Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Feb 2, 2015

BeccyB 50 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Another step closer to the Artificial Pancreas

marke said:
at Â£10K it would need to get a lot cheaper a lot quicker to become viable. ..

The 10k is in Australian dollars, so the good news is it's nearer to Â£5k - still can't see it on the NHS for a while yet though!

Feb 2, 2015

BeccyB 50 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE?

novorapidboi26 said:
Does the sensitivity to correction doses increase the higher the blood sugar level is............

So will a correction drop you by 2mmol at levels above 15mmol for example......

I like this suggestion Smile

Feb 1, 2015

Simon 578 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Can a ipad app talk to the iPhone?

Hi Fudge,

The apps on two different devices won't sync like calendar and contacts as they don't use iCloud; however if you add in your DAFNE online username and password to the app settings tab, and set diary upload to on, the app will then upload your new entries to the website. From your other device you can then swipe down on the diary tab (as if you were checking for new email) to download your entries from the site.

Hope this makes sense, let me know if you'd like any further help.

Feb 1, 2015

Peter 109 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE?

Thanks for the input. I'll be forwarding the ideas to the DAFNE research team in a couple of weeks, so still more time for any other suggestions.....

Re Stew B's comments, DUAG did some research at the end of 2012 both with patients on what they wanted on follow-up care, and with HCPs on what their services provided. The conclusions. which were fed back to the DAFNE Executive and Research teams for input into the current grant application, were as follows:

Two surveys were set up on Survey Monkey â€“ one aimed at HCPs looking at what follow up they deliver and any changes; the second aimed at graduates asking what follow up they received and what they wanted. Both have now been closed with approximately 70 responses in each case.

Graduates
72% of the respondents said they definitely felt the need for support after DAFNE training. Another 24% said there may be a need for the training â€“ a total of 96% saying they wanted follow up training. However there was a whole range of answers to questions on the format and frequency follow-up training should take. As a result it is difficult to provide a single conclusion on what users want.
For a question asking graduates if they would be interested in assisting there were over 30 positive responses where names and contact details were provided. These have been passed to the relevant Lead Educators via Central DAFNE.
Educators
72 replies were received from 75 active centres, however it could be that more than 1 person replied in some centres. In response to a question on whether their centre currently provides any additional Training or Support apart from the 12-week post-course training a range of responses was received. 59% gave regular full-day, half-day or evening sessions and 9% held special events as follow-up. 41% provided follow-up to graduates by a one-off telephone call, while 3 centres (4.5%) provided a regular follow-up call.
The main follow-up appears to be at the â€œDiabetic Clinicâ€ with 68% providing follow-up there, although 76% also provided a central telephone number for graduates. Interestingly no centres indicated that they did not provide any follow-up training in addition to the mandated session.
The costs of follow-up were also split with 14 centres incurring no costs, 16 centres absorbing the costs into the DAFNE budget and 27 centres where the costs are covered by the DAFNE team members themselves. In the other centres the costs are met through a range of administrative measures and meter companies.
18 centres stated that they were planning changes to follow-up training with most either indicating that the changes were due to requests from DAFNE Graduates or due to a review of current operations by the local Educator team. For those not planning any changes the reasons given were that no demand had been identified, previous sessions had been poorly attended, there was no staff hire available or no funding available.

Jan 30, 2015

stephenbrowne 37 posts

Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care

Hi Ghostie78,
I can understand your desire to be under hospital review. I've had type 1 diabetes for nearly 48 years and have been grateful for being provided with regular consultant care for all that time. I'm now retired but worked in general practice for 35 years. There was a pressure for GPs to take over the care of as many patients with diabetes as possible leaving the hospital to manage "complicated cases". This, I think, was because of the increasing number of patients with diabetes and hospital diabetes clinics being overcrowded and because hospital care is more expensive than GP care. My personal view is that all patients with type 1 diabetes should be followed up by hospital as well as by their GP. I seem to remember that the PCT in those days agreed that hospital care was appropriate for all patients with type 1 diabetes. I do hope you will be able to negotiate to receive some hospital review.
Every good wish,

Jan 30, 2015

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Another step closer to the Artificial Pancreas

You would assume that it is some kind of CGM but not in the way you would expect it. It detects low BG but thats it, so it could be just a sensor that returns a 1 for low BG and and 0 otherwise. This would be a lot simpler than the CGM's that actually record the BG level.
Also at Â£10K it would need to get a lot cheaper a lot quicker to become viable. So not really an artificial pancreas but a step on the road to one.
BTW, the changed the link in the original post so you could click on the link and removed the marketing tracking information in it.....

