Any diabetic hikers?

imported
#1

I recently learned that I am diabetic. Since I had high hopes of starting backpacking, and some day hiking the AT, this potentially backpack-ending news has me reeling in shock.

I don’t have to take any meds yet, thank God, and have lost some weight. However, watching what I eat, esp. high sugar/carb foods, will always be necessary. My question is, are there any diabetic hikers out there? Can it be done? If you’re hiking up a storm, can you relax the rules a bit as far as no sugar or high carb foods?

Also, I’ve been informed that diabetics often have problems with their feet, and should avoid getting callouses and blisters. This may be the biggest hiking impediment, since blisters and callouses come with the territory…anybody have any imput?

Sure hope I don’t have to give up my dream…

Stunned & Dismayed

#2

Not you, a friend we hiked with. He does fine. At the time he had to check his sugar every day and manage the food right on but you have to do what you have to do. Now he has the pump. I can see if he wants to talk at you. May take a few days to get back to you.

Bushwhack

#3

We thru hiked with several diabetic hikers. Some were on multiple shots daily. We never saw anybody have a problem with it. Mike and his dog Charlie for one. He even did the 40+ miles from Laurel Fall at Kencora to Damascus in one day (20hrs).

Papa Smurf

#4

there is a guy on the pct now (forget his name… ) that is diabetic! he has a trailjournal… work classifies that as ‘travel - banned’ so I cant look his name up…

Bloody Cactus

#5

If your blood sugar is only moderately high, losing weight and exercising may be enough to bring it under control. See what happens when you get serious about training. Some people find they can pretty much eat what they want while doing serious exercise.

I knew a three times a day insulin injecting diabetic who thruhiked the AT. It took a few weeks to get his food input and energy levels stabilized, but he did eventually. At first he would do 20 miles one day and 3 miles the next, as his sugar levels crashed. But eventually he figured out what he needed to do to stay in balance.

As to feet - if you have just been diagnosed, you aren’t likely to yet have the kind of serious circulation problems that lead to gangrene. Pay attention to your blisters and such – but you’ll want to do that in any case. If you get a serious infection, see a doctor. Otherwise, just do what you can to stay healthy. Exercise now and you won’t have the blocked arteries that lead to problems.

Spirit Walker

#6

There was a guy I talked to that hiked for a week or two in the Shenandoahs, and he had diabetes. He had a really hard time and ended up in the hospital, dehydrated, and with ketosis(sp?). The doctor checked him out, and let him know his problems…one being that he didn’t have enough carbs and sugars pumping through his body.

Well, normally, a diabetic is supposed to avoid carbs and sugars like the plague, but the dietary necessities really vary when you’re out burning up calories every day.

My advice would be to NOT go by the advice of other hikers, and assume that your level of diabetes is, in any way, equivalent to the other diabetics that these people (including my example) have fun into. Talk to a few doctors, and see what would be best for you. Get a second and third opinion. You may not have the body chemestry that would make you react in such a way, but you don’t want to get caught out in the middle of nowhere and have your body go into some kind of shock.

Not meaning to freak you out or anything, but it never hurts to be careful. It’s definitely possible to hike the AT, being a diabetic, so don’t give up on your dream! Just be careful, and good luck with your hike!

bearbait

#7

I hiked a good bit of Maine (and summitted Katahdin last week) with “The Dude”, who is diabetic. He’s also in great shape, is a great hiker, and had a great trip. I’m sure he’d be willing to talk or correspond with you about your questions; if you’re interested, please get back to me and I’ll track down his contact info. Also, be aware that both the ATC and especially ALDHA maintain lists of hikers with special needs/intestests/ etc., as well as folks who’ve thru-hiked with illnesses or disabilities. These folks are also willing to talk with prospective thru-hikers. For more info, see www.atconf.org and www.aldha.org Best of luck with your trip, and don’t let your recent diagnosis get in the way. Other diabetics have successfully thru-hiked, and so can you!

Jack Tarlin

#8

Yes, I know of two diabetics on the trail. The most common problem they had was sugar levels dropping. One person even didn’t need to use his insulin by Maine. So just keep it monitored and take it slow in the beganning. Nobody knows your body like you do. Get books read and learn about the disease, but I think if you have the education and control of the blood sugar you will be fine.

Buttercup