Hypoglycemia and Spinning

[sarahspins]

but the problem is my activities are timed differently throughout the week so it doesn't make sense to test at the same time every day.

You're right, it wouldn't make sense, but I don't know a single person to tests at specific times of day, only in relation to specific events (food, activity, etc)... so if you were to just test before/during/after spin class, even if that is not even close to the same time of day each time, it's still relevant and useful information that can let you know what's really going on while you're on the bike.

As a real Type 1 that produces *no* insulin at all, I have to balance the insulin my body needs with food and activity on a daily basis, I test a LOT - at least 10 times a day, and I wear a continuous glucose monitor too. I have a pretty good idea at this point what being on a bike (or anything else) does to me, but occasionally I'm thrown for a loop.. it's best to always be prepared for the unexpected, but you can't do much without information

[Catrin]

You want to be testing ~30 min and 120 min. post prandial, and recording the details of food consumed and exercise performed. There is a nice form you can copy from Bernstein's book, that lets you record food, activity and blood sugars, and bring to your doctor for review.

I typically do check 2 hours after eating, that is generally when it is the highest, didn't know about the 30 minute check. I will check out his book. Thanks! I also like to check before/after spinning or an intense training session as that is when I typically have the most risk for hypoglycemia (afterward).

[Triskeliongirl]

I typically do check 2 hours after eating, that is generally when it is the highest, didn't know about the 30 minute check. I will check out his book. Thanks! I also like to check before/after spinning or an intense training session as that is when I typically have the most risk for hypoglycemia (afterward).

It should actually be the highest ~30 min. after a meal, and back to normal within 120. If its not, the meal had too many carbs for you. When I worked out my on the bike nutrition, I would monitor before exercise, and then roughly every 30-60 minutes during, and of course after. Now I carry my meter on my bike, but only measure if I feel that something is off.

Sometimes I would get just symptomatically hypo on the bike, sometimes truly hypo, but only if I ate too many pre-ride carbs (this is called reactive hypoglycemia). We may not be the same, which is why I am careful to advise you take measurements, record everything and show it to your doc. I highly recommend the Bernstein book. I know people tell you that you need pre-ride carbs, but for people with impaired glucose tolerance that may not be a good idea. I don't consume any carbs until I am actively exercising, since exercise increases glucose tolerance, and even then only small amounts, like in the drink I described. But use your meter to figure out what is best for you. Its just as bad to go too high as too low. I think its best if you can stay in the 80-120 range. Good luck and keep us posted how it goes.

[Catrin]

Last night I tried a protein only meal before to my workout session and the later spinning class. At the start of spinning class I ate three of the Cliff Blocks (1 serving, 100 calories and 22 grams carbs). When I got home, 2.5 hours after eating the Blocks 0 my blood sugar was STILL 155... ok, the Blocks aren't going to work for me.

My endo wants me to have some kind of sugar in my water through class - so will try and find something that isn't TOO high and dreadful tasting. I just hate drinking sweet things when I am thirsty though...but perhaps this will work better than the blocks...

[Becky]

Last night I tried a protein only meal before to my workout session and the later spinning class. At the start of spinning class I ate three of the Cliff Blocks (1 serving, 100 calories and 22 grams carbs). When I got home, 2.5 hours after eating the Blocks 0 my blood sugar was STILL 155... ok, the Blocks aren't going to work for me.

For whatever it's worth, I usually do a blok at a time. One blok is 8 g of carbs (CHO) and raises my BG about 40-50 points. That's the beauty of the bloks...you can fine-tune the "dosage" without making a mess

Try eating just one and then testing every 30 minutes or so. See how it affects you. Diabetes is a total pain in the you-know-what, but learning how your body works with certain foods, exercise, stress, etc. really does make it more bearable.

(((Catrin)))

[KnottedYet]

Do you have a nutritionist or diabetes educator working with you?

I hate to say it, but you are going to die if you don't knuckle down, accept this, and work with it rather than against it.
We are not nutritionists, nor are we diabetes educators, and this is not a licensed clinic.
We do not know all your issues.
We can only tell you what works for us.

I really feel we are doing you more damage than good at this point, and you must work with a nutritionist or diabetes educator.

[Catrin]

I agree it's time to return to the nutritionist - I was just wondering what works for others. Yeah, there is a little denial there as well but am working through it...

