Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Jan 25, 2015

DianeH 7 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Corn on the cob

Hi. I don't usually count sweetcorn if it is a spoonful of frozen but if I have corn on the cob I count about half of the 'value'. That seems to work. (as far as anything does for me!) Laughing

Jan 25, 2015

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Sleeping tablets

I've been having trouble sleeping for quite a while and started taking Nytol tablets - which were a great help. The leaflet that comes with them states that they may become less effective if taken continuously, so I went to my GP, hoping to get prescribed sleeping tablets. She was very reluctant to do this and suggested I continue with the Nytol.
I wonder whether her reluctance was because there was a possibility that I could have a bad hypo at night and, because of the sleeping tablets she had prescribed, sleep through it - with dire consequences.

Has anybody else had similar problems?

Jan 24, 2015

Jono20201 5 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

I always carry my bag around with me, it used to be because I always carried my laptop with me for work however it now is purely to keep my diabetes supplies with me.

I always carry:

- 1 Daytime Insulin Pen
- 1 BG Insulin Pen
- Handful of needles
- 1 of those tubes of glucose gel things, never had one though.
- 2 Capri Suns (20g carb per)

Jan 24, 2015

Jono20201 5 posts

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

Thanks guys. Thankfully the flu has passed and I'm now back to normal. I have, and will always have the flu jab as even if it doesn't work I don't see it doing any harm. I have had other medical conditions that make having illnesses worse anyway, so I am more than happy to have immunisations.

When I am next ill I'll definitely be checking my BG much more and following my DAFNE book, as it definitely did help. I'll also be sure not to try and go back to work too soon, as I don't think that helped.

Jan 24, 2015

Vickyp 137 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets

Try glucotabs... I prefer them to dextroenergy.

Jan 24, 2015

Lynda_2 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets

I tried a different chemist got Dextro tablets.
I have found them on Ebay in boxes of 24 think I will order these. Thanks for your reply. Lynda

Jan 24, 2015

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets

I used to order a box of Tropical flavour Dextro tablets (I think it was 24 packs) from my local Lloyd's Pharmacy. After I'd done this a couple of times, they used to keep a box in store, ready for me. That way I'd never run out.
I've now changed over to Jelly Babies - more flavoursome and available in more shops.

Jan 24, 2015

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets

Please talk directly to your local Pharmacist Lynda_2. Hopefully your discussion with them should ensure they seek secure supply.
Forgive me. I'm cynical...when Tesco took them off the shelf I figured...no margin in Dextro then!
My Pharmacy has them on the shelf at a price which, more often than not, beat Tesco. I was only buying them at Tesco out of convenience.
Regards
Garry

Jan 24, 2015

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

Warwick is right. Meters do go awry in high temperature too. I've had strips go AWOL in France before, when on holiday. The local Pharmacist there was very helpful though.
Regards
Garry

Jan 24, 2015

hypo 18 posts

Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care

Hi Ghostie 78 I am under Salford PCT which is not far from manchester and I see Diabetes team at SRNHST yearly and my GP every six months and of course I can speak to a DAFNE Nurse at any time if I need to. My GP nurse only checks bloods and blood pressure ect. I have been going to see a specialist every year for 27 years and thought that was normal practice but obviously not. Good Luck

Jan 23, 2015

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary)

So a few more days of my BGs

Any help in identifying trends or any other help ie with targets & ratios will be greatly appreciated.

Also any help in saying whether I should be reducing or increasing my basal

NRB
Thank you for your reply. My current breakfast ratio is already 1.5:1 so 1.5u to every 10g carbohydrate

Jan 23, 2015

Lynda_2 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets

I am having a problem getting Dextro tablets. Asda do not stock them.Now Tesco have none in stock. Even my local chemist shop has none.
What is going on?

Jan 22, 2015

David01 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Faulty Novopens

I haven't had exactly that problem as far as I can remember. I use the Novopen Echo, but I experienced a problem with mine a few weeks before Christmas. I'd had that particular pen since January so the battery should have been fine for another year or so according to the literature supplied with the pen. For no apparent reason the battery failed, although I could still use it as an ordinary pen. My only problem is that I've come to depend on being able to see when my last dose of insulin was and how much. Sometimes when I'm very busy I can't always remember and that extra security is owrtn a lot to me. Felt lost without it until I was able to get a prescription for a new Echo Pen and get it filled - which took about a week.

