Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Feb 22, 2015

Crystal_Clear 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks!

Thank you for feedback. The price of sticks has always been a bone of contention as far as I am concerned. I use Freestyle, 50 sticks in a tub. I was offered a leaflet advertising the new Freestyle Libre meter at the DAFNE course. There are other companies selling meters which scan. This type of meter would be ideal, but for the fact the sensors are so expensive. I am tired of the daily scourge of testing so I thought to write to these companies to make inquiries about the price. I will certainly have a discussion with my DAFNE educator at the review session.

Feb 22, 2015

Vickyp 137 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks!

I use the freestyle too as they are the only strips compatible with the omnipod pump PDM! I don't see why you couldn't get more on prescription if you speak to gp, originally I got 4 boxes which I could just about stretch out to cover a month but told them I test upto 10times or more a day (which I do depending on activities/hypos etc) so could I get 6 boxes and there wasn't the slightest issue....all she said was 'you're poor fingers!'

Feb 21, 2015

TimE 2 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Can you download to a Blackberry

As a new DAFNE graduate and a Blackberry user, can I add my request for an app. I know that Android apps can be packaged for the BB - my HSBC app is a case in point.

Feb 21, 2015

TimE 2 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks!

My surgery tried to restrict me to two tubs a month, but have not done so since I pointed out that not only did my consultant require me to test 4-6 times a day, but that also the DVLA required me to test before driving.

Feb 21, 2015

Vickyp 137 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks!

I test 8+ times a day on average, so a box of 50 only lasts around 5-7days, my gp happily gives me 6boxes a month.

Feb 21, 2015

Stew B 125 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks!

Tricky issue! How many strips in a tub? My One Touch Ultra strips are 50 to a tub, and I use 6+ every day (meals, exercise, driving, hypos etc) which means a maximum of 8 days (and usually less than that) per tub. The there's the needles issue - should we use a new needle for every injection?

The key issue is that good diabetes management is not only good for you & me personally, it saves the NHS loads in the long run. I think that unnecessary scrimping on strips, needles etc. is very much a false economy. A GP practice might feel that there's money to be saved by encouraging someone with type 1 to test less frequently or use needles more than once, but with the advent of CCGs the funding for the hospital treatments ultimately will come from the group which they are part of!

Stew

Feb 20, 2015

Crystal_Clear 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks!

hi, I recently graduated and now am going through a tub of freestyle sticks within 10 days. this is expensive for my gp's pratice. I noticed the abbott meter which scans is Â£450 on ebay. this is a lot of money. I said to my gp I would ask my educator at the review in 3 weeks time about this issue. could you be good enough to advise me on what I can do and how other diabetics using the dafne system cope with this. thank you.

Feb 19, 2015

dunkers7 24 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / exercise

Figured that an example should be included to put the above in context. So here's the diary for today.

Feb 19, 2015

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Test to send Robs BG results to James

Hi, you have sent EVERYONE you data Very Happy

If you look in help in the Diary pages it will explain how to share your diary with specific users rather than posting it in the forums.

Feb 18, 2015

dunkers7 24 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / exercise

Is there a place you can feedback on what you find useful to manage BGs during exercise? Hopefully by posting here it will help someone...

I was used to seeing a very big drop in blood glucose levels when going out running, starting exercise on a blood glucose of 15 mmol/l and finishing on a blood glucose of 5 mmol/l was not uncommon. Eventually got to the point of actually accepting that the pre-exercise blood glucose had to be a higher than desirable to avoid hypo, just couldn't seem to start off under 12 mmol/l and NOT hypo, I was already reducing insulin and maxed out on how many carbs I could take on during the run.

Now I'm trying a different approach which is over and above the usual advice of reducing insulin and taking on more carbs.

If exercise is close to a meal time, I've started doing the exercise before the meal instead of after it. At first I'd expected going out for a run on an almost fasted BG would be a recipe for a hypo, but it wasn't. It actually seems to help because it (at least partially) isolates one of the things likely to cause a blood glucose drop: the QA insulin.

