Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Dec 27, 2012

jazzee2 3 posts

You are absolutely right, exercise has a longer term effect on blood glucose, reducing insulin resistance and making it work more efficiently for us, which can also mean lower blood sugars even later in the day.

The best place to find info on T1 and exercise is www.runsweet.com

Don't be put off by it referring to athletes- the bloke helped Steve Redgrave achieve gold, but it covers all activities for all levels.

Jen

Dec 27, 2012

jazzee2 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Ratio - have I calculated this right?

I would usually give 1:1 for correction and carbs, so to bring it down to 5.5 (which I have as my target) I would give 8.6 (correction) + 4 (meal) - 12.6 total. Obviously mkine will be different as it's 1:1 not 1.5:1.

Maybe you need to allow more for the correction? How is it going now?

Jen

Dec 27, 2012

jazzee2 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / insulin doses

If you have a larger meal it takes longer to digest, therefore the 14 units will be working ahead of the time it takes for the carbs to be digested. Chances are even after a low so soon after the meal, you will get a high maybe a couple of hours later as the rest of the food is digested.

I have an insulin pump, so can counterbalance this by taking my insulin over a longer period of time, which maybe even 3-4 hours. Taking injections, it may help tosplit the dose, having say half initially and half after 1.5 hours. It's probably worth speaking with your diabetes team about this.

Jen

Dec 27, 2012

paulj 36 posts

Topic: General Discussion / insulin doses

does anyone else find that when you inject a large amount of q/a insulin it has more of a quicker lowering effect on your BG levels than a smaller dose?

i find that anything over 14 units effects me significantly quicker. i had a full xmas dinner and xmas pud for which i took 16 units and a hour and a half later i was under 4.0. even when i know my CP counting is correct the same thing occurs. itake a 1/1 ratio for all my meals.

Dec 27, 2012

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: Site Development / Blood Glucose Graphs

They don't seem to be working today.

Dec 27, 2012

Simon 578 posts

Topic: Site Development / Injection site list

Ahmentep said:
Hi Simon,

I raised this topic back in December 2011. Since then several other people have said that they too would like to designate a site for each injection or, alternatively, have the sites described in a logical manner, e.g. Left arm, Right arm, Left buttock, Right buttock.

You said some months ago that you would take a look at this. Have you managed to do so?

Kind regards,

Roger

Hi Roger (and others)

You can now specify a QA and BI Injection site separately when entering diary entries on the site (both full and mobile websites). I'll work on getting the ability to do this in the smartphone apps soon.

Simon

Dec 27, 2012

richard_g 14 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Merry Christmas

Hi,

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you too. I didn't feel too guilty having that Christmas Pudding but its full of CPs.

Dec 27, 2012

Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Merry Christmas

Hi Everyone,

I'd just like to wish you all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I hope the festive season has been an enjoyable one and by using DAFNE that you haven't felt limited in what you can eat, drink or do.

Thanks to our members for contributing to the forums, it's great to see everyone helping one another out using the power of the Internet.

Here's to 2013 with more DAFNE courses and more graduates to join this thriving community.

All the best for 2013 and beyond!

Simon

Dec 26, 2012

krf 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Swollen ankle

Thanks for your reply. I sometimes feel that I am always at the diabetic centre so was trying to avoid them again! But you a right, I will call in the morning and get it checked out.

Thanks again

kirsty

Dec 24, 2012

richard_g 14 posts

Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy

Helen,
Wow Dafne has travelled far. I hadn't realised it had gone down under. Thanks for your story it is encouraging to hear good news, after all the internet is full of horror stories. Enjoy your Christmas too.

Dec 24, 2012

Carolin 83 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Fasting blood sugars... what on earth is going on here??

Gemsa said:
So I did DAFNE in October and I believe I totally understand the 'rules' in theory, they just don't seem to be replicating in practice. I know my background insulin is not right and have changed from lantus to levemir but still haven't got the dose right (I got two good days but none since).

So did a big long fast to try and see why its not behaving. I went low in the early afternoon so had a small snack of long acting (carb points are certainly correct as off the back of the packet... I don't eat anything unless I have exact carbs for it) and then just shot up and kept going up ever since. I reduced evening levemir because of morning levemir making me go low and I didn't want to go low overnight (possible reason for the 20 in the morning as was only 8 the night before). And I know I shouldn't have corrected with QA without eating a meal but I couldn't stand being so high as it was making me feel sick.

So which part of my dose is wrong?!

