 Poster: A snowHead
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I know the immediate answer is probably not as much as well fitted boots, lessons and practice, but I got the results of a blood test yesterday and was told I have diabetes. I assume it’s type 2 as I haven’t had any obvious symptoms but I’ll know for sure when I get to the clinic.
I know little about the condition other than it will impact my diet and there may be need for insulin injections at some point so I’m here to ask for any information/advice from SHs with experience of the condition and, hopefully, reassurance that I can carry on skiing. I’m not a particularly adventurous or strenuous skier, I’m happy cruising blues and reds and I hope I can continue this.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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tafflondon, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the start of 2010 following a blood test (my previous blood test in 2006 had been normal). It's a bit of a shock when you find out you've developed it, so I can sympathise. However, I resolved to change my diet, lose weight and get regular exercise, and I'm pleased to say that with those changes (I lost 14kg) my hba1c readings (which measures the average blood sugar levels over a period of approx the last 3 months from the time the sample is taken) are such that the blood sugar levels are now well controlled without currently needing to take any medication (apart from a statin to reduce blood cholesterol levels which is I believe standard protocol for all type 2 diabetics).
Lots of useful info at http://www.diabetes.org.uk/
As regards skiing, the only impact it has had on me is that having lost weight and getting more exercise than I was used to over recent years my skiing ability has probably improved! 
Some of the medics on here may well post more information.
Good Luck!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Cheers Alastair Pink, that's encouraging
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As a type 1 diabetic I only had problems when I've overdone things & pushed myself towards a hypo. This isn't just a problem with skiing but any form of physical exercise, the only difference is the location where it happens means recognising the signs & being able to treat the symptoms when they happen quickly.
Never having type 2 but being a community practitioner in the NHS I've found a lot happen due to lifestyle choices (weight, diet, lack of exercise etc) & for all these any exercise can be a bonus & as such skiing is no exception.
The immediate treatment often is diet changes followed by medication. Medication such as Glicazide very rarely brings on Hypoglycaemia except when the dosages are too high, hopefully this would have been sorted by the time you hit the slopes. Again similar experiences with patients on Metformin usually does not produce hypoglycaemia. The hypo issue usually rears its head when Insulin is added.
I found through my own trial (& error) that a good 3 hour cardiovascular session in the gym would raise my blood sugars for a short while followed up to 2 hours later by a massive nose dive. For me I could miss out on insulin when I do a lot of exercise & even now will cut my insulin during hectic ski weeks.
In summary everyone will find they react differently & until you have settled into a medication routine & know the effect food / exercise will have on yourself it will be a case of learning as you go along. The positive side is that Kendal Mint Cake & Mars Bars can come back into your diet 
All the above is based upon my experiences & I recognise that there may be others that found contary results. My own consultant has told me not to ski alone (I do sometimes), Not to do hazardous pastimes (I'm a flood rescue technician for the RNLI too) & not to work nights (even though I have better glucose control throughout a night shift).
As a side note it is refreshing to see how many diabetics do ski. Control your diabetes & dont let it control you.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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tafflondon, I've been type 1 on injections for 35 years now, have skied, ice climbed etc all over the place, Alps, Rockies, never had a problem with it. For low blood glucose situations I use the glucose gels beloved of marathon runners and cyclists, and I keep my insulin pen and tiny blood test meter close to my core in a bum bag under my shell layer. Have been out in -29C with no issues. The main thing with extended periods of strenuous exercise is just maintaining a steady carb supply. Feel free to PM me for any specific questions.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Its probably a good time to point out that regular check ups will help you carry on skiing too with digital retinography sessions and checking for signs of neuropathy (loss of sensation). As mentioned on every other forum good boots are important but more so as a diabetic to prevent any injury that may not be felt at the time.
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FWIW my bro is type 2 diabetic and enjoys big days snowboarding like the next man. In fact, he's very, very fit all round as he looks after himself well - partly as a response to the diabetes.
