Diabetes and Training

[Mauthos]

First off, could the MODS move this post if it is in the wrong section, cheers.

This weekend, (20th October) I have a Seminar to attend where, if last year is anything to go by, we will all be training pretty much solidly for 7+ hours (small 20 min lunch break).

However, I am a type 2 diabetic (7 years) which until recently was really well controlled and suddenly my sugar level just started to spike no matter what I ate or what medicine I took.

Therefore, as of 2 weeks ago, I was put onto insulin injections and have now experienced for the first time hypo like symptoms.

My concern is that in training for that long will cause my sugars to go low and that leads me to my question:

If anyone has been in the similar situation please could you offer me some advise as to how regularly I should eat whilst attending the seminar and what sort of snacks I should take with me in preparation.

Thanks, for any feedback, in advance.

 

[Dirty Dog]

You've just had a MAJOR change in your diabetes and it's management, and it sounds like you're still working on getting your insulin 'dialed in'. Combining that with a significant change in your daily training routine (I am assuming that you don't normally train 7 hours a day...) is asking for trouble.

Without knowing a LOT more about your situation (What sort of insulin? What protocol? Sliding scale? A1C?) I can't be real specific, but honestly, the best thing you could do would be to skip the seminar.

If you refuse to skip it, then you'll need to have your insulin, your glucometer, candy barbs and peanut butter (or something along those lines...). You'd need to check your sugars every couple of hours.

But, again, skipping it would be best. There will be more seminars. Uncontrolled diabetes and a good hypoglycemic episode can do really nasty things to your body.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

I would listen to DD. He knows what he is speaking of. I am also a Type II diabetic. Mine is still well-controlled with Metformin, diet, and exercise, but I have recently gone low a couple times (self-tested around 80) and it is no fun at all. My spikes generally go no higher than 145 or so. So I'm still training hard and would not hesitate to do a seminar or a tournament, but I also self-monitor carefully and keep candy nearby. If I feel myself going low, I test, and if I'm low, I'm stuffing gummi bears in my mouth and NOT training anymore that day. Take good care of yourself.

 

[Carol]

Mauthos, so sorry to hear the news. I hope you feel better and are back to your regular life soon. Its better to invest a small amount of time away from the mat getting your diabetes under control now, then a larger time away from the mat later due to deeper issues

As an alternative to skipping the seminar, go the the seminar in street clothes, find a comfy place to sit, and take detailed notes. Naturally let the sponsoring instructor know ahead of time -- but most folks are cool about stuff like this. If you or the school has equipment, and permission, to videotape the seminar for classroom use, perhaps you could be the videographer?

Even if the videotaping is not possible, write down and document as much as you can, and then ask your instructor and/or some participants if they would be interested in going back over the training with you down the road. Chances are you'll have a lot of takers, who wouldn't want to review material that you do not necessarily practice every day? :asian:

 

[Mauthos]

You've just had a MAJOR change in your diabetes and it's management, and it sounds like you're still working on getting your insulin 'dialed in'. Combining that with a significant change in your daily training routine (I am assuming that you don't normally train 7 hours a day...) is asking for trouble.

Without knowing a LOT more about your situation (What sort of insulin? What protocol? Sliding scale? A1C?) I can't be real specific, but honestly, the best thing you could do would be to skip the seminar.

If you refuse to skip it, then you'll need to have your insulin, your glucometer, candy barbs and peanut butter (or something along those lines...). You'd need to check your sugars every couple of hours.

But, again, skipping it would be best. There will be more seminars. Uncontrolled diabetes and a good hypoglycemic episode can do really nasty things to your body.

Great advice, if I'm honest I would agree and follow it to the letter.

Unfortunately, this is the first seminar that I am attending as an instructor, so I am sort of expected to go and train.

My diabetes was incredibly well controlled, Hba1C was below 7 (sorry English here, not sure how it converts to the American scale) but after 7 years all of a sudden my readings were creeping up and up to dangerous levels even though I had not changed my diet, medication or exercise.

