Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Feb 18, 2015

dunkers7 24 posts

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 103 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 11 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 ? / 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 ? / 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 ? / 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 ? / 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 11, 2015

Julieblu1 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Fruit juice V fruit

Encouraged by my very healthy son I've just bought a juicer. It's been mentioned by some of my friends that Juiced fruits are higher in CPs than whole fruit. Due to the fact that no effort/ energy goes into drinking fruit juice a opposed to chewing an apple for example. Anyone have any experience of this? How do I work out CPs for fruit juice?

Feb 11, 2015

HelenH 9 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Kit bags

http://www.bagsetc.co.uk/item/my/cosmetic-bag-with-organiser/95~0689~a38/blue-green-sanke

Hope this works - this is the blue version currently on website for Â£7.50 - I also bought the red & Black as they were so cheap. Interiors are detachable so can mix & match. Also nice enough to carry as a mini handbag.
Bagsetc.co.uk for online shopping or stores around country.

Love it!

Feb 11, 2015

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / "Smart" insulin

Sounds great, but we've been promised so much since the Tomorrows World days in the 80s that have come to nothing, even if it works it will be decades before we see anything!

Still hoping though Very Happy

Feb 11, 2015

Jezzer 2 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Metformin - lots of questions

I have been a T1 for 39 years - I have a number of questions regarding Metformin.....
Within the last 5 months I have been taking 500mg Metformin in the evening only to help my Insulin sensitivity.
Just under 1 month ago - I increased my dose to morning and evening as I was struggling with my daytime control so saw this as good step to take. However, it has caused me to have very bad flatulence in the evening and throughout the night and my feet have started to smell bad Crying or Very sad

1. Are these normal side effects ?
2. Can I have a morning dose instead of an evening dose (seeing as it is through the day that my control needs to be assisted more than through the night) ? (The flatulence starts almost as soon as I have taken my evening dose).
3. Can I drop or increase the dose if things start to go wrong ?
4. I am due to move to insulin pump therapy later this year - will I still need to take Metformin if I am on this therapy ?

Feb 10, 2015

Jenny 27 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Travelling by plane with an insulin pump

Thank you.

Feb 10, 2015

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Travelling by plane with an insulin pump

Hi,

I have travelled multiple times with the pump.

I usually pack everything I could possibly need for the entire trip in my carryon luggage: second pump (we can borrow a "travel" pump from the manufacturers) and a second meter included (never needed either). Always carry a spare battery...have needed that!I I always only carry the diabetes stuff as carryon. Makes things easier if they do decided to go through it. Handbags with the usual stuff and a small bag with the diabetes stuff. Also have all the paperwork (Drs letter to verify what I need, this includes a complete list of everything). Carry insulin in a Frio pack but I have been warned not to activate the gel until I am through the security check as the wallet contains more than 100mL of "liquid". I now do this routinely as I would hate to have to jettison the pack at that point.

The checkin at departure usually wants a fair description of the contents of the bag but is usually happy with just the paperwork. The security check is much more thorough. I have been asked to take the pump off and let them examine it, (I never disconnect it) and I tell them it is fine to go through the walk through but not the grand, bag examining X-ray. Occasionally I have also been "wanded" all over. Once I was asked to take the battery out and the cartridge to prove there were no drugs inside...but that was once (Singapore) and I refused and a superior came, assessed the situation and waved me through.

When booking I always ask for an aisle seat with the aisle on my right side...this is the hip I then wear my pump on. Once had a passenger sitting next to me who could not leave my tubing alone...kept tugging on it! Very disconcerting. I always insist that my bag with the diabetes stuff be in the locker immediately above my head. Some airlines will attempt to move a small bag if they think they can jam more luggage into the overhead lockers. When quizzed I tell them I may need it mid flight and I need to be able to access it immediately (bit of an exaggeration but there you go).

I certainly watch the BGs but have never had an incident with the pressure although I am aware of the possibility. Regularly cross the equator where the turbulence can be bad but still no effect that I have noticed. As I tend to get nervous when flying I probably run higher than normal anyway.

I know someone who has a "pump holiday" when ever she travels overseas and goes back to MDIs. She says she feels more in control and does not then have to cope with time changes, long sleep ins etc when away. Once, I changed the time but as I was not using 24 hour times ended up with evening basals in the morning etc etc...I now run it all the time on 24 hour time.

Have a great trip. Helen

Feb 10, 2015

Phil Maskell 194 posts

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

From what I've been told by Abbot about ordering, they have been well over subscribed and are struggling to produce enough sensors, I wanted to buy 4 so I knew I had plenty and cut down on carriage/waiting in, website only lets you order 2 and won't let you order another 2 for 14 days. This supply issue might be why people are having issues ordering?

As for the device, I have had a few teething problems, but I love it, I work in IT so am a techie numbers guy and love allows knowing (although not overly accurate) where my BG is, I don't care about the software or the accuracy, its a general number, am I 4 going down or 15 going up?

2 years ago my HbA1c was 12% recently with effort I have got this to 7.9%, even with Xmas in between (always an issue BG wise) my latest was 6.8% Very Happy

Feb 10, 2015

JamesW 24 posts

Topic: General Discussion / "Smart" insulin

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31291722

Hopefully the link will be viewable to all.

By way of a precis....

<snip>
Scientists are hopeful that "smart" insulins which are undergoing trials could revolutionise the way diabetes is managed.

Instead of repeated blood tests and injections throughout the day to keep blood sugar in check, a single dose of smart insulin would keep circulating in the body and turn on when needed.
</snip>

Feb 9, 2015

Jenny 27 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Travelling by plane with an insulin pump

Thanks.

It was this blog where I read about the pressure change thing:

http://asweetlife.org/feature/what-you-should-know-about-flying-with-an-insulin-pump/

I don't know how reliable it is.

