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Pump & Exercise. Where do I start?!

mickymon1

mickymon1

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I've been on the pump for 3 years now and it's much better than injecting. I've been diabetic for 24 years since I was 5. I'm at the gym pretty regularly and do weights and running etc. I love exercise but the hypos can be really annoying and if I don't do enough insulin bolus then I can get a high reading. I'm just struggling to balance everything to be honest, I don't know where to start with getting back on track?! Any ideas?
 
In the absence of some answers (hopefully the pump users will be along shortly to offer you some advice) you could have a look at Runsweet, the website was set-up for type 1's who enjoy sport and has some excellent advice on maintaining bg levels whilst being active:

http://www.runsweet.com/
 
If you are hypoing during exercise then you can adjust your basal so that it delivers ve less insulin during exercise. I do this, for a moderately active walk then I would reduce my basal by 50%, and more for more strenuous (but still aerobic) exercise. The counsel of perfection is to lower the basal an hour before exercise. I'm not always as well disciplined as this and don't always avoid a sharp initial drop.
As with MDI, you can take less insulin with the meal pre exercise. To be honest though, you only get to know your own body by a lot of testing and seeing what happens.
As well as the site Nigel mentioned,this may be of help.
http://www.teambloodglucose.com/TeamBG/Type_1_Basics.html
 
I was involved in a pump/exercise research program and discovered that it can take just 10mins to see a drop in bg during even moderate exercise - I try to reduce basal an hour before exercise to avoid a low during exercise but it's tough remembering to do that!
 
Sounds like more useful integration with a phone. Set your calendar to include when you have exercise classes and your pump is able to reduce insulin levels in line with the calendar entry.... That would be nice.
 
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