Any other diabetics here? Would welcome some advice.

[Quidi Vidi]

Good morning everyone and apologies if I have posted this on the wrong forum. I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes which hopefully will be controlled with meds and diet and was wondering how this would impact on my sailing in future. How do other diabetics manage to control their diet whilst sailing, any tips? I should add that we only day sail in and around Portsmouth harbour although we do stay onboard overnight at the mooring quite often, also we only have 1 gas ring so cooking a balanced meal will be quite challenging.

 

[boatbuilder]

First thing is stop worrying, no doubt there is a bit of shock at being diagnosed but its all easily controlled. Just keep eating things that you usually do, but cut out the obvious baddies . lots of water helps.

I am insulin dependent which is a bit different, but I do get to eat the odd mars bar when I get it wrong.

 

[chrisgee]

Good morning everyone and apologies if I have posted this on the wrong forum. I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes which hopefully will be controlled with meds and diet and was wondering how this would impact on my sailing in future. How do other diabetics manage to control their diet whilst sailing, any tips? I should add that we only day sail in and around Portsmouth harbour although we do stay onboard overnight at the mooring quite often, also we only have 1 gas ring so cooking a balanced meal will be quite challenging.

Had it for 5 years or more, has not affected what I do at all ( sailing ,skiing,drinking etc etc).
Take your pills ,keep a reasonable diet and get on with your life!

 

[[448]]

I've had Type 1 since 1970, and done a lot of sailing (about 50% single handed and up the west coast of Scotland) with no trouble at all. I always make sure that there is always a good supply of sweet stuff (Kit Kat etc.) on board.
I don't think you will have any problems with the type of sailing that you will do.
If you are worried about only one gas ring, look for one of those triangular pan sets that will fit 3 pans on 1 ring.
P.S. I'm 70 this year, and my health is fine.
Dave

 

[Deleted member 36384]

A colleague died after drinking alcohol and falling asleep in the aft cabin and subsequently going into a diabetic comma. A friend who has type 2 sails with me regularly and he manages it just fine.

As you day sail the risk is less compared to say being weather bound in an anchorage and running out of certain foods. Just remember that out sailing there is no quick response ambulance service, so plan accordingly. For example I work month on month off in a remote location and carry two months worth of asthma drugs with me.

 

[Quidi Vidi]

Thanks for your support guys, I have come to terms with having the condition and I am now on a steep learning curve. I was more concerned with practicalities whilst sailing like eating at regular times and producing well balanced meals etc. I don't intend to let it get in the way of me leading a normal life but still want to do as much as I can to keep it under control by sticking to a nutritious diet.

 

[Beadle]

I'll go along with the others. I've been type 2 for about 7 years. I've sailed all that time and traveled quite a lot too.

So long as you have a sensible diet and keep up with your medication it really isn't a problem.

Most important I think is the mental approach. Be aggressive with it. I always snarl at people who describe me as a "Diabetic" - I'm a man who has diabetes. I will NOT be defined by the disease and it will NOT let it rule my life.

Just take simple precautions - sensible diet, always have some source of a good dose of calories - bottle of Coke - few bars of chocolate - available in case you run low otherwise business as usual.

 

[chi-girl]

I'm type one and it really isn't a problem as you get to learn what diet you need and the amount you need pretty quickly.
you may feel the whole thing is daunting at the moment but once you get your head around it it will be only a small life style change needed to keep your diet/ tablets balanced

 

[blackbeard]

Thanks to all who have posted here. I'm another type 2, diagnosed a few months ago, and furious as I don't like being a label. Also a bit aggrieved since I'm slim, active and have always eaten (more or less) sensibly.
I'm another who can't see a good reason why it should rule my life, or alter it much at all. No one has ever suggested I should stop, or limit, my sailing (or anything else). Just a question of being sensible, taking the tablets, getting appropriate health check-ups, keeping moving and eating modest amounts of real food. And going easy on the alcohol, but I'm still allowed an occasional pint of decent ale.
It may have helped that my GP has a yacht.

