Type 1 Diabetes and Tennis

love2run

love2run

New User
Hi all,

First post here. I'm a Type 1 diabetic and a 4.5 women's singles player. I'd love to reach out to other type 1 diabetic tennis players and compare notes. I'm having trouble figuring out my ideal blood sugar range to be in before I start playing. Unfortunately, I've developed this fear of getting a low blood sugar during matches, because it screws up my focus/performance and it takes at least 20 min to fully recover, so I've started this (bad) habit of beginning the match with a high blood sugar. But then my blood sugar sky-rockets because of the adrenalin, etc, and I leave the court with like a 300 blood sugar reading. And this is effecting my A1c because I play 3-4 times a week lately. I'm considering getting a CGM so I can know beforehand if my blood sugar is rising or falling and I know this will help.

To anyone who has a CGM (continuous glucose monitor), doesn't a loud alarm go off on your phone/device if you get a low blood sugar during a match? How do you deal with that interference, especially when it could distract those playing next to you?

Also, to all type 1 diabetics, what is your ideal blood sugar range before you start playing? Do you stay on the lower side and just keep snacking during breaks? Or is there a safer number to aim for that's on the higher side, but not too high?

Also curious to hear about any other info you might have about tennis and diabetes, like preparing for a match (meals, timing of meals, etc). Any and all info is much appreciated!

Thank you so much!
 
I'm a type 3 diabetic (spouse of a type 1). I'm the tennis player, so I can't answer your question directly, but I can tell you that our life got considerably easier with the CGM that allowed us to be able to do many things we couldn't do before with confidence, such as go on vacation in remote areas and long hikes. The highs and lows aren't as drastic with the CGM either. He has the CGM set so it will alert him when it is below 90, and also when it is falling at a rapid rate.

I really don't think you should worry about the CGM going off during a match. If someone calls a let because of it, so what, but I don't think it would even come to that if you set it on vibrate and no one will know it but you.
 
NE1for10is? said:
I'm a type 3 diabetic (spouse of a type 1). I'm the tennis player, so I can't answer your question directly, but I can tell you that our life got considerably easier with the CGM that allowed us to be able to do many things we couldn't do before with confidence, such as go on vacation in remote areas and long hikes. The highs and lows aren't as drastic with the CGM either. He has the CGM set so it will alert him when it is below 90, and also when it is falling at a rapid rate.

I really don't think you should worry about the CGM going off during a match. If someone calls a let because of it, so what, but I don't think it would even come to that if you set it on vibrate and no one will know it but you.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply, NE1for10is. That's really great to hear about the CGM! I didn't know you could set it to vibrate. So far I've heard that there is an alarm setting on the phone/device that can't be silenced and can't even be adjusted that much in volume. But I've only talked to a couple people so far that have CGMs and maybe there are different kinds. I'm glad to hear how much it of an improvement getting a CGM has made in your lives. I'm getting more and more eager to get one!
 
love2run said:
Hi all,

First post here. I'm a Type 1 diabetic and a 4.5 women's singles player. I'd love to reach out to other type 1 diabetic tennis players and compare notes. I'm having trouble figuring out my ideal blood sugar range to be in before I start playing. Unfortunately, I've developed this fear of getting a low blood sugar during matches, because it screws up my focus/performance and it takes at least 20 min to fully recover, so I've started this (bad) habit of beginning the match with a high blood sugar. But then my blood sugar sky-rockets because of the adrenalin, etc, and I leave the court with like a 300 blood sugar reading. And this is effecting my A1c because I play 3-4 times a week lately. I'm considering getting a CGM so I can know beforehand if my blood sugar is rising or falling and I know this will help.

To anyone who has a CGM (continuous glucose monitor), doesn't a loud alarm go off on your phone/device if you get a low blood sugar during a match? How do you deal with that interference, especially when it could distract those playing next to you?

Also, to all type 1 diabetics, what is your ideal blood sugar range before you start playing? Do you stay on the lower side and just keep snacking during breaks? Or is there a safer number to aim for that's on the higher side, but not too high?

Also curious to hear about any other info you might have about tennis and diabetes, like preparing for a match (meals, timing of meals, etc). Any and all info is much appreciated!

