Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Jul 22, 2015

BeccyB 50 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Struggling with emotions

I noticed a few months back that the guidelines for treating newly diagnosed diabetics now include considering the psychological element alongside the insulin etc. I think there are an awful lot of us that have never had any treatment or even discussion on how we are affected emotionally by our diabetes, you're far from alone Muna. If you don't feel comfortable talking to your GP/nurse you could try the Diabetes UK Careline https://www.diabetes.org.uk/careline

Jul 22, 2015

BeccyB 50 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Struggling with emotions

I noticed a few months back that the guidelines for treating newly diagnosed diabetics now include considering the psychological element alongside the insulin etc. I think there are an awful lot of us that have never had any treatment or even discussion on how we are affected emotionally by our diabetes, you're far from alone Muna. If you don't feel comfortable talking to your GP/nurse you could try the Diabetes UK Careline https://www.diabetes.org.uk/careline

Jul 22, 2015

BeccyB 50 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused

David01 said:
Like most T1s that have been on insulin for a long time I'm on twice daily doses of Metformin.

I've not heard of this before - I've been T1 for 30 years and am wondering if this might help me. I admit I'm not very good at following the rules (I have anxiety/depression issues which mess me about) but at times when I'm trying super-dooper extra hard to get things right I get really frustrated at not being able to get a high result back down even when injecting loads. Think I need a trip to clinic! Surprised

Jul 22, 2015

BeccyB 50 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens

I have the Novopen Echo - I just put it on my repeat prescription request slip and my GP prescribed it no problem. Certainly sounds like you'd benefit from one dunkers Smile

oh and it fits any of the standard Novopen size cartridges so it can be used for QA and BI doses if needed.

Jul 22, 2015

BeccyB 50 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter)

I was scanning every few minutes when I first put it on but the novelty has worn off now - it's so good to know you can just get a result whenever you feel like it though. I've even scanned and then forgotten the result when I've gone to write it down so just scanned again as it's easier than going into the log Laughing

I accidentally knocked my sensor off yesterday and my next order hasn't arrived yet so I'm back to pricking for a couple of days - It feels really weird! I intended to only use one sensor every couple of months to keep the costs down but once I got it I was hooked - be warned Laughing

ps. they're not easy to knock off! it was a very accurate scrape of my arm against a table edge!! Shocked

Jul 22, 2015

Susanf 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused

Hi Caveseboy,

Would have to agree with David01 - it may be that you are insulin resistant. I had this issue recently and seemed to be pumping insulin into me with no effect. I went on Metformin about 6 weeks ago and have halved my daily dose and my corrections are working much more effectively. Like you I was never having hypos no matter how much insulin I seemed to take. Might be worth talking to your healthcare professional about it. Very Happy

Jul 20, 2015

Simon 574 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter)

From the Libre website:

2. How frequently does the sensor capture and store glucose readings?
The sensor automatically measures glucose levels every minute and stores readings at 15 minute intervals for 8 hours. When the sensor is scanned by the reader, the sensor automatically transmits 8 hours of data to the reader.

So when you scan it you get the reading for the last minute, but the reader stores data points 15 minutes apart.

Jul 20, 2015

Frazer 16 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter)

Hi cmcc
You can test as often as you want. The sensor is time limited to 14 days but there is no restriction on how often you use it.
I think it updates every 15 minutes - so 96 times a day I guess!

Jul 20, 2015

Colin McC 15 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter)

Seriously thinking of getting the Libre & this forum has helped me decide. I realise the pros & cons but one question - so the sensor lasts 14 days but how many times can you test during that period?

Jul 20, 2015

David01 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused

Hi Caveseboy

What occurs to me is it could be your BI that's the problem. I had something similar happen to me about 6 years ago. I've always taken my BI dose (which at that time was Levemir) once a day at around 11pm. I found after about 4/5 years that my BG was shooting up high after my evening meal. In most cases Levemir works for a full 24 hours but occasionally (as for me) it only works for 12/15 hours. My Specialist Nurse suggested taking it twice a day, but I didn't want to do that so she switched my BI to Lantus, which doesn't have the same problem. Since going on Lantus my BI has worked for the full 24 hours.

As for why you've never had a hypo - can't make any suggestions there. As you say - very weird! What I do know is that for all of us, our bodies destroy a certain amount of the insulin we inject. Maybe in your case if you inject a big corrective dose your body destroys most of the dose? Does that sound like a possibliity? If that is what's happening then maybe a different QA would work better for you? A third possible solution would be to try adding in a T2 medication to improve your insulin sensitivity. Like most T1s that have been on insulin for a long time I'm on twice daily doses of Metformin. If I miss a dose of Metformin at any time I can really see the difference in in my BGs. It's an ancient medication but it's still one of the most effective ones. Some things to think about anyway. If you decide I'm talking rubbish then just ignore me. Good luck.

