From Swimming To Running; Adjusting to the Pandemic

Type 1 & LADA
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AN EXPERIMENT:

OK, so exhausted of going low after eating and making changes in my ICRs, I lowered my basal rate (with would begin slightly before I was eating) down to .125 u/h and my ICR up to 7.5 (it used to be 5.5 at that hour).

I set the basal to last throughout the day, until the very late afternoon when it goes up to .3 u/h. (but the next 2 changes they must rise up to .875 and 1.0

Thats an enormous difference!!! But I’m just trying my best to follow what my body is telling me. we’ll find out in about another 2 hours bc I just finished eating an hour ago.i just tested and before eating my BG was 86 and 1+ hours post eating my BG was 91. I am just praying that I dont crash. (I have crashed every darn day after eating, and I’ve been a slave to changing my ICRs, but now I’m starting to think it might have something to do with my basal rates. :crossed_fingers:

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@daisymae, can you talk to your endo about the medicines and ask about the changes they are causing to your insulin sensitivity?

The biggest problem is if it’s inconsistent. As long as the changes are consistent, they are easier to deal with.

There are some things you should discuss with your endo. There is a recent study that said Gabapentin can cause low blood sugar, particularly in females in your age range. That is one thing to discuss with your endo!

Do you take the meds at the same time every day?

It might be helpful to find out how long they each last and see if they last 24 hours or if they diminish. That way you can try to time your meds and know how they will impact your basal needs.

So please discuss this with your endo - each medicine’s impact on BG, and how long they each last. And then try to figure out the best timing for taking them each.

What was it before all of this started? Like before surgery.

This will come back off. It is not permanent, so don’t worry about it. Once you get more active again, your body will find it’s natural weight. (As long as you don’t eat crazy all the time and have dinner with me. :wink: )

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But every time you text me pics of your meals, I want to buy a ticket to Georgia!!! :yum:

Yes. Same time every day, 3/day; and only one, recently, that I take at a completely different time. (its called Tizanidine, and its a muscle relaxer that knocks me right out; nap time for Daisy Mae)

Not much of a difference: my TDD. was 12 something ( 12.25?) Its just that now my insulin needs are reversed: I need barely any insulin during the day (maybe bc of the meds) and a lot more than I ever needed overnight. as I wrote earlier, during the day I barely need .1 u/h of insulin (like maybe I’m no longer diabetic :rofl: ) and then overnight I need 1.0 u/h !!! just to stay around 90.

I meant to say earlier that I just switched to the Gabapentin yesterday. Before that I was taking Lyrica (but the side effects were living hell) But I will still bring this up with my endo!

Thanks for all the info and ideas I should bring up with my endo. I discussed some of this with him, but didnt bring up the medication factor with him. Now there’s more Food For Thought.

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This sounds like a combination of the medicine and lack of exercise. The meds reduce your needs during the day, and the lack of exercise increases your needs at night.

And I know you have not been swimming in a while, but at least you were walking more before the surgery.

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You got that right!!! :rofl: (now I’m just this pathetic old lady with a walker rolling around the neighborhood…no wait, I cant even walk down 2 blocks; walking around the neighborhood is a goal )

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OMG, WHAT AN ACHEIVEMENT !

So today I went out for a walk. I had something in mind, but I wasn’t certain about my improving strength. But what I accomplished was a dream for me for which I am very grateful. Here are some pics of my visit to my local Starbucks:

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So I’ve gained 10 pounds and no longer fit into my jeans. (Hooray for this summer-like weather bc my shorts and my sweatpants are the only things that fit) But I walked a little over 1/2 a mile without leaning over like an old decrepit 95 year old man. I was able to stand upright and even put a little more speed into my strut ( this was actually as fast as a baby learning to crawl, but hey, just 3 weeks ago I couldn’t even use my legs.) Everything is new to me.And I see the surgeon tomorrow and I’ll find out if I can begin PT again or if he just wants me to walk, walk, walk.

only PITA is that now I have to re-adjust all of my basal rates and ICRs ( again). Ugh, now thats what I call “Labor.”