Jan 22, 2015

David01 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Faulty Novopens

I haven't had exactly that problem as far as I can remember. I use the Novopen Echo, but I experienced a problem with mine a few weeks before Christmas. I'd had that particular pen since January so the battery should have been fine for another year or so according to the literature supplied with the pen. For no apparent reason the battery failed, although I could still use it as an ordinary pen. My only problem is that I've come to depend on being able to see when my last dose of insulin was and how much. Sometimes when I'm very busy I can't always remember and that extra security is owrtn a lot to me. Felt lost without it until I was able to get a prescription for a new Echo Pen and get it filled - which took about a week.

Jan 22, 2015

David01 10 posts

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

Hi Jono

Sorry only just seen your post. Hope you're feeling better. If I'd been in your position (been diabetic for almost 34 years - but only 12 months into using DAFNE) I'd have gone straight to testing for ketones with my meter. My reasoning for that is that - based on my personal experience of having flu while I've been diabetic - I've always developed a secondary infection as a result. If anything, the secondary infections have lasted longer and made me feel worse than the flu, so anything I can do to get my BG close to my target ranges has got to be good. I'd also echo what Neville said about the flu jab. If you don't usually bother, please consider it seriously. I've been having the jab since 1987. I admit there's been three years when it didn't work,but it didn't work for anybody those years. Looking at the positives there's been 24 years when it did work. And at least we, as T1s, don't have to get over that fear of needles to get over when we go for the vaccination!.

Jan 22, 2015

Vickyp 137 posts

Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care

I am in North East England and am seen approx every 3-4 mths by diabetes consultant and nurse specialist at the hospital. My GP doesn't have anything to do with my diabetes care...other than to do my blood work and prescribe the insulin! My mum who is type 2 (tablet controlled) is ONLY under GP care, and practice nurse who runs the diabetes clinic....Essentially once you are on an insulin regime my GP isn't involved only the hospital. I would try to fight it to ensure you are seen by a specialist.

Jan 21, 2015

snow123 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care

I think you should ask the question to be seen at the hospital for their expertise and any support groups on offer

Jan 21, 2015

Ghostie78 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care

Thanks - that's very helpful alturn and Phil. I'm based in Manchester - so not a million miles from Stockport..although poss different PCT?

I think I might try pushing again - thought it was slightly odd, but, given no complications and HbA1C is good, then thought I might get some resistance if not the norm! Actually the reason for my initial query was whilst HbA1C is good, I think it's only good because I've been going low too often Sad

so wanted to try and fix that.

Jan 21, 2015

alturn 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care

I did the opposite to Ghostie78 - moved from England (Stockport) back to (North-East) Scotland just over 3 years ago. I suspect different PCTs (or whatever they're called this week) may have different regimes.

In England, I was seen twice a year by the Diabetes team at the main hospital, and also twice a year by nurse at my doctors, which may have been a bit OTT, though my BG levels were erratic partly as my carb-counting was rubbish. This was pre-DAFNE which I attended after moving - I believe (hoped) I would have done it in Stockport if I'd stayed as I'd recently got an Aviva Xpert meter and some info on CPs etc but not the complete picture. Here I am seen twice a year by Diabetes team at hospital but not at my doctors - I think they have a diabetes doctor, if I needed help I would probably try to see that doctor (I live opposite the surgery so don't have to travel) or eMail the main hospital, but they are usually very busy.

I find this Ok at present - BG is a bit high but I don't think there's a great deal the staff could do except suggest changes I can/should probably make myself - it's the inconsistency of juggling BG and adjustments which I find difficult.

Hope this helps,
Very Happy

Jan 21, 2015

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care

Hi,

In England, I am under the hospital for my diabetes care (although I still have a yearly review with the GP as they sign off my repeat prescriptions, this is probably what you're getting), if you are well controlled they tend to see you every 12 months, as I'm a bit slack they tend to see me every 6 months, a looming appointment forces me to behave! There are diabetic nurses (DAFNE trained/trainers) at the hospital I can call/email or see them any time with an appointment or certain days you can just drop in.

I know PCTs are all different, this is in Nottingham, but I would have thought you should be under a consultant at the hospital and would guess you have slipped through the net.

