RACING AND TRAINING WITH A PUMP
Athletics have played an important part in my life. Whether playing University level hockey or cycling, having diabetes does make it challenging. However, diabetes has never prevented me from leading an active life. I encourage all diabetics to challenge their disease by learning about it, appreciating their bodies by eating right, and seeking support from other diabetics, and the people close to them. The following downloads are from my pump. Some are from race days, others not. They do show that some days are better than others, when it comes to blood glucose levels. However, most days I am successful in managing my disease. Wearing the pump has helped me do this confidently and with great success.
NOTES AND DOWNLOADS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
FLAT LINE - JANUARY 11, 2010
Normally, a flat line means that things have gone from good to really bad for people. For diabetics, flat lining is something we strive for. Today was a really good day. I had one alarm that went off at 4.0 mmol that was easily dealt with. I normally don't feel anything until I get closer to 3.0 mmol. I tested using my meter and the tests were identical to my pump's sensor reading! PERFECTION!
NOTES AND DOWNLOADS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
FLAT LINE - JANUARY 11, 2010
Normally, a flat line means that things have gone from good to really bad for people. For diabetics, flat lining is something we strive for. Today was a really good day. I had one alarm that went off at 4.0 mmol that was easily dealt with. I normally don't feel anything until I get closer to 3.0 mmol. I tested using my meter and the tests were identical to my pump's sensor reading! PERFECTION!
THE WHIP
What is the first thing I do once I finish a race or hard training ride. Many might think that I need to eat right away. That may be the case if I am hypoglycemic. However, my first instinct is to take about 2.5 units of fast acting insulin. Why you ask? The answer is the whip effect. The combination of a lower basal rate, constant fueling of carbohydrates, and the influx of muscle glycogen are the reason. As soon as I stop riding, I am no longer burning off the carbohydrates. However, the glycogen is still flowing. This causes a fairly sharp increase in my blood glucose, which doesn't make me feel good. So in order to avoid this, I immediately bolus as soon as I finish my ride or race. In this download, you see a bolus immediately after the end of my ride and basal reduction (green lines). The sugars start to move up, and eventually reach 11 mmol, until they start to come down and level off.
I'M SICK - MARCH 10, 2010
Getting sick is tough because it causes eleavated blood sugars. I caught a bug that forced me to leave work at lunch. While laying on the couch I eventully manage to change and get my sensor going. You can see that my basal is 150% of its normal rate, and I have taken some good sized boluses. I have a high temp and I have had little to nothing to eat since breakfast, just fluids.