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Type 1: Alcohol and insulin resistance

J

jonniey

Well-Known Member
Messages
266
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Does alcohol (spirits) and beer cause insulin resistance??? Anybody share your experiences PLeeZ
 
There are quite a few issues with mixing alcohol & diabetes control.
In the event of hypoglycaemia (a low.) you might not be awair it's happening if inebriated?
Also the liver would be too busy processing the alcohol to liver dump glycogen into the system. Rendering a blood sugar drop more drastic should a low occur...?
If you do have alcohol on your breath & a bottle in your hand while hypo? Who's gonna know your low!!

You know you should give up the beer to aid your diabetes control.. Stop the procrastination & make the effort..

Here's a lovely video to get you in the mood!

 
Type 1s tend to have a diverse range of opinions in regard to lifestyle, level of control and complications. I usually enjoy a glass of red wine every night and have done so for the past 20 years. It's never been an issue for me. And as a rule my insulin consumption over the years has been decreasing not increasing but I'm 55 so it might be an age related thing in regard to insulin consumption. Anyway I have been living with type 1 for over 50 years, have never worried about drinking or anything else I've done - no complications, an amazing life and I continue to have one - Some of us are lucky I guess ... the trick for me is to not worry about it too much - my theory - the stress one places on themselves on how well they manage their condition can sometimes be worse than the actual condition. (and yes I have good control, but I don;t freak out if I hit a series of highs) That's one of the problems with type 1 diabetes and probably type 2 as well - some people handle it well others don;t. For the longest time it was believed tight control and a carefully managed life style was key but places like the Joslin Diabetes Center have collected data since the 1950s that suggest how well one deals or not deals with their diabetes might be more about genetics than anything else. The verdict is still out on that but it's fun discussing it. :)
 
fletchweb said:
Type 1s tend to have a diverse range of opinions in regard to lifestyle, level of control and complications. I usually enjoy a glass of red wine every night and have done so for the past 20 years. It's never been an issue for me. And as a rule my insulin consumption over the years has been decreasing not increasing but I'm 55 so it might be an age related thing in regard to insulin consumption. Anyway I have been living with type 1 for over 50 years, have never worried about drinking or anything else I've done - no complications, an amazing life and I continue to have one - Some of us are lucky I guess ... the trick for me is to not worry about it too much - my theory - the stress one places on themselves on how well they manage their condition can sometimes be worse than the actual condition. (and yes I have good control, but I don;t freak out if I hit a series of highs) That's one of the problems with type 1 diabetes and probably type 2 as well - some people handle it well others don;t. For the longest time it was believed tight control and a carefully managed life style was key but places like the Joslin Diabetes Center have collected data since the 1950s that suggest how well one deals or not deals with their diabetes might be more about genetics than anything else. The verdict is still out on that but it's fun discussing it. :)
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I fully agree @fletchweb. A glass of wine a day to keep the doctor away:)

However, we're in a situation where the OP is referring to an excessive alcohol intake of 5-10 pints of beer daily and an undisclosed amount of spirits (not mentioned in prior posts).

To answer your question @jonniey, alcohol is extremely unlikely to make you insulin resistant. You will, however, more than likely get fat from all that beer. No offence, but excessive drinkers don't tend to partake in an awful lot of exercise - which will increase your chances of becoming overweight as well as the beer... Extra weight has the potential to cause insulin resistance which will leave you being a T1D with traits of T2D. This is often referred to as "double diabetes". You really don't want that.

@Jaylee has summed things up pretty well. Stop the procrastination, you know what needs to be done. You can ask as many questions as you want with regards to managing type 1 diabetes but you're just wasting your time.
 
I'll NEVER get fat!! been drinking since 2011 don't even have a beer belly at all..... besides iv been riding bike for years or jogging....only being a couch potato for 2.5 weeks on holiday.
 
Yes me too, I feel so bad....I feel like I could just die most of the time.
 
jonniey said:
I'll NEVER get fat!! been drinking since 2011 don't even have a beer belly at all..... besides iv been riding bike for years or jogging....only being a couch potato for 2.5 weeks on holiday.
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Considering this reckless behaviour has started fairly recently, I'm hoping this is just a phase you're going through - due to being young and foolish, instead of just foolish.

I feel like I have absolutely nothing else to contribute here @jonniey. This forum is here to offer help and support to those in need. The most important thing however, if that the person's in need of help are initially willing to help themselves! Good luck to you, whatever you choose to do with your life.
 
jonniey said:
I'll NEVER get fat!! been drinking since 2011 don't even have a beer belly at all..... besides iv been riding bike for years or jogging....only being a couch potato for 2.5 weeks on holiday.
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Just out of curiosity. Are you currently in gainful employment?
 
There really isn't much for any of us to suggest. You seem happy to carry on your boozy lifestyle with your aches and pains and spending all your money on stuff that is doing harm to your body.
 
Hi @jonniey i am unclear as to what your motivation is in using the site here, is it to gain reinforcement for your lifestyle ? You are advising on other posts about your own management which appears to be self styled. We cannot advise you on your alcohol consumption if you need advice on this then please speak your GP, as you are aware excessive alcohol consumption is not recommended for type 1 diabetics for many reasons, if you need support in your diabetes management then lots of forum members would be happy to help.
 
No that's not the case! I'm giving up drinking this year I was stupid enough to drink 6 litres of beer yesterday and I almost died. but I'm going to make a change this year please don't be so hard on me......I will make progress and I'm not happy with what I'm doing, in fact i regret how careless I was all these years also understand it's a bad habit that iv developed so it will take will power to change. Don't judge me please
 
Hi @jonniey no one here is judging you so please don't think this - however as a support forum we need to know what you are looking for. Members generally need support in management of their condition and are willing to take the advice given as they need help. No one is a professional except in their own capacity at managing their own condition and being able to offer support to others. Drinking excessively is not something many of us can suppport with or offer guidance on so asking about insulin resistance and alcohol is a difficult subject for many to engage in. Based on what you have said this appears to be an issue for you so getting professional guidance on managing your alcohol intake should be a priority in getting help. Be honest with members and tell them what you are struggling with, we can only support you if you can be open with your issues :)
 
The alcohol was my main mistake I made in these past 5 to 6 years. that's why my control was so poor, and I was careless aswell because I gave up before trying. Now because of my actions I feel really bad physically, but I'm trying to reverse that now by giving up all the bad habits.....I just so badly want to feel normal again without pain. But it's gonna be alot of hard work and discipline. It's a long hard road out of hell.
 
I know non diabetic alcoholics so understand how can complex the relationship with alcohol dependency is - do you have a partner or friends who can support you and can you join an AA group to share some of this burden with ?

I will be honest and say there's no such thing as 'normal' for a type 1, so try to be realistic with your expectations, learning to live with type 1 and sobriety is a more realistic goal. Type 1 requires clear thinking and self control, its never plain sailing as it changes constantly so being adaptable to change helps. Every day is a new challenge to me it's never straight forward- what works one day doesn't the next however I don't get beaten I just dust myself down and try again.

Support whether from friends your DSN, GP etc will help but you do have to ultimately ask for it and just be straight up with people when you need it, good luck Jonniey only you can make this easier for yourself.
 
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