Diabetes Talking

Question:

I do occasional mountain bike racing and find my BGs to often run higher during a race than during training.  I think adrenaline has a lot to do with it. As for a meter, you might want to try the Precision QID.  The case it comes with (holds the meter, lancing device, and test strips) is the smallest of any meter I’ve seen .  (Anyone know of anything smaller?)  The test strips are in individual foil packages, so you don’t have to worry about contaminating a whole vial if you drop them.  On the downside, I did find the foil packages a little difficult to open until I got used to them. – Rick

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I’m new to the group and a type 1 diabetic. I’ve been a runner for a few years now and haven’t had many problems with my blood sugar while running until recently, as I’ve turned more to distance running. The only problems I’ve had were the occasional hypoglycemic reaction – nothing a few glucose tabs couldn’t fix. Yesterday, I was running a half marathon and had my bg shoot up to 350 at about 6 miles. I was at about 155 before the race and only had about 60 grams of carbs through the first 6 miles. I was pretty keyed up for the race, so I assume an adrenaline rush had something to do with it, and I had just gotten over a cold (maybe not completely). Can anyone offer any input or comments about this, or any similar exeperiences? Also, I’d like to get a glucometer that would be easier to use on the run, something compact. My wife meets me at points during the race with it, but logistically, this can be very difficult. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it. Thanks, Jim

Response:

The Lifescan Ultra is pretty small, and only takes 5 secs for the read. You do have to get the strips out of the bottle and carry a lancet. The Glucometer Dex uses a 10-strip-cartridge thing. Still need a lancet. And for both you need to dispose of the strip. I use a FastTake (looks like Ultra); I can fit everything I need in the little zip-up case, including a couple of small tissues for wrapping used strips if I need to. (Not that I’m testing on the run, but when I go on all-day shopping trips!) bj

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Also, I’d like to get a glucometer that would be easier to use on the run, something compact. My wife meets me at points during the race with it, but logistically, this can be very difficult. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.

Response:

Yesterday, I was running a half marathon and had my bg shoot up to 350 at about 6 miles. I was at about 155 before the race and only had about 60 grams of carbs through the first 6 miles. I was pretty keyed up for the race, so I assume an adrenaline rush had something to do with it, and I had just gotten over a cold (maybe not completely). Can anyone offer any input or comments about this, or any similar exeperiences?

Jim, I’m Type II, a completely different form of diabetes. But in trying to learn about Type II and running, I had to read all the literature, most of which is for Type I. The ADA book on diabetes and exercise is one you should have in your library, especially since you’re Type I. First, my own experience is that my BG will generally go down as I run, but that’s only a general trend. I’ve seen bizarre spikes on my glucometer, too, especially when supplementing with glucose. A normal runner, when running over an hour, goes into hypoinsulinemia. The pancreas quits pumping out insulin and glucagon is released, causing the body to produce glucose from glycogen and to also burn fats and triglycerides. Insulin is used up faster during running, at least in the non-diabetic runner. I’m not familiar with how running affects the different insulin types available to the diabetic. The muscles, because they do not have access to any insulin, actually open up a secondary mechanism to take in glucose. The secondary mechanism is insulin independent (makes sense, if you think about it). The secondary system isn’t as fast as the primary system. Adrenaline (epinephrine) will also cause the body to produce more glucose. So if you had very good glycogen supplies and consumed the 60 g of carbohydrate, it’s possible your BG popped up that high for a short bit. You do know that if you inject in the thigh prior to running, the insulin will get into the system faster, right? Also, I’d like to get a glucometer that would be easier to use on the run, something compact. My wife meets me at points during the race with it, but logistically, this can be very difficult. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.

I use the Dex. It’s compact and easy to use while running. It will be damaged by sweat or water, as I recently found out. Carry it in a baggie. Now the important question: How did you do in the race? <g I ran a 2 day 10K this weekend – 5K race on Saturday, 5K race on Sunday. Had fun at both races. At my speed, you have to have fun. I did beat some men in my age group at the second race. Rob

Response:

Hi all, I’m new to the group and a type 1 diabetic. I’ve been a runner for a few years now and haven’t had many problems with my blood sugar while running until recently, as I’ve turned more to distance running. The only problems I’ve had were the occasional hypoglycemic reaction – nothing a few glucose tabs couldn’t fix. Yesterday, I was running a half marathon and had my bg shoot up to 350 at about 6 miles. I was at about 155 before the race and only had about 60 grams of carbs through the first 6 miles. I was pretty keyed up for the race, so I assume an adrenaline rush had something to do with it, and I had just gotten over a cold (maybe not completely). Can anyone offer any input or comments about this, or any similar exeperiences? Also, I’d like to get a glucometer that would be easier to use on the run, something compact. My wife meets me at points during the race with it, but logistically, this can be very difficult. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it. Thanks, Jim

Response: