Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

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 21, 2015

Ghostie78 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care

Hi

I recently moved down to England from Scotland, where I did my Dafne training, and now seem to be only under GP care for diabetes with an annual visit to the general practice nurse (unlike in Scotland where I went up to the hospital twice a year).

I was just wondering whether this was standard practice in England or whether I should push again to be seen by Diabetes specialists? (When i initially queried this I was told that they don't normally send type 1s with no complications up to the hospital).

Jan 21, 2015

Warwick 423 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI dose

Hi John,

Half or 1 unit before weight lifting would certainly be worth trying. Ginger Viera in her book Your Diabetes Science Experiment does the same for her weight lifting competitions.

Try it and see how you go. As dunkers7 points out though, do increase your testing afterwards as you may go low then.

Jan 21, 2015

Warwick 423 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!!

As John says, protein generally needs to be watched. If your snack is mostly protein, and low carb, then the body can inefficiently convert that protein to carb, raising your BGs.

I find it isn't such an issue if I have protein and carb in fairly equal quantities. It only seems to be an issue when I have a low, or no carb meal.

Jan 21, 2015

Warwick 423 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

Also if you are leaving it n your car, be careful on hot days. It doesn't take a particularly warm day for the interior of a car to heat up, and most meters and strips can give false readings or stop working once the mercury hits 30 degrees Celcius.

I think that here in Australia (Victoria) and New Zealand, we have to test once an hour. It's a bit of a pain, but I just keep an eye on the clock. It helps that I don't actually own a car, so it's only when I am on holiday or needing to hire a rental that I actually need to test for driving.

Jan 20, 2015

GWM 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes Art Machine

Hi,

As a visual artist with type 1 diabetes I am interested in making art to engage the public with some of the issues involved in living with diabetes and I'd like your help. I am trying to set up "The Diabetes Art Machine", a participatory arts project that takes our experiences of diabetes and turns them into works of art.

The issues are determined by YOU! The final art work will be determined by YOU!

You are invited submit something about your experience of diabetes to the Diabetes Art Machine to be made into a works of art. Anybody with experience of diabetes (people with diabetes, family, carers, health care professionals, researcher etc) can feed the Machine:

http://tinyurl.com/poy5fp7

or on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/DiabetesArt

Please give it a go. . .

Many thanks,
Gareth

Jan 20, 2015

StephenChance 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Epilepsy & Pump!

Hi, I'm t1 & have been for 22years, my specialist and dsn have been at me for over a year now about getting a pump. The thing that's holding me back is I'm epileptic too and would like to understand how having the pump and seizures would work etc ive spoken to people who have falls and the feedbacks been good but what I REALLY NEED is to speak to someone in the same position as myself. If anyone can help that would be great thanks Smile

Jan 19, 2015

snow123 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!!

Thanks to everyone's advice I think I need to watch portion size!!!

Jan 19, 2015

John Marrable 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!!

Hi snow123,

How many grams of protein is in the portion of nuts? When you eat a meal that contains more than 20 grams of a complete protein, the amount over that 20 grams will be converted to glucose. However, glucose from protein is not absorbed as fully or efficiently as glucose from carbohydrates and so you do not need to cover every single gram of protein with insulin. When you add the glucose from protein in your meal bolus you count the grams over 20 grams and then divide that number by half.

Example: If a 5 ounce chicken breast has 30 grams of protein there are 10 grams over 20. Therefore 50% of 10 grams is 5 grams of added glucose.

This insight comes from the book 'my diabetes science experiment' where the science is described more fully. I would recommend it and its only Â£7 on Amazon. I was surprised when reading about glucose from protein!!

Jan 19, 2015

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!!

About 12 g CHO per 100 g.
I have always had to take care with all nuts as I tend to take too big a portion...like a bag! Embarassed

So, my experience is a small portion ..say 50 g...weigh them out to see what that physically looks like...is well below what we would normally take QA for. Limit is usually 1 CP, so that is 82 g of Brazils.
As you mention, make an adjustment if needed, at next meal time.
Regards
Garry

Jan 19, 2015

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!!

From Calorie King I have: Brazil Nuts, shelled, edible portion, raw: 30 g (6-8 nuts), Total carbs 0.7g. Helen

Jan 19, 2015

snow123 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!!

