Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Jan 11, 2025

Bradley FK 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Snacking at night

Hi all, I am a recent DAFNE graduate but at the moment I cannot seem to get out of the habit of snacking at night before I go to bed regardless what the blood sugar is. Is there anything anyone has done to stop this habit?

Jan 5, 2025

marke 681 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Hypo's in the morning

Hi,
Losts of questions there Very Happy

. Will try to answer them all....

Overnight drops, this could be a couple fo things. You don't say when you last did a QA, but remember that the profile of most insulins is they last for around 5 hours. This is not an exact figure , the insulin might not last that long or might last longer. If you have given too much insulin , the remaining insulin can cause you to drop. If thats not the case and you don't do any QA from early evening around 6pm, then its more likely that your background insulin is too high. If its right you should stay around level overnight if you don't inject any QA. This also depends on how you do BI, it could be a once a day, a twice a day and again it varies from person to person. You might need to speak to your Diabetes Support Team or consultant.

It's the same answer for the post meal drop, it could be either of the above. Also exercise WILL cause a drop if you still have 'extra' insulin in your system.

The answer to bruising is you can't avoid it. You are hitting small capilaries in the outer layers of your skin. Its random if you hit one or not. In terms of lipohyopertrophy, again you can't really tell, you need to see a diabetes nurse. I had it and had no idea, everything looked completely normal to me. However the DSN took one look at it and said 'oh, you have a lot of Lipo's' Sad

Regards

MarkE

Dec 21, 2024

Reg 12 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Hypo's in the morning

Wondering why you can go to bed with a BG of 11 and still get the alarm go off early in the morning?

Also, in the morning, if levels are ok after a couple of hours from eating, you get a dramatic drop in levels necessitating taking carbs on board

Finally, how do you avoid bruising your skin when injecting? Additionally, how do you know if you have lipohyopertrophy?

Dec 1, 2024

Reg 12 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone software updates

Many thanks Mark

Nov 30, 2024

marke 681 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone software updates

Hi,
This is ALWAYS difficult to decide Rolling Eyes

I use a DexCom G6 and they have been getting slower and slower to approve updates. I use third party websites to decide if I should apply the update. My main source is https://www.reddit.com which has sub-reddits ( forums ) for everything and there is one for 'Freestylelibre' . There are people in this forum that say they have updated to iOS 18 and have no issues. However phones are like normal computers and there are many variations of each phone and each phone update. It's generally agreed that minor version updates are pretty much all ok i.e 17.6 to 17.7 , the risker ones are going from 17.x to 18.x as the changes in iOS are bigger and more likely to cause issues. That said iOS 18 has been around for months now and I haven't seen anyone with major issues with a CGM.

Regards

MarkE

Nov 28, 2024

Reg 12 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone software updates

Is it ok to update software even if Abbott/Freestyle does not show on its web site that a particular update has been approved?

There was one alert some months ago from Abbott not to update a particular software update which is understood, however, if they do not put out an alert then you could be compromising your security waiting for them to update their website?

Sep 7, 2024

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter

I know how you feel about the DUAG. It started off with lots of ideas and ambitions but nothing actually seemed to happen. Shame, it could have been a good resource. It was nice to have met you and the other members. I’m glad you’re still operating the website. Take care! Annette

Sep 7, 2024

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night

I think, but I’m not sure, that when I had a Libre I could turn off signal loss alarms but keep the low and high alarms switched on. Signal loss usually rights itself once signal is restored. I now use a Dexcom 1 and only tend to get signal loss alarms if I leave my phone in another room!

Sep 4, 2024

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night

For me, I would want to fix the signal loss. The idea of CGM is to warn you if you are going too low or too high. If you are not really concerned about this , why do you wear the Libre ? Just curious not being critical in any way. I need mine as I can go low overnight and have been woken by the CGM multiple times because I was going low and needed a Hypo Treatment. That's why for me personally, fixing the signal loss is most important.

Turning it off does in effect put you back to just finger pricking but as you will have seen having worn a Libre, 4 times a day misses a huge amount of information that could be used to better manage your diabetes. In theory the data should all appear when the signal is restored, I don't know how much data a Libre can hold though before some is over ridden and you lose it completely.

