Type1 - returning to swimming?

[grantg]

haven't been swimming since diagnosed type1 1x long acting +1x fast acting insulin in the morning (2x fast acting other meals). low intensity walks appear to have a substancial effect on blood sugars lowering them very rapidly especially in the mornings. wondering based on others thoughts what you do. I'm a slow swimming breaststroke mostly 1 length then the following on my back just slowly moving arms + legs slowly. The diabetic nurses have suggested to check blood sugars regularly 15-20 mins whilst at the pool and to go directly after breakfast drop down a unit or two of novarapid to see how it goes and adjust according for the nexttime?. I'm a bit nervous with very sharp rise after eating trying to get back into swimming due to the very sharp drops after exercise. They seem to be more 'stable' with less of swiss alps mountain looking graph from around lunchtime onwards (even after lunch/dinner) with short walks.

Prior to being diagnosed and taking insulin i would swim around 20 lengths. (10 on front 10 on back) took around an hour and half as had to stop several times during being at the pool for a several minutes due to pain from slipped discs.

I have a freestyle libre 2 plus cgm, which the nurses have reassured me wont come off during swimming. I also have a google fit versa smart watch but cant work out how to get it to show blood glucose levels.

What do others do for when they are going to the pool for a swim?
Other question i have is do any smart watches have the ability to read directly from the libre, that way i think i'd me more comfortable having the ability to keep eye on levels without having to goto the changing room dry hands and scan the sensor to fill in the blank gaps that would be there when the signal is lost.

 

[EllieM]

haven't been swimming since diagnosed type1 1x long acting +1x fast acting insulin in the morning (2x fast acting other meals). low intensity walks appear to have a substancial effect on blood sugars lowering them very rapidly especially in the mornings. wondering based on others thoughts what you do. I'm a slow swimming breaststroke mostly 1 length then the following on my back just slowly moving arms + legs slowly. The diabetic nurses have suggested to check blood sugars regularly 15-20 mins whilst at the pool and to go directly after breakfast drop down a unit or two of novarapid to see how it goes and adjust according for the nexttime?. I'm a bit nervous with very sharp rise after eating trying to get back into swimming due to the very sharp drops after exercise. They seem to be more 'stable' with less of swiss alps mountain looking graph from around lunchtime onwards (even after lunch/dinner) with short walks.

Prior to being diagnosed and taking insulin i would swim around 20 lengths. (10 on front 10 on back) took around an hour and half as had to stop several times during being at the pool for a several minutes due to pain from slipped discs.

I have a freestyle libre 2 plus cgm, which the nurses have reassured me wont come off during swimming. I also have a google fit versa smart watch but cant work out how to get it to show blood glucose levels.

What do others do for when they are going to the pool for a swim?
Other question i have is do any smart watches have the ability to read directly from the libre, that way i think i'd me more comfortable having the ability to keep eye on levels without having to goto the changing room dry hands and scan the sensor to fill in the blank gaps that would be there when the signal is lost.

I'm a dexcom user which definitely doesn't work in the pool (bluetooth) so if I feel low I have to get out of the pool, fosh oout my phone and wait 5 minuted for it to transmit my current bg.
Doesn't stop me swimming (and I used to swim before I had access to a cgm) but I always have glucose by the side of the pool and if swimming alone I do my due dligence and tell the lifeguard that I am an insulin dependent diabetic, my glucose is by the pool (and that I've never yet needed rescuing by a lifeguard or anyone else in the pool).

Having said that I do find it's quite easy to go low after an hour in the water and I have needed my glucose.

Others can comment on the libre aspect.

Enjoy your swimming.

 

[EllieM]

Oh, I would add that I usually have a glucometer in my bag because cgms are a bit slow if you do go low and glucometers are pretty useful then,

 

[grantg]

Oh, I would add that I usually have a glucometer in my bag because cgms are a bit slow if you do go low and glucometers are pretty useful then,

i'd guess using flash glucose meter when swimming case of dry fingers, wee droplet wipe away followed by squeeze for a second little bit of blood to ensure it isn't diluted giving a potential false low?

 

[Lakeslover]

Libre is supposed to be ok in water for up to 30 mins. I swim regularly for longer than that so I cover mine with a waterproof tegaderm dressing which stays on for tge full 2 weeks of the sensor.

If my phone is by the pool the sensor will connect to it so I do that in a private pool. In a public pool I wouldn’t leave my phone lying around so I have to get out and check it if I think I’m going low. It doesn’t connect directly to my Apple Watch.