Hi Gemsa,

Don't get disheartened; it's still only 2 months since your course and change of insulin and you just need to keep working at it, and remember you can get some 'rogue' days where things simply don't make sense.

The most common reason for morning BG being high is actually the Dawn Phenomenon - this is where your body releases strong hormones like Growth Hormone as you wake up, and if there is not enough BI around to counteract it your liver will release glucose into your blood stream hence you end up high. It is extremely unlikely that high morning BG result from overnight hypos, unless you have woken and (over)treated it.

One of the best ways to control the Dawn Phenomenon is to take your evening BI as late as possible (bedtime rather than teatime) so that it is still working well as you wake up. Remember that with any planned change to evening BI you should do a 3am test before and after to see what's happening during the night and to assess if the dose does indeed need to be increased.

Your morning BI should be at least 7hrs apart from your evening dose, but they do not need to be 12hrs apart, so it's usually still fine to take your morning one as you get up.

Good luck and keep going!

Carolin

Dec 24, 2012

Carolin 83 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / DAFNE Courses

Hi Alan,

Due to funding issues (sometimes known as the postcode lottery?! Confused

), some DAFNE Centres will not take referrals from outside of their own catchment area, however it may be worth your niece asking her GP if they can refer her to Maidstone for her diabetes care so she can access DAFNE.

It's not ideal, but I think we're a very long way off DAFNE being available to all.

I'd urge everyone, if you haven't already done so, to sign up to the DUAG e-petition (see homepage) and to pass this on to all friends, family, colleagues, in fact everyone in your email address book. They need 100,000 signatures to stand a chance of getting this raised for debate in Parliament!

All the best,

Carolin

Dec 24, 2012

Carolin 83 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Swollen ankle

Hi krf,

Given your history of mild renal impairment and neuropathy I would always advise that you contact your diabetes team as soon as possible to get it checked out.

There are many things it could be and it's possibly nothing to worry about, but better to be safe than sorry.

Carolin

Dec 24, 2012

Ahmentep 99 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Fasting blood sugars... what on earth is going on here??

Hi Novorapidboi,

I am, as usual, thinking in technical terms. As you may know, energy can be neither created nor destroyed; it can only be converted from one form to another. This is a basic law of physics and it was in this sense that I used the word 'convert'.

I accept that my argument may be flawed. I did think, upon reading it again after I had posted it that it seemed somewhat shaky. I can only plead tiredness, as it was during the wee small hours that I sent it. I knew some bright spark would query it though! :-)

As you clearly recall, I cannot usually take hourly tests overnight so I am forced to judge that, since my morning BG levels are almost the same as my previous suppertime levels (if no carbs were taken for supper) then my nightly BI dosage is correct. This assumption seems to be born out by the few readings that I have made during the night.

Kind regards, and Merry Christmas,

Roger

Dec 24, 2012

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy

Richard,
I have had "retinopathy" for about 20 years. I have had 4 bouts of laser surgery (2 on each eye) and have just recently been to see my opthamologist...his assessment is that the laser has been very effective and my vision is good enough for me not to need glasses to drive. I believe the laser has had some effect on my night vision and I also think my colour perception is not as good as it was but I am 67 yrs old!

Enjoy your Christmas break and try not to second guess the report.

Helen

Dec 23, 2012

richard_g 14 posts

Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy

Thanks for your quick response and your right I'll have to contact the diabetes team in the new year for advice and to find out exactly whats been spotted in eye exam. Unfortunately the letter reached me before the results reached my GP and it is a bit scary and lacking in information.

Dec 23, 2012

marke 686 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / DAFNE Courses

hmm, interesting question I'm not sure if you can do DAFNE out of area since I think you may have to be referred. Carolin can probably answer this if she reads this post, if not I will ask DAFNE Central if there is a way of this happening. I suspected it was not DAFNE, I'm in East Kent and we have now lost DAFNE in favour of KATIE (??) so people here are in the same position.

Dec 23, 2012

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy

I think you should speak to your Diabetes team about it. I don't believe that reducing your BG quickly can cause retinopathy but I have no medical training. I appreciate that speaking to anyone will be difficult at the moment but you need expert advice rather than that of other Diabetics.
I know its easy to say, but try not to worry about the letter too much. I have received one in the past and its scary because they don't provide any real advice with it. Personally I think they should speak to you in person and explain exactly what the letter means and answer the questions everyone immediately has when they get the letter. The important thing is it is picked up early and can then be monitored. The fact you have reduced your HBA1C is good it will reduce the chances of it worsening. My consultants opinion is things like this are almost inevitable if you have had Diabetes long term and is not necessarily a major problem.

