General Fitness & Nutrition: Diabetes, Pre-Diabetic, Insulin-Impaired

I'm in high school and just getting into running.  The problem is I am pre-diabetic (Insulin-Impaired), and don't know if theres anything special i should be doing, eating, etc.  I currently take Metformin 2x a day.  Is there anyone who has blood sugar issues or advice???

Thank you!

"Basically its a trial and error thing. For the first month or so, try different things to see what works for you. Also try track running, or running with a cell phone in a well populated area and telling someone where you are running ( which are all smart running tips to begin with). In general if your bgl is under control with the fortamet you should be ok. Just be careful on long runs and in heat about hypoglycemia."

 ^ everything mentioned above is really important.  If you're new on insulin meds staying safe is really important! I'd carry around a medical ID too. 

 I can only half relate to both posts here. I was diagnosed diabetic at 17, and initially responded well to pills. I eventually got onto insulin and in 2,000 got onto an insulin pump that pretty much saved my life.

Running and being diabetic can be tricky.Make sure you check your blood sugar before you run; and since you need to know what exercise does for you (for some people it raises blood sugar, for others it drops them -> I'm one who gets a big drop from exercise). It takes some juggling to see what works. A decent diabetic educator (one who actually knows what they're talking about, because I've met a few who are clueless and don't know the first thing about running apparently), will work with you. 

 Exercise and Running will definitely help your HbA1C levels and all other parts of your body. It also helps stave off depression too. 

Hope this helps ^_^

I'm open to answering questions too.

-Takamiru

 31, Type 1, Insulin Pump, and asthmatic. 

I'd love to hear from any other insulin pumpers on this topic! ^_^ 

Hi ya ^_^

I don't know how much help I can be, I've been on a pump since 2000, so she's got me beat by 2 years! lol

I'm currently using a Cozmore pump. I've used a Disetronic before this one and have a Mini-med as a backup. I love the Cozmore, save that the Cleo infusion sets don't always stick when I run, so I use first aid tape to keep it down and on. When I run the pump fits into my pocket (same with at work). I also have a hard plastic case that can clip onto a belt easily, basically like a cell phone. I have a fanny pack that would work for a pump too, but haven't needed it for  while. Since my meter is attached to the pump the only thing I really have to carry along are strips and a lancet.

 Figuring out a pump can be really hard. Every person is different regardless of what the Dr's or diabeticians say. The best advice I got from my internist was to do what "you" need, and work on what you know. That advice got me on a pump and pretty much saved my life. Since then though, I have found that diabeticians who use the pump themselves, seem to be better at giving help with exercising and adjusting the pump. Finding a good one who runs themselves and realizes everyone's a little different is better than anything I could advise. (I'm in the process of switching clinics and am look for that sort of person again).

One tool that has helped me out big time has been a continuous 24hr monitor. Mini-med has one that stays on for 3 days (there are other models), and takes blood sugar readings every 3 minutes. If you keep a diary and have the information from the monitor it can chart out what exercise actually does to your body. In my case we found out it drops me big time. They're expensive, but I'm going to find a clinic that has one because it can help adjust basal rates too.

As far as food - After eating wait 30 minutes after before running, a nurse told me this, apparently running sooner is harder on your heart. Since I can usually feel my lows coming on I don't usually keep food on me, but juice or a glucose gel work wonderfully. Before I go out though, I usually see what my number is and set some sort of mark, say my number needs to be 200 before I run, by the time I get back it will be down or be about normal. I know someone's t'sking at that number, but if I left at 140 and went running I'd be down to 80 or lower when I came back. Some diabetic runners shut off their pumps when they run, some drop the basal rate in half, I've done both and it takes a lot of fidgeting to figure out what works. As far as bolusing with food before running, I usually half my calculated insulin dose. That has worked well for me, but it's a process of continually adjusting. Not easy but it can be done.

That's about all I know.

 Save for a few things I figured out the hard way:

Namely insulin in a pump usually has a 3 to 5 day shelf-life. I only put in as much insulin as I know I'm going to use in that time otherwise it stops working for me. Heat also affects insulin whether it's in a cartridge or not. Frio makes a case that keeps pumps and syringes cool but I have yet to buy one (They're supposed to be good for medications that need to be cooled, specifically in emergency situations). They have cooling cases that fit insulin pumps, I will be getting one pretty soon for emergency use, they're a bit costly though (just google Frio). Also, changing insulin sites is really important - every 3 days at least. And, apparently I also drop lower quicker when I run and it's hot. I think that's just me though.

I hope this helps. The only other thing I can think of that's absolutely vital to run with is to carry a cell phone and contact info (ala id bracelet, card, etc.).

-Taka miru

P.S. It takes some work to exercise with diabetes but it's totally worth it.

Thanks, everyone!  I'll report back to her when she's a bit less busy (she is getting married next Saturday!  Yayyyy!)  Thanks again for all your insight and sharing.  I'm sure it will help to know that there are others out there who can regulate the diabetes while running. 

KJ (speaking for Diana)

: )