Last week my diabetes specialist nurse (DSN) called to ask if I could go along to the diabetes clinic to speak to two students who were keen to learn about insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). I was due to get my diabetes long term bloods done (HbA1c) so asked if I could get it done at the same time. After spending time with the students showing them how the pump worked alongside the CGM I got my blood taken and was told to expect a call in the next few days with my results. Sure enough I got a call to say my HbA1c was 5.3mmol/L 34mol. I was delighted with these as the average non type1 diabetic would be 5.5mmol/L 37mol. My DSN asked if I was getting many hypos and how was my hypo awareness because my levels are so low which I replied “I’ve not been getting many hypos and my awareness was very good.” My DSN is convinced that having the Animas Vibe insulin pump picking up the Dexcom G4 platinum CGM via Bluetooth which I can monitor 24/7 is one of the reasons I’ve been able to get such control of my HbA1c. Another good tool I have is the averages on my OneTouch Verio IQ blood glucose monitor. For the first time I’ve been able to get all my averages below 6.0mmol/L which makes me smile when I look at them. So thanks to technology, sport and a bit of hard work I’m living within a non type 1 diabetics range. #ruleT1D

Just over a year ago, 3 days after my 18^th birthday, I was diagnosed as with Type 1 Diabetes. It was a big shock, no-one on either side of the family has Type 1 so as a family we had no experience of diabetes which meant we all entered into new era  – which was a pretty sharp learning curve.

Before my diagnosis I was very active on my bikes and took every opportunity to be out on the tracks.

Yet for fear of not being able to control my blood sugars and having a hypo I haven’t been as active as I would liked to have been. I became more and more frustrated at not being able to do any exercise or get on my bikes, and very nearly took off to Learnie in the Black Isle in the midst of rage and aggravation – which wouldn’t have been the wisest way to get back into exercise. But it’s now about to change.

A couple of things have given me the proverbial kick up the rear.  Firstly, at my medical check-up I was told I had lost a stone (but I haven’t noticed any change or changes to my clothes so it must be down to muscle loss). Secondly, I met the irrepressible Roddy Riddle who gave me so great advice and encouragement. He explained that I can manage my Type 1 Diabetes whilst maintaining an active lifestyle. Roddy has given me the support to get back on my bike again. It might be a bit wobbly to begin with, but I am determined to do it.

I thought you might like to come on this journey with me, so I intend to keep you all updated via this blog. You never know, it might help some others along the way too.

 

Guest Blog by: Ryan Donnelly

If the Ice Ultra Marathon hadn’t been cancelled due to lack of entries it would have been done and (hopefully) dusted by now.

The cancellation of the Ice Ultra meant that I had to rethink my season and set new goals – which is exactly what I’ve now done.

On Thursday 18th June I will be running the 98 mile West Highland Way (WHW) with Steve Drake and Derek Stewart who I shared a bivouac with during the 2013 Marathon Des Sables along with Michael Martin. We are going to be completing the run by starting in Fort William, Highland, UK  and finishing in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, UK. We are also adding on an extra 2 miles to get the special 100 miles in the legs.

This will be a severe test for me keeping my blood glucose (BG) levels where I like them to be for exercise but, the good thing is that with having my Animas Vibe insulin pump, which is compatible with the Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring sensor, it will make the challenge that little bit easier as with the touch of a button on my pump I’ll see my BG level and the trend arrows (which indicate the direction and rate of glucose change by colour coded arrows). This will help me with my insulin and carbohydrate intake during the run.

And I’m not stopping there. Following the WHW, I will complete in the 73 mile Great Glen Ultra Marathon on 4th July –  just over 2 weeks after we run the WHW. My main concern will be recovering sufficiently enough to get through the event, but with it finishing in my home city of Inverness I know I’ll have the added incentive of running home.