BSL and Exercise

[Debbie Sue]

Does it matter what my BSL is when I exercise? I like to ride my bike, walk on the treadmill and I use a Bowflex too.

Right now my BSL is 280 and that's 2 hours after eating breakfast.

[fgummett]

I have read here that exercise with BS above 200 mg/dl can cause damage

[kstreeter513]

I have read here that exercise with BS above 200 mg/dl can cause damage

This is true if you have keytones in your urine. This is a sign that the body does not have adequate insulin and it is burning stored energy sources instead of dietary calories.

Do you have urinalysis strips? Check for keytones before working out with levels that high. Otherwise, yes, muscle damage can occur.

[xMenace]

A light walk is best with high BSLs.

BTW, what meter do you use. Did insurance cover it?

[princesslinda]

Debbie, i'd go easy on the exercise until your blood sugars become a little more normalized. How did your endo visit go this morning? Did he mention anything about the type and amount of exercise you should do? Do you feel the exam was more thorough than the one you had by your GP? I've never seen an endo and have wondered at the difference.

[Janlaton]

Debbie Sue see above on exercising. It does matter. Drink lots of water when BSL is that high to help bring it down.

Linda, I did not see anything different in my Gp & endo checks except the GP is a female and asks about the grandchildren and I ask about her kids a lot more personal.

May be I'll fell the same when I've been seeing him for 14 years.

[Debbie Sue]

I don't have urinalysis strips yet but plan to soon.

I am using a Walgreens brand called True-Track smart system meter. I got a One Touch meter from the Endo but the test strips and such were more expensive so I opted for the True-Track. It seems to be doing a good job for me. I will upgrade in the future when money allows.

I only had to go in for a blood panel at the lab today, but I did visit with the Endo's PA the other day. I was somewhat disappointed I didn't get to see the Dr., but it was a last minute appointment and the only dr. available was his PA. I have seen the endo dr. for my parathyroid and I find a specialist is way more in tune with my needs than a GP. I got more in depth information too.

[Keezheekoni]

I'm surprised that your insurance doesn't cover One Touch strips at a first tier rate... AFAIK they're one of the two brands who are usually the lowest copay contracted with insurance.

I don't like to exercise above 180. Don't know if it helps or hurts, but I tend to be really slow the days I'm high during exercise.

[Real4]

Debbie Sue see above on exercising. It does matter. Drink lots of water when BSL is that high to help bring it down.
That is an "old wives's Tale" (not that you are old.)
Drinking water will not lower glucose levels. If you are at a high enough blood sugar level, you will be "spilling glucose" into your urine, and you need to drink water to counter that. You are then responding to the thirst that the imbalance in your water levels (osmotic balance) causes. Drinking by itself (when you are not thirsty) does nothing!
Drink when you are thirsty and you will be fine.
Actually, it's almost impossible to drink too much or too little, since your body has wonderful mechanisms to control thirst and body "osmotic pressure."
You can control your thirst by doing things like taking in salt, but your body will always push/pull your fluid levels into balance.

[BrianSCohen]

Debbie Sue,

Don't perform intense exercise with highly elevated blood sugars (usually above 200 mg/dL). As others have pointed out, our bodies consider these levels toxic and intense exercise can make things worse. Light exercise can however be restorative. Light walking should be fine. It will help burn down your blood sugar levels, just don't elevate your heart rate by an marked measure.

If you had a stack of pancakes with syrup, a bagel and a glazed donut for breakfast, you may not have made the best dietary choice for a diabetic. Tomorrow, have a cheese omelette with ham and see what your blood sugar is.

[sprzepiora]

I have found a 30 minute walk can lower my BS 80 points, not only does it lower them immediately, but for the whole next day I am a flat liner.

For the past week, I have been giving myself a break as I was overdoing it a bit on the walking and my hips started to hurt. My flat lines have turned into roller coasters :) I am going to start walking again every other day at the same pace and see if that help, if not, I will switch to every day but at a slower pace.

This whole thing has really driven it home how good exercise is for diabetics.

[Scrabblechick]

Even a 15-minute walk will lower my BG at least 30 points or so. If you do a light walk, which means walking at an easy pace, for about 15 minutes, it should help bring your BG down to a good level. You're at a light pace, when you can talk and even sing comfortably as you walk.

It's so doggone HUMID here, I skipped my walk last night. I just couldn't face the wet-mop syndrome. LOL. Gotta get back on it, though.