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Permalink Reply by diadiver on June 6, 2011 at 12:57pm

I've heard that I may be experiencing a prolonged honeymoon? Can you give me a heads up on what is going to happen? Or what to expect. I know this varies from person to person. I do notice that if there is a 1 week lapse in exercise (working 12 hr shifts or whatever), that my levels go out of whack. I increase the basal and the levels return to normal. Even though I resume exercising, the basal remains at the increased level. It's happened 2x. I call it my laziness detector. Maybe I'm stepping out of the honeymoon phase gradually?

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Permalink Reply by BMD on June 6, 2011 at 1:57pm

Cooter, acidrock23, FSH, and others can speak about what to expect over the honeymoon period better than I, so I will leave it to them to fill you in on the details. However, the following link provides a good explanation of the honeymoon period and what to expect:

http://www.isletsofhope.com/diabetes/problems/honeymooning_1.html

Diabetes is a complex disease, so I'm oversimplifying it here, but basically as your pancreas slows down and eventually stops producing insulin altogether, you will become more dependent upon insulin to control your BGLs. For some T1s, exercise can actually cause their BGLs to rise, thus requiring more insulin to get the level back down.

Staying fit and maintaining tight control will help stave off getting the added double whammy of insulin resistance which requires more insulin (bolus and basal) to lower BGLs, but a fit person such as yourself probably doesn't have to worry so much about that for now. There are plenty of fit T2s as well, so there are exceptions. As long as you keep monitoring the progression of your diabetes and making fine-tune adjustments when necessary, you should be fine. However, you will experience a lifetime of adjustments. That's just the nature of the beast. Our bodies are each unique, and this disease can become a moving target at times. Looks like you have a solid handle on it for now. Your control and perseverance are both very impressive.

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Permalink Reply by MariaCDE on June 6, 2011 at 11:27am

The key is you're doing the obvious things like checking your blood sugar, etc. As for your activities, it's great that having diabetes hasn't stopped you. Having said that there are the precautionary things you want to do before participating in any endurance activities like the 5 to 7 K runs such as checking your blood sugar, carrying quick sources of sugar like glucose tablets, etc. There are folks with diabetes who participate in triatholons, marathons, play professional football and several of the athletes in the recent Olympic games have diabetes. So the short answer to your question is - 'No diabetes shouldn't stop you from participating in the activities you mentioned. Just take the necessary precautions to keep your blood sugars in check.' Maintaining blood sugars in target range while you're diving will require some planning on the part of you and your healthcare team, but it is possible!

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Permalink Reply by diadiver on June 6, 2011 at 1:01pm

Thanks all for the responses. Again, not knowing many other people with the betes, I was starting to doubt myself. You hear things enough times, and you'll probably end up believing them.

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Permalink Reply by Magnifmeggers on June 6, 2011 at 2:25pm

I haven't changed much about my lifestyle except for cutting out regular soda and trying to eat more high fiber, low fat foods. I still enjoy candy from time to time and I do drink, but I always told myself that I could enjoy those sinful indulgences as long as I still check my sugar every few hours, every day and get good a1c numbers from the endo.

I marched in my university's drumline for four years (no easy physical task), the first two of which I was not diagnosed, the second two I was. I'm glad that I was able to keep doing it despite diabetes, although there was somewhat of a learning curve in terms of keeping my sugar up through the long performance days. I also ride my bike everywhere which can drop my sugar levels, but just the same as a car, I test before I get on the bike, take a break for testing/water/snack, and make sure I've got candy with me in case of emergency.

No need to limit doing the things you love as long as you take the proper time to appease the D-beast, I say!

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Permalink Reply by Lila on June 6, 2011 at 2:40pm

Can I just say, RESPECT!!!

I am so impressed by your courage, persistence and determination.

I think you make a fab role model and inspiration.

From the perspective of a failed diver in the days before diabetes - it was the 'letting go of the breathing tube thingy'-exercise that proved my downfall.

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Permalink Reply by diadiver on June 6, 2011 at 3:38pm

Thanks Lila but I haven't done anything that anyone else couldn't do. I was just fortunate to have a supportive employer, access to expensive equipment for free and lucky enough to stumble upon the right doctors. I'm just glad I didn't have to play the advocacy card. That would have been a mess. Now I just hope the last few tests don't reveal any underlying conditions that will exempt me!

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Permalink Reply by Melitta on June 6, 2011 at 9:23pm

Hi Cooter: I say, attitude is everything, and keep doing the things you love and keep good control of your BGs. Being happy is good for your blood sugar! You can keep your T1 honeymoon going for a LONG time if you maintain good control, and the longer the honeymoon, the better the outcome. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 35, and I have made a few changes, though not too many. I still do "crazy" things like go for 25 mile hikes, I am just better prepared now and have lots of backup/emergency items in my Camelbak. I did step off the fast track at work, as I find taking good care of myself (cooking excellent meals, getting exercise, doing yoga/meditation) take a lot of time. Who cares about the fast track, anyhow?! I did travel a lot to third-world countries before diagnosis, and I have backed off from travel to certain countries where food and waterbourne illnesses are rampant (I recently returned from a trip to Bhutan and Thailand, no problems at all). So in fact I have changed my life, by slowing down and being more cautious in some areas. The "slowing down" part has been a really positive thing. I just think you are on the right track and an inspiration.

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