How to prevent hypo when playing tennis?

I am a newly diagnosed T2 3 months back.
Currently not on meds on doctor's advice.
I have to avoid most carbs and exercise to control my bg.
I have played tennis for 20 years and unfortunately stopped playing the last
4 years and wish to start again
But I have a problem. Currently I get blurred visions after jogging 3 kms
and my bg readings was found to be below 3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dl). I suspected
I got hypo during my run.
Note that my fasting bg is 5.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dl)
2 hour after meal - 6.0 to 7..8 (108 to140) with alot of effort.
Next week and I am planning to hit with some friends. I however don't want
to pass out infront of them, if I got hypo again.
Usually (before diabetes) at my current fitness level, I can play a 2 hour
match easily. But with diabetes, now I wonder now if I will ever play tennis
again.
My doctor told me not to exert myself. But I can't help it and know I will
do the opposite. Especially when a small wager is on the line
I need your kind advice on how to avoid hypo before, during and after my
matches.
What and when should I eat before my match?
What and how much should I feed myself throught the game?
What should I take after the match so as not to pass out in my car on my way
back?
Am I too demanding with myself?
Thank you all you good people out there for the help.

Zad
Singapore

On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 22:59:57 +0800, "ojatt"
wrote:

I am a newly diagnosed T2 3 months back.

Currently not on meds

You cannot go hypo without meds.

on doctor's advice.
I have to avoid most carbs and exercise to control my bg.

Well it seems like you are one of the lucky ones that are
able to without meds.

I have played tennis for 20 years and unfortunately stopped playing the last
4 years and wish to start again

Excellent idea, there is nothing better than exercise which
is enjoyment. Much better than going for a run cause you
have to.

But I have a problem. Currently I get blurred visions after jogging 3 kms
and my bg readings was found to be below 3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dl). I suspected
I got hypo during my run.
Note that my fasting bg is 5.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dl)
2 hour after meal - 6.0 to 7..8 (108 to140) with alot of effort.
Next week and I am planning to hit with some friends. I however don't want
to pass out infront of them, if I got hypo again.
Usually (before diabetes) at my current fitness level, I can play a 2 hour
match easily. But with diabetes, now I wonder now if I will ever play tennis
again.

No problem, you will be able to.

My doctor told me not to exert myself.

He is in my opinion talking rubish.

But I can't help it and know I will
do the opposite. Especially when a small wager is on the line
I need your kind advice on how to avoid hypo before, during and after my
matches.

Ok here is my thoughts on your predicament based upon my
experience. You have had high levels of glucose in your
system for some time before being diagnosed. As a result,
your body has developed a chemical trigger which expects to
see a certain level of glucose. If it does not then you will
percieve a hypo. To all intents and purposes it is though it
will occur at a glucose level much higher than one that
would cause real concern. This is uncomfortable and can be a
complete distraction. I used to last two hours after some
exercise and then had to lie down for half an hour.

Over time - and it can take quite a while, perhaps a month
or more - you body will recognise that it has lower levels
of glucose in your blood and that that is to be the normal.
So the chemical triggers will reset at a lower level. When
this happens it is more than likely that you will not get
these feelings of being hypo untill your BG is much lower.
Below a certain level your liver will dump some extra in.

I am on meds and after a lot of strenuous exercise I can go
down to 3.6 before I feel ****ty. Still you cannot do your
best when feeling like that.

What and when should I eat before my match?

Don't really know but I think I'd sugest something to eat
about half an hour beforeand something which will last
giving off energy rather than just dumping load onto your
system all at once. Which will cause a spike probably. You
might have to do a bit of experimenting to find what suits
you.

What and how much should I feed myself throught the game?

I don't think you will need a lot. Perhaps sucking on a
boiled sweet is all you might need.

What should I take after the match so as not to pass out in my car on my way
back?

Afterwards I'd relax for a while and test your blood. If
it's getting to the point where you know you feel
uncomfortable, then go for another boiled sweet perhaps.

Am I too demanding with myself?

