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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: elkhunter45 on July 11, 2017, 04:04:00 PM
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I was diagnosed Type 2 just 3 weeks ago and I was wondering if any of you guys that deal with that have any suggestions for anything special that I need to be on the long term look out for. I usually shoot around a 100 arrows a day to keep in shape, but this whole pricking my finger thing has me concerned. So far I have gotten away with my bow holding fingers only and not my string hand, but I know that I will have to switch hands at some point. I'm only 51 and I hope to be doing this a long time. Thank you in advance.
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I always do my left hand and maybe don't check as often as I should. But I have had no problems so far. I lost some weight and exercise on a daily schedule. Keep an eye on your diet, keep active and follow your Dr.'s orders and you'll be fine.
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Oh yea......I found out I was type 2 when I was 54, I'm 65 now.
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You don't have to get the blood from your fingers, it is probably the most common but arm, leg, toes lol, they all work. Ask your Dr about it.
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Keep in mind that I do not always practice what I preach... Pricking my fingers has never been an issue as the pricks are very slight. I don't think you will have a problem. There are other things to consider that are much more significant. I seem to be more sensitive to both heat and cold. Physical conditioning is very important, a true weakness of mine. Diet becomes especially crucial. Carbs are not your friend. Keeping your blood sugar in check will really enhance your ability to perform. Weight loss often helps, too (unfortunately, not for me). In short, watch the diet, stay in shape, and keep your A1C below 7. The finger pricks, though, are not an issue, in my opinion. Let us know how you make out.
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2 more thoughts on top of good advice above. First get some glucose tablets and keep them with you and in your day pack, a sugar low can be dangerous. Second get a baseline exam from a local Podiatrist, you will get educated by him/her and establish a relationship to handle any foot ailments that may come up.
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Both Sam and katman offer sound advise. I have type 3, support spouse. Wife acquired type 1 at 61 years old. Her issue is lows, she wears a monitor that beeps if she is high or low. She is still able to do archery, painting, watching her dad etc. The finger pricks do not seem to bother her at all. She also watches her carbs but being a creature of habit (eats basically the same foods) she has a very good handle on her diet. She has to take insulin so sticking herself is a part of life now.
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Thanks guys for all the good advice. This is all so new to me. Tomorrow will be day 21 since my diagnosis of an A1C of 7.3. I have been militant about following the Dr's orders and I have lost 15 lbs already. My glucose levels have been in the acceptable range lately as well. I will work as hard as I have to to extend my future time in the field. I must admit that I feel fine now. I just come in from shooting my old Bear Kodiak Hunter and shot as good as ever. Once again thank you for your words of experience.
God bless
Wyatt
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Diagnosed at 44 with II, was 210 got down to 175/180 a1c running 5.6 or 5.7 and not on any meds. I don't prick my fingers anymore. I did to learn how my sugar fluctuates?? Just for knowledge, past that I know how I need to eat, I know when I get off the wagon and get too many carbs, I just really pay attention day to day how I eat what i eat ect.... I talk to a lot of people about nutrition? Really not docs but weightlifter so and nutritional people that I know have their stuff squared away.
Can I offer a flip sided point of view?? While I don't like the diabetes thing it took being diagnosed its it to make me look at myself and say man you have gotten out of shape!! I let myself get sloppy and I think because of the diagnosis I am gonna stay in the hunting game and the game of life even longer! It was a wake up call for me, I was headed to a heart issue no doubt. It is rough, I don't like thinking I am diabetic but sometime blessings come disguised in strange ways.
Don't be discouraged, amazing what your mind can do if you have the discipline to stick to your goals.
J
Pm me if you'd like to chat? I ain't a doc, well I am a paramedic! Aka ditch Doctor, but I can't say how YOUR body does, I know what helped me! think of it like a puzzle get the pieces, put them in your hair covered computer and try to put it all together.
