Diabetic surfer

I became an insulin dependent diabetic earlier this year and it has put a real damper on my surfing. I would like to get some ideas on how others in the same boat deal with it. It’s the hypoglycimic episodes that are really a problem. Any info would be appreciated. Aloha, Kokua

we surf with a guy who wears a insulin pump under his wetsuit-next time i see him I’ll alert him th your posting

Fill me in. In diabetes, don’t diabetics have wild swings between insulin and blood sugar?.. with adrenaline causing some of the swings, and exercise regulating the swings? Aren’t the long term problems divided between the damage caused by excess insulin, and the damage caused when elevated blood sugar propagates the bacteria? And aren’t some of your biggest battles in capillary circulation? Surfing produces both adrenalin and exercise. I would think, good news and bad news. Good news, you might be able to burn blood sugar faster while paddling and surfing than insulin, the band aid treatment, could remove. Good news, saltwater kills bacteria internally and externally. Good news, the exercise should increase circulation to those capillaries. Bad news, you could have to monitor and adjust blood sugar levels while you are in the water. I’d do anything I could to participate in the activities I love most. We’re all gonna die. How we live is more important. I like to define acceptable risks around the future of the people who depend on me.

…Take some candy out with you in a zip-lock,you don’t need much,a piece or three ,like Jolly Rancher’s or something that if it gets wet it won’t desolve quickly.Hydration is another problem.I have a surf buddie,(Mike S. brother-in-law,Bob)That’s diabetic,and he takes out a bodda bag of water with him.Since he has followed these instructions,he does great!!!Also if you blood sugar is high(not thru the roof mind you) before you go out,say in the morning ideally,you might try lowering your dose ,and in the case of “Bob”… skip the morning injection all together.Now exercise caution when ajusting your insulin dose,because it could lead to very serious side effects,AND KEEP AN ACCURATE WRITTEN LOG to work from!!! …e-mail me if you want more info,by the way guys, I’m a 20 year+ veteran nurse,and have delt with lots of diabetics,a proper diet is very important!!!Herb

…Always consult your physican first!!!Herb

I became an insulin dependent diabetic earlier this year and it has put a > real damper on my surfing. I would like to get some ideas on how others in > the same boat deal with it. It’s the hypoglycimic episodes that are really > a problem. Any info would be appreciated. Aloha, Kokua Kokua, My father was an insulin dependant diabetic. He also had serious problems with hypoglycimic episodes, to the tune of totaling 3 automobiles. After the 3rd, he carried with him at all times glucose tablets, they looked like over sized life savers. If he was feeling those symptoms, he would just ingest a tablet.I also agree with Herb with the proper diet. When he stuck to his diet and regimine that a diabetic must adhere too he’d be fine. As soon as he went off, problems occured. I’m sure at this stage of the game you know what those problems are. Unfortunately it was the circulation problems that took him down. It’s a terrible disease, but if you dot your i’s and cross your t’s, you should do just fine. Good Luck to you.

Kokua,>>> My father was an insulin dependant diabetic. He also had serious problems > with hypoglycimic episodes, to the tune of totaling 3 automobiles. After > the 3rd, he carried with him at all times glucose tablets, they looked > like over sized life savers. If he was feeling those symptoms, he would > just ingest a tablet.I also agree with Herb with the proper diet. When he > stuck to his diet and regimine that a diabetic must adhere too he’d be > fine. As soon as he went off, problems occured. I’m sure at this stage of > the game you know what those problems are. Unfortunately it was the > circulation problems that took him down. It’s a terrible disease, but if > you dot your i’s and cross your t’s, you should do just fine. Good Luck to > you. Kokua, Additional note: For some reason my father stopped seeing his Endocrinologist. I told him many a time I thought that was a mistake. I would tell him if you want to drop one of your Dr’s, drop the GP. After about a year it was a downward spiral for him.

My friend, Ralph Fatello, lost his father, Gus, to diabetic related complications. He (Ralph) is the guy that did the “Catch a Wave for Gus” deal where he surfed every day for a year in New Hampshire. Some days involved blowing snow for hours just to get out his driveway. All in the name of Diabetes research fund raising. The American Diabetes Association has lots of info free for the asking thanks to guys like Ralph. Check out his website and in particular the link to ADA. They can always use some $$$. http://www.surffreeordie.com/

kokua,how did you find out that you had the disease? are there ways to prevent it? this is all good info. for the younger crowd. learn now, to deal with later

kokua,how did you find out that you had the disease? are there ways to > prevent it? this is all good info. for the younger crowd. learn now, to > deal with later Indications are frequent urinating,extreme thirst,tiredness,non or slow healing. I was pissing every 1/2 hour and always thirsty, had a reef cut that wouldn’t heal. I was on the mainland getting ready for an extended Baja trip,one morning 10 mins. after having a glass of oj I just went down. Had the blood test and my sugars were 360 ( normal is 125 and under). Got some meds. and took off for Mex… Diabetes is a genetic thing(had an aunt with it)but good eating,not to much alcohol,keeping your weight down and exercise can make a difference. Aloha, Kokua