Here’s what I’ve noticed about my lifestyle as a Type 1 Diabetic as it pertains to consistent low blood sugars. The below are simply tips based on my own experience. These are not necessarily universally applicable:
- My blood sugar goes low when I eat junk food. – I always end up over compensating for my junk food habit too much with extra bolus insulin. I end up overshooting and my glucose levels crash into the bottom of the ocean. Therefore, junk food is bad. Period.
- When I ride my bike, all is well. – True story. When I ride at least every other day I am very consistent in my glucose levels and have much better days. This is a result of actually taking less insulin and controlling things more naturally.
- Take extra supplies everywhere. – I live in the south, as in Alabama. We never get “good” snow that is fun, but not threatening to our way of life. However, we received a snow storm a couple of weeks ago that amounted to total infrastructure meltdown. I was stuck in Atlanta at a friends house for three days. I almost ran out of OmniPods. I was really scared. Always take 3 times the amount of supplies you think you will need on a trip.
- I wear my CGM(Dexcom G4) all the time. It has become a major player in my life. It saves me from a lot of stressful and awkward situations. I can say it has saved my life. This is possibly my biggest tip….that is, to get one if you can, as soon as you can.
- Using my OmniPod Insulin Pump is probably my second biggest tip. Having an intelligent machine that can be agile with lifestyle and literally deliver insulin however and whenever I want is a game changer. I cannot imagine life without it.
Anyone else out there with any similar tips from their lifestyle?
The Diabetic Cyclist 