Do you guys have any medical conditions that could affect your cycling?

[Randombiker9]

Interesting guys

Type 1 here as well, though I was an old fart (22) when I was diagnosed. Take the same precautions you mention. Once had a hypo during a ride, just couldn't concentrate on the road. Stopped, filled up with glucose tablets and waited until my head stopped buzzing. Since then I am more careful about testing before setting off.

You got diagnosed quite late, i got diagnosed when i was 7. luckily i've never had a hypo during cycling. But at least you realised on time. But the way i think about it if you didn't test before you cycle and you were low but didn't realise till it's too late and you cause an accident. Technically with the law wouldn't you get prosecuted? if you were to be at fault?. Because technically even though having hypos isn't your fault it's still in your control to take care of yourself?
i've also wondered this as it's the law to test before driving but how come not for bikes? even though their technically considered veichles.

 

[Randombiker9]

Maybe not really what you might have in mind, but I am greedy, both for food and booze. This does affect my cycling. I feel this is holding me back and without this infliction I could perform a lot better.....

Can't you avoid being greedy by getting or eating less food or not spending as much money on food?

 

[I like Skol]

Can't you avoid being greedy by getting or eating less food or not spending as much money on food?

 

[Randombiker9]

From what you have said there it sounds like every human on the planet other than your pancreas is not producing insulin .

Why do you say that?

 

[C R]

You got diagnosed quite late, i got diagnosed when i was 7.

Yep, I was an old fart compared to most people, it was a bit strange, as most other patients attending the education sessions and activities were children. It was obvious that the education programs were aimed at children, with very little thought for people like me, but I just got on with it and made it work.

luckily i've never had a hypo during cycling. But at least you realised on time. But the way i think about it if you didn't test before you cycle and you were low but didn't realise till it's too late and you cause an accident. Technically with the law wouldn't you get prosecuted? if you were to be at fault?. Because technically even though having hypos isn't your fault it's still in your control to take care of yourself?
i've also wondered this as it's the law to test before driving but how come not for bikes? even though their technically considered veichles.

I think that day just was a freak, I was fine when I left home, but as I was half way through the ride I noticed I couldn't keep a steady pace, and then my ears were buzzing, so I could tell I wasn't fine. I have good hypo symptoms, so it wasn't a problem. Regarding liability you are right, when driving I always test before setting off, and legally, the police can request to see your tester and test results if anything were to happen, I guess it would be the same with the bike.

Yes, I would have to be riding hard for at least 2-3 hours without having eaten/drunk enough for it to happen.

It was interesting discussing hypos with my specialist at the time, he was adamant that nobody could get a hypo unless on insulin treatment, so I got my cyclist friend to describe the symptoms to him. He is a scientist, as well as a doctor, so he found it quite interesting, and went off and did some reading on the effects of exercise on glucose levels of sports people, and was really happy to have learnt something new.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I'm blind in one eye,so judging car distances when pulling out at junctions takes a bit of concentration. I don't know what i'm doing but it's a bit like a rugby player attempting a conversion. You see them mentally lining up the path and distance they want the ball to follow. I look at an approaching vehicle and draw a mental line along the road,moving from them to where i am. I don't know what they call it but it does help.

 

[ColinJ]

It was interesting discussing hypos with my specialist at the time, he was adamant that nobody could get a hypo unless on insulin treatment, so I got my cyclist friend to describe the symptoms to him. He is a scientist, as well as a doctor, so he found it quite interesting, and went off and did some reading on the effects of exercise on glucose levels of sports people, and was really happy to have learnt something new.

It's amazing to me that a scientist/doctor would NOT be aware of it! I've seen videos and films like this one many times over the past 40-50 years ...

 

[C R]

It's amazing to me that a scientist/doctor would NOT be aware of it! I've seen videos and films like this one many times over the past 40-50 years ...