Hope your trip goes well.

Feb 18, 2015 dunkers7 24 posts	Topic: Questions ? / 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 103 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 11 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 ? / 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 ? / 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 ? / 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 ? / 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 11, 2015 Julieblu1 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Fruit juice V fruit Encouraged by my very healthy son I've just bought a juicer. It's been mentioned by some of my friends that Juiced fruits are higher in CPs than whole fruit. Due to the fact that no effort/ energy goes into drinking fruit juice a opposed to chewing an apple for example. Anyone have any experience of this? How do I work out CPs for fruit juice?

Feb 11, 2015 HelenH 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Kit bags http://www.bagsetc.co.uk/item/my/cosmetic-bag-with-organiser/95~0689~a38/blue-green-sanke Hope this works - this is the blue version currently on website for Â£7.50 - I also bought the red & Black as they were so cheap. Interiors are detachable so can mix & match. Also nice enough to carry as a mini handbag. Bagsetc.co.uk for online shopping or stores around country. Love it!

Feb 11, 2015 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Smart" insulin Sounds great, but we've been promised so much since the Tomorrows World days in the 80s that have come to nothing, even if it works it will be decades before we see anything! Still hoping though

Feb 11, 2015 Jezzer 2 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Metformin - lots of questions I have been a T1 for 39 years - I have a number of questions regarding Metformin..... Within the last 5 months I have been taking 500mg Metformin in the evening only to help my Insulin sensitivity. Just under 1 month ago - I increased my dose to morning and evening as I was struggling with my daytime control so saw this as good step to take. However, it has caused me to have very bad flatulence in the evening and throughout the night and my feet have started to smell bad 1. Are these normal side effects ? 2. Can I have a morning dose instead of an evening dose (seeing as it is through the day that my control needs to be assisted more than through the night) ? (The flatulence starts almost as soon as I have taken my evening dose). 3. Can I drop or increase the dose if things start to go wrong ? 4. I am due to move to insulin pump therapy later this year - will I still need to take Metformin if I am on this therapy ?

Feb 10, 2015 Jenny 27 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Travelling by plane with an insulin pump Thank you.

Feb 10, 2015 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Travelling by plane with an insulin pump Hi, I have travelled multiple times with the pump. I usually pack everything I could possibly need for the entire trip in my carryon luggage: second pump (we can borrow a "travel" pump from the manufacturers) and a second meter included (never needed either). Always carry a spare battery...have needed that!I I always only carry the diabetes stuff as carryon. Makes things easier if they do decided to go through it. Handbags with the usual stuff and a small bag with the diabetes stuff. Also have all the paperwork (Drs letter to verify what I need, this includes a complete list of everything). Carry insulin in a Frio pack but I have been warned not to activate the gel until I am through the security check as the wallet contains more than 100mL of "liquid". I now do this routinely as I would hate to have to jettison the pack at that point. The checkin at departure usually wants a fair description of the contents of the bag but is usually happy with just the paperwork. The security check is much more thorough. I have been asked to take the pump off and let them examine it, (I never disconnect it) and I tell them it is fine to go through the walk through but not the grand, bag examining X-ray. Occasionally I have also been "wanded" all over. Once I was asked to take the battery out and the cartridge to prove there were no drugs inside...but that was once (Singapore) and I refused and a superior came, assessed the situation and waved me through. When booking I always ask for an aisle seat with the aisle on my right side...this is the hip I then wear my pump on. Once had a passenger sitting next to me who could not leave my tubing alone...kept tugging on it! Very disconcerting. I always insist that my bag with the diabetes stuff be in the locker immediately above my head. Some airlines will attempt to move a small bag if they think they can jam more luggage into the overhead lockers. When quizzed I tell them I may need it mid flight and I need to be able to access it immediately (bit of an exaggeration but there you go). I certainly watch the BGs but have never had an incident with the pressure although I am aware of the possibility. Regularly cross the equator where the turbulence can be bad but still no effect that I have noticed. As I tend to get nervous when flying I probably run higher than normal anyway. I know someone who has a "pump holiday" when ever she travels overseas and goes back to MDIs. She says she feels more in control and does not then have to cope with time changes, long sleep ins etc when away. Once, I changed the time but as I was not using 24 hour times ended up with evening basals in the morning etc etc...I now run it all the time on 24 hour time. Have a great trip. Helen

Feb 10, 2015 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) From what I've been told by Abbot about ordering, they have been well over subscribed and are struggling to produce enough sensors, I wanted to buy 4 so I knew I had plenty and cut down on carriage/waiting in, website only lets you order 2 and won't let you order another 2 for 14 days. This supply issue might be why people are having issues ordering? As for the device, I have had a few teething problems, but I love it, I work in IT so am a techie numbers guy and love allows knowing (although not overly accurate) where my BG is, I don't care about the software or the accuracy, its a general number, am I 4 going down or 15 going up? 2 years ago my HbA1c was 12% recently with effort I have got this to 7.9%, even with Xmas in between (always an issue BG wise) my latest was 6.8%

Feb 10, 2015 JamesW 24 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Smart" insulin http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31291722 Hopefully the link will be viewable to all. By way of a precis.... <snip> Scientists are hopeful that "smart" insulins which are undergoing trials could revolutionise the way diabetes is managed. Instead of repeated blood tests and injections throughout the day to keep blood sugar in check, a single dose of smart insulin would keep circulating in the body and turn on when needed. </snip>

Feb 9, 2015 Jenny 27 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Travelling by plane with an insulin pump Thanks. It was this blog where I read about the pressure change thing: http://asweetlife.org/feature/what-you-should-know-about-flying-with-an-insulin-pump/ I don't know how reliable it is. Hope your trip goes well.