Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Mar 29, 2015

Morgiee 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / high bm can't get under control

Hi over the past two weeks now I've had too many high bm mainly on a morning and night but now during the day too. Prior to two weeks ago bm were under control and my latest hba1c is 7.2 I'm considering changing my ratio to 2:1 however the last time I did that I was running low as I was taking more insulin than I normally would. Today I had a bm if 8.6 before exercise and was 11.7 afterwards! I have a new Meyer as well. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

Mar 29, 2015

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diasend

I made a half-hearted attempt to use it, but it seems you have to download your BG readings directly from your meter. I don't think my meter can do that. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Mar 29, 2015

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diasend

I have been using Diasend for a couple of years now and 4 months ago gave my endocrinologist direct access to my data. The way it works with me is that if he (the endo) suggests changes he will then ask me to upload the data on a specific day, send him an email and he can access it and send me further suggestions. This was especially helpful when he suggested I change 16 of my settings!!!!!! He got back to me via email and made a few extra suggestions. They can also write notes on Diasend but we do it by email. Very efficient way to get advice. I was a little unsure at first as it seemed too "big brotherish" but I am now OK with it. It certainly helps when you go for an appointment that he has access to all the data. Previously I had to take in printed pages of data. My Endo is a numbers man and certainly is very good at analysing the data. Very hard to argue with data!

Helen

Mar 28, 2015

NuMo 28 posts

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

Haven't been on the Dafne site for some time so am late into this discussion.

I was asked to trial the Libre by my diabetes team and jumped at the chance. I loved it from the word go. So much information at your fingertips - without pain to said fingertips! The trends are especially useful. I am on very small margins, so a slight error in either direction can create a big impact. With the help of the trend arrows and the insulin indicator, I was able to keep within target for 3 of the 14 days. Quite something for me. It is also the fact that you get such a complete picture, not just snapshots. You can see exactly what has been going on between testings. I am with Peter in that I believe this gives more information for the DVLA than finger pricking.

I found the software very informative too. I am not very IT literate and for me there was a lot of information there. It is possible to enable auto save if you so wish. Also you get information on the amount of carbs taken and insight into possible areas of special interest. I especially liked the projected HBA1c as it showed mine as a potential improvement of nearly 20 points!

Like Phil Maskell, I am sensitive to the adhesive and used tegaderm for this. Unfortunately, I suspect this may have caused several misfunctions which, so far with this latest sensor, seem to have been sorted by using Cavilon spray instead. I hope this is helpful Phil.

Being as I said earlier not brilliant with IT, it did not occur to me to e-mail Abbot, so I phoned them instead and found them very courteous and helpful.

I get the impression from reading other's comments that the feeling is that Abbot has rushed this onto the market. This could well be so as there are several shortfalls that I think they are bound to pick up on in time. Firstly, the blood monitor. It uses the old Optium strips which take a large amount of blood to activate, and if, like me, your skin is getting calloused from frequent testing, that amount of blood can be very painful and also rather slow to gather. Which brings me onto the next point. If you fail to get enough blood into the strip at first attempt, you don't get another chance - it's a new strip and more blood. Huh. Then there's the insulin calculator. Quite a handy gadget, but perhaps not essential for Dafnies. Anyway, it doesn't work on a scan it needs blood. To me this rather negates the point of it. Maybe they aren't that confident yet of the interstitial readings, but there we are. I have stopped using it now as I rarely finger prick and use the gingerbread man indicator and my Dafne knowledge to work it out for myself.

Having said that, I would recommend this product. It offers greater freedom and is very easy for others to use when one is ill - I speak from experience here. My sugars have improved since using the Libre and I hope they will continue to do so. The cost is a definite factor, but I look on it as around Â£25 per week which in terms of cigarettes ... or perhaps, pints? I don't know. For me, I think it worth paying for the freedom and the greater control. That doesn't stop me wishing it was on the NHS, but well, we can all wish.

Good luck with your Libre

Mar 28, 2015

Amy1987 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / insulin

Hi sorry I don't have any advice but just wanted to say that I am having the same problem with my blood sugars raising overnight! Last night i went to bed and my sugars were 7.9, this morning they were 13! My diabetic nurse is thinking of changing which background insulin I'm on as I've tried having more background before bed and it's not working! X

Mar 28, 2015

Vickyp 137 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diasend

I've just started using diasend, after my last appt with consultant so that they can check my levels without me phoning to read them out or emailing them...you do need a clinic code for that tho. Now I just phone to say I've uploaded and they get back to me if I need to make changes. The graphs etc are pretty good on diasend.

