Good morning all, this is the first time I've joined a forum so please bare with me. My name is Matt and myself and my wife have 3 wonderful sons, aged 13, 10 and 6. Last week unfortunately my eldest son who is 13 got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He spent 4 days in hospital as his sugar levels was in the 30s when he arrived at the hospital. He's back at home now and getting used to his new normal life of carb counting and insulin. He's an extremely sporty lad so any advice on how sporty people get on with diabetes and sport would be much appreciated. Thanks
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My 13 yr old son has recently been diagnosed type 1 Diabetes
- Thread starter MC0424
- Start date
- Status
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome @MC0424 🙂 Sorry to hear about your son’s Type 1 diagnosis. It’s overwhelming to start with, but I promise it does get easier. If he’s lost a lot of weight pre-diagnosis, I’d give his body a chance to rest, recover and rebuild a bit first. Also, that will give him a chance to get a feel for his diabetes.
Does he have a Libre or Dexcom? Like everything with Type 1, exercise requires planning. That planning will differ depending on when he’s exercising, for how long, what he’s doing, and so on. I tend to reduce my bolus for the meal prior to exercise. I have a pump so can also put on a temporary basal rate, but reducing the bolus and/or having extra carbs is a good basic start. I recommend he builds his exercise up gradually just so he can see how things go and gain confidence in managing his diabetes when active.
Does he have a Libre or Dexcom? Like everything with Type 1, exercise requires planning. That planning will differ depending on when he’s exercising, for how long, what he’s doing, and so on. I tend to reduce my bolus for the meal prior to exercise. I have a pump so can also put on a temporary basal rate, but reducing the bolus and/or having extra carbs is a good basic start. I recommend he builds his exercise up gradually just so he can see how things go and gain confidence in managing his diabetes when active.
Welcome @MC0424. Sorry to read about your son's recent diagnosis. It is rather overwhelming at the start but it is no longer a death sentence and should not restrict your son's future including sport. Just look at Henry Slade the English rugby player, Nacho the Spanish footballer or the NovoNordisk cycling team.
As @Inka mentioned the impact of sport will have a lot of "it depends ..." associated with it. Including whether the sport will make our BG rise or fall. I often illustrate this with my cycling exploits
- if I pootle along a flat tow path chatting to my mates, I see very little change to my BG.
- if I do a 45 minute full on Spin session, my BG will plummet
- if I go out on a wet, windy, cold day, and decide (or need) to cycle up a steep hill, my BG will rocket.
I would recommend a lot of "trial and learn". I agree with Inka to start by reducing insulin and/or eating extra carbs to minimise the risk of a hypo but, don't be surprised if his BG goes up rather than down.
And keep a very close eye on his BG for the next 24 to 48 hours as the exercise is likely to reduce his glucose reserves which could result in later hypos. Or it might not.
The website www.runsweet.com used to be great for advice managing Type 1 and exercise. It does not look as if it has been updated for some time but still contains some useful tips and stories for different types of exercise.
As @Inka mentioned the impact of sport will have a lot of "it depends ..." associated with it. Including whether the sport will make our BG rise or fall. I often illustrate this with my cycling exploits
- if I pootle along a flat tow path chatting to my mates, I see very little change to my BG.
- if I do a 45 minute full on Spin session, my BG will plummet
- if I go out on a wet, windy, cold day, and decide (or need) to cycle up a steep hill, my BG will rocket.
I would recommend a lot of "trial and learn". I agree with Inka to start by reducing insulin and/or eating extra carbs to minimise the risk of a hypo but, don't be surprised if his BG goes up rather than down.
And keep a very close eye on his BG for the next 24 to 48 hours as the exercise is likely to reduce his glucose reserves which could result in later hypos. Or it might not.
The website www.runsweet.com used to be great for advice managing Type 1 and exercise. It does not look as if it has been updated for some time but still contains some useful tips and stories for different types of exercise.
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MikeyBikey
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hello and welcome! I was diagnosed as a child over 60 years ago. Back then we only had urine sugar testing (very inaccurate as regards BG), glass syringes and had to resharpen our needles. With care, and a modicum of luck, your son should avoid serious complications in his lifetime. As one vascular surgeon said to me "You never really had an eff'ing chance!".
By your son's age I was managing my own diabetes. Others have commented on exercise and generally it (bar brisk walking) had given me up by the time BG testing became routine. I used to munch about 8 cubes of sugar before a cross country run and stop for a Woodbine half-way!
By your son's age I was managing my own diabetes. Others have commented on exercise and generally it (bar brisk walking) had given me up by the time BG testing became routine. I used to munch about 8 cubes of sugar before a cross country run and stop for a Woodbine half-way!
Thebearcametoo
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent
Hi and welcome.
Being sporty is a great thing for a kid with diabetes. It will take a little getting used to it all but I promise it does get easier. You should have access to a dietician on your diabetes team and they and your diabetes nurse will help him through how to deal with exercise. Lean on your diabetes team and don’t be afraid to call the out of hours number if you need help.
Have lots of hypo options. Small bags of haribo or skittles, things like dextrose or glucose tablets or small cartons of fruit juice.
To begin with it’s a lot about data collection. It will take a while to get all the ratios right so don’t worry if he’s still a bit high for a few weeks. If he has a sensor that will give more data for the team to work off but fingerpricks are great too.
Don’t be afraid to come and ask anything you need here. My kid is 14 and has been diabetic for 5 years and there are other parents too as well of course a lot of people living with diabetes.
Being sporty is a great thing for a kid with diabetes. It will take a little getting used to it all but I promise it does get easier. You should have access to a dietician on your diabetes team and they and your diabetes nurse will help him through how to deal with exercise. Lean on your diabetes team and don’t be afraid to call the out of hours number if you need help.
Have lots of hypo options. Small bags of haribo or skittles, things like dextrose or glucose tablets or small cartons of fruit juice.
To begin with it’s a lot about data collection. It will take a while to get all the ratios right so don’t worry if he’s still a bit high for a few weeks. If he has a sensor that will give more data for the team to work off but fingerpricks are great too.
Don’t be afraid to come and ask anything you need here. My kid is 14 and has been diabetic for 5 years and there are other parents too as well of course a lot of people living with diabetes.
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I know of one person who was diagnosed with Type 1 at about the same age as your son. He too was and still is very sporty, going on to represent England at Junior level. Now in his 60's he is a father, grandfather and still very competitive at Veteran and County levels.
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- Type 1
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