Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Apr 19, 2015

Stuart_Wylie 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / washing hands ?

For 10 years before I did my DAFNE course, I never washed my hands before testing and there didn't seem to be a problem with this. But, before my DAFNE course, my blood sugar readings were all over the place anyway!!! Now I generally just rub my fingers under running water before testing. If there's no water, I use dia-wipes which I found through the DUK site. They are specifically made for this purpose! Here's a link: http://www.funkypumpers.com/dia-wipe/

Hope this helps Very Happy

Apr 19, 2015

Vickyp 137 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE to PUMP conversion

I went on the omnipod pump 3 months after finishing my dafne course. It was during the course that I became interested in a pump and looking at the choices chose the omnipod. My consultant said Medtronic as I could get a cgm that goes with it but I didn't want tubes so he agreed to get me omnipod.
I had 3hr training session from the ypsomed rep and my DSN, a saline filled pod for a weekend before going 'live'. I then had another session after 4weeks to ask further questions etc, and am in regular contact with consultant/DSN. It was the best decision I made, even tho there is little change to my hba1c (was 6.1 on MDI but had multiple daily hypos....still around 6.1 but with very few hypos if any some months....so better control!) Very Happy

Apr 19, 2015

Vickyp 137 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pumps

I have had very few failures in the 22months I've been on the omnipod!

Apr 19, 2015

Peter 109 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE to PUMP conversion

There is a DAFNE Pump course, but that's only offered by a few DAFNE Clinics. I transferred to a pump in November last year and have found that the same principles still apply. I was given ~3 hours training on the operation of the pump (Omnipod in my case) by an ex-DSN from the supplier. The rest was left up to me and, with the number of options for changing settings, it certainly took time to get to the point where I felt in control.

Apr 19, 2015

Peter 109 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pumps

I'd agree about the benefits of the Omnipod's tube free design and the flexibility that allows in where it is located. The problem is that it's not offered everywhere on the NHS. As with any device there are some cons (in particular the failure rate of the pods is higher than I'd expected) but overall with pros significantly outweigh that, certainly when compared to MDI and probably (although I have no personal experience) when compared to a non-patch pump.

Apr 17, 2015

Ben in the Stow 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Travel/time zones - help!

Try using the following site http://www.voyagemd.com/ to get a guideline (even a timeline!) - David Kerr also does another great site for managing exercise according to TI and CP:QA ratios which was recommended to me by my specialist. I've travelled many a long-haul flight between England and Australia (the country of my birth) and wish that there'd been something like this a lot earlier.

In any case, I think you're going to have a great trip! Good luck!

Apr 17, 2015

Ben in the Stow 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / washing hands ?

For me, hand gel is a good option where there's nothing else. Better that than blood poisoning (or picking up a virus after sucking) or the wacko effects of, say, newsprint on the result.

Apr 16, 2015

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / washing hands ?

I always wash my hands before testing, but if I'm out somewhere where I can't, I use Accu-Chek sterile cleansing hand wipes. They are small and come in foil packs that easily fit in my meter case. They are specifically made for cleansing before finger- pricking. You can get them online at Boots.

Apr 15, 2015

Vickyp 137 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pumps

I'm on the omnipod as its tube free. It was the best decision I made!

Apr 15, 2015

kateb 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / travel/time zones

Thank you so much for this, really appreciate it - great to hear how other people deal with things!

Apr 15, 2015

kateb 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Travel/time zones - help!

Thanks so much for this! V much appreciated!

Apr 15, 2015

ligginsboo 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Travel/time zones - help!

hi there, I did this flight last year and then flew again from Mexico out to the Pacific I was really nervous about managing my insulin given the time zones . I kept my watch on gb time and worked to that for the flights and my partner changed his to the time zone we were in , of course I was awake during the 27 hours and eating !! so I had act rapid ready . once at my destination I could sleep so I took my night time insulin and when I woke I took my day dose !! it was a learning curve I can tell you but quite easy compared to the 300 miles a day travelling across desert in a range rover only knowing we would be stopping somewhere to eat sometime in the afternoon !!but I managed with bananas and Mexican wraps in my rucksack . youll be fine have confidence in your self

Apr 15, 2015

anitas 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pumps

Hi all, Wonder if anyone can help me >My dr and diabetes specialist nurse want be to go go an insulin pump I,ve got to go and have a look at the various types they have to offer in a couple of weeks Just wondering if anyone can offer any advise or tips to the ones they may be using themselves so I am in a better position to decide which make to have

Apr 14, 2015

Rafa 99 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Differing hBa1c results

Warwick said:
Cograts Rafa. It is always great to be told that it is under 7 :-)

Sure is. Thanks.