I initially found out when deviating a little from my normal routine by running before dinner. My blood glucose didn't drop as much as I expected it to. Tried it a number of times now, and consistently I've found the same pattern - the blood glucose drops are less. Basically it means I'm finally able to start exercise on a lower blood glucose, and with less risk of a hypo.

Readings around a 45 min run last night were:

Before - 6.9 mmol/l (took on 2 CPs)
After - 8.1 mmol/l

Maybe it's unconventional, and not quite DAFNE, but it seems to work!

Feb 17, 2015

Abling22 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Pineapple

I know pineapple is low GI. Does this mean I should inject half the insulin for it. I do seem to go low after injecting the full amount.

Feb 16, 2015

RobPowell 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Test to send Robs BG results to James

Hi James just seeing if I am able to send you my data
Rob

Feb 15, 2015

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

I think it is because we have a "number" and it is easy to quantify a number. Other conditions are less able to specify an exact "number".

I am happy with "the 5 to drive' although sometimes it means I catch the bus to school with the g'kids as we will be late if I wait for the BG to come up to five, I like real food rather than the gels etc so it takes about 10 mins. I am fortunate in that I get silent migraines at about 4.2 in the awake hours. For me it is very reliable as a warning. On a pump and get <3% readings below 4 and most are in the middle of the night. I wake at about 3.7. Never had the need for any help...god bless silent migraines!

Went to the theatre the other day, after the show realised I was heading low (silent migraine) tested and it was 4.5 so I HAD to have a gourmet vanilla bean ice-cream ..it was delicious and took about 10 mins to savour. BG 5.1 and able to drive.... Bonus!

Helen

Feb 15, 2015

Donnellyboy 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care

I'm in Scotland (West Lothian), I've been Type-1 diabetic since I was 11 and I've never used my GP surgery as my Principle Care Team - it's always been a diabetic clinic at the local hospital. I started off at a hospital clinic at the Sick Kids in Edinburgh, then moved to my local hospital when I was a teenager and been there ever since.

Due to complications from not taking proper care of things when I was younger, I get seen every 3 months at the clinic, can email/phone them regularly, & they have both doctors and nurses as part of the clinic team. I can even pop in to see them on the off chance, and as I ended up living next to hospital sometimes I even just pop in to have a chat with my nurse who's been looking after me since I was 15.

I've had 3 different GP's surgeries over the years due to moving home, and had some pretty horrific experiences in getting normal GP appointments/scripts filled etc, so the idea of changing my care team over to my GP and relying on them and their availability to take care of my diabetes, especially with the complications I've caused with it would terrify me Sad

. Whilst my new GP seem to be really good at general medical care, they admitted to being relieved I was part of the Clinic as it took the responsibility off of them & they didn't have the expertise/resources to provide the level of care I would need to support/manage my diabetes. My other 2 previous GP's were of a similar opinion.

IMO the level of support/care I get through the clinic setup I have is 2nd to none, a dedicated team of diabetic focused specialists, whether it be consultants, nurses, dieticians, psychiatrists etc will always trump a GP run clinic, whilst it may 'cost' more, provided the patient is willing to listen to the advice (unlike I was in my 'youth') given, then the savings of a healthy diabetic over a poorly controlled one should surely be a no-brainer to any bean-counters in the NHS?

Feb 15, 2015

Donnellyboy 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

@HelenP - I know when I queried this the response I was given by the DVLA regarding 'hypo's was/is:

"A hypoglycaemic event that required the assistance others to resolve".

Essentially the 'mild' hypo's most of us tend to go through where a quick corrective CP here and there isn't an issue, if you however are having regular hypo's requiring the use of hypo-stop gel, glucagon or where you need help from others to treat it as you're not fully in control of your own faculties are their primary concern. They'll also check with your diabetes care teams if they feel it's necessary to see if you've reported any loss in hypo-sensation, and if you are testing regularly, and if they believe you'd be a risk on the roads.

