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Riding a Motorbike

Timostags

Well-Known Member
Messages
112
Does anyone else ride motorbikes? What does it do to your BG?

When ever I have a day out on the bike I find my BG climbs rapidly. For example yesterday my BG was 5.4 before going out, 2 hours on the bike later I pul over to grab a drink, check my BG and its 15.4! I haven't eaten anything for 14 hours and my BG was steady throughout the night.

When I get home after a long ride I am pretty exhausted so would have thought it would bring BG down (I'm always careful not to do corrections when about to go out as don't want to risk a hypo while riding) but it's always the opposite, I'm guessing it's a result of the adrenaline rush?
 

A bit of a digression in some senses. I used to live in the Isle of Man, a bit of a Mecca for bikers.
 
I tied motorbikes. It maybe more to do with the clothing you are wearing. If find there is a relationship with temperature and BGL. You MUST wear the proper protective clothing, but being in the land of Oz we wear light weight well ventilated protective gear.
 
I’ve not noticed any difference to driving cars, tbh! It could be an adrenaline spike? Are you finger pricking or do you use a sensor?
 
It's strange biology. Phenomena that are peculiar to diabetes that can affect your blood sugar. You're right, adrenaline surges certainly fit into the symptoms.
 
I always wear leather 2 pieces I have 1 set for cool days and 1 well ventilated perforated set for the 2 hot days a year we get in England lol.

I have tested hot temperature effect on my BG and it does make a big difference for me but heat drops my BG faster. I can tell from my libre readings when I had a bath lol.
 
I haven't ridden for over a year now as the bike is not well but I have never previously noticed any affect on glucose levels. But then again, at the tender age of 59, my knee scraping days are a long way behind me so I doubt there's much adrenaline rushing through me.
 
ert said:
It's strange biology. Phenomena that are peculiar to diabetes that can affect your blood sugar. You're right, adrenaline surges certainly fit into the symptoms.
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Everyone is different, but I have never found adrenaline impacting blood sugars. I know a number of diabetic Skydivers and they haven’t had a problem either. After you have thrown yourself out of a plane often enough there is no adrenaline rush, but there certainly is if you are preparing to go for a reserve ride. I have been there and done that a few times again no impact on blood sugars.
 
I must comment for the sake of others, that with such high readings @Timostags, ( and as previously shown in another thread with basal testing) how did you pass the DVLA medical?
 
kitedoc said:
I must comment for the sake of others, that with such high readings @Timostags, ( and as previously shown in another thread with basal testing) how did you pass the DVLA medical?
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DVLA don't care about the highs, they only care about hypos. Which is entirely reasonable - hypo is the thing which is going to make you crash and hurt other people, high will only hurt you.
 
evilclive said:
DVLA don't care about the highs, they only care about hypos. Which is entirely reasonable - hypo is the thing which is going to make you crash and hurt other people, high will only hurt you.
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Further to this, I looked up the Australian documentation relating to diabetes and driving. It's pretty much the same as the DVLA, they're concerned with hypos.

There is a very short section on "Acute hyperglycaemia"

https://austroads.com.au/publicatio...nt-and-management7r5-mgn/acute-hyperglycaemia

but that tells us the highs the OP is talking about aren't a worry.
 
From past experience:
# high bsls are suggestive of unstable diabetes which can include hypos
# Fluctuating high bsls affect visual acuity and thus ability to drive safely
# A program of correcting high bsls to achieve better control may result in worsening of
underlaying but not yet detected complications which might affect eyesight for instance
and increase risk of hypos
# High bsls suggestive of poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of DKA according to my
specialist and in DKA's evolving state can render the sufferer quite unwell and thus a possible driving risk

My specialist ( in Australia) has stated to me that he does not pass those TIDs who have poorly controlled BSLs.
There is more to assessment of fitness to drive than just simplistic guidelines and if doctors are slack in their assessment
they are at risk of being sued as well as appearing before a medical board, GMC etc.

And being assessed properly as being fit to drive safely when prescribed insulin is a privilege not to be abused.
 
kitedoc said:
I must comment for the sake of others, that with such high readings @Timostags, ( and as previously shown in another thread with basal testing) how did you pass the DVLA medical?
Click to expand...
I renewed my lisence last year. I remember questions on hypos requiring assistance and undected hypos a requirement to allow dvla access to medical records and having to give my GP and specialists details.

So I guess the DVLA aren't concerned that high blood sugars put others at risk.

I just want to say yes I struggle with high levels, to me I am constantly in a battle to get BGL down and keep it down, but I win that battle more than I lose. I average 60% in my target range, which DAFNE aims for 65%. My hba1c was 61. I know these aren't great, but their not dangerous and are going in the right direction.
 
You are stating your opinion of your bsls and control but that is of course not stating a medical opinion.
I have just relayed my medical specialist's general stance on the matter and added what i recall from 46 years worth of driver's licence medical examinations.
And it should be obvious that the risk of injury from riding a motorbike is higher in general than driving a car.
 
Given that the OPs licence was renewed, his healthcare professionals must be happy with his control.
 
One HCP passed the OP but my post and concerns still stand as a general statement.
And no-one can assume the competence of the assessor.
 
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