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Oct 22, 2014
novorapidboi26
1,819 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary) no, I had mistaken the CP values for your QA values, so that's my fault..........the large rise then is likely due to that 1.8 CPs, after you get your dose right for basal here, you can start to investigate your insulin/carb ratio for snacks at bed time.........obviously you had eaten something as 5.1 was a tad low for your liking, but in the future you could try something smaller maybe...... hopefully though you will find your right basal dose overnight anyway and you can start to become more confident going to bed on target.........;) |
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Oct 22, 2014
mum2westiesGill
502 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary) Hi NRB,Thanks for your help. Have I done the diary entry wrong? At the 5.1 reading I ate 18g of carbs with no bolus. |
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Oct 22, 2014
novorapidboi26
1,819 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary) your results from last night into this morning is promising.............you only dropped by 1.6..............so that's officially holding steady........the previous night you actually went up from 5.8 [even with correction] to 16.4.............why did you correct at 5.1? a lot of folk would be wanting to take on carbs through fear of hypo........taking on insulin here means a basal test isn't giving accurate results...........it may be that you went low overnight and your liver has responded giving you the high........ if you can repeat last nights conditions, which was dinner at 19:00-20:00, try and stay away from large amounts of carbs and carbs that may still be digesting longer than normal, don't take any correction before bed if you can, then a 3am and morning..........another 2 days should confirm whats going on and what adjustments you need to do....... good job..... |
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Oct 22, 2014
mum2westiesGill
502 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary) "take a before bed, ideally a 3 am then a morning"Last night's (21/10) basal test |
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Oct 21, 2014
marke
681 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Day 14: 20 hours left until shutdown News today is a managed to get some questions answered by Abbott ! Some were not very useful and I have questioned the answers so won't bore you with them. One interesting point is the response to why the sensor only lasts 14 days, the answer is: Among the reasons that the sensor life is 14 days is the reaction of the skin, both to the adhesive, and the presence of a foreign object (the fibre). Also, the enzymes in the sensor cannot continue to work indefinitely. Since the size and weight of the sensor had limitations to make it as discreet as possible, the battery had to be sized accordingly. The sensor life is not directly related to the number of readings it can hold, as readings older than 8 hours are overwritten. Not convinced by the first part otherwise you would only be able to wear one for two weeks, so why sell a continuous supply ? But anyway an answer. The question of can it be worn in other places I can answer, no, they have only done testing with the sensor on the upper arm so their data is only for this area. If you attach it somewhere else then the readings cannot be gauranteed to be accurate. SimonC thanks for your full write up as well, all useful info. Final how did we get them to try ? luck, pure and simple 
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Oct 21, 2014
CurlyWurly
15 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) How did you get to sample the system in the first place?Question for Abbott: can the sensor be worn anywhere other than the arm? What are the future plans for delivering the sensors to the users? Using a courier every month proves costly for the user - would pharmacies be an option? |
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Oct 21, 2014
sarahg
29 posts
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Hi Marke & Simon thanks for the heads up with the web site, I have ordered my starter pack, and would really like to use the web instructions for help with using the kit when the get it in the post. Hoping that Abotts will take on board what you guys have said and make sure it is all up and running soon. Ordering seemed fine, but as you say the standing order to place regular sensors appeared not to work, which you think would be key to them to make all the development of the kit worth while for them. Thanks for all the information on how you are getting on. Cheers |
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Oct 21, 2014
Alan M.
