• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Being diabetic and injuries

carina62

Well-Known Member
Messages
349
Location
Leicestershire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
miserable weather, rude and bad mannered people
Since becoming diabetic I am a bit worried about getting injured ie cuts, bruises, falls, knocks, grazes etc as I know you have to be careful with healing etc. I want to start re-learning how to ride a bike after many years but I'm conscious of falling off the bike whilst I'm learning. I know that I could wear knee pads and elbow pads but I don't want my worries to stop me from enjoying my life as I want to start taking up cycling for exercise and health benefits. Any comments on this please? thanks
 
As the old saying goes...you never forget how to ride a bike. Despite all the scare stories in regards to healing etc...I can't say personally that I've ever really noticed too much difference...certainly not enough to let it hold me back from doing something I want to do...just go for it
 
I agree with Natalie, in fact cycling will help improve your blood sugars, which in turn would in theory reduce the complications of an injury anyway - get out and ride safely!
 
carina62 said:
Any comments on this please? thanks
Click to expand...

Go for it.

As long as your diabetes is under control and you treat any cuts & grazes accordingly you should heal fine, I've had type 1 diabetes for 35 years and not had any issues thus far.
 
Thanks All, very encouraging words
 
I cycle everywhere and the benefits certainly outweigh the risks. In over 3 years of cycling I've only had one crash (and that was due to another bicycle pulling out of forest ). In that case my hands were badly grazed but I healed properly and quickly largely due to tight control. I've a couple of near misses but am not deterred.

In my experience and out all of the exercises I partake in (running , rowing , weights), cycling is by far the best for BS control and also weight control.
 

I mainly want to cycle for pleasure so that my partner and I can take our bikes with us when we go camping etc so it is just for this, I don't want to cycle to work or anything like that on the roads, I don't think I would feel confident about that but good to hear the positives and I am determined to get the hang of it again as I haven't been on a bike since my teen years and I'm 54 now!
 

Just add a helmet, as head injuries can be catastrophic.
There are some wonderful forest trails and being out in fresh air can be exhilarating. Alas, my cycling days are done, I am trying not to be envious.
Go, and enjoy!
 
Just to add, since the start of the nice weather (!) I started partly cycling to work (P&R - got fed up of waiting for a bus to never turn up and/or sat in town traffic) - only cycle a few miles into town but since then my blood sugar levels have been somewhat better.

And yes always wear a helmet.
 
Thanks some good advice here. I will buy myself a helmet. I don't know why I didn't do this years ago!
 
I heal as well as I ever did, and I knock lumps out of myself all the time.

I don't take any special care to be honest, as I've always healed well.
Possibly if you have poor circulation, or lack of feeling anywhere, you need to be careful.
 
Just to keep you all updated, I am slowly gaining confidence in riding a bike again my partner is being very patient with me and we go and have a half an hour or so lesson each evening and I actually rode my bike in a straight line last night. It's the confidence that I need but I can see it will be such fun being able to go on bike trails etc
 


I think the key is control. If we have, and maintain good blood glucose levels, then we heal normally. Or at least better than we would if our bg were uncontrolled or fluctuating all over the place. Raised blood glucose and hyperinsulinaemia (if T2 or insulin resistant T1) affects healing.
- but even then, it comes down to personal bodily function. Some people just heal better than others, and fitness level, diet, lifestyle, smoking, drinking, fresh air, etc all play a part.

Hope you enjoy your new hobby, and get lots of benefits from it!
 
So when do you think you'll be able to take the stabilizers off?
 
Well my wife's cousin who is T1 did occidentally remove the big toe from his right foot a few years ago while mowing the lawn wearing sandals now that took a long time to heal and a long time in hospital.

So avoid using mowers while wearing sandals.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…