Mar 28, 2015

CurlyWurly 15 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diasend

I got an email from mydiabetesmyway to invite me to take part in Diasend - has anyone else signed up for it?

Mar 28, 2015

Ellen 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / insulin

Hello

I did the dafne course around a month ago after the course my blood sugars seemed to stabilise but now they are raising overnight, it seems to be that for a few weeks that amount of insulin works and then all of a sudden it seems as i need more and then this will work for a few weeks and then it needs changing again. Has anyone else experienced this? Also the diabetic nurse thinks i am on to much insulin for my bodyweight but i seem to keep needing more insulin, could this be because i am taking to much insulin and my body is not using it properly and that's why the doses are constantly changing?

Thanks

Mar 27, 2015

sarahg 29 posts

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

Hi guys

I to have not be brave enough to go swiming a yet but will igive it go soon. I have had one sensor fall off for no apparent reason but Abotts were great and send a replacement. As for the itchyness I have found that sometimes it is really really itchy , and then the itchyness goes away. The red marks do seem to take a while to go but I have found them not be painful, so have carried on using the sensors as it so cool to gym, and garden and check without having to stop.

Mar 27, 2015

Frazer 16 posts

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

Thanks Phil - I would be very interested in your swimming experiment. In view of what they said I would have thought that if the sensor stops working after swimming Abbott will refund you.

As to the other problem I would ask Abbott - their number is 008000 2255232.

Mar 27, 2015

Phil Maskell 194 posts

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

Following on from my recent comment about the mark and glue, I would be annoyed if I found they had changed the glue and I was allergic as I have got my HbA1c from 7.4 to 6.8 using the Libre and for the hour or so when I change the sensor I feel lost without it.

Even though its not perfect or 100% accurate I do like the knowledge of generally where by BG is Very Happy

Mar 27, 2015

Phil Maskell 194 posts

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

Hi,

Swimming wise I am going to wait until the last few days of my sensor (as they're a bit expensive to waste one on a test) and try it. If and when I go I will update my findings here Very Happy

Phil

P.S Have any other users found when they remove a sensor it leaves a nasty red circle for about a week, I didn't have this to start with, but last one has left quite a sore mark, bit like a lovebite Very Happy

P.P.S Following on from the mark, the next one I am using is sooo itchy, worried about itching near it and pulling it out, have they changed the glue? Am I allergic? Anybody else having issues?

Mar 27, 2015

Frazer 16 posts

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

Thanks for your responses Mark and Tom
I spoke to Abbott, they are sending the emails "in waves" on a first come first serve basis as the machines become available. Tom you must be further up the list than I am!
I checked the swimming question with them - did you see what I did there - Waves / Swimming - oh never mind!!
Mustn't be submerged for longer than 30 mins so as long as you take your arm out of the water there is no problem. Also you can't go lower than 1 meter in depth.

Mar 27, 2015

Tom_Sparrow 4 posts

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

Frazer said:
Thanks all who have been sharing their experiences with this. I don't know what planet I've been on but I have only just heard about this machine. It sounded too good to be true so I checked out the website this week. You still can't order one if you are a new customer so I rang Abbott. They said demand had been higher than expected and they want to ensure they can produce enough sensors to meet the demand of existing customers. It should be available to new customers soon - they didn't give a time frame. Enter your email address on the website and they will advise you when you can buy one.
The cost will of course be prohibitive to many which seems very unfair. I thought I might ask my employer if they would contribute, I am sure I could convince them that it would be in their interest as well as mine! The biggest advantage I can see with this system is not having to do all those finger pricks each day - bliss!!
I have a couple of questions if anyone can help. I am sure I read in the very small print on the website that you must take a reading at least every eight hours. I have been know to sleep for longer than this so what happens if there is a gap of more than 8 hours between readings?
Also, I swim once a week - I know the sensors are fine in the shower and bath but has anyone had any experience of what happens in the swimming pool?

Hi Frazer,

I just thought I'd let you know that I was having the same issues as you regarding the purchase of this new machine. However, I got an e-mail from Abbott a few days ago to say that they were ready to purchase (if you entered your details into their system as you mentioned) - and I actually received my new kit yesterday! Very Happy

However, they stated in the e-mail that demand was still exceptionally high so they were advocating that all new customers try to purchase the kit this week otherwise they may have to wait a while again, so you may want to try purchasing it again to see if you have any luck.

Fingers crossed that you are able to purchase one. I am only just trying out mine now but all good so far!

