Long excercise new on insulin

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Honeyblossom

Active Member
Messages
43
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello, I am hoping for some tips on managing a walking holiday whilst newly started on Humulin I. ( 2 months ) Only taking 6 units daily which helps base line but not meal spikes and I often drop low before lunchtime on a normal day (office job). Next week I'm with my husband walking all day, every for a week. Mixed walks, strenuous and moderate. I'm going to pack lots of carbs obviously but curious if others have any gems of advice to offer. Annoying I'll walk all day and be eating out which I know will send my mealtime spikes up despite the exercise!
NB. I have just updated my profile to Lada, was originally diagnosed type 2 which the GP has changed on my record to 'type 1' since positive GAD result but awaiting the specialist's diagnosis as he wants to determine whether my GAD is a false positive result and I'm actually type 2. So in truth, all a mystery I don't know which box I fit into.
Thanks for reading
 
S

SimonP78

Well-Known Member
Messages
292
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Sounds like you're taking your insulin in the morning, if you're going low at lunchtime.

Do you split the dose at all? The Humulin I peak activity is ~6h and it tails off significantly (https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8196/smpc#gref)

If you're already going low, and will be doing quite a lot more exercise than usual, you'll end up going lower if you leave the dose alone. You may be happy to combat this by eating more (for breakfast and morning coffee in your case, though likely more will be required throughout the day too.)

Even without the walking holiday I'd be tempted to split the existing dose in half (for example) to avoid the pre-lunch hypo, though do then do some monitoring overnight to prevent hypos then, which is perhaps why you've been started like this.

Exercise will increase insulin sensitivity, so if it were me, I'd think about reducing the total dose.

You may find that you don't go as high in the evening as you expect (from the food) as many people suffer from post-exercise low blood sugar (muscles and liver are replenishing their stores), though if you are used to the exercise you're doing this effect is less pronounced.
 
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