3 posts
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Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Android App - Correction for high BG I always add my correction manually e.g. 6 units with an additional correction of 2 units as 6+2I have just switched to Android from IOS and the app does seem more clunky and basic. The first think I have noticed is that - and + symbols aren't on the default keypad view so you have to press the Sym button first to get them. I hate to speak negatively of the Dafne apps as they are nothing but a great thing guys |
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Oct 20, 2014
Simon
578 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) I too have been privileged enough to have a 14 day go of the new Freestyle Libre system so thought I'd add in my 2p worth...In terms of functionality, Mark is spot on. It gives you a chart plotted against your target range of interstitial glucose readings. The time lag between blood and interstitial readings is around 20 minutes and I believe that this is accurate having used the meter over the past 2 weeks. I was a bit concerned before using it as I'd been warned about the meter being way off with glucose measurements however am pleased to say I did some finger prick tests to verify the readings I was getting and they were largely the same. In terms of the sensor, applying it to my upper arm was painless and it's very easy to forget it's there (I too have knocked it on more than one occasion). It's also been showerproof, and I've been doing some fairly vigorous circuit training over the past couple of weeks and am pleased to say the sensor stayed attached despite copious amounts of sweat production on my part. Having the ability to see the trend leading up to your current glucose reading is really useful and I found it helped me more accurately judge my insulin requirements (e.g. I wouldn't correct as much if I was high but on the way down) and avoid hypos. In terms of convenience it is so much easier to swipe the sensor with the meter rather than load a strip, prick my finger, apply the blood to the strip and clean the blood after. As my confidence in the sensors readings grew I needed to do finger prick tests less and less. I also particularly liked the fact that the meter isn't continuously monitoring; a few months ago I tried the Navigator CGM system and got really annoyed when the meter woke me up a few times during the night telling me that I was headed for a hypo when that was nowhere near the case. That said I do have good hypo awareness so perhaps a true CGM would be of benefit to those who don't have good hypo awareness. In terms of the meter it is well built, and the chart and logbook functions are as you'd expect. One annoyance for me was the fact that you could only add food/insulin notes to the reading you've just scanned - you couldn't add them in to earlier readings or points in time. Pretty useless if you're in a hurry. I've not yet had a chance to try the software but will give that a go and let you know my thoughts when I do. One major sticking point that to run this will be prohibitively expensive for a large amount of people. As Peter rightly says, the annual running cost without VAT is around £1300, which in comparison to the annual cost of finger prick testing £0 is a massive difference. I'm no expert in manufacturing however would guess that the sensors only cost a tiny fraction of their retail cost to produce. Given that these meters and sensors could greatly improve the management of a persons diabetes, I'd perhaps naively hope that Abbot would make this more affordable to the end user. Which brings me on to Abbot and their website - it is pretty shocking. There is promise of training however none is there. Subscriptions are mentioned but after an email exchange with them it seems they are not available yet with no timeframe or details of discounts. The shopping cart system asks if you are eligible for VAT relief and then doesn't apply it, instead charging you full price. It all just seems a bit cobbled together. Which would be almost excusable if they weren't wanting you to pay £1300 a year to use the system. They seriously need to sort these issues out before I will have confidence in their ability to deliver. So, in summary... This is fantastic technology. I've only been diabetic for 8 years so have missed out on the urine tests of yore but still feel that this is so much more advanced than finger prick testing. I really believe that it could improve my quality of life and management of diabetes, and would love to use thus system full time. The two major sticking points for me are the unjustifiably high cost for the end user, and poor website Abbot have created to sell this. That said, if you do get the chance to ha e a go, I would say go for it - experience the future! |
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Oct 20, 2014
marke
681 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Day 13:Not a lot to say about the sensor today, the reader/meter gave me another annoying error telling me that I would have to change the sensor in two days. You have to 'click' through this before it will show you the readings. It only does this once a day but in my opinion its completely un-neccesary. I had a quick look at the website again today now that its launched and to be honest its a bit half-baked, it talks about a subscription but has no pricing details for it on the same page, it talks about training webinars but none are available and I am confused about this statement when talking about the inbuilt bolus calculator: 'Yes, the system can calculate a suggested mealtime insulin dose when using the built blood glucose in meter since it has a built-in insulin dose calculator function.' What does this mean ? Who knows, can you use the bolus calculator with the sensor or just blood test strips, no idea. They need some web quality control I think  Not anything that would necessarily stop you getting one but you would hope they would have presented a professional image.....
