Type 1 Diabetes

I have never personally met a backpacker with Type 1 Diabetes and I can't imagine what that must be like to care for those needs on the trail with insulin injections or pumps.  I know there are Type 1's out there though because I have read blogs over the years from a few.  Couple of links below to several.  If you are Type 1 diabetic backpacker, I would love to hear from you for my own education!

http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/go-outside/hiking/backpacking-with-diabetes/

http://www.rainforesttreks.com/diabetes.asp

https://theactivediabetic.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/backpacking-with-type-1-diabetes/

The overarching theme is plan ahead and be prepared!  Type 1 diabetics have more potential for life-threatening low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and backpacking will use it up so frequent testing and regular snack breaks are a must.

Here's some very basic info on Type 1 from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabetestype1.html

Diabetes means your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. With type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to give them energy. Without insulin, too much glucose stays in your blood. Over time, high blood glucose can lead to serious problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and gums and teeth.
Type 1 diabetes happens most often in children and young adults but can appear at any age. Symptoms may include

• Being very thirsty
• Urinating often
• Feeling very hungry or tired
• Losing weight without trying
• Having sores that heal slowly
• Having dry, itchy skin
• Losing the feeling in your feet or having tingling in your feet
• Having blurry eyesight

If you are a Type 1 diabetic, you will need to take insulin for the rest of your life. Various factors may contribute to Type 1 diabetes, including genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Although Type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it also can begin in adults.

A very scary issue that could arise is called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (very different than ketosis).  

Having a plan to respond to high blood glucose is important, because prolonged hyperglycemia can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening complication. People with Type 1 diabetes are at higher risk of developing DKA than people with Type 2 diabetes, but it can happen in people with Type 2, particularly if they have a severe infection or injury.

DKA develops when there is not enough insulin in the body to use glucose for energy. When that happens, stored fat is broken down for energy instead, and acid by-products called ketones are created in the process. Ketones build up in the blood and eventually spill into the urine. The combination of high blood glucose, high blood ketones, and dehydration can lead to coma or even death.

It is recommended that you check your blood or urine for ketones if your blood glucose is over 240 mg/dl, if you are sick or have an infection, if you are under a lot of stress, if you have lost weight and don’t know why, or if you are not feeling well (even if your blood glucose is not elevated). One of the most common signs of DKA is having a sweet, fruity odor to your breath. Other signs include nausea, abdominal pain, flushed skin, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, or unconsciousness. The people you spend time with regularly should be aware of the warning signs of DKA since they can easily be mistaken for the flu.

Source: http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/managing-diabetes/blood-glucose-management/managing-your-blood-glucose-ups-and-downs/

Let's Talk About Diabetes, Baby

I guess it's high time that I talked about Diabetes, especially now that I'm doing a fundraiser.  I have Type 2.  I don't like talking about it.  There's a social stigma to it that's embarrassing - the circle of shame and blame.  That somehow Diabetes is a character flaw or I failed in some way to properly take care of myself or if only I ate well and exercised enough it would go away.  The stereotype that I must be a fat slovenly couch potato.  I once made the mistake of telling someone not very close to me and he blatantly looked me up and down.  I asked, "Are you looking to see how fat I am?"  He said, "Yes, actually, but you don't look like a diabetic."  That was the first thing the doctor who diagnosed me said as well and it's a phrase that I hear over and over and makes me feel like my make-up is inherently wrong.  And it is.

I'm selective on who I choose to tell.....but now everyone will know.

Here's some history and I'll keep it brief so I don't get all whiny and throw myself a little pity party.  The first time I had a high blood sugar reading was in my late 20's.  The doctor said "You need to watch that, it's too high."  Pshaw.  I shrugged it off.  Give me a break.  I was active and lean so chalked it up as an anomoly.  Fast forward 10 years to my late 30's and BAM, I have the Epstein Barr virus.  I was getting blood work done alot through this period because I was so sick.  Blood sugars kept coming back high over and over.  Doctor kept wanting to put me on medication and I kept refusing.  Finally, she gave me an ultimatum- If sugars didn't start coming down by the next visit then I needed to get medicated to avoid diabetes damage.  Well, despite my best efforts, the sugars didn't come down by the next visit.  My A1c was 7.5 (normal is below 5.7%).  So through tears and dumbfounded disbelief, I accepted the prescription for 1000 mg of metformin per day.  I got set up with an endocrinologist and he re-ran some tests and made sure I didn't actually have Type 1 Diabetes because he couldn't believe it.  Yep, definitely Type 2. His theory is that the Epstein Barr virus somehow triggered an underlying genetic predisposition to Diabetes. 