Jul 20, 2015

Colin McC 15 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens

Been using the HumaPen Luxura HD pen with my Humalog for @ 6 months now as I am very insulin sensitive. Works a treat for me & has improved by BG. I got mine from my hospital diabetic clinic.

Jul 20, 2015

Caveseboy 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused

Yeah it is weird though as if I am a like a 9 at lunch my ratio of 1:1 is right as i am around the same at tea. My teatime ratio is at 2:1 but I am always high at bed. I am not sure if it is because I am taking a larger dose of insulin it is being less effective.
I do find it weird like you say you only need a +4 correction to lower a 15.6 blood sugar. I would expect the same but I can take a BIGGER correction and still not hypo. Having never had one I do find this weird!!!!!!!

Jul 20, 2015

David01 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused

Hi Caveseboy

Like other posts, I'd suggest your QA:CP ratio is wrong, and maybe if you increase the ratios that'd sort things out? The reason I say this is that it strikes me that the correction you did after your lunch BG 0f 15.6 was a really big one. If I had a BG at that level I'd only need to take a +4 correction to bring it down to around 6 - and I'm bound to be relatively less sensitive to insulin than you as I've had T1 for 34 years. If your background insulin is holding your BG at a level result over a long fasting period e;g; overnight, then I'd suggest you might not be on the right QA insulin for you. Your Diabetes Specialist Nurse could have some thoughts/advice on that one.

Hope these suggestions are helpful. Good Luck.

Jul 17, 2015

dunkers7 24 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused

So the BI is holding. Which injection sites are you using for the QA? Stomach is typically quickest.

As you were diagnosed in recent years I wonder if you could have been in the "honeymoon" period for some time. During this phase a type 1 body is actually still producing some insulin naturally, but not enough to keep blood glucose in check. Eventually, weeks, months, or even years later no insulin is produced naturally at all and you need to take more of it.

It sounds like your current QA:CP ratio is inappropriate with those kind of correction doses. I think you need to increase the QA in that ratio.

Finally I would keep an eye on your weight to make sure the QA corrections aren't causing you to gain too much. Weight gain can lead to increased insulin resistance.

Good luck.

Jul 17, 2015

JamesW 24 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens

The Lilly pen is the HumaPen Luxura HD. I would imagine the HD stands for "half dose" because there is also a HumaPen Luxura that delivers only whole units/doses.

Jul 17, 2015

Caveseboy 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused

Hey I did a carb free lunch and done a carb free breakfast too (not on the same day) and my levels stay within 1 m/mol so I think my background is at the right amount. I just really struggle with QA insulin.

Jul 17, 2015

Easha 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused

Hey!

Would say to try a no carb meal for lunch and breakfast and if your blood levels are not in range its due to your background insulin and you may want to think about increasing that

best of luck

Jul 17, 2015

Stew B 123 posts

Topic: General Discussion / New diarys

You can get them via the DAFNE website: http://www.dafne.uk.com/dafneshop-64.html . 75p each.

I've placed several orders in the past and service has been really good. You can also get the most up to date DAFNE Carb Portion book for a mere Â£1.95!

Jul 17, 2015

dunkers7 24 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens

Thanks for the replies all.

I don't have a bad word to say about the kiddie pens, they seem to last. I still have one which delivered full units which I just keep as backup, must be about 15 years old, used it frequently for a long time and it still works!

Jul 17, 2015

Stew B 123 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens

Like alturn for several years I used a "child's" pen that delivers in half-units - quite a snazzy pattern! More recently I've got a NovoPen Echo via my GP. It too delivers in half-units, but has an excellent feature which lets you check a display on the top of the pen which tells you what your last dose was and (in increments of 15 minutes) when you took it. This has been invaluable, because with a busy lifestyle I've several times found myself pen-in-hand wondering whether or not I have injected!

I would not want to go back to pens which deliver only in single-units, as others have said it's a great help when you get into more complex ratios.

Jul 17, 2015

SimonC 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens

Lilly do one - I use it with my Humalog - can't remember the name they give the pen, but they look like expensive fountain pens.

My ratios are 1.5 - 1 for lunch and evening, which often means I get a dose of ?.5 units, so the 1/2 unit pen is great.

