I’m hiking for the first time with type one diabetes this weekend. I’m not doing anything too intense, maybe some moderate hikes but mostly easy under 6 miles. I’m brining lots of sugar snacks for possible lows and then kind bars, protein bars, peanut butter and such things for preventing lows. I’m also bringing glucose gel in case of a more severe low. Just wanted to reach out and see if anyone had any other important tips or advice that I havent thought of !
Hi Sidney, It sounds like you’ve got it covered. Provisions and planning for contingencies is the most important thing. Are you hiking in the Olympic National Park or in the Cascades? I’ve camped all over the two. The Pacific side of the Olympic peninsula is wild and exciting. Watch out for high tide and shifting driftwood. Big driftwood fires are a blast. It’s a perfect time of year too. Have fun!! John Ferguson
Before you start your hike you might want to eat a protein bar or sandwich just to boost yourself up a little. Oftentimes if I eat a granola bar before going on a short hike (like 6mi) I can avoid lows altogether. Hydration is also important for us T1’s.
As you go on more hikes you’ll figure out how your body responds to exercise, it’s different for everyone.
Have fun! The PNW is beautiful
Sounds like you are well prepared. Have your experiences and diabetes education covered the difference between the fast acting carbs in a granola bar and the slower acting carbs you get from a bread + protein sandwich?
I went to the Cascades yesterday, but didn’t do much hiking, most we did was a 2 miles “hike” but it was more of a walk lol. We are going to Olympic this weekend! The cascades were BEAUTIFUL!
I’m new to T1D- it’s been about one month, so I’m still learning for sure. My doctor doesn’t really provide much education, most that I’ve learned so far has been from my own research. I’ve been using kind bars since they have a good balance of fast acting carbs (sugar) and longer acting carbs (nuts) and they have a good balance of fiber and protein and healthy fats as well.
Before I went on a 2ish mile walk I was about 100 so I ate a kind bar in preparation. It ended up not hitting fast enough so I threw in some candy corn in the begining of the walk as my blood sugar was inching lower.
If I understand correctly, I think balance is whats key? Lots of protien and slower/lower glycemic index carbs and some fat and fiber is key but also some fast acting carbs in there can be helpful too?
I think you’ve got it. Your 2 mile walk example is perfect.
I’m hoping your doc at least referred you to a diabetes educator. Have fun with the family in the mountains, give us a shout when you get home and we’ll give you tips for good places to educate yourself, interviewing doctors and dealing with healthcare in America.
Really glad to hear you’re having fun Sydney. When I moved there, I had pulled into town with a U-Haul and can remember parking on the curb next to the original REI store on Capitol Hill. I thought to myself here I am let’s go. The place was so conducive to all kinds of activities. I bought a bike, I bought a laser sailboat, I went to that REI store and got the camping equipment I needed, bought a truck and went to work. The greatest decade of my life. We were still using pig and cow insulin at the time. Life was a little more reckless. Ha ha.
I’m back! Had a low on a hike to hurricane hill in olympic but treated with gummy bears and got it back up! Overall did pretty well! Just made sure to keep checking my numbers, eating protein bars and snacking on gummy bears/candy corn on the more strenuous hikes. Hiking looks different now than before my T1D dx a month ago but I’m glad I did it. Thank you all for your support.
Any tips are appreciated! Especially education and doctor tips lol.
I’m attaching some photos of the view from the hike:
You convinced me, I’ve added Olympic to my vacation list.
If you are willing please tell us a bit more about yourself like how you feel about being diagnosed with T1D and what led up to the diagnosis. If you live in the US is this your first diagnosis that insurance plays a big part in getting the care you need? So far what specialists have you seen or have appointments with regarding T1D?
Take Control Of Your Diabetes is a fantastic resource for education and what’s new. https://tcoyd.org I really like it because its led by an endocrinologist with T1D and I enjoy their sense of humor.
I’m Sidney I’m 23 and was diagnosed at the beginning of August @ 22 a few days before my 23rd birthday! I had previously had some issues with reactive hypoglycemia so I already had a blood glucose testing meter at home. One morning I almost fainted, thought my blood sugar might be low even though I hadn’t had a problem with reactive hypoglycemia in awhile. My blood sugar was actually high. I thought it was maybe from stress, I was presenting at a conference that weekend etc. I kept testing my blood sugar even after the stress was over and I was in the 300’s. I contacted my endo since I already had one for Hashimotos hypothyroidism. My A1c, GAD + IA2 AB came back elevated so I was dx with Type 1!
I’ve seen an endo (who isn’t very forthcoming with information) and a dietician who has been pretty helpful for the most part there’s just so much to learn it feels. I am in the US, and I’d say yes. Right now I have medicaid which so far has been fine to navigate.
How I feel about being diagnosed with T1D is a hard question. It might depend on when you are asking me lol. I know that it will get easier/second nature and that I can eat and do everything I did before. And as the same time, it feels really hard right now and I’m grieving what life was like ‘before’. It literally feels like I’m relearning how to live. And I’ve had a few scary low blood sugars already and its an awful awful feeling. So in general I’d say I feel sad, scared, and angry, but there is also some hope and confidence in myself to handle this. If that all makes sense.
