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Is there any one else in the community that games that has blood sugar issues like me. cause if there is how you deal with it? cause past few apoc game si been too i have had to leave earlier cause i start shaking like a leaf and end up leaving early because the way i feel and it upset many gamers but the apoc games go 6 or 7 hours i go intending to stay full hours but i leave 2 hours early cause my condition just wondering if any one has any advice id appreciate it i mean the owner has no outside food rule with the local shop so i feel wrong by bringing outside food if it helped my condition just wonder if any one got advice and if there any other gamers that have a similar problem mind sharing how you coupe please and thank you.

Blood Sugar problems? You mean diabetes?

Mr Mystery wrote:Blood Sugar problems? You mean diabetes?

Pretty much

I have hypoglysemia, spelled wrong I know. I bring snacks to anything that will last very long. That helps to keep the shakes away.

doh, you said no outside snacks. talk to the owner and see if he will let you bring stuff like peanuts or other light snacks.

Wouldn't a can of coke do the trick?

do you have diabetes then? but just bring like a bar of chocolate of something

If you told the owner about your condition, I highly doubt he wouldn't let you bring something.

MIKEtheMERCILESS wrote:Wouldn't a can of coke do the trick?

Black Bear wrote:do you have diabetes then? but just bring like a bar of chocolate of something

It is much more important to get high protien/carbs in your system to keep the shakes at bay. a candy bar does help but it won't work for long. It is best to eat something small that is sweet and chase it with real food.

Man that was a long sentence...

Anyway, yeah what the guys above said, if you speak to the owner i'm sure he'll let you bring some coke or chocolate?

Content edited in light of detailed post below.

When my club has apoc games that long they tend to break for lunch after 3 hours or so (and another break after the next 3 if required.).

We have the same food policy (venue restriction) but at least our venue has a couple of places to get food in it.

Even if your local store owner is strict about no outside food (and I would definitely talk to him about your medical issue with this), you might still be able to take a quick break every so often to dart outside and eat. I don't know about the setup of your local gaming venue, but you might be able to grab something from a nearby takeaway shop, or pack a lunch in your car. Heck, you might just pack a sandwich in your bag and eat it outside. Most apocalypse games have some down time. Partner with a friend if needed, and he can run your stuff when you go, and vice versa.

And here I thought it was just me! I'm a Type 1 Diabetic and I had this problem at the last tournament I was at. I started trying to fire Lasguns, completely forgetting that I was playing Marines. Gah.

Honestly, I really don't see what the owner would have against a snack with your condition.

raven322 wrote:

Mr Mystery wrote:Blood Sugar problems? You mean diabetes?

Pretty much

Carry some glucose tablets and a bottle of water.

The exact diagnosis is important only to the OP and his/her doctor. Self diagnosis or diagnosis from a distance is dangerous. Diagnosis by gamers on a 40k message board is ridiculous and frankly irresponsible. No, "blood sugar problems" does not always mean diabetes. UNTREATED diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia (a symptom, not cause of the disease), but treatment can lead to hypoglycemia. What requires a call to the doc depends on the individual treatment regimen. Hypoglycemia has different causes, treatments, and preventive measures depending on what is causing it and the person's own physiology. OP has to work with his/her doctor to determine diagnosis/treatment. He/she may be able to completely eliminate or prevent the issue with professional medical advice.

As to the social issues (not medical advice!): I need to eat at times because of feeling crappy due to hunger, and at other times for real medical reasons. Even if my stomach is upset only because I haven't eaten all day, if I'm uncomfortable and eating something will fix it, I eat. Its a body need, like having to use the bathroom... I don't hold it all day because of an apocalypse game taking 8 hours. Similarly if I need to eat something, I say hey, I need a bite, be back in a few- and I come back in a few minutes. No biggy. Juice boxes are excellent for emergencies - fast to drink, can be stashed in my army box, and are mess-free. No one has ever given me grief for drinking a juice box- even "no food or drink" venues. Best part - juice boxes don't taste like Satan's toilet paper, which is exactly what glucose tabs taste like.

OP, if you need to eat regularly and it will help prevent you feeling crappy, then let your opponents know, and just do it. We're not talking a 3 course meal every hour, right? Step outside for 5-10 minutes if you need a snack. If you need to, pack a lunch box with portions and take one with you outside (or stick non-perishable stuff in your army box). Just excuse yourself, say you need to eat something real quick, then do it with minimal fuss. If anyone gives you grief, ignore them. They only have to wait a few minute vs. you feeling like crap. BUT, find out from your doctor what foods and portions at what times will work best. If you simply need a meal within a certain timespan, then let folks know ahead of time and they'll probably join you. Another route, tell the event organizer that for the comfort of all attendees there should be scheduled breaks, a 15 minute break after 2 hours, then a half hour after 4 hours (like an 8 hour work shift) - or whatever will work for you. Everyone will probably thank you for it.

Finally, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a serious medical issue. Every whiney brat who says, "my blood sugar is low" just because they haven't eaten for 2 hours needs to be smacked for crying wolf. There is a big difference between feeling hungry, which our over-fed population rarely feels, and actually needing to eat to treat a medical issue that impacts life function. Hunger is not automatically hypoglycemia, just like being fussy and particular is not automatically OCD. Don't people ever wonder why many of the promoters of this "Everyone is hypoglycemic" fad has a nutrition bar to sell? Hunger? What's that? Oh you're hypoglycemic, eat my super-duper-glycemic-support bar/supplement. Poppycock.