Does anyone know the value of Brazil nuts? I thought they where low but I have been snacking on them over the last couple of days an have found my bg levels have really started to rise later that afternoon and am trying to work out why. I think it could be the nuts!!! Does this happen to others and do you take qa or just moderate intake and correct at the next meal?

Jan 19, 2015

snow123 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

My diabetic team also said check the meters time/date is correct as this is a record and could be used in evidence should something happen. I know its a bit of a pain at first but it becomes routine and l need my job to pay for the nice things I do.its just annoying that there are others on meds that affect driving but don't have to do anything.

Jan 19, 2015

snow123 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

My diabetic team also said toake aire the meters time/date is correct as this is a record and could be used in evidence should something happen. I know its a bit of a pain at first but it becomes routine and l need my job to pay for the nice things I do.its just annoying that there are others on meds that affect driving but don't have to do anything.

Jan 19, 2015

Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dafne app problems

"Spoon" is a bit of a typo. If you open up the App Store there should be an update available for the app (we are now on 2.1.7). Please note that you need iOS 8 to download the latest releases of the app due to it using new features in iOS 8.

Jan 19, 2015

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

Truth be told I don't usually test that often but I do manage some times.............

but for the majority of the time I don't............ Sad

This is because I have very good hypo warning symptoms, usually have someone in the vehicle with me and I am on short journeys............

Most people have hypo symptoms but some do not, those people who don't I believe are not allowed to drive and so the rule to test is one that is there to reduce risk, which is a good thing I agree, but I believe its more important to have hypo treatment in the car with you........

Jan 19, 2015

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

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

Hey Gill,

As before the basal dose I cant really comment on as any basal behaviour is hiding behind carbs and quick acting novorapid insulin...........

to get a clear picture of whats happening you need to get rid of these two things, at least for small portions of the day anyway.........

so lets assume it's OK for now............[but remember if its not, all your QA dose will give unpredictable blood sugar readings]

for Saturday and Sunday above, and for the previous days your above your desired target for lunch and dinner, some days only just and others significantly............

so more insulin is needed at breakfast and at lunch......it can be speculated.........;)

only tackle one thing at a time for clarity...............so I would be looking to increase the breakfast ratio to 1.5:1 or 1.5 units to every 10g of carbohydrate.....test for 2-3 days and then post your results here..........

I remember you splitting your Lantus, remind me how that went again......?


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

Jan 21, 2015 Ghostie78 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / English v. Scottish Diabetes care Hi I recently moved down to England from Scotland, where I did my Dafne training, and now seem to be only under GP care for diabetes with an annual visit to the general practice nurse (unlike in Scotland where I went up to the hospital twice a year). I was just wondering whether this was standard practice in England or whether I should push again to be seen by Diabetes specialists? (When i initially queried this I was told that they don't normally send type 1s with no complications up to the hospital).

Jan 21, 2015 Warwick 423 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI dose Hi John, Half or 1 unit before weight lifting would certainly be worth trying. Ginger Viera in her book Your Diabetes Science Experiment does the same for her weight lifting competitions. Try it and see how you go. As dunkers7 points out though, do increase your testing afterwards as you may go low then.

Jan 21, 2015 Warwick 423 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!! As John says, protein generally needs to be watched. If your snack is mostly protein, and low carb, then the body can inefficiently convert that protein to carb, raising your BGs. I find it isn't such an issue if I have protein and carb in fairly equal quantities. It only seems to be an issue when I have a low, or no carb meal.

Jan 21, 2015 Warwick 423 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing Also if you are leaving it n your car, be careful on hot days. It doesn't take a particularly warm day for the interior of a car to heat up, and most meters and strips can give false readings or stop working once the mercury hits 30 degrees Celcius. I think that here in Australia (Victoria) and New Zealand, we have to test once an hour. It's a bit of a pain, but I just keep an eye on the clock. It helps that I don't actually own a car, so it's only when I am on holiday or needing to hire a rental that I actually need to test for driving.