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I will add that I got my diagnosis after noticing my vision blurring, thought at 44 I was just getting old? But I grew up 20/20? So it was strange, I can't read the TV right now! That was directly related back to the type II issue, blood sugar was 242 I think? Wow hay congrats your type II said my doc, he prescribed metformin I told him I ain't taking any pills! I'll beat it.
Started crossfit, started researching like a devil into nutrition? Got on a paleo kick, kinda steered back away from that though and now believe more into evolutionary nutrition! But save that for another thread -
Still got running bet with my doc! I still not taken any pills and keeping a1c in check.
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I turned Type 1 overnight in 2009 at 38 years old, no one knows why. I am what you might consider an extreme diabetic, my pancreas does not create any insulin at all, and without insulin to inject myself with, the doctor says I'd likely die within 2 days. My blood sugar fluctuates between 100 - 300 like it was nothing, and an A1c in the low sevens would be phenomenal. I usually hover around 8 and the doctor says that's great.
Now, as for archery and hunting...
Take a class on nutrition, to learn the relationship that carbs, sugars, starches, and fats have on your body's metabolization of sugar. I have been to many hours of such training at my doctors office (diabetes center), and it helps a lot. You need to know this, it will help you know what to eat and when to eat it, so you don't have a sugar crash while you're all alone sitting 15 feet up in a climbing stand, strapped to a tree and in need of assistance. (Fortunately for you, it probably is not as severe as that, but that's the stuff I have to keep in mind!)
You probably shouldn't go to McDonald's in the wee morning hours anymore, nor just be content with a bowl of cereal or oatmeal. I find that a healthy and balanced meal keeps me from having sugar issues while exerting myself in the field.
Finger pricks... I test about 8-10 times per day, poke only the end of my fingers (pads, not tips) and have never considered that it could affect my string hand. Reading your first post was the first time it ever entered my mind. That part of it is really a piece of cake.
Always carry a tester and a sugar source with you. I wear an insulin pump, and a continuous glucose monitor, so am a bit more tuned in than you probably need to be, but I would strongly recommend that you keep some candy (Skittles, bottle caps, not fatty candy like chocolate) in your day pack at all times. It is terrible to have a sugar low, be sweating and have your heart pounding, and have to walk a mile to your vehicle for sugar. (And that is very dangerous for me.)
I shoot poorly when my sugars are high (over 250), and when they are under about 100. Once I figured that out, a lot of frustration went away.
Also, I worry less about sugar highs in the field than about lows. With a low, I could pass out and die, but a high would not do that, unless it was extreme.
I did a 13-day float hunt in Alaska in 2003, and it was challenging to manage the diabetes. I had to plan for the worst, and had 4 separate bags packed, each containing a full supply of insulin and all I'd need to survive. We also had a satellite radio to call in a helicopter if necessary. No joke! I had to sleep with all the insulin in my sleeping bag to keep it from freezing at night. I had sugars all the way from 35 to 450 during the trip, and although there were some rough times, I made it out alive! The worst times were when I was in the raft, or packing out meat, and the adrenaline of the situation distracting me from noticing that my sugar was dropping. I ended up getting so sick one day that I had to stay in camp the next day and rest while the other guys hunted.
By the way, this is not intended to be medical advice, and you should talk to your doctor about how to manage your diabetes while engaging in any activity. I guess this is just a peek into the way diabetes has affected me.
By the way, I'm 46 now, 190 lbs, have never been significantly out of shape, and exercise regularly. I play competitive hockey, ride a bike a lot, and exercise all the time just because I like it. Yet even today, with the pump and the continuous monitor, my sugars have fluctuates between 79 and 299 so far, just today. Diabetes is not a death sentence, however severe it may be. This is actually a great time in history to be a diabetic! But it is nothing to sneeze at, either.