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Oct 20, 2014
mum2westiesGill
502 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary) Hi NRB,
Thanks for your reply. Thank you for reminding me to test the change & also how to do this. Yes I will post the results. I've also seen rises on waking. Also at other times of the day too. |
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Oct 20, 2014
mum2westiesGill
502 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary) Hi sjohno,
Thank you for your reply. I prefer to inject into my stomach & I do always use different sites. My stomach isn't lumpy. If I inject into my arms I always bruise. If I injected into my legs/thighs then that would be too near to the buttocks where I do my background insulin. I inject QA into my stomach (different sites) because that's where it absorbs the fastest. |
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Oct 20, 2014
novorapidboi26
1,819 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / BG diary help please (2) (mum2westiesGill diary) Now you have went to a 7-7 split................you will need to test the change..........remember Lantus takes 2-3 days to kick in, so once those 3 days is up, test the evening 7 with no food or quick acting insulin working at bed time.........take a before bed, ideally a 3 am then a morning.......post the results.......... initial results show a rise in BG in the morning.........to quite high numbers, which must be making you feel rough........so its likely you need more overnight and into the morning, which would be a common pattern if you consider the dawn phenomenon effects....... |
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Oct 19, 2014
marke
681 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Day 12:I haven't posted in the last few days since not much has changed and there is not a huge amount to report. Apologies if I sounded a bit prima donna ish in the previous post I'm just a bit suprised. This thread has less views than one regarding 'Beer after dinner' yet this is technology that could make a big difference to people. I niavely assumed that people who had been given detailed education into their diabetes and had a number of tools to manage it would be interested in a technology that could add significantly to those tools. It seems 'generally' the majority are just not interested. Where this leaves Abbott with this technology I'm not sure. I have to say I'm a bit un-impressed by Abbott's support for the device. I first contacted them over a week ago. It took nearly a week to get a response which was largely a template and said 'ask us questions'. I did send a load of questions last Thursday and as yet have had no response whatsoever. I didn't expect instant answers to my questions but an acknowledgement would have been nice while they are working on the answers. One thing that has just occured that is more than a bit annoying. I now have 3 days left on the sensor, when I scanned I got an error beep and the displayed a message about changing the sensor. Is this necessary ? It tells you on the display how many days remain and given the costs you are highly unlikely to remove the sensor early to put a new one on ! Every day costs so you are going to leave the sensor as late as possible before changing it, right ? On a positive note, I haven't charged the meter for about 6 days and the battery is still about 80% charged judging by the display. |
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Oct 19, 2014
JayBee
587 posts
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Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Jelly Babies Wine gums are my standard treatment since jelly babies break up in my bag way too easily in comparison.I usually eat 4 regardless of brand since most are individually about <5g and I want the standard 20g (I'm saying this because found it can be less with some sweets). Sometimes I get cola bottles instead for a change. Adds a bit of pleasantness to the experience, lol.
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Oct 19, 2014
Shafiq
6 posts
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Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Can't set QA:CP ratios on iOS Hi AllJust wondering if anyone is having the same problems I am having. Im on a 3:1 ratio and every time i enter in my CP's etc, i have to manually change the ratio. If i try and change the ratio on the settings under targets, the app just crashes when i try and change the ratio Is there a workaround for this? or is this a bug which can be fixed? Thanks!! Tech Details: iOS 8.0.2 iPhone 6 Plus App version: 2.0.2 |
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Oct 19, 2014
JayBee
587 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Kit bags I pretty much use one of those string bags to keep everything in... ...and I store my clean needles in a pencil case, though it comes with side compartments for most used items, so I can dispose of used needles in a sharps bin when I get home. My latest pencil case was a gift in fact which is a bonus. ;)My other stuff just uses what they came with and are all put together in the string bag that I then take with me in a regular backpack for easier removal when the need rises to test. Another funny thing: I got most of these things in a bundle deal Argos had where it was a backpack that came with a string bag and a wallet. Handy and inspiring! Can't find it now on the site though. :/ |
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Oct 19, 2014
shirley
9 posts
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Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Jelly Babies I use jelly babies to get me out of a hypo. I have found that although DAFNE suggests 3 jelly babies all at once it sometimes takes me too high. I tend to have 1 then take another if needed. I only take 3 if the hypo is quite severe ( not very often thankfully)