Incidentally and for what it's worth, so far as I have been able to discover, a majority of type 2s are no more liable to "hypo" than anyone else. However, a stash of chocolate (doesn't have to be Green and Blacks but why not?) or drinks such as Coca-Cola (not diet Coke, of course) for emergency use is still a good idea. Of course, I'm open to correction on the above.

 

[rob2]

I also have type 2. On a day-to-day basis it's not a problem, if you're sailing under trying conditions you'll need to snack to keep the energy levels up - but you'll know when and the improvements are almost immediate.

Long term is probably more important as you need to keep yourself actively fit and strong - it's easy to take it too easy and lose condition. I've fallen foul of this and although I can winch in the genoa OK, I can't keep repeating the exercise. Regular exercise like walking and cycling is good.

Rob.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Labelled a Fatty

I was diagnosed type 2 several years ago and apart from having an annual checkup, feet inspected by a cute nurse, shovelling down handfuls of pills, etc I have not found it interfers with my sailing or other activities. Make sure that any sailing companions are aware of your condition - most of my sailing companions suffer from a variety of medical conditions of which we are all aware and look out for.
The one thing that I object to is the assumption that it is 'my own fault' for being obese, inactive etc. Most diabetics that I know have the condition because of inherited genes.
I was, like you shocked and worried when I had the first diagnosis, but soon resolved to carry on doing the things I enjoy and not let Diabetes get in the way.

 

[zambant]

Its really not a problem. here are my top tips
Join an online diabetic forum.
Learn about Glycemic Index and food - low is good - talk to your Dr.
Drink plenty water
Eat unsalted peanuts when you get peckish ( low GI)
Have fun and chill out - if you eat too much one day every so often it wont kill you
Send me a PM with your phone numbr if you want to have a chat or need a type 2 buddy
All the best
John

 

[reginaldon]

Swmbo was diagnosed 2 -3 years ago, was first prescribed pills & diet, was not a success -she does have Alzheimers - but when we moved on to low dose insulin, there has been no problem since. It was not the bind that I anticipated.

 

[clyst]

Thanks to all who have posted here. I'm another type 2, diagnosed a few months ago, and furious as I don't like being a label. Also a bit aggrieved since I'm slim, active and have always eaten (more or less) sensibly.
I'm another who can't see a good reason why it should rule my life, or alter it much at all. No one has ever suggested I should stop, or limit, my sailing (or anything else). Just a question of being sensible, taking the tablets, getting appropriate health check-ups, keeping moving and eating modest amounts of real food. And going easy on the alcohol, but I'm still allowed an occasional pint of decent ale.
It may have helped that my GP has a yacht.

Incidentally and for what it's worth, so far as I have been able to discover, a majority of type 2s are no more liable to "hypo" than anyone else. However, a stash of chocolate (doesn't have to be Green and Blacks but why not?) or drinks such as Coca-Cola (not diet Coke, of course) for emergency use is still a good idea. Of course, I'm open to correction on the above.

It all depends on what type of medication you are perscribed . Metformin poses no risk to introduce Hypoglycaemia (hypo) as it merely stimulates the body to use the insulin it produces more efficiently whereas gliclazides stimulates the body to produce more insulin and if not controlled will produce hypoglycaemia and of course cause problems it is therefore necessary to check your blood sugar levels regularly especially if strenerous excerise is planned . Anyone who are unsure of their medication/ treatment should discuss it at length with their diabetic nurse .

 

[simonfraser]

i see a siginficant amount of diabetics when they consult me regarding their eyes.
the ones that pay attention and keep their blood sugars low do not have probs 10 years on.
it realy pays to stick to the diet and check your own blood sugars, at least until you understand why it goes up and down.