It still beggars belief for me that the rule is '5 to drive' Rolling Eyes

, I become aware of being low at pretty much 3.6 dead on, and wouldn't drive at that point, but at anything above that I feel no different than I do at 5.0 or above...I know it's to account for any small drops in BG as you're driving but recently, because I've been having low BG's in the AM, I'm having to get up 1 hour early to test my bloods and then correct with 1 or 2cp's just to make sure I've been 5.0 or above for more than 30/40 mins before driving...it's ridiculous! There are plenty of other medications/conditions out there that affect peoples ability to drive and put other drivers/pedestrians at more risk that aren't monitored by the DVLA, as much as I agree that that our licences require extra considerations before being issued, some of the archaic expectations the DVLA set really need to be reviewed, or at least the playing field needs to be levelled to include all medications/conditions to be subject to similar limitations/restrictions IMO.

Feb 15, 2015

Peter 109 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE MONITORING DIARIES

David, Assuming you're asking about printing data entered into dafneonline, then the capability exists under the DAFNE Tools option on the top line of the site, providing you're signed in. In there you can select the date range to view online or to export. The export offers XML, CSV and PDF formats. For printing the PDF version should give you what you need. Personally I export to Excel in CSV format and have a spreadsheet to reformat the data so that meals are aligned as I find it easier to interpret the data like that.

Feb 13, 2015

David Hales 12 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE MONITORING DIARIES

Can you not print the diary from the readings you have input. or do you mean that you have to re-input all the readings to a Word document before you print it out?
I am new to DAFNE and wondered about the printing (as I'd like a bigger sheet to review and identify problems), and also how to download the readings to my PC to print it.
Is any of you experienced people able to help me on this, please?

Feb 12, 2015

snow123 13 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / sweetners

Could anyone tell me which sweeteners don't affect BG levels when I'm out in the coffee shops as there are so many around I don't know which I should use and which to stay clear of thanks

Feb 12, 2015

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Kit bags

I have the Accu-Chek Mobile and use the larger case they send you for free, it holds both NovoPens and spare needles test strips batteries for meter and the meter. Like above it looks and feels like a mans wash/shaving bag, maybe something similar?

https://images.accu-chek.com/microsites/en_AU/mobile/images/freecase/case-a_image.jpg

Feb 12, 2015

Jezzer 2 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Metformin - lots of questions

Thanks for your responses. Yes, I take my Metformin after breakfast and dinner. I dropped the evening dose yesterday and will monitor how things go. I am seeing a Specialist Nurse tomorrow - so will put my questions to her and perhaps report back after that.....

Feb 11, 2015

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Metformin - lots of questions

Hi,

I was put on Metformin in Dec 2014, one 500mg caplet at night with dinner. This was because my TDD of insulin had gone from about 80u to well over the 100u per day over about an 8 month period. I had also put on over 5Kg in less than 6 months. The Dr reduced my TDD of insulin to about 80u a day based on the expected increase in sensitivity. After checking in with all the pump data a week later he assessed that the TDD was basically still insufficient, so he increased the Metformin to 3 x 500mg to be had with dinner (evening meal). He also requested I try and have one carb free meal a day. This regime has reduced my TDD to less than 75u most days. When I have no carbs at night I certainly suffer with mild flatulence during the night and some abdominal discomfit in the mornings. If I have the Metformin with my heaviest carb meal it does not have the same effect. So I have opted to have carb free at lunch (usually).

My specialist did not bat an eyelid considering I was on a pump and putting me on Metformin but he did significantly reduce my basals across the board and my I:C ratio. He is basically still fiddling but I am coping well on the 3 x 500mg/daily, 75u and about 70-80g CHO. I also think I have lost about 1Kg over the month.

Helen (I've only been a diabetic for 37 years!)

Feb 11, 2015

Neville COL 23 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Metformin - lots of questions

I m a 40 odd year diabetic myself, now on Metformin 500mg 3 times a day. I recognise the flatulance side effect: do you take the metformin with your meals? In my case it seems to reduce the problem. If your diabetes specialist has identified a need for metformin I d discuss the timing of doses/quantity with them. I find 3 times a day with meals produces a very satisfactory result myself with few side effects! Def don t have smelly feet other than after wearing trainers! The thing I find interesting on the matter of metformin is that I still need it even after a considerable reduction in QA insulin after DAFNE, As for pumps and metformin, not my area of expertise, sure someone will have the answer!