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ROCKSTAR! You look wonderful and YAY on the great walk! I’m so sorry that your blood sugar is giving you such problems. I would just say that I almost always have a similar getting-out-of-bed effect – a super fast rise in BS that is difficult to catch. If yours is consistent, you can plan to cover it before getting out of bed – that’s what I’ve been doing these days. Also, I taken tizanidine and it works so well, BUT makes me surprisingly dizzy.

So good to see that you are out and about. xoxo - Jessica

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THIS IS AMAZING @daisymae ! So glad to see that you are making progress.

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You look fantastic, @daisymae !!! I’m so happy you are finally getting out and about, and doing it in style, too!! Love your new haircut!!!

Good luck today with the x-rays! Sending you hugs!!! :heartpulse: :hugs:

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PERFECTION; NO NEED TO WORRY
so this morning I saw the surgeon (after many X-rays). Everything was perfect. I didnt injure myself from the crash falls I had. Phew, dodged a bullet on that one!!!

Performed many different tests for the PA and the surgeon. I am right on track of where I am supposed to be for this point of my recovery. I am a little behind with regard to the neuropathy, but he believes that it is bc I am a little bit thin and have no cushioning for the surgery that was performed.

He gave me a prescription for a sonogram of my feet and ankles and their edema to rule out blood clots.

So the rate of my recovery is slow (as he expected). I can start with Physical Therapy ASAP. 2 times a week for 10 weeks. I require spinal stabilization, cardio fitness, isometrics, range of motion, massage (ooow, I like that one), aqua therapy ( I like that one too! :rofl: ),gait training, leg strengthening, and balance training. And continue walking as much as possible.

Thats a lot of PT!!!

I am aiming on getting bk into the pool in about 6 months. Its nice to have a goal. I am so excited !!! :+1: But right now I am just enjoying the good news. This definitely deserves a grilled cheese sandwich. :yum:

signing out,

DM

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That’s great to hear! Enjoy the grilled cheese sandwiches…and enjoy the massages and aqua therapy. You are an inspiration, keep it going!

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Really glad to hear that you are ON TRACK! in your healing

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I am going go give you an interim idea that you should totally feel free to tell me to shove to the side (or elsewhere!) if it doesn’t meet your goals / expectations. But just know that this is coming from a place of personal experimentation and worth for me. So, I tried a sensory deprivation float tank – a 90 minute float HIGHLY salinated body temperature water in this small pod where you could choose to have it lit (lightly) and with quiet music playing. But basically you are in there to experience zero gravity and to float with your thoughts alone. The temperatures of the water and air are perfectly calibrated to be comfortable in or out of the water. It was an incredible 90 minute meditation (at this facility - I think they can be longer or shorter elsewhere)l 90 mins is my sweetsspot. I think it could be great for taking pressure off of your limbs and just letting you relax and think… if you could find a place! Anyway, have been thinking of you and wondering if this might be something that you would enjoy and find a benefit from! xo - Jessica

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(and big whoops – my computer autocorrected “salinated” (meaning salty) to “salivated” (meaning eeeewww super disgusting!!!) – sorry about that!!! I just edited the post!! :slight_smile: :rofl:

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I mean you could float in saliva, although you probably shouldn’t need to pay for that. I wonder what the salinity of saliva is…hmm

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Great news, DM!! You definitely deserve to celeberate, and make it a Gruyère, grilled, cheese sandwich!!
So happy you are on the mend!! :heartpulse: :swimming_woman:

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WHEN CAN I START SWIMMING AGAIN:

First off, I want to thank all of the FUD members who so generously contributed to my year long membership to the YMCA (where my pool is). I am flabbergasted with elation and rather emotional over the generosity I have been given.