After a GAD blood test the specialist decided to put me on to insulin (Novomix30) to be used with breakfast and dinner, currently 16 units each time.

My sugars are still a little bit random, but slowly they are coming back under control again. Hitting a hypo was an unpleasant experience which resulted in asking this question.

Therefore, I think regular blood checks and having some fast releasing sugar snacks with me are the way to go.

Thanks for the advice

 

[MJS]

First off, could the MODS move this post if it is in the wrong section, cheers.

This weekend, (20th October) I have a Seminar to attend where, if last year is anything to go by, we will all be training pretty much solidly for 7+ hours (small 20 min lunch break).

However, I am a type 2 diabetic (7 years) which until recently was really well controlled and suddenly my sugar level just started to spike no matter what I ate or what medicine I took.

Therefore, as of 2 weeks ago, I was put onto insulin injections and have now experienced for the first time hypo like symptoms.

My concern is that in training for that long will cause my sugars to go low and that leads me to my question:

If anyone has been in the similar situation please could you offer me some advise as to how regularly I should eat whilst attending the seminar and what sort of snacks I should take with me in preparation.

Thanks, for any feedback, in advance.

Some great advice from DD and Bill. I'm not a diabetic, however, my suggestion would be to also take some smaller breaks thru out the day. I can't imagine training for that amount of time, and only having 1 20min break during that entire 7hr span. Seems like a bit much to me. Seminars that I've gone to, have always allowed small, short, 5-10min breaks, in addition to a lunch.

So, given your situation, I'd make sure that you don't push yourself to the point that you're really going to be in an emergency. Keep some candy nearby, and take a break as needed.

 

[HammockRider]

I'm a Type 2 diabetic. I think you've gotten some pretty good advice here. I can only add that you shouldn't put off testing your levels if you even if your in the middle of training if you get even a hint that your sugar is dropping. Please don't try to "push through". You can't tough-out serious hypoglycemia any more than you can tough-out a heart attack or stroke.

Also, I've found that liquid sugar gets into my system faster. You might want to include some kind of sugary drink in your kit just in case you need it. I usually like to have some OJ, Vitamin water or even non-cafeinnated soda on hand for emergencies.

Good luck

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Also, make certain that others know of your condition AND wear an ID bracelet or necklace at all times. If something should happen, first responders MUST know how to treat you. These bracelets state that you have diabetes. Should also contain detailed information about your current medication and your physician to be contacted as well as family. If you go low and pass out, you will not be able to communicate this information to others.

 

[oftheherd1]

I found out I was diabetic about 20 years ago. I pretty much kept it under control to the point I stopped checking my blood sugar. I also found that I could tell when my blood sugar level was dropping, and I kept peanut butter crackers or fuji apples close at hand. I was doing well until I was put on different medication. I would get unexpected sugar crashes. I still managed for a while as I attempted to convince my doctor that living in my body gave me some insights he did not have. One day I got careless. Trust me, it is easier than you think, especially when your problems can be sporadic in frequency and severity. Don't play with it. I came to with two gentlemen in whites tending to me and telling my wife I was coming around. She had called 911, put a wood spoon in my mouth to get my pull my tongue forward so I could breath, and sweated it out waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The fall against a desk put a hugh knot on my temple, I felt less than good, and spent a day in the hospital. It was not a fun experience, and has put my wife on constant alert for fear of another such episode. Yes, I have a new doctor.

I understand your desire to attend the seminar. From my point of view, if you are very careful, and always err on the side of caution, stopping when you have any doubts, you should be OK. As someone suggested, let the seminar leader, and the attending students know of you condition, and that you may unexpectedly stop and check your blood sugar, or grab some sweets. I would be shocked if they don't understand, and encourage you to take care of yourself.