Dec 23, 2012

richard_g 14 posts

Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy

Just had the dreaded letter from my eye examination saying I have early stage retinopathy. I've been wrestling with getting my HBA1C down this year as well as blood pressure and now worry I've caused some of the damage in doing so. I know long term it is better to get the BG down but what is the advice, can doing it too quickly cause more problems?

Dec 23, 2012

Ati 2 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / sensitivity to exercise

hi,

thanks for your reply. i now write down all my daily excercise activities and this has helped to monitor my insulin doses. i have found when i stop excercising it takes 3+ days for my bg to increase and i to tend to have lows before then. Thanks for your help i will focus on reducing the lows.

Dec 23, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Fasting blood sugars... what on earth is going on here??

What does an over night basal test show for you roger, like every hour......I know that might not be possible in your case......

I am also about confused about your theory that there is insufficient carbs in your system because there is insufficient insulin to convert it into energy.......so you then burn fat.....

It is us that put the carbs in to which we then match with insulin and inject. The food is then digested and the glucose is delivered in to the blood stream. The insulin then allows the glucose to pass into the cells. So no conversion as such, at least on the insulin front....

Everyone will have some fat burning overnight as our stomach are empty, there will also ketone production, very small amounts, but they are used by the brain and other parts of the body......our basal dose will process these.....

High readings in the morning are common for everyone....

Dec 23, 2012

Ahmentep 99 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Fasting blood sugars... what on earth is going on here??

I find that I frequently go very low overnight, despite taking a tiny amount of QA with supper (ratio 0.6:1). When this happens I usually awake, at around mid-day, with BG well into double figures, often over 20. Over 30 a few days ago. This is, I believe, because there is insufficient carbohydrate in my system due to insufficient insulin to convert it into energy. As a result my body starts to convert my fat for energy but since the body's control system does not work in type1 diabetics there is no means of stopping the conversion of fat once it has begun, this results in high BG readings. I find that taking more insulin at night, either QA or BI results in hypos so bad that an ambulance is needed and reducing it, or cutting it out results in dangerously high BG readings, so I haven't cracked this one yet.

The level of BI (Levemir) I use keeps me level overnight if I take no carbs or QA at suppertime. The level of QA taken at suppertime keeps me at a reasonable level for much of the time, but I have frequent, inexplicable swings, both high and low. I have been trying for over thirty years to identify a reason for these without success. The medics have been trying too, enjoying much the same level of success as I.

I don't know how relevant any of this is to you, but it occurred to me that your body too is breaking down fat with insufficient insulin to convert that into energy, resulting in your high BG levels.

Kind regards, and Merry Christmas,

Roger

Dec 22, 2012

krf 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Swollen ankle

Hi there,
I am wondering if anyone is able to answer a simple question! I have mild kidney function issues and realise one symptom of this is swollen ankles. I have swelling in one ankle only though and was wondering if this could be a kidney issue of if I should see my podiatrist in case it is a foot issue ( I also have neuropathy)

Dec 21, 2012

Elvie 6 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / overnight BGs

Thank you so much Carolin, I didn't know that about BI's and thought I was doing the right thing by having them as close to 12 hours apart as possible, I'll make the change. Smile

Dec 21, 2012

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / DAFNE Courses

Mark, you're right - it's not DAFNE, Medway doesn't do DAFNE anymore. They've got what they call the Patient Education Programme and it's 4 one day courses, spread over 4 weeks. Sorry I got the information wrong - I've not been able to speak directly with my niece about this - I get the details from her mother.

I think they still do DAFNE courses at Maidstone - my local hospital. Would my niece be able to get on a course run by a Healthcare Trust (or whatever they're called now) outside her area?

Dec 27, 2012 jazzee2 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / exercise You are absolutely right, exercise has a longer term effect on blood glucose, reducing insulin resistance and making it work more efficiently for us, which can also mean lower blood sugars even later in the day. The best place to find info on T1 and exercise is www.runsweet.com Don't be put off by it referring to athletes- the bloke helped Steve Redgrave achieve gold, but it covers all activities for all levels. Jen

Dec 27, 2012 jazzee2 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Ratio - have I calculated this right? I would usually give 1:1 for correction and carbs, so to bring it down to 5.5 (which I have as my target) I would give 8.6 (correction) + 4 (meal) - 12.6 total. Obviously mkine will be different as it's 1:1 not 1.5:1. Maybe you need to allow more for the correction? How is it going now? Jen

