When driving or riding in a car for a long period of time, do you make any changes to your typical insulin dosage? Select all that apply to you!
Home > LC Polls > When driving or riding in a car for a long period of time, do you make any changes to your typical insulin dosage? Select all that apply to you!
Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
I don’t make any changes specifically when I’m riding in the car, but I’m very active at work so any time I’m less active (like most weekends) I increase my lantus and humalog doses.
I don’t adjust my basal rates for long car rides or flights. I do, however, usually consume more carbs than usual while traveling, so I adjust my bolus accordingly, but only for the food.
I don’t take long driving trips that often to notice, and I work out of my home even pre-pandemic. But when I do, and especially when driving, I keep glucose tablets near and pay particular attention to how I am feeling. I am fortunate not to have to take long trips alone. I would probably alter things to go a little higher in that case and probably stop every 2-3 hours to check it. I do not use a CGM yet.
I don’t change my regimen. I’m always the driver, and long trips usually are accompanied by packing, etc, a lot of work, so although I’m going to be sitting and driving, a lot of work went into going.
I set a tighter range when traveling. My Tandem T:slim X2 with Control IQ takes care of any minor swings. And I always carry glucose tabs to treat lows.
As a person with hypoglycemia unawareness, I’m always careful when driving. So, driving with easy access to glucose tabs, having my Dexcom out and available to look at regularly. Making sure my blood sugar is slightly above goal so that I have time to manage all of that while also driving safely (and pulling over when necessary.)
No explicit changes, I am on a loop system and maybe I am paying more attention to numbers and will correct a little sooner but it is pretty much a regular situation.
Other. With Tandem X2 and CQI typically I don’t do anything to change my insulin dosage because CIQ does it for me. I do check the numbers on the pump screen or my phone periodically as needed, especially if I get an alarm or when at a rest stop, in case I need to eat or drink something with carbs.
When driving or riding in a car for a long period of time, I do not make any changes to your typical insulin dosage.
I always carry glucose tablets and check my CGM regularly (adjusting if needed) whether or not I’m driving or riding.
It would have been nice if “no” was a choice.
I chose other as I make no changes. I keep glucose tablets with me always, not that sitting in a car for long periods cause hypoglycemia for me.
I cannot understand why “do nothing differently” is not an answer. That said I certainly do not understand why anyone would give themselves MORE insulin than usual while they are driving a long distance. Maybe I am missing something but increasing the possibility of going low while driving does not sound like a good idea. I would really love to hear why anyone would increase while driving
I drive with my Smart Phone, Dex or T-slim program always on , but the phone out of view of the road. (You can be stopped by the police, if they see it up in the windshield or hanging front the left side of the front window.)
I use a Weather Tech phone holder.
When driving or riding in a car for a long period of time, do you make any changes to your typical insulin dosage? Select all that apply to you! Cancel reply
Temp basal higher than norm.
I don’t make any changes specifically when I’m riding in the car, but I’m very active at work so any time I’m less active (like most weekends) I increase my lantus and humalog doses.
I don’t usually make any changes. It stays pretty constant.
I just consume less carbohydrate and do not adjust my insulin. Along with that, I monitor my BS constantly through my cell phone.
Other. No changes to insulin. I do carry dried figs. Each one is about 14 carbs. Great and quick, from Costco. 💪 👍
I keep my pump on my lap where I can see my BS readings from my CGM. I give extra insulin or eat carbs as needed.
Sometimes I need to decrease my basal and at other times I need to increase my basal rate on my pump depending on how my glucose level is for the day.
I don’t adjust my basal rates for long car rides or flights. I do, however, usually consume more carbs than usual while traveling, so I adjust my bolus accordingly, but only for the food.
I don’t make any changes when I travel. I just do what I always do: pay attention to my pump readings, let Control IQ do what it needs to do.
Always test before driving, make necessary adjustments. Have candy in the console if CGM warns low.
I don’t take long driving trips that often to notice, and I work out of my home even pre-pandemic. But when I do, and especially when driving, I keep glucose tablets near and pay particular attention to how I am feeling. I am fortunate not to have to take long trips alone. I would probably alter things to go a little higher in that case and probably stop every 2-3 hours to check it. I do not use a CGM yet.
I observe my BG on my watch & respond as appropriate when safe to do so.
I don’t change anything.
I sometimes use control IQ, but find it slow to respond when driving. So I often increase basal by 50% when driving for long periods.
I use a DIY Loop.
I don’t do anything different. I put a regular Coke in the holder incase I happen to go low. This is more of a concern than anything.
I leave mine the same
I don’t change my regimen. I’m always the driver, and long trips usually are accompanied by packing, etc, a lot of work, so although I’m going to be sitting and driving, a lot of work went into going.
I set a tighter range when traveling. My Tandem T:slim X2 with Control IQ takes care of any minor swings. And I always carry glucose tabs to treat lows.
I typically tend to make no adjustments unless needed. Long car rides really don’t affect me unless my sleeping and eating schedule is thrown way off.
I don’t make any changes. Follow my Dex reading adjust accordingly if needed.
Make no changes but check before starting and stop at least every two hours and check, as required in the UK.
I have never noticed a change in my insulin needs either riding or driving for a long time.
I don’t male any changes. I am on a pump and I can make changes on the fly. I also always have glucose tablets in my car in case of emergency.
No changes as I’m on a closed loop system, which should adjust to whatever readings my CGM sensor is reading.
I don’t make any changes. Not even time changes when crossing into time zones.
I check my Dexcom. If it looks good and I feel good, I go. If there is any rollercoaster or any question I do a finger stick.
If I see my bloodsugar trending high I just correct as needed.
I do corrections as needed and try to eat low carb!
As a person with hypoglycemia unawareness, I’m always careful when driving. So, driving with easy access to glucose tabs, having my Dexcom out and available to look at regularly. Making sure my blood sugar is slightly above goal so that I have time to manage all of that while also driving safely (and pulling over when necessary.)
I just keep an extra eye on my bs levels and bolus extra as needed. I also bring extra snacks and low treatments on any trip I go on.
No explicit changes, I am on a loop system and maybe I am paying more attention to numbers and will correct a little sooner but it is pretty much a regular situation.
Other. With Tandem X2 and CQI typically I don’t do anything to change my insulin dosage because CIQ does it for me. I do check the numbers on the pump screen or my phone periodically as needed, especially if I get an alarm or when at a rest stop, in case I need to eat or drink something with carbs.
When driving or riding in a car for a long period of time, I do not make any changes to your typical insulin dosage.
I always carry glucose tablets and check my CGM regularly (adjusting if needed) whether or not I’m driving or riding.
It would have been nice if “no” was a choice.
I chose other as I make no changes. I keep glucose tablets with me always, not that sitting in a car for long periods cause hypoglycemia for me.
I make no changes to my regular basal rates
I do not make any changes.
I don’t make any changes, but I monitor my glucose levels more closely so I can take early action if necessary.
I cannot understand why “do nothing differently” is not an answer. That said I certainly do not understand why anyone would give themselves MORE insulin than usual while they are driving a long distance. Maybe I am missing something but increasing the possibility of going low while driving does not sound like a good idea. I would really love to hear why anyone would increase while driving
I drive with my Smart Phone, Dex or T-slim program always on , but the phone out of view of the road. (You can be stopped by the police, if they see it up in the windshield or hanging front the left side of the front window.)
I use a Weather Tech phone holder.