Feb 22, 2015 Crystal_Clear 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks! Thank you for feedback. The price of sticks has always been a bone of contention as far as I am concerned. I use Freestyle, 50 sticks in a tub. I was offered a leaflet advertising the new Freestyle Libre meter at the DAFNE course. There are other companies selling meters which scan. This type of meter would be ideal, but for the fact the sensors are so expensive. I am tired of the daily scourge of testing so I thought to write to these companies to make inquiries about the price. I will certainly have a discussion with my DAFNE educator at the review session.

Feb 22, 2015 Vickyp 137 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks! I use the freestyle too as they are the only strips compatible with the omnipod pump PDM! I don't see why you couldn't get more on prescription if you speak to gp, originally I got 4 boxes which I could just about stretch out to cover a month but told them I test upto 10times or more a day (which I do depending on activities/hypos etc) so could I get 6 boxes and there wasn't the slightest issue....all she said was 'you're poor fingers!'

Feb 21, 2015 TimE 2 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Can you download to a Blackberry As a new DAFNE graduate and a Blackberry user, can I add my request for an app. I know that Android apps can be packaged for the BB - my HSBC app is a case in point.

Feb 21, 2015 TimE 2 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks! My surgery tried to restrict me to two tubs a month, but have not done so since I pointed out that not only did my consultant require me to test 4-6 times a day, but that also the DVLA required me to test before driving.

Feb 21, 2015 Vickyp 137 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks! I test 8+ times a day on average, so a box of 50 only lasts around 5-7days, my gp happily gives me 6boxes a month.

Feb 21, 2015 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks! Tricky issue! How many strips in a tub? My One Touch Ultra strips are 50 to a tub, and I use 6+ every day (meals, exercise, driving, hypos etc) which means a maximum of 8 days (and usually less than that) per tub. The there's the needles issue - should we use a new needle for every injection? The key issue is that good diabetes management is not only good for you & me personally, it saves the NHS loads in the long run. I think that unnecessary scrimping on strips, needles etc. is very much a false economy. A GP practice might feel that there's money to be saved by encouraging someone with type 1 to test less frequently or use needles more than once, but with the advent of CCGs the funding for the hospital treatments ultimately will come from the group which they are part of! Stew

Feb 20, 2015 Crystal_Clear 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Too Many Sticks! hi, I recently graduated and now am going through a tub of freestyle sticks within 10 days. this is expensive for my gp's pratice. I noticed the abbott meter which scans is Â£450 on ebay. this is a lot of money. I said to my gp I would ask my educator at the review in 3 weeks time about this issue. could you be good enough to advise me on what I can do and how other diabetics using the dafne system cope with this. thank you.

Feb 19, 2015 dunkers7 24 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / exercise Figured that an example should be included to put the above in context. So here's the diary for today.

Feb 19, 2015 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Test to send Robs BG results to James Hi, you have sent EVERYONE you data If you look in help in the Diary pages it will explain how to share your diary with specific users rather than posting it in the forums.

Feb 18, 2015 dunkers7 24 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / exercise Is there a place you can feedback on what you find useful to manage BGs during exercise? Hopefully by posting here it will help someone... I was used to seeing a very big drop in blood glucose levels when going out running, starting exercise on a blood glucose of 15 mmol/l and finishing on a blood glucose of 5 mmol/l was not uncommon. Eventually got to the point of actually accepting that the pre-exercise blood glucose had to be a higher than desirable to avoid hypo, just couldn't seem to start off under 12 mmol/l and NOT hypo, I was already reducing insulin and maxed out on how many carbs I could take on during the run. Now I'm trying a different approach which is over and above the usual advice of reducing insulin and taking on more carbs. If exercise is close to a meal time, I've started doing the exercise before the meal instead of after it. At first I'd expected going out for a run on an almost fasted BG would be a recipe for a hypo, but it wasn't. It actually seems to help because it (at least partially) isolates one of the things likely to cause a blood glucose drop: the QA insulin. I initially found out when deviating a little from my normal routine by running before dinner. My blood glucose didn't drop as much as I expected it to. Tried it a number of times now, and consistently I've found the same pattern - the blood glucose drops are less. Basically it means I'm finally able to start exercise on a lower blood glucose, and with less risk of a hypo. Readings around a 45 min run last night were: Before - 6.9 mmol/l (took on 2 CPs) After - 8.1 mmol/l Maybe it's unconventional, and not quite DAFNE, but it seems to work!