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Was diagnosed a few years back and was stunned. I dont have that slaking thirst (except for beer:)), heal from wounds overnight etc. But my A1C was wicked bad ...11.3 gulp! Diet and metformin has helped alot. If my A1C is on track, why self test??? I mean,no matter how little you eat, you will test will spike a little immediately after you eat so I asked my dad, why are you testing an obvious physical reaction...what are you going to do if it is high?
He and I talked to our doctors and they agreed and (he) stopped self testing and save a bunch of money. If you watch your portion control you might no even need the meds in time...several of my friends have lost the weight and now are med free.
a final note. many doctors like to prescribe statins wether you cholesterol is high or not due to reducing the risk for heart attack which is higher for diabetics. Both my father and I suffered the worst side affect from these, severe muscle pain and damage, especially in the shoulders! I am off the statins now and slowly recuperating from damage from shooting my recurve (100+ arrows a day). The chronic pain is gone and now healing up and stretching out daily. Hope to be shooting in 30 days to get ready for a moose hunt in 74 days. If you dont have complications such as this, I see no reason why Type II would impact your archery at all. Just my thoughts.
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Testing blood sugar on a regular basis is one of the most consistent ways of determining if your diet and treatment plan are working. My doctor says to wait 2 hours after eating before testing, because you will naturally spike following a meal. I agree, though, that if your A1C is consistently good, regular testing is not so crucial. J-dog, it is great that you got the A1C below 6. Mine got down to 7.3, and I thought I had made some good progress, but you have really done well. Fitness and diet are the keys to success. This thread is good for me, as it reminds me to get my a$$ back in gear and workout more while laying off the junk foods. Archie sure speaks truth when he mentions the feeling of a sugar low. My sugar usually runs high, but every once in a while it drops, and so does my ability to function. It is scary as well as dangerous. Some years ago, mine dropped as I was starting my drive home from work. There was an area with no phone service. I knew I was not safe to drive, but I also knew no help could be summoned, either. I really had to work hard just to drive home. These posts all tend to emphasize that as we age health issues become more and more a factor in our outdoor experience.
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Have had for about 5 years now. I have been fortunate enough to keep my A1C under control but do still take the metformin.
I told them right off if I had to prick my fingers I'd just right myself off. Can't do it.
Then I read that I could do the palm of my hand. I test from my left palm all the time and it doesn't bother me a bit.
Give it a try.
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I'm a dental hygienist (second career). Used to work in a periodontal practice (gum disease patients). Patients who have uncontrolled diabetes (type II) are at highest risk for periodontal disease. High systemic sugar levels feed the body's bacteria (particularly oral bacteria) 24/7- making them a well fed animal population ready to do harm.
"Uncontrolled" diabetes is an A1c level higher than 7.0 .
Treatment, aside from meds? Obviously diet is key. Keep carbs and fats low (no fried foods), and spread out caloric intake. Multiple smaller portions of calories/carbs is better than fewer meals and higher carbs and calories/ meal so as to reduce spikes of insulin.
Loose weight. Losing 10%+ of body mass (20-40 pounds) helps a great deal.
Exercise regularly.
I read an article in the last week that cited the benefits of resistance training to a host of health issues ("metabolic syndrome", which includes insulin resistance). It caught my eye as archery is a form of resistance training. There is a reason the word "bow" is in the name of the popular resistance training device "Bowflex".
Edit/update: link to article
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/apm/2011/984683/
Less technical version of research article:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317937.php
So, cut carbsvand fats. Take your meds. Exercise. Drop weight. Shoot your bow. Good luck.
Oh yeah, floss a minimum of 3x/week and use 10-15 strokes per tooth side to de-slime your teeth. Flossing with only 2-3 strokes is not thorough enough to remove the living, slimey, loosely attached bacteria on your teeth. If the bacteria are removed from your teeth, they can't eat the sugars in your system. Get your teeth cleaned well 3x per year. It takes only 3-4 months for your body to secrete enzymes to go to infected gums ( secondary immune response). The enzymes degrade the tooth's attachment (ligaments and bone) to reject the tooth (due to infected gums).
