Got Diabetes cheer me up…..

Bit fed up really, was planning on being super fit(for me) in 2010 for my 40th lost weight before and over Xmas then…

just after new year got raging thirst, peeing all the time blurry vision, and (sole redeeming feature)lost even more weight…Docs confirmed via blood tests but in limbo till get started on insulin…looking to find out how long it took folks to get their heads round insulin use so could ride out on allday epics etc

Background 39yrs old 5ft 11 12st 10lb never smoked, go weeks without booze easily…not a big fan of drink, get my five a day…was riding running 3 times a week like pushing myself hard on a bike, but on hold till get sorted

lifes not fair!

ps Save the MTFU & foot amputation stories ta! just want advice on how long it takes to become a competent insulin using MTBer thanks

Well you can get viagra from the doc and all your prescriptions are free.

And a lot of professional sportsmen are diabetic. Isn't Steve Redgrave, and thet old Spurs captain, Gary Mabbutt?

I knew a guy at uni with diabetes – not sure what type, but he had to administer insulin – and he was one of the strongest rowers and cyclists I have ever seen.

Sounds like you look after yourself pretty well so as long as you manage the diet and insulin you'll be fine mate, yes and a lot of sportsmen are diabetic.

Good start guys..BigJohn…no worries down there ta 😉 and am Welsh so no precription charges …2nd thoughts may get some viagra for the Mrs anyway!

Here have a big bar of chocolate that'll cheer you up…..oh!

Don't worry as others have said you'll learn you diet and routine will be able to do your sports and have an excuse for when have crap days.

whytetrash – Member
Good start guys..BigJohn…no worries down there ta and am Welsh so no prescription charges …2nd thoughts may get some Viagra for the Mrs anyway

Whys that is her bit on the side not preforming! 😉

My brother went from being a type 2 to a type 1 at roughly the same age, and now has to administer insulin. Interestingly enough, the exertion of mtb'ing usually means the insulin pen stays in its pouch. Just get hold of a decent blood sugar monitor and you'll be all good!

Had diabetes for 33 years now and one thing you need to be clear about – it is hard work, the more effort you make, the better you will be. There are a number of websites that are useful and can help with inspiration:

runsweet[/url]
american endurance mtb'er[/url]

There are so many things to consider but just remember, apart from driving buses etc, diabetes won't stop you doing many things, you just have to think about it a lot more. Quite a few with diabetes on here, feel free to e-mail any questions, addy in profile.
Have done the last 4 Mountain Mayhems, several other enduros, Dyfi, Rough Ride and plenty of all dayers and weekends.

Mark

West mids based, where are you?

Got Diabetes cheer me up

You don't live in Haiti, happy now? 😀

The missus was diagnosed with Type 1 at the age of 23, so i have seen it from the outside. From her experience the most important thing is for the pancreas to pack in completely as soon as possible! Some people get what they call a 'honeymoon period' where the pancreas will work for a bit, then stop, then start again. It makes proper control next to impossible and also gives false hope of the miracle cure ocurring. After that it is just down to you, Mrs V8 leads a completely normal life now in nearly every respect. Oh, and it also got her over her fear of needles… 😉

Sorry to hear that mate, but unfortunately for me it won't slow you down.

Just think of all the diabetic bikers you know 😉 Ah you said competant insulin using MTB'ers, so he probably can't help you then.

It is totally manageable and because you have a healthy diet and don't like the demon drink (since when was that!?) you shouldn't have any issues once it stabilises.

Sounds like you need a boarding weekend to get over it!

Househusband from these parts is diabetic (hope he won't mind me saying). He just needs a little prick a few times per ride, with which I'm happy to oblige. Don't think it should stop you in your tracks as long as you manage it well.

Thanks folks, Votchy cheers for those sites, been on runsweet (insulin pumps bit scary…cyclists testing blood every 30mins even more so… North Wales based, got a mate with it who does the same events you do he's been great for advice but diagnosed 20 yrs ago…I'm just being impatient really looking to find out how long it will be before i get back to normal riding…bit scared to push myself at the mo, and blurred vision/icy conditions would make it interesting anyway…how quick will the vision clear up anyone?…Hi Crell…will email you fella…Frase has been great actually…combining Ironmans and drug fuelled weekend benders in the same email!

DAFNE – an acronym you may become familiar with.
My Type 1 wife manages carb input with insulin correction.
Plenty of exercise will contribute greatly to your well being. A further excuse to go out and ride.

A mate who rides with us is diabetic. Doesn't need the insulin on a ride but just has to make sure sugar levels are kept up. He gets these prescription glucose gels which he occasionally takes but other than it doesn't seem to bother him at all on a ride.

DAFNE – Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating

I have been on an insulin pump for 2 years now, initially it is a lot of testing and pump adjustments, however, it has revolutionised my life, control is the best it has ever been and only need to inject once every three days (when you change the set) rather than 5 or 6 times per day.

Good luck

First of all – welcome to the club – not as exclusive as it once was, but always room for more!

