No change to HbA1c - DAFNE Online

April 14, 2011 09:10

MelissaF DAFNE Graduate
South West Essex PCT 56 posts

I think that some were on pumps but not all. Definitely T1s.

Have you ever been tempted by a pump? Personally I hate the idea but then I feel guilty that maybe I should over-come that for the sake of better control.

April 14, 2011 09:27

novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts

Because I have embraced DAFNE and I put in a lot of work with what seems like not a lot of effort (I actually enjoy taking control), I would settle in quite nicely with a pump, and I was nearly at that point a month ago, well at least approaching the subject.

But I have got my DP under control, well better anyway, so I dont really need one. Even if I wanted one, I would have a fight on my hands as would most people, some however seem to ask and get with the click of a finger.

If one is offered and you think you can commit yourself, then grab it with both hands............... Very Happy

Can you remember the site.....? Would be interested to visit........

April 14, 2011 10:18

caroline15 DAFNE Graduate
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust 45 posts

Novo - How did you get your DP under control? Shocked I'm glad to hear you're managing well Very Happy

Amy's been on the pump for nearly four weeks now, it is the best thing ever and I wish all diabetics were offered them

April 14, 2011 10:34

MelissaF DAFNE Graduate
South West Essex PCT 56 posts

Here you go - I found it. Scary! http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/forum/Blah.pl?v-print/m-1287061511/

I just can't get over the thought that you have to wear it all the time and it's permanently connected to you. I hate the idea.

How has Amy found that respect of it Caroline? How come she started using it in the first place?

April 14, 2011 11:01

caroline15 DAFNE Graduate
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust 45 posts

Hi Melissa, she's absolutely fine with it being connected all the time, she just takes it off for pe and showers. She hated injecting and would need a lot of nagging to do it - it is so much easier for her to just input the amount of carbs she is eating and the pump works out how much bolus she needs and also how much correction she needs as her meter sends her readings to her pump (I think by bluetooth). She had a very lumpy tummy from her injections but they seem to be going quickly now.

A couple of years ago the hospital held an event where there were people with pumps and also pump company reps, this was just for children with diabetes as apparently there was some funding that they had obtained. We registered our interest and Amy was offered a pump in February this year. The consultant and dsn were a bit dubious about Amy having one as her control was not good (lots of admissions to the ward with very high ketones) and they had a word with her and told her that they could take it away from her if she doesn't do everything properly. Her last HBA1C was 11.9, I can't wait to see how improved it is. Her next clinic appt is at the end of July so it will only show results from her pumping. Very Happy

April 14, 2011 11:04

novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts

caroline15 said:
Novo - How did you get your DP under control? I'm glad to hear you're managing well

Amy's been on the pump for nearly four weeks now, it is the best thing ever and I wish all diabetics were offered them

A combination of upping the PM dose considerably and moving it to later on at night...........I kept upping my doses with no effect and then I stopped as I thought, this aint working, when really I should of continued on.....its not totally under control, I am still off target and depending on what I eat previous to bed sometimes makes me higher. At the moment they are coming down, which in turn is dropping my averages, so if I keep it up and I can get an A1c below 7 I will be happy...........

April 14, 2011 11:31

MelissaF DAFNE Graduate
South West Essex PCT 56 posts

It sounds like it really suits her Caroline and I guess it's a massive relief for you as far as her control is concerned.

So does the pump dispense QA as well as BI then? When I first read up on them I'm sure that they were BI only and you still had to inject QA when you ate but the pump made sure that your background levels were better regulated. I'm guessing that they do everything for you now then?

I have absolutely no memory whatsoever of what my HbA1cs were when I was a teenager but I should imagine that they were absolutely appalling simply because I didn't really have a clue how to manage things and I didn't really think about it very much. It's probably amazing that I'm still alive!

April 14, 2011 11:54

novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts

MelissaF said:
It sounds like it really suits her Caroline and I guess it's a massive relief for you as far as her control is concerned.

