Heat, drinking plenty and FOOD

[pumba]

I am a type 2 diabetic......no meds as of yet but trying to keep on the right track with proper diet and excercise. We just got back from Disney and it was very very hot there. SO being the person I am and hubby too we drank plenty of water and raspberry iced tea all the time during the day. Tried to keep ourselves hydrated. Well one day we ate a proper breakfast and went to AK with our friends that went too and went back to the hotel to swim ......Got our refillable mugs and kept on filling them up with nestea raspberry iced tea. I usually drink the 4C one with splenda. Well to make a long story short. I forgot lunch and snacks.(drinking fills you up) We decided as a group to go to Epcot and eat supper at Mexico so off we went. I got as far as the big fountain and do not remember much until my wonderful husband got me eating plenty of meals at Mexico. I was in a trance like feeling. He bought three different meals so I could keep eating carbs to be back to normal. I am sure I experienced a sugar low of major proportions. I guess I scared my poor husband and myself ....SOOOOOO please remember to eat on time ....eat snacks and remember to eat food even if you are not hungry....

 

[Nanajo1]

I'm glad you didn't have any lasting effects. You are right we usually focus on liquids. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[aubriee]

My mom is a very brittle diabetic. She takes Humalog insulin three times a day, plus Lantis insulin at night, in addition to glucophage by mouth. She has little warning before she goes out and absolutely can not eat late, much less skip a meal. She must eat early in the morning, a snack around 9:00am, lunch between 11:00-11:30am, a snack mid-afternoon, dinner by 6:30pm, and a bedtime snack. It can be very inconvenient if you're out someplace (like WDW), but she realizes she must keep an eye on her watch and eat by the clock, whether she is hungry or not. In addition if she gets too hot or is exercising more than usual she has to pay special attention to it, usually taking a little less insulin and even eating something sweet.

 

[Schmeck]

Just wanted to mention that iced tea usually has caffeine in it, which is a diuretic, and can cause dehaydration. For every caffeine drink you have, you should have two drinks of water, or something else caffeine free.

Glad that you are OK! I tend to lose my appetite at WDW, which causes me to have similar reactions. I've been tested for diabetes (it runs in my family) but so far I've been lucky.

 

[Selket]

I'm glad you had a good trip - lows can be very scary. William has type 1 diabetes and is just 4 yrs old - he doesn't yet recognize his lows so that keeps us on our toes for sure!

I didn't realize a person with type 2 diabetes who is not on medication could have a low blood glucose reading. Do you know what causes that? I had gestational diabetes (similar to type 2) and was told I didn't have to worry about lows. Just curious if that is the type 2 causing it or some other condition?

 

[pumba]

I am type 2 diabetic. I was diagonosed last year and have been testing from two to four times a day. I have had low 60s bs and didn't feel all that great. I had sweats and shakes. This one day I do not remember what happened. From what my educational diabetic nurse said, was keep snacks on hand and to carry those glucose tablets. She also said because of all the walking and excercising we were doing I would have to watch for the lows. I am sending her an email and tell her what happened. I know that it was my fault for not remembering to eat and to eat snacks too. But not eating lunch was just plain stupid. Sugar drinks are good for a fast high but drops fast when you run out.

 

[Selket]

You are doing the right thing for lows - the glucose tabs and following up with some real food. I know even with our best efforts William goes low at times - especially in situations like you've mentioned - in the heat and with exercise, etc. I can't say he skips any meals though - he loves to eat!

I just was curious what makes a type 2 who isn't on meds go low - I didn't know that was a possibility. I'm sorry to hear you have to deal with both ends of the spectrum.

 

[pumba]

I emailed the diabetes nurse educator that I have had 9 sessions with this past year. She said that even without meds a diabetic must keep the fuel going inside of us to keep the blood sugars at the right level. What happened to me is a prime example of hitting rock bottom after not fueling the body. She said she should have to go on vacation with us next time....then laughed. She also recommended that I get a diabetic bracelet or necklace. But I know that I will never ever go without eating even if I am not hungry again. Three meals a day and then the three snacks are a must for everyone...