I’m glad you were able to get a timely diagnosis! All the feelings you described definitely make sense. It takes time to process this kind of diagnosis. It’s tough. And low bgs are certainly not fun!
But look at you! Within a month you’re not letting T1D stop you from doing some pretty cool things!
I’m not sure if I’ve shared this with you but I highly recommend you check out the book Think Like a Pancreas by Gary Scheiner. He has Type1 diabetes and works in the field so has a unique personal perspective that is particularly helpful. I usually recommend it in addition to the education people should get from their medical professional (rather than the total package) but I think it will be helpful for you. I actually found it a fun read, and I learned some new things although I’d had diabetes for about 60 years when I first read it.
Contact your doctor’s (PCP) office and ask for a referral to a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDCES). Since its been a month since you were diagnosed it sounds like someone didn’t get the referral done. The practice Gary Scheiner works for https://integrateddiabetes.com/ is an example of a really good group of CDEs.
Next time you see your endo ask about Tzield (teplizumab) https://www.tzield.com/ if they don’t bring it up which might keep you producing some insulin for a few years. It is covered by medicaid in many states.
When talking to healthcare professionals don’t be shy of introducing yourself as a Type 1 Diabetic. Repeatedly. T1D does not define you… People make assumptions and >90% of adults with diabetes are Type 2 so people need help knowing you are different.
CGMs have made living with T1D lots easier. They have some limitations. CGMs accuracy is lower as your BG gets low. They have a hard time keeping up when BG is changing quickly (2 arrows up or down). Most of the time they’ll catch up eventually.
The Dexcom G7 you’ve got is a great CGM for most people. Most public and private insurance covers the G7 as “durable medical equipment” which requires going through DME suppliers. You have a choice of suppliers in case cost-sharing is an issue. Sometimes for some plans CVS and Walgreens can supply CGMs as DME. Also for cost savings check your plans pharmacy drug formulary for Dexcom or Libre 3 coverage.
Every T1D in the US needs to know how to access their insurance’s drug coverage formulary. They can change at any time but at least once a year during open enrollment check the formulary for your drugs and devices in the next year’s formulary. This way you’ll have time to discuss changes that might affect you with your docs.
Longer term, after you’ve had some CDE and endo appointments, read the parts of the American Diabetes Association 2024 Standards of Care that interest you. https://diabetesjournals.org/care/issue/47/Supplement_1 It might take years to really understand it but it’ll help with understanding your doctor. It’ll also help with figuring out goals, risks and limits.
Last thing, find people who will listen to how you feel about diabetes. Professionals are great but it doesn’t have to end in change or advice, sometimes just sharing with someone who you know understands. https://www.breakthrought1d.org/chapter-finder/ is a good resource. There might not be a chapter near you but that just means there isn’t a chapter near a lot of people. Also, get the free swag Type 1 Diabetes Adult Pack - Breakthrough T1D I hear you about the sad scary and angry feelings. I was there too 30ish years ago. Hope is important. Hope is also truth, you can be okay.
When I got my first Dexcom many years ago the device rep recommended the Durable Medical Equipment supplier and I’ve used the same one pretty much ever since. If you can get them from your local pharmacy that might be preferable but if you want to get them by mail your device rep should be able to recommend suppliers. Opinions are mixed on different ones - there have been some discussions and comparisons here on the Forum but I think you have to see for yourself how well one does.
One thing I will say about ordering from a supplier: I’ve never had a problem with back orders or out of stock items. I get my Omnipods from my local CVS and most recently they were having trouble getting them in - after a few days they found them at another location nearby and I was able to get them but it was a bit unnerving. I’ve never had that with mail order. Just some things to consider.
This is so important. Always have spares. Insulin prescriptions should be for more than you are actually taking. Refill prescriptions as soon as possible taking advantage of any grace periods.
I forgot to ask, @kiwifuzz do you have a glucagon like Baqsimi or Gvoke from your hypoglycemia?
Thankfully I did have some from another box so I was good for another week plus.
What really ticked me off was, my next refill would not be until 30 days from the new pickup date, which cut into my spare supply inventory even though the change was no fault of my own .
Thanks @spdif!
I’m 23 and was diagnosed at the beginning of August @ 22 a few days before my 23rd birthday! I had previously had some issues with reactive hypoglycemia so I already had a blood glucose testing meter at home. One morning I almost fainted, thought my blood sugar might be low even though I hadn’t had a problem with reactive hypoglycemia in awhile. My blood sugar was actually high. I thought it was maybe from stress, I was presenting at a conference that weekend etc. I kept testing my blood sugar even after the stress was over and I was in the 300’s. I contacted my endo since I already had one for Hashimotos hypothyroidism. My A1c, GAD + IA2 AB came back elevated so I was dx with Type 1!
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