I wrote (then deleted) a few sentences on glucose homeostasis, but I'll sum up - glycogen metabolism / catabolism means that people with fully normal physiologies do not need constant consumption of calories to maintain proper blood sugar level over the course of a day. Anyone just saying "my blood sugar is low" without a medical diagnosis should get their head checked. I don't mean to run anyone down, this just really gets on my nerves. "Oh, I need to eat right now because my blood sugar is low. I ate like a whole hour ago." "Really, you have a medical condition?" "No." That is claiming a serious medical issue so you can do what you want, when you want, and maybe even get some sympathy. No wonder people roll their eyes when someone who really does have hypoglycemia says they need to eat.

Edit- fixed typo omission

Carry a packet of glucose tablets, a packet of biscuits and some coke thats what I do.

Gymnogyps.

That seems to have been directed at me. I've removed perceived medical advice in case it was.

The OP gave vague information about whether or not these events are true hypos, and whether or not he was diabetic.

I also know that diagnosis and treatment on an internet forum are dangerous. Hence my advice to seek medical attention if they are true hypos.

If not directed at me, apologies.


On a further note, this makes me think there may be a transatlantic issue here:

Gymnogyps wrote:

Finally, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a serious medical issue. Every whiney brat who says, "my blood sugar is low" just because they haven't eaten for 2 hours needs to be smacked for crying wolf. There is a big difference between feeling hungry, which our over-fed population rarely feels, and actually needing to eat to treat a medical issue that impacts life function. Hunger is not automatically hypoglycemia, just like being fussy and particular is not automatically OCD. Don't people ever wonder why many of the promoters of this "Everyone is hypoglycemic" fad has a nutrition bar to sell? Hunger? What's that? Oh you're hypoglycemic, eat my super-duper-glycemic-support bar/supplement. Poppycock.

Edit- fixed typo omission

Doesn't really happen this side of the pond; not in my experience.

Do it what it takes to keep yourself healthy. But in a game setting you should at the very least be able to step out for a couple minutes and munch something. I mean people must go to the bathroom.

@ Gymnogyps: Thanks for the medical run down. I plan on going into the field, and that was nice to see.

@ the original poster. In all likelihood, unless the store owner is the biggest jerk possible, explain the situation, and he should make an exception. Otherwise, keep something to take outside. While approaching him about this, I suggest having made a list beforehand of foods that work well for your condition that aren't messy, as those rules are usually meant to prevent property damage, of the store or its patrons.

i am not a doctor, and never will be. My little brother had type 1 Diabetes, which this last year was the major contributing cause to his death.. I say that to let you know that i know a thing or two about the condition.

IF the OP has been diagnosed, by a real life doctor with a blood sugar disease, such as Diabetes, then BY LAW, the store absolutely MUST respect this, and allow him the ability to manage it... Any store that says, No Outside Food or Drink (unless its a restaurant) really doesnt apply to folks with diabetes. If they throw a fit, and refuse to allow you to eat, then you just turn them in to whatever authority is appropriate for the store's business license.

I'd explain it to the store owner. If it's a health issue and they're unreasonable, find another place to play. Gamer-chow generally isn't the best type of food for that kind of thing, I believe, so if you need to monitor your diet with things the store can't/won't sell, then he should be willing to compromise.

I think my old FLGS would have been cool with this, but then again I used to make sandwich runs for the assistant manager at times.

dont know the first thing about blood sugar issues so forgive me if this is a poor idea but is there any sort of drink or shake similar to a protein shake you can drink to help combat the blood sugar issues? Granted drinking something is a poor replacement for a meal but if the local manager is unwilling to move on the no food policy it could be a good middle ground

I am diabetic... diagnosed, under good control for over 2 yrs.

Taking massive sugar doses is a bad idea. No candy or coke. If you're having blood sugar issues you need to think about balanced meals when you get the chance, and small infusions of carbohydrates in the in-between meal times. One of those little packets of snack crackers (cheese or peanut butter to make them interesting) during the times when you start to feel your blood sugar dropping should more than get your through to your next balanced meal. An apple works great too!

For me... 15g of carbs makes for a good snack. Trick is to pay attention to how your body is feeling so you can eat *before* you get to a crisis point (i.e. the shakes). Pre-packaged food will say on the lable how big a "serving" is and how many carbs there are per serving.

Lastly... go see a doctor if you haven't already. Early diabetes is reversible, and even one you have it, you can keep it under excellent control by diet & exercise with maybe a little help from the right medication (not necessarily insulin). I just take a little pill that helps my body get rid of the sugar, watch what I eat and go for walks when I feel my blood sugar is high (usually an hour or so after lunch). So far, so good.

Pack some granola bars and duck outside every 2 hours or so for a little 200 calorie infusion.

I get very grumpy and spacey over long games, and long ago learned the wisdom of snacks.

I cant say more than what the others have said.

Other than get a dr's note explaning and its official that way and he shoud be understanding.

doctorludo wrote:
Doesn't really happen this side of the pond; not in my experience.

I've been hearing "my blood sugar is low" more and more often, recently. I blame popular Doctor shows like ER and Grey's Anatomy.

I personally blame the high fructose corn syrup we have in everything here.

Gymnogyps wrote:
Every whiney brat who says, "my blood sugar is low" just because they haven't eaten for 2 hours needs to be smacked for crying wolf.

I've always called it "Hey, my meat sweats are gone" and typically followed it up with another ham.

Not many people will care if you bring food. I bring sandwiches and pizzas get delivered to my FLGS pretty often.