Kim Kircher talks about Type One Diabetes

Thanks for posting the link.  

 

This interests me because I am also a Type 1 diabetic, since age 10 or 11 (just turned 50 two days ago).  Also the local connection (Kim being a patroller at Crystal and her family's ownership of several ski areas, inlcuding Crystal Mt.),   

 

Daily insulin shots;  I've got a current routine of 5 injections a day, Lantus for long acting and Novolog with meals.  While Lantus is a supposedly a once-a-day insulin, I split it into two doses 12 hours apart since it works better for me.  Also, when I'm physically active (skiing, for example) I don't need the Novolog.   All this requires using a glucose monitor several times a day, and more often when circumstances dictate (large meals, desserts, increase or decrease in phsycial activity). 

 

I've also been pretty physcially active over the years. Physical activity and sports has to be taken with some forethought.  I can't tell you how many times I had low blood sugar reactions when being physiclly active.   I think I've got it down pretty well these days.  That said, I never ski without a glucose monitor, extra insulin, snacks and Vitamin water, which is why I always ski with my backpack.  If I were to ever start backcountry I'd need a bigger pack for more of the same as well as all the BC essentials.

 

Sorry if this is too much information. It's just that it is an everyday management task that get complicated at times. Effective, affordable islet transplants would make life a whole lot simpler.  Even though I've been pretty healthy over the years, I have still had complications from diabetes (laser eye surgeries for retinopathy, most recently last December, early risk of kidney disease; etc).So yes, it would be great to have a cure in our lifetime.  Crossing my fingers.   

 

Regardless, I'm planning to increase my skiing time each year. 

Stanwood,

 

Glad to know I'm not the only one. I use an insulin pump, and it has helped tremendously with low blood sugars during activity. I used to try to predict what my ski patrol day would be like, which is impossible. I never know if I'm going to sit inside on bump or be called out for a backside search. Now I can adjust my insulin up or down to accommodate this spontaneity. I also don't have that pesky long-acting insulin on board bringing me down when I need a last-minute burst of energy. 

 

I'd all but given up on a cure. But this could change everything. I hope it does. 

 

Best,

 

Kim Kircher

Kim, nice to see you post here on Epic.

 

I edited and re-posted a comment on your blog. 

 

I've never tried a pump; at the time I was considering it, a friend had been using one and seemed to go back and forth between a pump and Lantus.  My doctor seems to be fine with what I'm doing so far.   What I do notice is that when I'm skiing, I can forego a Novolog injection with meals and usually be just fine.  But I will explore a pump further.

 

Maybe I'll catch up with you at Crystal one of these days. 

I regularly ride and ski tour with a guy who has Type I diabetes.  He does great, even on very long days.  Having said that, he has educated all of his friends about symptoms of low blood sugar.  We often ask him how his BS is doing, and sometimes tell him to stop and eat; e.g. after he rode into a tree or started weaving.  this is important because he is sometimes not aware of having low BS.  He has even gone into detail about the "what ifs", like what if he passes out (squirt some gel into his mouth).   Because he has been open about his disease with his friends, he can do rather significant trips into the back country and we get to enjoy his company.  He avoids solo trips into extreme areas, however.  

 

My friend finally purchased an insulin pump last year.  After several months of learning about the pump and his needs, it has made a huge improvement on his BS levels.  There are fewer instances of low BS and he feels that he has better endurance because his BS is not as variable and better controlled. 

Our younger daughter, Daria, is also a type 1 diabetic -- she is 22 and was diagnosed at age 11. Huge adjustment for a kid, and my hat is off to you d-name for managing this before the age of Lantus and quick read BG meters! She started using a pump when she started college, and has given her a lot of flexibility. On a daily basis, however, she notes that her diabetes sets her apart from her peers (and, yes, she is acutely aware that there many far worse afflictions). She has done great in not allowing the diabetes to limit her -- she was a competitive gymnast and soccer player in high school, has travelled internationally several times as part of college programs (however the 3am phone call from Australia b/c her pump stopped working and she did not have any Lantus with her is a story in fortitude by itself...). Oh yeah, she also rips as a skier! She just graduated college and is planning on spending next winter in Utah. Living my dream...

I always like the exchange of stories and information on this website, but this is one is so personal and potentially so helpful to people so much beyond what is the best mid=layer or best boots (granted those are pretty important, I know.)  

http://www.amazon.com/Yes-Can-You-Tackle-Diabetes/dp/0977428303

 

I know you guys aren't kids, but the topic reminded me of what is supposed to be a good book for kids and parents (especially active ones).

I'm also type 1 and as many others need to carry my insulin, meter snacks and some sort of high glucose sports gel. I was diagnosed 9 years ago, I'm 31 now. Hava to deal with it is a pain but it has never limited me on any thing! The most important thing is to educate yourselft and be aware of the extra care you have to take... I always stop at the lodge every 1.5 / 2 hrs to make sure I'm doing okay! And as canadianskier said it's important to have a partner to remind you of what you have to do!

My daughter and son-in-law work for a diabetes pump startup company.  They just announced that they are taking orders for their pump and will ship in August!  What is also interesting is to hear about the research they (and others) are involved in to develop an artificial pancreas!  That's evidently the gold standard and killer app.  It's years away, but exciting none the less.

 

Mike

Mike, do you have the website about this device?

 

thanks

 

David

http://www.tandemdiabetes.com/