hypos

magsy

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Dislikes
teenagers
Hi newbie here but 14 years of type 1. Anyone a bit nervous of exercise in case of hypos? How to start?
 

CalicoBec

Well-Known Member
Messages
124
Hi Magsy,

I'm type 2 so I can't really answer your question (Sure the doc said on my meds I won't get hypo's, do type 2 ever get them? lol i'm newly diagnosed...ahh my mind is a whirl!!) Anyway, I know someone here will be able to help :) Just wanted to say hi and welcome to the forum :)

Becca
 

ldsm4754

Newbie
Messages
1
Hi, I'm newly diagnosed also, Friday to be exact. Talk about dazed and confused; I can't even think straight at the moment. Anyways, the information on this site has helped a lot, so thanks for that, I know I'll have a lot of questions once I've worked things out a bit, so I'll apologise in advance for if I get on anyone's nerves!
 

jessie

Well-Known Member
Messages
275
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Idsm, keep using the site and ask as many questions as you want - it's my bible and I couldn't be without it.

I too am nervous about exercise, and the few times I have exercised since diagnosis 10 months ago I have found myself making my blood sugar a bit high before hand 'just in case'. I just can't gather the confidence to do it as I know how quickly my BS drops. And then, if I have to follow exercise up with a snack, this seems counteractive?

Saying this I've just been out and bought Davina's workout DVD, I think it might be easier for me to exercise in my own home, with Lucozdade on tap! Now I just have to make myself actually do it...!
 

Trinkwasser

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,468
The important thing is to test a lot until you know how you react (and always carry some glucose or orange juice or some other form of "hypostop").

I can go either way (Type 2 with funky liver) in the morning overexertion can send me high, in the afternoon I can go low, but by testing and experimenting over time I have learned ways to avoid this, principally by eating a high protein moderate fat breakfast and manually adjusting my BG with "boluses" of carbs and fat when required. Getting my BG up around 6 before starting works for me, you may find a different way of adjusting yours to cope.
 

phoenix

Expert
Messages
5,671
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Actually, I think the most important advice,( after testing) is to get started, to take things gently, increase your effort gradually. and try to do something you enjoy :D

The theory
Test before, during and after and to start with at least an hour after finishing. If you find you're going too low for your comfort have some quick acting glucose.

In general if your exercise is aerobic your BG levels should fall, if it is anaerobic they may rise.
Standard advice is If BG is lower than 6.5-7 then you may need to eat a small amount of carbs before.
If BG is above 13.5 then you should check for ketones before exercising and if they are present don't exercise until BG is lower, If they are above 16 then again you shouldn't exercise.

Take account of your insulin action. If you are exercising whilst it is at its highest you may find it more difficult to keep your levels up. In that case it might be better to lower your insulin with your meal before exercise. (its best avoided if poss). If possible, don't inject into your thighs if you are stepping or running, or your arms if using them ( the exercise speeds up insulin action)

some people find it necessary to eat something after exercise, particularly if its a while until the next meal.


What works for me
Personally, I find that it doesn't matter how high I am when I start (within reason), nor if I eat something before, I plumet during the first 20 minutes, I then take just one dextrose tablet and keep drip feeding them every 20-30 minutes. This works well for me up to about 2.5 hours of exercise (longer its slightly different) It did take a lot of testing and I still take my meter with me every time I go out for a run. I probably also am happy to exercise at lower BG levels than many. people.
I've found that if I do a lot of exercise during the day or exercise late afternoon, early evening, I need to reduce my insulin with dinner or risk a hypo late evening/early morning. If I do a lot of exercise during the week then I end up with very much reduced dosages (both basal and bolus)

Bear in mind that whatever you do, as you get fitter your response to exercise may change. (and as with everything else some days everything will be diferent)



This page on gives a bit more detail http://www.runsweet.com/CarbsAndExercise.html