So does the pump dispense QA as well as BI then? When I first read up on them I'm sure that they were BI only and you still had to inject QA when you ate but the pump made sure that your background levels were better regulated. I'm guessing that they do everything for you now then?

I have absolutely no memory whatsoever of what my HbA1cs were when I was a teenager but I should imagine that they were absolutely appalling simply because I didn't really have a clue how to manage things and I didn't really think about it very much. It's probably amazing that I'm still alive!

The pump only uses one insulin, that being a quick acting analogue, like novorapid............there is then a constant release of this which act as a background, and then as normal, a bolus dose when you eat, this can be given up front or released over a set time, or both (dual wave)......they really are amazing things, essentially you could be on target all the time.........

With regards to your statement about still being alive, the human body wont give up without a fight, its just the scars from the fight are sometime undesirable.............

April 14, 2011 20:43

JayBee DAFNE Graduate
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts

MelissaF said:
Apologies for absence - life sort of gets in the way! Hope that everything's good with you? Have your levels settled down at all?

Life certainly does! I've been STILL having "fun" with my Time of the Month (TOTM) doses. Hopefully the puzzle will be worked out soon! Been so occupied though that I've not had time to update my BG diary on here. Sad

Until then, I will continue to contribute to the menstrual cycle thread...

MelissaF said:
I viewed another forum yesterday for research and every single person contributing to that forum said that their HbA1c was around 5-5.5. Maybe this was a forum for superhumans or maybe they were all lying!

It can be hard to tell can't it? I find a lot of diabetics I've met in person aren't really happy to talk openly about their results... so perhaps there are some lies involved (it is easier to lie on the internet after all).... but regardless if they are or not, I think you shouldn't worry about what's happening with them. Your body is not theirs. ;) Keep your chin up and working at it...!

April 15, 2011 19:15

vic demain DAFNE Graduate
Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 87 posts

I've been having problems with my HbA1c. did the course about 18 months ago and ever since have suffered a huge amount of hypos. Was told the HbA1c should steadily drop, but that has not been the case, still around 8.2. I have dropped my BI dramatically. Trouble is, I will test between meals and am often around 13 but by next meal test I am low. Have tried really hard but getting fed up with all the hypos and the high HbA1c

