Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Feb 26, 2015

ketostix pla... 25 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Tattoo vs urticaria&type1

Hi there, I have been doing dafne for almost 5 years now, and an overall success for me apart from dawn phenonoms (which have accepted just one of those things). My long term blood test doctor happy with and lost weight through gym and eating when want, and not go treat. Been thinking for a while of getting a tattoo, and being doing lot of research. I have urticaria (aka stinging nettle rash) I have not had a flare up for few years now think due to better control, and general health as tends to flare up when ill(infection) of run down. Just want some advice so I don't make a mistake that will live to regret, with flare up or it permently returning. Just feel it's something I want to tick of bucket list. Any help or advice appreciated??

Feb 26, 2015

JamesW 24 posts

Topic: Questions ? / exercise

@dunkers7, how do you find your levels the next day/24 hours?

Feb 25, 2015

dunkers7 24 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Trying to lose weight?

Two possibilities.

1) You aren't taking enough BI
2) The protein is raising your BG

Have a read of this thread and you'll find a question has been asked about 2: http://dafneonline.co.uk/forums/1/topics/2650

Feb 25, 2015

PeterThompson 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Trying to lose weight?

I am a fresh graddy from DAFNE and found the course far better than expected but I am still struggling a little with some of the program. I have been a type 1 for 23 years so am well versed in many aspects of control however since attending DAFNE and trying to lose some weight some aspects don't seem to add up. I am trying not to have any carbs at lunch time, in an effort to lose a little weight, other than perhaps an apple and instead am having pure protein usually in the form of a plain, skinless chicken breast. I therefore don't take on any QA at lunch time or, if I have an apple in addition to the chicken, I will take the suggested level of QA to CP being around the 3/4 mark for my desired ratio however when I do subject myself to this boring lunch routine I find my BG mid-afternopon to be very high. I know all about when you are ill you must still take QA and BI in accordance with the calculation but I am not ill so have been left confused on occasions?

Apologies, I didn't mean to ramble on for so long but any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, Pete

Feb 25, 2015

Rafa 99 posts

Topic: Questions ? / exercise

Trial and error for myself. Eventually found that i need to reduce my morning BI by 2 units and make sure I have no novorapid still in my system when starting my run at 5.30pm. Has worked fine since then. Previously with novorapid still in my system I could be 12.0 starting out but within half an hour I would be down to 5.0

Feb 25, 2015

dunkers7 24 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Too Many Sticks!

I'd only go with the scanner type meter if you have a very good reason to..I heard from other diabetics recently that the demand for Libre has been so high, the company is actually struggling to keep up with the demand from new customers. You probably need to stick with the tool you have for the immediate future.

Just be aware that if you're testing between meals, there could be a tendency to over correct because the outcome of any QA insulin injected at meal time might not have happened yet. Obviously there are still good reasons to test between meals e.g. if you feel hypo or to meet DVLA requirements, but the aim is to be in your target BG range when testing pre-meal.

Sounds like it's worth a chat to your consultant at the hospital so they can sort your GPs out.

Feb 25, 2015

Warwick 434 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication

If you keep your insulin in a Frio, it will be good for up to a month. Basically, they don't replace a fridge, but they will keep your insulin below the temperature that it would spoil. (I think that the leaflets say keep it below 30 degrees Celcius and it will certainly do that) If your trip is less than a month, then put the insulin that you are taking on the trip into your Frio the night before, and leave it there for the whole trip. Don't forget to take spare insulin in case of issues. After a month, throw any unused insulin away that has been stored in the Frio.

For three days in Thailand, I'd be surprised if you needed to soak it more than once. Here in an Australian summer - above 30 degree days, the most I have to soak my pack is once every 10 days or so. Sometimes I can go much longer. Humidity does affect it though, so Thailand may need more frequent soaking.

If you are going for longer than a month, then what I would do is either pick up some insulin locally from your destination, or store in the Frio as little as possible, and keep as much in a fridge as possible. It may spoil though so could be a high-risk strategy.

Feb 24, 2015

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dafne App Android

Hi,
Is anyone else having problems when downloading BGs on the app using android. I can't download them

Feb 23, 2015

hypo 18 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Good carb counting resource?

I use the carbs and cals all the time it is available as an app and has more foods on that as it keeps updating new ones.

Feb 23, 2015

Debcj75 4 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Good carb counting resource?