Apr 13, 2015

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / travel/time zones

Oops sorry..just a diabetic (about 30 years) not a HCP! Helen

Apr 13, 2015

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / travel/time zones

Hi,

I really think that you are the best person to make these judgements. My only advice is to be conservative and do lots of checks. The food will be different, your sleeping pattern will be different, your activity level ...everything will be different and you will have to make calls as necessary. If you are a long-term diabetic you are in the best position to make these decisions as you know how your body reacts. Take a fair supply of sensible snack food with you. I took 28 Muesli bars to China (4 week holiday) as I did not know how reliable the food would be (time, type etc). At least if I substituted a muesli bar for a meal I knew the exact (well almost) carb value. For memory I bought home about 6. Some of my travelling companions were very jealous of my stash!

Take care and enjoy the trip.
Helen

Apr 13, 2015

Amy1987 2 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Slimming tablets

Hi Ive been recommended some natural slimming tablets by a friend of mine who works for 'natural beauty slimming' as I'm having trouble shifting some of my tummy fat could anyone tell me if these will effect my blood sugar or will I be ok taking them? Here are the ingredients...
Ingredients: African Mango 6000mg, microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium stearate

Many thanks!!
Amy xx

Apr 13, 2015

Pepsi 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE to PUMP conversion

Hi David
Cant help with your question, sorry , but have questions maybe you could help me with. I have been approved for a pump, but yet to choose one. Are you finding better control etc with the pump? Do you regret changing at all?

Apr 11, 2015

David Hales 12 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE to PUMP conversion

I have been on the DAFNE course and like most people, I found it really good.
However, now on a pump, I wondered if there was "conversion material" I could access to make the principles relevant to a pump user? I guess that the main approach is the same - carb counting, recording, step approach etc - but there must be some difference or there wouldn't be separate courses.
Can anyone help on this, please?

Apr 11, 2015

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / DAFNE to PUMP conversion

David, you might get more responses to this if you posted it in the 'General Discussion' Forum.

Apr 11, 2015

Vickyp 137 posts

Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / DAFNE to PUMP conversion

I use the same principles.
I went on the pump 3mnths after my Dafne course. My consultant tells me the changes to make to ratios etc but I'm on a lot less insulin, actually eat more now, and no change to hba1c so pump was definitely the best move!

Apr 10, 2015

David Hales 12 posts

Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / DAFNE to PUMP conversion

I have been on the DAFNE course and like most people, I found it really good. However, now on a pump, I wondered if there was "conversion material" I could access to make the principles relevant to a pump user? I guess that the main approach is the same - carb counting, recording, step approach etc - but there must be some difference or there wouldn't be separate courses.
Can anyone help on this, please?

Apr 10, 2015

kateb 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / travel/time zones

Hello!

I was just looking for a bit of advice - I may have to fly off to Mexico for a week on Sunday for work very last minute, and being type 1 and having never done a long haul flight or crossed time zones, I'm a bit anxious. Mexico is about 6-7hours behind us, with a 10 hour flight. I normally take 12 units of lantus around 10/11pm at night. I'm thinking it may be best to inject in around 6pm mexico time (12am our time) but this is a guess....

I would speak to my diabetes team but I've been set up with a new team in a new area having moved, and don't have my first appointment with them until next month.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Apr 10, 2015

kateb 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Travel/time zones - help!

Hello!

Can anyone help? I may have to fly off to Mexico for a week on Sunday for work very last minute, and being type 1 and having never done a long haul flight or crossed time zones, I'm a bit anxious. Mexico is about 6-7hours behind us, with a 10 hour flight. I normally take 12 units of lantus around 10/11pm at night. I'm thinking it may be best to inject in around 6pm mexico time (12am our time) but this is a guess....

