Riding with Diabetes

[flskevin]

Thanks for all the responses. For those here that have met me they know I was a hard core Dr. Pepper drinker. But after being diagnosed I cut that out cold turkey. (Which sucked big time)

I have been adjusting my diet learning about counting carbs & stuff like that.

Now it's all about trying to keep the levels on an even keel.

I have since lost about 40 pounds and still losing. I feel over time I will get the routines down and eventually be able to go off the meds. My Doc & nutritionist have been telling me they haven't seen anyone change so much in such a short time. I'm very lucky in that my insurance is very good on this. My Nutritionist is $250 bucks an hour and totally paid for. I can't imaging doing this with out her help.

I'm taking this seriously, I have seen what ignoring Diabetes can eventually do to you and I'm not having any of that. I love ridin' way to much.

I basically wanted to start this thread so XLF'ers like me could tap the knowledge Diabetics may have and the experience on how to manage this as it relates to riding.

I have had to make some changes from the way I used to ride. No longer can I go 8 -10 hours on an all day ride before I stop for something to eat. (I think the 24 oz Dr. Peppers had enabled me to pull that one off)

So anyways thanks for the tips so far...

[Durockrolly]

I have been a type 2 for 18 years. There are many varieties of these pills and I keep them in all my vehicles and packs. They work much faster than candy or food.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/catal...sku=sku1650051

[k-walk16]

if it makes ya feel any better, diet dr pepper is the best diet soda ever. diet mt. dew is good too.

[flskevin]

I can't drink Diet Dr. Pepper...

To me that would be like a heroin addict taking Methadone.

I bought every kind of sugar free drinks to see if I could find something I liked. Diet Raspberry/Cranberry Snapple is my favorite. I also like Iced Tea made with Splenda.

Diet Mt. Dew is not too bad...

[rodhotter]

read about artificial sweetners, VERY BAD!!!!! all of them makes it harder to control cravings among a host of other downfalls, HIGH FRUTOSE CORN SYRUP another KILLER, totally screws up insulin, mercola.com has a host of info on this cheap sweetner "more profit with total disreguard for health" read all food labels its everywhere!!! DO NOT BUY A PRODUCT that lists it, not easy but doable, its great to have a nutritionist but cost is a factor for sure, because basically the lack of proper eating + drink caused the problem along with lack of physical activity. we can learn a lot on our own about eating and drinking correctly. fiber is your FRIEND as it slows the absorbtion of food keeping sugar stable. DO NOT RELY ON DRUGS, they only treat the symtpoms TYPE II is CURABLE, only YOU can make it HAPPEN

[Doc45]

Another Type II here (in addition to having some heart issues), lots of great info from our fellow members. I always eat a good breakfast before I head out for a ride and either pack a lunch or take a break when meal time rolls around, check my blood glucose level frequently and always have the glucose tabs with me.

It's like dehydration, once you become aware of the effects you're already on the downside. That's provided you're aware of what's going on. Err on the side of caution and keep taking care of yourself, sounds like you're doing a great job so far.

[Marib]

I think you're doing quite well now with your body since you said your sugar got lower. And yeah, continue diet and exercise. A regular detox program is also a great help. You may not believe that my mom was diagnosed a diabetic patient with worst complications. She was given two years to live but it’s been five years now and she's still alive. The secret? Diet and detox program. She can't do the exercise since she's in a wheelchair.

Health

[flskevin]

Just to give everyone an update...

When I was diagnosed in April with Type 2 my Hemoglobin A1c # was above 14. Yesterday I received my latest A1c results and my # was 5.8.

With diet, exercise and meds I have been able to reach my target number. The outlook is by the end of next year to go off the meds and control it with diet & exercise.

So far I have lost about 50 pounds and feel a lot better.

[scotthotrod]

Good to see this thread. My bother just found out. Ended layed up with a sugar level of 405. Just like that everything changes. He was fine then out of no where bam.

[Terp84Alum]

Way to go, Kevin. I bet you do feel better. You'll be needing new lighter shocks come spring.