Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Jan 10, 2013

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Ratios

Thank you very much Alan Smile

From time to time I just need a bit of reassurance.

Gill Smile

Jan 10, 2013

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Ratios

Spot on, Gill.

Jan 10, 2013

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Ratios

Always doubting myself about ratios but have I calculated this one right?

CP - 8 (80g CHO)
Ratio - 1.5:1
QA - 12

Gill Smile

Jan 10, 2013

susieq 19 posts

Topic: General Discussion / High Morning readings

Having had a cold for the past few weeks, my readings have been a bit erratic, but now I'm on the mend my morning readings still seem way too high for my liking. I increased my bi by 2u to cover the sickday rules, then after I got better, (only a few days ago) I went back to where I was previously. My waking bs are still about 11 - 12. should I increase again or wait it out to see if things get back to normal?

Jan 9, 2013

BeccyB 50 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Sandwich Wraps

Does anybody know how many CPs an average sandwich wrap is? Just bought one from the work canteen so no nutrition facts on the box. I normally go for the 'normal' bread sandwiches but fancied a change and figured it would be in the Carb Counter but I can't find it :-(

The filling was nothing I need to count so just the wrap bit I don't know about.

Thanks in advance!
Beccy

Jan 9, 2013

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question

you do really need to test your basal [background] regularly, like every month or so, even if you feel all is well.......but being a DAFNE graduate you should be equipped to adjust your background....... Wink

Jan 8, 2013

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / 5htp

I ggogled it as well Very Happy

and noticed it mentioned an effect on the liver, since this is what secreets glucose I would guess its possible that 5htp does somehow increase blood glucose. However since its an 'over the counter' drug in the UK i.e not prescribed and maybe not licensed I'm not sure how much research into side effects would have been done.

Jan 8, 2013

richard_g 14 posts

Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy

Novorapidboi,

Hopefully things have settled down for you but I dare say it will be a slightly anxious 6 months. Funny you should mention BP because I have just started medication recently for it. I was getting high readings at clinic and initially they seemed OK at home but eventually I had to get treatment. The moral in all these stories is to mind your statistics, HbA1c, BP and cholesterol.

Jan 8, 2013

John Marrable 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / 5htp

Hi Alan

5htp is a food supplement taken to help increase serotonin levels. For context, I had taken 5htp to help with sleep cycles. I had noticed that the days following intake I was experiencing unexplained high blood glucose levels.

Perhaps the high blood glucose levels were not attributable to 5htp but thought worth asking the question to others in any case

Thanks for your reply

Kind rgds

John

Jan 8, 2013

Teanosugar 25 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question

novorapidboi26 - I haven't tested the Lantus. When I first went on it my specialist said that if I make an amendment, I need to monitor the results on the third day as this is when it's likely to take affect. Ever since I have stuck with that. I think Lantus is fairly inflexible, but I will talk to my specialist about it when I next see her.

Warwick - thank you very much for the above information. Point 4 is particularly useful for me and a great idea. My diet is fairly good; transitioning from white pasta to brown pasta is pretty much all that I need to do now!

Hypos are now more of an enemy to me than they ever were because of the high calorie intake they present me with. It seems like they can 'undo' some of my dietary efforts in one fell swoop. I, too, struggle with exercise and hypos which wasn't even something I thought about when starting this topic. I haven't implemented any of the DAFNE rules on this yet, but will start to review the material when I get my diet straight.

Jan 8, 2013

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy

I am just back from an appointment at the Ophthalmology clinic because my recent eye photographs had spotted 'observable maculopathy'. But after lots of drops and eye poking I was told there is no maculopathy, but I still have to return in 6 months.......

Pleased that they said there was nothing but un pleased on having to return.....

The main reasons for this happening I believe was my blood pressure, there was a few months where I monitored at home and seen high readings, yet I done nothing, I was re medicated and my BP returned to pretty much normal.......

I am quite confidant with the right medication I can avoid getting lasers etc.......

Jan 8, 2013

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / 5htp

John
Can you please explain what 5htp is?

