Diabetes, Diet, and Long Tournaments?

Hi Billy Bob,

I do indeed have Type 1 diabetes. I have had it since I was 10 years old. I run into the same problems that you have spoke of. I recently got an insulin pump which has changed things around a little bit.

When I am playing in a tournament I try to do the same thing you do...smaller meals and snacking. If I eat a big meal, especially a meal with alot of starch/carbohydrates, my bloodsugar will skyrocket at first and then level out after a few hours. I try to not eat meals like pasta, rice, french fries, or anything else that is extremely high in carbs right before a match. I usually eat bigger meals about 3-4 hours before a match. That usually lasts me about 6 hours or so, then I get hungry again. If I have to I eat a snack, which usually ends up being a candy bar (I know, shame on me). As for what I drink, I stick to diet soda. There are not any ingredients in diet soda that can affect your blood sugar. When all else fails, I go to water. The caffiene in soda helps keep me awake sometimes at long tournaments.

It is really hard to deal with at tournaments that are unpredictable. I know not all tournaments have match times and you end up sitting around not knowing exactly what is going on and when you should eat. It is a horrible disease that I would not wish upon anyone. I wish you luck in finding a perfect balance. You probably notice when your bloodsugars are running perfect that you play great. When they are running high you can feel sluggish and tired. I know the feeling and still deal with it alot. You cannot control everything no matter how hard you try. You can only hope to have good control during the tournaments.

Good luck and let me know how things work out.

Sarah

No problem at all. Whenever you have any questions about diabetes feel free to ask. I'm pretty well educated when it comes to that subject. I have just started to learn in the past few years that I should use my knowledge to help others, rather than hiding it.

You will catch on when it comes to the long tournaments. It takes time. Don't give up on it.

Take care,
Sarah

sarahrousey said:

Whenever you have any questions about diabetes feel free to ask.

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..was diagnosed w/type II 'bout 15 years ago, seems every doctor (had 2 to retire on me) didn't think the same way about diabetes, had quite a few students (taught school) over the years that helped their old teacher in my fight to get things under control, one thing that a student told me was "peanut butter sandwich".........seems the complex carbs in peanut butter are slow to metabolize and don't spike your insulin level, plus eat it on wheat bread !,,,recent studies suggest a lot of type II's like me could have (possibly) not developed diabetes at all if we would have left the white bread out of our diets . (I remember all that toast, hamburgers, sandwiches ; making myself hungry !)

keep that sugar tested and keep on winning.........................!

Hey d_flash, you are right...not all doctors think alike. I had a doctor that thought she would try an "experimental" way of doing things. After I realized that things weren't working...and I almost died...I switched doctors. Turns out, I'm very lucky to be alive and not have serious complications.

The whole glycemic index craze just started so you can't beat yourself up about eating too much white bread, white rice, white everything. I wish I would have known about all of the before as well. My bloodsugars have been much more consistant since switching to whole wheat everything.

I hope you are in good health now. Take care and thanks for adding to the thread.

Sarah

sarahrousey said:

Hey d_flash, you are right...not all doctors think alike. I had a doctor that thought she would try an "experimental" way of doing things. After I realized that things weren't working...and I almost died...I switched doctors. Turns out, I'm very lucky to be alive and not have serious complications.

The whole glycemic index craze just started so you can't beat yourself up about eating too much white bread, white rice, white everything. I wish I would have known about all of the before as well. My bloodsugars have been much more consistant since switching to whole wheat everything.

I hope you are in good health now. Take care and thanks for adding to the thread.

Sarah

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You should try taking Chromium Picolinate, about 200 mcg, 3 times a day, on an empty stomach, about 1/2 hour before you eat. This formation of Chromium makes the insulin in your blood more effective, stablizing your blood sugar level. You can get it at your local health food store for about $5.00 a bottle for 100 pills.

Wow watchez...I had no idea you were a doctor in your spare time. Thanks for the info. Hope you are doing alright.

Sarah

sarahrousey said:

Wow watchez...I had no idea you were a doctor in your spare time. Thanks for the info. Hope you are doing alright.

Sarah

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I just play one on TV. Im great....hope you are the same.

watchez said:

You should try taking Chromium Picolinate, about 200 mcg, 3 times a day, on an empty stomach, about 1/2 hour before you eat. This formation of Chromium makes the insulin in your blood more effective, stablizing your blood sugar level. You can get it at your local health food store for about $5.00 a bottle for 100 pills.

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My dad is in a medical field, as well as many of his friends. He is a dentist, but good friends with a lot of doctors. They have mentioned taking the chromium. I'm diabetec, and take actos which works nicely. My dad's blood sugar was running high though, and he started taking the chromium and it went down nicely to a normal level. For awhile it was looking like he was going to go on medication, but he thought he'd try the chromium. It worked for him, and for one of his doctor friends.

Didn't work for me, but then I didn't take it for very long and was leary of taking it with the other prescription pills.

cubswin said:

M

Didn't work for me, but then I didn't take it for very long and was leary of taking it with the other prescription pills.