Feb 17, 2015 Abling22 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Pineapple I know pineapple is low GI. Does this mean I should inject half the insulin for it. I do seem to go low after injecting the full amount.

Feb 16, 2015 RobPowell 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Test to send Robs BG results to James Hi James just seeing if I am able to send you my data Rob

Feb 15, 2015 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing I think it is because we have a "number" and it is easy to quantify a number. Other conditions are less able to specify an exact "number". I am happy with "the 5 to drive' although sometimes it means I catch the bus to school with the g'kids as we will be late if I wait for the BG to come up to five, I like real food rather than the gels etc so it takes about 10 mins. I am fortunate in that I get silent migraines at about 4.2 in the awake hours. For me it is very reliable as a warning. On a pump and get <3% readings below 4 and most are in the middle of the night. I wake at about 3.7. Never had the need for any help...god bless silent migraines! Went to the theatre the other day, after the show realised I was heading low (silent migraine) tested and it was 4.5 so I HAD to have a gourmet vanilla bean ice-cream ..it was delicious and took about 10 mins to savour. BG 5.1 and able to drive.... Bonus! Helen

Feb 15, 2015 Donnellyboy 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care I'm in Scotland (West Lothian), I've been Type-1 diabetic since I was 11 and I've never used my GP surgery as my Principle Care Team - it's always been a diabetic clinic at the local hospital. I started off at a hospital clinic at the Sick Kids in Edinburgh, then moved to my local hospital when I was a teenager and been there ever since. Due to complications from not taking proper care of things when I was younger, I get seen every 3 months at the clinic, can email/phone them regularly, & they have both doctors and nurses as part of the clinic team. I can even pop in to see them on the off chance, and as I ended up living next to hospital sometimes I even just pop in to have a chat with my nurse who's been looking after me since I was 15. I've had 3 different GP's surgeries over the years due to moving home, and had some pretty horrific experiences in getting normal GP appointments/scripts filled etc, so the idea of changing my care team over to my GP and relying on them and their availability to take care of my diabetes, especially with the complications I've caused with it would terrify me . Whilst my new GP seem to be really good at general medical care, they admitted to being relieved I was part of the Clinic as it took the responsibility off of them & they didn't have the expertise/resources to provide the level of care I would need to support/manage my diabetes. My other 2 previous GP's were of a similar opinion. IMO the level of support/care I get through the clinic setup I have is 2nd to none, a dedicated team of diabetic focused specialists, whether it be consultants, nurses, dieticians, psychiatrists etc will always trump a GP run clinic, whilst it may 'cost' more, provided the patient is willing to listen to the advice (unlike I was in my 'youth') given, then the savings of a healthy diabetic over a poorly controlled one should surely be a no-brainer to any bean-counters in the NHS?

Feb 15, 2015 Donnellyboy 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing @HelenP - I know when I queried this the response I was given by the DVLA regarding 'hypo's was/is: "A hypoglycaemic event that required the assistance others to resolve". Essentially the 'mild' hypo's most of us tend to go through where a quick corrective CP here and there isn't an issue, if you however are having regular hypo's requiring the use of hypo-stop gel, glucagon or where you need help from others to treat it as you're not fully in control of your own faculties are their primary concern. They'll also check with your diabetes care teams if they feel it's necessary to see if you've reported any loss in hypo-sensation, and if you are testing regularly, and if they believe you'd be a risk on the roads. It still beggars belief for me that the rule is '5 to drive' , I become aware of being low at pretty much 3.6 dead on, and wouldn't drive at that point, but at anything above that I feel no different than I do at 5.0 or above...I know it's to account for any small drops in BG as you're driving but recently, because I've been having low BG's in the AM, I'm having to get up 1 hour early to test my bloods and then correct with 1 or 2cp's just to make sure I've been 5.0 or above for more than 30/40 mins before driving...it's ridiculous! There are plenty of other medications/conditions out there that affect peoples ability to drive and put other drivers/pedestrians at more risk that aren't monitored by the DVLA, as much as I agree that that our licences require extra considerations before being issued, some of the archaic expectations the DVLA set really need to be reviewed, or at least the playing field needs to be levelled to include all medications/conditions to be subject to similar limitations/restrictions IMO.