Jul 17, 2015

Caveseboy 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused

Hi All,
First time posting on here looking for help/advice.
I have been diagnosed as Type 1 for almost 2 years now and completed DAFNE just under 6 months ago. I seem to be stuck at a level of about 10.5 to 12 for most of my readings. I may get the occasional high 16+ or manage to get Reading down to about a 9 but averaging a 12. I know the DAFNE principles and try to apply them but it seems like the bigger correction I do the less sensitive I am to Novo Rapid. For example couple of days ago I was at 12.1 breakfast and had 4CPs so took 4+2 QA and at lunch I was 9.7 seems to be correct yet yesterday I was 15.6 at lunch had 11CPs and took 11+9 QA (split 10 and 10 in 2 sites) yet only a 10.6 at tea. So the more correction I do the less sensitive I seem to be.

Also I have NEVER had a hypo either. Can sometimes get my reading do to 5 - 7 had a lowest reading of 4.8 not sure how I can make massive corrections and still not drop my levels down to the hypo area.
Cheers

Jul 17, 2015

Bigtimegrumps 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens

Hi Dunk,
I'm also insulin sensitive and on the same ratio as you, myself and another member of the class were given half unit pens by the nurse running our course.
The pen I was given is called the NovoPen Echo, it's for quick acting insulin, I remain on a standard unit pen for my BI.
It really does make a difference, looking back through my diary I can see plenty of occasions where my CP's were 9, 5 and 3, so with a standard pen I'd have had to eat a little extra or less.
The DAFNE course is all about giving you the freedom to eat what you want and a half unit pen has definitely benefited me.
It's worth getting in contact with your diabetes team, especially if using a full unit pen is causing you to hypo.

Jul 17, 2015

alturn 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens

I've had 1/2 unit pens for several years - I was more sensitive to insulin then than now but still use 1/2 units for QA. BI is now much higher so don't use 1/2 increments. One of mine is a child's version (only one the nurse had) with a patterned finish, and I'm not embarrased to use it...

Jul 16, 2015

dunkers7 24 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens

Seems I got pretty insulin sensitive to bolus, I'm on a 0.5u : 1CP ratio for QA insulin right now.

After doing some basal testing to work out why a few hypos were happening, it turns out that 1u of QA for 1CP really is in fact too much for me!

I've read that half unit pens are available, anyone using them? I'd expect using a half unit pen is more cost effective for the NHS than me ending up having to eat more carbs to balance the books?

Jul 22, 2015 BeccyB 50 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Struggling with emotions I noticed a few months back that the guidelines for treating newly diagnosed diabetics now include considering the psychological element alongside the insulin etc. I think there are an awful lot of us that have never had any treatment or even discussion on how we are affected emotionally by our diabetes, you're far from alone Muna. If you don't feel comfortable talking to your GP/nurse you could try the Diabetes UK Careline https://www.diabetes.org.uk/careline

Jul 22, 2015 BeccyB 50 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Struggling with emotions I noticed a few months back that the guidelines for treating newly diagnosed diabetics now include considering the psychological element alongside the insulin etc. I think there are an awful lot of us that have never had any treatment or even discussion on how we are affected emotionally by our diabetes, you're far from alone Muna. If you don't feel comfortable talking to your GP/nurse you could try the Diabetes UK Careline https://www.diabetes.org.uk/careline

Jul 22, 2015 BeccyB 50 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused David01 said: Like most T1s that have been on insulin for a long time I'm on twice daily doses of Metformin. I've not heard of this before - I've been T1 for 30 years and am wondering if this might help me. I admit I'm not very good at following the rules (I have anxiety/depression issues which mess me about) but at times when I'm trying super-dooper extra hard to get things right I get really frustrated at not being able to get a high result back down even when injecting loads. Think I need a trip to clinic!

Jul 22, 2015 BeccyB 50 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens I have the Novopen Echo - I just put it on my repeat prescription request slip and my GP prescribed it no problem. Certainly sounds like you'd benefit from one dunkers oh and it fits any of the standard Novopen size cartridges so it can be used for QA and BI doses if needed.

Jul 22, 2015 BeccyB 50 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) I was scanning every few minutes when I first put it on but the novelty has worn off now - it's so good to know you can just get a result whenever you feel like it though. I've even scanned and then forgotten the result when I've gone to write it down so just scanned again as it's easier than going into the log I accidentally knocked my sensor off yesterday and my next order hasn't arrived yet so I'm back to pricking for a couple of days - It feels really weird! I intended to only use one sensor every couple of months to keep the costs down but once I got it I was hooked - be warned ps. they're not easy to knock off! it was a very accurate scrape of my arm against a table edge!!