Sep 2, 2024

Reg 12 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply Mark

I just wondered if it makes too much difference to switch it off during the signal loss alarm at night as it's no difference to someone who doesn't have a sensor and just finger pricks during the day?

Sep 2, 2024

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night

I use a Dexcom G6 rather than a Libre but its pretty much the same thing. I also read a lot of Reddit forums on the Dexcom and a lot of Dexcom G7 users have complained about similar issues. The explination makes sense. If the phone is on the other side of your body on a nightstand, the Bluetooth signal gets attenuated ( or absorbed) by the body and so doesn't reach your phone. The G7 like a Libre is a small disk which doesn't contain much space for a transmitter or a battery, so the bluetooth has a relatively short range, which when added to the body absortion causes the signal loss.
Personally I am now lucky enough to have a Tandem T:Slim2 pump which also links to the dexcom, since I keep the pump on my waste band on the same side as the Dexcom , the signal has a lot less distance to travel and so I don't get signal loss errors Laughing

Sep 2, 2024

marke 681 posts

Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter

Hi Annette,
We have had quite a discussion with the current DAFNE Programme Team. As you say they no longer provide a carb book ( except in one instance , the Closed Loop Pump Course). They told us to remove the Carb Counting stuff we have and use Carbs & Cals. We can't do this as we don't have permission to use Carbs & Cals data on our site as its copyrighted and a charged for App ( with In-App purchases). We are therefore going to keep it until we are forced to remove it. Anyone can add values to our Carb area , these can be filtered out of people don't want to see user added values.

I have no idea what happened to the DUAG as I left it years ago. I know it was carrying on until a couple of years ago as we got feedback that someone on it was complaining about our site. The complaints were never made to us and we have no idea what they were. It just convinced me even more that I took the correct decision to step down form the DUAG. It never seemed to really go anywhere or have much an effect on the DAFNE Programme. In theory it was a good idea in reality I don't think it ever happened Sad

Aug 22, 2024

Reg 12 posts

Topic: General Discussion / LibreLink2 Alarm notifications

A bit late to the party but I have had similar experience but on the one hand turning off the Alarm defeats the object, but on the other hand, people who only finger prick are in a similar position I guess? Is it that important at night?

Aug 21, 2024

Reg 12 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night

I would be interested to know of others experience with Libre Link 2 with the loss of signal alarm going off in the night. Very frustrating but is there any harm in switching this off at night as it is no different to Diabetics who are relying on finger pricking and are not doing this during the night?

Aug 20, 2024

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter

I’m not sure if you know, but they don’t seem to be giving out DAFNE’s own carb books any more. At the refresher course they gave us the Carbs&Cals book and recommended that we download the accompanying app. so maybe they’re not bothering updating any more? I was remembering our DUAG meetings the other day. Are they still a thing? x

Aug 20, 2024

marke 681 posts

Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter

Hi,
Its updated if we are provided updates. We haven't been provided any for a while, so I will email the DAFNE Management Team and see if they have forgotted about us again Sad

Jul 29, 2024

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter

Hi! Is the carb counting book on the app updated regularly? e.g. the CP value of jacket potatoes is different from the value given on my recent DAFNE refresher course. 🤔

Jun 19, 2024

lucy1gus2 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Lucozade alternative

Morning all
Has anyone tried Todds Enerzade as an alternative to Lucozade. Manufactured in Belfast and claimed by customers to be an alternaive to the changed Lucozade formula and with no artificial sweeteners.
Unfortunately not available locally at present

Jun 9, 2024

BillyH 3 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Own meals

I was having difficulty in working out carbs and insulin requirements and was constantly having to work out corrections by either exercise (for highs) or additional insulin (for lows).
Then I was introduced to the practise of reducing total carbs by the amount of fibre in food. If food has 20g carbs and 5g of fibre, I calculate insulin using 15g carbs. My control is amazing, averaging 98% in range over a three month period.
Reducing carbs by fibre is not the only part of the calculation and I still get highs and lows, but much less often and if I'm really clever, I can predict and anticipate them.
The most important part of my routine it is essential to know exactly what I am eating - If I can't weight it or find a nutritional value, I don't eat it. And, knowing what foods will trigger a high or low regardless of my routine - white bread and white potatoes are definitely out as they cause very rapid spikes for me.