Thanks,
Tom

Mar 26, 2015

marke 686 posts

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

Hi,
With regards to the 8 hour limit, the sensor that sits on your arm can only hold 8 hours of data, so if you don't swipe it with the reader for longer than 8 hours the oldest readings a lost i.e those just before or just after you went to sleep. This wasn't a big issue for me since generally my readings are usually stable just before I go to bed. With regards to swimming, I would have to see if anyone else has an answer. I showered every day with it on and never had an issue but I didn't go swimming. My guess is if it is properly fixed and you can tell it is, then it should be ok. It would be interesting to hear first hand experience though Wink

Mar 26, 2015

DamianHalliw... 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Background Insulin Update

I have just changed my background from lantus to humilin I and from 1 jab a day too 2 jabs a day dose anyone know If the overlap is good if I take every 8 hours with it taking upto 2 hours to start? I'm just really bad at working stuff out lol

Thanks in advance

Mar 26, 2015

Frazer 16 posts

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

Thanks all who have been sharing their experiences with this. I don't know what planet I've been on but I have only just heard about this machine. It sounded too good to be true so I checked out the website this week. You still can't order one if you are a new customer so I rang Abbott. They said demand had been higher than expected and they want to ensure they can produce enough sensors to meet the demand of existing customers. It should be available to new customers soon - they didn't give a time frame. Enter your email address on the website and they will advise you when you can buy one.
The cost will of course be prohibitive to many which seems very unfair. I thought I might ask my employer if they would contribute, I am sure I could convince them that it would be in their interest as well as mine! The biggest advantage I can see with this system is not having to do all those finger pricks each day - bliss!!
I have a couple of questions if anyone can help. I am sure I read in the very small print on the website that you must take a reading at least every eight hours. I have been know to sleep for longer than this so what happens if there is a gap of more than 8 hours between readings?
Also, I swim once a week - I know the sensors are fine in the shower and bath but has anyone had any experience of what happens in the swimming pool?

Mar 24, 2015

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Android Phone & Dafne App

Hi,
Is there anyone else who is currently unable to upload BGs on an Android phone?

Mar 24, 2015

Warwick 425 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / white rice

When I was on 2 daily injections of BI and no QA, I had to avoid white rice as it would send my BGs sky high for hours before they finally came down. Brown rice, I had no such trouble.

It actually sounds like you are taking too much QA for the rice. What happens if you take less? I no longer know for myself as even after switching to a regime of BI and QA I avoid white rice. There are so many more nutrients in brown rice than white that I just don't feel I can go back. Unfortunately finding a restaurant that serves brown rice is near impossible.

Mar 29, 2015 Morgiee 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / high bm can't get under control Hi over the past two weeks now I've had too many high bm mainly on a morning and night but now during the day too. Prior to two weeks ago bm were under control and my latest hba1c is 7.2 I'm considering changing my ratio to 2:1 however the last time I did that I was running low as I was taking more insulin than I normally would. Today I had a bm if 8.6 before exercise and was 11.7 afterwards! I have a new Meyer as well. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

Mar 29, 2015 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diasend I made a half-hearted attempt to use it, but it seems you have to download your BG readings directly from your meter. I don't think my meter can do that. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Mar 29, 2015 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diasend I have been using Diasend for a couple of years now and 4 months ago gave my endocrinologist direct access to my data. The way it works with me is that if he (the endo) suggests changes he will then ask me to upload the data on a specific day, send him an email and he can access it and send me further suggestions. This was especially helpful when he suggested I change 16 of my settings!!!!!! He got back to me via email and made a few extra suggestions. They can also write notes on Diasend but we do it by email. Very efficient way to get advice. I was a little unsure at first as it seemed too "big brotherish" but I am now OK with it. It certainly helps when you go for an appointment that he has access to all the data. Previously I had to take in printed pages of data. My Endo is a numbers man and certainly is very good at analysing the data. Very hard to argue with data! Helen