Err no I dont think so.

Thank you all you good people out there for the help.

Heres a snap of how I fared without meds. Like you it was
just diet and exercise. But my BG was high in the fasting
range of 14. After three weeks of dieting and watching what
i ate I got that down to between 8 - 10 for the mornings.
with a restricted carb diet i was loosing weight fast but my
BG was slow to respond accordingly. One day after breakfast
of 1 x slice of dry toast and a coffee I completed the
following over the day:

14 miles cycling
3 miles running [treadmill]
2 hours gym pushing weights and rowing.
1 hour swimming
and i walked about 3 miles inbetween.

During this, lunch was a salad sandwich and coffee and at
the end of the day 1800 I tested my BG and it was 6.4

Four weeks later i went onto meds, small dose, and things
began to improve. The trouble was that by this time I was
running out of energy to do anything at all yet my BG were
still high. On meds and about three weeks later, my BG's
were dropping and after strenuous exercise I was getting
down to 3.8. I would start to feel hypo firs at 5.0 and then
later not until 4.0 and falling. Now I get to 3.8 before I
feel any effects.

HTH

Pete

"ojatt" wrote in message
...

I am a newly diagnosed T2 3 months back.
Currently not on meds on doctor's advice.

It is a good idea to stay away from drugs that force your beta cells to produce
more insulin, since it will eventually burn out your beta cells, and then you
will have to use insulin. However, Metformin is good for diabetes, and it will
help you lose weight, and it is also considered to be the number one drug that
helps people live longer
(http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2001/...formin_01.html).

I have to avoid most carbs and exercise to control my bg.
I have played tennis for 20 years and unfortunately stopped playing the last
4 years and wish to start again
But I have a problem. Currently I get blurred visions after jogging 3 kms
and my bg readings was found to be below 3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dl). I suspected
I got hypo during my run.
Note that my fasting bg is 5.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dl)
2 hour after meal - 6.0 to 7..8 (108 to140) with alot of effort.

No carb foods should not raise your blood sugar this much. Isolate what it
causing your BG to rise by only eating one thing at a time and testing your
blood sugar afterwards.

My doctor told me not to exert myself. But I can't help it and know I will
do the opposite. Especially when a small wager is on the line
I need your kind advice on how to avoid hypo before, during and after my
matches.
What and when should I eat before my match?
What and how much should I feed myself throught the game?

Mixed nuts are nutrient dense, and should keep you well supplied with calories
for your match. But it is going to take some trial and error, to find out how
much to eat. Tell everyone about your condition, so they can help you out if
you have a problem.

"Pete" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 22:59:57 +0800, "ojatt"
wrote:

I am a newly diagnosed T2 3 months back.

Currently not on meds

You cannot go hypo without meds.

Not true! I certainly have! And more times than I care to remember.

on doctor's advice.
I have to avoid most carbs and exercise to control my bg.

Well it seems like you are one of the lucky ones that are
able to without meds.

I have played tennis for 20 years and unfortunately stopped playing the
last
4 years and wish to start again

Excellent idea, there is nothing better than exercise which
is enjoyment. Much better than going for a run cause you
have to.

But I have a problem. Currently I get blurred visions after jogging 3 kms
and my bg readings was found to be below 3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dl). I
suspected
I got hypo during my run.
Note that my fasting bg is 5.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dl)
2 hour after meal - 6.0 to 7..8 (108 to140) with alot of effort.
Next week and I am planning to hit with some friends. I however don't
want
to pass out infront of them, if I got hypo again.
Usually (before diabetes) at my current fitness level, I can play a 2
hour
match easily. But with diabetes, now I wonder now if I will ever play
tennis
again.

No problem, you will be able to.

But if you don't eat carbs before you play (and possibly during), you could
go hypo again.

My doctor told me not to exert myself.

He is in my opinion talking rubish.

But why did the Dr. say this? Is there some other medical condition we
don't know about?

snip

Can't really answer the rest of the questions because we're all different.