[Veronica]

I use Gu2O in my water bottles. It's not too sugary. Only 5 of its 26 carbs are sugar.

And there is nothing wrong with working with a nutritionist. I work with one because I want to eat as healthy as I can.

Veronica

[Triskeliongirl]

I concur that you need to get professional help with this. Blood sugar fluctations are very serious business. Being too high and too low are both very dangerous situations. If your endo is not experienced in using diet/exercise to control diabetes, then perhaps you need to find another endo.

We've told you what works for us, but each of us may not have the same physiology as you. If your blood sugar was still 155 after exercise, that is an indication that your glucose tolerance is more impaired than you think. Has your endo had you do a 6 hour glucose tolerance test (and measured your insulin levels throughout)?

[Catrin]

If your blood sugar was still 155 after exercise, that is an indication that your glucose tolerance is more impaired than you think. Has your endo had you do a 6 hour glucose tolerance test (and measured your insulin levels throughout)?

Typically my blood sugar is fine after exercise, or low, this is the first time I've seen it high. The only difference was the cliff blocks - probably just too many carbs. It is probably time to revisit my endo and consider finding another one. I've already made an appointment with my nutritionist.

I've only had a 4 hour glucose tolerance test, and they tested my blood sugar levels twice in the process.

Thanks for everyone's helpful advice!

[Becky]

I hate to say it, but you are going to die if you don't knuckle down, accept this, and work with it rather than against it.

Easy there....we diabetics generally don't take kindly to being told that our chronic condition will kill us. I know that you mean well, but those are harsh words.

Diabetes is one of those delightful ailments where, no matter how good the doc, it really does come down to self-management and lots of experimentation. It's like driving a manual transmission all the time, and no one clutch is like another....you just have to figure it out, and you're going to stall a few times along the way. That stuff can really get a person down....been there...

My healthcare team is very good, but they can't do it for me. All the really good stuff I know about my D came from testing and trialing and experimenting on my own.

(Didn't mean to get on my soapbox there....no offense meant.)

[KnottedYet]

Easy there....we diabetics generally don't take kindly to being told that our chronic condition will kill us. I know that you mean well, but those are harsh words.
...
Diabetes is one of those delightful ailments where, no matter how good the doc, it really does come down to self-management and lots of experimentation.
(Didn't mean to get on my soapbox there....no offense meant.)

No, we don't take it kindly. But sometimes we have to face the facts. If we don't manage our blood sugar, IT WILL KILL US.

And one can't do a good job of experimentation unless one has some education to direct it. Otherwise it's just flailing blindly.

(no offense taken)

[Catrin]

No, we don't take it kindly. But sometimes we have to face the facts. If we don't manage our blood sugar, IT WILL KILL US.

And one can't do a good job of experimentation unless one has some education to direct it. Otherwise it's just flailing blindly.

Yep...and I do tend to start experimenting a little early - so I understood where your words were coming from.

[Becky]

No, we don't take it kindly. But sometimes we have to face the facts. If we don't manage our blood sugar, IT WILL KILL US.

And one can't do a good job of experimentation unless one has some education to direct it. Otherwise it's just flailing blindly.

(no offense taken)

It may kill us....but why make bad news worse by speaking harshly? A gentle word can convey the same message. *shrugs* Sorry, I don't see how this is a good tactic, especially in the typed word. And, in the interest of full disclosure, I was given a "face the facts" lecture in person once by someone who barely knew me, my level of control, or my knowledge on the subject. It was humiliating, depressing, and infuriating.

Education is key, but I don't rely on my healthcare team for it- they're really good, but they're not me. Much of what I've learned about diabetes came from the internet and from talking to others. YMMV.

[Triskeliongirl]

I know Knotted Yet pretty well from the forums, and am sure she was just trying to get us all to slow down, and stop practicing medicine over the internet. She is right. While all our posts were well meaning, without knowing how the OPs body responds to carbs, we could be setting her up for disaster.

Yes, I worked out my stuff via lots of experiments, but I also received guidance and support from my endo in doing it.

And knotted yet is right, Diabetes is the 'silent killer' and knowledge is power. I watched my dad die an early death from the complications of type I diabetes, and that now motivates me to live what even my endo considers an impossibly healthy lifestyle. My A1Cs are lower than his normal patients, since I am willing to use diet and exercise to control this, something most patients are not.