Mar 28, 2015 NuMo 28 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Haven't been on the Dafne site for some time so am late into this discussion. I was asked to trial the Libre by my diabetes team and jumped at the chance. I loved it from the word go. So much information at your fingertips - without pain to said fingertips! The trends are especially useful. I am on very small margins, so a slight error in either direction can create a big impact. With the help of the trend arrows and the insulin indicator, I was able to keep within target for 3 of the 14 days. Quite something for me. It is also the fact that you get such a complete picture, not just snapshots. You can see exactly what has been going on between testings. I am with Peter in that I believe this gives more information for the DVLA than finger pricking. I found the software very informative too. I am not very IT literate and for me there was a lot of information there. It is possible to enable auto save if you so wish. Also you get information on the amount of carbs taken and insight into possible areas of special interest. I especially liked the projected HBA1c as it showed mine as a potential improvement of nearly 20 points! Like Phil Maskell, I am sensitive to the adhesive and used tegaderm for this. Unfortunately, I suspect this may have caused several misfunctions which, so far with this latest sensor, seem to have been sorted by using Cavilon spray instead. I hope this is helpful Phil. Being as I said earlier not brilliant with IT, it did not occur to me to e-mail Abbot, so I phoned them instead and found them very courteous and helpful. I get the impression from reading other's comments that the feeling is that Abbot has rushed this onto the market. This could well be so as there are several shortfalls that I think they are bound to pick up on in time. Firstly, the blood monitor. It uses the old Optium strips which take a large amount of blood to activate, and if, like me, your skin is getting calloused from frequent testing, that amount of blood can be very painful and also rather slow to gather. Which brings me onto the next point. If you fail to get enough blood into the strip at first attempt, you don't get another chance - it's a new strip and more blood. Huh. Then there's the insulin calculator. Quite a handy gadget, but perhaps not essential for Dafnies. Anyway, it doesn't work on a scan it needs blood. To me this rather negates the point of it. Maybe they aren't that confident yet of the interstitial readings, but there we are. I have stopped using it now as I rarely finger prick and use the gingerbread man indicator and my Dafne knowledge to work it out for myself. Having said that, I would recommend this product. It offers greater freedom and is very easy for others to use when one is ill - I speak from experience here. My sugars have improved since using the Libre and I hope they will continue to do so. The cost is a definite factor, but I look on it as around Â£25 per week which in terms of cigarettes ... or perhaps, pints? I don't know. For me, I think it worth paying for the freedom and the greater control. That doesn't stop me wishing it was on the NHS, but well, we can all wish. Good luck with your Libre

Mar 28, 2015 Amy1987 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / insulin Hi sorry I don't have any advice but just wanted to say that I am having the same problem with my blood sugars raising overnight! Last night i went to bed and my sugars were 7.9, this morning they were 13! My diabetic nurse is thinking of changing which background insulin I'm on as I've tried having more background before bed and it's not working! X

Mar 28, 2015 Vickyp 137 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diasend I've just started using diasend, after my last appt with consultant so that they can check my levels without me phoning to read them out or emailing them...you do need a clinic code for that tho. Now I just phone to say I've uploaded and they get back to me if I need to make changes. The graphs etc are pretty good on diasend.

Mar 28, 2015 CurlyWurly 15 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diasend I got an email from mydiabetesmyway to invite me to take part in Diasend - has anyone else signed up for it?

Mar 28, 2015 Ellen 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / insulin Hello I did the dafne course around a month ago after the course my blood sugars seemed to stabilise but now they are raising overnight, it seems to be that for a few weeks that amount of insulin works and then all of a sudden it seems as i need more and then this will work for a few weeks and then it needs changing again. Has anyone else experienced this? Also the diabetic nurse thinks i am on to much insulin for my bodyweight but i seem to keep needing more insulin, could this be because i am taking to much insulin and my body is not using it properly and that's why the doses are constantly changing? Thanks

Mar 27, 2015 sarahg 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Hi guys I to have not be brave enough to go swiming a yet but will igive it go soon. I have had one sensor fall off for no apparent reason but Abotts were great and send a replacement. As for the itchyness I have found that sometimes it is really really itchy , and then the itchyness goes away. The red marks do seem to take a while to go but I have found them not be painful, so have carried on using the sensors as it so cool to gym, and garden and check without having to stop.

Mar 27, 2015 Frazer 16 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Thanks Phil - I would be very interested in your swimming experiment. In view of what they said I would have thought that if the sensor stops working after swimming Abbott will refund you. As to the other problem I would ask Abbott - their number is 008000 2255232.

Mar 27, 2015 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Following on from my recent comment about the mark and glue, I would be annoyed if I found they had changed the glue and I was allergic as I have got my HbA1c from 7.4 to 6.8 using the Libre and for the hour or so when I change the sensor I feel lost without it. Even though its not perfect or 100% accurate I do like the knowledge of generally where by BG is

Mar 27, 2015 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Hi, Swimming wise I am going to wait until the last few days of my sensor (as they're a bit expensive to waste one on a test) and try it. If and when I go I will update my findings here Phil P.S Have any other users found when they remove a sensor it leaves a nasty red circle for about a week, I didn't have this to start with, but last one has left quite a sore mark, bit like a lovebite P.P.S Following on from the mark, the next one I am using is sooo itchy, worried about itching near it and pulling it out, have they changed the glue? Am I allergic? Anybody else having issues?

