1. 

   Louise Arkle
   Member

   Having just returned from successfully summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro via the Machame route, I want to post some comments that may be of interest to others planning this or a similar adventure.

   I use an insulin pump, and prior to departing, I acquired a travel loaner pump as a back-up. As well, however, I took Humulin N and syringes along with my Nova-rapid. Although I have no diabetic retinopathy, I had a dilated pupil examination to insure I was at no greater risk for High Altitude Retinal Hemorrhaging.

   Due to the reports of acetazolamide (Diamox) potentially increasing the risk of ketoacidosis, I was reluctant to take this unless I began to feel the effects of altitude sickness. Instead, I opted to take 1200 mg of Ibuprofen daily, beginning on the second day when we reached 3847 meters (12,621 ft.), as there is some evidence it may help prevent AMS. I was fortunate not to suffer from any problems with acclimatization.

   According to my BG meter, my blood sugar control was excellent throughout the climb. Of course, I carried dextrose tablets in my day pack and had a supply of trail mix as well. Although there is evidence that the accuracy and reliability of meters are affected by cold and altitude, I felt no evidence of hypoglycemia, and if my BG did rise a bit high after eating, hiking soon brought it down. As the temperature dropped, I insured my BG meter and insulin were well protected in the pack and I put them into my sleeping bag to keep them warmer overnight. My pump was reliable throughout the climb.

   From my experience, I would not hesitate to encourage more people with diabetes to undertake similar adventures!

   Posted 11 months ago #
2. 

   brownsw77
   Member

   Louise

   Congratulations.

   I'm a pump user also, and I hope to climb Kilimanjaro in Sep 2011;
   Mount Elbrus in 2013, and Aconcagua in 2015. After that I may slow down.

   Climbing has made a big difference for me and motivated me to keep
   exercising which helps my blood sugar control.

   Good luck and climb on,

   Steve Brown

   Posted 8 months ago #
3. 

   bwagner
   Member

   Dear Loiuse!

   I am a pump user also an want to climb Kilimanjaro this August with my husband and a organised group. What insulin-pump did you use and what BG meter? I use a Medtronic Paradigm 722-pump and a Medtronic Contour link BG-meter. Did you use controll-liquids to insure that the BG-controlls are valid. Did you notice any deviation from the regular function of pump and BG-meter? Do you have any other usefull advice for me?

   Im am 47 years old, femal and diabetic since almost 30 years and live in Vienna/Austria/Europe. My english is not so fluently, excuse me.

   Thankyou for your advices an your impressions from climbing Kilimanjaro. I thank you also for further information, if you have some for me.

   Best regards
   Barbara

   Posted 2 months ago #
4. 

   Louise Arkle
   Member

   Hello Barbara,

   I hope my account of Kilimanjaro is of some use to you!

   I, too, use a Medtronic Paradigm 722 pump and a Medtronic Contour link BG meter. As well, however, I often use a Precision Xtra BG meter. I took both with me to Kilimanjaro. (I turned 49 the week after we climbed Kilimanjaro.)

   No, I did not use any control liquids to evaluate the validity of my BG readings. That may be a good idea, but I just trusted the meter's readings. I found that I likely ate more than I normally would as I believed leaving camp with a slightly high BG was preferable to going hypoglycemic while hiking. I always had snacks with me and paid attention to any low BG symptoms. I was advised that I might want to reduce (by half) my basal rates above 10,000 ft (3500 meters) so I watched my BG very closely the first couple of days at higher altitude. However, my readings stayed consistent, so I did not adjust my basal rate. This is something you might want to consider. My HA1C results, taken shortly after I returned, were good, so I believe my BG control was reasonable throughout the time on Kili.

   My pump worked absolutely normally throughout the climb. As my meter always gives error readings if it is too cold, I insured that I kept my meter warm - carrying it next to my body, but also, warming it up under my arm before I tested. I also put my meter in my sleeping bag at night.

   Another piece of advice I have (that maybe you already know and is not diabetes related) is, stay well hydrated, especially at altitude. I think that makes a significant difference!

   Best of luck on your climb! I hope and believe it will go very well for you!

   Louise

   Posted 2 months ago #

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