Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Aug 16, 2013

jackiemckenzie 3 posts

ahh thank you. I think that is what happened to me, given the freedom to choose what I want to eat and before DAFNE I was able to say no and stick to a 3 meals a day but then like you I did not handle it too well afterwards.Friends know that I can eat what I like and use the insulin to balance BG out. I am now saying" no thank you, you go ahead though" I think I have got it in my head that if it's low carb it's low calories. I was "having" to snack a lot because my BG would always be running low but DAFNE has sorted that out for me. I have a diabetic review today and I am going to make it my goal to loose at least 1/2 stone by next review. I do know the answer but its putting it all in place, too many things going on to cope with at one time. I know I am managing my diabetes well but I find it time consuming. Perhaps I am trying too hard. I had a brother who had type 1 had to leave the army, had 3 strokes at 37 years old and then died because of diabetic complications at 47. On a brighter note I will try your salad and think of you. Cannot eat too many of them as I have ulcerative colitis as well and although it is stable with medication need to be care full. p.s just noticed you live in Australia, thank you for replying

Aug 16, 2013

Warwick 430 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / weight gain

I don't know about since DAFNE, but I've certainly put on weight since I was diagnosed with T1 3 years ago. I'm trying to get rid of it now, but frequent hypos force me to eat more than I want to, and stuff that I don't want to eat.

I'm interested by your statement "I probably really do know the answers". What do you think the answers are? Given that you know yourself better than anyone else, you probably do have insight into the underlying reasons.

DAFNE allows you to eat foods now that you may have previously considered off-limits. Talking with others who have done the course, that freedom to eat whatever they want has been frightening and not necessarily handled well. For myself, my snacking went very high following DAFNE, whereas previously, I had cut out snacking completely. I'm looking to cut it back at the moment.

Something I am also having success with at the moment is replacing my usual evening dinner with a home-made salad. It is a really big salad made up of carrots, red capsicum, raw nuts, fetta cheese, chopped dates, dried apricots, raw mushroom, cucumber, pumpkin seeds, chopped apple and/or pear.

It takes me about 40 minutes to eat it all, and has lots of fibre. It leaves me feeling full until morning, and still needs a bit of insulin to handle the dates, apricots, apple and pear, but contains enough carbs and protein while not adding many kilojoules to my weight gain. It tastes fantastic and is full of nutrients.

Lastly, it uses hardly any dishes - just a chopping board and knife so I don't spend ages cleaning pots and fry pans afterwards :-)

Hope this helps.

Aug 15, 2013

jackiemckenzie 3 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / weight gain

Since attending a DAFNE course I have put on weight. I know this may sound silly but my brain can only cope with one thing at a time and I am only managing to work out my carbs to insulin and everything thing else goes out the window. I think I am making reasonable choices and I haver upped my exercise. I take just 3 lantus at night and in total each day 6-8 units of rapid acting. Please can someone offer any advise on how to make things easier for me. I really do not want to put on more weight and would like to loose the weight I have recently put on. I probably really do know the answers but it is putting it in practice. B.G generally in DAFNE targets. many thanks

Aug 13, 2013

sarahg 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise

Hi guys thanks for the advice, the 40 miles did take a fair few hours, and I did end up stopping and testing a few times, and had a few extra snacks , I hope I do the next 40 a bit faster, as I get fitter but Iam really enjoying the cycling

Aug 13, 2013

JamesW 24 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise

I find testing during riding is good too, particularly if I am riding for a couple of hours. It is an inconvenience to have to stop part-way through the ride but it allows you to see how your body reacts to the exercise.

Personally I don't reduce my insulin prior to riding, taking my normal dose for breakfast (I usually ride in the morning). When I return I will drink a blended banana with some milk and cocoa and match the carbs 100%. My subsequent lunch and evening meal doses will however be reduced by 50% and 25% respectively. I will also bear in mind my dosing the next day too, maybe taking a shade less than normal to counter any exercise "hangover".

Depending on the pace you are setting, anything over an hour will probably necessitate some form of fuel. Knowing the composition of that is helpful to account for the readings during and after riding so you can tailor your insulin accordingly.

