Topic: Diabetes and long days on the trail

[bammerman]

Well this is my problem.  I am currently on an insulin pump (diagnosed almost 2 years ago). Was told it was to many anthrax vaccinations in a short period of time. Long story short got one shot (round 3 in the series), and 3 days later was told I needed another (Korea went mandatory was suppose to wait like 6 months). I was told by my buddy we will be taking a 5day crawling trip to break in my rig.  Now I know to bring stuff with carbs and sugar, etc... if I go low and to have the insult ready if I go to high, but what do you tell your buddies.  what are some great foods to bring with you, etc...?  I haven't been diabetic to long and have never been in middle of nowhere crawling before.


Any helpful tips would be great!

[FourbangerYJ]

I have been on insulin for 20+ years. Humalog and lantis. My son is on the pump. Was diagnosed when he was 3, he is now 8.

For any wheeling trip it's important to let your people along on the trip know your diabetic and to let them know what to do if your sugar gets low. I.E where you blood sugar meter is. Wouldn't be a bad idea to show them how to test your sugars too. Also to have some fast acting carbs on hand such as a coke. Also some of the glucose gels work good too.
1. Make sure you have ALL  your supplies you need such as test strips,pump supplies,insulin EVERYTHING you will need. Bring extra pump supplies in case you get one that don't work. It's happened to us a number of times.
2. Test your sugars more often then you do when your not wheeling. Adjust your sugars as needed. Snack on some chips/crackers if your borderline low. Bolas if your high.
3. ALWAYS have some sorta food with you at ALL times wheeling or not. I always carry a K-bar or two with me at all times. I also carry some glucose tabs. Never leave home without something!
4. Food, pretty much bring whatever you like to eat. Why change your diet just because your wheeling? Bring a variety of low carbs ( nuts,pork rinds,sunflower seeds, jerky,vienna sausage) for when  you want a snack but don't need the carbs. Higher carbs stuff that you can eat fast if your low. Dried fruit, fresh fruit,yogurt,candy,juice. Try and mix up your protiens with each meal. It helps keep your sugars a bit more stable.
5. Check your sugars more often. You will find that a bunch of rock stacking or walking around to see others get thru the trail will lower your sugars. I always cut back a bit on my insulin. If I don't I end up really low. You can always bolas yourself if your high. Better to rich than to lean. 

[FourbangerYJ]

Now that I think about it a bit more I'll add... Bring a couple days worth of food. If things turn brown and  your broke down or if you have a number of low sugar times you'll go thru more food.

[bammerman]

Thanks for the heads up, I don't want stuff to hit the fan over those 5 days.

[FourbangerYJ]

Thanks for the heads up, I don't want stuff to hit the fan over those 5 days.

Never let it get in the way of the things you want to do!

[dwtaylorpdx]

Powdered Gatorade is always in my jeep console.

I'm type 2 so low is not my usual problem,
But once in a while I do more activity than I planned and it goes low.
I don't need much to recover so its not a disaster, most of the time I'm
the only one that would notice. Test often is my motto.

Dave

[drunkencityworker]

My GF is on the pump. Havnt done more than a day trip with her yet. Tho that will change when things warm up