--
Type 2
http://users.bestweb.net/~jbove/

"Cynthia" wrote in message
...
"ojatt" wrote in message
...

I am a newly diagnosed T2 3 months back.
Currently not on meds on doctor's advice.

It is a good idea to stay away from drugs that force your beta cells to
produce
more insulin, since it will eventually burn out your beta cells, and then
you
will have to use insulin. However, Metformin is good for diabetes, and it
will
help you lose weight, and it is also considered to be the number one drug
that
helps people live longer
(http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2001/...formin_01.html).

I think it's a good drug, but it doesn't necessarily help you lose weight.
I was losing weight while on Amaryl. Gained weight while on Metformin and
everything else stayed the same. I suspect those who lose weight on it are
those who get the stomach upset. That didn't happen to me.

--
Type 2
http://users.bestweb.net/~jbove/

Julie,

Before I started taking Metformin, I too read how it helped people lose
about 10 lbs, which was, coincidenally, how much I wanted to lose. But I
quickly gained ten pounds of fat while taking Metformin and developed a
problem with hypos too.

This is admittedly supposed to be a very rare occurance with that particular
drug, but certainly happened to me. It was no fun at all dropping to 60
mg/dl after every meal.

I also developed a wierd chest pain that felt like a heart attack but
wastn't which the endocrinologist told me was a common Metformin side
effect too. It went away when I stopped taking it.

-- Jenny

168.5/137

Low Carb 9/1998 - 8/2001 and 11/10/02 - Now

http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean
How to calculate your need for protein * How much people really lose each
month * Water Weight Gain & Loss * The "Two Gram Cure" for Hunger Cravings
* Characteristics of Successful Dieters * Indispensible Low Carb Treats *
Should You Count that Low Impact Carb? * Curing Ketobreath * Exercise
Starting from Zero * NEW! Do Starch Blockers Work?


"Julie Bove" wrote in message
...




"Cynthia" wrote in message
...
"ojatt" wrote in message
...

I am a newly diagnosed T2 3 months back.
Currently not on meds on doctor's advice.

It is a good idea to stay away from drugs that force your beta cells to
produce
more insulin, since it will eventually burn out your beta cells, and
then
you
will have to use insulin. However, Metformin is good for diabetes, and
it
will
help you lose weight, and it is also considered to be the number one
drug
that
helps people live longer
(http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2001/...formin_01.html).

I think it's a good drug, but it doesn't necessarily help you lose weight.
I was losing weight while on Amaryl. Gained weight while on Metformin and
everything else stayed the same. I suspect those who lose weight on it
are
those who get the stomach upset. That didn't happen to me.

--
Type 2
http://users.bestweb.net/~jbove/

On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 13:33:22 -0400, "Julie Bove"
wrote:

"Pete" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 22:59:57 +0800, "ojatt"
wrote:

I am a newly diagnosed T2 3 months back.

Currently not on meds

You cannot go hypo without meds.

Not true! I certainly have! And more times than I care to remember.

At what point did you go hypo? I have felt the effects of
being hypo at various stages and at no time could my
condition be technically defined as being hypo. In fact only
the other day I thought I might be going hypo and checked to
discover my BG was 4.0. As it happened, i was unable to eat
anyting and probably wouldn't have anyway since this was
about an hour before scheduled feeding time. I tested about
an hour and a bit later and my BG was..........ooops 3.8. I
have actually tied this out. i have deliberately gone
without my meal to see what happens. Appart from feeling
****ty temporarily nothing occured and my BG never went
below 3.6 [6 hours + between meals]

So I guess I am one of the lucky ones that don't go hypo.
Well life is full of surprises.

[snip]

http://wellnessfeatures.christusheal...betes/feqs.htm

When your blood glucose levels are too low, you have
hypoglycemia. If you have diabetes this can occurif you take
too much insulin or oral medication, or doen't eat properly,
especially before exercise. You will become nervous, sweaty,
shaky or weak; you may have a headache or blurred vision and
be extremely hungry.

