when do you not excercise?

liz32 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2005, 02:12 PM

I have a question concerning excercize (am I spelling that right? it looks funny to me). When my sugars are up a bit or even alot ( at the begining) I go for a brisk walk and that brings my sugars down quickly. An example would be, the other day my sugars were 9.0 so off I went for my walk. When I got back, (the walk was only for 35 mins) my sugars were 4.9 a great number. My delema is, I just tested and mine was 4.9. If I go for a brisk walk will I end up going low. I've only had a low 2x when I was pregnant four years ago (gestational diabetes) so I'm not sure what is ok. I don't want to have a low while out walking...our cellular service is somewhat sketchy..we're rural with lots of valleys. The thaught of having to crawl to someones door isn't that appealing....besides it would probably look quite hilarious to someone who didn't know what was going on. Anyways, I'm just wondering is anyone has any advise or ideas. Thanks

Harold · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 12:28 AM

A type 2 not on insulin, glyburide, or metformin does not usually have to worry about going low. Avandia or one of the others in that class your not supposed to have to worry about going low, but you can run your reserves down and experience a low. The best you can do when going out for a walk is to take your meter and a snack. Then if you feel different you should check before doing anything else. The symptoms for lows and highs are nearly identical which is the reason people get in trouble when going by feeling alone. Yes you could have a high while exercising when the stored glucose in the muscle tissue is used up and the liver releases it's store of glucose. This can make you feel strange when your not use to it.

liz32 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 04:14 AM

Harold: I do take metformin and lantus, so does that make a differnce? My diabetic nurse/instructor told me to be careful about having a low...or was that just for skipping meals and the like?

Harold · #4 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 04:35 AM

Taking either one you can have a low. So yes, taking both increases your chances if you let your reserves run low or overexert yourself when your already on the low end of your target range. Skipping meals will lower your reserves and also increase your insulin resistance.

Mark C · #5 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 07:08 AM

Having suffered my first and second hypo events while doing my 4 mile walks last week, I know what you mean. I almost did not make it home the first time! I started with a bgl of 171, lunch shortly before, and should have been fine. I had a 71 after I got home and that was after I had some candy and started feeling better. I shudder to think of what the actual reading was!

Anyway, I gave my wife permission to nag me about carrying my meter and glucose with me. And I do now.