Jul 22, 2015 Susanf 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused Hi Caveseboy, Would have to agree with David01 - it may be that you are insulin resistant. I had this issue recently and seemed to be pumping insulin into me with no effect. I went on Metformin about 6 weeks ago and have halved my daily dose and my corrections are working much more effectively. Like you I was never having hypos no matter how much insulin I seemed to take. Might be worth talking to your healthcare professional about it.

Jul 20, 2015 Simon 574 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) From the Libre website: 2. How frequently does the sensor capture and store glucose readings? The sensor automatically measures glucose levels every minute and stores readings at 15 minute intervals for 8 hours. When the sensor is scanned by the reader, the sensor automatically transmits 8 hours of data to the reader. So when you scan it you get the reading for the last minute, but the reader stores data points 15 minutes apart.

Jul 20, 2015 Frazer 16 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Hi cmcc You can test as often as you want. The sensor is time limited to 14 days but there is no restriction on how often you use it. I think it updates every 15 minutes - so 96 times a day I guess!

Jul 20, 2015 Colin McC 15 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Seriously thinking of getting the Libre & this forum has helped me decide. I realise the pros & cons but one question - so the sensor lasts 14 days but how many times can you test during that period?

Jul 20, 2015 David01 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused Hi Caveseboy What occurs to me is it could be your BI that's the problem. I had something similar happen to me about 6 years ago. I've always taken my BI dose (which at that time was Levemir) once a day at around 11pm. I found after about 4/5 years that my BG was shooting up high after my evening meal. In most cases Levemir works for a full 24 hours but occasionally (as for me) it only works for 12/15 hours. My Specialist Nurse suggested taking it twice a day, but I didn't want to do that so she switched my BI to Lantus, which doesn't have the same problem. Since going on Lantus my BI has worked for the full 24 hours. As for why you've never had a hypo - can't make any suggestions there. As you say - very weird! What I do know is that for all of us, our bodies destroy a certain amount of the insulin we inject. Maybe in your case if you inject a big corrective dose your body destroys most of the dose? Does that sound like a possibliity? If that is what's happening then maybe a different QA would work better for you? A third possible solution would be to try adding in a T2 medication to improve your insulin sensitivity. Like most T1s that have been on insulin for a long time I'm on twice daily doses of Metformin. If I miss a dose of Metformin at any time I can really see the difference in in my BGs. It's an ancient medication but it's still one of the most effective ones. Some things to think about anyway. If you decide I'm talking rubbish then just ignore me. Good luck.

Jul 20, 2015 Colin McC 15 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens Been using the HumaPen Luxura HD pen with my Humalog for @ 6 months now as I am very insulin sensitive. Works a treat for me & has improved by BG. I got mine from my hospital diabetic clinic.

Jul 20, 2015 Caveseboy 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused Yeah it is weird though as if I am a like a 9 at lunch my ratio of 1:1 is right as i am around the same at tea. My teatime ratio is at 2:1 but I am always high at bed. I am not sure if it is because I am taking a larger dose of insulin it is being less effective. I do find it weird like you say you only need a +4 correction to lower a 15.6 blood sugar. I would expect the same but I can take a BIGGER correction and still not hypo. Having never had one I do find this weird!!!!!!!

Jul 20, 2015 David01 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused Hi Caveseboy Like other posts, I'd suggest your QA:CP ratio is wrong, and maybe if you increase the ratios that'd sort things out? The reason I say this is that it strikes me that the correction you did after your lunch BG 0f 15.6 was a really big one. If I had a BG at that level I'd only need to take a +4 correction to bring it down to around 6 - and I'm bound to be relatively less sensitive to insulin than you as I've had T1 for 34 years. If your background insulin is holding your BG at a level result over a long fasting period e;g; overnight, then I'd suggest you might not be on the right QA insulin for you. Your Diabetes Specialist Nurse could have some thoughts/advice on that one. Hope these suggestions are helpful. Good Luck.

Jul 17, 2015 dunkers7 24 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused So the BI is holding. Which injection sites are you using for the QA? Stomach is typically quickest. As you were diagnosed in recent years I wonder if you could have been in the "honeymoon" period for some time. During this phase a type 1 body is actually still producing some insulin naturally, but not enough to keep blood glucose in check. Eventually, weeks, months, or even years later no insulin is produced naturally at all and you need to take more of it. It sounds like your current QA:CP ratio is inappropriate with those kind of correction doses. I think you need to increase the QA in that ratio. Finally I would keep an eye on your weight to make sure the QA corrections aren't causing you to gain too much. Weight gain can lead to increased insulin resistance. Good luck.