Jan 8, 2013

Warwick 423 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question

I trained as a personal trainer a few years ago, and when it comes to weight loss, I learned the following:

1) Aim for 1/2 a kilo per week weight loss. Anything more than 1 kg weight per week is unhealthy and potentially dangerous.

2) Weigh yourself only once per week or less. Your weight will fluctuate from day to day naturally, so daily weighing is not helpful.

3) The best results are seen from a combination of introducing healthy food, as well as exercise that involves both cardio (such as walking/running, cycling, and load bearing, e.g. weights. As mentioned above, lower GI foods such as brown rice and whole grain bread rather than white rice and white bread will help here. You should feel fuller for longer, and blood sugars should be better too as it takes longer to break down the lower GI foods, so you avoid big peaks and troughs in your BG readings.

4) Introduce variety to your diet. One of the most important tasks I was given on my PT course, was to write down everything I had eaten the previous day. I then counted up every different type of food that I had eaten. The aim was to have at least 25 different types of food, e.g. a salad might be 5 different types of food - capsicum, lettuce, tomato, feta cheese, carrot. Having a high number of different types of food means that you are likely to be getting all of the nutrients you need. (Note, 25 different types of chocolate bar is not allowed :-) )

If you are going to begin exercising, then see a doctor first, and start gentle, especially with T1D. I find weights can lead to a hypo fast. "Drizzling" carbs during exercise, e.g. sipping sports drink helps, but you don't want to have to do that too much or you will put on weight from taking in more carbs than you are burning. It is much better to reduce basal insulin prior to exercise, or exercise shortly after a meal, where you have reduced QA.

Hope that this helps.

Warwick.

Jan 7, 2013

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question

days to kick in

Jan 7, 2013

Teanosugar 25 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question

That's interesting to learn about Lantus not being flexible. But at the same time I am reluctant to change insulin because my BMs are consistently good for the first time since being diabetic (now almost sixteen years). Before Lantus I was on Isophane for many years which, in retrospect, was fairly rubbish (or at least how I was taking it was not working for me). When I started carb counting about six months ago my specialist nurse put me on Lantus straight away and I now see it as a sort of miracle potion because within days my BMs started to come down to being less than 10 most of the time. Before then it was always too high and then I'd have random hypos. My BMs sometimes go a little haywire, but on the whole I am happy with them.

However I do have a hospital appointment about a new BM machine on the 18th so I will mention it then. Thanks for that information.

I don't really know what you mean by testing my Lantus. I can only presume you mean by having a carb free meal, but I will have wait to see what is meant as this is terminology I am not familiar with.

Thanks again Smile

Jan 7, 2013

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / cps in a pomehranate?

Is the flesh of this fruit actually eaten........?

Jan 7, 2013

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question

I would way that being on Lantus is not really suitable for someone who want to exercise regularly, as you cant adjust it to cope with the higher sensitivity brought on by activity........

I would ask about Levemir.......

When did you last test your Lantus...

Jan 7, 2013

John Marrable 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / 5htp

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience taking 5htp and noticed impacts on their blood glucose level? Personally I have experienced high blood glucose following intake of 5htp.

Jan 7, 2013

richard_g 14 posts

Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy

Rhys,

Sorry my reply was short last night as I was in a hurry. I hope things work out well for you. I would probably share your thought about achieving good control from day 1 but its human nature to think all will be well and its now just history. I don't think we could have been described as being reckless with HbA1cs of around 8.5 it just obviously not good enough. Bit of a warning to others out there to look after themselves as best they can.

Cheers

Richard_g

Jan 7, 2013

annmarie bar... 4 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / cps in a pomehranate?

thanks very much Helen, I've been trying to find out for the last few days with no luck.

Jan 6, 2013

richard_g 14 posts

Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy

Thanks for the post. I'd been running an HbA1c of about 8.6 for a long while and been diabetic for thirteen years. I'm working hard to improve it so will hope for the best. Still pretty scarey though.