Jan 20, 2015 GWM 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes Art Machine Hi, As a visual artist with type 1 diabetes I am interested in making art to engage the public with some of the issues involved in living with diabetes and I'd like your help. I am trying to set up "The Diabetes Art Machine", a participatory arts project that takes our experiences of diabetes and turns them into works of art. The issues are determined by YOU! The final art work will be determined by YOU! You are invited submit something about your experience of diabetes to the Diabetes Art Machine to be made into a works of art. Anybody with experience of diabetes (people with diabetes, family, carers, health care professionals, researcher etc) can feed the Machine: http://tinyurl.com/poy5fp7 or on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/DiabetesArt Please give it a go. . . Many thanks, Gareth

Jan 20, 2015 StephenChance 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Epilepsy & Pump! Hi, I'm t1 & have been for 22years, my specialist and dsn have been at me for over a year now about getting a pump. The thing that's holding me back is I'm epileptic too and would like to understand how having the pump and seizures would work etc ive spoken to people who have falls and the feedbacks been good but what I REALLY NEED is to speak to someone in the same position as myself. If anyone can help that would be great thanks

Jan 19, 2015 snow123 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!! Thanks to everyone's advice I think I need to watch portion size!!!

Jan 19, 2015 John Marrable 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!! Hi snow123, How many grams of protein is in the portion of nuts? When you eat a meal that contains more than 20 grams of a complete protein, the amount over that 20 grams will be converted to glucose. However, glucose from protein is not absorbed as fully or efficiently as glucose from carbohydrates and so you do not need to cover every single gram of protein with insulin. When you add the glucose from protein in your meal bolus you count the grams over 20 grams and then divide that number by half. Example: If a 5 ounce chicken breast has 30 grams of protein there are 10 grams over 20. Therefore 50% of 10 grams is 5 grams of added glucose. This insight comes from the book 'my diabetes science experiment' where the science is described more fully. I would recommend it and its only Â£7 on Amazon. I was surprised when reading about glucose from protein!!

Jan 19, 2015 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!! About 12 g CHO per 100 g. I have always had to take care with all nuts as I tend to take too big a portion...like a bag! So, my experience is a small portion ..say 50 g...weigh them out to see what that physically looks like...is well below what we would normally take QA for. Limit is usually 1 CP, so that is 82 g of Brazils. As you mention, make an adjustment if needed, at next meal time. Regards Garry

Jan 19, 2015 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!! From Calorie King I have: Brazil Nuts, shelled, edible portion, raw: 30 g (6-8 nuts), Total carbs 0.7g. Helen

Jan 19, 2015 snow123 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Nuts!!! Does anyone know the value of Brazil nuts? I thought they where low but I have been snacking on them over the last couple of days an have found my bg levels have really started to rise later that afternoon and am trying to work out why. I think it could be the nuts!!! Does this happen to others and do you take qa or just moderate intake and correct at the next meal?

Jan 19, 2015 snow123 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing My diabetic team also said check the meters time/date is correct as this is a record and could be used in evidence should something happen. I know its a bit of a pain at first but it becomes routine and l need my job to pay for the nice things I do.its just annoying that there are others on meds that affect driving but don't have to do anything.

Jan 19, 2015 snow123 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing My diabetic team also said toake aire the meters time/date is correct as this is a record and could be used in evidence should something happen. I know its a bit of a pain at first but it becomes routine and l need my job to pay for the nice things I do.its just annoying that there are others on meds that affect driving but don't have to do anything.

Jan 19, 2015 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dafne app problems "Spoon" is a bit of a typo. If you open up the App Store there should be an update available for the app (we are now on 2.1.7). Please note that you need iOS 8 to download the latest releases of the app due to it using new features in iOS 8.

Jan 19, 2015 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing Truth be told I don't usually test that often but I do manage some times............. but for the majority of the time I don't............ This is because I have very good hypo warning symptoms, usually have someone in the vehicle with me and I am on short journeys............ Most people have hypo symptoms but some do not, those people who don't I believe are not allowed to drive and so the rule to test is one that is there to reduce risk, which is a good thing I agree, but I believe its more important to have hypo treatment in the car with you........

Jan 19, 2015 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary) Hey Gill, As before the basal dose I cant really comment on as any basal behaviour is hiding behind carbs and quick acting novorapid insulin........... to get a clear picture of whats happening you need to get rid of these two things, at least for small portions of the day anyway......... so lets assume it's OK for now............[but remember if its not, all your QA dose will give unpredictable blood sugar readings] for Saturday and Sunday above, and for the previous days your above your desired target for lunch and dinner, some days only just and others significantly............ so more insulin is needed at breakfast and at lunch......it can be speculated.........;) only tackle one thing at a time for clarity...............so I would be looking to increase the breakfast ratio to 1.5:1 or 1.5 units to every 10g of carbohydrate.....test for 2-3 days and then post your results here.......... I remember you splitting your Lantus, remind me how that went again......?