Aug 12, 2013

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI

Thanks for your reply Garry. A split is something to consider but obviously not when on the verge of going away on holiday and out of the country.
When I'm back home I'll give it probably 1 week or just over to see how things have settled and take it from there.
Regards
Gill

Aug 12, 2013

Sam 64 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pregnancy*

Hello Ladies! Sorry for the late response. All is going very well. That's me 12 weeks today Laughing

I've had 2 scans so far and baby seems to be growing well and certainly making me feel like pants some days. My BGs have came right down into target most days so I'm now running between 4-6 pre-meals and testing 2 hours post meals. My ratios have remained 2:1 across the board. If anything I've been working with my BI. Changed from Humulin I to Levimer as I was hypoing through the night. My HBA1C was at 9% when I found out I was pregnant. 4 weeks later it's at 7.7%
It's been hard work to get my targets but I'd rather that than have problems. My diabetic care team are fantastic and are there for me 24/7
Just be prepared to put the work in but all I'm thinking about is getting to the next day and everything being ok.
I got my scan last Wed and was so flustered and BGs were low that I scoffed my lunch and forgot to take QA - I've been chasing my tail since and I'm so annoyed with myself. If that's baby brain god help me over the next few months/years lol!!
Anyway good luck and lots of baby dust. It took me just under a year to concieve and all I focused on was trying to fall pregnant. I was due to get the pump and I focused on that in the end and hey presto along came a baby!! It's a lot of pressure to put yourself through so try and keep calm. Easier said than done when you want to start planning.
Ahhhh it's all exciting Wink

Keep in touch xx

Aug 12, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI

Likely ... like most of us ... that your BI does not last 24 hours.
It only lasted 20 to 21 hours max for me and with that evidence, plus HCP advice, led me to my current split BI ... which works for me.
Regards
Garry

Aug 12, 2013

addie 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise

Also check out a really useful website call http://www.teambloodglucose.com/TeamBG/Home.html

Aug 11, 2013

Warwick 430 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise

Yeah, exercise can reduce blood sugars for 24-48 hours afterwards. If you need to, you can 'drizzle' carbs using sports drink, gels etc while cycling, but if you don't need to then your teeth will be happier :-)

All I can suggest is reducing basal if need be, and test a little more often afterwards until you get an good idea of how your body's BGLs are responding to the increased exercise.

Aug 11, 2013

sarahg 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise

Hi this was really cool,I have just done my first 40 miles on the bike, this weekend, found the sugars not too bad with reducing insulin, on the day but found that I should have reduce on the Sunday as well , if any one has any tips for cycling and the insulin that would be great, as would like to continue with cycling longer distances

Aug 11, 2013

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI

2 more days of my BG diary to check - please comment

Aug 11, 2013

novorapidboi26 1,816 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning

the onset and peak of the novorapid will vary in everyone.......

once you have got your ratios right you can play about with the timing of your injection in order to tackle the mid meal spikes.........

i personally give my dose a minimum of 30 minutes before i eat........

Aug 10, 2013

lizgray46 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning

At the moment I using a ratio of 1.5:1 but I think this needs to be increased as my BG 2 hours later is in double figures although it drops before lunch but then rises again 2 hours later. These reads are always in the teens though. By about 6pm my BG is down to low 3's which mean I have to have something to eat but then levels out during the evening. It feels as though my insulin (Novorapid) is taking longer to work than it should. Is this possible?
I am using Lantus at night, 18 units. Confused

Aug 10, 2013

novorapidboi26 1,816 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning

I was on a ratio of 3:1 when injecting at breakfast so that may have helped me......you could try something more substantial to trigger the digestion response......everyone is different you see......

You may need a larger ratio for breakfast also as you will be more resistant to insulin at this time due to the cortisol, one of the hormones released with the glucagon.....

What is your ratio for breakfast....?

Aug 10, 2013

lizgray46 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning

I tried a small yoghurt this morning and my BG still rose but not as much but I think I will try the QA dose as well as the rise is every morning, just 1 unit of insulin though?
Although I have had diabetes for 37 years this is all new to me so your help is really really appreciated. Only just started counting carbs and finding it a bit daunting but determined to stay with it to finally get my BG's under control.

Better late than never!!

Aug 10, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Cocoa

I'd be OK if I remembered to drink my Cocoa.
Regards
Garry

Aug 10, 2013

Janys 5 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Coeliac as well as Diabetic?

Hello lizabetic, I found DAFNE vey very helpful. Diabetes 39 years, coeliac 24 years (lost count now almost) and did DAFNE about 5/6 years ago. DAFNE is really helpful for anyone with coeliac as it gives you much more control over the amount of carbs you have and when you have them. It's just as easy to work out the carbs in GF food. You can even miss a meal with DAFNE if you get stuck. I hope you find it as helpful as I did. Janys Very Happy

Aug 10, 2013

lizabetic 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Coeliac as well as Diabetic?