Diabetes can eitehr be a positive thing or a negative thing depending on how you look at it – I know many diabetics who stop everything for fear of things going wrong. I also know many diabetics who work with their diabetes to allow them to carry on doing what they do – but the outlook each group has is very different. The negative one is very negative i.e. it stops me doing anything I want and the positive group is more like – I've got this added thing I need to consider and work with, but it isn't going to stop me doing what I want to do.

I'd suggest trying to stay upbeat and positive, diabetes and controlling it is far easier than it used to be so the change in your lifestyle shouldn't be huge – there will be things you will need to change or new thigns to do, but they won't be hinderances, just other things to think about (and adjust to take into account what you are doing or planning to do).

It is a serious problem, but if you don't let it drown you then it's easily managable. Expect to be a wee bit up and down for the next few weeks as you get to grips with it all and adjust to what you are doing, but don't let it stop you doing stuff. As things stabilise you will start to feel much better, but don't expect it to be fixed in a day or so, it will take a wee bit of time, but it will get much better once it's stabilised (thing slike insulin dosages, food intake, blood tests, etc, they all go towards ensuring you are stable and things aren't going out of hand).

Biking, head out with mates and let them know what to do if you feel funny – extra rations to help you maintain control whilst exercising – don't put the fear of god into them, but let them know what to do if you do take a hypo – hypos vary from just feeling a wee bit funny to right out blackouts – but they generally don't just happen (unless your insulin is very wrong)…join a local diabetic group and try to find out what you can about making it work with you and what you are doing.

Diabetes UK is a very useful group (the governing body of Diabetes in the UK – used to be the British Diabetic Association but changed their name about 6 years ago (I think) to Diabetes UK). They have a lot of contacts for local groups and teams who can offer advice/assistance. Also start getting friendly with your local Diabetes Medical group as they will prove very useful for advice and help whilst you are adjusting.

It isn't great news to be told you are diabetic (I was only 17 months old so don't remember the chat!), but it isn't the end of the world. Accept that things are going to changeand you will soon adjust to a new 'lifstyle' that should allow you to continue doing what you do but also make sure your diabetes is very weel controlled.

Email in my profile if you want a chat if that would help – there are a few diabetics on here, and I'm sure they would all be quite happy to have a chat with you if it helped.

Sorry for the long post!

Well you're certainly not alone on here so lots of useful info from people who have the t-shirt etc.

Good luck, ATP.

What they all said above. 🙂

Been diabetic since I was five (thirty three now) and have been on a pump for just over a year. You'll get good days and bad days, but make sure you join the postive group rather than the negative group.

I've always been in the positive group, I'm going to go riding and it's just something else I have to take along. 🙂

One thing I will mention, is that just because you are a 'diabetic' doesn't mean your treatment/amount of insulin etc is the same as anybody else. Whilst we can give advice and point you in the right direction, you have to find what works for you and in what situation. It is a lot of work, but rewarding when everything is going peachy.

Like the others, feel free to email.

Thanks All some great stuff to cheer me up….dont worry my glass is always half full so no doubt will be positive about it…still looking for ideas how long it takes to aclimatize…anyone?…I know I'm a bit older than average for type 1 to start.

Got a mate who I do a lot of walking/mountaineering with who's diabetic. Not sure if Type 1 or 2 but he injects. It hasn't stopped him doing anything sporty – he's a super strong lad – rowed the Atlantic a couple of years ago, crossing Greenland on foot in a few months time – you get the picture. And he wasn't slow marching up and down big Scottish Munroes at the weekend either! Basically he just manages it carefully, keeps an eye on things and tops up his blood sugar when he needs to. I've asked him if I need to know anything in case anything happens when we're out in the wilds and he said no – he manages it so it wouldn't get to that, so it all seems pretty under control and life goes on…

datsunman – you are the only other person on a pump that is on here as far as I know, control during riding is the only bit I am still struggling with after 2 years on the pump, how are you getting on with changing basal and bolus to compensate? Would like to hear what adjustments you make as my diabetes team do not have any other pump users that do anything overly exertive, can you e-mail me please, addy in profile

Mark

I'm one too. plus 1 for pretty much everything said above and I'll add…

It shouldn't change your lifestyle. You can still do everything you did before, you just need to manage the diabetes around it. At first it can be confusing, but you get the hang of it really quickly and it just becomes part of the routine of things. I find it's only a problem or a drama to other people, who often make silly assumptions – just educate or ignore them!

You're hospital diabetes team should be a great help to you and listen to what they tell you. Be prepared to take GP advice with a pinch of salt (I once had a GP who told me to eat no carbs at all – what a tool he was!).

There are other benefits too.
If you have to have any kind of operation, you always get done first 🙂
Everyone is different, but with me, if my sugar levels are getting low, I get even more grumpy / miserable than usual. Mrs Feet recognises this and realises that I'm not having a go at her, it's just my brain isn't firing on all cylinders as it needs food, so she doen't take it personally, just tells me to eat something. Of course I have never had a whinge at her and blamed low sugar, oh no, never 😉

Anyway, it's not the end of the world, it's just a change and you'll get better more proactive health care as a result too.

