Diabetes, Hernias, and Trad Archery

[Archie]

God has been and still is good to me and I wouldn't change a thing about my life, but I'm learning to navigate some unfamiliar waters!  About a year and a half ago, I found out I was diabetic.  4 months ago I went on insulin full time.  I'm 40, this was a complete surprise, and I'm still adjusting to it.  Nobody anywhere in my family tree has ever had diabetes.  Any of you experienced guys have any tips that relate to how you hunt, or how your shooting is affected by blood sugar levels?

I also am going in for surgery for a femoral hernia as soon as I can get it scheduled.  For those of you who have had similar hernia surgery, how long did it take before you could start shooting again?  Right now, everything EXCEPT archery makes the hernia hurt, so it makes me think that the exertion of pulling a bow is not so affected by it.

Any tips from your personal experience would be appreciated... on either topic.

Archie

[csimpson]

diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 16+ years ago at age 33. Like you no one in my family has it. I try to keep blood sugar above 150 when hunting. Exercise really affects my blood sugar. I adjust night time insulin (Lantus) when hunting, so as not to have any low blood sugar episodes when sleeping. My wife really worries about this as she's had to come to my rescue at home a few times.
When my blood sugar is low I get kind of spacey and find it hard to concentrate until I take care of it.

[csimpson]

Forgot to mention I alway take a juice or 2, candy and dried fruit to bring up blood sugar in case of low blood sugar episode. Have needed them a few times.

[Gordon martiniuk]

Thought this was a Trad Bowhunting site not a home doctor site      

[jamesh76]

Originally posted by Gordon martiniuk:
Thought this was a Trad Bowhunting site not a home doctor site              

Yes it is. However, I see absolutely nothing wrong with a person that is passionate about traditional bow hunting posting a question like this for answers in regards to how they can take precautions for their own life and safety while still being able to do what they love by hunting with a stickbow.

Maybe it would of been better placed in the prayers/concerns forum. But that is not for me  to decide. I sometimes see posts that I don't agree to, seem misplaced or have been beat to death with a stick. Its simple to hit the back button and go onto the next one if you do not like or agree to what you are reading.

[BOWMARKS]

Check yourself before you leave for the woods!!  

Gloucose tabs in your pocket!!  
Test kit in pack!!
 
Cell phone set for emergency to someone that knows where you are headed!!    

Do not be ashamed to ask for some help at the end of a successfull hunt been doing it for 40 years.  

Have a good time MARK

[piggy]

I have had 2 hernia operations the first was in the groin area had mesh inserted and was back at work ( Plumber) in 3 weeks and shooting the bow in 4 weeks.
My second was in the bellybutton just stitched and I thought it was a walk in the park compared to the first one until I got a staph infection which just wanted to stay with me, 3 months later I was back at work and shooting the bow never really been the same since.

[moose eye levi]

Have had type I diabetes since I was 3 and been in the woods and hunting all my life I'm 18 now I always have a can of regular pepsi or something in my back quiver at 3d shoots, and usually a bottle and some jerkey or protein of some sort to keep it up while afeild, don't overtake insulin before hunting you will notice if your shooting and you go low be sure to rotate test areas and where you give your insulin arms,legs,stomach because of scar tissue build up. Most important don't ever let it get in the way of anything and have fun

[Pepper]

I am typeII, and all my hunting buddies know what symptoms are, where insulin, and candy and juice are, and how to administer it.
My friends, are constantly asking me to make sure all is well, and if I need to check my blood sugar, or eat something.
If you are diabetic, you need to make sure that all your hunting buddies know how to assist you, where you are hunting, and contact info for ICE.
I am blessed with hunting partners who care, lets me continue to enjoy the sport that I am so passionate about.