Feb 15, 2015 Peter 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE MONITORING DIARIES David, Assuming you're asking about printing data entered into dafneonline, then the capability exists under the DAFNE Tools option on the top line of the site, providing you're signed in. In there you can select the date range to view online or to export. The export offers XML, CSV and PDF formats. For printing the PDF version should give you what you need. Personally I export to Excel in CSV format and have a spreadsheet to reformat the data so that meals are aligned as I find it easier to interpret the data like that.

Feb 13, 2015 David Hales 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE MONITORING DIARIES Can you not print the diary from the readings you have input. or do you mean that you have to re-input all the readings to a Word document before you print it out? I am new to DAFNE and wondered about the printing (as I'd like a bigger sheet to review and identify problems), and also how to download the readings to my PC to print it. Is any of you experienced people able to help me on this, please?

Feb 12, 2015 snow123 13 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / sweetners Could anyone tell me which sweeteners don't affect BG levels when I'm out in the coffee shops as there are so many around I don't know which I should use and which to stay clear of thanks

Feb 12, 2015 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Kit bags I have the Accu-Chek Mobile and use the larger case they send you for free, it holds both NovoPens and spare needles test strips batteries for meter and the meter. Like above it looks and feels like a mans wash/shaving bag, maybe something similar? https://images.accu-chek.com/microsites/en_AU/mobile/images/freecase/case-a_image.jpg

Feb 12, 2015 Jezzer 2 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Metformin - lots of questions Thanks for your responses. Yes, I take my Metformin after breakfast and dinner. I dropped the evening dose yesterday and will monitor how things go. I am seeing a Specialist Nurse tomorrow - so will put my questions to her and perhaps report back after that.....

Feb 11, 2015 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Metformin - lots of questions Hi, I was put on Metformin in Dec 2014, one 500mg caplet at night with dinner. This was because my TDD of insulin had gone from about 80u to well over the 100u per day over about an 8 month period. I had also put on over 5Kg in less than 6 months. The Dr reduced my TDD of insulin to about 80u a day based on the expected increase in sensitivity. After checking in with all the pump data a week later he assessed that the TDD was basically still insufficient, so he increased the Metformin to 3 x 500mg to be had with dinner (evening meal). He also requested I try and have one carb free meal a day. This regime has reduced my TDD to less than 75u most days. When I have no carbs at night I certainly suffer with mild flatulence during the night and some abdominal discomfit in the mornings. If I have the Metformin with my heaviest carb meal it does not have the same effect. So I have opted to have carb free at lunch (usually). My specialist did not bat an eyelid considering I was on a pump and putting me on Metformin but he did significantly reduce my basals across the board and my I:C ratio. He is basically still fiddling but I am coping well on the 3 x 500mg/daily, 75u and about 70-80g CHO. I also think I have lost about 1Kg over the month. Helen (I've only been a diabetic for 37 years!)

Feb 11, 2015 Neville COL 23 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Metformin - lots of questions I m a 40 odd year diabetic myself, now on Metformin 500mg 3 times a day. I recognise the flatulance side effect: do you take the metformin with your meals? In my case it seems to reduce the problem. If your diabetes specialist has identified a need for metformin I d discuss the timing of doses/quantity with them. I find 3 times a day with meals produces a very satisfactory result myself with few side effects! Def don t have smelly feet other than after wearing trainers! The thing I find interesting on the matter of metformin is that I still need it even after a considerable reduction in QA insulin after DAFNE, As for pumps and metformin, not my area of expertise, sure someone will have the answer!