I would also discuss it with your doctor. If your doctor tells you not to do it, then disregard all I have said about you should be able to do it, and don't do it. But if your doctor clears you, and gives you suggestions which you follow, you should be OK.

As an aside, if you decide to go, I should think you could do almost anything, just not with such vigor. Learn all techniques, forms, punches, kicks, or whatever, even teach them, just not with such power as to drop you below where your blood sugar should be. When you are back under control, you can start doing them with the power and stamina you wish. Anyone you teach, who cannot understand when more power and speed are appropriate, likely wouldn't recognize it if you demonstrated it.

Again, the decision is yours (and your doctor's) and you will have to live with any bad outcomes so you must choose wisely. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Seth T.]

I have been diabetic (Type I) for longer than I have trained martial arts. If you know the symptoms you experience when your blood sugar drops (my hands shake, I sweat a lot) then I would just bring glucose tablets. They are easier to wrangle than food at a seminar, and you can chew a couple up and head back to the mat quickly.

Stay hydrated, watch for your low blood sugar symptoms, and tell some people at the seminar that it may be a risk and you should have fun.

 

[Brian King]

Not a diabetic but have trained with many. If you are going to do the seminar besides the precautions that you have stated above I would also do two additional safety steps.

!. Let the host and 'main' instructor know before hand of your current situation.

2. Gather two or three friends, let them know what symptoms to look out for and ask them to help you monitor. Make a rule that if one of them asks are you alright that you actually take a moment to find out. If one says "dude, you look pale or clammy or some other type of comment that you pause a few moments and take stock of what is going on internally. Do not brush aside the comments, thank them and take the time to insure that you are OK.

Taking a few minutes to ingest some food or to test is far far preferable to the drama of a pass out and 911 call during a seminar. Imagine how someone might feel if sparring with you and you get injured because things were out of whack. Go train if you want, but take the time needed to insure your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of the seminar for the other participants.

Good luck
Regards
Brian King

 

[Mauthos]

I have to say a great big thanks to everyone who has taken the time out to help and advise me regarding this issue.

Luckily I seem to have been heading down the right track and all the advise given is information I was sorting out already:

- My instructor is hosting the seminar and he was there when I first found out I had diabetes and is well aware of my situation

- Although we only have a short lunch break, if the previous years are anything to go by it is pretty relaxed and I will be easily able to disappear off to check blood, rest, eat snacks etc.

- I have already put a kit together including a sugary drink, instant hit snacks etc as well as slow releasing food to keep my sugars stable

- 3 of the guys coming with me are very close friends, all understand my diabetes and one is even bringing some small chocolate bars with him for me, just in case

- I have discussed this with my doctor and as long as I follow his advise, which is the same as yours, he is happy for me to train, as exercise will help the diabetes anyway.

The only thing I don't have is a diabetic ID bracelet. To be honest I was not even aware there was such a thing. I will be contacting my doctor asap to try and sort this out.

Once again, thanks guys, I appreciate the help a great deal.

Full Salute

 

[jks9199]

Get the bracelet, ASAP. It's not so much for the training day -- it's for life. Especially right now, since you're really still learning about your diabetes, there will be mistakes. And a diabetic emergency can be mistaken for being drunk. Without that bracelet, you might find help delayed when you need it -- or even find yourself arrested.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

You can buy them cheap on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Diabetic-Sili...=1350483429&sr=8-1&keywords=diabetic+bracelet



It is also a very good idea to have your doctor's information and your prescriptions IN YOUR WALLET.

When I go to the dojo, the gym, or go for a walk or run, I do not take my wallet. But I take my driver's license and my health insurance card, along with my doctor's information.

When a diabetic goes low, they can pass out quickly. You can be helped best if others know what is (probably) happening to you, and you won't be able to tell them yourself.

 

[Dirty Dog]

This is why we teach EMT and Paramedic students that everybody with altered mental status should get D50 and Narcan. It's irritating how often they forget, but that's what they're taught.