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Oct 19, 2014
Shannon77
1 post
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Topic: General Discussion / Kit bags http://www.diabete-ezy.com/Multi-fit-Case-scp55602.htmlThis is what I have just purchased😊 |
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Oct 19, 2014
wigworld
19 posts
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Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Reheated pasta has less carbs! I read it as saying you still get the same carbs, they're just released more slowly, so it would be like eating wholemeal pasta rather than regular pasta. I guess it would give you an after-meal curve, rather than an after-meal spike. I think you'd still need the same QA insulin, but you might not need the 'after-dinner nap' from having such a spike in blood glucose. |
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Oct 19, 2014
Stew B
125 posts
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Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Reheated pasta has less carbs! I hadn't seen this - thanks wigworld.I don't think it's saying less carbs, rather that the cooking /cooling / re-heating process has a significant impact on how the body deals with it. Is this effectively turning it from high to low GI (or the other way round - I can never get my head round all that)?! For me, it raises the possibility of understanding the inconsistent BG results I get when eating pasta, but it also raises questions. Is there a difference between dried and fresh pasta? What about tinned or frozen ready-meals with pasta in them - do you treat them as cooled and re-heated? Stew |
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Oct 18, 2014
wigworld
19 posts
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Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Reheated pasta has less carbs! Reheated pasta has less carbs than fresh pasta? Interesting (but makes carb counting even more fiddly)!http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29629761 |
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Oct 18, 2014
sarahg
29 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Hi everyone, definitely agree that the DVLA should look into the new method, of testing and it would appear to give more data on where you BG levels are heading. Also the fact that it would help with better control for us T1s , so in turn would be good for NHS to allow funding.I think this kit will be as exciting as my "first chemistry set", when it was urine in a test tube in a wooden test tube-rack in the bathroom ,a few drops of water and a magic tablet that fizzed and changed the solution to a cool blue if you had been good or a rather sickly orange if you had not . Perhaps if I had more blues as child I could ask Santa for this new tech this year. However I do work in a lab now so still occasionally get to play with test tubes. I will take a look at the site for purchases so thanks for everyone letting us know it is ready to buy. All the best with everyone looking into this new kit and thanks Marke for your posts. |
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Oct 18, 2014
Peter
109 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Parliamentary Inquiry into Education and Support for Self Management The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Diabetes is conducting a targeted, year-long investigation into the state of diabetes education, learning and support.The APPG is calling for case studies from people living with diabetes to better understand different types of learning and support available, existing gaps in service and to identify reasons for low uptake when structured education is offered. The submission form (which must be completed in Word format) for can be found here: APPG Submission Form Details of where the submission should be sent are included in the document which opens from the link. The deadline for submitting case studies and written evidence is 30th November 2014. The DAFNE User Action Group (DUAG), of which I am chairman, asks everyone to take this opportunity to influence the thinking of Parliament on the value and benefits of the DAFNE course. At a time when the NHS is facing increasing pressures on costs we are seeing the DAFNE service under threat at a number of centres and user voices are the best way of getting parliamentarians to listen to what's wanted. This includes those of us who have already been trained, and can provide feedback on the course but may also have requirements for refesher courses or additional sessions. In addition it's a great opportunity for those who currently have no access to DAFNE in their local area to press for wider availability of the course across the whole of the UK. Finally, if you choose to contribute to this survey please consider whether you are also willing to share your input with DUAG. We are frequently asked by the DAFNE Executive for feedback from users and so this gives an opportunity to meet that need as well. If you're happy to share your input, please also send the file to [email protected]. Many thanks and here's to making a big impact on the APPG. |
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Oct 18, 2014
Peter
109 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) Now on sale here:Abbott FreeStyle Libre system The starter pack, containing a reader and two 14-day sensors, shows as costing £159.95, but it's offered ex-VAT to all Diabetics bringing cost down to £133.29. Sensors are £57.95 each and again offered ex-VAT. Cost of 2 sensors ex-Vat and including postage is £101.54 Total cost for first year's operation, assuming its used constantly, comes to around £1,350. |