Jan 6, 2013

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / cps in a pomehranate?

My Women's Weekly "fat + carb pocket guide" states that 100g of raw, peeled pomegranate has 14g of carbohydrate. I probably would not worry about the seeds and would weigh the first one to get a rough idea of size and go from there. Helen

Jan 6, 2013

Teanosugar 25 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question

Simon - thanks very much for the help; especially the link. That's the kind of information I've been hunting for. I have made a lot of dietary tweaks in the last month so hopefully this will start to kick in and I'll see some results soon. I have recently purchased some digital bathroom scales which aren't working properly so I can't yet monitor my weight loss closely. I am now of the opinion that a carb free meal is not the way to go; I just need to keep eating healthily and exercise more.

novorapidboi26 - If by BI you mean background insulin (sorry I am new to this forum!) I am on Lantus. I inject 30 units at 7p.m. My QA is Humalog and it's working on a 1 unit to 1 CP a day.

My Body Mass Index, using the NHS calculator and a pair of unreliable scales, puts me at 24.75 which is 11 stone 4 pounds, 5 foot and 7 inches. I want to lose about one stone over the next few months and maintain it.

I last did my BMI properly about three months ago with my diabetes dietician. My weight is using scales that keep giving me inconsistent readings so I'm going to be taking them back at some point this week.

Thanks both!

Jan 6, 2013

annmarie bar... 4 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / cps in a pomehranate?

does anyone know how many cps are in a pomegranate? I've had . no luck trying to find out and do I count it as 1 pomegranate equals so many cps or do I peel it and weigh the seeds inside to get the cp count?

Jan 6, 2013

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question

I suppose cutting carbs down a bit will help with the weight loss as your calorie intake will go down, it will certainly make managing your blood sugars much easier......

I think in order to see good results the exercise is essential and so I think it will be a BI reduction scenario for you instead of taking on more carbs while exercising and after..........it takes time to establish what activity needs what reduction for each and every individual, but once you know this, I would think dropping some carbs off here and there shouldn't give you much problems with your exercise and blood sugars.......

What BI are you on? When did you last test it?

Jan 10, 2013 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Ratios Thank you very much Alan From time to time I just need a bit of reassurance. Gill

Jan 10, 2013 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Ratios Spot on, Gill.

Jan 10, 2013 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Ratios Always doubting myself about ratios but have I calculated this one right? CP - 8 (80g CHO) Ratio - 1.5:1 QA - 12 Gill

Jan 10, 2013 susieq 19 posts	Topic: General Discussion / High Morning readings Having had a cold for the past few weeks, my readings have been a bit erratic, but now I'm on the mend my morning readings still seem way too high for my liking. I increased my bi by 2u to cover the sickday rules, then after I got better, (only a few days ago) I went back to where I was previously. My waking bs are still about 11 - 12. should I increase again or wait it out to see if things get back to normal?

Jan 9, 2013 BeccyB 50 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Sandwich Wraps Does anybody know how many CPs an average sandwich wrap is? Just bought one from the work canteen so no nutrition facts on the box. I normally go for the 'normal' bread sandwiches but fancied a change and figured it would be in the Carb Counter but I can't find it :-( The filling was nothing I need to count so just the wrap bit I don't know about. Thanks in advance! Beccy

Jan 9, 2013 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question you do really need to test your basal [background] regularly, like every month or so, even if you feel all is well.......but being a DAFNE graduate you should be equipped to adjust your background.......

Jan 8, 2013 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / 5htp I ggogled it as well and noticed it mentioned an effect on the liver, since this is what secreets glucose I would guess its possible that 5htp does somehow increase blood glucose. However since its an 'over the counter' drug in the UK i.e not prescribed and maybe not licensed I'm not sure how much research into side effects would have been done.

Jan 8, 2013 richard_g 14 posts	Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy Novorapidboi, Hopefully things have settled down for you but I dare say it will be a slightly anxious 6 months. Funny you should mention BP because I have just started medication recently for it. I was getting high readings at clinic and initially they seemed OK at home but eventually I had to get treatment. The moral in all these stories is to mind your statistics, HbA1c, BP and cholesterol.