Jan 30, 2015

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE?

Does the sensitivity to correction doses increase the higher the blood sugar level is............

So will a correction drop you by 2mmol at levels above 15mmol for example......

Jan 30, 2015

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Another step closer to the Artificial Pancreas

The article doesn't mention how it works.....

how is the blood sugar measured, CGM?

Where is that in the image provided?

Jan 30, 2015

Warwick 425 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Another step closer to the Artificial Pancreas

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-21/perth-boy-becomes-first-patient-fitted-with-artifical-pancreas/6032388

Jan 29, 2015

BeccyB 50 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE?

Has there been any research into the effects of 'monthly' hormone changes and/or the menopause?

Obviously would only effect half the population, but there's probably half of us that will never do anaerobic exercise too Smile

Jan 29, 2015

Fudge 2 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Can a ipad app talk to the iPhone?

Hi,
Just graduated from Dane, started using the online diary. I was wondering if I could get the data I enter in one to automatically appear in the other.....as my calendars, contacts etc do?? Any advice welcome. I have iPhone 4 and version 2.0.3 of the app.
Thanks

Jan 29, 2015

Warwick 425 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE?

I'm with John on the role of protein in raising BGs. For myself, I find that protein eaten with large amounts of carbohydrates doesn't tend to have much influence on BGLs, but protein without any carbs sends my BGLs very high unless I take QA with it.

For myself, it is pretty much a straight swap - i.e. for 40g of carbohydrate, I'd take 2 units of QA, and for 40g protein, I'd again take 2 units of QA. The difference I find is that my BGLs stay within the target range following the protein, whereas they tend to go high after carb before dropping to the normal range 3-4 hours following the meal.

Jan 29, 2015

Samantha San... 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely give Frio a search Smile

Jan 28, 2015

Warwick 425 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication

+1 for the Frio. It keeps my insulin cool even in our Australian 40+ degree heat. You just need to soak the gel bag for 2-3 minutes every now and again (can be a few days, or a few weeks depending on climate. One of the greatest diabetic aids ever.

Jan 28, 2015

Muncle 9 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication

Hi Samantha,

Have a look at http://www.friouk.com/ I have a gel pack & wallet and also purchased the travel bag which I use daily as it keeps all of my diabetes stuff in nice & neatly Wink

HTH

Mick

Jan 28, 2015

Samantha San... 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication

Hi,

I am going travelling to Southeast Asia and Australia's East Coast soon and was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice, particularly when it comes to medication and storing your insulin.

Many thanks

Jan 28, 2015

Stew B 125 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE?

On a more basic level, it would be interesting to know whether "follow up" support after DAFNE courses has a beneficial effect in sustaining both any improvements for graduates arising from the course, and sustaining the use of DAFNE techniques.

My hypothesis is that with structured and longer-term follow-up, more graduates would sustain their improvements and fewer would "lapse".

Given the pressures (mainly funding I would guess) on services, I am not aware of DAFNE programmes which provide much more than one or two follow-up sessions for courses. Evidence showing the longer-term benefits of on-going DAFNE support could provide a basis for arguing for additional funding (and of course, if the evidence doesn't support my hypothesis, at least we'll know!).

Stew

Jan 27, 2015

Natalie T 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Jelly Babies

I normally have 2-3 jelly babies depending how low i am , I was told 4- 5 by my dsn , tried that once and all that got me was very high blood sugars, so now i start with 2 and if still low have another , that usually works for me

Jan 27, 2015

John Marrable 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE?

Hi Peter,

I have read lots about anaerobic exercise causing rising sugar levels and about glucose being created from protein intake. These things surprised me and i'm not sure to what extent they are now incorporated into DAFNE course material

Kind regards

John

Jan 26, 2015

Peter 109 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE?

I've received feedback from a number of people, but would welcome more. Any suggestions on ways of improving the DAFNE course, or into areas where research could help identify why things don't work as well as expected or documented in the course, would be appreciated. Many thanks.

Jan 26, 2015

Peter 109 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Human Interest stories around DAFNE

I've received feedback from a number of people, but would welcome more. Can you spare some time to give feedback on what DAFNE has done to help you|? Many thanks.