It was surprising to me, and then to him too, that it wasn't widely known in the diabetes community. The reason he thought that a healthy person could not have hypos was that the textbooks on diabetes used in medical schools stated as fact that a healthy person will not get hypos, because they will never have too much insulin. In reality that assertion is true, but misses the point that a healthy person may get themselves into the situation that their glycogen reserves are depleted to such an extent that a hypo happens, because the body control mechanisms can't respond fast enough.

 

[ColinJ]

It was surprising to me, and then to him too, that it wasn't widely known in the diabetes community. The reason he thought that a healthy person could not have hypos was that the textbooks on diabetes used in medical schools stated as fact that a healthy person will not get hypos, because they will never have too much insulin. In reality that assertion is true, but misses the point that a healthy person may get themselves into the situation that their glycogen reserves are depleted to such an extent that a hypo happens, because the body control mechanisms can't respond fast enough.

That is what happened to me on this ride. Different cause, similar effect ... <--- what my mind felt like at the roadside!

 

[C R]

That is what happened to me on this ride. Different cause, similar effect ... <--- what my mind felt like at the roadside!

I know the feeling!

 

[jay clock]

Yes, but not going to say on here! Suffice to say that the good news is that cycling is allegedly a good treatment so I am off this weekend to cycle across America....

 

[Glow worm]

Occasional heart palpitations which normally go away if I slow down a bit.
Another condition I have, and this may help some on here, is a severe, cramp like pain, a sort of 'knotting up' feeling in my quads and glutes. It can last for days and make even walking difficult and cycling impossible. After many years, two biopsies and lots of tests I finally found the cause on another cycling forum, where others suffered same. It seems a cyclist only complaint.
The cause in short summary, I produce too much glycogen, and if I don't burn it up sufficiently, it damages the muscle fibres causing severe pain. The answer- it's good - I need to do more cycling! As long as I don't have more than 2 rest days I'm fine and this explains why I used to get it a lot while on holiday and away from the bike.
I still get the occasional twinge but nothing like the crushing pain of before.
Link

 

[Randombiker9]

Yep, I was an old fart compared to most people, it was a bit strange, as most other patients attending the education sessions and activities were children. It was obvious that the education programs were aimed at children, with very little thought for people like me, but I just got on with it and made it work.



I think that day just was a freak, I was fine when I left home, but as I was half way through the ride I noticed I couldn't keep a steady pace, and then my ears were buzzing, so I could tell I wasn't fine. I have good hypo symptoms, so it wasn't a problem. Regarding liability you are right, when driving I always test before setting off, and legally, the police can request to see your tester and test results if anything were to happen, I guess it would be the same with the bike.



It was interesting discussing hypos with my specialist at the time, he was adamant that nobody could get a hypo unless on insulin treatment, so I got my cyclist friend to describe the symptoms to him. He is a scientist, as well as a doctor, so he found it quite interesting, and went off and did some reading on the effects of exercise on glucose levels of sports people, and was really happy to have learnt something new.

yeah that's true (long story i was in minor trouble with police once but not very serious so i didn't have to go to court/arrested etc.. and not related to cycling it's a long story PM me if you want to know about it but they still told me to send my blood sugar readings)

yeah i know being 18 i'm not a child anymore so i hardly see any diabetic activities most of them are aimed up to 15yrs. the i actually did a diabetic camp back when i was 15 but its ashame there's not anything for adults.

 

[PenttitheFinn]

Ruptured Patella tendons, currently 19 weeks after injury, 1 week after removal of circgage wires and I am ok off crutches for short walks. I was able to cycle on a turbo for ~ 1min x 3 per day prior to the wire removal, but too soon to give it another go. A lifetime of limited flexibility, neck and back injuries have plagued my cycling, but at 60yrs I am eager to keep and improve what fitness I have. Incidentally to keep me amused and to aid comfort, I have increased tyre width and fitted a shorter crankset. I know Vickster has a lot of experience in this area, so it will be interesting to hear his comments.

 

[I like Skol]

I know Vickster has a lot of experience in this area, so it will be interesting to hear his comments.