So I am currently 21 years old. What a great time to party it up right? But diabetes makes me really, REALLY nervous about going downtown with friends. So much so that I have missed out on some good nights because I am to nervous about my numbers!
I know that your blood sugar can get pretty low because your liver stops workin for you for a while. But what if you are drinking really sugar drinks? Are there drinks that are good and drinks that are bad.
When you guys go out, how often do you check and how much insulin do you give yourself from getting high and how do you keep from getting low later?! It's my roommates 23 birthday on Friday and the beginning of spring break and I would really like to celebrate with everyone!
I DON'T WANT DIABETES TO GET IN THE WAY OF MY LIFE!
Help me out fellow diabetics! Any good articles or books to read or any advice from those of you with experience?
well, i also worried about the same thing, just because i drank before i got diabetes, i wasnt going to let it stop me. i check it before i drink, if its, like 80-100 i would eat something before without covering it. you should be fine.
I have also been wondering about this also. (though i am 19 but still it's always something good to know, And though i do not see myself drinking on any occasion in the seeable future. But still.)
All i could think of is check yourself before and after, and maybe you could look up the amount of carbs in certain drinks? (i had to do this with Sushi once.. ) And then stick to those, and drink a few and hang with friends.
But of course i'm a newbie and don't really know very much about this kind of stuff. Just my thoughts.
FACT: TEQUILA WILL HELP OR DO MOTHING TO YOUR BLOOD SUGAR. :D HAHA FROM MY EXPERIMENTS, DO NOT TRY WHISKEY. I ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL :$ BUT A FEW BEERS SHOULDN'T AFFECT YOU. IF YOOU WANT TO MESS WITH MIXED DRINKS, TRY THE NO CARB MONSTER DRINK OR THE SUGAR FREE REDBULL. JUST DONT USE VODKA. STAY AWAY FROM THE UV BOTTLES. ITS PRETTY MUCH ALL SUGAR AND CARBS!
MY RECOMMENDATION, GET HAMMERED WITH PATRON XP GOOD LUCK MAN HAHA
As a former social chair at a fraternity (many moons ago in a galaxy far, far away) - the first piece of advice is to be responsible - during the times when you're playing with NOT being responsible - remember the following:
- any judgments about your blood-sugar based on FEEL - will be off - PITA but test
- That basal dose you give? it is to balance out the sugar being produced by your liver - your liver can do one of two things, process alcohol or make sugar - so when you're drinking - it's NOT making sugar - this turns your basal into a bolus - so if you're drinking hard liquor - your sugar may well drop... so while you're learning what drinks do to you - test more often
- eating is good - expect you're not going to get your sugars nailed down under the new parameters - so dose and test and watch
- find a way to carry your gear attached to you (cargo pants are good for these outings) so that you don't leave your D-tools behind
- unfair though it may be - as in many other areas of life, being a D means having to be just a little more responsible than our peers while we're out being well... ummm... perhaps, slightly less responsible...
Most of what I know i've learned from making a spectacular series of errors...
I wanted to throw in some advice here.Being a diabetic who has spent way too many mornings with the Irish Flu, I feel as though I have some experience with these matters. The key thing to know about alcohol and diabetes is that it will affect you, but the effects are different person-to-person and drink-to-drink. I wish I could tell you to avoid a particular beer because it drops your BS or to stick with a mixed drink because it keeps you stable, however, what works for me, might not work for you. The key thing is to test around. Don't drink too heavily if it is your first experience with a particular drink. Find out what it does to you first. Another bit of advice, instead of trying to find the best alcohol for your diabetes, find out what you like and make it work with your diabetes. Alcohol is going to mess around with your BS anyways, you might as well be enjoying what your drinking. Last and most important, make sure EVERYONE you are out with knows you are diabetic. Even if you wear medic alert gear, make sure you friends are aware that if you pass out you need to go to the hospital.
The key thing is to have fun and enjoy life. Don't let diabetes hold you back. If there is something you want to do, find a way to make it work.
I'm drinking tonight for the first time since I've been dx'd! Wish me luck!!!
I've read all this & I am going to be taking things very slow. The ones I'm going to be with know I'm diabetic & I'll show them what to do in case I pass out & all that good stuff. I will be safe. Don't worry. (: I'm still really nervous though!
I think my best tip is to always set alarms during the nights you drink & eat a protein-filled snack before sleeping to prevent lows. I frequently get morning lows when I drink.