I would speak to my diabetes team but I've been set up with a new team in a new area having moved, and don't have my first appointment with them until next month.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Apr 10, 2015

Warwick 425 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Differing hBa1c results

Cograts Rafa. It is always great to be told that it is under 7 :-)

Apr 19, 2015 Stuart_Wylie 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / washing hands ? For 10 years before I did my DAFNE course, I never washed my hands before testing and there didn't seem to be a problem with this. But, before my DAFNE course, my blood sugar readings were all over the place anyway!!! Now I generally just rub my fingers under running water before testing. If there's no water, I use dia-wipes which I found through the DUK site. They are specifically made for this purpose! Here's a link: http://www.funkypumpers.com/dia-wipe/ Hope this helps

Apr 19, 2015 Vickyp 137 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE to PUMP conversion I went on the omnipod pump 3 months after finishing my dafne course. It was during the course that I became interested in a pump and looking at the choices chose the omnipod. My consultant said Medtronic as I could get a cgm that goes with it but I didn't want tubes so he agreed to get me omnipod. I had 3hr training session from the ypsomed rep and my DSN, a saline filled pod for a weekend before going 'live'. I then had another session after 4weeks to ask further questions etc, and am in regular contact with consultant/DSN. It was the best decision I made, even tho there is little change to my hba1c (was 6.1 on MDI but had multiple daily hypos....still around 6.1 but with very few hypos if any some months....so better control!)

Apr 19, 2015 Vickyp 137 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pumps I have had very few failures in the 22months I've been on the omnipod!

Apr 19, 2015 Peter 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE to PUMP conversion There is a DAFNE Pump course, but that's only offered by a few DAFNE Clinics. I transferred to a pump in November last year and have found that the same principles still apply. I was given ~3 hours training on the operation of the pump (Omnipod in my case) by an ex-DSN from the supplier. The rest was left up to me and, with the number of options for changing settings, it certainly took time to get to the point where I felt in control.

Apr 19, 2015 Peter 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pumps I'd agree about the benefits of the Omnipod's tube free design and the flexibility that allows in where it is located. The problem is that it's not offered everywhere on the NHS. As with any device there are some cons (in particular the failure rate of the pods is higher than I'd expected) but overall with pros significantly outweigh that, certainly when compared to MDI and probably (although I have no personal experience) when compared to a non-patch pump.

Apr 17, 2015 Ben in the Stow 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Travel/time zones - help! Try using the following site http://www.voyagemd.com/ to get a guideline (even a timeline!) - David Kerr also does another great site for managing exercise according to TI and CP:QA ratios which was recommended to me by my specialist. I've travelled many a long-haul flight between England and Australia (the country of my birth) and wish that there'd been something like this a lot earlier. In any case, I think you're going to have a great trip! Good luck!

Apr 17, 2015 Ben in the Stow 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / washing hands ? For me, hand gel is a good option where there's nothing else. Better that than blood poisoning (or picking up a virus after sucking) or the wacko effects of, say, newsprint on the result.

Apr 16, 2015 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / washing hands ? I always wash my hands before testing, but if I'm out somewhere where I can't, I use Accu-Chek sterile cleansing hand wipes. They are small and come in foil packs that easily fit in my meter case. They are specifically made for cleansing before finger- pricking. You can get them online at Boots.

Apr 15, 2015 Vickyp 137 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pumps I'm on the omnipod as its tube free. It was the best decision I made!

Apr 15, 2015 kateb 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / travel/time zones Thank you so much for this, really appreciate it - great to hear how other people deal with things!

Apr 15, 2015 kateb 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Travel/time zones - help! Thanks so much for this! V much appreciated!

Apr 15, 2015 ligginsboo 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Travel/time zones - help! hi there, I did this flight last year and then flew again from Mexico out to the Pacific I was really nervous about managing my insulin given the time zones . I kept my watch on gb time and worked to that for the flights and my partner changed his to the time zone we were in , of course I was awake during the 27 hours and eating !! so I had act rapid ready . once at my destination I could sleep so I took my night time insulin and when I woke I took my day dose !! it was a learning curve I can tell you but quite easy compared to the 300 miles a day travelling across desert in a range rover only knowing we would be stopping somewhere to eat sometime in the afternoon !!but I managed with bananas and Mexican wraps in my rucksack . youll be fine have confidence in your self

Apr 15, 2015 anitas 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pumps Hi all, Wonder if anyone can help me >My dr and diabetes specialist nurse want be to go go an insulin pump I,ve got to go and have a look at the various types they have to offer in a couple of weeks Just wondering if anyone can offer any advise or tips to the ones they may be using themselves so I am in a better position to decide which make to have

Apr 14, 2015 Rafa 99 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Differing hBa1c results Warwick said: Cograts Rafa. It is always great to be told that it is under 7 :-) Sure is. Thanks.