Diabetes is serious. Tackle it head on and make lifestyle changes immediately. Shoot your bow for resistance training (2x / week for 30 minutes per session for benefits, as per the article).
P.s.
My nephew is a registered physical trainer and runs a website called "lean it up."
http://www.leanitup.com
Interesting guy-also graduated from the le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris, France.
He ran a study of the best protein shakes. A high quality protein shake (meaning high protein and low carbs) is an important part for diet/nutrition overall, particularly when considering diabetes. Check it out. I use MRM flaxseed vanilla whey protein shake (from vitacost.com).
https://www.vitacost.com/mrm-flax-n-whey-vanilla?q=mrm+whey&ta=mrm+whey
Link for the protein shake review:
http://www.leanitup.com/review-protein-powder-buyers-guide-150-popular-protein-powders-shaken-graded/
Good luck.
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I don't want to repeat what a lot of the other guys have already said, but I will echo a few things (I was diagnosed Type 1 about 8 or so years ago, and I test on average around 7 times per day):
1) always carry your gear (tester, emergency sugar, etc.) with you;
2) I've never had any issues with my finger pricks making it difficult or even unpleasant to shoot, thankfully, and I haven't heard of any any other diabetic archers who have, so that's encouraging; and
3) I agree that, although you don't "hope" for diabetes, it has really made me be more conscious of my health, and I think I'm healthier now than I would have been had I never gotten/developed diabetes, and I think that understanding and perspective has been helpful to me.
We all need to take care of ourselves and listen to our doctors. Do your part, and you can handle this.
Good luck too all my fellow diabetic archers out there!
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Riser, that is great info!
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Originally posted by Prometheus:
I don't want to repeat what a lot of the other guys have already said, but I will echo a few things (I was diagnosed Type 1 about 8 or so years ago, and I test on average around 7 times per day):
1) always carry your gear (tester, emergency sugar, etc.) with you;
2) I've never had any issues with my finger pricks making it difficult or even unpleasant to shoot, thankfully, and I haven't heard of any any other diabetic archers who have, so that's encouraging; and
3) I agree that, although you don't "hope" for diabetes, it has really made me be more conscious of my health, and I think I'm healthier now than I would have been had I never gotten/developed diabetes, and I think that understanding and perspective has been helpful to me.
We all need to take care of ourselves and listen to our doctors. Do your part, and you can handle this.
Good luck too all my fellow diabetic archers out there!
I agree. Becoming a diabetic may have actually extended my life, because it forces me to take better care of myself.
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Im type 2. Havent checked my blood in over 10yrs. Doc does it every 3 mos or so. Watch ur diet. U can still eat. Just eat less. It can be tough to cut back on sweets/carbs. Esp when u love chocolate and work at the Lindt/Ghirardelli Chocolate Warehouse.
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Oh Kieth, that hurts, LOL.
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More links about diabetes. Think plant-based protein (legumes, lentils), exercise (avoid sedentary lifestyles/sitting), and weight loss (10% reduction body mass).
http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Diabetes/plant-protein-diet-diabetes/2017/05/10/id/789339/
http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Diabetes/diabetes-prevention-program/2017/07/12/id/801283/
http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Health-News/moving-meals-heart-risks/2017/03/27/id/780900/
http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Diabetes/diabetes-exercise-blood-sugar/2017/07/03/id/799560/
Hope is not a strategy for type II diabetes treatment. You have to actively attack it. Make healthy changes today, and keep at it everyday.
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I tell folks never say the word "diet" you cant do a "diet" you have to make a lifestyle change.
Good stuff Riser, very true
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I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 25. I'm 27 now and struggle with various neuropathies. Sucks dealing with it this young in life and I'll have it forever. Mine is pretty severe. Managing my sugars is not bad but my nerve pain has really hindered my shooting.
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9shocks, and others with type 1 diabetes, wish you the best. Type 1 is a different beast than type 2 diabetes (as you probably know).
