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Exercise and extra carbs query

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Amanda102

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
I can't believe I typed a long message and submitted it and it seems to have disappeared! Going for an abridged version now. I am trying to fine tune Hannah's carb requirements for her football matches on a Saturday morning. Last week she had a small chocolate bar before the match (30 minutes either way and 9 a side) and at half time she was 11.4. At full time she was 15.4 and then 5 before lunch about an hour later. Tis week, I thought with such high readings maybe she didn't need the chocolate. At half time she was 14.1 and then at full time 16.4. Twenty minutes later she was still 16.6 and then 8.6 before lunch about an hour later. Having consulted my book I am now wondering if the problem is in fact that she had too few carbs and maybe she need something before and at half time! This is all a bit of a mystery to me, but she is a keen and talented footballer and I want to help her get her levels right when she plays so she can perform to her best. Any help with what I should try next week would be gratefully received!
 
Hi Amanda, perhaps check out runsweet the website for athletes that would probably be a great help.
I'm curious though why Hannah needs to to snack as she is on the pump. Her basal can be adjusted to stop the need to snack.
 
Amanda102 said:
I can't believe I typed a long message and submitted it and it seems to have disappeared! Going for an abridged version now. I am trying to fine tune Hannah's carb requirements for her football matches on a Saturday morning. Last week she had a small chocolate bar before the match (30 minutes either way and 9 a side) and at half time she was 11.4. At full time she was 15.4 and then 5 before lunch about an hour later. Tis week, I thought with such high readings maybe she didn't need the chocolate. At half time she was 14.1 and then at full time 16.4. Twenty minutes later she was still 16.6 and then 8.6 before lunch about an hour later. Having consulted my book I am now wondering if the problem is in fact that she had too few carbs and maybe she need something before and at half time! This is all a bit of a mystery to me, but she is a keen and talented footballer and I want to help her get her levels right when she plays so she can perform to her best. Any help with what I should try next week would be gratefully received!
Click to expand...

I think that if that were me, I'd be tempted to have the chocolate bar and some insulin to cover it - but I would probably take half my normal amount of insulin for the carbs. I used to do this when I went swimming before work - have half my normal insulin before breakfast.

I'm hoping someone with a better understanding of exercise and insulin requirements will chip in here as well.
 
Pumper_Sue said:
Hi Amanda, perhaps check out runsweet the website for athletes that would probably be a great help.
I'm curious though why Hannah needs to to snack as she is on the pump. Her basal can be adjusted to stop the need to snack.
Click to expand...

That's a good point Sue. The advice she was given when on MDIs was never altered when she went onto a pump. I did ask whether she should still have her 'free snack' at bed time and her nurse said yes, but I stopped it anyway because it meant she was constantly high in the morning. Maybe she won't be the best person to ask about this, but I am not sure how much I would need to reduce her basal by. I will look at the site you suggest and see if that can help. Thanks.
 
MaryPlain said:
I think that if that were me, I'd be tempted to have the chocolate bar and some insulin to cover it - but I would probably take half my normal amount of insulin for the carbs. I used to do this when I went swimming before work - have half my normal insulin before breakfast.

I'm hoping someone with a better understanding of exercise and insulin requirements will chip in here as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. It's certainly something I could try out and see how it goes!
 
Hi Amanda,
do you have the book pumping insulin? If not perhaps get one it will be a lot more help than your DSN. If the price is to high perhap order it from your libray! There's a good section regarding exercise in there. 🙂

Ps, the 5th edition is very expensive so find a 4th edition.
 
+1 on the suggestion of Pumping Insulin, but amazon are hopeless at the moment so you may need to look further afield.

I also believe you need some IOB during exercise, particularly at higher intensities as glucose will be released from muscles to fuel the effort. Not sure on the timing of your daughter's footy, but reduced bolus for pre-football carbs and a (significantly) reduced TBR could well be worth experimenting. For gym sessions I have a reduction beforehand and completely disconnect during giving a net TBR of around 35%, though I do have IOB from breakfast (reduced ratio) when I go.

Everyone is so different (Ask Alan as he has a *very* different requirement for running) so you'll just have to keep experimenting away till you find something that mostly works 🙂
 
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