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

Type 2 Keeping Well for Winter - Tips & Advice needed

tigerlily72

Well-Known Member
Messages
517
Location
South West, England UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I'm just waiting to be "officially" diagnosed as a T2 Diabetic. I had a fasting blood test about 2 weeks ago and had to have a 2nd which I had yesterday. My GP has told me I AM diabetic and she very much doubts the 2nd test will be below 6.0 (which I have to get to NOT be diabetic).

Anyway, my concern is keeping well and avoiding colds, sore throats and viruses now the weather's changed. As a diabetic I know that cough syrups, throat lozenges etc will be a NO NO with T2.

So, how do diabetics keep healthy and if you get ill with a winter cold etc what can you take that won't impact on your diabetes?

I would normally take a vitamin C tablet (high concentration) that dissolves in water but I'm guessing this'll push my blood sugars up. I've just bought some Zinc supplements that are taken by swallowing.

I'd be really grateful for some advice and tips as I'm worried about getting ill and what I can take to prevent it firstly and to treat it if I'm unlucky. I also work in a customer facing environment so am subject to others germs!
 
I take sugar free throat lozenges and cough syrup. Ask your pharmacist which products are ok. I also use a saline nasal spray and if congestion is really bad I use a decongestant spray for no more than 3 days at a time. Paracetamol 1000mg up to 4 times a day. Ventolin inhaler if a cold triggers asthma symptoms. Rest is good too, and helps stop spreading the germs. Drinks lots of water.

You might be able to get pseudoephidrine on prescription if you have a lot of nasal congestion or sinus pain... in NZ the only OTC decongestant pills are phenylephrine and they do absolutely nothing.

I find vicks vapo rub really good as an inhalation or chest and back rub.

It's important for diabetics to get the annual flu jab and the once only pneumonia jab.
 

Thank You I'd completely forgotten about sugar free cough syrup. I may google to see what's suitable with a view to getting a bottle to "put by". Yes, Vicks is a good idea and maybe Olbas Oil too to put in a bowl of hot water and inhale to relieve symptoms.

I live in the UK (England) so not sure what Pseudoephidrine is and if we have it over here.
 
Pseudoephidrine is usually in products like Sudafed, Codral and Coldrex. Wikipedia tells me it is also in Afrinol and Sinutab.

Unfortunately our products were switched over to phenylephrine a few years ago in an effort to reduce methamphetamine production. I predicted it would have no effect on that, and it had no effect on that, lol. All it did was make it harder to get relief from nasal congestion.
 
My top tip for dealing with a dry cough is to sleep with a raw, chopped onion next to your bed. I'm not mad, it works! It is also a carb free remedy (if you don't eat the onion :***.

I am the only one at work who was not full of the cold last winter and am also the only diabetic. I am very mindful of what I eat and they eat a lot of junk in the office. Coincidence? Eat the good stuff and you will have a better immune system I reckon.
 
Over 7 is what is usually said to be T2 My last annual blood test was still under 7 although I have had a glucose intolerance for over 10 years my doctor said only if I go to 7 or over will I be T2
 
Make sure you have a flu jab, had mine yesterday can't believe it comes around so quickly
 

I had read somewhere about onions but I thought you had to eat them. My colleagues also eat a lot of junk - it's a constant cake fest for some charity or another in our office. I wouldn't expect them NOT to eat cake/chocolate etc because of me but I've told them I need to steer clear!
 
Pinkorchid said:
Over 7 is what is usually said to be T2 My last annual blood test was still under 7 although I have had a glucose intolerance for over 10 years my doctor said only if I go to 7 or over will I be T2
Click to expand...

I thought it was 7 or over too? I think I'll definitely be over 7 anyway
 

Thanks I'm just wondering why she said 6 then?
Also, I'm now questioning why I was told I had Prediabetes / Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Dec 2014 when my FBG was 7.4

Oh, well . . . I doubt I'll be "Normal" unless by some small miracle!
 
My favourite tip for keeping well in winter - Wash your hands in hot, soapy water at least 5 times a day.

Colds are viruses and 'stick' to all those rails and handles that we all touch each day. In America they did an experiment with the army and those in the 'wash hands' group had less colds than the control group.

My son says I have a bee in my bonnet about it but I am much more strict with myself about this and haven't had a bad cold/flu in years. Although to be fair, I do also have the annual flu jab. Just my five penn'orth.
 
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.…