I asked this in the solo forum but think I would like some broader input.

I have only soloed once. I'd like to try it again sometime. Since the one time I went nearly 17 years ago I have been diagnosed with diabetes. I'm not on insulin yet. It's controlled with diet, exercise & oral meds.

I wonder about being totally alone and my sugar getting out of whack with no one around to notice or assist.

Are any of you soloist diabetic? And if so how do you handle it?

What about just wilderness canoe tripping in general with diabetes? What are your experiences?

I have similar issues. Sounds like you have a good awareness of what systems are and what you need to do. Main thing is to not ignore them and take action right away to avert any problems. Carry a Delorme or spot. If you typically have more serious episodes or whatever, you may want to forgo the solo. Only you can determine that. Being in good shape before a trip is just that much more important for you... IMO.

I am guessing since you don't take insulin that you are type 2 and not type 1? While I am not an expert, I know many people with both types and I can tell you there is a big difference.

I think when wilderness tripping, the big fear for a type 1 would be Ketoacidosis. With type 2, Ketoacidosis is very rare if not unheard of. If you are type 2, I would think there is nothing better for you then getting out and exercising in the wilderness. As mentioned, a Spot would be a good idea.

Good luck and be safe.

Yes. I have type 2 onset Diabetes.

quote AJ2008: "I am guessing since you don't take insulin that you are type 2 and not type 1? While I am not an expert, I know many people with both types and I can tell you there is a big difference.

I think when wilderness tripping, the big fear for a type 1 would be Ketoacidosis. With type 2, Ketoacidosis is very rare if not unheard of. If you are type 2, I would think there is nothing better for you then getting out and exercising in the wilderness. As mentioned, a Spot would be a good idea.

Good luck and be safe.

"

I have type 2 (hyper) and when I get a lot of exercise my concern is going too low for lack of eating enough. To make sure that does not happen I cut back a bit on the meds and keep some glucose tablets with me. Before thinking of cutting back on meds talk to your doctor. He was ok with it since I am pretty in tune with my levels.

Our experiences are very different, as Spartan1 has been type1, on insulin since 1976, and quite erratic in his blood sugar readings. So most advice I could offer probably wouldn't apply.

However, what comes to mind mainly is that you should test your BG much more often than you do in your normal life. As a type2 myself, I know that I don't feel the changes in my BG greatly, and if I were out by myself I would try to monitor it much more closely. You might need to cut back on your oral medication, but probably will just need to eat more.

Testing evening and morning will give you a good feel for what is going on with your blood sugar. Take snacks that are of low glycemic index and healthy carbs, and also have a few available that are of the quick-sugar variety just in case you need a bit of a "punch". Glucose tablets are fine, but we also have liked those little chewy fruit snacks from Sunkist, Welch's and Mott's.

I think you will find that type2 diabetes, if you are keeping it fairly well under control during your normal life, won't affect your solo canoeing all that much.

Good luck and have a great trip!

quote Spartan2: "Our experiences are very different, as Spartan1 has been type1, on insulin since 1976, and quite erratic in his blood sugar readings. So most advice I could offer probably wouldn't apply.

However, what comes to mind mainly is that you should test your BG much more often than you do in your normal life. As a type2 myself, I know that I don't feel the changes in my BG greatly, and if I were out by myself I would try to monitor it much more closely. You might need to cut back on your oral medication, but probably will just need to eat more.

Testing evening and morning will give you a good feel for what is going on with your blood sugar. Take snacks that are of low glycemic index and healthy carbs, and also have a few available that are of the quick-sugar variety just in case you need a bit of a "punch". Glucose tablets are fine, but we also have liked those little chewy fruit snacks from Sunkist, Welch's and Mott's.

I think you will find that type2 diabetes, if you are keeping it fairly well under control during your normal life, won't affect your solo canoeing all that much.

Good luck and have a great trip!"

My son is type 1 and I agree with this. If you check your blood sugar every few hours you can adjust before you get too high or low. For the worst case scenario bring a glucagon set up.

