Diabetes – still no problem?

Since our trip around the world in 2010-2011, I have started managing my blood sugar with a continued glucose monitoring (CGM) system, meaning that is I now use a sensor which again is connected to my insulin pump. This has great advantages in terms of glucose management, particularly when driving under difficult conditions it´s a great relief to be able to continuously monitor your blood sugar readings. And this is really working well when driving a car, but more complicated on a two-wheeler where the only option at this stage is to stop the motorcycle, take out the pump and check the pump´s blood sugar display. I have tried connecting my pump to a mobile phone mounted on the handlebar using a users’ made software, but still I have not managed to make this work properly for an extended length of time (and on hot and sunny days, my phone simply gets too warm and shuts down).  For me, this is still work-in-progress, but it´s urgent to find solutions which are both practical, reliable and user friendly for diabetics wanting to live an active and adventurous life.

CGM honestly does represent considerable challenges for a camping nomad. When the system works, it´s fantastic – and in a more stable laboratory-like environment or in more homely settings, it works wonderfully. But when you travel for an extensive amount of time and with limited space for storage, the bulky plastic packing material used for the CGM-supplies is cumbersome indeed – they simply require too much space (and, in these days´ focus on sustainability, they use too much plastic).

Another issue is that I often find it difficult to keep the sensor “glued” to my arm when sweating (which naturally happens when you are active… And particularly so in tropical and humid areas) or simply keeping the sensor in place when physically active (such as for instance working under the car or taking on and off a backpack or protective gear when motorcycling). As the sensor sticks out, it is simply too easy to touch it and tear it off by accident.

But all in all – diabetes is still not more of a problem than can be handled when planning everything well ahead of time, taking good care (not to tear the sensor off) and allowing time to test things out before leaving 😊.        

We will be back with more when starting the Patagonia-leg of our travel.