Dec 27, 2012 jazzee2 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / insulin doses If you have a larger meal it takes longer to digest, therefore the 14 units will be working ahead of the time it takes for the carbs to be digested. Chances are even after a low so soon after the meal, you will get a high maybe a couple of hours later as the rest of the food is digested. I have an insulin pump, so can counterbalance this by taking my insulin over a longer period of time, which maybe even 3-4 hours. Taking injections, it may help tosplit the dose, having say half initially and half after 1.5 hours. It's probably worth speaking with your diabetes team about this. Jen

Dec 27, 2012 paulj 36 posts	Topic: General Discussion / insulin doses does anyone else find that when you inject a large amount of q/a insulin it has more of a quicker lowering effect on your BG levels than a smaller dose? i find that anything over 14 units effects me significantly quicker. i had a full xmas dinner and xmas pud for which i took 16 units and a hour and a half later i was under 4.0. even when i know my CP counting is correct the same thing occurs. itake a 1/1 ratio for all my meals.

Dec 27, 2012 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: Site Development / Blood Glucose Graphs They don't seem to be working today.

Dec 27, 2012 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Site Development / Injection site list Ahmentep said: Hi Simon, I raised this topic back in December 2011. Since then several other people have said that they too would like to designate a site for each injection or, alternatively, have the sites described in a logical manner, e.g. Left arm, Right arm, Left buttock, Right buttock. You said some months ago that you would take a look at this. Have you managed to do so? Kind regards, Roger Hi Roger (and others) You can now specify a QA and BI Injection site separately when entering diary entries on the site (both full and mobile websites). I'll work on getting the ability to do this in the smartphone apps soon. Simon

Dec 27, 2012 richard_g 14 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Merry Christmas Hi, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you too. I didn't feel too guilty having that Christmas Pudding but its full of CPs.

Dec 27, 2012 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Merry Christmas Hi Everyone, I'd just like to wish you all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I hope the festive season has been an enjoyable one and by using DAFNE that you haven't felt limited in what you can eat, drink or do. Thanks to our members for contributing to the forums, it's great to see everyone helping one another out using the power of the Internet. Here's to 2013 with more DAFNE courses and more graduates to join this thriving community. All the best for 2013 and beyond! Simon

Dec 26, 2012 krf 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Swollen ankle Thanks for your reply. I sometimes feel that I am always at the diabetic centre so was trying to avoid them again! But you a right, I will call in the morning and get it checked out. Thanks again kirsty

Dec 24, 2012 richard_g 14 posts	Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy Helen, Wow Dafne has travelled far. I hadn't realised it had gone down under. Thanks for your story it is encouraging to hear good news, after all the internet is full of horror stories. Enjoy your Christmas too.

Dec 24, 2012 Carolin 83 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Fasting blood sugars... what on earth is going on here?? Gemsa said: So I did DAFNE in October and I believe I totally understand the 'rules' in theory, they just don't seem to be replicating in practice. I know my background insulin is not right and have changed from lantus to levemir but still haven't got the dose right (I got two good days but none since). So did a big long fast to try and see why its not behaving. I went low in the early afternoon so had a small snack of long acting (carb points are certainly correct as off the back of the packet... I don't eat anything unless I have exact carbs for it) and then just shot up and kept going up ever since. I reduced evening levemir because of morning levemir making me go low and I didn't want to go low overnight (possible reason for the 20 in the morning as was only 8 the night before). And I know I shouldn't have corrected with QA without eating a meal but I couldn't stand being so high as it was making me feel sick. So which part of my dose is wrong?! Hi Gemsa, Don't get disheartened; it's still only 2 months since your course and change of insulin and you just need to keep working at it, and remember you can get some 'rogue' days where things simply don't make sense. The most common reason for morning BG being high is actually the Dawn Phenomenon - this is where your body releases strong hormones like Growth Hormone as you wake up, and if there is not enough BI around to counteract it your liver will release glucose into your blood stream hence you end up high. It is extremely unlikely that high morning BG result from overnight hypos, unless you have woken and (over)treated it. One of the best ways to control the Dawn Phenomenon is to take your evening BI as late as possible (bedtime rather than teatime) so that it is still working well as you wake up. Remember that with any planned change to evening BI you should do a 3am test before and after to see what's happening during the night and to assess if the dose does indeed need to be increased. Your morning BI should be at least 7hrs apart from your evening dose, but they do not need to be 12hrs apart, so it's usually still fine to take your morning one as you get up. Good luck and keep going! Carolin

