diabetes

[bygone era]

hi I have type 2 diabetes for the last 2 years tablet controlled are there any others who are similar and how does it affect your cycling ie when touring

 

[Darren Gregory]

hi I have type 2 diabetes for the last 2 years tablet controlled are there any others who are similar and how does it affect your cycling ie when touring

Hello

Fellow diabetes cyclist. It has not really impacted my cyling but I don't really have the time for a "tour". Historically most of my rides have been commuting, 30 minutes flat out in the morning first thing, then the same on the way home after work. Time permitting I would do a longer ride at the weekedn but typically no more than 90 minutes.

I have done on occasion "longer" rides of about 4 hours, I just chucked a couple of cereal bars in the back pocket which kept me going.

I have never been one to eat lots on the bike in any event, probably due to shorter journeys but I think you will be fine. I would suggest that you probably just need to prepare as you would normally prepare for a trip on the bike.

What medication are you on?

 

[raleighnut]

Just been diagnosed as type 2, it would have been 'pre-diabetic' but they've moved the goalposts. One of the things that have been told me is to exercise more.

 

[bygone era]

Hello

Fellow diabetes cyclist. It has not really impacted my cyling but I don't really have the time for a "tour". Historically most of my rides have been commuting, 30 minutes flat out in the morning first thing, then the same on the way home after work. Time permitting I would do a longer ride at the weekedn but typically no more than 90 minutes.

I have done on occasion "longer" rides of about 4 hours, I just chucked a couple of cereal bars in the back pocket which kept me going.

I have never been one to eat lots on the bike in any event, probably due to shorter journeys but I think you will be fine. I would suggest that you probably just need to prepare as you would normally prepare for a trip on the bike.

What medication are you on?

metformin 2000mg a day and gliclazide 80 mg a day

 

[bygone era]

Just been diagnosed as type 2, it would have been 'pre-diabetic' but they've moved the goalposts. One of the things that have been told me is to exercise more.

if you have to take metformin ask for the slow release easier on the stomach can cause rapid weight loss in the early days

 

[raleighnut]

if you have to take metformin ask for the slow release easier on the stomach can cause rapid weight loss in the early days

I'm on Metformin but half your dosage...................for now, next blood test in about 6 weeks, but a few years ago they'd have just told me my blood suger was a bit high and to modify my diet (less Carbohydrate) but now it's medication and a diet change, plus less booze.

 

[fossyant]

Get yourselves a finger pricker and keep an eye on your bloods. As a type 2, you tend to run a bit high. My son's a Type 1.

Exercise, eat less simple carbs - reduce white pasta/wheat/potatoes/rice and go for 'less' quantities of wholemeal equivalents. - i.e. avoid the sugar spikes. Beers need watching, so switch to a lesser carby tipple.

The good news, cycling will bring your HBA1C down.

 

[Prometheus]

Others who are similar and how does it affect your cycling ie when touring

Good QUESTION to ask, I reckon I burn between 500 to 700 Calories per 10 miles on tour.
So don’t like going burning over 1200 cals without eating. Say slow release snacks like Fish&peas.
I mix Fat Protein and slow release Carb’s around 50-60 on the G I index, to give a long slow burn.
I must remember to eat 1 hour before I need it, if I do this all is well, forget and my legs go into meltdown.
It’s like hitting the WALL: but it’s in slow motion I can feel it coming on, I call it being Blistered.
I have had to walk the last 3 miles into camp on more that one occasion, but a rest a shower and I’m fine.

Don’t let this condition stop you in your tracks, just listen to what your Body is saying and go for it.

things to be getting on with.
https://www.komoot.com/user/282638759161/tours?type=planned

 

[JhnBssll]

I'm not technically a diabetic but I have to take similar precautions - I lost the majority of my pancreas a few years back (careless I know) and whilst it is able to regulate my blood sugar in the medium and long term it does not produce insulin quickly enough to deal with short term fluctuations. This means I fail glucose tolerance tests quite catastrophically scaring the bejesus out of my GP, whilst returning completely normal HBA1C results I was initially diagnosed with Secondary Type 1 diabetes but that was promptly undiagnosed by the specialist consultant at hospital when I was referred to their diabetes clinic. Going forwards I just have to be careful with my sugar and carb intake and have regular blood tests to keep things in check - I'm 36 now and have been told all I can really do is stay fit and healthy, nobody can tell how long my remaining pancreas will continue to keep up. Could be decades, could fail tomorrow. Only one way to find out

 

[Darren Gregory]

metformin 2000mg a day and gliclazide 80 mg a day

I used to take gliclazide, it was one of my very first medications but I have recently come off it. It effectively drops your sugar level, and when I first took it I would sometimes get very low levels, I could tell when it happened as I would very odd. Diffiuclt to describe but a bit like being really cold. I would test myself to check and then consuming a biscuit would usually settle me. It has never resulted in me needing additional assistance.

Rst of the advice on here is good. Best thing is to test regularly before food and 1 and 2 hours after to get an idea of how different food changes your levels. I aslo found it interesting to do similar before and after cycling. Bizarely I found my levels would rise after cyling or running.

All the best

 

[guitarpete247]

I was diagnosed type 2 but not enough for meds. I can still give blood. Have been also recently got slightly high BP.
Been dieting and weight loss is good so far.
I was diagnosed mid Dec. but have had invitation for yearly eye test. Specsavers do thorough eye test is this good enough?

 

[Slick]

I was diagnosed type 2 but not enough for meds. I can still give blood. Have been also recently got slightly high BP.
Been dieting and weight loss is good so far.
I was diagnosed mid Dec. but have had invitation for yearly eye test. Specsavers do thorough eye test is this good enough?

Specsavers eye test is pretty thorough.

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/eye-health/your-store-visit-explained

 

[guitarpete247]

Mrs GP is going phone up for me tomorrow and ask when and where I need to go. There is a specific place in Burton we spotted yesterday. She'll also ask about Specsavers.

 

[raleighnut]

I was diagnosed type 2 but not enough for meds. I can still give blood. Have been also recently got slightly high BP.
Been dieting and weight loss is good so far.
I was diagnosed mid Dec. but have had invitation for yearly eye test. Specsavers do thorough eye test is this good enough?

Nah, it's completely different, they put drops in your eyes to dilate the pupils then take photographs of the back of your eye.
It is to check that tiny blood vessels are OK, my Aunt was type 1 and she ended up going blind for a while until they operated on her eyes (Laser surgery to remove some of them)

1 tip, take the darkest sunglasses you have for afterwards.

 

[vickster]

And don’t expect to be able to drive home after
Pretty sure my dad has his annual diabetic eye test at a hospital clinic