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diabetes and marijuana

Ok ive had diabetes for 5 years this coming week and i am 15 years old. Diabetes has deffinently changed the way that i go out with friends and i relieze that i cant do all the things that they do to have fun, like drink alcohol. I know that alcohol and diabetes doesnt mix but im curious to know if marijuana has any other side effects on a person with diabetes or if it is still the same as a non diabetic. I have never smoked marijuana before but i might be in a situation next week where people will have some. I wanna know that if anything does happen and i do take some that im not risking myself to an extreme high or low blood suger.

Thanks,
Tyler
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Avatar universal
I'm a student and have been to many parties and I have had my fair share of scary hypos and waking up the next day feeling lucky to be alive. You really need to look after your self. I have been in DKA twice after a night in the town! You are doing the right thing looking at healthier alternatives to Alcohol and MJ is a good social drug I have been using for 4 years and I think as long as you smoke MJ only on a night in with friends its much safer than alcohol but you still need to closely monitor you sugars and make sure you have enough carbs and sugars to keep you going incase you take a hypo. I would recommend taking 40% off your bolus if you eat anything as MJ can increase you insulin sensitivity making you more prone to hypos. I have been stupid enough to get very very drunk and smoke a joint a few times. Just last weekend I had 7 cans of beer and 2 strong vodkas then a joint I was very lucky to have a CGM to see that I was coming down fast from 13mmol. I had a bottle of lucozade... nothing happened then.. 3 packs of dextrose, 1L of milk, 1L of orange juice and a ton of chocolate trying to keep my self alive. It just kept coming down! It took 4 hours and a ridiculous amount of sugar to finally get my bloods up. I have know idea how this happened however I had a mix of alcohol and weed. If I didn't catch it when it was coming down from 13mmol and having such an amazing girlfriend feeding me sugar it could of been a different story. I was lucky and don't want this to happened to anyone else so please don't mix drugs with alcohol as you don't know what effect it can have on your sugars.
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4914168 tn?1360948902
Well im diabetic and i been diabetic for 1yr my  diabetes has never been so controled since i started smoking pot of course i take my insulin and pill for kidneys since day 1 but before i used to smoke it was all over the place now its well managed i think theres nothing wrong with smoking pot if it helps control it
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Avatar universal
You should ALWAYS have something on hand for a low if you are type 1 diabetic!  You should not be depending on someone to bring you a candy bar!
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Avatar universal
well the last time I checked we have the right to life, liberty and the right to be happy. As long as they don't hurt you or damage something it's not any ones business what people do. Any law that violates my rights is void. People are too busy minding other peoples business, that's the problem.
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Avatar universal
Sorry, this was meant towards WindBreaker.
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Avatar universal
So? At one time it was illegal for blacks to vote...
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Avatar universal
So? At one time it was illegal for blacks to vote.
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Avatar universal
Alcohol is fermented from carbohydrates (both starches and sugars). Drinks differ in the amount of carbohydrates they contain.  ntm.  please do not drink.

  Gatorade is toixic. Look up, toxic yellow #5! Do not eat anything with a color or number!  Get the book by doctor Sears called NDD, "Nutrition Deficit Disorder". Amazing.

          ok I need some advice. I am a medical marijuana patient and something is going on with my blood sugar. I can only smoke one strain. Sour Diesel.. now I know this sounds strange , but if I am having a low blood sugar attack. .I will have severe blurred vision, faintness, very upset,  emotional, shaky, feeling drunk even. I can not even talk when this happens. I thought I was hooked or crazy. But then I ran out of that kind got really sick. I went in and took a glucose test. I failed it, then I went back a wk later for the 8 hour glucose test. I was so sick from not eating all morning and my appointment was at 7am.  I didnt smoke that morning and I was feeling sick like before.. but then my appointment was moved to 11am.  and at about 10:30 I was almost completely dibilitated.. so I took a hit right before I went in. I couldnt of walk inside if I hadnt. I felt 90% better upon exhale. vision,  everything. I walked in and passed it. I am very frustrated. I blew it, but feel no one will believe me..  For 7 years I have only smoked this strain.. I know that sounds crazy. But I feel no high effect from it, just extreme pain relief and then this effect as well.