Sugar, juice or food with a high sugar content can help you
recover from hypoglycemia. If not treated in time,
hypoglycemia can cause you to slip into a coma or have a
seizure.

http://wellnessfeatures.christusheal...oglycemia.htm#

When you take insulin or oral medications, it is possible
for your blood sugar level to drop too low. This condition
is called hypoglycemia. Normally, a blood sugar level below
70 mg/dl is considered too low.

*When you take insulin or oral medications, it is possible
for your blood sugar level to drop too low.*

"ojatt" wrote in message
...
I am a newly diagnosed T2 3 months back.
Currently not on meds on doctor's advice.
I have to avoid most carbs and exercise to control my bg.
I have played tennis for 20 years and unfortunately stopped playing the
last
4 years and wish to start again
But I have a problem. Currently I get blurred visions after jogging 3 kms
and my bg readings was found to be below 3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dl). I
suspected
I got hypo during my run.
Note that my fasting bg is 5.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dl)
2 hour after meal - 6.0 to 7..8 (108 to140) with alot of effort.
Next week and I am planning to hit with some friends. I however don't want
to pass out infront of them, if I got hypo again.
Usually (before diabetes) at my current fitness level, I can play a 2 hour
match easily. But with diabetes, now I wonder now if I will ever play
tennis
again.
My doctor told me not to exert myself.

If diabetes is the only problem you have, and DON'T have a problem which
requires you to "not exert" yourself, your doctos (like most of the ****ers)
is talking out of his arse and YOU need a new one (not an arse, a doctor)
Exercise is THE best thing you can do to combat the possible effects of
diabetes. ANY doctor knows that, so maybe yours got his med certificate off
his neighbour, coz he certainly didn't EARN it.

Don't avoid carbs prior to a game of tennis and you'll soon work out how
many carbs it takes to get you through a game. Didn't you drink "Robinsons
Barley" or similar when you played before? If so, you should go back to
drinking it prior to and during your game.

But I can't help it and know I will
do the opposite. Especially when a small wager is on the line
I need your kind advice on how to avoid hypo before, during and after my
matches.

Droink Lucozade/Barley water/Coke or ANY "sports drink". Even have a high
energy granola type bar before you start. You'll burn the glucose while
you're playing.

What and when should I eat before my match?
What and how much should I feed myself throught the game?
What should I take after the match so as not to pass out in my car on my
way
back?

Do you use a meter? If so, why not check before, during and after the match?
I'm sure your friends won't object. Use the resluts to adjust the carbs.

Am I too demanding with myself?

Not in the least, although I do think you're looking for a "one size fits
all" answer, and that's not going to happen. You're as different to me as I
am to my brother, so only you can say how many carbs you'll need during your
game, but if you've got a meter, use it at every opportunity during your
first few games and you'll know for sure what carbs you'll need.

Beav

"Julie Bove" wrote in message
...




"Pete" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 22:59:57 +0800, "ojatt"
wrote:

I am a newly diagnosed T2 3 months back.

Currently not on meds

You cannot go hypo without meds.

Not true! I certainly have! And more times than I care to remember.

Yeah, you may have gone LOW, but you won't go unconscious, you won't need
any thrid part help, and your BG WILL climb back without intervention. Going
TRULY hypo is the province of those who take BG lowering meds, and if it
wasn't, then every man and his dog would be using a BG meter 8 or 10 times a
day and walking around with a pocketful of glucose tabs.

Beav

Hiya Pete,

Pete wrote:

*When you take insulin or oral medications, it is possible
for your blood sugar level to drop too low.*

That's a warning as to the effects that insulin or medication may have, not
an admonishment that those are the _only_ things that can cause a hypo. The
paragraph you posted above the one you emphasized the above from also said
that hypos can be caused by eating improperly.

Like Julie, I don't take any meds or insulin and I've had several hypos
since being diagnosed. Most recently this past weekend at my future
son-in-law's bachelor party as I waited fruitlessly for something to be
served to EAT!

Regards,

James the Elder