Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

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 425 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 425 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 425 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 19, 2015

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

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

Thanks for your reply NRB. Corrections are a bit awkward to do seperately because i use the Accu-chek Aviva Expert meter & they are built in with the final dose amount. I am 1u to 3mmol.

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

Jan 19, 2015

mattc 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Dafne app problems

Simon
I am having the same issues. Same version and it crashs when I try to change my ratios in settings. I am not sure what you mean by "spoon your phone" to get at updates. Sorry it is probably me
regards
Matt

Jan 19, 2015

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

I've tried a variety of solutions including keeping one in the car on the passenger seat but nothing beats the carrying one with you wherever you go method. I test whenever I get into the car (on the meter I carry with me). It really does become a habit with enough practice.

Surprises me that you can test up to two hours before and expect a valid "over 5 to drive result".

We have a similar law here which says that if you have a medical incident you lose your licence for 6 months! One GP suggested I could lose my licence as a "hypo" is an incident...define hypo! When I told him I have 3-4 most weeks I clarified what "hypo" meant but he was unable to categorically define it. The law called "Jett's law" was campaigned for by a police officer mother whose toddler son was run down and killed by a driver having a seizure. The terminology was broadened and made generic to include fainting spells, heart incidents etc but could also include a "hypo". Belief is that it would have to go to court to test the parameters of the law. Helen

Jan 18, 2015

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

Sorry meltow...didn't answer your question.
Her who must be obeyed reminds me!
Regards
Garry

Jan 18, 2015

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

In current conditions watch out for low temperatures in the car. You may be inconvenienced by the fact that your meter has gone on strike as the battery is too cold.
If possible, keep it on you...in a nice warm pocket.
Regards
Garry

Jan 18, 2015

meltow 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

Yes, thanks, I don't need any lectures from all you perfect people Rolling Eyes

Jan 18, 2015

Vickyp 137 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

That part of the text is same as before revised version, I was diagnosed in 2012 and the information I was given then stated the same. I plan long journeys in advance and look at where service stations are and which I can get to in my 2hour slots. Always prefer to use a service station rather than layby so have somewhere nice to sit if need to raise sugar levels!

Like Alan said surprised you're not already doing these tests!!

Jan 18, 2015

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

I'm surprised you're not already doing these tests. Perhaps you should think of it as possibly losing your licence and your job if you don't do these tests.

Jan 18, 2015

meltow 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing

The new text in DIAB1 April 2013 revised version is:

I have insulin treated diabetes and I understand the need to test my blood glucose/sugar at times relevant to driving (not more than 2 hours before the start of the 1st journey and every 2 hours while driving. The object of this is to ensure the blood glucose is always above 5mmol/l per litre while driving).

I do about 20,000 miles a year and most of this is linked to my job. Having just sent the paperwork back to DVLA to renew my licence, I was made very aware of the changes for testing your sugars whilst driving. Up until last week, I had never carried my monitoring kit with me - it lived on one of the kitchen work surfaces. However, I am now the proud owner of 2 monitoring kits, and one is now permanently in my car. All I need to remember now is to actually use it!
Any tips from anyone - how do you remember to check your sugars before setting off on a car journey?

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 425 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 425 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 425 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......?

Jan 19, 2015 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary) Thanks for your reply NRB. Corrections are a bit awkward to do seperately because i use the Accu-chek Aviva Expert meter & they are built in with the final dose amount. I am 1u to 3mmol. 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

Jan 19, 2015 mattc 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Dafne app problems Simon I am having the same issues. Same version and it crashs when I try to change my ratios in settings. I am not sure what you mean by "spoon your phone" to get at updates. Sorry it is probably me regards Matt

Jan 19, 2015 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing I've tried a variety of solutions including keeping one in the car on the passenger seat but nothing beats the carrying one with you wherever you go method. I test whenever I get into the car (on the meter I carry with me). It really does become a habit with enough practice. Surprises me that you can test up to two hours before and expect a valid "over 5 to drive result". We have a similar law here which says that if you have a medical incident you lose your licence for 6 months! One GP suggested I could lose my licence as a "hypo" is an incident...define hypo! When I told him I have 3-4 most weeks I clarified what "hypo" meant but he was unable to categorically define it. The law called "Jett's law" was campaigned for by a police officer mother whose toddler son was run down and killed by a driver having a seizure. The terminology was broadened and made generic to include fainting spells, heart incidents etc but could also include a "hypo". Belief is that it would have to go to court to test the parameters of the law. Helen

Jan 18, 2015 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing Sorry meltow...didn't answer your question. Her who must be obeyed reminds me! Regards Garry

Jan 18, 2015 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing In current conditions watch out for low temperatures in the car. You may be inconvenienced by the fact that your meter has gone on strike as the battery is too cold. If possible, keep it on you...in a nice warm pocket. Regards Garry

Jan 18, 2015 meltow 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing Yes, thanks, I don't need any lectures from all you perfect people

Jan 18, 2015 Vickyp 137 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing That part of the text is same as before revised version, I was diagnosed in 2012 and the information I was given then stated the same. I plan long journeys in advance and look at where service stations are and which I can get to in my 2hour slots. Always prefer to use a service station rather than layby so have somewhere nice to sit if need to raise sugar levels! Like Alan said surprised you're not already doing these tests!!

Jan 18, 2015 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing I'm surprised you're not already doing these tests. Perhaps you should think of it as possibly losing your licence and your job if you don't do these tests.

Jan 18, 2015 meltow 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving and blood glucose testing The new text in DIAB1 April 2013 revised version is: I have insulin treated diabetes and I understand the need to test my blood glucose/sugar at times relevant to driving (not more than 2 hours before the start of the 1st journey and every 2 hours while driving. The object of this is to ensure the blood glucose is always above 5mmol/l per litre while driving). I do about 20,000 miles a year and most of this is linked to my job. Having just sent the paperwork back to DVLA to renew my licence, I was made very aware of the changes for testing your sugars whilst driving. Up until last week, I had never carried my monitoring kit with me - it lived on one of the kitchen work surfaces. However, I am now the proud owner of 2 monitoring kits, and one is now permanently in my car. All I need to remember now is to actually use it! Any tips from anyone - how do you remember to check your sugars before setting off on a car journey?