                  So this evening, I am going to walk in to Mission hospital in Orange County and find out why. so scared..

                   btw I do not want a 15 yr old smoking pot. I think cannabis could interfere with whats going on. Diet is everything...

but I would like some feedback.

www.****/laurabiancacollins
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Avatar universal
hey im 16 with type 1 diabetes i have had it since i was only 4 years old and wasnt able to really live a normal life being the only diabetic in my whole family i had no one to really talk to so as years passed on i got really depressed and didnt think I was goingto do anything good with my life becuase everything I wanted to pursue I wasnt able to do this mad me even more stressed and depressed I started to smoke weed when I was a freshmen in high school and ever since then it has helped me that no therapist or doctor or parent could it helped me forget about my hard life that im about to face in the future Itdoes not effect my diabetes because i bolus with my insulin pump before I start to smoke becuz i know that I am going to eat alot of food I keep my blood sugar in contol weed has helped me with this terrible disease it gave me hope again and made me excited to wait to see what I am going to do in life I hope this helped even though you already posted again saying ur not going to do it
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Avatar universal
LISTEN UP!!!
I am so sick, and tired of being sick, and tired. I have type 1 diabetes, and lemme just tell yinz (yes I am from Pittsburgh) this is a bunch of bullsh!t.
The only way I can get over all the side effects that comes with insulin dependent diabetes like stress, eating problems in the morning, upset stomach, FEELING LIKE DEATH!!! Is to smoke marijuana.. Now don't even begin to reply until you hear me out. I've had it for 7 or 8 years now, and all these people talking about you get the munchies, or you dont know how to take care of yourself is just plain stupid. If you don't know how to control yourself, it's not because you smoked marijuana, it's simply because you are plain stupid. I was in a car wreck 2 years, and 9 days ago. I came out fine, however my mother cannot walk. Talk about growing up fast. I now am the man of the house, changing her potty, everything else you can think of a moms job to do. Never had my dad around.. So anyway I do all this, I take my sugar about 5 to 8 times a day as well as take my insulin on time. Do you know how I get these things done without feeling sick? I bet you have a clue, yes Marijuana has helped me to the point where I am considering moving to get a Medical Card so it is not illegal.
When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty -Thomas Jefferson

So to everyone considering if marijuana will help I'm not saying it will, because it is different for everyone, but I am saying without it I feel sick..
It doesn't get me "high" it makes me relaxed, and at the same time prevents nausea, or helps if I already am nauseated. It makes my life better instead of just being a regular sick kid with diabetes, I am a regular kid living a regular life with a few sugar check ups here and there. To end this rant I am just going to say this.
We all hate diabetes, but that does not mean we cannot feel better.
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Avatar universal
WAT IS DIFFRENT ABOUT CIGS THAT GIVE HI BS AND WEED LOW
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Avatar universal
I am 28 years old had type 1 for 8 years, I was a big drinker and recreational drug taker from 15 till a few years ago, I have had some scary hypos and seizures, and a car crash and was diagnosed with a rare cardiomyopathy and had a pace maker / defib fitted. I have stopped taking drugs besides a bit of pot and drink alot less now, I like a glass of wine with dinner or a beer after work but I wont put myself in positions like parties or nightclubs because Its too tempting for me. I think diabetes has made me eat alot healthier I like cooking heathy food and think everyone should eat like a diabetic. My a1c is 7 which is quite normal for my age.