Hi there, was looking for this exact thread! I am coeliac 17yrs, things have come so far, and diabetic 5 now... yep coeliac came first!!! Just wondering how you guys got on with DAFNE course on your GF diets? I'm due to start end of August, I can't wait!

Aug 10, 2013

Warwick 430 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning

Yes, definitely sounds like DP. If it is ALWAYS happening, then taking a small dose of QA when you wake may help. If you know a rise will happen, then it is OK to take some QA without any carbs. Just start with a small dose and increase it if need be.

I do the same at bedtime when my BGs are about 5 after a dinner of slow release carbs like beans, lentils or chick peas. I know my BGs will rise if I don' t take the extra QA, so I take it and avoid going high, and haven't had any trouble with hypos by doing this.

Aug 10, 2013

Stew B 123 posts

Topic: Site Development / Diary lists

Hi Marke

In the "type" list on the app/online diary, is there any chance that "waking" could be added? The hot weather and an increase in cycling miles have led to several changes to my overnight BI over the summer, and a poor sleep pattern means that I've also been waking very early. As a consequence I've been testing when I wake up (often an hour or two before breakfast). At the moment I record this as "other" and put "waking" in the notes section, which is fine but as I occasionally use "other" at other times it's difficult to separate the waking readings.

Thanks

Stew

Aug 9, 2013

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Cocoa

Hey, here in Australia cocoa is definitely not drinking chocolate. Cocoa is quite bitter and when made into a drink really does need sugar to make it drinkable. On the other hand drinking chocolate has a heap of other ingredients and is fine without sugar. For my cocoa I eat (in small quantities) 85% cocoa chocolate....it is an acquired taste.
Cocoa has 1.9g CHO in one TABLESPOON of cocoa powder. According to my Carb book drinking chocolate has 2g CHO per TEASPOON and i have three teaspoons to a tablespoon. So drinking chocolate has 3 x the amount of carbs.

Helen

Aug 9, 2013

davidcragg 14 posts

Topic: General Discussion / A bit of escapism - some fun

Warwick said:
I suspect the reason for the preciseness is that it has been translated from American units of measurement where 16.7 mmol/L = 300 mg/dl which is a nice round number. However, almost certainly a whoops moment :-)

Very good spot! Thanks

Aug 9, 2013

lizgray46 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning

Thank you so much Very Happy

I will give that a go.

Aug 16, 2013 jackiemckenzie 3 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / weight gain ahh thank you. I think that is what happened to me, given the freedom to choose what I want to eat and before DAFNE I was able to say no and stick to a 3 meals a day but then like you I did not handle it too well afterwards.Friends know that I can eat what I like and use the insulin to balance BG out. I am now saying" no thank you, you go ahead though" I think I have got it in my head that if it's low carb it's low calories. I was "having" to snack a lot because my BG would always be running low but DAFNE has sorted that out for me. I have a diabetic review today and I am going to make it my goal to loose at least 1/2 stone by next review. I do know the answer but its putting it all in place, too many things going on to cope with at one time. I know I am managing my diabetes well but I find it time consuming. Perhaps I am trying too hard. I had a brother who had type 1 had to leave the army, had 3 strokes at 37 years old and then died because of diabetic complications at 47. On a brighter note I will try your salad and think of you. Cannot eat too many of them as I have ulcerative colitis as well and although it is stable with medication need to be care full. p.s just noticed you live in Australia, thank you for replying

Aug 16, 2013 Warwick 430 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / weight gain I don't know about since DAFNE, but I've certainly put on weight since I was diagnosed with T1 3 years ago. I'm trying to get rid of it now, but frequent hypos force me to eat more than I want to, and stuff that I don't want to eat. I'm interested by your statement "I probably really do know the answers". What do you think the answers are? Given that you know yourself better than anyone else, you probably do have insight into the underlying reasons. DAFNE allows you to eat foods now that you may have previously considered off-limits. Talking with others who have done the course, that freedom to eat whatever they want has been frightening and not necessarily handled well. For myself, my snacking went very high following DAFNE, whereas previously, I had cut out snacking completely. I'm looking to cut it back at the moment. Something I am also having success with at the moment is replacing my usual evening dinner with a home-made salad. It is a really big salad made up of carrots, red capsicum, raw nuts, fetta cheese, chopped dates, dried apricots, raw mushroom, cucumber, pumpkin seeds, chopped apple and/or pear. It takes me about 40 minutes to eat it all, and has lots of fibre. It leaves me feeling full until morning, and still needs a bit of insulin to handle the dates, apricots, apple and pear, but contains enough carbs and protein while not adding many kilojoules to my weight gain. It tastes fantastic and is full of nutrients. Lastly, it uses hardly any dishes - just a chopping board and knife so I don't spend ages cleaning pots and fry pans afterwards :-) Hope this helps.