To let everyone know, I saw my surgeon this past Monday, September 20th, and after many X-rays I was told that I was healing wonderfully and was right on track with anyone who does not happen to have diabetes. My health is excellent. The only problem I am having is neuropathic pain in my left thigh coming down from my tushy to my knee. It feels like someone is actually stabbing me with knives non-stop, 24/7, but at the same time, I am experiencing numbness in the same location. It is relentless and I think it is actually more painful than the surgical pain. I am taking medication for it, but it doesn’t seem to help. I was told that this is common in people who are thin as I am, but that this should recover soon. I am really looking forward to that :upside_down_face:

During my visit with the surgeon we discussed my physical therapy and when I could look forward to getting back into the pool.( I let him know about my passion for swimming before the surgery, so he was aware that I am desperate to swim again soon.) He told me that I would most likely be able to get back into the pool in about 6 months. (egad that seems so far away.) so 6 months is now my recovery goal. It could take longer, but doubtful. I shouldn’t expect to be racing through the water by then, but at least I could get back into the water and exercise. I dont know how long I will last for until I try it, but I cant wait to try it!!! And I have all of you who have literally carried me through this painful process to thank for it. Your prayers, your compassion, encouragement. you have all been a family to me through this long long process. I cant believe its been a year and a half since this all began. Oh my goodness. And while everyone was dealing with the pandemic and Covid, I was going through what seemed like endless epidurals and other nasty little treatments that were terribly painful but worthless.

Anyway, all I really want to say is how very grateful I am for your kindness and your encouragement gave me the strength to get through this long process.

I am learning to walk again, to use my legs, to regain my balance, to live with the titanium which is replacing my spine…Its really just one day at a time. I’ve learned the value of patience and persistence. I have a long road ahead of me, but this is my journey and I have a goal in place. And its nice to finally have a goal.

So to all of you who so generously contributed to this amazing gift at the YMCA, Thank you. Thank you, Thank you.

signing out,

DM

BTW, I want to say a special thank you to John58, T1Allison, Sbee, Elver, Tapestry, TiaG,Trying,Carol,Sam,Beacher,JessicaD,Jim26, Mariethm,bkh, Marie,Millz,CatLady,Chris,ClaudDaye,and, of course, Eric.

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Great report from your Dr. Yes, indeed. I’m not surprised your health is excellent, no small part due to your diligent efforts, and dedication to your swimming and exercise!! I think 6 months will fly by as you continue to recover. In the mean time, treat yourself to a bit of chocolate on those hard PT days, and enjoy our autumn weather which will soon be upon us now that we are officially past autumn equinox!!

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I believe that this is the exact reasoning for why I gained those 10 pounds! Justifiable recuperative eating. :rofl: (because EVERY day is a “hard PT day”.)

Yesterday was one of those “hard PT days.” I had to go into the City for some post-op tests. The closest parking we could get was quite a ways from the hospital. My husband, because he is so wonderful and perfect and kind, asked me if I wanted him to drop me off in front or if I thought I could walk it. well I’ve gotten rather tired of having people wait on me hand and foot (Yes, I know that sounds insane :rofl: ) so I mustered up my courage and said proudly " I can walk it." (What was I thinking???)

So it ended up that I walked over 1.5. miles yesterday! OMG. And when you count in the dodging of New Yorkers coming at you down the street, well, that’s easily another quarter of a mile. SO then I thought about the STARBUCK’S afternoon, and how excited I was about my accomplishment of walking there for a cup of coffee, I realized that yesterday I had actually walked instinctively several times during the morning without my walker. Yes, I am healing and I am healing faster than I thought.

What I’m trying to say here is that YES, 6 months will fly by. :pray: If I just put in my ALL, great things happen that I dont even expect or think possible.

But this goes right back to FUD and the Community we have here; all of you have made this possible for me. Some of you have paved the road, and some of you stand by and cheer, and some of you do both! What a lucky woman I am!

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Way to go!!! Love that you are healing faster, too, than you thought!! Nice to have your husband wait on you hand and foot though, too!!! :rofl: :hugs:

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