Type 1 is much less common than type 2 (type 1 about 5% of diabetes cases).
Type 1 is in many ways more serious than type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is essentially the body's lack of ability to produce insulin (no way for the body to control sugar levels), and is sort of an auto-immune condition. The body is attacking itself, shutting down insulin production. Type 2 is serious, but at least you have some insulin control.
I truly wish the best for you.
Difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/tc/diabetes-differences-between-type-1-and-2-topic-overview
Diabetic keto-acidosis
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-guide/ketoacidosis
Overall diabetes info
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/default.htm
Example of diabetes research. There's hope...
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20170714/diabetes-treatment-teaches-rogue-cells-to-behave
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There has been a wealth of information shared here. I appreciate all and I wish nothing but the best for all my brothers of the bow that share in the struggle. For those with severe cases my hope is that you are encouraged to know that you are not alone. I know that I am very fortunate that mine is not bad at all. I have dropped 17 lbs in 24 days on my new eating and exercise program. I honestly feel better than I have in years. My sugars have checked in the low 100's for 2 weeks now. I'm going to start checking every other day now. I have not "cheated" one time to accomplish this.
God bless
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Originally posted by elkhunter45:
There has been a wealth of information shared here. I appreciate all and I wish nothing but the best for all my brothers of the bow that share in the struggle. For those with severe cases my hope is that you are encouraged to know that you are not alone. I know that I am very fortunate that mine is not bad at all. I have dropped 17 lbs in 24 days on my new eating and exercise program. I honestly feel better than I have in years. My sugars have checked in the low 100's for 2 weeks now. I'm going to start checking every other day now. I have not "cheated" one time to accomplish this.
God bless
That is awesome and congrats!
In checking your sugar you will probably find you are highest in the morning waking up and lower in the afternoon. I thought hat was strange but with Type II your liver excretes glucose all night, like normal, just a little bit. However since your cells are insulin resistant the little bit of extra glucose builds throughout the night. Then you'll burn it a bit doing daily activities so,lower in the evening afternoon.
Stick with it, first two weeks trying to lower the carbs and cut the sugar stuff is the toughest but I tell you once you get past that first two weeks it is a breeze? No sugar cravings at all -
Careful on the fruit -- I mean it isn't bad but some are more sugary than others? I still eat some fruit but try to study the glycemic index of them to be sure I am not spiking my insulin.
Cheers man, good hunting, shooting
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Will you hunt elk this year? Going by the call sign. Wait to see how you move through the hills after getting into shape and eating good!
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Update. I'm down from 222.6 lbs to 198.2 lbs in 38 days. My glucose has been 77 and 76 the last two days. Much better than 151. I feel great. I have been working out religiously and eating exactly what is on my list and the correct portion sizes. My target weight is 180 by November.
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Great news elkhunter45. Congrats. That is some real dedication to dropping weight.
Hope your A1c levels are under 7.0, indicating being under control. A1c is a more General glucose monitoring reading, vs a "stick your finger with a home glucose monitor" device.
You are on track to protect your health. Wonderful news. Thanks for sharing.
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That is excellent, count your blessings!! I'm a type 1, and my sugar can go from 100 to 200 in 30 minutes after eating a sourdough muffin!
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Awesome subject guys ! I'm new to this diabetic type 2 thing! And because I live archery, you all have answered a lot of questions I had and some I never thought of! Thanks for your input . Ken
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Biggest issue I have is occasionally my insulin gives me blurry vision.
Finger pricks have never been an issue for me.
