Type 1 diabetic

[ian1976]

I have just recently been diagnosed as Type 1 diabetic dependant on insulin, I have been riding for 4 years and have no intention of giving up my , I wasn't allowed to drive/ride for two weeks after being diagnosed and at first was affraid to get back on the bike fearing having a hypo and not recognising the symptoms while riding which could be dangerous. although my symptoms are easily recognisable at other times. I was wondering if there are any other Type 1 Diabetics out there riding who could give any advice/tips, ever experienced hypo while riding?

[birtyboy]

I have been riding now for about 25 years now and back in 1999 was diagnosed with Type 1. Crashing blow to my life and career, but you pick yourself up and learn to recognise when your body is not right. I always get a tingling in my fingers, lips and then gets heavier and my legs. In that case i pull over rather rapid, nearest shop and stuff a MARS down my neck with a coke and that picks me up out of a Hypo. The end of a day, the rules state that you should test yourself prior to any driving, car or bike. But rules are like speed limits (boll***s to them). just ride careful and you will be ok, if anything get some stuff called hypostop and keep it under your seat. Safe riding mate and hope the diabetes is ok

[XX-Bernie]

Those are two cracking first posts!!

It just shows how fantastically useful and supportive these forum things are!!

[Tonester]

I have just recently been diagnosed as Type 1 diabetic dependant on insulin, I have been riding for 4 years and have no intention of giving up my , I wasn't allowed to drive/ride for two weeks after being diagnosed and at first was affraid to get back on the bike fearing having a hypo and not recognising the symptoms while riding which could be dangerous. although my symptoms are easily recognisable at other times. I was wondering if there are any other Type 1 Diabetics out there riding who could give any advice/tips, ever experienced hypo while riding?

Good on ya for taking it by the horns, it is all trial and error at first mate.

My son, now 22, was diagnosed with type 1 at age 11. One day he decided - fook this, I am going to control my diabetes to suit my lifestyle and not the other way round.

He was ranked number 6 in Australian Supercross at age 14 and 15, he is now the only person racing national motocross with type 1 (40 minute motos) and he had a few race day hypos and delayed hypos in the beginning. He is a qualified motocross coach and three times a year we attend the Diabetes Australia Camp for Kids ( a weekend camp for newly diagnosed children and teenagers), I normally address the 40-50 kids and tell them that my son is going to do some tricks on his bike, just before he jumps over the top of me with his arms and legs off the bike I mention "by the way, he is also diabetic." The look on the kids faces is priceless, the look on their parents faces is of shock.

I'm happy to give you his contact details, he is always keen to chat to other diabetics and help if they want to bounce questions off him. He can even tell you the secrets of a good night out on the pi$$.

Flick me a PM anytime mate, I'm always awake when the rest of Ol' Blighty is getting their beauty sleep (they need a lot more too the fugly tvats)

[XX-Bernie]

Further to my last..........

Badly controlled daibetes is the cause of liver failure, blindness, amputation, etc. Well controlled diabetes is the cause of...............nothing!

.....and why do I know this..........

A colleague of mine's 5-year old has just been diagnosed with Type 1 too. He started on BD rapidly moved to Basal/Bolus and is now on an insulin pump. His mum and dad highly recommend insulin pumps (mum is a doctor of psychology specialising in diabetes......lucky son!!). NHS funding is an issue as it costs £2500/pump and £1000/year to run, however, a charity called INPUT is very forceful in securing funding.

In my personal experience, I have seen the young lad while using injections and since the pump was fitted..........he was a completely different child and is now bad to his 'bonkers' self.

Not a lot to do with riding a bike, but it's getting me closer to my 1000th post!!!!

[ian1976]

Thanks all for suportive and encoraging replies I wasn't expecting such quick responses!! I am managing to keep my diabetes under control (much better than I expected to) Have been out on bike a couple of times for decent rides out, only prob is I tend to snack before ride just to "top up" blood sugar level to avoid hypo but think i may be over doing it with the snack. (Sandwich, digestive biscuit or cereal bars...don't worry not all at once) eg.. levels before ride around 6 ish, after ride 12 ish. Riding directly after meal/injection also worries me as insulin at max effect for 2hours. Any type 1's out there advise on siutable snacks or am I getting it right?

[Tim]

Further to my last..........

is now on an insulin pump. His mum and dad highly recommend insulin pumps (mum is a doctor of psychology specialising in diabetes......lucky son!!). NHS funding is an issue as it costs £2500/pump and £1000/year to run, however, a charity called INPUT is very forceful in securing funding.

Hi Ian and Birtyboy....different type of Introduction and a big from me....

...and now for the bollox...

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.
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berniexx...that pump is mighty expensive..I have a spare Scottoiler...could that be modified for the job in hand?

[Tonester]

...and now for the bollox...

.
.
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berniexx...that pump is mighty expensive..I have a spare Scottoiler...could that be modified for the job in hand?

Just couldn't feckin help yourself could ya? Inane fookin drivel on a consistent level that would drive anyone nuts (that's when they get shipped off to Wales to keep them from the general population).

Ian, you'll get good advice most of the time and have a laugh along the way.

[aj]

.

1 of my golf partners has it
...he can go temp blind and i have to club him then line him up so he can play his shot ....while he's chewin a mars bar

plays off h'cap of 3 .. he's good

regards
aj

Oi tvat... i'll have yer spare oiler....i need a new drip feeder

[ninjabika]

Ian

i've been diabetic for about 10 yrs now , type 1 insulin dependant. most people know when there blood sugar levels are changing, higher levels should be controlled with your insulin but you already know that, normally if mine start to drop i get a kind of anxious feeling inside and i know i need to do something soon, mars & cans of coke arn't reall ideal as they gice you a sugar spike which does pick you up but soon drops again, ideally you want glucose tablets i've got them every where you will also need some form of carbohydrates, a breakfast bar or sandwich are ok , you have the glucose to raise your bs levels then the carbs to give you the energy if not you will just get a sugar spike again .
also keep your self hydrated well plenty of water if at any time you feel unwell stop immediately and sort yourself out, it's not a problem , if riding with people in a group tell them your diabetic and where you keep your glucose , or a bottle of lucosade, not to be drunk like pop as it will really raise your levels and raised levels can make you aggressive/short tempered and give the impression of being drunk i.e staggering slurred words.

have you informed your insurance, they can't charge you anymore but they need to be told. also dvlc need to be told, if you are stable with no problems they normally alter your license so it runs out every 3 years then you after re apply , no test they just write to your doctor to say your ok, no hypos and every things ok with you. make sure you apply before your license runs out because obviously you won't be able to drive / ride until sorted.

i also wear a sos talisman around my neck which has all my details in , just in case you never know.
just in case you are now thinking o fook, don't as long as you do every thing that you've been told you'll be fine, there are just precautions and measures that need to be in place just in case. basically don't worry about it


martin