Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Jun 9, 2015

sarahg 29 posts

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

Hi i am testing traditional way for driving which I understand is required by law and very occasionally when I feel I want to confirm with the sensor but that is about it.
I think my doctors must be loving it as I am not hasselling for blood sticks . So on average I testing no more than 4 times a day which is a big reduction for me.

Jun 9, 2015

derekh1965 99 posts

Topic: General Discussion / My Weight Loss

Hi All,
I'd like to tell you all about my weight loss journey.
I was one of those who believed low fat was the way to lose weight, and of course I lost nothing.
Over the years I got bigger because I was depressed and the only enjoyment was when I was eating sweet stuff.
I was 23 stones 4 years ago!!
I was with Tesco Diets for a year and managed to get down to 19 stones.
Went to my GP maybe 2 years ago to aSK about a gastric bypass due to my BMI being 42 and he wasn't interested, trying tol put me off with 10 year waiting list.
Asked my mother if she would pay for one, she's got savings.
That was asking too much.
I happened to come across a video on youtube by a guy called Dr. Jonny Boden who runs slimming clubs and was in a Q & A interview.
He was asked what he tells his clients about calories and said he advises them to eat the calories for the weight you want to be,because when you get down to your ideal weight these are going to be the calories you will be eating.

Due to my weight Tesco had me on 2200-2300 calories a day and 300g of carbs.
I wanted to be 12 stones, so 168lb, 1700 cals a day.
I lost 6 stones in 6 months with no effort and no exercise.
I am now 74-75kg and have been for the past 2 years. A 30"waist for the first time in probably 35 years.

Also what worked and still works for me was replacing pasta,rice,potatoes etc with Zero Noodles and Better Than Pasta (google them).

I hope this helps someone because I wish someone told me this years ago.
pics can be provided on request.

Best wishes to you all
Derek

Jun 9, 2015

Alan 49 280 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Stinging insulin

Do you keep your pens in the fridge? I was told on the DAFNE course that this can cause some discomfort.

Jun 9, 2015

NuMo 28 posts

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

I don't really finger prick any more, and felt quite miffed recently when obliged to. I find the trend history gives you so much more information that finger pricking has become more of a backup. A finger prick will tell you what your blood glucose is now, not what it has been nor which way it is going. The Libre fills in where your blood glucose has been since you last scanned and indicates its trend. This makes corrections so much easier and far more accurate.

I applied for my Libre shortly after the orderline closed. I was offered a chance to buy around about Easter time, so I supposed that's about 6 or 7 months. Keep an eye on your e-mail though as the offer is only for a set time.

Jun 9, 2015

Frazer 16 posts

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

Thanks for your input Phil. I was rather hoping to stop the finger pricks completely when (and if) I ever get to the top of the list.
Does anyone rely on the machine completely and not bother with blood test anymore?
Just rang Abbots and they still can't tell me when I am likely to get one, they can't even tell me how long on average people have to wait.
Would be interest to have a rough idea from some of you how long you waited.

Jun 8, 2015

AC2003 7 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Salted Nuts

Thank you. I need to stop eating them!

Jun 8, 2015

AC2003 7 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Salted Nuts

Thank you. I need to stop eating them!

Jun 8, 2015

AC2003 7 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Stinging insulin

When I inject my insulin, both basal and bolus, it really stings to the point of it being very uncomfortable. Any ideas on why this happens anyone?

Jun 8, 2015

marke 655 posts

Topic: General Discussion / morning blood sugar rise

Hi, Sorry but must disagree with Caspar, splitting your BI does not mean you can take less. You body doesn't absorb BI quickly because its not able to quickly so timing of dose is not really relevant in that respect. With BI its in your system but is not 'active' fully the whole time, the idea is it has a slow 'release' profile to be in your blood over an extended period. It is not totally consistent over time for everyone true but is largely a lot slower than QA. I would never advise anyone to split their dose without consulting their Diabetes team. One thing often recommended if you want to split doses is a switch to Levemir, since Lantus does have a longer profile even though both are supposedly 24 hour insulins. If you skip breakfast and your BG raises by 10 then its pretty clear your BI is not correct, you can use QA to try to adjust but its a constant battle, its better to try to get your BI right, which means if you skip meals it stays roughly the same. Also although Dawn Phenomenon can to a degree alter your BG during the morning its effects are generally more noticeable overnight, your BG rises just BEFORE you wake up. Again its true everyone is slightly different so there is no one answer.

Jun 8, 2015

Rafa 99 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low GI bread

Hightower said:
Its a multiseed low GI bread - really nice

Yes picked it up over the weekend. Nice and as you say only I cp per slice!