 

[grantg]

cover mine with a waterproof tegaderm dressing which stays on for tge full 2 weeks of the sensor

Thanks very much I'll need check I guess if that's 30min a time underwater or how long after that need wait before dipping back in

 

[becca59]

I swim regularly and found the best way was before I’d eaten. So in pool before seven. Swim seventy plus lengths. This tends to put my levels up as it isn’t leisurely. Because of this I tend to take a small dose of bolus insulin before I get in. Always have jelly babies at side of pool. Wear an alert bracelet and staff know me. Been doing this eleven years and had only one low in all that time. On occasions when I’ve eaten and injected prior to a swim I’ve struggled with balance. Empty stomach
Definitely better.

 

[Antje77]

Thanks very much I'll need check I guess if that's 30min a time underwater or how long after that need wait before dipping back in

It's only because of the glue, not the sensor itself. Like @Lakeslover I use a patch over my sensor (Hypafix Transparent) which usually lasts the full 2 weeks. It not only protects my sensor when swimming but also from doorposts, bra straps and prying kitten paws when I sleep.
For a long time, I've kept my phone to scan in a waterproof pouch at the edge of the pool, next to an apple to nudge my numbers up a little if needed. Not having to get out to check my bg made me feel a lot less disabled.
By now, I'm confident I'm ok wit 45-60 minutes without testing, but this has taken years.

low intensity walks appear to have a substancial effect on blood sugars lowering them very rapidly especially in the mornings. wondering based on others thoughts what you do.

For me, it's easiest to exercise with no IOB (active mealtime Insulin On Board), but I don't like breakfast anyway so it's easy for me to not have breakfast and not inject before swimming.
With IOB, swimming (and walking) tends to drop me fast. I even sometimes use it as a trick to get a correction dose to work faster: inject and have a quick swim in the canal around the corner.

I was diagnosed with T1 a bit over 8 years ago, and not being able to swim whenever I wanted without a care in the world has been one of my biggest frustrations of having T1. So bad that it even prevented me from actively searching for solutions because it made me angry, even though I took most of the rest of T1 in my stride.
I eventually overcame the frustration and accepted that I could still swim anywhere, as long as I put in some safety measures. Take your time to work it out, test a lot, and of course enjoy your swimming!

Last summer I decided to go from angry and frustrated to problem solving, and I swam a nautical mile on my own in open water, no-one but me. I don't even like long swims but I had something to prove to myself.
It took me a long time, I'm not a very fast swimmer and I had multiple stops to test my bg. (Very fiddly, I had a piece of towel, my meter and food in my buoy, but it worked!) I'm not likely to repeat the exercise, long swims are boring, but I now know I can swim again if I want to!

 

[grantg]

Swim went ok fairly large drop 10.1 to 4.8 within 45 mins popped to pool after lunch

 

[Blueduck]

Re sensor - when I first had libre I would cover whilst swimming- now I don’t bother- usually only swim on holiday in the sea am in and out all day and never had a sensor come off. Always take clear patches that I get from chemist, just in case the glue starts to fail, but hardly ever need to use them, so definitely don’t worry. I tend to reduce fast acting at breakfast, but always have issues whilst on holiday, as we all react differently it really is a suck it and see situation, good luck and don’t stop swimming

 

[grantg]

went back to the pool the day managed 1/2 a mile, a bit surprised how unfit i got in last few months of not regularly going to the pool

think i just need a little more practice to get fitness back up to where it was a few months ago and will need to keep better eye on sugar levels whilst there. dropped to 3.2 (cgm) after 20lengths popped couple of lift tablets with a wait before nipped back in checking after every 4 or so. Think i just need to keep a better eye on levels popping in when a little bit higher than they were. when out dried and changed tested via finger prick 2.8 :O

libre glue seemed ok with ~2 hours spent between pool and poolside

 

[Antje77]

went back to the pool the day managed 1/2 a mile, a bit surprised how unfit i got in last few months of not regularly going to the pool

think i just need a little more practice to get fitness back up to where it was a few months ago and will need to keep better eye on sugar levels whilst there. dropped to 3.2 (cgm) after 20lengths popped couple of lift tablets with a wait before nipped back in checking after every 4 or so. Think i just need to keep a better eye on levels popping in when a little bit higher than they were. when out dried and changed tested via finger prick 2.8 :O

libre glue seemed ok with ~2 hours spent between pool and poolside

Winner emoji for getting back and giving it a go!

The fitness will come back, don't worry, and with some more practice you'll learn how to manage your bg as well.
Did you have any active insulin on board (last injection <4 hours ago)? This tends to make a big difference for me in how fast I drop.

It may also be worth it to let someone in the pool know you're diabetic, and what to do if you seem disoriented.

 

[grantg]

Winner emoji for getting back and giving it a go!

The fitness will come back, don't worry, and with some more practice you'll learn how to manage your bg as well.
Did you have any active insulin on board (last injection <4 hours ago)? This tends to make a big difference for me in how fast I drop.