It will be scary at first I should imagine as you learn how to stay on top of things, but there is absolutely no reason why this should hold you back on the slopes just so long as you look after yourself properly from day to day.
This is all based on my second hand info/experience of course. But of all our group of snowboarders and the odd skier, there's no one individual that clearly out-paces my brother over the course of a day.
Best of luck getting on top of your diabetes.
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And always take 5 times as much food as you think you will need. Running out doesn't bear thinking about. I have about 3 museli bars and 5 gels in various pockets (all in snap plastic bags in case of bursts in crashes  ). In bum bag worn across shoulder and under other arm I have meter, insulin, 2 gels and a pack of glucose tablets. Rucksack has 8 gels, 2 packs of tablets and a few more bars. Then again, I do a fair bit of off piste so getting stuck out overnight is a real possibility.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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on the boot thing, just keep an eye on your general foot health, you should be getting an annual foot check via your GP surgery of Diabetic clinic, so long as there are no problems with sensation (or lack of) then should be no problem in boots, just make sure they are very snug but not causing any pressure points as this could cause a problem long term
as others have said stay on top of the tablets and enjoy
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Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. Due to other circumstances I won't get to the diabetes clinic for another two weeks so haven't been given any medication but I have been monitoring my blood sugar for a week or so now, it's between 5.7 and 8.6 before breakfast and 6.2 to 10.6 after lunch which I understand is quite good.
Previously I only ate while on the slopes when persuaded to stop, now I appreciate I need to be more regular and to carry suitable snacks.
On the boot front I noticed last year that they seemed to be more comfortable than previously, but having seen another thread I think it was probably because I'd made more effort to get in shape and my knees and ankles were stronger.
Thanks again
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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No it shouldn't negatively affect your skiing at all. My Dad is actually diabetic and has been diagnosed with it for 15 years or so; he skis for about a month a year every year with no problem. The exercise and health benefits are beneficial to your diagnosis! Josh.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Taff, agree totally with advice re: gels, mint cake and medication carrying, 2 other things tho, I assume you are skiing with friends and that you have told them what to watch out for warning sign wise, if not, DO! or if your planning on using a guide or having lessons let that person know you have medication just in case. Other thing, if you suffer with poor circulation as a result of your diabetes take every opportunity you can to slacken your boots and have a good toe and ankle wiggle while you sit on lifts or stop for a drink?lunch etc... Have a great time you have to learn to listen to your body is all. x
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Big lunches and copious amounts of apres might be an issue. 
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You know it makes sense.
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I've had T2 diabetes for 10 years. Last year in Val D'Isere I noticed i was out of breath a lot and on one day couldn't swallow my food. When I returned back to the UK and visited a private diabetes specialist who told me I was suffering from the effects of altitude sickness due to the diabetes. I'm planning to ski this year a couple of times but before I go I'll visit my GP for some altitude sickness pills. I would also recommend you get your own boots from a good boot fitter. From your screen name I take it that you're in London, I recommend you visit Ski Bartlett in Hillingdon and book an appointment with Phil or Terry for a pair of boots. They're excellent and have been boot fitters for over 30 years.
Paul
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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tafflondon, I was diagnosed with Type 1 when I was 4, I'm now 30. I've skiied on and off since I was 8. I know you're a type 2 which in this situation means it's slightly harder for you as you can't adjust your insulin levels, normally I'd reduce it at meal times.
A normal ski day for me would include eating a double dose of instant porridge with honey for breakfast. If I'm still hungry I'll have a croissant. I'll always carry Jelly Babies with me, the sugar in Jelly Babies is absorbed faster than your insulin can break it down. Lunch is normally a massive baguette with trimmings and I'll also carry mini mars bars or a cereal bar with me. When I get back I'll devour a pack of nuts and some olives with a beer before an evening meal.
My low sugar symptoms normally mean me sweating, but that's a little more difficult to detect when skiing, sometimes I've had my fingers and toes go cold, again difficult to detect! You'll be fine!... always carry food.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Again, thanks for all the advice and encouragement.