Jun 8, 2015

neady23 4 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / white rice

hi very late response sos, i find with certain foods including rice that i need to take half the amount of insulin before and half after or i hypo, i do this with pizza too, i think some foods are slower than then the insulin. this happens if the carb/insulin dose is high if its a modest dose then its not as bad

Jun 8, 2015

Hightower 8 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Salted Nuts

I think there is about 4 grams of Carbs for every 25 grams of nuts. If you eat more than a handful that can add up and I too have found they drive my BS high. Maybe I just eat too many Rolling Eyes

Jun 8, 2015

Hightower 8 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low GI bread

Its a multiseed low GI bread - really nice Very Happy

Jun 8, 2015

Hightower 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Sick day rule help?

Hi Jodie.....Hope you are feeling better at this stage. When you say ++ what does that mean in figures eg 2.3, 3.5 etc?

Jun 7, 2015

GemmaNicholls 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Night time Hypo - Depression!

What I find the most upsetting is going hypo just before bed, I always manage to clean my teeth and then find I'm low. I don't know if it's the hypo or the tiredness but sometimes I get really upset and I have been known to cry before now. Night time hypos are usually OK as long as I don't have to get up at 5AM for work but these are the worst for over eating for me, what I really hate is not being able to sleep all the way through the night because my BG is high and this has made me wake up needing a wee! It's probably the biggest part of Diabetes that makes me feel like I'm not a normal person!

Jun 6, 2015

Stew B 123 posts

Topic: General Discussion / morning blood sugar rise

Hi Caspar,
I have split my Lantus dose for some time now, but take equal doses at bedtime and in the morning. Revisiting the course handbook, I see that the "profile" for Lantus shows a drop-off over the last few hours of it's 24 hour duration, hence the levelling effect of the split dose. I still don't understand how injecting different amounts can have an impact at different times of day when the amount of Lantus in the system is constant over the 24 hours? I can't find any mention of this in the handbook.

Stew

Jun 6, 2015

khy70 3 posts

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

Had two sensors. Both failed within 3 days. I am afraid I won't be paying to bug test them.

Jun 6, 2015

sarahg 29 posts

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

Hi Phil I totally agreed with you it is amazing, and feel very lucky to be able to self fund. Have had a few sensors that have failed but abbots have been great. Just wish the subscription for 12 months was up a running or could purchase at chemists, as I a pain to remember to order and the post and packing is a pain.

Jun 6, 2015

Jodie_Ennifer2 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Sick day rule help?

Hey guys I just wanted to know what people would do earlier I had a blood glucose of 14.8 and ++ ketones I've been sick with a cold for the last week. I followed the flow chart in the hand book and on my first two hour check my blood glucose had come down to 8.1 but I stil had + ketones I had no reference for what to do in this situation so I took my next dose of TDD, would others have done the same

Thanks Jodie x

Jun 5, 2015

Caspar Aremi 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / morning blood sugar rise

Hi Stew,

When you split, you typically will find you're able to take a lot less - as you're able to work out exactly how much you really need. When you're taking one big batch, you can't tell how long it's lasting, if your body is absorbing a lot while you sleep, or during the day when you're active etc. I've gone from 40 a day down to 28 (and am soon to try reducing it even further) thanks to splitting it and figuring out when in the day I'm going hypo (lots of overnight and early in the morning, so my night time dosage is too low, whereas I was also previously going low later in the afternoon, which was a hint to reduce the morning dose).

Your diabetes clinic/DAFNE team are the best to advise you based on your own circumstances, but without splitting I'd never have been able to work out how and when to reduce my dosage (and start abolishing those pesky night time hypos!).

Jun 5, 2015

Stew B 123 posts

Topic: General Discussion / morning blood sugar rise

Hi Caspar, I'm not sure that I understand. I thought that the point of splitting BI into two doses was to even out the effect over 24 hours. i.e. BI doses are supposed to last 24 hours, but sometimes the impact can wear off before 24 hours is up, or you can end up with more or less than your dose for a short period if you do not inject at precise 24 hour intervals. Are you suggesting that injecting different amounts of BI on your splits will vary the total amount in your system at different times of the day?

Stew

Jun 5, 2015

Rafa 99 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low GI bread

Hightower said:
The Staffords one I eat is approximately 10g of Carbs per slice

Didn't know they had low gi bread. Thanks will try this.

Jun 5, 2015

Hightower 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pumps

I have been using the Medtronic Paradigm Veo for the last 4 years and love it Very Happy

Jun 5, 2015

Hightower 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE to PUMP conversion

Hi David, I have completed the DAFNE Pump course here in Dublin. The general rule is that if the hypo is close to your mealtime (within 3 hrs) its usually your bolus that needs to be adjusted. If its after this time it your basal. Have you been shown how to adjust your bolus and basal settings depending on readings.