Jul 17, 2015 JamesW 24 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens The Lilly pen is the HumaPen Luxura HD. I would imagine the HD stands for "half dose" because there is also a HumaPen Luxura that delivers only whole units/doses.

Jul 17, 2015 Caveseboy 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused Hey I did a carb free lunch and done a carb free breakfast too (not on the same day) and my levels stay within 1 m/mol so I think my background is at the right amount. I just really struggle with QA insulin.

Jul 17, 2015 Easha 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused Hey! Would say to try a no carb meal for lunch and breakfast and if your blood levels are not in range its due to your background insulin and you may want to think about increasing that best of luck

Jul 17, 2015 Stew B 123 posts	Topic: General Discussion / New diarys You can get them via the DAFNE website: http://www.dafne.uk.com/dafneshop-64.html . 75p each. I've placed several orders in the past and service has been really good. You can also get the most up to date DAFNE Carb Portion book for a mere Â£1.95!

Jul 17, 2015 dunkers7 24 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens Thanks for the replies all. I don't have a bad word to say about the kiddie pens, they seem to last. I still have one which delivered full units which I just keep as backup, must be about 15 years old, used it frequently for a long time and it still works!

Jul 17, 2015 Stew B 123 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens Like alturn for several years I used a "child's" pen that delivers in half-units - quite a snazzy pattern! More recently I've got a NovoPen Echo via my GP. It too delivers in half-units, but has an excellent feature which lets you check a display on the top of the pen which tells you what your last dose was and (in increments of 15 minutes) when you took it. This has been invaluable, because with a busy lifestyle I've several times found myself pen-in-hand wondering whether or not I have injected! I would not want to go back to pens which deliver only in single-units, as others have said it's a great help when you get into more complex ratios.

Jul 17, 2015 SimonC 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens Lilly do one - I use it with my Humalog - can't remember the name they give the pen, but they look like expensive fountain pens. My ratios are 1.5 - 1 for lunch and evening, which often means I get a dose of ?.5 units, so the 1/2 unit pen is great.

Jul 17, 2015 Caveseboy 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Totally confused Hi All, First time posting on here looking for help/advice. I have been diagnosed as Type 1 for almost 2 years now and completed DAFNE just under 6 months ago. I seem to be stuck at a level of about 10.5 to 12 for most of my readings. I may get the occasional high 16+ or manage to get Reading down to about a 9 but averaging a 12. I know the DAFNE principles and try to apply them but it seems like the bigger correction I do the less sensitive I am to Novo Rapid. For example couple of days ago I was at 12.1 breakfast and had 4CPs so took 4+2 QA and at lunch I was 9.7 seems to be correct yet yesterday I was 15.6 at lunch had 11CPs and took 11+9 QA (split 10 and 10 in 2 sites) yet only a 10.6 at tea. So the more correction I do the less sensitive I seem to be. Also I have NEVER had a hypo either. Can sometimes get my reading do to 5 - 7 had a lowest reading of 4.8 not sure how I can make massive corrections and still not drop my levels down to the hypo area. Cheers

Jul 17, 2015 Bigtimegrumps 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens Hi Dunk, I'm also insulin sensitive and on the same ratio as you, myself and another member of the class were given half unit pens by the nurse running our course. The pen I was given is called the NovoPen Echo, it's for quick acting insulin, I remain on a standard unit pen for my BI. It really does make a difference, looking back through my diary I can see plenty of occasions where my CP's were 9, 5 and 3, so with a standard pen I'd have had to eat a little extra or less. The DAFNE course is all about giving you the freedom to eat what you want and a half unit pen has definitely benefited me. It's worth getting in contact with your diabetes team, especially if using a full unit pen is causing you to hypo.

Jul 17, 2015 alturn 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens I've had 1/2 unit pens for several years - I was more sensitive to insulin then than now but still use 1/2 units for QA. BI is now much higher so don't use 1/2 increments. One of mine is a child's version (only one the nurse had) with a patterned finish, and I'm not embarrased to use it...

Jul 16, 2015 dunkers7 24 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Half unit pens Seems I got pretty insulin sensitive to bolus, I'm on a 0.5u : 1CP ratio for QA insulin right now. After doing some basal testing to work out why a few hypos were happening, it turns out that 1u of QA for 1CP really is in fact too much for me! I've read that half unit pens are available, anyone using them? I'd expect using a half unit pen is more cost effective for the NHS than me ending up having to eat more carbs to balance the books?