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New to this, what’s best for a night out?
- Thread starter JDawg
- Start Date
- Messages
- 9,276
- Location
- Worcestershire
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
- Hypos, rude people, ignorance and grey days.
Hello @JDawg
I am assuming you mean in regards to drinking ?
Best plan to tread very carefully as you're newly diagnosed, you don't want to end up on the floor requiring medical assistance, first off do your mates know and if so would they know what to do if you were to go hypo and needed assistance ? That's the worst case scenario but you need to be prepared as you're just diagnosed your levels won't have settled down yet as your body is getting used to insulin, my personal advice at this stage is to avoid alcohol completely as it's a poison and your body will be trying to get rid of it which puts pressure on your liver, and it's job is in fact to help you out if you do go low, going out means exercise and your more likely to use up any insulin quite quickly that's in your system, so best to run high at around 9-11 mmol/l so you have a good safety net, keep fast acting glucose on you at all times, let your mates know where it is if they need to find it on you. I have heard some pretty awful stories of lads out drinking with mates who get drunk and then go hypo so quite abusive, then get locked up as police don't realise the difference or that they were in fact t1 and required glucose and end up with a record because of their behaviour, so wearing a medical bracelet which shows your condition is quite useful - sorry to have to give you the horror story version but drinking can blur the lines very easily with t1 and going low and it's a dangerous position to be in, best to be in control, perhaps have a couple but know where to draw the line until things settle down and you know more about how to look after yourself and your t1.
I am assuming you mean in regards to drinking ?
Best plan to tread very carefully as you're newly diagnosed, you don't want to end up on the floor requiring medical assistance, first off do your mates know and if so would they know what to do if you were to go hypo and needed assistance ? That's the worst case scenario but you need to be prepared as you're just diagnosed your levels won't have settled down yet as your body is getting used to insulin, my personal advice at this stage is to avoid alcohol completely as it's a poison and your body will be trying to get rid of it which puts pressure on your liver, and it's job is in fact to help you out if you do go low, going out means exercise and your more likely to use up any insulin quite quickly that's in your system, so best to run high at around 9-11 mmol/l so you have a good safety net, keep fast acting glucose on you at all times, let your mates know where it is if they need to find it on you. I have heard some pretty awful stories of lads out drinking with mates who get drunk and then go hypo so quite abusive, then get locked up as police don't realise the difference or that they were in fact t1 and required glucose and end up with a record because of their behaviour, so wearing a medical bracelet which shows your condition is quite useful - sorry to have to give you the horror story version but drinking can blur the lines very easily with t1 and going low and it's a dangerous position to be in, best to be in control, perhaps have a couple but know where to draw the line until things settle down and you know more about how to look after yourself and your t1.
D
Deleted member 527103
Guest
The comments above are worst case scenario. Useful to know but not a reason to abstain for the rest of your life.
Alcohol can result in lower levels but much of it contains carbs which can raise levels
When I was first diagnosed, I wanted to learn my reaction in a safe environment but not hide away from the world and let diabetes rule my life.
So, I have not avoided alcohol but I take it easy. I keep a close eye on my levels whilst drinking and for the next 24 hours.
As a student, a night out may also include clubbing. Depending how enthusiastically you dance, this too could lower your levels.
So, check levels. If you have a Libre make sure your alarms are on.
Don't overdo it.
Make sure your friends are aware
Alcohol can result in lower levels but much of it contains carbs which can raise levels
When I was first diagnosed, I wanted to learn my reaction in a safe environment but not hide away from the world and let diabetes rule my life.
So, I have not avoided alcohol but I take it easy. I keep a close eye on my levels whilst drinking and for the next 24 hours.
As a student, a night out may also include clubbing. Depending how enthusiastically you dance, this too could lower your levels.
So, check levels. If you have a Libre make sure your alarms are on.
Don't overdo it.
Make sure your friends are aware
becca59
Well-Known Member
I waited 4 months til I felt pretty confident with my management and then got back to it. Have to say I never over do it these days though. Just pace myself and enjoy.
D
Deleted member 567885
Guest
Liver prioritises processing of alcohol over digesting your food so have a good meal 2 hours before you start drinking.
Tell people what you are like when you go hypo so they can fetch you an orange juice if you start being irritable/irrational or aggressive.
Enjoy yourself anyway. Being type 1 isn't the most important thing about you and the all the common sense precautions given in the thread will stop you getting into a nasty situation. The brakes have been put on a little bit but that will stand your future self in good stead regardless of the type 1.
Tell people what you are like when you go hypo so they can fetch you an orange juice if you start being irritable/irrational or aggressive.
Enjoy yourself anyway. Being type 1 isn't the most important thing about you and the all the common sense precautions given in the thread will stop you getting into a nasty situation. The brakes have been put on a little bit but that will stand your future self in good stead regardless of the type 1.
RobertJ
Well-Known Member
Here are some tips that spring to mind:
1. Ensure whatever device you use to check glucose, whether it's your phone or reader, is fully charged up before you start off.
2. Ensure there is never a situation where you don't have some kind of hypo treatment on you. If you're in a group with girls, see if one of them will carry something in her handbag if you don't have enough space. I try and have two things if I go on a night out: that means if I use one up I still have a second thing just in case.
3. Start on a good level. If you have beer, or anything sugary, when it's already a bit high it's going to get worse before it gets better.
4. If you have some kind of identification to show you have diabetes, such as a tag or wristband, this is the time to wear it.
1. Ensure whatever device you use to check glucose, whether it's your phone or reader, is fully charged up before you start off.
2. Ensure there is never a situation where you don't have some kind of hypo treatment on you. If you're in a group with girls, see if one of them will carry something in her handbag if you don't have enough space. I try and have two things if I go on a night out: that means if I use one up I still have a second thing just in case.
3. Start on a good level. If you have beer, or anything sugary, when it's already a bit high it's going to get worse before it gets better.
4. If you have some kind of identification to show you have diabetes, such as a tag or wristband, this is the time to wear it.
