegies and protein.

There are times when we need a wake-up call and sounds like you listened to it Deejay. Top effort for getting yourself out of the house even with the walker. Could you talk to some-one about getting it adjusted or a different type so that it doesn't impact your arms so much. Then again maybe that's part of strengthening? Do you ever listen to music when you go for a walk?

Thanks for the picture. That tank would be a pain in the butt if you don't mind me saying Gus. It would take a bit of controlling. Maybe if they can sort out the sleep apnea you will find that you are refreshed after a sleep. Maybe the new doc will have a few more clues as to what would be good for you but ones that won't impact your body too much. Hope when you got to the letter box that there weren't any bills in it to put a downer on it.

[Gus1234U]

thanks, possum~ i have been on the CPAP (pressurized air at night) for 8 yrs, now. it's just that this machine needs maintenance, and the company that 'dispensed' it lost all my paperwork~!! so i am changing companies, and i have to have a new sleep study. fortunately, i can have the one 'in -home', since i'm already diagnosed. unfortunately, my doc didn't know to tell the testing company that i am on oxygen 24/7, and the machine didn't come with an oxy attachment, so the first night was a total disaster.... now i'm waiting on a part to be mailed to me,,, it's all very discouraging.

(i don't ever find bills in my mail box, because i have them all paid electronically by my bank~ i'm on 'bill averaging' for all my utilities, so i pay the same amount every month but one, when they re-average for the year. it helps me keep a budget, because i have difficulty with numbers (from brain damage). wouldn't it be lovely if there was a little motor on that oxy cart, so it could help pull me, instead of me pulling it ?? LOLOL

i got my trash out at dawn this morning. don't know why i've been waking up so early lately... still tired all the time, but that is my 'exercise' for the day. my stats were very good when i got back in the house (can't carry cart and trash at the same time, checked the mail, 200 ft). i have been eating a salad almost every day, and i have dropped 6 lbs in 6 weeks~! it's been totally painless, and i'm very happy with even that amount.... hope it keeps up~! my new doc said i could take my diabetic meds however i pleased (to see what happens, i think).

my liver enzymes were high on this blood panel, which has never happened before, so she wants me to drink more water (~!~ i'm already having to get up in the night~!~) and eat less fats (i rarely eat any).... but you know docs, they can't tell by looking, so they give pat advice.... i'll do a little research and see if i can find an herbal pick-me-up. if any of you have been thru this, let me know what it was, and how it was dealt with ~! ??

hope you all have good blood sugars and the causes of good blood sugars~!

[Deejay14]

Originally Posted by possum220

I fell over easter weekend. I didnt break anything but was lucky that I was near a chair that I used to lever myself up. Don't like to think of what will happen if there isn't something handy especially when I live on my own. I usually walk with a trolley trailing behind me. For some reason I find that grounding plus I can put a phone in it and my front door keys. Last couple of nights I have cooked myself some vegies and protein.

There are times when we need a wake-up call and sounds like you listened to it Deejay. Top effort for getting yourself out of the house even with the walker. Could you talk to some-one about getting it adjusted or a different type so that it doesn't impact your arms so much. Then again maybe that's part of strengthening? Do you ever listen to music when you go for a walk?

Thanks for the picture. That tank would be a pain in the butt if you don't mind me saying Gus. It would take a bit of controlling. Maybe if they can sort out the sleep apnea you will find that you are refreshed after a sleep. Maybe the new doc will have a few more clues as to what would be good for you but ones that won't impact your body too much. Hope when you got to the letter box that there weren't any bills in it to put a downer on it.

I am thinking now that it is part of the strengthening. My nephew is a certified strength and conditioning coach and he was over here on Sunday helping me. I will ask him. He might know the best thing to do because he is also an RN. I walked past another house today, so an added house lot each day. Only 205 full steps( that's a 1 count after both legs have moved forward, but that is huge for me!

I am reluctant to listen to music because it takes a lot of concentration to not drag my feet. I also just bought a dog leash to attach to the walker so if I fall the walker does not get away from me. That would be a HUGE problem.

[Gus1234U]

well done, DeeJay~!! a house a day is more than i am managing... still i have not given up~

i know what you mean about falling, possum~ i used to use a wheeled chair for walking, now i just take baby steps... i think one of my meds, or something worse, is causing dizziness, which i truly dislike~! fortunately, my new doc is interested in my health ()~ and i have high hopes of finding out what's going on with that... i haven't actually fallen in a long time, but when i have to get down on the floor to light pilot lights, getting back up is a real thrill (NOT)~!

may we all have safety, and the causes of safety~!

[possum220]

Good to hear that your nephew can give you some free advice on your progress Deejay. Hope he can give you some more handy hints. I must admit that at the moment I am not listening to music when I go for a walk but more concentrating on where I am walking and not tripping over any tree roots or uneven paths.

That is no good Gus about the doc not filling in the paper work for the cpap machine. It is good that they can come out to your own home though. I also tend to make fortnightly payment for some bills so that it doesn't out in one lump sum. My p'doc has suggested that I always keep my mobile phone on my person just in case I fall. Yes it's always easier to fall down than get up.

Yesterday I went for a walk it took me 25 minutes. I was trying to be mindful and watching what was in the gardens to use some grounding skills but it wasn't working so I Imagined that you two were walking with me. Deejay was in the front on the footpath. I was in the middle and Gus was behind me. I had to keep telling you to keep up Gus. Maybe if we attached some turbo rockets to your oxygen tank you would find it easier.