Apr 13, 2015 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / travel/time zones Oops sorry..just a diabetic (about 30 years) not a HCP! Helen

Apr 13, 2015 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / travel/time zones Hi, I really think that you are the best person to make these judgements. My only advice is to be conservative and do lots of checks. The food will be different, your sleeping pattern will be different, your activity level ...everything will be different and you will have to make calls as necessary. If you are a long-term diabetic you are in the best position to make these decisions as you know how your body reacts. Take a fair supply of sensible snack food with you. I took 28 Muesli bars to China (4 week holiday) as I did not know how reliable the food would be (time, type etc). At least if I substituted a muesli bar for a meal I knew the exact (well almost) carb value. For memory I bought home about 6. Some of my travelling companions were very jealous of my stash! Take care and enjoy the trip. Helen

Apr 13, 2015 Amy1987 2 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Slimming tablets Hi Ive been recommended some natural slimming tablets by a friend of mine who works for 'natural beauty slimming' as I'm having trouble shifting some of my tummy fat could anyone tell me if these will effect my blood sugar or will I be ok taking them? Here are the ingredients... Ingredients: African Mango 6000mg, microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium stearate Many thanks!! Amy xx

Apr 13, 2015 Pepsi 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE to PUMP conversion Hi David Cant help with your question, sorry , but have questions maybe you could help me with. I have been approved for a pump, but yet to choose one. Are you finding better control etc with the pump? Do you regret changing at all?

Apr 11, 2015 David Hales 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE to PUMP conversion I have been on the DAFNE course and like most people, I found it really good. However, now on a pump, I wondered if there was "conversion material" I could access to make the principles relevant to a pump user? I guess that the main approach is the same - carb counting, recording, step approach etc - but there must be some difference or there wouldn't be separate courses. Can anyone help on this, please?

Apr 11, 2015 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / DAFNE to PUMP conversion David, you might get more responses to this if you posted it in the 'General Discussion' Forum.

Apr 11, 2015 Vickyp 137 posts	Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / DAFNE to PUMP conversion I use the same principles. I went on the pump 3mnths after my Dafne course. My consultant tells me the changes to make to ratios etc but I'm on a lot less insulin, actually eat more now, and no change to hba1c so pump was definitely the best move!

Apr 10, 2015 David Hales 12 posts	Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / DAFNE to PUMP conversion I have been on the DAFNE course and like most people, I found it really good. However, now on a pump, I wondered if there was "conversion material" I could access to make the principles relevant to a pump user? I guess that the main approach is the same - carb counting, recording, step approach etc - but there must be some difference or there wouldn't be separate courses. Can anyone help on this, please?

Apr 10, 2015 kateb 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / travel/time zones Hello! I was just looking for a bit of advice - I may have to fly off to Mexico for a week on Sunday for work very last minute, and being type 1 and having never done a long haul flight or crossed time zones, I'm a bit anxious. Mexico is about 6-7hours behind us, with a 10 hour flight. I normally take 12 units of lantus around 10/11pm at night. I'm thinking it may be best to inject in around 6pm mexico time (12am our time) but this is a guess.... I would speak to my diabetes team but I've been set up with a new team in a new area having moved, and don't have my first appointment with them until next month. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Apr 10, 2015 kateb 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Travel/time zones - help! Hello! Can anyone help? I may have to fly off to Mexico for a week on Sunday for work very last minute, and being type 1 and having never done a long haul flight or crossed time zones, I'm a bit anxious. Mexico is about 6-7hours behind us, with a 10 hour flight. I normally take 12 units of lantus around 10/11pm at night. I'm thinking it may be best to inject in around 6pm mexico time (12am our time) but this is a guess.... I would speak to my diabetes team but I've been set up with a new team in a new area having moved, and don't have my first appointment with them until next month. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Apr 10, 2015 Warwick 425 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Differing hBa1c results Cograts Rafa. It is always great to be told that it is under 7 :-)