Erb,

I'm new here, but not so new to understand your passion and the brotherhood on this sight. I do not have diabetes...however, I suffer many of the same symptoms...and bought my bike while my body will still allow me to ride.

I apologize if you've already thought of this. But, I would encourage you to check into the newer glocuse monitors that work with smartphones to see if the newer technology would work for you. If the tech isn't available today, it maybe next month....amazing stuff to monitor all types of body systems with a smartphone.... maybe in real-time while your riding.

Let us know how we can help.

I am in the same boat. I just recently had a cardiac test done at the VA. They had to use that instead the treadmill because my knees are so bad. Three days later I get all kinds of new medicine including Nitro tablets. I don't even know if they will let me drive anymore. Will I give up my bike, I guess I'll have to. I'm not so worried about me hurting myself, but hurting anybody else. My lady on the back or any person in traffic. It sucks. It seems not so long ago I was bustin' tail in the oil field making good money and a lot of the crews wanted to work with me because I was stronger than 90% of the people. They just had to be the to help guide the heavy tools, I did the heavy lifting.
Erbman you have to protect your self and those around you. I know you will do the right thing.

davej wrote
Have you ever checked to see if a Insulin pump would help you??

Insulin pump does not guarantee you will not have low blood sugar levels. It's those days when ca-ca happens, and for no rhyme or reason that I can figure out as to why. My daily control is fine, my 14 and 30 day avg's are ideal. it's those few times soon after a meal that it can take a nose dive, and it just shouldn't.

theGRINDER wrote:
Neil... you have a tough decision my friend! I never understood much about diabetes until i started dating my Sonya... she is a juvenile diabetic and is also insulin dependant... very scary situation to have never dealt with this before and now i am giving her shots to her, checking her sugar levels and making sure she eats right and the whole health factor... i now understand in full your situation and thats why i say you have a tough decision... only you can make that determination as to what is the correct one... either way, im here for ya!

Juvenile diabetes is a term no longer used, it became Type l. Was a lot of confusion with that term, you could be 80yrs old and be a juvenile diabetic, all it means was you need insulin to survive. Type ll also known as Adult onset diabetes, can be controlled with diet, exercise,and oral meds, seems now a days most Dr's are putting them on insulin any way.


KCTee wrote:
Erbman02,
I watched my father get eaten away by his diabetes. Terrible nasty disease. His blood glucose would rise and fall just like yours, especially during the night it would drop while he slept. As an avid rider and a Registered Nurse, riding or not is not the real issue. For whatever reason your IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) is not controlled. Unemployment and lack of insurance aside, you really need to get to the bottom of the cause. If there were resources available, I would recommend an insulin pump with internal blood glucose tester. Expensive and hard to get, but if anyone needed one it is you. There are meters that have audio for visually impaired. Have you had actual blood testing at a lab of your A1C? That test gives and indication of your overall blood glucos for the last several months.
If lack of insurance and financial are contributing to your problem, there are some things you can try.
If you are a veteran, go to the closet VA hospital, contact one of the service organizations, (DAV, VFW ect.). Contact the American Diabetes Assn, or ask your Dr. about groups to contact. Contact the manufacturer of your glucose meter and ask them for a free meter that has audio, contact other manufacturers as well. As for the service dog, most of those are provided at little cost to the patient, because most cannot afford it, costs are covered by donations usually.

Not a vet. Just looked at my meter, both 14 and 30 day avg's are 130, so daily is fine. last A1c was 6.7..with-in my target. It's those days that ca-ca happens, when ya think it shouldn't or couldn't dive as it has. Right after a meal (1hr)and could be down to 40's or 50's level, and for no reason. I've seen it drop as much as 60, 80 pts in 15min. Audio meter doesn't help either, when the vision gets that way, I can't even see my fingers, let alone the tiny blood drop or the test strip. Looked into those continuous glucose monitors, way out of my reach dollar wise, 500 to a grand for meter, approx 400 a month for the strips. As far as a service dog, really don't have the finances to keep an animal either, food, vet bills.

smokescreens wrote:
Well i would rather die happy then live sad myself.

Amen, amen, amen!!!!!
between losing my home and possessions, unemployment(4 of past 5yrs). Even a short ride(5, 10 miles) has kept my sanity. I'm afraid to think of what a no ride will do to my insanity, or is that my sanity?.

Sorry if this be a longer than normal posting, just thought easier to answer in one fell swoop where I felt a answer was called for. As I mentioned, it's those WTF times, when my sugar drops so drastically when I feel it shouldn't, and not being able to detect it unless I actually test. Guess it will be doing more testing during the in between meal times.

Thanks all for your support

Neil, I don't really know you, but I do understand your passion for riding, I have no idea of how hard your struggle with diabeties must be. But having read several of you post, I do know you are knowledgeable in life as well as with scooters, that being said I am sure a lot of thought has and will go into this decision and it will be the correct one for you. My prayers are with you and MAY GOD BLESS. MM

Erbman I feel for you, but if it's one thing I know from being on this forum you my friend are a very intelligent person and I'm sure you'll exhaust every avenue to find what is best for you. Having your wisdom on this clinic riding or not is better then not having it at all.

I am a diabetic as well and will end up in the same place you are someday.I would have to get off until I was sure I would not harm someone if I passed out while riding.It is obviously a tough decision...good luck with it ...Coug

Neil,

As some said, very hard to read, one thing I can do is pray for you, and I have and will.

River wrote:
Neil,

As some said, very hard to read, one thing I can do is pray for you, and I have and will.

and so will I...

Neil,

It took me back when I read this and when I think of a Roadstar, I think of a few people that inspired me to start really diving into making it my own and its Erbman(Neil), Smokescreen(Jason), Blackroadie(Scott), and Curt. There are many of you guys that always come to mind believe me, but these guys really got me started making my Midnight my own!

Neil I pray that you make a the right decision, but make sure if you do not ride anymore that your bike be the first in the Yamaha Star Hall of Fame for everyone to come see from all around and we can petition to have the Star Hall of Fame in Florida so we can all have nice weather to ride and come see you and your Bike!

Neil you have been a great help to me!

Jake