Diabetic issues

[MartinH]

I don't know if this is even appropriate to post here, but I trust the people here more than at some random diabetes forum. So, I think I'm suffering from low blood-sugar. I really don't know if it's diabetes or something else, as I am going to see my Dr. in the next few days. But my question is regarding tobacco use. Does anyone on this forum have any experience with pipe smoking and blood sugar issues? I really don't want to give up this hobby, so I'm curious what the people here at BoB know. It is important to say that I've not been diagnosed with diabetes, but I have crazy blood sugar, which goes from high to really, really low. Would smoking the pipe affect blood sugar?

Thanks,

Martin

 

[ZeroContent]

Depends on how low it actually is. Fasting (which is usual for before blood draws) plus nicotine withdrawal can cause low blood sugar. But that's only temporary since you usually (presumably) don't go very long without eating like a normal person. If you're below 65 then there may be a problem. Of course there are other factors that could cause low blood sugar and it might have just all come together for the last time you were tested.


Good (very long) explanation of Hypoglycemia, it's pretty rare in someone who isn't taking additional insulin.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/low_blood_sugar_hypoglycemia/article_em.htm

 

[babysinister]

I'm a Type 2 diabetic (diabetes mellitus) and my glucose levels have been under control since I was diagnosed and began the treatment for this condition nine years ago. I smoke a pipe every day and cannot attribute any adverse impact on my diabetic condition to pipesmoking in my case.

 

[Carlos]

Pipe smoking does not noticeably affect me in regards to my blood sugar levels. Except! The ritual, relaxes me and helps to keep my blood sugars under control. It's all about stress reduction and stress can make your blood sugars do crazy things.

A change in my oral diabetic meds seemed to trigger my craving for the pipe. After having not smoked anything for 13+ years I picked up the pipe. I had failed at pipe smoking 20 years or so earlier. But the Internet changed all that.

Don't skip any meals. Try to make better choices. You do need about 60 carbs per meal. Some will be fine eating 45 carbs. But don't just eat a big bowl of salad thinking you are doing right. Read those food labels. And my biggest failing, watch how much meats you consume.

As always, see your Doc, as that's is the best medical advice. He/she may have you see a dietician.

 

[LIPIPE]

I'm also borderline type 2 as well medicated with metformin and under control. There appears to be no problem with my pipe either. I am also on statin drugs to keep cholesterol in check. I came across an interesting study in women recently. I suspect that there will be some overlay for men as well. It appears that the statin drugs over long term administration cause elevated glucose levels. The study indicates that the long term benefit of the statin drugs (Zocor, Lipitor, Pravacohol as well as the generics) outweigh the elevation in blood glucose so I'm staying on it. I have no family history of diabetes going back multiple generations so it is possible that some of us might not be clinically diabetic after all, but just medication induced. Time and further study will tell. Studies in men also make reference to erectile function. Many diabetic men have ED problems. Those studies mention erectile function as an indicator of male overall health. The vascular makeup of the penile arteries are much smaller than other vascular structures in the body so a healthy vascular system can be viewed as one in men that performs for you. So the good news is borderline type II diabetes may not be a disease factor and if the dick is lively we're kicking ass and doing just fine and I'm smokin' to that.

 

[user 1862]

...if the dick is lively we're kicking ass and doing just fine and I'm smokin' to that.

Go Marty, go!

 

[LIPIPE]

"Go Marty go", say's Lesath

Right on Bro! Smokin' like a Pro and livin' large Joe. I'm a poet and I didn't even know it.

 

[MartinH]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. Here's to long hours, of enjoying bowls of the best leaf there is!

 

[monbla256]

I'm a type two, on Insulin now for the past 10 years and have noticed no effects on my BG levels that could be attributed to pipe smoking. I've beeen a pipe smoker for 40+ years now and a Diabetic for the past 20 and other than the diminishing of appitite which can be a side effect of Nicotine consumption have had no problems with low BG readings due to my conumption of tobacco. Of course ANYTHING taken to excess will have some effects on ones body period I wish you luck with your doctor and your BG levels. What used to be called "reactive Hypoglycemia" 20 years ago is now regarded as "pre-Diabetic" and some changes in diet and activities may be in order. Good luck