Diabetic

[ettelloc]

If you are a diabetic on insulin how much of a bad idea is it to drink alcopops? Also are you able to drive? TIA

[JamSam17]

Hello!
Um, you can drive, subject to the old medical questionnaires etc. The DVLA writes to your doctor I believe and bases it's decision on that. I've only got a three year license though, I just have to renew it. There hasn't been a problem so far.

You can drink alcopops. Although they're full of sugar - alcohol lowers the blood sugar. You just need to monitor it and be a bit careful. They don't, by any means, cancel each other out though.
I hope this has helped even a little bit. I haven't given the best explaination of either. I just know that I've been insulin dependent for 15 years and do both :)

[ettelloc]

Thanks JamSam.

[JamSam17]

not one after the other, mind :)

[Ethel]

If and when you drink alcohol, make certain that it is incorporated into a meal or snack. Alcohol may increase the risk of an insulin reaction. Alcohol may also react with diabetes medication, and the symptoms of diabetes may be confused with drunkenness. Unfortunately for diabetics, alcohol is hazardous.<i/>

You can drive
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/driving-with-diabete s.html

[saxy_jag]

My uncle carried on driving lorries for many years following his diagnosis, with the full knowledge of his employers. Then he had a near miss whilst at work - was pulled up by the police because they thought he was drunk. A rookie copper who'd just done a first aid course smelt his breath and checked out his dog tag before getting him an ambulance. Otherwise he'd have probably died in a police cell somewhere. After that, he lost his licence on medical grounds but his bosses were able to redeploy him, fortunately.

As for alcopops, alcohol can play havoc with blood sugar levels even in a healthy person. My uncle used to drink a lot before his diagnosis and for some years after and has done himself no favours. Even now he occasionally overdoes it at parties, much to his teenage granddaughter's disgust, and pays the price over the next day or so.

[cruella]

ettelloc,
Alcopops are very high in sugar.
If you are a diabetic, I would avoid drinking them altogether.

[smudge]

I'm so glad I read this, also Ethel's link.

Our eldest daughter was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three years ago, but I'm not sure if she's informed her insurance company or the dvla - I shall ask her tomorrow....

[JamSam17]

It is risky drinking when you are diabetic, but it's risky drinking when you aren't too. It's like everything. Make sure you have some idea of what you are doing.
The way insulin regimes (sp) have been developed recently means that insulin dependent diabetics can live as close to a 'normal' life as possible. If I wanted to miss a meal, I could and if I wanted to eat 6 mars bars at one time, I could also do that too, I just need to know how to deal with it.
There may be more sugar in alcopos than there is in larger but it's not necessarily the sugar that is the overall problem. Alcohol affects the liver, stopping it doing it's job with the insulin. The effect that has is the problem (I find it worst the next day at about 11). Everyone is different and I'm all for doing things that I want to do, but safely.
Don't deny yourself as that leads to resentment. I was 12 when I was diagnosed. I had my teenage rebellion at about 22 and am just getting over it at 27!

[blackcat77]

Regarding the driving bit of your question I believe that you can still drive LGV's after informing DVLA and your insurance company, but you cannot drive Passenger Service Vehicles, so I hope that you are not wanting to become a bus driver!

[Ice.Maiden]

It's a very bad idea for a diabetic. Alcopops contain 50g of sugar per litre.