how to manage diabetes type 1 when working as a psychotherapist (a lot of inactivity)

[Ryann1990]

Hello basically my diabetic control isn't the best although i have a hba1c of 5.4 my numbers always seem to be reading high i do correct with insulin which hence why i might be getting the low hba1c my main problem is that i am due to start work as a Therapist and im worried about all the sitting around as this will be a huge chunk of my day and by me not being active my sugars will rise i was thinking should i take more insulin for these periods or up my basal basically im on 24 units of basal at night and my day time i adjust to my carb count

thanks

 

[Grateful]

Small suggestion: Try to persuade your employer to install a "standing desk." Nowadays I see these quite a lot at medical facilities. Some of them have crank-handles or even electric motors so they can levitate up (standing desk) or down (regular desk).

There have been a number of studies (not diabetes-specific) about the dangers of sitting all day, and the benefits of standing and moving around, even if you are not doing any strenuous exercise.

 

[catapillar]

Is your basal delivered via mdi? I can't quite work out whether you are pumping or not from your post. If you are on mdi, what is your basal insulin?

Regardless, is the inactivity really such a big change for you? I can't imagine the career route goes: personal trainer -> therapist, at least I hope not, for your clients' sake.

Do some basal testing - https://mysugr.com/basal-rate-testing/ - on inactive days and see if your basal dose keeps you flat when you are mainly sitting down.

Although work stress (which may mean stress hormone raise your blood sugar) and using your brain a lot (which may burn through glucose and lower blood sugar) may mean non working basal tests don't really translate to work days very well.

You could just start work and test at meal times like normal to see if you are in range. If you are, great. If you aren't, then consider adjusting insulin. Maybe after some work basal tests, if that seems possible but I probably wouldn't attempt that in the first few weeks, and you might be better off getting a libre/CGM to assist with basal testing.

 

[ringi]

As to inactivity, one simple option is to collect all your clients from the waiting room in person, this will result in you standing up at least a few times an hour.

 

[Grateful]

As to inactivity, one simple option is to collect all your clients from the waiting room in person, this will result in you standing up at least a few times an hour.

My GP does that. He comes into the waiting room and calls out our (Christian) name. This is America and that kind of informality goes over fine!

His office is at the end of a long corridor at the other end of the building from the waiting room, so he does a fair amount of regular walking!