Jun 5, 2024

Warwick 423 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Sick day rules

BI. It might take a day or two for the changes to appear, so watch out for hypos during that period.

May 27, 2024

BillyH 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre Freestyle 2

If you get false reading that cannot be explained its important to notify the manufacturer to allow them to look into it. If necessary they will tell you to change the sensor and send a free replacement. When using Freestyle Libre 2, Abbott often asked me to return the sensor to them for checking but Dexcom has never asked for a return.
When calling you will be asked for information about sensor, transmitter (if appropriate), activities around the times of errors, and the time of error and finger prick result. All manufacturers have a 'tolerance' level for errors and will advise if that applies.
Both Abbott and Dexcom have told me it is important for them to receive information about erroneous readings as it helps identify common issues or if there is a problem with a batch of sensors.
Making the phone calls are very beneficial for the user too. When I changed from Libre 2 to Dexcom G6 it was on the advice of Abbott because, they said, I might not be suited to Libre, and I am moving from Dexcom G6 to G7 following advice from Dexcom who identified the construction of the G7 might suit me better. Both manufacturers are more than happy to receive any calls regarding their products.

May 27, 2024

BillyH 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets

I use three means to dealing with hypos.
The first is Rapilose gel for a rapid and excessive drop in glucose levels. These are prescribed by my GP.
The second is Dextro tablets which I use if I notice a hypo approaching or my G6 warns me of approaching imminent low.
The final is flapjack bars which I use if I am going to undertake an activity such as gardening that might lead to a hypo. If my BG is around 5.8 upwards and I have to do something strenuous I will judge how long it will take and vary the size of flapjack accordingly but never more than 50g at any one time.
I find using different means allows me to deal with the hypo, or potential hypo, in a way that allows me to continue my activities safely and I don't have to worry about overtreating.

May 24, 2024

Reg 12 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Sick day rules

If you have increased BI and QA for minor illness, which one do you reduce first when you are feeling better and your BG is back in range


Jan 11, 2025 Bradley FK 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Snacking at night Hi all, I am a recent DAFNE graduate but at the moment I cannot seem to get out of the habit of snacking at night before I go to bed regardless what the blood sugar is. Is there anything anyone has done to stop this habit?

Jan 5, 2025 marke 681 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Hypo's in the morning Hi, Losts of questions there . Will try to answer them all.... Overnight drops, this could be a couple fo things. You don't say when you last did a QA, but remember that the profile of most insulins is they last for around 5 hours. This is not an exact figure , the insulin might not last that long or might last longer. If you have given too much insulin , the remaining insulin can cause you to drop. If thats not the case and you don't do any QA from early evening around 6pm, then its more likely that your background insulin is too high. If its right you should stay around level overnight if you don't inject any QA. This also depends on how you do BI, it could be a once a day, a twice a day and again it varies from person to person. You might need to speak to your Diabetes Support Team or consultant. It's the same answer for the post meal drop, it could be either of the above. Also exercise WILL cause a drop if you still have 'extra' insulin in your system. The answer to bruising is you can't avoid it. You are hitting small capilaries in the outer layers of your skin. Its random if you hit one or not. In terms of lipohyopertrophy, again you can't really tell, you need to see a diabetes nurse. I had it and had no idea, everything looked completely normal to me. However the DSN took one look at it and said 'oh, you have a lot of Lipo's' Regards MarkE

Dec 21, 2024 Reg 12 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Hypo's in the morning Wondering why you can go to bed with a BG of 11 and still get the alarm go off early in the morning? Also, in the morning, if levels are ok after a couple of hours from eating, you get a dramatic drop in levels necessitating taking carbs on board Finally, how do you avoid bruising your skin when injecting? Additionally, how do you know if you have lipohyopertrophy?