It may also be worth it to let someone in the pool know you're diabetic, and what to do if you seem disoriented.

ye still had insulin on board, pretty much last injection was maybe hour before which i took 3 units instead of 5.
i had notified the reception prior to going in, life gaurd popped my phone on the seat beside him alongside lift tablets+ some jelly babies. staff were awesome popped down to ensure I was ok, when spotted me opening the lift tablet tube, one of them also had type1 showed me his loop system whilst waiting on sugars to raise back up alongside suggested eating a bannana 30-40 mins prior

sugars were just over 10 when popped in. and wasnt long after mac n cheese burger with some skinny fries

 

[Antje77]

i had notified the reception prior to going in, life gaurd popped my phone on the seat beside him alongside lift tablets+ some jelly babies. staff were awesome popped down to ensure I was ok, when spotted me opening the lift tablet tube, one of them also had type1 showed me his loop system whilst waiting on sugars to raise back up alongside suggested eating a bannana 30-40 mins prior

You have some amazing staff at your pool!
This sounds like a very safe place to do some experimenting and learn how to deal with swimming again.

still had insulin on board, pretty much last injection was maybe hour before which i took 3 units instead of 5.

IOB in the pool is something I haven't gotten the hang of myself yet, it makes me drop so fast.
Instead I prefer to go in fasting, or on some no carb food if I'm hungry before swimming.
If you find the magic trick for keeping a flat line with high carb meals and IOB, please let me know!

I'm fine swimming fasting or on hard boiled eggs and some cheese or ham when I'm alone, but I like social time with friends in the swimming pool as well. This is more about enjoying the slides, waves, pushing eachother under etc, but the effect is just the same as swimming laps. And halfway through it's time for chips, a snack and a beer, and after that all bets are off when it comes to bg. Low, high, unexplicably perfect, anything is possible.

 

[grantg]

You have some amazing staff at your pool!
This sounds like a very safe place to do some experimenting and learn how to deal with swimming again.

IOB in the pool is something I haven't gotten the hang of myself yet, it makes me drop so fast.
Instead I prefer to go in fasting, or on some no carb food if I'm hungry before swimming.
If you find the magic trick for keeping a flat line with high carb meals and IOB, please let me know!

I'm fine swimming fasting or on hard boiled eggs and some cheese or ham when I'm alone, but I like social time with friends in the swimming pool as well. This is more about enjoying the slides, waves, pushing eachother under etc, but the effect is just the same as swimming laps. And halfway through it's time for chips, a snack and a beer, and after that all bets are off when it comes to bg. Low, high, unexplicably perfect, anything is possible.

Not my local pool almost 2 hour drive I'm in area fairly regularly so intend going back again in the next couple of weeks. Have spent a few times using there as base for island hopping holidays. slow toujeo 24hour release that count iob? Will definitely try with no nova rapid on board next time to see how get on cheers

 

[Antje77]

Not my local pool almost 2 hour drive I'm in area fairly regularly so intend going back again in the next couple of weeks. Have spent a few times using there as base for island hopping holidays. slow toujeo 24hour release that count iob? Will definitely try with no nova rapid on board next time to see how get on cheers

No the Toujeo doesn't count as IOB, although if you decide to really do serious exercise dayly you may find your basal Toujeo needs to be adjusted.
I'm very curious to what your experiences will be in the future, changing some variables like food and IOB, so please post about your findings!

 

[grantg]

no plans for any serious exercise, just trying best to get active enough to help with recovery time for future lumber fusion op,
i would like to be able to return to hiking up some hills at somepoint after that miss those sort of walks not been able to do those since lockdown, general fitness went drastically downhill whilst backpain/sciatica increased.

 

[grantg]

I'm very curious to what your experiences will be in the future, changing some variables like food and IOB, so please post about your findings!

Local pool today. Insulin on board swim today
8am 6.1 - changed to 5.1 by time i actually ate,
10:15am: 8.3 started swim
10:33 5.3 at 16 lengths. took 16g quick carbs.
10:41 3.9 downward arrow checked finger prick 4.1 (wiped away first droplet so not diluted used second drop) grabbed a digestive biscuit. 9g carbs
10:48 5.3 at 26 lengths. approx 15 min break before back in water
11:22 8.6 32Lengths Half a mile

CGM Sugars seem to be more settled now going between between 6.1 and 6.3 its now 12:33


overall think todays swim went pretty well was much faster at the start slowed way way down towards end

 

[grantg]

other info: found a site to work out calories burned. apparently 1g carbs = 4Kcal

 

[grantg]

oops: spoke a little early about stable around 6.1-6.3 dropped 3.9 CGM in the last 5 minutes :O BG Check 3.7 couple more jelly babies then lunch. Happy mothers day to all mothers out there and future mothers to be :>