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Thanks for the addition to my advice EXCEPT when you say 'other prescription pills'. Chromium picolinate IS NOT a prescription pill. It is a mineral. You could get it into your body by eating certain foods but you would have to eat so much food to get an equal amount of a 200 mcg pill that it is not practical. Most doctors won't tell you about chromium picolinate & other natural food supplements for one simple reason....They don't make a commission off of it. Not many people know that a doctor gets a commission (so to speak) everytime he writes you a prescription. That is why he has so many samples in his office & a busy doctor will gladly diagnose your flu over the phone....he still makes his $$$.

watchez said:

Thanks for the addition to my advice EXCEPT when you say 'other prescription pills'. Chromium picolinate IS NOT a prescription pill. It is a mineral. You could get it into your body by eating certain foods but you would have to eat so much food to get an equal amount of a 200 mcg pill that it is not practical. Most doctors won't tell you about chromium picolinate & other natural food supplements for one simple reason....They don't make a commission off of it. Not many people know that a doctor gets a commission (so to speak) everytime he writes you a prescription. That is why he has so many samples in his office & a busy doctor will gladly diagnose your flu over the phone....he still makes his $$$.

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I meant the prescription pills I take. The drugs I take regulate my blood sugar very well, and it took some experimenting to find what would work. I didn't want to get that out of wack experimenting with chromium.

Hey Sara-

Interesting to hear that you have diabetes. I do not. But what I do suffer from is epilepsy. I know the two aren't related but in my case, extreme fatigue can trigger seizures so I can completely identify with being in tournaments that last long periods of time, being on your feet most of the day, being exhausted and having it take its toll on you physically.

I was at the expo this past weekend in Valley Forge and happened to see you in Chumley's (the restaraunt in the Sheraton). Just curious, was the female you were with landshark77? I wanted to ask but I didn't want to intrude at all.

Well, good luck in the future.

-Brian

Hi Brian,

I'm sorry to hear about your condition...I'm sure it only makes you stronger as a person. Pool is not the best game to play when rest comes into play. You can only hope to stay on the winners side so you can get more rest!

You should have introduced yourself at Chumley's. I was there for the AZ forum party...which it was very nice to meet everyone that I got a chance to meet. Yes, that was Landshark77 that was there with me.

Take care and good luck,
Sarah

Hey Sarah-
Thanks for the speedy reply. Yes, its a tough game to play when it comes to stamina and putting in for the long haul; especially on those nights when you wind up leaving the room at 7, 8, or 9am the next day. But I've learned to make the appropriate sacrifices and adjustments in other areas to ensure that I'm never really putting myself at risk.

I would've said hi at Chumley's but I'm always afraid of intruding. I didn't want to interrupt you. PLus, I was there well before the AZ gathering. Maybe 4 o'clock; right as Niels, Corey, and Nick (Van den Berg) were leaving. I was the guy with the olive colored roll-neck sweater and the black hat standing up front desperately trying to get the attention of the hostess. I only mention this in case you thought I was good lookin' as I submitted a "boyfriend appplication" (Just kidding) .

Take care and thanks again for the speedy reply.

-Brian

Brian,

It's good that you can get everything figured out (what sacrifices to make) so you can keep in good control and keep your stamina up.

I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to meet. I don't remember seeing you there. My good looking guy radar must not have been working. There will be other chances.

Take care,
Sarah

Commission??????

watchez said:

Thanks for the addition to my advice EXCEPT when you say 'other prescription pills'. Chromium picolinate IS NOT a prescription pill. It is a mineral. You could get it into your body by eating certain foods but you would have to eat so much food to get an equal amount of a 200 mcg pill that it is not practical. Most doctors won't tell you about chromium picolinate & other natural food supplements for one simple reason....They don't make a commission off of it. Not many people know that a doctor gets a commission (so to speak) everytime he writes you a prescription. That is why he has so many samples in his office & a busy doctor will gladly diagnose your flu over the phone....he still makes his $$$.

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Hello Watchez,

Not to question your inside information, but I definitely do NOT get any kind of commission from writing any kind of prescription. Drug reps will gladly leave samples since they work for drug companies and want market share for their drugs. Plus I would never diagnose a patient over the phone (or over a forum) and recommend any kind of drug or supplement without thorough knowledge of the patient's previous and current medical history.

Every person is different. And every person responds differently to medication whether prescription or over the counter.

Please be wary of recommending any supplement or OTC drug unless you are the treating physician. My 2c on the matter.

Keep in mind that I am fully aware that you have the best intentions with your recommendations.

Kind regards.

sherwin

Unkle Doctor Jackie still recommends p-nut butter on whole wheat bread,,,,works for me.................jflan

unless you're allergic to peanuts,,,,<my disclaimer>

Unkle Dr. Jackie...I like your method of treatment. Good ole Peanut butter.

Everyone else seems to have the makings of a Holiday Inn Express commercial. Are you a doctor?? No but I stayed at Holiday Inn Express last night.

Take care guys,
Sarah

6 semester hours plus my dissertation away from a Ed.D (Doctorate in Education),,,
fooled everybody and quit/retired/'no mass',,,,LOL