EDIT: Forgot to say, on insulin as well, not a pump, injecting manually. It's nothing to be afraid of, most of the time you hardly even feel the needle, but I'll agree it's an unnatural thing to do at first

whytetrash-best wishes mate. Rode b4 Xmas at Hayfield with yourself, Big Hed and Chip Shop Man.

Mates 14 year old son suddenley developed type 1 after some family stress/trauma. Always fit and lean, never drank. Took him 6 to 7 weeks to settle into a routine and allow his body to adjust to meds BUT he was naughty at times-no food, wrong food etc. Didn't affect his life at all really and two years later he's trying to break into Bradford FC's 1st team!

It'll be right shortly mate-keep your chin up.

Anyway-get those Hayfield trip photo's posted!

you'll only feel a small prick – no change there then .
my training starts tonight now is my chance and do me a favor put that stone back on that could really cause me trouble

He'd have to have a triple trailer with all the neighbours kids onboard to 'reach' your level.

I know this[/url] is geared towards younger people, but it could prove helpful…

Look on the bright side , your weight loss was caused by diabetes not cancer. There is no reason that if you look after yourself you shoudnt go on to lead a full active and long life.

Also remember if you were born 50 years earlier you would just wither and die- so thank **** you are of this generation.

make sure your local hospital ? Bodelwyddan or bangor can treat you with pumps and DAFNE. My local trust cant due to lack of dieticians. That's a disgrace IMO. Remember only GP's with an interest in diabetes tend to know much about diabetes. Find out who yours are in your practice.

Ive got it whyte1. Sorry to hear it. I've been diagnosed for 2 years and i'm 38 in feb. I was not going to toilet like you, or developed a thirst but always felt knackered. Never smoked, never consumed a great deal of alcohol, Doctors told me it was my young family making me tired at first! Then about 3 months later I went back & told my GP that my twin brother had also got it 6 months before. Then they listened. Same as you really, same weight, roughly same height. I've managed so far to stay on diet control. I Intend to stay that way until as long as physically possible. Its ok though. Somedays I feel utterly shagged out and other days fine, but that's what it can be like. Keep your chin and live your life. Exercise is a major boost to mental and physical wellbeing. I always remind myself there are people far far worse off than me. Watch your sugars, what you eat, ride the bike, stay positive and you'll be great.

doctornickriviera – I agree. Diabetic care in the UK is shocking.

My Old man is 75 and hes still alive & kicking (just) he could of managed his diabetes by diet alone if he hadnt been so stupid and carried on drinking and not watching his diet, he has to inject but its no big deal for him. Sounds like your otherwise healthy I am sure you will adjust, once you have come to terms with it, sure you will only need minor adjustments to your lifestyle.

One other thing to remember, the electronic sugar monitors get unhappy in very cold weather. My mate who injects had to use his girlfriends cleavage to warm the meter during a stop on a cold Benn a'Bethir one March!
Oh and you get free eye tests as well.

Dickbarton – Thats an excellent post.

I am fitter and healthier thanks to being Diabetic it's focused my mind and made me more aware of what I am eating, nothing is off limits just in balance and not excess coupled with regular exercise.

I am on a pills and diet regime rather than injecting insulin but know that could change. It's not the end of the world and it can be a new beginning.

Good shout sandwich – mine reads 'E-1' when it's cold. Only takes a few seconds to warm up though. Pity I haven't got a spare cleavage handy, would make warming it up a bit more fun. 🙂

Votchy, will email shortly, just got dragged into helping with revision… 😯

Obviously it's not good news that you have diabetes, but there's nothing you can do about that fact. The good news is you've been diagnosed and can now follow a course of appropriate treatment. I'm not sure if this would be true with diabetes, but it's possible that you've been affected for some time. Meaning that with treatment you will see a marked increase in overall fitness.

What do you do at the doctors for the test? I ask because I've always had a problem with low blood sugar, but have never really adressed it. I have passed out a few times over the years, but only when the problems are exacerbated by high temperatures. Do any of you notice caffeine being an issue? I do know that an improved diet (I am known as Cake Boy at work) has definitely improved matters.

Mr dethumps. I don't think Diabetic care is shocking here i just thinks it's a postcode lottery. I was mortified to hear that one of my young type 1's who would be an ideal candidate for a pump couldnt have one provided due to lack of dieticians for calorie counting advice whereas 20 miles down the road they would.

On the whole care is getting better

I was diagnosed when I was 7 so I've grown up with it, it doesn't make much difference at all to me day to day though. Makes no difference whatsoever to my riding, except if I screw up of course but then, the stuff that riders carry- gels, haribos, etc- all work very well on a hypo diabetic too 😉

One thing you'll get a feel for is how good your hypo awareness is, what your own symptoms are- everyone is different here. Hypo awareness is pretty important, it's better to just not go low at all of course but realistically most people will, occasionally. (I've know a few who say "I never go hypo" but it usually turns out that this is because they run too high). But knowing you're not at your best before it bites you is a good skill to learn, some people have pretty poor symptoms/awareness and so either need to test constantly, or find out they're hypo by walking into traffic, collapsing, etc.

It's a life-changer, sure, but then your life changes all the time. It's not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things, as chronic conditions go it's one of the best 😉