The tablets i take for my heart condition (beta blockers) can mask the affects of hypoglycemia, I used to rely on how i felt sometimes to judge my sugar levels untill I had a serious car crash, was a hot day, I was working labour intensive job and taking beta blockers, blood pressure tablets and insulin, I blacked out and drive my car 20 / 30kms hit a person, then a traffic light. I came to with that horrible sugar taste in my mouth and tingling in my lips which i get when my sugar levels rise from being low. I had no relolection of what happened! even today I try to remember but cant. Both the person I hit and I are ok, my wifes car not though. Be careful with some medications and always ask doctor pharmacist about the affects on diabetics.
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1682716 tn?1305062676
Hi, I have been a diabetic for several years! I had not smoked pot in years on a regular basis in years like since I was a teenager. I moved to a legal state and well i started smoking on and off for about 3 months now and I am insulin depended. Due to insurance issues I have to go without insulin til june 1st and I have noticed while smoking weed my levels are almost normal even with the munchies and believe me I eat that is why I hate medical mar. It is made so that ppl with cancer and certain illnesses to be able to eat. Hence why the munchies are so hard... BTW I am 34 and I am not sure what my opinion is on it, cause honestly it is on a case by case basis. My blood sugar goes higher on insulin and I dont understand that either...
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Avatar universal
I am 23 years old i have type one diabetes, i was diagnosed when i was 18. i do smoke marijuana on a daily basis, i have for the past 4 years, With me, it lowers my blood sugar and ***** with my high when it happens, sometimes I dont know if my sugar is low or if im just high, so i do recommend that if you are to smoke it, that you have some type of carb handy, and to check your blood sugar before and sometime after you smoke
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Avatar universal
Do not listen to all these people who are giving this false info that pot doesn't affect blood sugar levels. IT DOES. I have low blood sugar problems and the days I don't eat enough, If I smoke, I can go into a low blood sugar type shock. I will feels very shaky, my heart will beat very fast, I feels like im going to pass out. This is not the side effects of just smoking weed but IS the side affect of the weed causing blood sugar levels to drop dangerously. I have stopped smoking weed but when I did and would start going into a hypoglycemic shock/coma, I would HAVE to eat SUGAR to stabilize myself so I felt like I wasn't going to pass the EFF out. It's true. It does lower blood sugar. So if you have diabetes, Be EXTREMELY cautious and if you must do it for whatever reason, make sure you have some sugar around to raise that blood sugar back to normal if you feel rapid heart rate, dizzy, weak feeling. For me, I almost went into a hypoglycemic coma after smoking weed and had no idea what was happening. Luckily my bf did and brought me a candy bar which I thought for SURE would make my heart explode because it was beating soooo fast, but it really helped me feel normal again. Weed DOES lower blood sugar and CAN put someone with low blood sugar into a hypoglycemic coma. BE CAREFUL!
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Avatar universal
Marijuana is being proven in the UK to lower blood sugar levels. We have a friend who's sugar levels were at seriously high levels to the point she would have had to go to the hospital. Her mom is a former RN and informed her of the effects of pot. As she is already a smoker she had some in hand. About half an hour after smoking a joint her blood sugar levels went to a moderate level and after an hour the levels were balanced again. Knowing this though she knows not to smoke before bed as it can lower it too much. As for munchies, the reason why this happens is because of lower blood sugar levels. This is why aids patients as well as cancer patients use it to increase appetite. Our body craves sugary junk food to make up for this imbalance.  Something to think about. Although I do not have diabetes and do not know too much about the subject I am a MM activist and came upon this post while looking into this. I just thought I'd Share my knowledge and maybe it will help somebody.
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Avatar universal
Marijuana is being proven in the UK to lower blood sugar levels. We have a friend who's sugar levels were at seriously high levels to the point she would have had to go to the hospital. Her mom is a former RN and informed her of the effects of pot. As she is already a smoker she had some in hand. About half an hour after smoking a joint her blood sugar levels went to a moderate level and after an hour the levels were balanced again. Knowing this though she knows not to smoke before bed as it can lower it too much. As for munchies, the reason why this happens is because of lower blood sugar levels. This is why aids patients as well as cancer patients use it to increase appetite. Our body craves sugary junk food to make up for this imbalance.  Something to think about. Although I do not have diabetes and do not know too much about the subject I am a MM activist and came upon this post while looking into this. I just thought I'd Share my knowledge and maybe it will help somebody.
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Avatar universal
Hi Tyer, I'm a 17 year old egyptian.
I live in egypt and i think that hash, weed are all the same as they are both cannabis and they have the same effect on your body. I'm diabetic and have been diagnosed with the juvenile diabetes since i was 4.

I just wanted to answer your question. I think you are very responsible because you care about yourself and health as you are asking to make sure you're on the safe side, and i didn't do that when i was your age 2 years old, however marijuana does affect your body as we diabetics have very fragile cells and blood vessels, which are harmed badly by smoking anything, but if you want to try or smoke from time to time it's okay, but not everyday and that **** like i did, and i lost 12 kgs lately, and not happy with my shape at all. I think my might smoke with your friends from time to time, and maybe even drink alcohol from time to time, but WITH PEOPLE YOU TRUST, and this would be excellent. Rather, you can do all that, you must stay healthy, don't eat junk food alot, maybe once every two weeks, eat well, go to the gym, proteins, so you would stay in shape. All of these little times you smoke, the other days you should go out with the girls, go to parties have fun, so you're not smoking **** everyday. :)

Have fun Tyler, and tell me how high you were when you smoked the weed! :)

mohamed.hesham.***@****
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Avatar universal
Complications begin to develop at numbers over 140, so the fact that you are "only 184" isn't necessarily something to be happy about.
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Avatar universal
http://www.thegic.org/video/cured-a-cannabis-story-a-film#ixzz10EHTZQ3k
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0psJhQHk_GI&feature=player_embedded#
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Avatar universal
I'm 33 years old and have had type 1 for 9 years now. I use to drink pretty heavily & still have an occasional 20 beer/drink night. I've found that if I just stick to light beers my blood sugar levels stay level throughout the night. I am on Lantus, so this is probably why they stay level. You really just have to be concerned about taking too many shots. Hard alcohol will lower your blood sugar because your liver will start to  produce insulin. So, basically if you stay away from regular or dark beers & too many cocktails (always do diet of course, unless you want to take a shot) or shots you should be fine. I do agree with many posts here about the next morning lows. I believe this happens because your liver is still detoxing the alcohol & therefore producing insulin. Just be sure to eat a light breakfast & shoot up less insulin than you usually do, maybe 1 unit less.
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with type 2 five years ago. at that time I stopped drinking smoking cigs and cannabis....everything. Once my levels were back to normal, I began smoking cannabis once again. And I did everything in moderation, taking careful notice of my levels etc. And I have even talked of this with my doctor when my blood works results would come in. THC doesn't affect you period, only the smoke you inhale which has chemicals from the burning, key words, from the burning, vaporize and you wont get the harmful chemicals.