Jan 8, 2013 John Marrable 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / 5htp Hi Alan 5htp is a food supplement taken to help increase serotonin levels. For context, I had taken 5htp to help with sleep cycles. I had noticed that the days following intake I was experiencing unexplained high blood glucose levels. Perhaps the high blood glucose levels were not attributable to 5htp but thought worth asking the question to others in any case Thanks for your reply Kind rgds John

Jan 8, 2013 Teanosugar 25 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question novorapidboi26 - I haven't tested the Lantus. When I first went on it my specialist said that if I make an amendment, I need to monitor the results on the third day as this is when it's likely to take affect. Ever since I have stuck with that. I think Lantus is fairly inflexible, but I will talk to my specialist about it when I next see her. Warwick - thank you very much for the above information. Point 4 is particularly useful for me and a great idea. My diet is fairly good; transitioning from white pasta to brown pasta is pretty much all that I need to do now! Hypos are now more of an enemy to me than they ever were because of the high calorie intake they present me with. It seems like they can 'undo' some of my dietary efforts in one fell swoop. I, too, struggle with exercise and hypos which wasn't even something I thought about when starting this topic. I haven't implemented any of the DAFNE rules on this yet, but will start to review the material when I get my diet straight.

Jan 8, 2013 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy I am just back from an appointment at the Ophthalmology clinic because my recent eye photographs had spotted 'observable maculopathy'. But after lots of drops and eye poking I was told there is no maculopathy, but I still have to return in 6 months....... Pleased that they said there was nothing but un pleased on having to return..... The main reasons for this happening I believe was my blood pressure, there was a few months where I monitored at home and seen high readings, yet I done nothing, I was re medicated and my BP returned to pretty much normal....... I am quite confidant with the right medication I can avoid getting lasers etc.......

Jan 8, 2013 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / 5htp John Can you please explain what 5htp is?

Jan 8, 2013 Warwick 423 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question I trained as a personal trainer a few years ago, and when it comes to weight loss, I learned the following: 1) Aim for 1/2 a kilo per week weight loss. Anything more than 1 kg weight per week is unhealthy and potentially dangerous. 2) Weigh yourself only once per week or less. Your weight will fluctuate from day to day naturally, so daily weighing is not helpful. 3) The best results are seen from a combination of introducing healthy food, as well as exercise that involves both cardio (such as walking/running, cycling, and load bearing, e.g. weights. As mentioned above, lower GI foods such as brown rice and whole grain bread rather than white rice and white bread will help here. You should feel fuller for longer, and blood sugars should be better too as it takes longer to break down the lower GI foods, so you avoid big peaks and troughs in your BG readings. 4) Introduce variety to your diet. One of the most important tasks I was given on my PT course, was to write down everything I had eaten the previous day. I then counted up every different type of food that I had eaten. The aim was to have at least 25 different types of food, e.g. a salad might be 5 different types of food - capsicum, lettuce, tomato, feta cheese, carrot. Having a high number of different types of food means that you are likely to be getting all of the nutrients you need. (Note, 25 different types of chocolate bar is not allowed :-) ) If you are going to begin exercising, then see a doctor first, and start gentle, especially with T1D. I find weights can lead to a hypo fast. "Drizzling" carbs during exercise, e.g. sipping sports drink helps, but you don't want to have to do that too much or you will put on weight from taking in more carbs than you are burning. It is much better to reduce basal insulin prior to exercise, or exercise shortly after a meal, where you have reduced QA. Hope that this helps. Warwick.

