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Diabetic bass players

Lammchop93

Lammchop93

Supporting Member
Feb 4, 2007
8,873
14,210
Southern Indiana (Louisville, KY)
#1
Lets see how many of us are diabetic and how long we have had it. Say if your type 1 or 2. lso say how you deal with it during shows, and if you know any famous bass players tell us too.

I'm type 1 and I have had it since the beginning of December of 2006. I always check my blood sugar before every set and I always eat two mentos before each set too.

I was 13 when I got it. Nobody in my family has it except my grandpa, he is type 2.
 
#2
You must be far harder hit than me then..

I have diabetes type 1, and have never realy had any problems with it, had it since august 2006. Most stupid and cheating decease ever! Go to someone who deserves it and actually eat to much sugar! :angry:

I dont know about any famous bass players who have it, and i dont see why they need to tell people about it, its a decease you can live with without anybody realy knowing.

i would have somekinda sugar thing on my amp if it was a problem.

what most people dont understand about diabetes, its not the sickness wich make your blood sugar go down, its the insulin, so if you die of to low blood sugar, it is actually the medicine's fault.
with diabetes your blood sugar is high, and usualy is hit by something translated from my language is called "Late complications" like turning blind, having to remove body parts and such.
 
#4
Im type 1.

Here's a cool shot of me on tour in AZ where you can see my pump.
08-28-07_001.jpg


I just had to bring a cooler with lots of insulin and ice packs plus lots of extra supplies. It was kinda hard making sure nothing got too hot since we often didnt have places to stay and had to crash where ever we could.
 
#5
Type 2 since about 1994. In general low sugar now and then, have glucose tabs in car, don't like them. Doctor said low sugar drink a regular can of coke or some M&M's. I do try to watch what I eat and exercise. Famous people with it probably quite a few its getting to be pretty common these days with super size carb's and corn sweetners.

My question is dealing with testing. I can't test on my arm don't get enough blood, but using fingers I avoid my left hand on only use pinky and ring finger of right hand. Sometime if too much pain in those I will try to use middle finger away from the contact area so can play. Anyone else with similar hassle testing?
 
#7
I will be 55 next month..being type 2 since I was 42 ,have been also taking insulin for the past 6 months...sugar in the 400-600 range( my family has a history of diabetes but they ALL HAD IN IN THIE EARLY 20S...I CAME DOWN WITH IT LATE IN LIFE...i HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF MY SELF....i am the ONLY one that developed neuropathy....I have played bass since 72 and have amassed a large bass collection....in recent months I have lost all sensation in both hands and cant not play due to nerve damage...the Drs. say I should not be able to walk due to the neuropathy in my legs , but I am active and walking...I am thinking positive and hope one day I will play again....I have Scott at Birdsong putting a special bass(Cortobass #120) together for me to be my final bass...and I plan to be playing it....some of you may have seen my for sale page ,where I am thinning my bass family to help local families and fund special projects of my kids....Diabetes is serious but I plan to BEAT it !!!!:hyper:
 
#8
I have it. I test on the sides of my fingers rather than the tips. I have had it since 1993. It has never posed a problem for me when I am on stage. Keep a sweetend soft drink if you get low drink it. It is pretty hot here in the summer so I use those sport drinks that replace electrolytes too. I have played Guitar/Bass since I was about 12. I am 50 now.
 
#11
Type 1. Had it 31.5 yrs. So far no complications:hyper:

I keep a container of glucose tablets in my pocket at all times. I've had some low blood sugars come on pretty quickly. Orange or grape are my favorites.

I test 4 to 5 times a day. Always use the side of my fingers because there is fewer nerve endings on the sides. I always use either my middle finger or my ring finger. I've just kind of adjusted to it.
 
#13
I can't think of any diabetic pro bass players, but I'll play.

Type 1 since age four, and I'll be 45 in a few months. Through genetics, luck, a little common sense and the grace of the Big Guy, I've never in all my years had a situation that required emergency medical attention. Come close, mind you, but never woke up with EMT's staring at me.

As far as neuropathy again I've gotta thank God, luck and common sense. Basically I don't have any. Marginally less feeling in my great toes than the rest of my feet, and by neurologic standards, they're normal. Same with my vision. a couple small hemorages(sp) but nothing unusual for my age. Kidney function is still in stage one for GFR, which is really wierd for my age- should be stage two, all considered.

I wish I could bottle some of what ever is working so well for me and pass it on to those that could use it. Others in my family have it, to far worse degrees than I would've thought possible given we're family.

Just listen to Wilfred Brimley- TEST! and test often. Especially when the cake and/or beer is calling you.


Bob
 
#14
I was diagnosed four years ago, type 2. My main problem while I'm playing is my eyesight....Things get pretty blurry fast. Also, the dry mouth can be bothersome.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't take care of myself the way I should. I hate the self-pricking routine, so I rarely check my blood. I can usually tell when my sugar is high, hence the blurry vision. I just have to cut out ALL sweets, and I'm usually OK in a couple of days.
 
#17
I was diagnosed with Type 2 when I was around 25 (I'm 28 now). At the time I was about 280 pounds, so I lost 90 of those by learning how to eat properly and excercise, and got rid of the diabetes along with the weight. I test very infrequently (I should do it more, as it is god motivation to stay healthy, eat right, and excercise), but when I do I use my thumbs or the sides of my fingers. It never has bothered me for playing bass at all, and I've never had any kind of symptom. I think I caught it early enough that I didn't have complications, and losing the weight reversed it. I've never taken any medication for it.

Now my measurements are all well within norms, and my A1C's are all under 6. I had a LOT of prayer throughout this, and I fully credit God with A) Healing me of diabetes, as I do, indeed consider myself healed and B) Designing a body so frickin cool that it can heal itself of most things, given the right resources.
 
#18
Type 2 for about four years.

So far so good. Mostly I just have to eat right and exercise.
When I'm out I will take some snacks with me just in case my sugar crashes. I've learned the tell tale signs so I know when to have a bite to eat.

The worst part for me is the lack of energy and motivation it seems. I haven't touched sweets since I found out, but I'm kind of in a slump as far as exercise goes so that sure at helping much. I need a good kick in the ass.
 
#19
Type 1 for almost 29 years now, and going strong. Credit goes to my Dad for giving me a great example of how to live with this disease- he managed it for 62 of his 68 years and still lived a "normal" life with few complications, at least until his last few years.

Haven't gigged regularly for a while but I always used to have a glass of orange juice* up on stage with me. Rarely needed it, but good to have it there. I just found that sticking to a routine as much as possible the day of a show (exercise, regular meals at regular times, etc.) worked for me. Of course, it's not a perfect world and I was always aware of any adjustments that were needed/necessary and tried to be prepared to deal with them. Just like any other day as a diabetic, and it's working for me.

*Every place I ever played was more that grateful to supply a glass- it was much cheaper than booze to them.:-)
 

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