Now I have began to have a drink every now and then, and I do notice changes in my levels when I drink. But even before I knew I had type 2 I did not drink much at all, so my drinking is even less then before now.

Cannabis is my only "social good time" choice. And people assume way to much, just because you smoke cannabis, doesn't mean that you will do other drugs and become a waste of space. I work, I pay my bills, I go to school full time and I'm an excellent daddy with normal A1c levels, better cholesterol levels then my doctor and I'm fat. Which since finding that I'm type 2, I have dropped over 50 pounds. So hopefully, I will soon be in the skinny ranks.

I think everything depends on the person and their self power to overcome issues. I smoke almost 3-4 times weekly and I have never had a problem. Like someone said before, its the person who gives in and forgets to stay on track their levels. If you have mental problems, lack of energy or just hate life in some way, you shouldn't do any drugs, legal or not.

So do what you want, just keep your head on straight, keep your mind right and you'll be fine. But for me, THC on the brain is better then any drug on the shelf. And you can never kill yourself and you will not get addicted, unless you have a weak mind as I said before.

Society has been taught that many things are really bad for you, when they truly were not. So with that I'll leave you all with this: THC on the brain for 15 years, and I have never stole, cheated, killed or robbed a bank. So you decide who's telling the truth, an actual user who is honest, or a corrupt FDA and federal government that will lie, steal and cheat its way to make themselves more powerful in any way they can.
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Avatar universal
My two cents:

I'm 28 and was diagnosed a type 1 diabetic at 18.  I didn't start drinking until i was 24 and didn't start smoking weed until a year ago.  Nowadays, I smoke somewhat regularly (once a weekish) but I almost never drink.  Like many people have said up above, alcohol has a severe impact on blood sugar, often for hours afterwards.  It generally makes my whole evening unpleasant as I have to carefully monitor my blood sugar and often wake up low in the middle of the night.

I've found weed to have all of the pleasant effects of alcohol without any of the complications.  It doesn't change my blood sugar in any meaningful way and I am able to keep my wits about me and make responsible choices in terms of snacking and the like.  I ALWAYS make sure I have my meter with me, though.  I'm usually pretty bad about checking my sugar...I have a good sense of where my blood sugar is and am always aware when it's going low or if it's extremely high, but weed does impair that feeling a great deal.  On a couple of occasions I've had my blood sugar get extremely low (in the 30's) or gone extremely high (because I mistake feeling a little stoned for my blood sugar dropping and eat something when I shouldn't).  In general, however, I can be a lot more lax than when I'm drinking and, as long as I'm in the company of people who are weed friendly have no interest in ever drinking again.

And yeah, the whole gateway drug thing is total garbage.  The only potential danger is that it is illegal and, in addition to the possible legal ramifications, has to be acquired illegally (occasionally from some pretty shady people).  Weed itself has definitely not turned me into a criminal and, if anything, has made me a more productive individual.  My wife (who is a teacher) gets home from work and enjoys a glass of wine to wind down.  A couple puffs at the end of a long work week has the same result for me.
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1350818 tn?1276804867
Boy there are a bunch of comments here!
I'm actually in the process of becoming a substance abuse counselor! With this knowledge I hope that you all can appreciate the view I have on drugs and marijuana. I think its ridiculous that marijuana is illegal in the first place, for a million different reasons. I used pot myself from age 13-22. I was diagnosed with type-1 at age 14. During my more "spry" years I really didn't notice a difference in my blood sugar levels when using. I DID notice, however, the massive food cravings, which would lead to me eating a bowl of lucky charms in my bed and passing out with BG around 300. Pot also helps you sleep harder through the heavy breathing, body aches, and pounding heart rate.
    The reason I stopped smoking was because I realized how stressed out I became after smoking in regards to my blood sugar. When I was high I couldn't distinguish my bodies "messages". I felt like my sugar was dropping every time I smoked, which was almost never the case. Later on I would feel tired and get a headache (sound familiar?). I decided that in order for me to really make the best of the body I was given, I would have to quit drugs (pot was the least harsh of the drugs I tried), start exercising regularly, and eating the freshest and most diverse foods to better my health.
   I feel absolutely great today, I don't have to worry about my health failing or getting in trouble with the law because of drugs. I'm working on my masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and have aspirations to achieve an MD in psychiatry.
   In the future, I would be more than happy to answer any drug-related question openly and honestly. Abstinence is a great alternative to using, but ultimately information is the key to a safe lifestyle, whatever that may be.
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