Jan 7, 2013 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question days to kick in

Jan 7, 2013 Teanosugar 25 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question That's interesting to learn about Lantus not being flexible. But at the same time I am reluctant to change insulin because my BMs are consistently good for the first time since being diabetic (now almost sixteen years). Before Lantus I was on Isophane for many years which, in retrospect, was fairly rubbish (or at least how I was taking it was not working for me). When I started carb counting about six months ago my specialist nurse put me on Lantus straight away and I now see it as a sort of miracle potion because within days my BMs started to come down to being less than 10 most of the time. Before then it was always too high and then I'd have random hypos. My BMs sometimes go a little haywire, but on the whole I am happy with them. However I do have a hospital appointment about a new BM machine on the 18th so I will mention it then. Thanks for that information. I don't really know what you mean by testing my Lantus. I can only presume you mean by having a carb free meal, but I will have wait to see what is meant as this is terminology I am not familiar with. Thanks again

Jan 7, 2013 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / cps in a pomehranate? Is the flesh of this fruit actually eaten........?

Jan 7, 2013 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question I would way that being on Lantus is not really suitable for someone who want to exercise regularly, as you cant adjust it to cope with the higher sensitivity brought on by activity........ I would ask about Levemir....... When did you last test your Lantus...

Jan 7, 2013 John Marrable 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / 5htp Just wondering if anyone has had any experience taking 5htp and noticed impacts on their blood glucose level? Personally I have experienced high blood glucose following intake of 5htp.

Jan 7, 2013 richard_g 14 posts	Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy Rhys, Sorry my reply was short last night as I was in a hurry. I hope things work out well for you. I would probably share your thought about achieving good control from day 1 but its human nature to think all will be well and its now just history. I don't think we could have been described as being reckless with HbA1cs of around 8.5 it just obviously not good enough. Bit of a warning to others out there to look after themselves as best they can. Cheers Richard_g

Jan 7, 2013 annmarie bar... 4 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / cps in a pomehranate? thanks very much Helen, I've been trying to find out for the last few days with no luck.

Jan 6, 2013 richard_g 14 posts	Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy Thanks for the post. I'd been running an HbA1c of about 8.6 for a long while and been diabetic for thirteen years. I'm working hard to improve it so will hope for the best. Still pretty scarey though.

Jan 6, 2013 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / cps in a pomehranate? My Women's Weekly "fat + carb pocket guide" states that 100g of raw, peeled pomegranate has 14g of carbohydrate. I probably would not worry about the seeds and would weigh the first one to get a rough idea of size and go from there. Helen

Jan 6, 2013 Teanosugar 25 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question Simon - thanks very much for the help; especially the link. That's the kind of information I've been hunting for. I have made a lot of dietary tweaks in the last month so hopefully this will start to kick in and I'll see some results soon. I have recently purchased some digital bathroom scales which aren't working properly so I can't yet monitor my weight loss closely. I am now of the opinion that a carb free meal is not the way to go; I just need to keep eating healthily and exercise more. novorapidboi26 - If by BI you mean background insulin (sorry I am new to this forum!) I am on Lantus. I inject 30 units at 7p.m. My QA is Humalog and it's working on a 1 unit to 1 CP a day. My Body Mass Index, using the NHS calculator and a pair of unreliable scales, puts me at 24.75 which is 11 stone 4 pounds, 5 foot and 7 inches. I want to lose about one stone over the next few months and maintain it. I last did my BMI properly about three months ago with my diabetes dietician. My weight is using scales that keep giving me inconsistent readings so I'm going to be taking them back at some point this week. Thanks both!

Jan 6, 2013 annmarie bar... 4 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / cps in a pomehranate? does anyone know how many cps are in a pomegranate? I've had . no luck trying to find out and do I count it as 1 pomegranate equals so many cps or do I peel it and weigh the seeds inside to get the cp count?

Jan 6, 2013 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carb Free/ Exercise Question I suppose cutting carbs down a bit will help with the weight loss as your calorie intake will go down, it will certainly make managing your blood sugars much easier...... I think in order to see good results the exercise is essential and so I think it will be a BI reduction scenario for you instead of taking on more carbs while exercising and after..........it takes time to establish what activity needs what reduction for each and every individual, but once you know this, I would think dropping some carbs off here and there shouldn't give you much problems with your exercise and blood sugars....... What BI are you on? When did you last test it?