Aug 15, 2013 jackiemckenzie 3 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / weight gain Since attending a DAFNE course I have put on weight. I know this may sound silly but my brain can only cope with one thing at a time and I am only managing to work out my carbs to insulin and everything thing else goes out the window. I think I am making reasonable choices and I haver upped my exercise. I take just 3 lantus at night and in total each day 6-8 units of rapid acting. Please can someone offer any advise on how to make things easier for me. I really do not want to put on more weight and would like to loose the weight I have recently put on. I probably really do know the answers but it is putting it in practice. B.G generally in DAFNE targets. many thanks

Aug 13, 2013 sarahg 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise Hi guys thanks for the advice, the 40 miles did take a fair few hours, and I did end up stopping and testing a few times, and had a few extra snacks , I hope I do the next 40 a bit faster, as I get fitter but Iam really enjoying the cycling

Aug 13, 2013 JamesW 24 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise I find testing during riding is good too, particularly if I am riding for a couple of hours. It is an inconvenience to have to stop part-way through the ride but it allows you to see how your body reacts to the exercise. Personally I don't reduce my insulin prior to riding, taking my normal dose for breakfast (I usually ride in the morning). When I return I will drink a blended banana with some milk and cocoa and match the carbs 100%. My subsequent lunch and evening meal doses will however be reduced by 50% and 25% respectively. I will also bear in mind my dosing the next day too, maybe taking a shade less than normal to counter any exercise "hangover". Depending on the pace you are setting, anything over an hour will probably necessitate some form of fuel. Knowing the composition of that is helpful to account for the readings during and after riding so you can tailor your insulin accordingly.

Aug 12, 2013 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI Thanks for your reply Garry. A split is something to consider but obviously not when on the verge of going away on holiday and out of the country. When I'm back home I'll give it probably 1 week or just over to see how things have settled and take it from there. Regards Gill

Aug 12, 2013 Sam 64 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pregnancy* Hello Ladies! Sorry for the late response. All is going very well. That's me 12 weeks today I've had 2 scans so far and baby seems to be growing well and certainly making me feel like pants some days. My BGs have came right down into target most days so I'm now running between 4-6 pre-meals and testing 2 hours post meals. My ratios have remained 2:1 across the board. If anything I've been working with my BI. Changed from Humulin I to Levimer as I was hypoing through the night. My HBA1C was at 9% when I found out I was pregnant. 4 weeks later it's at 7.7% It's been hard work to get my targets but I'd rather that than have problems. My diabetic care team are fantastic and are there for me 24/7 Just be prepared to put the work in but all I'm thinking about is getting to the next day and everything being ok. I got my scan last Wed and was so flustered and BGs were low that I scoffed my lunch and forgot to take QA - I've been chasing my tail since and I'm so annoyed with myself. If that's baby brain god help me over the next few months/years lol!! Anyway good luck and lots of baby dust. It took me just under a year to concieve and all I focused on was trying to fall pregnant. I was due to get the pump and I focused on that in the end and hey presto along came a baby!! It's a lot of pressure to put yourself through so try and keep calm. Easier said than done when you want to start planning. Ahhhh it's all exciting Keep in touch xx

Aug 12, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI Likely ... like most of us ... that your BI does not last 24 hours. It only lasted 20 to 21 hours max for me and with that evidence, plus HCP advice, led me to my current split BI ... which works for me. Regards Garry

Aug 12, 2013 addie 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise Also check out a really useful website call http://www.teambloodglucose.com/TeamBG/Home.html

Aug 11, 2013 Warwick 430 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise Yeah, exercise can reduce blood sugars for 24-48 hours afterwards. If you need to, you can 'drizzle' carbs using sports drink, gels etc while cycling, but if you don't need to then your teeth will be happier :-) All I can suggest is reducing basal if need be, and test a little more often afterwards until you get an good idea of how your body's BGLs are responding to the increased exercise.

