Living with Diabetes

Living on a narrowboat with Diabetes can be done!

I have learned that Diabetes is all about "management" and, whether on land or water, the problems and solutions are the same.

I find that any unplanned exercise can lead to an "hypo" if I haven't eaten enough slow acting carbohydrates, as my body uses up the glucose gained at my last meal.

"Hypos" for me can result in loss of concentration, inability to make rational decisions, vagueness, weakness, sweating and shaking. None of these are conducive to steering a narrowboat

or working locks!

I was advised that careful planning of food, snacks and diabetic medication can prevent hypos. The following are a few ideas that work for me. I medicate with insulin and there is no guarantee that they will work for all diabetics, as everyone is different and metabolisms vary.

• I have a high carbohydrate breakfast. Porridge with milk and a little sugar, cereal and fruit juice. If someone else is cooking, I may go the whole "hog" and have a Full English!
• I NEVER get off the boat without a pocket full of sweets or an high energy snack. We never know what we may encounter when boating and it may be that I will be unable to get back to "top up" with food at the right time.
• Bananas are a brilliant quick source of carbohydrate.
• A sugary drink will only give a short "shot" of glucose. It should be followed by a slow acting carbohydrate snack.
• I eat regular healthy meals; we try to cruise with this in mind!
• My best treatment for an hypo is a small glass of orange juice. Ten minutes later an high carbohydrate snack. e.g. 2 digestive biscuits, a bowl of cereal, or toast and jam
• I check my blood sugar level regularly, particularly after excercise and take appropriate action if my sugars are low.

So I can do the locks with confidence, walk the towpath with a feeling of freedom and enjoy the lifestyle without compromising my health.

As a diabetic I need periodic blood tests and repeat prescriptions - have a look at our pages on blood tests (canal by canal) and pharmacies (also canal by canal). Also have a look at our emergency page so you are prepared if the worst happens.