Jun 9, 2015 sarahg 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Hi i am testing traditional way for driving which I understand is required by law and very occasionally when I feel I want to confirm with the sensor but that is about it. I think my doctors must be loving it as I am not hasselling for blood sticks . So on average I testing no more than 4 times a day which is a big reduction for me.

Jun 9, 2015 derekh1965 99 posts	Topic: General Discussion / My Weight Loss Hi All, I'd like to tell you all about my weight loss journey. I was one of those who believed low fat was the way to lose weight, and of course I lost nothing. Over the years I got bigger because I was depressed and the only enjoyment was when I was eating sweet stuff. I was 23 stones 4 years ago!! I was with Tesco Diets for a year and managed to get down to 19 stones. Went to my GP maybe 2 years ago to aSK about a gastric bypass due to my BMI being 42 and he wasn't interested, trying tol put me off with 10 year waiting list. Asked my mother if she would pay for one, she's got savings. That was asking too much. I happened to come across a video on youtube by a guy called Dr. Jonny Boden who runs slimming clubs and was in a Q & A interview. He was asked what he tells his clients about calories and said he advises them to eat the calories for the weight you want to be,because when you get down to your ideal weight these are going to be the calories you will be eating. Due to my weight Tesco had me on 2200-2300 calories a day and 300g of carbs. I wanted to be 12 stones, so 168lb, 1700 cals a day. I lost 6 stones in 6 months with no effort and no exercise. I am now 74-75kg and have been for the past 2 years. A 30"waist for the first time in probably 35 years. Also what worked and still works for me was replacing pasta,rice,potatoes etc with Zero Noodles and Better Than Pasta (google them). I hope this helps someone because I wish someone told me this years ago. pics can be provided on request. Best wishes to you all Derek

Jun 9, 2015 Alan 49 280 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Stinging insulin Do you keep your pens in the fridge? I was told on the DAFNE course that this can cause some discomfort.

Jun 9, 2015 NuMo 28 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) I don't really finger prick any more, and felt quite miffed recently when obliged to. I find the trend history gives you so much more information that finger pricking has become more of a backup. A finger prick will tell you what your blood glucose is now, not what it has been nor which way it is going. The Libre fills in where your blood glucose has been since you last scanned and indicates its trend. This makes corrections so much easier and far more accurate. I applied for my Libre shortly after the orderline closed. I was offered a chance to buy around about Easter time, so I supposed that's about 6 or 7 months. Keep an eye on your e-mail though as the offer is only for a set time.

Jun 9, 2015 Frazer 16 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Thanks for your input Phil. I was rather hoping to stop the finger pricks completely when (and if) I ever get to the top of the list. Does anyone rely on the machine completely and not bother with blood test anymore? Just rang Abbots and they still can't tell me when I am likely to get one, they can't even tell me how long on average people have to wait. Would be interest to have a rough idea from some of you how long you waited.

Jun 8, 2015 AC2003 7 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Salted Nuts Thank you. I need to stop eating them!

Jun 8, 2015 AC2003 7 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Salted Nuts Thank you. I need to stop eating them!

Jun 8, 2015 AC2003 7 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Stinging insulin When I inject my insulin, both basal and bolus, it really stings to the point of it being very uncomfortable. Any ideas on why this happens anyone?

Jun 8, 2015 marke 655 posts	Topic: General Discussion / morning blood sugar rise Hi, Sorry but must disagree with Caspar, splitting your BI does not mean you can take less. You body doesn't absorb BI quickly because its not able to quickly so timing of dose is not really relevant in that respect. With BI its in your system but is not 'active' fully the whole time, the idea is it has a slow 'release' profile to be in your blood over an extended period. It is not totally consistent over time for everyone true but is largely a lot slower than QA. I would never advise anyone to split their dose without consulting their Diabetes team. One thing often recommended if you want to split doses is a switch to Levemir, since Lantus does have a longer profile even though both are supposedly 24 hour insulins. If you skip breakfast and your BG raises by 10 then its pretty clear your BI is not correct, you can use QA to try to adjust but its a constant battle, its better to try to get your BI right, which means if you skip meals it stays roughly the same. Also although Dawn Phenomenon can to a degree alter your BG during the morning its effects are generally more noticeable overnight, your BG rises just BEFORE you wake up. Again its true everyone is slightly different so there is no one answer.

Jun 8, 2015 Rafa 99 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low GI bread Hightower said: Its a multiseed low GI bread - really nice Yes picked it up over the weekend. Nice and as you say only I cp per slice!

