I was wondering what kind of temporary basals other folks use for exercise? How far in advance do you set it, and for how long? I’ve been pumping 5 months, and this has been one of the harder things for me to really fine tune. I usually still end up dropping towards the end of my workout, or end up quite a bit higher than when i started.
Right now, I'm at about -50% for a 30 minute workout on an eliptical machine, set for 1.5 hrs and starting 45 minutes to 1 hour before. For something less strenuous like yoga, i'll do a -20% but only a half hour in advance. Any advice would help - i'm not sure if my timings or percentages are off.
Hi aa. I am new to this also and still working on it - but for the equivalent of jogging (I skate on an artificial rink here), I drop my basal 20% for 2 hours and that seems to work well. Every body has a different absorption rate though, and different carb/insulin ratio, so every person will be markedly different - my current ratios are 1:11 for carbs and an insulin sensitivity factor of 1 unit of insulin to 3.1 mmol of BG (62 mg/dcl). Others that want to jump in may need to provide that or the numbers may be meaningless to your efforts. Look for someone who has similar sensitivity and carb ratios…
Oh the joys of temp basals. They are the main reason I got on the pump asap after I was diagnosed. I’ve been on the pump for 2.5yrs. Here’s a run down of my workouts and what I do. My basal changes also depend on time of day of workout and time in relation to food. It’s still a work in progress as I’m fine tuning to get the best numbers I can so I can perform to the best of my ability at the upcoming World Outrigger Sprint Championships in May.
6am Morning Paddle (~80min): basal drop -60% 2.5hrs prior to exercise (have a separate basal program for this so I don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to change it), NO bolus for ~45g CHO, basal back to normal ~10-20min prior to end of workout. This one is still being fine tuned as I’m coming off water just a tad higher than I’d like (~8.0)
7am Resistance Training (~110min total including 25min warmup and 25min cooldown): basal increase ~10% 45min prior to exercise (that’s when I wake up), extended bolus for ~30g CHO over 1.5hrs
Afternoon paddle (70min - 3hrs depending on the day/workout): basal drop -70% (-80%if post lunch BG under 5.5) 2-2.5hrs prior to exercise, for food within 3hrs of paddle then lowered bolus for the CHO by ~50%, consume ~15gCHO/hr during paddle (sometimes less, sometimes more depending on thirst and BG numbers)
Yoga (~60min): depends on time of day and food. Usually have a snack ~30g CHO within an hour of the class and bolus for 50% of it and leave basals. If no snack then have to lower basal by ~30% about 2hrs prior.
Running (30-90min): depends on workout and food. Shorter runs, I leave my basal as is, longer than 45min I usually reduce a few hours prior by ~50% as the intensity is usually less. Interval work I leave my basals as is, LSD (long slow distance) I lower them for sure!
Cycling(any duration): lower by at least 60% a few hours prior.
All of the above are dependent on the type of workout scheduled as well as the food consumed prior (I tend to eat every 2-3hrs). My basal rates, I:C ratio and ISF have changed significantly over the past few months as my body is adapting to my training. Every body is different and even when you think you have yours figured out … it can throw you for a loop!
My best advice is to keep a training log that includes: type of exercise, intensity, duration, food within 3 hrs of exercise, BG 2 hrs prior, BG 1hr prior, BG at start of workout, BG middle, BG end, basal change and time of change, food post exercise and bolus for it.
I know it sounds like a lot but it’s a lot easier to look up what you did and what worked and what didn’t when you go back to do a similar workout. I always tell myself that I’ll remember but I rarely do!
If you want to know more about my training, feel free to fire me a message!
I was also dropping low and solved the problem by reducing my basal by 50% simultaneously to starting to exercise and extending the reduced rate for only a half-hour after exercising. Prior to that I had reduced the rate by the same amount but about an hour prior to exercising.
I use the temp setting to reduce my basal -40% just before walking in to the gym - that’s assuming a good starting BG. I started out with 1 hr., but I tended to go low, so I extended to 1.5 hrs. I also eat 15-20g CHO on my way there - usually a Kashi bar. I do the stationary bike, treadmill, and weight machines. I’ve only been on the pump about 2 months - so far, so good. I keep some Sweet Tarts and a small tangerine with me just in case.
I actually found that I have to disconnect my pump completely (or suspend it). I tried every temp basal and it still made me low. I am talking below 60 within 20 mins. I tried eating 15 carb snacks before (my endo recommended) and I still got low. So i decided to just take it off and so far that has worked great for me.
I am not saying this is the best solution, but it may work for you too. I am really sensitive to insulin.
I was told by my doctor to decrease 30 minutes before workout by a percentage that works for you (mine is decrease of 75%) and keep it there for twice the time of the workout. So, if I workout for an hour, I keep it decreased for 2 hours. Workout of 1.5hrs = 3hr decrease. This, of course, isn’t perfect for each workout, but it’s a pretty good start to work with.
I have found that post exercise, I have a greater likelihood of going high. If I reduce pre-exercise basal, seems like I need a bolus after exercise. Does this happen for anyone elsle? I have tried keeping basal on during exercise, increasing basal during exercise and now taking a bolus after exercise. My workouts are not particularly long, but fairly intense.
This happens to me sometimes, but i think when it happens it’s caused either 1) by the initial drop and then a reaction to a low from my liver, or 2) the leftover impact of the temp basal…?
what kind of exercise do you do? i remember hearing that certain types of workouts requiring quick bursts of energy can actually drive your sugars up (primarily weight lifting and sprinting), so if you fall into this category that could be the reason.
I guess it’s all relative. I run, but not sprinting. I lift weights but don’t powerlift. I have been told that “stress” hormones can surge, varies for each individual. I have been called a “gusher” Doesn’t take much too make my sugars elevated. I am wearing a Dexcom, so I should be able to track blood glucose levels to a certain extent. I do tend to drop significantly during exercise.