I was in denial for quite a long time and even now sometimes I still don't quite believe it.  I ate super low carb for awhile in the beginning thinking that would cure me.  It definitely makes a difference in blood sugar levels but the minute I went off medication, the sugars shot right back up.  Exercise?  Don't talk to me about exercise.  Believe me, I've got that covered. 

For my backpacking trip on The Wonderland Trail, I'll be doing something I've never done before.  I'll be talking about managing diabetes on the trail and sharing results of the stealth blood sugar testing that goes on in my tent in the morning and night.  It's scary to share.  I don't want to be judged.

On 1000 mg of metformin per day, my fasting glucose is typically around 125.  My last A1c test came in at 6.2.  I try to stay below 50 grams of net carbs per day (unless backpacking or longer hikes).  Don't get it twisted; I have been known to eat cinnamon rolls the size of my head after backpacking.  My exercise schedule consists of weight lifting, elliptical, yoga, and hiking.  I do some kind of exercise 6 days a week.  I am 5'6" and within the normal weight range for my height.

That's enough about me.  Lifestyle choices make a big difference in Type 2 Diabetes but don't forget the genetic proponent. 



Here are some numbers you should shoot for to be in the normal range:

A1c:  Less than 5.7%
Fasting blood glucose:  Less than 100 mg/dL
2 hour post-prandial (2 hours after eating): Less than 140 mg/dL

Here is a basic breakdown on Type 2 Diabetes from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/facts-about-type-2.html.

"Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance.  At first, the pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time your pancreas isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose levels normal. Type 2 is treated with lifestyle changes, oral medications (pills), and insulin. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems: Right away, your cells may be starved for energy. Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Some people with type 2 can control their blood glucose with healthy eating and being active. But, your doctor may need to also prescribe oral medications or insulin to help you meet your target blood glucose levels. Type 2 usually gets worse over time – even if you don’t need medications at first, you may need to later on. Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population."

  

Diabetes Fundraiser

In August I will be backpacking The Wonderland Trail on behalf of the American Diabetes Association.  I hope to bring awareness to Diabetes and raise money for a cure.  All of us have been touched by diabetes through family, friends, co-workers and maybe even yourself. My goal is to raise $1000.  

The Wonderland Trail  

The Wonderland Trail is an approximately 93 mile hiking trail that circumnavigates Mount Rainier in the Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. The trail goes over many ridges of Mount Rainier for a cumulative 22,000 feet of elevation gain. The trail was built in 1915. In 1981, it was designated a National Recreation Trail. An estimated 200 to 250 people a year complete the entire trail with several thousand others doing shorter sections of it. The average time taken to complete the entire trip is 10 to 14 days.

 

 

 

 American Diabetes Association

The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Diabetes kills more Americans each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

“In the next 24 hours, over 130 people will develop kidney failure because of diabetes.

That’s nearly 50,000 friends, neighbors, co-workers or family members every year.

Recent estimates project that as many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes by 2050 unless we take steps to Stop Diabetes®.  Every 19 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes. That’s more than 32,000 friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members in the next 7 days.

1 in 11 Americans has it.
1 in 4 adults who has it doesn’t know it.
1 in 3 adults is at risk of developing it.
It is diabetes.

And it must be stopped.”

Source:  http://www.stopdiabetes.com/get-the-facts/diabetes-by-the-numbers.html?loc=stopd-footer

This cause hits close to home because I have multiple family members with diabetes, including myself.

For more information on how you can get involved with the Stop Diabetes® campaign or make a donation to help support my goal, see the following link:

Go directly to The American Diabetes Association, http://main.diabetes.org/goto/Tina_Hikes to donate. 

I’ll start hiking August 24 and hope to finish by September 2. 

Disclaimer: The Wonderland Trail is not offering advance permits for 2016 so this will be a walk-up attempt.  If I am not able to procure a permit, I will hike another trail in the same area with the same approximate mileage- Plan B!

THANK YOU! 

Facebook:  Look me up under Tina Hikes