Mar 27, 2015 Frazer 16 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Thanks for your responses Mark and Tom I spoke to Abbott, they are sending the emails "in waves" on a first come first serve basis as the machines become available. Tom you must be further up the list than I am! I checked the swimming question with them - did you see what I did there - Waves / Swimming - oh never mind!! Mustn't be submerged for longer than 30 mins so as long as you take your arm out of the water there is no problem. Also you can't go lower than 1 meter in depth.

Mar 27, 2015 Tom_Sparrow 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Frazer said: Thanks all who have been sharing their experiences with this. I don't know what planet I've been on but I have only just heard about this machine. It sounded too good to be true so I checked out the website this week. You still can't order one if you are a new customer so I rang Abbott. They said demand had been higher than expected and they want to ensure they can produce enough sensors to meet the demand of existing customers. It should be available to new customers soon - they didn't give a time frame. Enter your email address on the website and they will advise you when you can buy one. The cost will of course be prohibitive to many which seems very unfair. I thought I might ask my employer if they would contribute, I am sure I could convince them that it would be in their interest as well as mine! The biggest advantage I can see with this system is not having to do all those finger pricks each day - bliss!! I have a couple of questions if anyone can help. I am sure I read in the very small print on the website that you must take a reading at least every eight hours. I have been know to sleep for longer than this so what happens if there is a gap of more than 8 hours between readings? Also, I swim once a week - I know the sensors are fine in the shower and bath but has anyone had any experience of what happens in the swimming pool? Hi Frazer, I just thought I'd let you know that I was having the same issues as you regarding the purchase of this new machine. However, I got an e-mail from Abbott a few days ago to say that they were ready to purchase (if you entered your details into their system as you mentioned) - and I actually received my new kit yesterday! However, they stated in the e-mail that demand was still exceptionally high so they were advocating that all new customers try to purchase the kit this week otherwise they may have to wait a while again, so you may want to try purchasing it again to see if you have any luck. Fingers crossed that you are able to purchase one. I am only just trying out mine now but all good so far! Thanks, Tom

Mar 26, 2015 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Hi, With regards to the 8 hour limit, the sensor that sits on your arm can only hold 8 hours of data, so if you don't swipe it with the reader for longer than 8 hours the oldest readings a lost i.e those just before or just after you went to sleep. This wasn't a big issue for me since generally my readings are usually stable just before I go to bed. With regards to swimming, I would have to see if anyone else has an answer. I showered every day with it on and never had an issue but I didn't go swimming. My guess is if it is properly fixed and you can tell it is, then it should be ok. It would be interesting to hear first hand experience though

Mar 26, 2015 DamianHalliw... 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Background Insulin Update I have just changed my background from lantus to humilin I and from 1 jab a day too 2 jabs a day dose anyone know If the overlap is good if I take every 8 hours with it taking upto 2 hours to start? I'm just really bad at working stuff out lol Thanks in advance

Mar 26, 2015 Frazer 16 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Thanks all who have been sharing their experiences with this. I don't know what planet I've been on but I have only just heard about this machine. It sounded too good to be true so I checked out the website this week. You still can't order one if you are a new customer so I rang Abbott. They said demand had been higher than expected and they want to ensure they can produce enough sensors to meet the demand of existing customers. It should be available to new customers soon - they didn't give a time frame. Enter your email address on the website and they will advise you when you can buy one. The cost will of course be prohibitive to many which seems very unfair. I thought I might ask my employer if they would contribute, I am sure I could convince them that it would be in their interest as well as mine! The biggest advantage I can see with this system is not having to do all those finger pricks each day - bliss!! I have a couple of questions if anyone can help. I am sure I read in the very small print on the website that you must take a reading at least every eight hours. I have been know to sleep for longer than this so what happens if there is a gap of more than 8 hours between readings? Also, I swim once a week - I know the sensors are fine in the shower and bath but has anyone had any experience of what happens in the swimming pool?

Mar 24, 2015 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Android Phone & Dafne App Hi, Is there anyone else who is currently unable to upload BGs on an Android phone?

Mar 24, 2015 Warwick 425 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / white rice When I was on 2 daily injections of BI and no QA, I had to avoid white rice as it would send my BGs sky high for hours before they finally came down. Brown rice, I had no such trouble. It actually sounds like you are taking too much QA for the rice. What happens if you take less? I no longer know for myself as even after switching to a regime of BI and QA I avoid white rice. There are so many more nutrients in brown rice than white that I just don't feel I can go back. Unfortunately finding a restaurant that serves brown rice is near impossible.