LegalIce

How do you balance your sugar with a long ride? I have tried sports drinks, eating before a ride, etc., but have had difficulty not going too high or feeling to heavy before/during/after the ride...

webist

Hi LegalIce:

That's a big question you are asking. I am a diabetic but not Insulin dependent. So far the exercise and diet with medication has worked OK for me. The meds I take do subject me to lows, so I need to exercise some caution.

I find that it depends a good deal on when during the day I ride as well as what and when I eat. For me the effect of exercise on blood sugar levels is nearly instantaneous. I have actually eaten 3 slices of pizza and had my BS rise to 180 within 30 minutes and fall to 120 with only 15 minutes of walking at 3 mph. To me this is rather dramatic.

As with everything else we diabetics do it seems like consistency is the key. Changing only one component of the several you must consider is apparently the way to figure out what to do. My experience with "bonking" comes when the only change is the amount and/or level of riding I do while keeping diet and meds constant. I also find that it much easier in the AM when fasting BS is the measure.

In general, my normal breakfast within 30 minutes of riding is adequate for about a 30 minute moderate ride. More than 30 minutes or 30 minutes of a hard ride calls for more carbs. Regrettably, the amount as you might expect varies.

I hate it when I go so low that only sugar or orange juice will keep me conscious. It just bothers me to waste all those carbs/calories on so little good food. My solution is to eat a bananna in addition to my normal breakfast when I know I am going to ride for an hour. Thirty minutes into the ride (actually every 30 minutes) I go for an additional 15-30 grams of carbs, usually by eating a Glucerna or Choice Bar.

I measure my BS upon returning home. Usually it is on the low side but not dangerous and I am able to use bread, fruit or cereal to get it back up.

I know I am blessed in that I do not have the Insulin component to deal with as you do.

Amazon.com has a Book called The Diabetic Athlete. I found it to be an excellent reference which deals with the challenges facing diabetics in specific sports, including bicycling. There are suggestions on training for both Type 1 and 2.

I know our types of Diabetes are different sir. I just wanted you to know that there is at least one more diabetic in the forum.

Carl

Soberone

LegalIce,
I too am insulin dependant. This problem is going to turn out to be very personal for you. What works for one diabatic is very likely not going to work for another. You will find that even on some days, the same insulin/food/activaty levels will produce differant results. (not sure why).
I can give you one bit of advice, never ride without something with you that you know, for sure, will kill a reaction. I take glucose tablets with me. You know, thoughs giant pillars of pure glucose? They fit well in my pack.
Before I ride, I always snack on something that would normally raise my sugar level. Then I take two bottles, one with water and the other with something sugary to sip on to maintain my sugars. I have never had a low sugar while riding, however, after my ride is when I have problems. So as soon as I get back, I recover with the same snacks that I had before the ride. (a bowl of frosted flakes and a bannana does the trick for me.) On days that I don't ride, I just skip the snacks.
I hope this helps but remimber, when and how much insulin you are taking will make a huge differance in what will or will not work for you.
Remimber to err on the sugar side at first until you get it figured out. Good luck!

ps. I am taking two injections right now but a friend tells me that the pump is the way to go. Apparently there is a "workout" setting on it that will recalculate/adjust your insulin levels for you. I am thinking of checking this out!
Later Russell.

roadbuzz

A couple of years a go I met an insulin dependent diabetic riding a century. He used a pump (along with ordinary precautions), and would dose himself at intervals, as necessary. Sorry, I'm not up on the details, but wanted to mention that it is a viable option.

LegalIce

Thanks to all...I will definetly check out that book. And I also carry those fun, orange flavored, glucose tablets just in case, not to mention the 1 bottle of water and 1 bottle of a powerade mix.

I realize we are all different, diabetic ot not, but wanted to hear how others deal with this frustrating situation. My problem is that if my blood sugar gets very high, say over 200, my energy level goes down the tubes...and if it gets too low, then yikes...

I suppose trial and error, with testing testing testing, will be the only way to get a grip on it...

Thanks again for the insights! I will let you guys know how it is going after a few more weeks of riding...

MisterJ

Type 2 here, Amaryl and Actos, but nothing else. My secret weapon is Payday candy bars. For some reason when my blood sugar crashes, the Paydays work almost instantly. And they don't really "melt" in hot temperatures.

Biking has really helped me with my blood sugar control, much more than walking ever did. I think that the cyclic anerobic, aerobic state with hills has a lot to do with it.

webist

Hi MisterJ:

Seems it is easier to find diabetics in the cycling forum than it is to find cyclists in the diabetes forums. I'm glad of that.

So much has changed over the past decade with regard to diabetes treatment and the approach to diet an exercise. Still though, the exact mix of diet and exercise is indeed an individual thing. It is indeed frustrating to find out that blood sugar gets out of whack all of a sudden when our routine hasn't changed.

I had a diabetic friend who lived a very structured life. Same amount of sleep, same food every day. Same type and duration of exercise all the time an always the exact same amount of insulin. Seems he was following the regimen for tight control developed twenty years ago. When originally diagnosed, I though in horror that I was going to have to live like that for the rest of my life.

On the contrary, with changes in diet, exercise, smoking, drinking, etc., I feel as though I am actually healthier with diabetes than I ever was without it. It is difficult though at times and I am pleased to see that there are a few of us out riding.

Carl