Jan 26, 2015

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Got the flu, and now high

Please to hear that you have recovered.
DAFNE sickness rules work well for most of us it seems...but there will always be times and circumstances where HCP support or assistance may be needed though.
Regards
Garry

Feb 2, 2015 BeccyB 50 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Another step closer to the Artificial Pancreas marke said: at Â£10K it would need to get a lot cheaper a lot quicker to become viable. .. The 10k is in Australian dollars, so the good news is it's nearer to Â£5k - still can't see it on the NHS for a while yet though!

Feb 2, 2015 BeccyB 50 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE? novorapidboi26 said: Does the sensitivity to correction doses increase the higher the blood sugar level is............ So will a correction drop you by 2mmol at levels above 15mmol for example...... I like this suggestion

Feb 1, 2015 Simon 578 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Can a ipad app talk to the iPhone? Hi Fudge, The apps on two different devices won't sync like calendar and contacts as they don't use iCloud; however if you add in your DAFNE online username and password to the app settings tab, and set diary upload to on, the app will then upload your new entries to the website. From your other device you can then swipe down on the diary tab (as if you were checking for new email) to download your entries from the site. Hope this makes sense, let me know if you'd like any further help.

Feb 1, 2015 Peter 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE? Thanks for the input. I'll be forwarding the ideas to the DAFNE research team in a couple of weeks, so still more time for any other suggestions..... Re Stew B's comments, DUAG did some research at the end of 2012 both with patients on what they wanted on follow-up care, and with HCPs on what their services provided. The conclusions. which were fed back to the DAFNE Executive and Research teams for input into the current grant application, were as follows: Two surveys were set up on Survey Monkey â€“ one aimed at HCPs looking at what follow up they deliver and any changes; the second aimed at graduates asking what follow up they received and what they wanted. Both have now been closed with approximately 70 responses in each case. Graduates 72% of the respondents said they definitely felt the need for support after DAFNE training. Another 24% said there may be a need for the training â€“ a total of 96% saying they wanted follow up training. However there was a whole range of answers to questions on the format and frequency follow-up training should take. As a result it is difficult to provide a single conclusion on what users want. For a question asking graduates if they would be interested in assisting there were over 30 positive responses where names and contact details were provided. These have been passed to the relevant Lead Educators via Central DAFNE. Educators 72 replies were received from 75 active centres, however it could be that more than 1 person replied in some centres. In response to a question on whether their centre currently provides any additional Training or Support apart from the 12-week post-course training a range of responses was received. 59% gave regular full-day, half-day or evening sessions and 9% held special events as follow-up. 41% provided follow-up to graduates by a one-off telephone call, while 3 centres (4.5%) provided a regular follow-up call. The main follow-up appears to be at the â€œDiabetic Clinicâ€ with 68% providing follow-up there, although 76% also provided a central telephone number for graduates. Interestingly no centres indicated that they did not provide any follow-up training in addition to the mandated session. The costs of follow-up were also split with 14 centres incurring no costs, 16 centres absorbing the costs into the DAFNE budget and 27 centres where the costs are covered by the DAFNE team members themselves. In the other centres the costs are met through a range of administrative measures and meter companies. 18 centres stated that they were planning changes to follow-up training with most either indicating that the changes were due to requests from DAFNE Graduates or due to a review of current operations by the local Educator team. For those not planning any changes the reasons given were that no demand had been identified, previous sessions had been poorly attended, there was no staff hire available or no funding available.

Jan 30, 2015 stephenbrowne 37 posts	Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care Hi Ghostie78, I can understand your desire to be under hospital review. I've had type 1 diabetes for nearly 48 years and have been grateful for being provided with regular consultant care for all that time. I'm now retired but worked in general practice for 35 years. There was a pressure for GPs to take over the care of as many patients with diabetes as possible leaving the hospital to manage "complicated cases". This, I think, was because of the increasing number of patients with diabetes and hospital diabetes clinics being overcrowded and because hospital care is more expensive than GP care. My personal view is that all patients with type 1 diabetes should be followed up by hospital as well as by their GP. I seem to remember that the PCT in those days agreed that hospital care was appropriate for all patients with type 1 diabetes. I do hope you will be able to negotiate to receive some hospital review. Every good wish,

Jan 30, 2015 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Another step closer to the Artificial Pancreas You would assume that it is some kind of CGM but not in the way you would expect it. It detects low BG but thats it, so it could be just a sensor that returns a 1 for low BG and and 0 otherwise. This would be a lot simpler than the CGM's that actually record the BG level. Also at Â£10K it would need to get a lot cheaper a lot quicker to become viable. So not really an artificial pancreas but a step on the road to one. BTW, the changed the link in the original post so you could click on the link and removed the marketing tracking information in it.....