Phil

Jan 25, 2015 DianeH 7 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Corn on the cob Hi. I don't usually count sweetcorn if it is a spoonful of frozen but if I have corn on the cob I count about half of the 'value'. That seems to work. (as far as anything does for me!)

Jan 25, 2015 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Sleeping tablets I've been having trouble sleeping for quite a while and started taking Nytol tablets - which were a great help. The leaflet that comes with them states that they may become less effective if taken continuously, so I went to my GP, hoping to get prescribed sleeping tablets. She was very reluctant to do this and suggested I continue with the Nytol. I wonder whether her reluctance was because there was a possibility that I could have a bad hypo at night and, because of the sleeping tablets she had prescribed, sleep through it - with dire consequences. Has anybody else had similar problems?

Jan 24, 2015 Jono20201 5 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing I always carry my bag around with me, it used to be because I always carried my laptop with me for work however it now is purely to keep my diabetes supplies with me. I always carry: - 1 Daytime Insulin Pen - 1 BG Insulin Pen - Handful of needles - 1 of those tubes of glucose gel things, never had one though. - 2 Capri Suns (20g carb per)

Jan 24, 2015 Jono20201 5 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Got the flu, and now high Thanks guys. Thankfully the flu has passed and I'm now back to normal. I have, and will always have the flu jab as even if it doesn't work I don't see it doing any harm. I have had other medical conditions that make having illnesses worse anyway, so I am more than happy to have immunisations. When I am next ill I'll definitely be checking my BG much more and following my DAFNE book, as it definitely did help. I'll also be sure not to try and go back to work too soon, as I don't think that helped.

Jan 24, 2015 Vickyp 137 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets Try glucotabs... I prefer them to dextroenergy.

Jan 24, 2015 Lynda_2 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets I tried a different chemist got Dextro tablets. I have found them on Ebay in boxes of 24 think I will order these. Thanks for your reply. Lynda

Jan 24, 2015 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets I used to order a box of Tropical flavour Dextro tablets (I think it was 24 packs) from my local Lloyd's Pharmacy. After I'd done this a couple of times, they used to keep a box in store, ready for me. That way I'd never run out. I've now changed over to Jelly Babies - more flavoursome and available in more shops.

Jan 24, 2015 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets Please talk directly to your local Pharmacist Lynda_2. Hopefully your discussion with them should ensure they seek secure supply. Forgive me. I'm cynical...when Tesco took them off the shelf I figured...no margin in Dextro then! My Pharmacy has them on the shelf at a price which, more often than not, beat Tesco. I was only buying them at Tesco out of convenience. Regards Garry

Jan 24, 2015 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing Warwick is right. Meters do go awry in high temperature too. I've had strips go AWOL in France before, when on holiday. The local Pharmacist there was very helpful though. Regards Garry

Jan 24, 2015 hypo 18 posts	Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care Hi Ghostie 78 I am under Salford PCT which is not far from manchester and I see Diabetes team at SRNHST yearly and my GP every six months and of course I can speak to a DAFNE Nurse at any time if I need to. My GP nurse only checks bloods and blood pressure ect. I have been going to see a specialist every year for 27 years and thought that was normal practice but obviously not. Good Luck

Jan 23, 2015 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary) So a few more days of my BGs Any help in identifying trends or any other help ie with targets & ratios will be greatly appreciated. Also any help in saying whether I should be reducing or increasing my basal NRB Thank you for your reply. My current breakfast ratio is already 1.5:1 so 1.5u to every 10g carbohydrate

Jan 23, 2015 Lynda_2 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dextro energy tablets I am having a problem getting Dextro tablets. Asda do not stock them.Now Tesco have none in stock. Even my local chemist shop has none. What is going on?

Jan 22, 2015 David01 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Faulty Novopens I haven't had exactly that problem as far as I can remember. I use the Novopen Echo, but I experienced a problem with mine a few weeks before Christmas. I'd had that particular pen since January so the battery should have been fine for another year or so according to the literature supplied with the pen. For no apparent reason the battery failed, although I could still use it as an ordinary pen. My only problem is that I've come to depend on being able to see when my last dose of insulin was and how much. Sometimes when I'm very busy I can't always remember and that extra security is owrtn a lot to me. Felt lost without it until I was able to get a prescription for a new Echo Pen and get it filled - which took about a week.

