Diabetic pool players and their advice............

genomachino

genomachino

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi there,
Are there any pool players out there that are Diabetic? I'm sure there is. Could you give the rest of us that are diabetic some survival tips.

Especially if there is someone that is traveling and trying to play pool.

Would you please share your knowledge with everyone especially myself. I'm type 2 and it seems the people that we talk to that are diabetic know more than the doctors, so it seems.

Thanks Geno............
 
genomachino said:
Hi there,
Are there any pool players out there that are Diabetic? I'm sure there is. Could you give the rest of us that are diabetic some survival tips.

Especially if there is someone that is traveling and trying to play pool.

Would you please share your knowledge with everyone especially myself. I'm type 2 and it seems the people that we talk to that are diabetic know more than the doctors, so it seems.

Thanks Geno............
Click to expand...

Hey Geno, the best advice is to listen to your Doctor.
 
genomachino said:
Hi there,
Are there any pool players out there that are Diabetic? I'm sure there is. Could you give the rest of us that are diabetic some survival tips.

Especially if there is someone that is traveling and trying to play pool.

Would you please share your knowledge with everyone especially myself. I'm type 2 and it seems the people that we talk to that are diabetic know more than the doctors, so it seems.

Thanks Geno............
Click to expand...

I'm type 2. I would say the best thing to do is to get it under control so yes that means listen to your doctor. Then, if you're in a long session, pay attention to your body. You will know when your sugar is getting low, take the time to manage it, your opponent will wait.
 
genomachino said:
Hi there,
Are there any pool players out there that are Diabetic? I'm sure there is. Could you give the rest of us that are diabetic some survival tips.

Especially if there is someone that is traveling and trying to play pool.

Would you please share your knowledge with everyone especially myself. I'm type 2 and it seems the people that we talk to that are diabetic know more than the doctors, so it seems.

Thanks Geno............
Click to expand...

Hey Geno:

I seem to recall that pro player Sarah Rousey created a sort of impromptu "survival guide" for diabetic pool players (as a result of her experiences traveling internationally), or something along the lines.

Perhaps you might want to post a copy of this in her "Ask the Pros" section?

http://forums.azbilliards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

...or check out her blog:

http://sarahrousey.blogspot.com/

Hope this is helpful!
-Sean
 
Great subject

I feel like when I play pool all day long my sugars get very low so I carry Glucose Tablets there like 4-6 grams of carbs and 1 or 2 of those usually gets me thru a set and then I get something to eat just to get a little more balanced feeling. I go to my corner drug store and there cheap $1.50 for a pack so I have one in the car one in the pool case and one in the golf bag. Hope this helps

Angel
 
As already mention you can speak with Sarah Rousey and I believe I've heard Shawn Putnum say in a broadcast that he was diabetic, so you might talk with him as well.
 
CaPoolFan said:
I feel like when I play pool all day long my sugars get very low so I carry Glucose Tablets there like 4-6 grams of carbs and 1 or 2 of those usually gets me thru a set and then I get something to eat just to get a little more balanced feeling. I go to my corner drug store and there cheap $1.50 for a pack so I have one in the car one in the pool case and one in the golf bag. Hope this helps

Angel
Click to expand...

I think those things are a waste of money.. I use the Honey packets from KFC.. whenever I eat there I grab a handful.. I don't need them very often.. but when you need one you REALLY NEED ONE...

I always poke my finger before a match... always on the GRIP hand when I'm shooting or going to shoot..

you have to stay ahead of your blood sugar whether it's going up or down

both can lead to shakiness and vision problems..and as we all know those are killers in a pool game
 
I am not diabetic but I bring food if I am going to stay for more than 4 hours. I eat every 2.5 hours so I have a cooler that I put chicken and potatoes in to eat. I went to BR on Saturday and brought enough food for the whole day. Listen to your doctor is very good advice.
 
Hi Geno ,
I have been a Type 1 diabetic for 38 years . I use an insulin pump.
All of the advice is good but you know more about your diabetic
condition than your Doctor does and you always will ...
I test myself 4 times a day unless I'm playing pool,,,then I test every hour.
I make sure I don't get below 100 , if I do I can't think very well and
I make bad moves which will lose you a game or two .
I always carry candy in my case... Just in case ..
Good Luck
Bud
 
I'm type 2 diabetic. You didn't mention any particulars like.........
how long have you been diagnosed, are you taking pills, using diet only, taking insulin?

A few FYIs and tips..........
Sarah uses an insulin pump this has helped her (may not apply to you though). Buy several packs of the carbohydrate tablets to carry with you for low sugar situations. Until you and the doc have worked out a medication schedule that works for you ALWAYS CARRY YOUR MONITOR WITH YOU. Have your eyes checked, you may find your vision has been effected and may need glasses (possibly more than one prescription also).
Pay attention to the warning signs they tell you about. Long term high levels affect the eyes the most. Sudden low levels cause shaking and dizziness. If you drive schedule regular stops to eat (six small meals better than 3 regular). If you fly call the airline well in advance and ask specifically for a diabetic meal if they are serving meals on the flight (Fed law...they are required to provide it). Before taking on any travel after eating wait about a half hour and see how you feel. Walk around both when you stop driving or on the plane. Diabetics are more at risk for forming blood clots from long sitting. Hope these help.
 