Dec 1, 2024 Reg 12 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone software updates Many thanks Mark

Nov 30, 2024 marke 681 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone software updates Hi, This is ALWAYS difficult to decide I use a DexCom G6 and they have been getting slower and slower to approve updates. I use third party websites to decide if I should apply the update. My main source is https://www.reddit.com which has sub-reddits ( forums ) for everything and there is one for 'Freestylelibre' . There are people in this forum that say they have updated to iOS 18 and have no issues. However phones are like normal computers and there are many variations of each phone and each phone update. It's generally agreed that minor version updates are pretty much all ok i.e 17.6 to 17.7 , the risker ones are going from 17.x to 18.x as the changes in iOS are bigger and more likely to cause issues. That said iOS 18 has been around for months now and I haven't seen anyone with major issues with a CGM. Regards MarkE

Nov 28, 2024 Reg 12 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone software updates Is it ok to update software even if Abbott/Freestyle does not show on its web site that a particular update has been approved? There was one alert some months ago from Abbott not to update a particular software update which is understood, however, if they do not put out an alert then you could be compromising your security waiting for them to update their website?

Sep 7, 2024 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter I know how you feel about the DUAG. It started off with lots of ideas and ambitions but nothing actually seemed to happen. Shame, it could have been a good resource. It was nice to have met you and the other members. I’m glad you’re still operating the website. Take care! Annette

Sep 7, 2024 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night I think, but I’m not sure, that when I had a Libre I could turn off signal loss alarms but keep the low and high alarms switched on. Signal loss usually rights itself once signal is restored. I now use a Dexcom 1 and only tend to get signal loss alarms if I leave my phone in another room!

Sep 4, 2024 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night For me, I would want to fix the signal loss. The idea of CGM is to warn you if you are going too low or too high. If you are not really concerned about this , why do you wear the Libre ? Just curious not being critical in any way. I need mine as I can go low overnight and have been woken by the CGM multiple times because I was going low and needed a Hypo Treatment. That's why for me personally, fixing the signal loss is most important. Turning it off does in effect put you back to just finger pricking but as you will have seen having worn a Libre, 4 times a day misses a huge amount of information that could be used to better manage your diabetes. In theory the data should all appear when the signal is restored, I don't know how much data a Libre can hold though before some is over ridden and you lose it completely.

Sep 2, 2024 Reg 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night Thanks for taking the trouble to reply Mark I just wondered if it makes too much difference to switch it off during the signal loss alarm at night as it's no difference to someone who doesn't have a sensor and just finger pricks during the day?

Sep 2, 2024 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night I use a Dexcom G6 rather than a Libre but its pretty much the same thing. I also read a lot of Reddit forums on the Dexcom and a lot of Dexcom G7 users have complained about similar issues. The explination makes sense. If the phone is on the other side of your body on a nightstand, the Bluetooth signal gets attenuated ( or absorbed) by the body and so doesn't reach your phone. The G7 like a Libre is a small disk which doesn't contain much space for a transmitter or a battery, so the bluetooth has a relatively short range, which when added to the body absortion causes the signal loss. Personally I am now lucky enough to have a Tandem T:Slim2 pump which also links to the dexcom, since I keep the pump on my waste band on the same side as the Dexcom , the signal has a lot less distance to travel and so I don't get signal loss errors

Sep 2, 2024 marke 681 posts	Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter Hi Annette, We have had quite a discussion with the current DAFNE Programme Team. As you say they no longer provide a carb book ( except in one instance , the Closed Loop Pump Course). They told us to remove the Carb Counting stuff we have and use Carbs & Cals. We can't do this as we don't have permission to use Carbs & Cals data on our site as its copyrighted and a charged for App ( with In-App purchases). We are therefore going to keep it until we are forced to remove it. Anyone can add values to our Carb area , these can be filtered out of people don't want to see user added values. I have no idea what happened to the DUAG as I left it years ago. I know it was carrying on until a couple of years ago as we got feedback that someone on it was complaining about our site. The complaints were never made to us and we have no idea what they were. It just convinced me even more that I took the correct decision to step down form the DUAG. It never seemed to really go anywhere or have much an effect on the DAFNE Programme. In theory it was a good idea in reality I don't think it ever happened

Aug 22, 2024 Reg 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / LibreLink2 Alarm notifications A bit late to the party but I have had similar experience but on the one hand turning off the Alarm defeats the object, but on the other hand, people who only finger prick are in a similar position I guess? Is it that important at night?