I've had my boots checked and been told they're OK, if anything half a size too big (do all bootfitters say that?) but that should reduce circulation issues.
I'll certainly be carrying food on the hills in future, must leave a note for Santa asking for Kendal Mint Cake instead of a selection box, and my spare test meter.
I hadn't considered altitude problems but I'll ask the doc at my next appointment.
I'll certainly tell instructor/guide and anyone else I ski with, and I've got a plastic wrist band from ebay that reads "Diabetic", just in case.
All that's left now is to get to the gym as often as possible, after all only 32 sleeps to Courchevel and it's snowing there
Thanks again
PS My insurance expires during the holiday so I need to renew, obviously I have to declare the diabetes, does it make a huge difference to the premium?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I find it makes a small difference when compared to my friends insurance. But for peace of mind I normally go with AXA Insurance, I consider them to be reliable and are a French company... that can't be a bad thing.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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tafflondon, One thing that hasn't been mentioned, is to make sure that your companions know your situation, and what to do if you have any problems. I have rock climbed, ice climbed, alpine mountaineered, and skied with a type 1 diabetic for close on 20 years now, and can now spot when his blood sugar is getting low, sometimes when he hasn't noticed. It can also be important for a companion to be able to explain to others, a diabetic with very low blood sugar is not the best person to explain to anyone why he is collapsing in the middle of the road - it can easily be mistaken for being drunk by the uninitiated. I have also found that as regular companion I have been able to get him to eat when others just get abuse!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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tafflondon, Have you been confirmed as Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic yet? If you are Type 2 and controlling it by diet and exercise alone then there is no point in having Kendal mint cake or other sugary foods with you, as you will never be hypoglycaemic (low blood sugar level). A different story of course if you are type 1 on insulin or type 2 on certain medications.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I haven't had a Type 1 or 2 diagnosis yet, when I saw the doc last week and showed her my blood results she just said to come back in January for another blood test, so I'm assuming it's a mild case of type 2.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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You're assuming correctly, you'd have been very ill by now if you were type 1 on no treatment since diagnosis 6 weeks ago.
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Currently there is quite a lot of debate about the diagnosis of type 2 Diabetes (T2DM). The thresholds for Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) are generalisations across a population and might be misleading for an individual. Initially early stage T2DM is due to Insulin resistance and can develop into an inability to produce adequate Insulin due to pancreas damage when Insulin injections are needed. Early stage T2DM can be halted and reversed for many people through diet and/or exercise, even more so if it is really a pre-diabetes condition. Little justification for drugs in the early stages especially if you are a skier and wish to undertake high intensity exercise on a regular basis. Plenty of research to show that exercise can reduce FPG. The finger prick glucose testers are not very accurate and their results should not be used for diagnosis except maybe to show extreme results. A 12 hour fast before testing - water only but do drink water as dehydration can skew results. Results varying between 5.7 and 8.6 mmol/L are showing too wide a variation - 5.7 is not even pre-diabetic. Readings of 6.2 to 10.6 mmol/L after lunch does raise the question of whether or not you are actually diabetic - appears unlikely. FPG peaks about 1 hour after eating so tests to show maximums should not be done immediately after eating.
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on the boot thing, just keep an eye on your general foot health, you should be getting an annual foot check via your GP surgery of Diabetic clinic, so long as there are no problems with sensation (or lack of) then should be no problem in boots, just make sure they are very snug but not causing any pressure points as this could cause a problem long term
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This is critical advice, don't ignore it if your diabetic.
Caveat: Although its improved over years the understanding of foot heath problems and diabetic care can still be variable within the GP/Nurse led clinics, as such I would always recommend getting an assessment by a Podiatrist with an interest in Diabetes and understanding of the issues involved in the particular sport.
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melissagwen
melissagwen
Guest
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It will be scary at first I should imagine as you learn how to stay on top of things, but there is absolutely no reason why this should hold you back on the slopes just so long as you look after yourself properly from day to day.
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