Anyone diabetic?

[natalia1681]

Hi, I'm type 1 diabetic and have just started using the insulin pump (as opposed to daily injections).
I was wondering if anyone else here was using the pump (or knew someone who is) and if you have any concerns about using it in WDW.

For example, I'm not supposed to use it on Free Fall rides or rides that have excessive amounts of G force. So, I know not to use it on roller coasters or mission space, etc. But I'm curious about the other rides.

Who could I call to ask about this? Is there a diabetic ambassador to disney?:hammer:

Any help would be greatly appreciated!


31 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[SheenaXena]

My dad's girlfriend has had the pump for a couple of months now. She has type 2 diabetes. We're thinking of going to WDW sometime in the future together, and she has no concerns at all. She said to just read your brochure and she said the things you stated already, not to ride rollercoasters. But she said that she could ride stuff like "It's a Small World".:lol: You'll have a great time! You'll be in WDW! Woo-hoo! We have 11 days.:sohappy: I hope I helped a little. I tried. I did ask her though and she said the same thing you did.

 

[natalia1681]

Thanks so much! I'm just a little bit nervous, this being the first time going to WDW with the pump.

Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[tigsmom]

My suggestion is to contact your diabetic counselor or doctor.

I'm a Type 2 but take oral meds. It will be pretty easy to stick with your diet so thats one less worry. Good luck and have fun! :wave:

 

[natalia1681]

I'll definitely check with my doctor, too, but I don't really see him having much knowledge for disney.

I know, I'm so excited about having the pump and not having to worry about meal plans. I just count the carbs and dose and then I can eat when I want and what I want.

I'm just a little nervous that the pounds might catch up to me:lookaroun

 

[tigsmom]

I'll definitely check with my doctor, too, but I don't really see him having much knowledge for disney.

I know, I'm so excited about having the pump and not having to worry about meal plans. I just count the carbs and dose and then I can eat when I want and what I want.

I'm just a little nervous that the pounds might catch up to me:lookaroun

My bloodsugars are the best in WDW even when I cheat a little bit. With all that walking I always lose weight, and the exercise is great for buring that extra sugar. :lol:
Do you have a diabetic counseler? She is the one in my Endocrinologist's office who does all the pump teaching. The doctor had trouble even calibrating it and she is one of the best in the area. :lol:

 

[natalia1681]

Yeah, I'll check with my pump lady, too. She is very wise. My doctor is really with it, too, we just have some difficulties communicating from time to time.

I was told that it would be easier to lose a few pounds while using the pump, because I don't have to eat a big snack everytime I do any form of exercise.

Maybe I'll come back from WDW a few pounds lighter (and not just in my wallet:lookaroun)

Thanks again!

 

[macsmom]

A friend of mine has gained weight since getting the pump. She looks horrible and won't admit that she is still not suppose to eat candy and carbs, etc. She eats candy bars, ice cream, any breads....all the good stuff we have to watch now (I take orals). She just ups the dose of insulin from the pump and figures she is okay. But, her sugars still run high lots of times (415 after eating lunch the other day) and "I can't figure out why". Don't forget to watch the calories, too. While you can adjust the dosage for the carbs, you can't for the calories.

Good luck!

danna

368 days and counting down!
Got my golden ears from Disneyland today!! woo hoo

 

[tigsmom]

A friend of mine has gained weight since getting the pump. She looks horrible and won't admit that she is still not suppose to eat candy and carbs, etc. She eats candy bars, ice cream, any breads....all the good stuff we have to watch now (I take orals). She just ups the dose of insulin from the pump and figures she is okay. But, her sugars still run high lots of times (415 after eating lunch the other day) and "I can't figure out why". Don't forget to watch the calories, too. While you can adjust the dosage for the carbs, you can't for the calories.

Good luck!

danna

368 days and counting down!
Got my golden ears from Disneyland today!! woo hoo

415! OMG! Her doctor need to have a seriuos talk to her about this!

Its amazing how so many people think just because you takse medication you can eat whatever you want! How very sad... and so dangerous for her.

 

[macsmom]

I work at Wal*Mart so I do alot of walking everyday. She works there, too, but she is stuck behind a counter all day and doesn't walk as much. One day she walks past me, hiding her hand. It is lunch time and she is going to eat a pint of ice cream for lunch. This is a woman who has been a diabetic for almost 15 years! But, since she has the pump, she thinks she can eat anything. I lost a friend to a major heart attack about 3 years ago who weighed almost 400 pounds, didn't check her sugar like she was suppose to, didn't do her insulin right. Me, I have started exercising more and watching what I eat. I cheat some....we all do just a bit, but I am great at not eating candy and I gave up my Coke cold turkey.....and we are talking someone that could put away a six-pack in a heartbeat! it is hard, but I have to do it!

 

[tigsmom]

I work at Wal*Mart so I do alot of walking everyday. She works there, too, but she is stuck behind a counter all day and doesn't walk as much. One day she walks past me, hiding her hand. It is lunch time and she is going to eat a pint of ice cream for lunch. This is a woman who has been a diabetic for almost 15 years! But, since she has the pump, she thinks she can eat anything. I lost a friend to a major heart attack about 3 years ago who weighed almost 400 pounds, didn't check her sugar like she was suppose to, didn't do her insulin right. Me, I have started exercising more and watching what I eat. I cheat some....we all do just a bit, but I am great at not eating candy and I gave up my Coke cold turkey.....and we are talking someone that could put away a six-pack in a heartbeat! it is hard, but I have to do it!