I have been a Type 2 diabetic for over 20 years. In the days when I took oral meds and was on a canoe trip, I would cut down on the meds, eat many smaller meals during the day, make sure I stayed well hydrated and checked my blood sugars on a regular basis. I also tried to always eat on a very strict schedule. Same time every morning, mid morning, noon, mid afternoon, evening and before bed.

I always carried on my person, some quick sugar sources such as glucose tablets. This I did religiously as you don't want to be a mile from your sugar source with low blood sugar.

Due to the high level of physical exertion I was particularly concerned about my blood sugar levels getting too low. I was very quick to react adversely to low blood sugar and would take appropriate action at the slightest hint of hypoglycemia.

You learn to adapt and listen to your body. Do things slow and steady and don't push it.

Never had a serious problem and I've been solo tripping for the whole time.

Thanks for the input and insights.

quote awbrown: "I have been a Type 2 diabetic for over 20 years..."

awbrown's answer is perfect. I've been a type 1 diabetic for over 40 years and I've done several solo trips with no problems. I know it's a pain, both figuratively and literally, but test your blood often and adapt your meds and food intake accordingly.

I too have found that I need to reduce my insulin doses. And always carry some quick sugar sources to treat low blood sugar.

Take care of yourself and you'll have a great time.

I too am a Type 2 diabetic and have soloed the past few years. There are things I ALWAYS do when I'm up there in order to not have problems. I take Lantus at night with oral medication during the day so I test minimum of three times a day. I take carb snacks along on any canoeing I do. If I have an adult beverage it's in camp before retiring for the night and it's small. Eat smaller meals but snack when you need to. On long days of paddling and before you get to a portage have a small snack to avoid a low sugar level.
It really comes down to being vigilant and aware of how your body feels. And testing. Two years ago I didn't follow my own advice and had a terrible problem on my last day. My water jug was emptying quickly and I didn't pack snacks the way I usually do since I thought it would be a short day. Instaed it was a day of traveling against big wind and fast river water. It was bad enough that I had help to get my canoe across the last portage. I will never be in that position again. As some one who has been down the that road it was a hard lesson. Good travels and be safe.

Thank you for posting this. My Type 1, 11 year-old daughter got caught up in our (me and my 15 year old son - we are not diabetic) BWCA stories from last year and expressed a desire to go. I started thinking about the logistics and balked. I'm glad others are finding a way to do Boundary Waters without too much hesitation. I'd love to get her up there and share the experience with her. I'm learning a lot reading these threads. Thanks everyone!

CFarrow: "Thank you for posting this. My Type 1, 11 year-old daughter got caught up in our (me and my 15 year old son - we are not diabetic) BWCA stories from last year and expressed a desire to go. I started thinking about the logistics and balked. I'm glad others are finding a way to do Boundary Waters without too much hesitation. I'd love to get her up there and share the experience with her. I'm learning a lot reading these threads. Thanks everyone! "

My wife has Type 1 and has since she was 11 years old. She's joined me on many BW trips and we go as a family. I would guess your daughter is on the pump and has a continuous glucose monitor? A couple key things my wife does; exercise lowers blood glucose levels, she'll adjust well in advance of any travel days or camp chores, either turning off her pump maybe 20 minutes prior or eating an extra snack without giving a bolus for it. She will monitor her blood glucose during travel days and i'll often see her snacking throughout. She also brings back-ups for everything, including syringe and needle in case of a complete failure or her pump and back-ups. Multiple glucogon's are brought. Some amount of food is kept in the tent in case of any night time issues.

Some things I do - I just keep an eye on her, any behaviour that's out of the norm in speech or activity, if she's struggling more than the rest of us, if she's having climate issues (hot or cold) that is different from the rest of us. All signs of blood glucose level issues.

Diabetes can be scary for those that have it and for those the love them - but my wife can and does do anything anyone else can...just a little extra thought and care has to be put in sometimes.

I think you could absolutely bring your daughter. Don't go too far for the first trip and maybe bring a spot device or sat. phone.