Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Canoeing with Diabetes
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ObiWenonahKenobi |
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Sierra1 |
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. |
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johno |
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. |
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Speckled |
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. |
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CFarrow |
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ObiWenonahKenobi |
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? |
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nctry |
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AJ2008 |
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. |
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ObiWenonahKenobi |
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Big Tent |
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 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. |
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scramble4a5 |
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. 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. |
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awbrown |
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. |
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Spartan2 |
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! |