[Pepper]

Originally posted by Gordon martiniuk:
Thought this was a Trad Bowhunting site not a home doctor site            

Gordon, I hope that you never have to deal with diabetes.
I hope you will ask your hunting buddies if any of them do, and how you can help them if the need should arise.
Best to you

[bayoulongbowman]

Ditto what pepper said, I have type 2 , planning is key! Mark

[StoneAK]

I have bunted with guys who also had diabetes, they always had snacks and a juice box in there pack. A few times they needed it so all these guys have good advice check yourself and always be prepared. good luck and God Bless

[Archie]

Thanks for the advice.  The hernia is a temporary issue, but the diabetes is a monkey that will be on my back for the rest of my life!

I hunt alone.  I've not hunted with anyone else for 7 years, and now I'm concerned about being safe.  I hunt deer, and my routine never requires me to be away from home overnight, though.  But I've had some scary experiences with lows already, and I cringe to think of getting stuck in the woods alone with sugar problems.  

But to change the tune a little bit... do any of you notice any changes in your shooting, concentration, or accuracy when your sugar levels are low, high, or rising/falling?  It seems to me like I'm more sporadic in my accuracy since my pancreas went on its permanent vacation.  How about your own scent?  I notice that I get absolutely chewed up by mosquitoes since going diabetic, and this never used to happen to me.  It makes me think that I smell different, and it attracts them.  

???


Archie

[R.W.]

Carry your meter, test every two hours, when you are exerting yourself with heavy hiking, etc, till you get an idea of how your blood glucose levels react.

Do carry gluco-gel, glucose tabs, or whatever glucose booster you use, in case of a low, or crash, and your diabetic meds, in case of a high, or needed dosage.

A cell phone is a great thing if you have service in the area you hunt, or one of the SPOT devices that will guide help to your position, if you really have trouble.

I also carry my insulin (fast acting and slow acting) when I am out. We never plan to be stuck somewhere, it just happens.

As diabetics, we must be prepared for such eventualities, more so than those not afflicted with this disease.

That means carrying insulin, oral meds, FOOD, etc, at all times, when we venture out.

Being stuck for a couple of days can mean either a bit of discomfort, if we are prepared, to a life threatening situation, if we are not.

 Speak to your diabetic advisor/nurse/ educator about your concerns. These people are available in nearly all areas, as diabetes is rampant in our society.

Mr Martiniuk,

I see no difference with this post than those who ask advice on shooting problems, arrow flight problems, bow weight issues, shoulder trouble etc.

May you never have to deal with this disease, but cut those who do deal with this disease, a little slack, eh?

You may also wish to read the forum topic heading.        

R.W.

[BenBow]

Prayers sent

[Right Wing]

Take good care of yourself, Archie!

[Archie]

I appreciate the good words of encouragement.  The diabetes can be a real stinker sometimes.  It's weird... I'm in great physical shape, never been heavy, don't drink, smoke, do drugs, etc., but BAM! One day I start having these weird symptoms and now, 15 months later, I'm taking shots 6-7 times a day for the rest of my life!  I'm just baffled!  I hope I still can maintain the freedom to go on the 2-weeks-in-the-mountains hunts like my dad used to take when I was a kid!

Archie

[Doc Nock]

Don't have a lot of experience with this ailment other than a few friends that got Type II but they "ate" themselves into it stressing their systems with high glycemic foods... and developed what was once called Syndrome X or something bizarre like that.

It does seem odd to go from little to all those shots.  Seek 2nd opinions anytime there is an odd medical situation that flares... amazing how different approaches vary among specialists!

Prayers that your body comes back in line some and with further research you can perhaps find some other opinions, even homeopathic things that will not replace your medication, but assist your body in coping.

Keep the Son in  your eyes!

[Archie]

The doc says I'm a late-onset Type I diabetic.  Tests show that my pancreas no longer creates insulin.  They say that even Medicare would give me blanket approval for the latest fancy diabetes gadgets, because I am such a severe diabetic.  I had a severe bicycle accident about 3 months before this all started, falling down three flights of outdoor stairs, and breaking two ribs.  I thought that might have something to do with it, but the doc says probably not.

No comments on how sugar levels affect anyone's shooting?

[R.W.]

Well, if I go low, my shooting, and anything else that requires concentration, goes all to pot.

 Low's can also give me the "shakes" which certainly doesn't help your shooting.

 R.W.