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Years ago I had a doctor determined to get me on cholesterol meds. He wanted to do blood tests, I set up an appointment. That night I was up very late, I drank a liter of RC Cola and a banana. The next morning with only 3 hours of sleep they called and said that I had to come in at 7:30 because they had a new person in training. My blood sugar was spiked very high and my triglycerides were through the roof. I tried to tell them no way, because we had been out with the telescopes till very late and I drank a lot of pop. I was told that 4 hours was enough time. The stuff that started with a G for my triglyceride levels damn near killed me and took my strength to the point that I could not even shoot a 64 pound bow. I tossed it. An osteopath told me what he thought happened. Prilosec, for acid reflux, the stuff delays digestion by shutting off the digestive actions of the stomach. His suggestion was apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon in the morning and one before supper and no more Prilosec and two or less RC Colas a week. There are supplements that control insulin resistant blood sugars and if mixed with cinnamon capsules can take ones blood sugar very low. This same osteopath told me that often type 2 is a condition and not a disease. He suggested doing a liver and pancreas cleanse along with changes in what I drink. When I had surgery to fix my torn abdomen muscles, I was told not to eat before the surgery. My blood sugar was way too low and they had to boost it before they could do the surgery. When I collapsed from exhaustion when my wife was in the hospital, the locals here looked at my old charts and decided it was either my heart or diabetes until they took a blood test. They found that I was extremely dehydrated with low blood sugar. They poured fluid in me with sugar added all night and made me eat fruit for breakfast. The osteopath does not like to give meds for type 2, he said they can make the pancreas get lazy.
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Yesterday was my 90 day follow up visit to the Doc. Here are the results of my 90 day transformation. My weight went from 222.6 lbs to 182 lbs,my blood pressure dropped from 140/90 to 126/76, and most importantly my A1C went from 7.3 to 5.1. The entire Doc office was in disbelief. I have been asked to come give my testimony at their office on the benefits of a whole food natural diet later this month. I feel absolutely amazing! Not to mention the hidden benefits. I wake up every morning like I'm 18 again!
:bigsmyl:
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Eat your vegetables and lean meat. I'm from a family of diabetics and I decided I needed to take care of myself better. I weigh less than I did in high school now. My family has followed along and my father is doing really well now.
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Always remember that it's a reversible disease...
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Diabetes is not reversible. It can be managed by many, and very well by some. If it were reversible, I wouldn't have it. Coming from someone who has exercised all my life, been a champion runner and hockey player, eats right, and at 6'0"' I weigh 190 and have never been overweight. I became type 1 at 38. I'm an extreme case but many type 2's can only improve to a certain point.
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Interesting topic for me as the last couple years my A1C has hovered between 6.1 and 6.5 and I think that varies according to my activity level. Now I have slacked off because I need a knee replacement done this fall/winter and my A1C has gone to 7.7
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I haven’t posted in a long time but I thought I’d weigh in on this subject. First off I don’t do doctors. I’ve always had good health but over the years but I had ballooned to 270 lbs. A little over a year ago I found myself losing my balance. I sleep outside in a hammock during the summer and on this particular night as I made my way outside I was concerned about my balance and had made up my mind that in the morning I would shower and go to the emergency room,something was definitely wrong. Lucky for me I couldn’t get to sleep so I made my way back inside and laid on the couch and fell asleep. My son heard me moaning and couldn’t wake me around four in the morning. I think I was on the verge of going into a diabetic coma. I vaguely remember the ambulance ride to the hospital and when I came around learned that my blood glucose was north of 500 with an A1C of 15 plus. I didn’t know the meaning of these terms but in the days ahead I got educated. I was ignorant of blood sugar and its effect on my health. A couple months of an daily injection and Metformin helped me get my glucose under control and helped me get my energy back. I was able to exercise again. Fast forward to a year later after telling the doctor that I was in charge of my health,I refused the Statin drugs,I don’t do cholesterol. I refused the prescription for my kidneys then she informed me I had the kidney function of a teenager. I realized she was basically prescribing me drugs from a list of drugs for a type 2 diabetic regardless of my overall health. Today I’m down to 203 lbs and losing I jog 4 miles daily 2 in the morning and two in the evening it only takes me about 35 minutes each time and I bike on a local Greenway twice a week between 20-60 miles a week. I’m not a food Nazi I eat smaller portions and I use a lot of sugar free products. Short story long my last checkup my A1C was 5.1 my cholesterol was 159 with no drugs and I stopped taking any diabetic medication months ago. I still check my glucose once a week to stay on top of it,14 day average 84 ,30 day average 76. So it may not be possible for everyone to reverse type 2 , I did it with the help of my doctor who understands I have the last word regarding my health and no desire to make the drug companies any richer. When my red blood cells aren’t saturated with glucose they are able to carry needed oxygen to my muscles .It’s great to be able to walk up that steep hill to my stand without having to stop and get my breath every couple hundred feet. I’m 69 years old and my doctor has no idea that I still don’t do doctors.