April 14, 2011 09:10 MelissaF DAFNE Graduate South West Essex PCT 56 posts	I think that some were on pumps but not all. Definitely T1s. Have you ever been tempted by a pump? Personally I hate the idea but then I feel guilty that maybe I should over-come that for the sake of better control.
April 14, 2011 09:27 novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts	Because I have embraced DAFNE and I put in a lot of work with what seems like not a lot of effort (I actually enjoy taking control), I would settle in quite nicely with a pump, and I was nearly at that point a month ago, well at least approaching the subject. But I have got my DP under control, well better anyway, so I dont really need one. Even if I wanted one, I would have a fight on my hands as would most people, some however seem to ask and get with the click of a finger. If one is offered and you think you can commit yourself, then grab it with both hands............... Can you remember the site.....? Would be interested to visit........
April 14, 2011 10:18 caroline15 DAFNE Graduate Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust 45 posts	Novo - How did you get your DP under control? I'm glad to hear you're managing well Amy's been on the pump for nearly four weeks now, it is the best thing ever and I wish all diabetics were offered them
April 14, 2011 10:34 MelissaF DAFNE Graduate South West Essex PCT 56 posts	Here you go - I found it. Scary! http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/forum/Blah.pl?v-print/m-1287061511/ I just can't get over the thought that you have to wear it all the time and it's permanently connected to you. I hate the idea. How has Amy found that respect of it Caroline? How come she started using it in the first place?
April 14, 2011 11:01 caroline15 DAFNE Graduate Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust 45 posts	Hi Melissa, she's absolutely fine with it being connected all the time, she just takes it off for pe and showers. She hated injecting and would need a lot of nagging to do it - it is so much easier for her to just input the amount of carbs she is eating and the pump works out how much bolus she needs and also how much correction she needs as her meter sends her readings to her pump (I think by bluetooth). She had a very lumpy tummy from her injections but they seem to be going quickly now. A couple of years ago the hospital held an event where there were people with pumps and also pump company reps, this was just for children with diabetes as apparently there was some funding that they had obtained. We registered our interest and Amy was offered a pump in February this year. The consultant and dsn were a bit dubious about Amy having one as her control was not good (lots of admissions to the ward with very high ketones) and they had a word with her and told her that they could take it away from her if she doesn't do everything properly. Her last HBA1C was 11.9, I can't wait to see how improved it is. Her next clinic appt is at the end of July so it will only show results from her pumping.
April 14, 2011 11:04 novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts	caroline15 said: Novo - How did you get your DP under control? I'm glad to hear you're managing well Amy's been on the pump for nearly four weeks now, it is the best thing ever and I wish all diabetics were offered them A combination of upping the PM dose considerably and moving it to later on at night...........I kept upping my doses with no effect and then I stopped as I thought, this aint working, when really I should of continued on.....its not totally under control, I am still off target and depending on what I eat previous to bed sometimes makes me higher. At the moment they are coming down, which in turn is dropping my averages, so if I keep it up and I can get an A1c below 7 I will be happy...........
April 14, 2011 11:31 MelissaF DAFNE Graduate South West Essex PCT 56 posts	It sounds like it really suits her Caroline and I guess it's a massive relief for you as far as her control is concerned. So does the pump dispense QA as well as BI then? When I first read up on them I'm sure that they were BI only and you still had to inject QA when you ate but the pump made sure that your background levels were better regulated. I'm guessing that they do everything for you now then? I have absolutely no memory whatsoever of what my HbA1cs were when I was a teenager but I should imagine that they were absolutely appalling simply because I didn't really have a clue how to manage things and I didn't really think about it very much. It's probably amazing that I'm still alive!
April 14, 2011 11:54 novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts	MelissaF said: It sounds like it really suits her Caroline and I guess it's a massive relief for you as far as her control is concerned. So does the pump dispense QA as well as BI then? When I first read up on them I'm sure that they were BI only and you still had to inject QA when you ate but the pump made sure that your background levels were better regulated. I'm guessing that they do everything for you now then? I have absolutely no memory whatsoever of what my HbA1cs were when I was a teenager but I should imagine that they were absolutely appalling simply because I didn't really have a clue how to manage things and I didn't really think about it very much. It's probably amazing that I'm still alive! The pump only uses one insulin, that being a quick acting analogue, like novorapid............there is then a constant release of this which act as a background, and then as normal, a bolus dose when you eat, this can be given up front or released over a set time, or both (dual wave)......they really are amazing things, essentially you could be on target all the time......... With regards to your statement about still being alive, the human body wont give up without a fight, its just the scars from the fight are sometime undesirable.............
April 14, 2011 20:43 JayBee DAFNE Graduate James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts	MelissaF said: Apologies for absence - life sort of gets in the way! Hope that everything's good with you? Have your levels settled down at all? Life certainly does! I've been STILL having "fun" with my Time of the Month (TOTM) doses. Hopefully the puzzle will be worked out soon! Been so occupied though that I've not had time to update my BG diary on here. Until then, I will continue to contribute to the menstrual cycle thread... MelissaF said: I viewed another forum yesterday for research and every single person contributing to that forum said that their HbA1c was around 5-5.5. Maybe this was a forum for superhumans or maybe they were all lying! It can be hard to tell can't it? I find a lot of diabetics I've met in person aren't really happy to talk openly about their results... so perhaps there are some lies involved (it is easier to lie on the internet after all).... but regardless if they are or not, I think you shouldn't worry about what's happening with them. Your body is not theirs. ;) Keep your chin up and working at it...!
April 15, 2011 19:15 vic demain DAFNE Graduate Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 87 posts	I've been having problems with my HbA1c. did the course about 18 months ago and ever since have suffered a huge amount of hypos. Was told the HbA1c should steadily drop, but that has not been the case, still around 8.2. I have dropped my BI dramatically. Trouble is, I will test between meals and am often around 13 but by next meal test I am low. Have tried really hard but getting fed up with all the hypos and the high HbA1c