I know how hard it is and I hear you about the occasional cheat. I still have my chocolate, just a Hershey mini (at 5 carbs), but thats all I need anymore. There are so many foods out there to make this lifestyle easy...

Does she have family? Maybe they could talk to her (and her doctor)? She need education/counseling pronto!

 

[macsmom]

She doesn't see her family all that much. They only live 90 miles away, but she seems to isolate herself from them. Somehow, she gets this stuff by her doctor. I worry about her, but she won't listen to me. She thinks that because we both ate a hamburger for lunch, that I am just as bad as she is, but then she "forgets" that she finished off her son's french fries and chocolate ice cream sundae "because she didn't want to waste $3." I am getting good at leaving those carbs on the plate! I miss my Hershey Kisses (I would put a whole bag in my vest pockets and eat them while doing my job!), but have discovered sugar-free caramel flavored Nips. :slurp:

 

[Aurora23]

My daughter has been on the insulin pump for 4 years now. As long as you keep up with your carb intake (we have some great books to take along). Test often, you are walking more than usual. Keep the pump out of direct sunlight. We have never heard of the roller coaster/g-force rule, but I can see why they would say that. Most sit down (and some counter service) restaurants have sugar-free desserts to choose from. And if you let sit down places know at least a week before, they can be more prepared for you. Have a great time! And if you have any questions, I'd love to talk you you about them!

 

[lizardpearl]

My husband has been on the insulin pump (minimed) for almost 7 years now and he's gone to WDW twice with it. He's had no problems with it on any rides (not with gforces or anything) -- though he uses a protective cover on it for the wet rides. The only thing is to check the background insulin -- you may find your blood sugars drop faster because you don't notice just how much walking you're doing, not to mention your body is working harder to cool itself off. Diabetes sucks under any circumstances, but I can't imagine letting levels get to the 400's.. my dh would freak if it got that high. I would just recommend testing more often and really being in tune with how you're feeling. Insulin reactions can sneak up on you in an instant while you're there -- and those are even scarier than the high ones. have fun!!!

32 days til we go again!! yay!!

 

[tigsmom]

My husband has been on the insulin pump (minimed) for almost 7 years now and he's gone to WDW twice with it. He's had no problems with it on any rides (not with gforces or anything) -- though he uses a protective cover on it for the wet rides. The only thing is to check the background insulin -- you may find your blood sugars drop faster because you don't notice just how much walking you're doing, not to mention your body is working harder to cool itself off. Diabetes sucks under any circumstances, but I can't imagine letting levels get to the 400's.. my dh would freak if it got that high. I would just recommend testing more often and really being in tune with how you're feeling. Insulin reactions can sneak up on you in an instant while you're there -- and those are even scarier than the high ones. have fun!!!

32 days til we go again!! yay!!

That is so true. Make sure you keep proper snacks with you at all times, because you don't want to have to try and find something appropriate (and have to wait on line for it) if your sugar is dropping. Being type 2 and not insulin dependant, I usually don't have that problem. I always keep peanut butter crackers in my backpack (15 carbs/3 crackers) in case I need a boost.

 

[adamthegetupkid]

I've been on the pump now for five years and not once have I heard of any problems or had any problems. I have been on ever rollercoaster and thrill ride (actually, every ride there is) on WDW property.

 

[natalia1681]

Yeah, I'm good about always having something for a snack with me. I'm not too worried about gaining much weight with the pump, because I realize that calories still count (even if you're getting insulin). :hammer:

415!!! My husband would have a heart attack if my blood sugar got that high. He's very good about helping me to watch what I eat, too.

I'm going to talk to my pump lady and see if I can change my basal rate for the time that I'll be walking and what she recommends, based on the fact that I'll be walking about 10 miles a day

I can't wait to go back!

30 days!!!!!!!!!! 1 month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*doing tiny little dance of joy at my computer desk*

 

[natalia1681]

Adamthegetupkid,

What kind of pump do you use?

If you don't mind me asking

 

[Raven66]

She doesn't see her family all that much. They only live 90 miles away, but she seems to isolate herself from them. Somehow, she gets this stuff by her doctor. I worry about her, but she won't listen to me. She thinks that because we both ate a hamburger for lunch, that I am just as bad as she is, but then she "forgets" that she finished off her son's french fries and chocolate ice cream sundae "because she didn't want to waste $3." I am getting good at leaving those carbs on the plate! I miss my Hershey Kisses (I would put a whole bag in my vest pockets and eat them while doing my job!), but have discovered sugar-free caramel flavored Nips. :slurp:

Maybe you can call her doctor for her. Just tell him/her that you don't want to know anything private but you want to tell him/her what has been going on with your friend. I have done this before for my DH. He isn't diabetic but he had a seizure and the meds they gave him were making him act strange, so I called his doctor and told her about it.

 

[macsmom]

I have thought of calling her doctor and I think it is a good idea, too. Hmmm, I think I will this week.

Okay, what is it about the rides that is bad for the pump? The water rides, I can understand, but not the rollercoasters. What will they do to the pump?

danna