Jun 8, 2015 neady23 4 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / white rice hi very late response sos, i find with certain foods including rice that i need to take half the amount of insulin before and half after or i hypo, i do this with pizza too, i think some foods are slower than then the insulin. this happens if the carb/insulin dose is high if its a modest dose then its not as bad

Jun 8, 2015 Hightower 8 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Salted Nuts I think there is about 4 grams of Carbs for every 25 grams of nuts. If you eat more than a handful that can add up and I too have found they drive my BS high. Maybe I just eat too many

Jun 8, 2015 Hightower 8 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low GI bread Its a multiseed low GI bread - really nice

Jun 8, 2015 Hightower 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Sick day rule help? Hi Jodie.....Hope you are feeling better at this stage. When you say ++ what does that mean in figures eg 2.3, 3.5 etc?

Jun 7, 2015 GemmaNicholls 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Night time Hypo - Depression! What I find the most upsetting is going hypo just before bed, I always manage to clean my teeth and then find I'm low. I don't know if it's the hypo or the tiredness but sometimes I get really upset and I have been known to cry before now. Night time hypos are usually OK as long as I don't have to get up at 5AM for work but these are the worst for over eating for me, what I really hate is not being able to sleep all the way through the night because my BG is high and this has made me wake up needing a wee! It's probably the biggest part of Diabetes that makes me feel like I'm not a normal person!

Jun 6, 2015 Stew B 123 posts	Topic: General Discussion / morning blood sugar rise Hi Caspar, I have split my Lantus dose for some time now, but take equal doses at bedtime and in the morning. Revisiting the course handbook, I see that the "profile" for Lantus shows a drop-off over the last few hours of it's 24 hour duration, hence the levelling effect of the split dose. I still don't understand how injecting different amounts can have an impact at different times of day when the amount of Lantus in the system is constant over the 24 hours? I can't find any mention of this in the handbook. Stew

Jun 6, 2015 khy70 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Had two sensors. Both failed within 3 days. I am afraid I won't be paying to bug test them.

Jun 6, 2015 sarahg 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Hi Phil I totally agreed with you it is amazing, and feel very lucky to be able to self fund. Have had a few sensors that have failed but abbots have been great. Just wish the subscription for 12 months was up a running or could purchase at chemists, as I a pain to remember to order and the post and packing is a pain.

Jun 6, 2015 Jodie_Ennifer2 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Sick day rule help? Hey guys I just wanted to know what people would do earlier I had a blood glucose of 14.8 and ++ ketones I've been sick with a cold for the last week. I followed the flow chart in the hand book and on my first two hour check my blood glucose had come down to 8.1 but I stil had + ketones I had no reference for what to do in this situation so I took my next dose of TDD, would others have done the same Thanks Jodie x

Jun 5, 2015 Caspar Aremi 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / morning blood sugar rise Hi Stew, When you split, you typically will find you're able to take a lot less - as you're able to work out exactly how much you really need. When you're taking one big batch, you can't tell how long it's lasting, if your body is absorbing a lot while you sleep, or during the day when you're active etc. I've gone from 40 a day down to 28 (and am soon to try reducing it even further) thanks to splitting it and figuring out when in the day I'm going hypo (lots of overnight and early in the morning, so my night time dosage is too low, whereas I was also previously going low later in the afternoon, which was a hint to reduce the morning dose). Your diabetes clinic/DAFNE team are the best to advise you based on your own circumstances, but without splitting I'd never have been able to work out how and when to reduce my dosage (and start abolishing those pesky night time hypos!).

Jun 5, 2015 Stew B 123 posts	Topic: General Discussion / morning blood sugar rise Hi Caspar, I'm not sure that I understand. I thought that the point of splitting BI into two doses was to even out the effect over 24 hours. i.e. BI doses are supposed to last 24 hours, but sometimes the impact can wear off before 24 hours is up, or you can end up with more or less than your dose for a short period if you do not inject at precise 24 hour intervals. Are you suggesting that injecting different amounts of BI on your splits will vary the total amount in your system at different times of the day? Stew

Jun 5, 2015 Rafa 99 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low GI bread Hightower said: The Staffords one I eat is approximately 10g of Carbs per slice Didn't know they had low gi bread. Thanks will try this.

Jun 5, 2015 Hightower 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pumps I have been using the Medtronic Paradigm Veo for the last 4 years and love it

Jun 5, 2015 Hightower 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE to PUMP conversion Hi David, I have completed the DAFNE Pump course here in Dublin. The general rule is that if the hypo is close to your mealtime (within 3 hrs) its usually your bolus that needs to be adjusted. If its after this time it your basal. Have you been shown how to adjust your bolus and basal settings depending on readings.