Last edited:
I keep a snickers bar nearby and I make sure to get a good meal before I play. It can be pretty rough on me because while I am hypoglycemic I also have a ridiculously high metabolism which means the sugars get burned up pretty quick.

Strangely gambling never had any effect on my sugar, or at least not on a pool table. I guess the reason is because I never got a rush out of playing for money on a table which is why I don't bother betting on pool. I would get a serious rush out of poker, so I had to make sure to eat a big meal before hitting the card table.
 
I use insulin and carry it with me, comes in a pen.
I like to have regular meals with little carbs and sugars. Fruits are a good snack.
I dont overshoot (insulin)when playing, because walking and shooting pool will lower your sugar. Either way it is very hard to shoot pool if your sugars are high or low, I just dont see the shots right. when my sugar is around 110 to 130 I shoot the best (Can see the shots). It is a game of anticipation to maintain correct levels.

You have to be consistent with what you eat and the level of excercize.

you will learn more about your situation (body) than your doctor after a while.
 
Eat small snacks thoughout your session... or use the glucose tablets that have been mentioned. Candy bars are OK, but the chocolate will affect how your body processes the sugars. If you eat a meal before the match, (and this is probably true weather you are diabetic or not) don't eat a big meal..it will make you sleepy and lithargic.

Bigging your glucose meter is good advise. I have found that 'sticking' your fingers on the side of the finger is far less painful than poking yourself in the front of the finger. Sometimes I feel like my sugar is getting low but when I check it, it's actually high...you need to know. When I feel that change happening, I feel nervous, shakey, get a cold sweat, dizzy or nausiated, I'll check my glucose level. Most often, when I feel this way it is becase my glucose level is rapidly dropping. A sugar pill will usually do the trick.

If you get a soda, sip it thoughout your session and that will help you control your sugars. You don't realize it, but you do burn a lot of sugars off while shooting a match. Sipping a soda will help you keep an even keel....just don't drink too much.

Hope that helps and as mentioned numerous times...consult and listen to your doctor.

L8R...Ken
 
I'm type 1 and use insulin pens. I was only diagnosed 2 years ago.

Like some others mentioned, I tend to drop while I play. I do well when my numbers are in the 100-130 range. A little high or low and I get fuzzy. My concentration goes pretty quickly. A co-worker ,whose daughter is diabetic, suggested I use smarties as my quick sugar. They are 6g of carbs/roll and easy to carry. I always have a stash in my cue case.

I haven't had too much difficulty with it so far as it relates to pool. On a couple occasions, I had to sit down and let the smarties work. Thankfully, my opponents both times were all class and understood the situation.

And I don't know about everyone, but if I do go low, I have to sit down and wait for the sugar to work. If i eat something, but keep going, it will have little effect.

Mostly, it's a trial and error thing. The first summer I found out, I shot a lot of pool in my basement and monitored my numbers very closely. It took a little while, but I got it figured out and have had very few issues with lately.

Good Luck and take care of yourself.
 
Everyone here has such good advice. Thanks for reminding me of things I need to be doing as well! I have to agree with pretty much everything. I always carry my meter with me and there are always glucose tablets in my case. I don't know everything to do with Type II. I have Type I and use an insulin pump.

As someone said, usually if you are going low and you treat it, you will have to wait. I usually feel really funny after my blood sugar has gone low. Be sure to not overtreat a low. Fifteen grams of carbs is all you need to bring it up. I used to drink a glass of juice and then eat something, after all that, I had what I like to call a blood sugar hangover.

Another thing is to be careful not to guess when you are low and guess when you are running high. I have been diabetic for almost 17 years now and through different times in my life, things have changed. I guess it is just what your body does. For a long time my lows were very pronounced and obvious that I was low. Then when I got older I would feel like my blood sugar was 40, then I would check it and it would be 240 or higher. If you sugar has been running high for a day or so, when it get back to normal, it might feel like a low.

Carb counting is another thing that I'm sure the doctors have talked to you about. Learning how many carbs are in things and how many carbs you eat is pretty big. When I started using the pump I learned all about carb counting. It helps me to be a little bit "normal". I can adjust how much insulin I take to eat a big meal or a small meal or a piece of cake or anything in moderation. Like I said before, I'm not sure how that is incorporated into treating Type II.

Lastly, I would say remember that everything and I do mean everything effects your blood sugar. If you are stressed, it will probably go up. If you are sick, it will go up. If you are taking any kind of medication for anything, it might make it go up or down. If you are tired, it will effect it. I recently had pneumonia, the medication in the breathing treatments made my blood sugars run really high. So be careful and know that is what might be happening.

Sorry that everyone here has to deal with this awful disease. I have my days, months, years of really hating it, which I'm sure everyone here has. Know that it is normal to be frustrated and even a little depressed.

Good luck!
Sarah
 
As a diabetic that works late shifts and has trouble making time for well prepared meals I have found that fruit and nuts can work well. I would avoid the candy bars and sodas to raise your blood sugar. High Fructose Corn syrup which is in MOST those foods are really bad for you. Natural sugars in fruits or honey etc is much better. Real sugar is healthier than HFCS. Eat a pear or apple every couple hours if you are on your feet. Real fruit juices too. REAL. Sometimes they are hard to find. Cashews and Pecans and Walnuts really fill me up snacking and have better effects than fried foods or other things you find at pool rooms, bars or tournament venues.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top