Aug 21, 2024 Reg 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night I would be interested to know of others experience with Libre Link 2 with the loss of signal alarm going off in the night. Very frustrating but is there any harm in switching this off at night as it is no different to Diabetics who are relying on finger pricking and are not doing this during the night?

Aug 20, 2024 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter I’m not sure if you know, but they don’t seem to be giving out DAFNE’s own carb books any more. At the refresher course they gave us the Carbs&Cals book and recommended that we download the accompanying app. so maybe they’re not bothering updating any more? I was remembering our DUAG meetings the other day. Are they still a thing? x

Aug 20, 2024 marke 681 posts	Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter Hi, Its updated if we are provided updates. We haven't been provided any for a while, so I will email the DAFNE Management Team and see if they have forgotted about us again

Jul 29, 2024 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter Hi! Is the carb counting book on the app updated regularly? e.g. the CP value of jacket potatoes is different from the value given on my recent DAFNE refresher course. 🤔

Jun 19, 2024 lucy1gus2 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Lucozade alternative Morning all Has anyone tried Todds Enerzade as an alternative to Lucozade. Manufactured in Belfast and claimed by customers to be an alternaive to the changed Lucozade formula and with no artificial sweeteners. Unfortunately not available locally at present

Jun 9, 2024 BillyH 3 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Own meals I was having difficulty in working out carbs and insulin requirements and was constantly having to work out corrections by either exercise (for highs) or additional insulin (for lows). Then I was introduced to the practise of reducing total carbs by the amount of fibre in food. If food has 20g carbs and 5g of fibre, I calculate insulin using 15g carbs. My control is amazing, averaging 98% in range over a three month period. Reducing carbs by fibre is not the only part of the calculation and I still get highs and lows, but much less often and if I'm really clever, I can predict and anticipate them. The most important part of my routine it is essential to know exactly what I am eating - If I can't weight it or find a nutritional value, I don't eat it. And, knowing what foods will trigger a high or low regardless of my routine - white bread and white potatoes are definitely out as they cause very rapid spikes for me.

Jun 5, 2024 Warwick 423 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Sick day rules BI. It might take a day or two for the changes to appear, so watch out for hypos during that period.

May 27, 2024 BillyH 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre Freestyle 2 If you get false reading that cannot be explained its important to notify the manufacturer to allow them to look into it. If necessary they will tell you to change the sensor and send a free replacement. When using Freestyle Libre 2, Abbott often asked me to return the sensor to them for checking but Dexcom has never asked for a return. When calling you will be asked for information about sensor, transmitter (if appropriate), activities around the times of errors, and the time of error and finger prick result. All manufacturers have a 'tolerance' level for errors and will advise if that applies. Both Abbott and Dexcom have told me it is important for them to receive information about erroneous readings as it helps identify common issues or if there is a problem with a batch of sensors. Making the phone calls are very beneficial for the user too. When I changed from Libre 2 to Dexcom G6 it was on the advice of Abbott because, they said, I might not be suited to Libre, and I am moving from Dexcom G6 to G7 following advice from Dexcom who identified the construction of the G7 might suit me better. Both manufacturers are more than happy to receive any calls regarding their products.

May 27, 2024 BillyH 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets I use three means to dealing with hypos. The first is Rapilose gel for a rapid and excessive drop in glucose levels. These are prescribed by my GP. The second is Dextro tablets which I use if I notice a hypo approaching or my G6 warns me of approaching imminent low. The final is flapjack bars which I use if I am going to undertake an activity such as gardening that might lead to a hypo. If my BG is around 5.8 upwards and I have to do something strenuous I will judge how long it will take and vary the size of flapjack accordingly but never more than 50g at any one time. I find using different means allows me to deal with the hypo, or potential hypo, in a way that allows me to continue my activities safely and I don't have to worry about overtreating.

May 24, 2024 Reg 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Sick day rules If you have increased BI and QA for minor illness, which one do you reduce first when you are feeling better and your BG is back in range