Thank you so much!
Click to expand...
I wear a CGM. I have the small receiver unit that I can keep in my pocket during play. I usually try to be around 150 when a match starts and I can constantly keep an eye on it during the match so I can see what the trend is. I will usually eat slow digesting carbs in the match to keep my graph nice and flat. Belivta bars are great for this because they digest slowly and don't put you on the rollercoaster. I do keep a regular Pepsi in my bag for emergencies but slow digesting carbs are the key. You don't go high too quickly only to come back down, i.e. the rollercoaster. So, that's my suggestion ... try Belvita or other slow digesting carbs to keep sugar levels consistent over time and provide the energy you need.

The main thing for me besides the above is to make sure I am being as correct as possible with any dosing with a meal before a match. It gets difficult if you take too much insulin and you have to make up for it WHILE under stress of exercise. That doesn't end well and always requires me to get into the Pepsi. :)

I wouldn't worry about a CGM alarm at all. It's a safety thing since I am hypoglycemic unaware which gives me a very small window to correct. Ask people in my group if they'd rather see me collapse or have advanced warning so I can head that off. Not that the latter has ever happened or anything............. ;)
 
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IA-SteveB said:
I wear a CGM. I have the small receiver unit that I can keep in my pocket during play. I usually try to be around 150 when a match starts and I can constantly keep an eye on it during the match so I can see what the trend is. I will usually eat slow digesting carbs in the match to keep my graph nice and flat. Belivta bars are great for this because they digest slowly and don't put you on the rollercoaster. I do keep a regular Pepsi in my bag for emergencies but slow digesting carbs are the key. You don't go high too quickly only to come back down, i.e. the rollercoaster. So, that's my suggestion ... try Belvita or other slow digesting carbs to keep sugar levels consistent over time and provide the energy you need.

The main thing for me besides the above is to make sure I am being as correct as possible with any dosing with a meal before a match. It gets difficult if you take too much insulin and you have to make up for it WHILE under stress of exercise. That doesn't end well and always requires me to get into the Pepsi. :)

I wouldn't worry about a CGM alarm at all. It's a safety thing since I am hypoglycemic unaware which gives me a very small window to correct. Ask people in my group if they'd rather see me collapse or have advanced warning so I can head that off. Not that the latter has ever happened or anything............. ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply and your feedback! That's good to know about the slow digesting carbs. And 150 seems like a good number to aim for prior. And yea, meals before matches are tricky for me too. I either get a low once I start playing or I didn't give enough insulin and then my blood sugars rise as I play. I think having a CGM will really help to know what's going on beforehand. I'm glad to hear that your group is supportive of the alarm, makes total sense :) . What about for USTA matches? Do you just tell an official beforehand?
 
love2run said:
So far I've heard that there is an alarm setting on the phone/device that can't be silenced and can't even be adjusted that much in volume. But I've only talked to a couple people so far that have CGMs and maybe there are different kinds.
Click to expand...

You don't always need to use the phone. You could turn off the phone for matches and just wear the CGM on vibrate, which is much smaller and easier to wear anyway. He just uses the phone for the display and trends and always has notifications turned off, because as you said the phone alerts are overly loud, and he uses the CGM to alert him.
 
Type 1 here and a pumper. I gave up on the CGM as I never really felt it was accurate enough to justify the effort and expense. I carb up a bit before playing, Cliff Bars usually.

Best advice is to test often and keep glucose tablets in your bag.
 
Effort? It's the best thing I ever did and it couldn't be easier. Maybe I am unique but it is rarely more than 15% off for me and my 6.1 A1C tells me it is working well for me.
Raul_SJ said:
Approximately how much are these CGM devices (assuming no insurance coverage)? I googled but the company wants you to fill out insurance info to get a quote.

Which part of the body do you have to stick the sensor in?
Click to expand...

