will dafne course help me?

November 11, 2012 00:52

jacks 1 post

Hi thought id come on here for some answers|

i start the dafne course in 2 weeks and just wanted to know if its going to help me. my hba1c has been in the high 60s for quite some time and my doc has been trying to get me on the course for a long time now. ive been type 1 since 16yrs old and im now 34 and no matter how well ive always thought ive managed my diabetes, ive never been able to reduce my hba1c. my other blood tests always come back good ( cholestrol,blood pressure,kidney function)etc.

has anyone done this course lately and if so, how useful to you was it?
many thanks

jackie Smile

November 11, 2012 03:33

Ahmentep DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 99 posts

Hi Jacks,

Welcome! Dafne has made a vast improvement to my life after 34 years as a type 1.

For all of those 34 years my BG levels have swung wildly and unpredictably from one extreme to the other. Dafne and its medical team have not cured that, and they have been unable to discern any pattern in my BG levels. Despite this, I have reduced my insulin intake by half and have a much more flexible meal/insulin regimen. I can now feel much more confident about going out.

It is vital to be sure you understand the DAFNE principles before leaving the course, and to follow those principles religously. Keep accurate records of what you eat and when, what you inject and when, what you do and when. Only then can you define with reasonable accuracy what adjustments need to be made and when they need to be made.

This forum will give you plenty of guidance, as will your DAFNE team.

Best Wishes,

Roger

November 11, 2012 09:27

vic demain DAFNE Graduate
Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 87 posts

Hi Jackie,

I've been diabetic for over 30 years now. Did the course in 2010 and learnt more about the condition in one week than I had in a lifetime before. You will come away with so much knowledge and probably a couple of new friends. You will be able to do things after the course which previously, would have frightened the life out of you.

Now the but, for me, my expectations were raised about the overall control of my situation. My blood sugar results had always been up and down and that remains the case after DAFNE. My Hb1ac results are little better now, despite working extremely hard on it.

That said, the course is a must do for all, unless of course they are not prepared to work at it. You need to put a lot of effort in and not expect miracles..

Good luck.

November 12, 2012 11:34

DianeW DAFNE Graduate
South West Essex PCT 115 posts

I've been diabetic 32 years and did DAFNE in January and it definitely changed my view of diabetes. I had acquired bad habits, hardly used to test, never used to watch what I ate and now although far from perfect it has made me WANT to take care of myself, which is a big change in my opinion. I wish I had gone on something like it in the early days. I WANT to know what my BG is, I am curious to know if my carb intake is matching my QA, so I test regularly and thefore have better control. It gave me a much needed kick up the backside and it shows that even if you've had diabetes a long time and are stuck in your ways, it is worth going on and although it perhaps helps some more than others, it refreshes your thinking at least.

November 12, 2012 12:29

Nick_G DAFNE Graduate
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Wythenshawe) 6 posts

Couldn't disagree with any of the comments above! I've been Diabetic for 20 years and I learnt more in 1 week than I have in 20 years.

My personal experience is a lot more freedom, flexibility and better Control which inevitably will improve my HBA1c.

I approached the course thinking 'they cannot tell me anything I don't already know' .......how wrong I was.

November 11, 2012 00:52 jacks 1 post	Hi thought id come on here for some answers\| i start the dafne course in 2 weeks and just wanted to know if its going to help me. my hba1c has been in the high 60s for quite some time and my doc has been trying to get me on the course for a long time now. ive been type 1 since 16yrs old and im now 34 and no matter how well ive always thought ive managed my diabetes, ive never been able to reduce my hba1c. my other blood tests always come back good ( cholestrol,blood pressure,kidney function)etc. has anyone done this course lately and if so, how useful to you was it? many thanks jackie
November 11, 2012 03:33 Ahmentep DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 99 posts	Hi Jacks, Welcome! Dafne has made a vast improvement to my life after 34 years as a type 1. For all of those 34 years my BG levels have swung wildly and unpredictably from one extreme to the other. Dafne and its medical team have not cured that, and they have been unable to discern any pattern in my BG levels. Despite this, I have reduced my insulin intake by half and have a much more flexible meal/insulin regimen. I can now feel much more confident about going out. It is vital to be sure you understand the DAFNE principles before leaving the course, and to follow those principles religously. Keep accurate records of what you eat and when, what you inject and when, what you do and when. Only then can you define with reasonable accuracy what adjustments need to be made and when they need to be made. This forum will give you plenty of guidance, as will your DAFNE team. Best Wishes, Roger
November 11, 2012 09:27 vic demain DAFNE Graduate Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 87 posts	Hi Jackie, I've been diabetic for over 30 years now. Did the course in 2010 and learnt more about the condition in one week than I had in a lifetime before. You will come away with so much knowledge and probably a couple of new friends. You will be able to do things after the course which previously, would have frightened the life out of you. Now the but, for me, my expectations were raised about the overall control of my situation. My blood sugar results had always been up and down and that remains the case after DAFNE. My Hb1ac results are little better now, despite working extremely hard on it. That said, the course is a must do for all, unless of course they are not prepared to work at it. You need to put a lot of effort in and not expect miracles.. Good luck.
November 12, 2012 11:34 DianeW DAFNE Graduate South West Essex PCT 115 posts	I've been diabetic 32 years and did DAFNE in January and it definitely changed my view of diabetes. I had acquired bad habits, hardly used to test, never used to watch what I ate and now although far from perfect it has made me WANT to take care of myself, which is a big change in my opinion. I wish I had gone on something like it in the early days. I WANT to know what my BG is, I am curious to know if my carb intake is matching my QA, so I test regularly and thefore have better control. It gave me a much needed kick up the backside and it shows that even if you've had diabetes a long time and are stuck in your ways, it is worth going on and although it perhaps helps some more than others, it refreshes your thinking at least.
November 12, 2012 12:29 Nick_G DAFNE Graduate Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (Wythenshawe) 6 posts	Couldn't disagree with any of the comments above! I've been Diabetic for 20 years and I learnt more in 1 week than I have in 20 years. My personal experience is a lot more freedom, flexibility and better Control which inevitably will improve my HBA1c. I approached the course thinking 'they cannot tell me anything I don't already know' .......how wrong I was.