hot tubs

[soremom]

I was just wondering if anyone here goes into a hot tub.

My neighbor has one and I have not been in since going back on the pump. I know from prior use that it tends to lower my bgs, so I have to keep a good eye on them.

My questions is, do you bolus any before you disconnect? I want to go into my neighbors but with past experience afraid to bolus slightly before hand, but don't want to go upward and get eveything out of whack.

Also how you handle pools? that time of year is coming finally.:cool:

Thanks for an insight.

Kim

[kcwinter]

I have a hot tub but no pump. But I never thought the hot tub would do anything with my bg. When I asked the dcotor he said just watch out its not to hot.

will the heat do anything to your bg?

[Dewey]

Hi Kim,

When I used to have the Minimed pumps, I used the Sportguard and went swimming in hot tubs, hot springs, and almost anywhere else possible, including the beach. If I didn't have the Sportguard on hand, I'd give a small bolus (depending on the blood sugar) and keep the pump in a shaded or cool area. I'd regularly check sugars while disconnected to ensure they didn't rise or fall too much. (when I bolused, I sometimes overdid it and went a little low...) :rolleyes: Hope this helps. :)

[Tony]

You should always disconnect from your pump before going into a hot tub. Waterproof pump or not. The water will heat your insulin up and go bad.
Make sure your infusion set disconnects from the site. Minmed has a set called softset. After disconnecting from that you still have some tubing hanging where the insulin could go bad.

[soremom]

I do have the softset Tony, so I will be disconnecting.

I always seem to go low when I go into his hot tub. I read an article a while ago, something about diabetics should use a hot tub to help lower bgs, but can't remember all of it or where I read it.

I guess I will have to try it for a short time and see what happens and how I have to handle bolusing.

Will let you know when I finally get in.

Kim

[KLD]

I have read that hot tubs can be dangerous for diabetics suffering from neuropathy because they may have lost their sensitivity to temperature and can be badly burned without even realizing it.

Karen

[soremom]

Thank you for replying Karen. Luckily I do not have that problem. So far no complications and I plan on keeping it that way.

My main concern in the low bgs and wether or not to bolus. I will give it a try tomorrow night. Go over the the neighbors, probably take the boys, and sit back an relax. I guess the best thing to do is try and see what happens.

But thanking for replying I really appreciate it.

Kim

[SunniD]

I've heard that 10 mins was all that one should allow themselves in a hot tub or you stand a much higher percent of passing out, weakened muscles and having lower bgs. This was advice offered from a doc talking about diabetes and hot tubs however, I don't think you'd find it in print anywhere. If you are on bp meds that make your muscles weak, this might be a good thing to listen too
or you might have trouble getting out of the tub.

You might check out what Rick Mendosa has to say about hot tubs. He did some research on it.

SunniD

[Mick]

I have a hot tub (we say "spa"!), but no pump. I've had it for 4 years, but my parents had one for many years before that, so I'd been using them regularly for decades as a diabetic. I NEVER in all the years of use, have noticed a change in glucose level. I go in almost every night, 365 days a year, for about 15 min. I keep mine at 103-104F, which is pretty hot. Other than muscle relaxation, head-clearing, and help with my carpal tunnel, hand stiffness and tendonitis, I've noted no other changes.

Michael
T1 since 1965

[soremom]

Well I decide I better finally give it a try. I was in the 70's before I went over so I drank so juice. I also took some juice with me because of past experience. Drank a little during it, was in probably longer than I should have, but after the week I had I figured too bad.

When I got home, I was in the 90's. So it worked out very well.

Mick, about two years ago, our local paper ran an article about Drs. recommended diabetics to use a hot tub, for brief periods, to help lower their bgs. I believe it was geared more towards Type 2's but I know it does affect mine if I don't pay attention to how long I am in there, but thanks for replying.

Kim