Friday
Feb052010
Workout: Diabetes Fail
Friday, February 5, 2010 at 9:06PM
Tonight started out great. Got off work, did my normal Friday after-work activities, and then went to the gym.
As always, I checked my sugar before and decreased my basal rate. Bg was 105, so I decreased it to -75%. I signed in and started my normal routine. Cardio is first. So I started out on the bike, did my time and moved to the "wave". It's this wonderful machine that's like a ski/skating motion that works out your thighs and butt (which I NEED!).
I was over half way done and things started looking weird. There were white spots everywhere. I stopped feeling my legs. The sound coming from my headphones suddenly sounded loud and I wasn't understanding what was being said. I stopped breathing normally. I got off the Wave immediately and went to the locker room to check my bg. I keep my meter supplies and glucose tabs in my bag in my locker. I sat on the the bench and waited for the magic number. Guessing it would be about 50-ish.
NOPE! 37... 3-7! I had to look twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I grabbed the glucose tab bottle and poured out 4 and called my husband. He talked to me for a while to make sure I didn't pass out. Mainly because by that time, I was so weak from the low AND the workout that I was afraid I would. I told him how low I was and he asked if I had anything to eat, and I answered "yes" with a mouth full of glucose tabs. He said he was about an hour away from being home and asked if I was going to be okay.
That did it. Here came the water-works. Okay?? Of course I'd recover from the low, but emotionally, no, I was NOT okay. I broke down and sobbed like a baby. I was SO glad no one came in. All I wanted was to be normal. I wanted to be able to go to the gym, workout, and leave and not worry about what my sugar was doing. All I wanted was someone who would really understand.
I signed out and left after my sugar seemed to be coming up. I told my husband to call his sister and let her know I was on my way and that if I wasn't there in 30 minutes, to call him back. Even though I was low, I was upset that I was having to leave and couldn't finish. It was the first time since starting the gym that I could not finish my workout. I was SO upset! I HATED diabetes!!!!
I tweeted what happened and got a lot of support and well wishes, which I'm so thankful for. My friend, George (ninjabetic) gave me a big ninja-hug. Now, I know it wasn't a real, physical hug, but at that moment it was the best hug I had ever gotten. It was exactly what I needed.
So, my workout tonight was great, just incomplete. Thanks, diabetes. Once again, you remind me just how unnormal I am. But I am not going to let tonight stop me. I will be back again tomorrow. I will NOT be defeated!
As always, I checked my sugar before and decreased my basal rate. Bg was 105, so I decreased it to -75%. I signed in and started my normal routine. Cardio is first. So I started out on the bike, did my time and moved to the "wave". It's this wonderful machine that's like a ski/skating motion that works out your thighs and butt (which I NEED!).
I was over half way done and things started looking weird. There were white spots everywhere. I stopped feeling my legs. The sound coming from my headphones suddenly sounded loud and I wasn't understanding what was being said. I stopped breathing normally. I got off the Wave immediately and went to the locker room to check my bg. I keep my meter supplies and glucose tabs in my bag in my locker. I sat on the the bench and waited for the magic number. Guessing it would be about 50-ish.
NOPE! 37... 3-7! I had to look twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I grabbed the glucose tab bottle and poured out 4 and called my husband. He talked to me for a while to make sure I didn't pass out. Mainly because by that time, I was so weak from the low AND the workout that I was afraid I would. I told him how low I was and he asked if I had anything to eat, and I answered "yes" with a mouth full of glucose tabs. He said he was about an hour away from being home and asked if I was going to be okay.
That did it. Here came the water-works. Okay?? Of course I'd recover from the low, but emotionally, no, I was NOT okay. I broke down and sobbed like a baby. I was SO glad no one came in. All I wanted was to be normal. I wanted to be able to go to the gym, workout, and leave and not worry about what my sugar was doing. All I wanted was someone who would really understand.
I signed out and left after my sugar seemed to be coming up. I told my husband to call his sister and let her know I was on my way and that if I wasn't there in 30 minutes, to call him back. Even though I was low, I was upset that I was having to leave and couldn't finish. It was the first time since starting the gym that I could not finish my workout. I was SO upset! I HATED diabetes!!!!
I tweeted what happened and got a lot of support and well wishes, which I'm so thankful for. My friend, George (ninjabetic) gave me a big ninja-hug. Now, I know it wasn't a real, physical hug, but at that moment it was the best hug I had ever gotten. It was exactly what I needed.
So, my workout tonight was great, just incomplete. Thanks, diabetes. Once again, you remind me just how unnormal I am. But I am not going to let tonight stop me. I will be back again tomorrow. I will NOT be defeated!
in Diabetes
Diabetes
Reader Comments (8)
There may not be anything about diabetes that I hate more than when it interferes with exercise. Here you are, doing what is supposed to be SO good for not only overall health but in managing blood glucose levels and bam. You have to stop. Or can't even begin. It is extremely frustrating and I understand why you got so upset. But you have the right attitude & I commend you for it. Get back at it & show the D that it won't stop you!!
You shall triumph! In spirit and attitude, at least!
Hi Sarah,
I've been following you for awhile now but this is the first time I've spoken up. My son was diagnosed in winter 2008 and he's now 5. i always wonder what he really feels like when he gets low and this really hit home for me. It's hard for a 5 year old to express exactly how he feels and even though he can recognize his lows, I've never come closer to imagining what its like until this post. I know I'm not the one with Diabetes and can't even fathom what it must be like, but I just wanted you to know that you are so inspiring. There are many days where I am riddled with anxiety about how to teach my David to grow up and be strong, and persistent despite the challenges that diabetes poses - I sometimes worry that he won't have the support he needs as an adult. And of course as a mother, I worry that he won't find a spouse that can understand what he needs even if it's just a phone call away. Thank you for sharing and comforting my anxieties. Thanks for being strong and for putting things out there. Have fun at the gym tomorrow and I'll be thinking of you hoping it all goes well.
Adrienne
Oh Sarah - I really am so sorry. It is maddening to take all the best steps and then be slapped in the face like this. It simply is not fair.
Swimming, baseball, exercise - it should not be so hard to do something that is fun and/or good for your body!
Kudos to you for not giving up. I applaud your tenacity and perseverance. Excuse me though, I must go and treat a low of Caleb's. DexCom is calling my name...
You are an inspiration and your strong spirit will surely yield positive fruits. Be strong in your resolve and prove to those who might be going through the same it's not only possible to stay healthy with diabetes but also fit and happy. Kudos!
[...] Workout: Diabetes Fail [...]
Does a kid have to be fat to be at risk for diabetes? my little brother has such a poor diet, and my parents are not doing anything to change it. I'm so sick of it.
Glad you decided not to give up. You are definitely not alone, keep fighting on. And keep inspiring more people. :)