I bought the carbs and cals app but didn't really use it. I prefer the my fitness pal app. Especially with the barcode scanner, although you have to be careful as occasionally the barcode is in fact for a different product.

Feb 23, 2015

David Hales 11 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Good carb counting resource?

Thank you for the quick reply. I think I'll invest!javascript:emoticon(' Confused

')

Feb 23, 2015

Vickyp 135 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Good carb counting resource?

I use the carbsandcals almost every day, but haven't really used the DAFNE app. The carbsandcals gives you pictures so it makes it much easier to guesstimate the carbs compared to just a specific amount if unable to weigh etc

Feb 23, 2015

David Hales 11 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Good carb counting resource?

Is the carbs and Cals app any better than the DAFNE app for carbs? I don't want to waste Â£3.69 :>)javascript:emoticon(' Very Happy

')

Feb 23, 2015

dunkers7 24 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication

As long as you can keep the stored insulin relatively cool you should be fine. Personally I choose not to put the insulin in a fridge after flying long distance as it would have been out the fridge for a while by that point.

Your insulin should *not* be stored in your main luggage when you travel, because if it goes in the hold it would freeze and become ineffective.

Finally it's also worth considering how you're going to handle the time zone difference. When I was flying over to the US recently, I took on a few shots of QA and delayed taking the BI for a few hours until we got to 7am US time. On reflection, might have been better to just stick to UK time when getting there as it's harder to inject when there's turbulence!

Feb 23, 2015

Samantha San... 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication

Hi, I was just wondering regarding these Frio packs... This might sound silly but I just wanted to make sure. I'm going to stay in a hut for 3 days in Thailand and I just wanted to double check that you literally keep soaking the gel packs now and again while i'm there? This is just as good as storing your insulin in the fridge? Also, whilst you're in the these hot climates do you tend to keep the insulin you're using at the time cool too? As i know it's meant to be room temperature. Thanks

Feb 22, 2015

Crystal_Clear 4 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Too Many Sticks!

Oh, forget the scanner meters for just now. Stick with the sticks, focus on average BG levels.

Feb 22, 2015

Crystal_Clear 4 posts

Topic: Questions ? / 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 135 posts

Topic: Questions ? / 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 ? / 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 135 posts

Topic: Questions ? / 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 123 posts

Topic: Questions ? / 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 ? / 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 ? / 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 655 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 26, 2015 ketostix pla... 25 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Tattoo vs urticaria&type1 Hi there, I have been doing dafne for almost 5 years now, and an overall success for me apart from dawn phenonoms (which have accepted just one of those things). My long term blood test doctor happy with and lost weight through gym and eating when want, and not go treat. Been thinking for a while of getting a tattoo, and being doing lot of research. I have urticaria (aka stinging nettle rash) I have not had a flare up for few years now think due to better control, and general health as tends to flare up when ill(infection) of run down. Just want some advice so I don't make a mistake that will live to regret, with flare up or it permently returning. Just feel it's something I want to tick of bucket list. Any help or advice appreciated??

Feb 26, 2015 JamesW 24 posts	Topic: Questions ? / exercise @dunkers7, how do you find your levels the next day/24 hours?

Feb 25, 2015 dunkers7 24 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Trying to lose weight? Two possibilities. 1) You aren't taking enough BI 2) The protein is raising your BG Have a read of this thread and you'll find a question has been asked about 2: http://dafneonline.co.uk/forums/1/topics/2650

Feb 25, 2015 PeterThompson 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Trying to lose weight? I am a fresh graddy from DAFNE and found the course far better than expected but I am still struggling a little with some of the program. I have been a type 1 for 23 years so am well versed in many aspects of control however since attending DAFNE and trying to lose some weight some aspects don't seem to add up. I am trying not to have any carbs at lunch time, in an effort to lose a little weight, other than perhaps an apple and instead am having pure protein usually in the form of a plain, skinless chicken breast. I therefore don't take on any QA at lunch time or, if I have an apple in addition to the chicken, I will take the suggested level of QA to CP being around the 3/4 mark for my desired ratio however when I do subject myself to this boring lunch routine I find my BG mid-afternopon to be very high. I know all about when you are ill you must still take QA and BI in accordance with the calculation but I am not ill so have been left confused on occasions? Apologies, I didn't mean to ramble on for so long but any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Pete

Feb 25, 2015 Rafa 99 posts	Topic: Questions ? / exercise Trial and error for myself. Eventually found that i need to reduce my morning BI by 2 units and make sure I have no novorapid still in my system when starting my run at 5.30pm. Has worked fine since then. Previously with novorapid still in my system I could be 12.0 starting out but within half an hour I would be down to 5.0