Jan 30, 2015 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE? Does the sensitivity to correction doses increase the higher the blood sugar level is............ So will a correction drop you by 2mmol at levels above 15mmol for example......

Jan 30, 2015 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Another step closer to the Artificial Pancreas The article doesn't mention how it works..... how is the blood sugar measured, CGM? Where is that in the image provided?

Jan 30, 2015 Warwick 425 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Another step closer to the Artificial Pancreas http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-21/perth-boy-becomes-first-patient-fitted-with-artifical-pancreas/6032388

Jan 29, 2015 BeccyB 50 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE? Has there been any research into the effects of 'monthly' hormone changes and/or the menopause? Obviously would only effect half the population, but there's probably half of us that will never do anaerobic exercise too

Jan 29, 2015 Fudge 2 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Can a ipad app talk to the iPhone? Hi, Just graduated from Dane, started using the online diary. I was wondering if I could get the data I enter in one to automatically appear in the other.....as my calendars, contacts etc do?? Any advice welcome. I have iPhone 4 and version 2.0.3 of the app. Thanks

Jan 29, 2015 Warwick 425 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE? I'm with John on the role of protein in raising BGs. For myself, I find that protein eaten with large amounts of carbohydrates doesn't tend to have much influence on BGLs, but protein without any carbs sends my BGLs very high unless I take QA with it. For myself, it is pretty much a straight swap - i.e. for 40g of carbohydrate, I'd take 2 units of QA, and for 40g protein, I'd again take 2 units of QA. The difference I find is that my BGLs stay within the target range following the protein, whereas they tend to go high after carb before dropping to the normal range 3-4 hours following the meal.

Jan 29, 2015 Samantha San... 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely give Frio a search

Jan 28, 2015 Warwick 425 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication +1 for the Frio. It keeps my insulin cool even in our Australian 40+ degree heat. You just need to soak the gel bag for 2-3 minutes every now and again (can be a few days, or a few weeks depending on climate. One of the greatest diabetic aids ever.

Jan 28, 2015 Muncle 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication Hi Samantha, Have a look at http://www.friouk.com/ I have a gel pack & wallet and also purchased the travel bag which I use daily as it keeps all of my diabetes stuff in nice & neatly HTH Mick

Jan 28, 2015 Samantha San... 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Traveling: Storing Medication Hi, I am going travelling to Southeast Asia and Australia's East Coast soon and was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice, particularly when it comes to medication and storing your insulin. Many thanks

Jan 28, 2015 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE? On a more basic level, it would be interesting to know whether "follow up" support after DAFNE courses has a beneficial effect in sustaining both any improvements for graduates arising from the course, and sustaining the use of DAFNE techniques. My hypothesis is that with structured and longer-term follow-up, more graduates would sustain their improvements and fewer would "lapse". Given the pressures (mainly funding I would guess) on services, I am not aware of DAFNE programmes which provide much more than one or two follow-up sessions for courses. Evidence showing the longer-term benefits of on-going DAFNE support could provide a basis for arguing for additional funding (and of course, if the evidence doesn't support my hypothesis, at least we'll know!). Stew

Jan 27, 2015 Natalie T 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Jelly Babies I normally have 2-3 jelly babies depending how low i am , I was told 4- 5 by my dsn , tried that once and all that got me was very high blood sugars, so now i start with 2 and if still low have another , that usually works for me

Jan 27, 2015 John Marrable 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE? Hi Peter, I have read lots about anaerobic exercise causing rising sugar levels and about glucose being created from protein intake. These things surprised me and i'm not sure to what extent they are now incorporated into DAFNE course material Kind regards John

Jan 26, 2015 Peter 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Any ideas for Research needed around DAFNE? I've received feedback from a number of people, but would welcome more. Any suggestions on ways of improving the DAFNE course, or into areas where research could help identify why things don't work as well as expected or documented in the course, would be appreciated. Many thanks.

Jan 26, 2015 Peter 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Human Interest stories around DAFNE I've received feedback from a number of people, but would welcome more. Can you spare some time to give feedback on what DAFNE has done to help you\|? Many thanks.

Jan 26, 2015 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Got the flu, and now high Please to hear that you have recovered. DAFNE sickness rules work well for most of us it seems...but there will always be times and circumstances where HCP support or assistance may be needed though. Regards Garry