 

[Quidi Vidi]

Thanks everyone, at the moment I am on metformin plus something else for high cholesterol which will be reviewed in about a months time. I am struggling with the diet, working out Portion sizes and how many carbs I should be eating, everything I have read suggest a high carb, low fat and sugar diet. I lost a few pound last week but seem to have put them back on this weekend even though I was still "dieting"
I have an appointment for a retina scan and to see a dietician but not for another month yet, until then I am trying to work the diet out with the aid of books. I have to say that I do feel a bit woozy some afternoons at work but put this down to being in the early stages of treatment I posted this thread as I was worried about feeling woozy whilst out on the boat as swmbo would have real problem sailing on her own.
For what it's worth I am 6'3" and weigh 19+stone on a bad day, yes I know that I'm overweight but my point is swmbo would have a hell of a job if she had to move me or pick me up especially whilst trying to control the boat.
This is why I asked for any tips, I really don't have a problem with being diagnosed with the condition, I came to terms with that after only a couple of days and just want to get on with my life now

 

[clyst]

Thanks everyone, at the moment I am on metformin plus something else for high cholesterol which will be reviewed in about a months time. I am struggling with the diet, working out Portion sizes and how many carbs I should be eating, everything I have read suggest a high carb, low fat and sugar diet. I lost a few pound last week but seem to have put them back on this weekend even though I was still "dieting"
I have an appointment for a retina scan and to see a dietician but not for another month yet, until then I am trying to work the diet out with the aid of books. I have to say that I do feel a bit woozy some afternoons at work but put this down to being in the early stages of treatment I posted this thread as I was worried about feeling woozy whilst out on the boat as swmbo would have real problem sailing on her own.
For what it's worth I am 6'3" and weigh 19+stone on a bad day, yes I know that I'm overweight but my point is swmbo would have a hell of a job if she had to move me or pick me up especially whilst trying to control the boat.
This is why I asked for any tips, I really don't have a problem with being diagnosed with the condition, I came to terms with that after only a couple of days and just want to get on with my life now

Do you have a blood testing kit ?? Not really necessary with metformin but it would put your mind at rest. Your Cholesterol tabs are probably just statins and shouldn't cause you any serious side effects.

 

[stav]

And I thought I was the only one.......I have had type 2 for 18yrs and I have kept a pretty normal life. Try to run 10km three times a week and generally be active. I sail around the channel signlehanded and even with just my 7 year old daughter on board (which I think is potentially more foolish than just me). My wife has only sailed while we have been together but she is coastal skip and I have worked through the rya scheme to cruise instructor on the proviso there is a second mate capapble of getting the boat back in to harbour.

Heavy weather does affect things and I keep plenty of sugar cubes on board along with nuts and raisins. When going away for a week or two I take an antiinsluin injection with me, but I do not know how easy these would be to get in the UK. Here in Jersey my doctor keeps his boat next to me......I have been seasick a couple of times which could cause problems and do my blood sugar levels before a tricky bit of pilotage.

I do have complications due to going uncontrolled (having bars of chocolate for dinner to enable me to work in to the early hours) for two years whilst I did a house up but the bleeding in my eyes has stabilised and encourages me to be even better controlled.

Basically take care get a good nurse to explain before meal blood sugar levels, 2 hours after meals and before bed levels.

And you need to be asked to be put on statins at sometime.

Dont stop doing anything: you could still get run over by a bus......

Good luck and feel free to ask questions via PM if you want.

 

[Quidi Vidi]

Yes, I have been put on statins and I do have a blood sugar testing kit although I don't use it as often as I should. Fasting levels are down to around 7 now which is good but I can't understand why I feel woozy sometimes. Maybe I should do a blood test next time I feel like that to help understand it better. I also feel tired and lethargic most of the time which makes it difficult to get motivated enough to start an exercise regime, I'm hoping that losing weight will help with this.

 

[Shearwater]

I am not diabetic, but my chum is.....and I'm aware I could be at any time.

Shouldn't this otherwise excellent site have a medically challenged chapter? I have Meniere's Syndrome..... I can go into a drunken, wobbly, uncontrolled state at the drop of a hat.... or a big wave....or a wide, huge horizon. It's scary and there's no-one to understand what's happening to me except my wife. But I have a very good IQ, I've run my own business and am capable of leading a fully & safe life. There are lots of us with funny bits.....don't we need a wider understanding?