Aug 11, 2013 sarahg 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise Hi this was really cool,I have just done my first 40 miles on the bike, this weekend, found the sugars not too bad with reducing insulin, on the day but found that I should have reduce on the Sunday as well , if any one has any tips for cycling and the insulin that would be great, as would like to continue with cycling longer distances

Aug 11, 2013 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI 2 more days of my BG diary to check - please comment

Aug 11, 2013 novorapidboi26 1,816 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning the onset and peak of the novorapid will vary in everyone....... once you have got your ratios right you can play about with the timing of your injection in order to tackle the mid meal spikes......... i personally give my dose a minimum of 30 minutes before i eat........

Aug 10, 2013 lizgray46 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning At the moment I using a ratio of 1.5:1 but I think this needs to be increased as my BG 2 hours later is in double figures although it drops before lunch but then rises again 2 hours later. These reads are always in the teens though. By about 6pm my BG is down to low 3's which mean I have to have something to eat but then levels out during the evening. It feels as though my insulin (Novorapid) is taking longer to work than it should. Is this possible? I am using Lantus at night, 18 units.

Aug 10, 2013 novorapidboi26 1,816 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning I was on a ratio of 3:1 when injecting at breakfast so that may have helped me......you could try something more substantial to trigger the digestion response......everyone is different you see...... You may need a larger ratio for breakfast also as you will be more resistant to insulin at this time due to the cortisol, one of the hormones released with the glucagon..... What is your ratio for breakfast....?

Aug 10, 2013 lizgray46 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning I tried a small yoghurt this morning and my BG still rose but not as much but I think I will try the QA dose as well as the rise is every morning, just 1 unit of insulin though? Although I have had diabetes for 37 years this is all new to me so your help is really really appreciated. Only just started counting carbs and finding it a bit daunting but determined to stay with it to finally get my BG's under control. Better late than never!!

Aug 10, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Cocoa I'd be OK if I remembered to drink my Cocoa. Regards Garry

Aug 10, 2013 Janys 5 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Coeliac as well as Diabetic? Hello lizabetic, I found DAFNE vey very helpful. Diabetes 39 years, coeliac 24 years (lost count now almost) and did DAFNE about 5/6 years ago. DAFNE is really helpful for anyone with coeliac as it gives you much more control over the amount of carbs you have and when you have them. It's just as easy to work out the carbs in GF food. You can even miss a meal with DAFNE if you get stuck. I hope you find it as helpful as I did. Janys

Aug 10, 2013 lizabetic 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Coeliac as well as Diabetic? Hi there, was looking for this exact thread! I am coeliac 17yrs, things have come so far, and diabetic 5 now... yep coeliac came first!!! Just wondering how you guys got on with DAFNE course on your GF diets? I'm due to start end of August, I can't wait!

Aug 10, 2013 Warwick 430 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning Yes, definitely sounds like DP. If it is ALWAYS happening, then taking a small dose of QA when you wake may help. If you know a rise will happen, then it is OK to take some QA without any carbs. Just start with a small dose and increase it if need be. I do the same at bedtime when my BGs are about 5 after a dinner of slow release carbs like beans, lentils or chick peas. I know my BGs will rise if I don' t take the extra QA, so I take it and avoid going high, and haven't had any trouble with hypos by doing this.

Aug 10, 2013 Stew B 123 posts	Topic: Site Development / Diary lists Hi Marke In the "type" list on the app/online diary, is there any chance that "waking" could be added? The hot weather and an increase in cycling miles have led to several changes to my overnight BI over the summer, and a poor sleep pattern means that I've also been waking very early. As a consequence I've been testing when I wake up (often an hour or two before breakfast). At the moment I record this as "other" and put "waking" in the notes section, which is fine but as I occasionally use "other" at other times it's difficult to separate the waking readings. Thanks Stew

Aug 9, 2013 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Cocoa Hey, here in Australia cocoa is definitely not drinking chocolate. Cocoa is quite bitter and when made into a drink really does need sugar to make it drinkable. On the other hand drinking chocolate has a heap of other ingredients and is fine without sugar. For my cocoa I eat (in small quantities) 85% cocoa chocolate....it is an acquired taste. Cocoa has 1.9g CHO in one TABLESPOON of cocoa powder. According to my Carb book drinking chocolate has 2g CHO per TEASPOON and i have three teaspoons to a tablespoon. So drinking chocolate has 3 x the amount of carbs. Helen

Aug 9, 2013 davidcragg 14 posts	Topic: General Discussion / A bit of escapism - some fun Warwick said: I suspect the reason for the preciseness is that it has been translated from American units of measurement where 16.7 mmol/L = 300 mg/dl which is a nice round number. However, almost certainly a whoops moment :-) Very good spot! Thanks

Aug 9, 2013 lizgray46 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose in the morning Thank you so much I will give that a go.