They are expensive and it would me more than a car payment a month if you are paying cash. I am lucky that my insurance pays for 80% of it. All of my numbers that follow are the retail price I see on my explanation of benefits from my insurance company. I pay 20% of any price I list. The transmitter lasts about a year on the battery (not sure about the bluetooth model but I suspect it is less than a year) and is $500. You have to choose what system you want. The G4 only works with a G4 pocket receiver ($500 and I have had mine three years) The G5 works with a phone and runs on bluetooth but I suspect the battery life will be less than the G4 since it transmits on bluetooth. Just a theory. The sensors are what kill you. They are $325 for a box of four, a one month supply! The transmitter just sticks on your abdomen with a high grade medical patch. You inject the filament into your skin, pop in the transmitter and you are set for a week synching it up twice a day with a fingerstick. I just alternate sides each week. I just tell the people at the tennis club that I have a nanobot in my bloodstream that sends data to my receiver. :)

So in summary, WITHOUT insurance:
$500 for a new transmitter once a year.
$500 for a new pocket receiver if you ever need one. I have had mine for 3 years.
$325/mo for sensors is pretty much your ongoing cost.
For a G4 you'd be looking at ~$1325 startup cost (receiver, transmitter, 1 box of sensors) and $325/mo ongoing for transmitters. Tough to stomach.

I couldn't be on it without insurance, I can tell you that. The only drawbacks I have found with it is that I am more conscious of partaking in water sports since it shortens the life of the adhesive. I have to use 3M tape to help out when it weakens. The other thing is that you have to be very careful not to snag it on anything, ripping it off. Nothing makes you more angry than putting on a new one and then snagging it on the footboard of the bed walking by. Quick $80 out the door. Not that I have ever done that or anything. lol
 
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love2run said:
Thanks for your reply and your feedback! That's good to know about the slow digesting carbs. And 150 seems like a good number to aim for prior. And yea, meals before matches are tricky for me too. I either get a low once I start playing or I didn't give enough insulin and then my blood sugars rise as I play. I think having a CGM will really help to know what's going on beforehand. I'm glad to hear that your group is supportive of the alarm, makes total sense :) . What about for USTA matches? Do you just tell an official beforehand?
Click to expand...
No one even hears it. It's not a ship claxon. It isn't that loud at all and I usually leave it on vibrate anyway because you WILL feel it. Playing in groups that don't know me or in USTA I don't tell anyone anything because it just doesn't matter. If I have to eat or drink to bring my levels up, I just do it on a changeover and no one needs to know. I guess I'm a pretty private person and am just sharing here since it's anonymous and I can help someone.
 
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NE1for10is? said:
You don't always need to use the phone. You could turn off the phone for matches and just wear the CGM on vibrate, which is much smaller and easier to wear anyway. He just uses the phone for the display and trends and always has notifications turned off, because as you said the phone alerts are overly loud, and he uses the CGM to alert him.
Click to expand...

I see, I did not know this. That's a relief to hear! I got a totally different impression when I talked to a friend about them. I'm glad to hear there is more flexibility than I had originally thought. Thank you! :)
 
jaggy said:
Type 1 here and a pumper. I gave up on the CGM as I never really felt it was accurate enough to justify the effort and expense. I carb up a bit before playing, Cliff Bars usually.

Best advice is to test often and keep glucose tablets in your bag.
Click to expand...

Do you give yourself insulin for the Clif bar before playing, if you don't mind me asking? Sometimes I don't give insulin for a snack right before I play so I know I won't get a low, but then I have the consequence of high blood sugars afterwards.
 
love2run said:
Do you give yourself insulin for the Clif bar before playing, if you don't mind me asking? Sometimes I don't give insulin for a snack right before I play so I know I won't get a low, but then I have the consequence of high blood sugars afterwards.
Click to expand...
I don't and usually suspend my pump an hour before playing too. I still get dangerously close to lows, just how it affects me. If you use a pump and are on facebook I recommend this group. A lot of helpful information from members. https://www.facebook.com/groups/137477019732091/
 
love2run said:
The upper arm is another option for placement too, right?
Click to expand...
I guess but that wouldn't work for me. You can't inject the filament into steel. :) It's easy just to rotate sides week to week staying an inch away from the last injection point. The arm just seems like an easy way to accidentally get the transmitter ripped off. These things are expensive enough and you want to get a full week out of one.
 
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