General Cycling Discussion - Are there any forum members who have Type 1 diabetes?

If there are, do any of you use or ride with an insulin pump connected? I've got some particular questions I'd like to pm you about.

I'm a newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic,

I can't help you with the pump question, but I'm curious myself.

I'm supposed to be giving myself shots of insulin on a regular basis, but I'm having lots of trouble getting myself on a stable schedule :(

Personally, I take Humalog with every meal, and Lantus before bed. The doctor agreed that with my life style, the pump was not the best option. Sorry if I can't be any help...but there are more of us on the forum with this disease...so someone may have it.

Greg

Type of thing I was wanting to find out is how riders handle long rides. Do they disconnect from the pump, for example? I once did a long ride and took 2u of Humalog every hour regardless. I was topping up with electrolyte drinks and energy bars so I guess the one cancelled out the other!

I'm going onto a pump for the first time (already have it, just waiting to be trained) and the thing that scares me most is falling and snagging the infusion set on something and having it ripped out of my abdomen. That could really hurt.

I also use Lantus for the nighttime shot but pumps tend to run on 98 octane (nitro) Humalog! I'm a little concerned about having that stuff going into me 24hrs a day, especially where exercise is concerned. Lantus might be a propellor engine but Humalog is pure solid rocket booster!

I see this thread is old, but I hope the info I post might be helpful. I've had type I diabetes for about 13 years and have been on a pump for the past 2 years. I used to use Humalog, but now use Novolog (insurance changed). I find Novolog is a bit ... smoother than Humalog. I used to get a rush when the H peaked, but with Novolog, I don't get that.

As far as concerns with the infusion set getting ripped out - that would be a bummer. But you'd live :) I always tape a "safety loop" of tubing (I use 43" tubing) to my side with a hospital-grade paper tape. I keep the pump connected because I find it easier to regulate my blood glucose (bg) via the pump rather than popping injections as needed. BTW I ride on pavement only, so if you're riding e.g., downhill or through rough terrain, that would be an extra consideration. Pumps ain't cheap. They're sturdy, but trees and rocks are sturdier!

I'm sure you've figured out pretty much everything by now. Using a pump is a personal experience, so what works for one person may not work for another. I have a basic system of temporary basal rates and such that my nurse helped me figure out. If you have probs, I would talk with med. professional. Good luck to anyone similarly situated!

dcon, you are right. This thread is old! I've been on the Disetronic pump for about 14 months now and it's due for replacement probably Dec/Jan as the HTron pumps have a count down that kills the pumps after 18 months use. I'll get a replacement as a swap-out for the service. Life on the pump has been really great. I find it better to disconnect before exercise and I usually do a glucose test before doing sustained exercise. One thing I have noticed is that if I run with high bg levels before exercise, my performance tends to suffer but sailing too close to the wind at the other extreme is not helpful either.

I have though learned to appreciate that being a type 1 does not exempt me from normal lifestyle exercise for my age (50). I just have to work a bit harder at maintaining the balance. Fortunately, I can honestly say that being diagnosed type 1 only 3 years ago I've achieved a level of fitness in response to that that probably puts me in the top 1% for my age group. A boast perhaps, but life with diabetes can be normal and it can with the right attitude be healthier!