Jan 22, 2015 David01 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Faulty Novopens I haven't had exactly that problem as far as I can remember. I use the Novopen Echo, but I experienced a problem with mine a few weeks before Christmas. I'd had that particular pen since January so the battery should have been fine for another year or so according to the literature supplied with the pen. For no apparent reason the battery failed, although I could still use it as an ordinary pen. My only problem is that I've come to depend on being able to see when my last dose of insulin was and how much. Sometimes when I'm very busy I can't always remember and that extra security is owrtn a lot to me. Felt lost without it until I was able to get a prescription for a new Echo Pen and get it filled - which took about a week.

Jan 22, 2015 David01 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Got the flu, and now high Hi Jono Sorry only just seen your post. Hope you're feeling better. If I'd been in your position (been diabetic for almost 34 years - but only 12 months into using DAFNE) I'd have gone straight to testing for ketones with my meter. My reasoning for that is that - based on my personal experience of having flu while I've been diabetic - I've always developed a secondary infection as a result. If anything, the secondary infections have lasted longer and made me feel worse than the flu, so anything I can do to get my BG close to my target ranges has got to be good. I'd also echo what Neville said about the flu jab. If you don't usually bother, please consider it seriously. I've been having the jab since 1987. I admit there's been three years when it didn't work,but it didn't work for anybody those years. Looking at the positives there's been 24 years when it did work. And at least we, as T1s, don't have to get over that fear of needles to get over when we go for the vaccination!.

Jan 22, 2015 Vickyp 137 posts	Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care I am in North East England and am seen approx every 3-4 mths by diabetes consultant and nurse specialist at the hospital. My GP doesn't have anything to do with my diabetes care...other than to do my blood work and prescribe the insulin! My mum who is type 2 (tablet controlled) is ONLY under GP care, and practice nurse who runs the diabetes clinic....Essentially once you are on an insulin regime my GP isn't involved only the hospital. I would try to fight it to ensure you are seen by a specialist.

Jan 21, 2015 snow123 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care I think you should ask the question to be seen at the hospital for their expertise and any support groups on offer

Jan 21, 2015 Ghostie78 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care Thanks - that's very helpful alturn and Phil. I'm based in Manchester - so not a million miles from Stockport..although poss different PCT? I think I might try pushing again - thought it was slightly odd, but, given no complications and HbA1C is good, then thought I might get some resistance if not the norm! Actually the reason for my initial query was whilst HbA1C is good, I think it's only good because I've been going low too often so wanted to try and fix that.

Jan 21, 2015 alturn 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care I did the opposite to Ghostie78 - moved from England (Stockport) back to (North-East) Scotland just over 3 years ago. I suspect different PCTs (or whatever they're called this week) may have different regimes. In England, I was seen twice a year by the Diabetes team at the main hospital, and also twice a year by nurse at my doctors, which may have been a bit OTT, though my BG levels were erratic partly as my carb-counting was rubbish. This was pre-DAFNE which I attended after moving - I believe (hoped) I would have done it in Stockport if I'd stayed as I'd recently got an Aviva Xpert meter and some info on CPs etc but not the complete picture. Here I am seen twice a year by Diabetes team at hospital but not at my doctors - I think they have a diabetes doctor, if I needed help I would probably try to see that doctor (I live opposite the surgery so don't have to travel) or eMail the main hospital, but they are usually very busy. I find this Ok at present - BG is a bit high but I don't think there's a great deal the staff could do except suggest changes I can/should probably make myself - it's the inconsistency of juggling BG and adjustments which I find difficult. Hope this helps,

Jan 21, 2015 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care Hi, In England, I am under the hospital for my diabetes care (although I still have a yearly review with the GP as they sign off my repeat prescriptions, this is probably what you're getting), if you are well controlled they tend to see you every 12 months, as I'm a bit slack they tend to see me every 6 months, a looming appointment forces me to behave! There are diabetic nurses (DAFNE trained/trainers) at the hospital I can call/email or see them any time with an appointment or certain days you can just drop in. I know PCTs are all different, this is in Nottingham, but I would have thought you should be under a consultant at the hospital and would guess you have slipped through the net. Phil