Take care all.

[Deejay14]

Got all my strengthening exercises in today but no walking until I get a leash to tether my walker to me should I fall. The leash will be here by Sunday. I also have to wait to get a phone protector for my new phone. Hopefully that will be here by Tuesday. If tomorrow is nice I am going to ask my husband to go with me on my 250 step walk.
I
have also added planking for 30 seconds x2 as well as practicing getting up from the floor. My nephew says that no matter how you do it, it works a lot of muscles. I did it 5 times. He emphasized to do this first or second in your routine because it takes strength and energy and I don't want to be sitting on the kitchen floor til my husband comes home. THAT would not be good. I do have some safety stuff in place when in the house, but for safety will take my phone outside on walks.

Hey guys, been a while, lots of reading to catch up on. I'm not so positive, and don't have lots to say. My sugars are under control. FOr a while I didn't have much appetite so the doc said it was ok to use less medication. I went back up to 2 metformin instead of one, and had a few times of low blood sugar. I keep oj around for that now.
I'm also getting some strengthening excersices from the kinesiologist, and I think its helping a bit. I mostly walk around a mall, the weather hasn't been nice. Expecting an ice storm and power outages soon. I wish it was spring. Hugs to all, sounds like you all are very positive, take care.

[Gus1234U]

congrats, Deejay and disparaissant ~! i have been doing more standing than walking, i cooked yesterday. i have decided that vacuuming is going to be my exercise for a while,,, it's been ages, my back always complains afterwards, etc... i have to really admire your ability to get up off the floor 5 times, DeeJay~! wow, way to go~ i might add that to my efforts, since i too live alone and never have company... i used to have that lifeline button (help i've fallen~) but i never used it once in 10 yrs, so now that i'm older i gave it up LOLOL,,, oh well,, i have a cousin now who calls me regularly, and worries if i don't answer... i like that better~

i made some roast beef and rice in gravy last nite, and it was sooo good i ate too much, woke up this morning with my bsl's at 150.... not a good morning, so i'm delaying breakfast to allow my meds to bring it down.... this is what i do that docs hate,, i treat my meds like they are a balancing bar... more food, more meds,,, less food, less meds.... i added a column to my daily chart (oh Yes, i'm a charter... calories, meds, exercise, totals, averages, weight, temperature -- (you'd be surprised what your temp. can tell you) ) for med averages, just to help my doc find what interests her. i really believe that charting can make a difference,, i don't know about you, but i have a very damaged memory, from psych meds, and can barely count, let alone hold and average in my mind for a day.

always appreciate tips~ and by-the-way, there is a newly diagnosed person in another thread on this forum, if anyone wants to drop a line of encouragement, and invite.

[Deejay14]

Gus
I used to pay for a button,too to the tune of over 500.00. I now have 2 Alexas from Amazon. One at each end of the house. If you have a cell phone they are easily programmed with telephone contacts you choose. Just recently Amazon came out with a box that attaches to your pbone. With that you can ask Alexa to call 911 or whomever you wish. On my back door I have a key box. My family know the combination and I am also registered with the emergency dispatch in the town where I live. While system cost a one time cost of 130.00 but that is paying full price. Amazon has them on sale fairly frequently. It might be even cheaper for you because you might only need one Alexa.

No exercise on the weekend for me. I am definitely feeling the effects of my nephews coaching. Discovered muscles I didn't I know I had!!! Boy am I sore today....No I hurt today LOL.!! Decided I will walk next week as I will wrap my phone in a towel to protect it and put it in my walker basket.

[Gus1234U]

thanks, DeeJay. neither one of those options works for me... i had mine as part of an In-Home Care certification, paid for by Medicaid. cell service is very sketchy here, (i'm in the Rocky Mountains), and i have a land-line.

i just failed to complete my In Home Sleep Study for the second time, i get one more try,,, then i don't know what happens,,, it turns out that after 8 yrs, i can no longer sleep without the pressurized air system... so if i can't sleep long enough to prove that, i can't have one ??? hate the way things like this affect me, i'm all broken out in hives. i even took a double dose of my sleeping pills O.O... waaaaaaaaaaa

[Deejay14]

Gus,
The Rockies must be beautiful! I would love to see them someday

About your sleep study can you ask your doctor to give you some medication for sleep for one night so you can pass the test? It seems in New England people with Cpaps have the opposite problem- once it's prescribed its very hard to get rid of even if you tell them you won't use it! It took months for my sister and her husband to get rid of their machines and my sister works at a primary care doctors office.

My husband uses his faithfully. He has very bad sleep apnea. If you can Gus at least ask. It's something you really need!

[Deejay14]

Got my strengthening exercises in but no walk today slushy snow out there with pouring rain. Discovered muscles last week I didn't know I had! Pretty slow moving this morning but better since I have exercised.

[Gus1234U]

knowing i'll be sore the next day does not help me exercise~!
on the bright side, i went shopping for just a few things yesterday (my cousin took me), and because i didn't have to walk for the bus, i walked thru the store (it's kind of HUGE)~! YaY US~!

i tried the sleep meds, DJ, i've had a sleep disorder for 25 yrs......

i failed again yesterday to sleep more than 2 hrs, so now i will have to call the "folks" and find out what my options are.... i can't sleep without my CPAP, and i can't get my CPAP without sleeping without it,,,,, catch 44....

[Deejay14]

Keep on trucking,Gus!