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When I originally diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2009, I decided I would cure it with exercise and stellar eating habits. I went to 24 hours of training with a diabetes nutrition specialist, downloaded apps to clearly count my carb intake, and started exercising every single day and very consistently. I was right at 200 pounds, at 6' tall. I was able to lower my blood sugars at every meal, but it was not easy. I eventually had to ride my exercise bike for half an hour after every meal, and I wasn't eating much in the way of carbs. I had to ride at the exercise room at work after eating lunch. If I missed a workout, my sugars would not go down. My doctor congratulated me on my success, but said that it was likely that it would stop working eventually. After a year, I was 160 pounds and totally worn out, and the sugars weren't dropping like they used to... or they would drop but then go back up 45 minutes after exercising. The doc said I had no other option but to go on insulin. No problem... I could handle it. The shots really were no big deal. But after another year, I was taking up to 9-10 shots per day depending on my diet and what my sugars were doing. They put me on an insulin pump and it has been my constant companion ever since. It was about 12 months after my initial diagnosis that they re-designated me as Type 1. I'm still fit and exercise a bunch. I have good muscle tone and people regularly tell me that I don't look diabetic, that I'm the "perfect picture of health". But the doc said my pancreas now tests as producing no insulin at all. Evidently my immune system attacked and killed it and no one knows why. I never knew that diabetes was an autoimmune disorder before becoming diabetic.
The diabetes and nutrition center told me years ago that I was one of the best patients that they'd ever had because I was so diligent about learning and maintaining good habits... They asked me if I would be a spokesman for them to the community, but I did not accept.
Back to bowhunting...
I take special care when I go out, and rarely hunt in trees anymore. Physical exertion, when coupled with insulin from my pump, can really cause my sugar to drop fast. So I always have a couple of sugar sources with me, like Skittles and a small bottle of juice... enough to get me back to my vehicle or my camp, where I always have something more. I also carry something like a Clif bar that has sugar, other carbs, and protein, to give me a slower and longer burning sugar source than straight candy is. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, when I'm full of adrenaline, I don't feel my sugar dropping. Once that happened when I was putting up a tent while bowhunting in Alaska, 90 air miles from civilization, and I started feeling dizzy and confused... I stumbled over to my pack and found that my sugar was 35. I grabbed the closest sugar I could find and gulped it down, thinking that I could pass out and die. I accurately recorded in my journal that an hour later my sugar was 353. I've never passed out, but I was in a climbing stand once and almost did. I got way up in that tree and then realized I was suddenly dripping sweat off my forehead and totally soaked my clothes. 15 minutes after some candy, my sugars were OK, but I was all wet in my clothes on that cold winter morning. It dawned on me afterwards how difficult it would have been for someone to help me in that stand, with no way to climb up to me. So now I'll always have to take that into consideration. My 8-year old daughter loves to go hunting with me, but I have to be extra careful with her, because although she could conceivably be a help to me, she could also be in a terribly dangerous situation if I went into a diabetic coma and she couldn't help me, and she were left on her own. We always have lots of safety talk, emergency plans, and sugar on hand for her to give me if I were to get loopy. Those are some ways that diabetes has directly affected my bowhunting.