Feb 25, 2015 dunkers7 24 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Too Many Sticks! I'd only go with the scanner type meter if you have a very good reason to..I heard from other diabetics recently that the demand for Libre has been so high, the company is actually struggling to keep up with the demand from new customers. You probably need to stick with the tool you have for the immediate future. Just be aware that if you're testing between meals, there could be a tendency to over correct because the outcome of any QA insulin injected at meal time might not have happened yet. Obviously there are still good reasons to test between meals e.g. if you feel hypo or to meet DVLA requirements, but the aim is to be in your target BG range when testing pre-meal. Sounds like it's worth a chat to your consultant at the hospital so they can sort your GPs out.

Feb 25, 2015 Warwick 434 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication If you keep your insulin in a Frio, it will be good for up to a month. Basically, they don't replace a fridge, but they will keep your insulin below the temperature that it would spoil. (I think that the leaflets say keep it below 30 degrees Celcius and it will certainly do that) If your trip is less than a month, then put the insulin that you are taking on the trip into your Frio the night before, and leave it there for the whole trip. Don't forget to take spare insulin in case of issues. After a month, throw any unused insulin away that has been stored in the Frio. For three days in Thailand, I'd be surprised if you needed to soak it more than once. Here in an Australian summer - above 30 degree days, the most I have to soak my pack is once every 10 days or so. Sometimes I can go much longer. Humidity does affect it though, so Thailand may need more frequent soaking. If you are going for longer than a month, then what I would do is either pick up some insulin locally from your destination, or store in the Frio as little as possible, and keep as much in a fridge as possible. It may spoil though so could be a high-risk strategy.

Feb 24, 2015 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dafne App Android Hi, Is anyone else having problems when downloading BGs on the app using android. I can't download them

Feb 23, 2015 hypo 18 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Good carb counting resource? I use the carbs and cals all the time it is available as an app and has more foods on that as it keeps updating new ones.

Feb 23, 2015 Debcj75 4 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Good carb counting resource? I bought the carbs and cals app but didn't really use it. I prefer the my fitness pal app. Especially with the barcode scanner, although you have to be careful as occasionally the barcode is in fact for a different product.

Feb 23, 2015 David Hales 11 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Good carb counting resource? Thank you for the quick reply. I think I'll invest!javascript:emoticon('')

Feb 23, 2015 Vickyp 135 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Good carb counting resource? I use the carbsandcals almost every day, but haven't really used the DAFNE app. The carbsandcals gives you pictures so it makes it much easier to guesstimate the carbs compared to just a specific amount if unable to weigh etc

Feb 23, 2015 David Hales 11 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Good carb counting resource? Is the carbs and Cals app any better than the DAFNE app for carbs? I don't want to waste Â£3.69 :>)javascript:emoticon('')

Feb 23, 2015 dunkers7 24 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication As long as you can keep the stored insulin relatively cool you should be fine. Personally I choose not to put the insulin in a fridge after flying long distance as it would have been out the fridge for a while by that point. Your insulin should not be stored in your main luggage when you travel, because if it goes in the hold it would freeze and become ineffective. Finally it's also worth considering how you're going to handle the time zone difference. When I was flying over to the US recently, I took on a few shots of QA and delayed taking the BI for a few hours until we got to 7am US time. On reflection, might have been better to just stick to UK time when getting there as it's harder to inject when there's turbulence!

Feb 23, 2015 Samantha San... 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication Hi, I was just wondering regarding these Frio packs... This might sound silly but I just wanted to make sure. I'm going to stay in a hut for 3 days in Thailand and I just wanted to double check that you literally keep soaking the gel packs now and again while i'm there? This is just as good as storing your insulin in the fridge? Also, whilst you're in the these hot climates do you tend to keep the insulin you're using at the time cool too? As i know it's meant to be room temperature. Thanks

Feb 22, 2015 Crystal_Clear 4 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Too Many Sticks! Oh, forget the scanner meters for just now. Stick with the sticks, focus on average BG levels.

Feb 22, 2015 Crystal_Clear 4 posts	Topic: Questions ? / 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 135 posts	Topic: Questions ? / 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 ? / 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 135 posts	Topic: Questions ? / 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 123 posts	Topic: Questions ? / 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 ? / 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 ? / 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 655 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.