[iheartdurt]

Hello, I was diagnosed at age 30 with Type 1 exactly one month ago. I'm struggling to get my BG down but my doc says it'll take some time to get from the mid-600's down to "normal." There is definitely a learning curve here!! I'm a runner and struggling to get in the carbs for fuel I need to maintain my lifestyle. I've (unintentionally) lost 20+ pounds in the last year but gained 8 since starting insulin. YAY! I'm excited about this app - it's already helped me beyond words!

[dano]

Welcome to the Forum!

Read through the first three threads in the Type 2 Section, when you get a chance, if you have not already done so. Although these threads are geared towards T2, they are pretty much for any one with diabetes and will most-likely help you a lot. Self education is one of the keys to successful management of your diabetes, along with a healthy sensible diet and exercise. Basically, diabetes requires a life-style change for the better.

Read through some of the posts by username type1rachelle. Her take on food for T1's may help you a lot and she is a runner as well. Good luck with your control and management.

[type1rachelle]

thanks, Danny!

Hi there,

I'm a T1 endurance athlete - swimmer, cyclist, runner, I do it all. I'm also 31 - have had T1 for nearly 14 years.

You're right, there's definitely a learning curve and you shouldn't feel pressured to learn it all overnight... you and this disease are in it for the long haul - and I promise, it's not the worst thing in the world... pretty soon you might even appreciate how in tune with your body and nutritional needs you become.

On to the running - fueling with T1 is tricky. I don't like to run if I'm above 300mg/dL because the stress (cortisol) of the run can actually cause it to go higher. Are you on an insulin pump? If so, it helps to keep the pump on during exercise, if even with the basal turned down 50% or so, just to keep some insulin in your system. What you will begin to notice is, with exercise and insulin, your BG will go down and you'll run into lows every now and then... you can reduce your basal insulin or fuel at regular intervals to prevent this from happening... I do both... also, during exercise, I only give myself HALF the normal meal and correction boluses because exercise makes you more sensitive to insulin. You might also notice you're more sensitive to insulin hours after exercise - everyone is different. Also, for your post run recovery meal, be sure to take insulin a good 15-20mins before the end of your run, so after eating the glucose doesn't stay in your blood for an hour before being absorbed. If you're not on a pump yet, run with your insulin pen or a prefilled syringe if you need to - if you're high and you inject it directly in the quad, it will actually work super fast while you're running.

There's an awesome facebook group called "Athletes with the 'betes" which might help you.

I'm really passionate about exercise and T1 so if you have any other questions, feel free to reach out here or Type1Rachelle@gmail.com

good luck!

[iheartdurt]

Thank you Danny & Rachelle!!! I am trying to learn everything I can and am happy to have any/all advice I can get. I am not (yet) on the pump but my doc said after I have "consistently normal" BGs, she would recommend it. OmniPod sent me a sample but I'm struggling with comfortable placement. I gained a couple pounds and feel a bit better (I was down to 80lbs) but I feel lazy since the doc cut back my exercise to "give my body a break." I'm trying to balance what I know to be healthy with what I NOW "should/shouldn't" eat + enough exercise to feel good without messing up my BG! I appreciate your help/advice in advance!!!
-Rori

[ishiutk]

Rachelle, thanks for the information and I may reach out to you. I am on day 3 of recently being diagnosed a T1. A runner and 1/2 marathoner, this is a major adjustment and I could use all the help I could get.

[type1rachelle]

hey, no problem at all - I'm not an expert on the subject, just have a bit of experience ;-)

feel free to reach out... I also LOVE this book: http://www.shericolberg.com/diabetic...s-handbook.asp