Dec 24, 2012 Carolin 83 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / DAFNE Courses Hi Alan, Due to funding issues (sometimes known as the postcode lottery?! ), some DAFNE Centres will not take referrals from outside of their own catchment area, however it may be worth your niece asking her GP if they can refer her to Maidstone for her diabetes care so she can access DAFNE. It's not ideal, but I think we're a very long way off DAFNE being available to all. I'd urge everyone, if you haven't already done so, to sign up to the DUAG e-petition (see homepage) and to pass this on to all friends, family, colleagues, in fact everyone in your email address book. They need 100,000 signatures to stand a chance of getting this raised for debate in Parliament! All the best, Carolin

Dec 24, 2012 Carolin 83 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Swollen ankle Hi krf, Given your history of mild renal impairment and neuropathy I would always advise that you contact your diabetes team as soon as possible to get it checked out. There are many things it could be and it's possibly nothing to worry about, but better to be safe than sorry. Carolin

Dec 24, 2012 Ahmentep 99 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Fasting blood sugars... what on earth is going on here?? Hi Novorapidboi, I am, as usual, thinking in technical terms. As you may know, energy can be neither created nor destroyed; it can only be converted from one form to another. This is a basic law of physics and it was in this sense that I used the word 'convert'. I accept that my argument may be flawed. I did think, upon reading it again after I had posted it that it seemed somewhat shaky. I can only plead tiredness, as it was during the wee small hours that I sent it. I knew some bright spark would query it though! :-) As you clearly recall, I cannot usually take hourly tests overnight so I am forced to judge that, since my morning BG levels are almost the same as my previous suppertime levels (if no carbs were taken for supper) then my nightly BI dosage is correct. This assumption seems to be born out by the few readings that I have made during the night. Kind regards, and Merry Christmas, Roger

Dec 24, 2012 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy Richard, I have had "retinopathy" for about 20 years. I have had 4 bouts of laser surgery (2 on each eye) and have just recently been to see my opthamologist...his assessment is that the laser has been very effective and my vision is good enough for me not to need glasses to drive. I believe the laser has had some effect on my night vision and I also think my colour perception is not as good as it was but I am 67 yrs old! Enjoy your Christmas break and try not to second guess the report. Helen

Dec 23, 2012 richard_g 14 posts	Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy Thanks for your quick response and your right I'll have to contact the diabetes team in the new year for advice and to find out exactly whats been spotted in eye exam. Unfortunately the letter reached me before the results reached my GP and it is a bit scary and lacking in information.

Dec 23, 2012 marke 686 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / DAFNE Courses hmm, interesting question I'm not sure if you can do DAFNE out of area since I think you may have to be referred. Carolin can probably answer this if she reads this post, if not I will ask DAFNE Central if there is a way of this happening. I suspected it was not DAFNE, I'm in East Kent and we have now lost DAFNE in favour of KATIE (??) so people here are in the same position.

Dec 23, 2012 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy I think you should speak to your Diabetes team about it. I don't believe that reducing your BG quickly can cause retinopathy but I have no medical training. I appreciate that speaking to anyone will be difficult at the moment but you need expert advice rather than that of other Diabetics. I know its easy to say, but try not to worry about the letter too much. I have received one in the past and its scary because they don't provide any real advice with it. Personally I think they should speak to you in person and explain exactly what the letter means and answer the questions everyone immediately has when they get the letter. The important thing is it is picked up early and can then be monitored. The fact you have reduced your HBA1C is good it will reduce the chances of it worsening. My consultants opinion is things like this are almost inevitable if you have had Diabetes long term and is not necessarily a major problem.

Dec 23, 2012 richard_g 14 posts	Topic: General Discussion / retinopathy Just had the dreaded letter from my eye examination saying I have early stage retinopathy. I've been wrestling with getting my HBA1C down this year as well as blood pressure and now worry I've caused some of the damage in doing so. I know long term it is better to get the BG down but what is the advice, can doing it too quickly cause more problems?

Dec 23, 2012 Ati 2 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / sensitivity to exercise hi, thanks for your reply. i now write down all my daily excercise activities and this has helped to monitor my insulin doses. i have found when i stop excercising it takes 3+ days for my bg to increase and i to tend to have lows before then. Thanks for your help i will focus on reducing the lows.

Dec 23, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Fasting blood sugars... what on earth is going on here?? What does an over night basal test show for you roger, like every hour......I know that might not be possible in your case...... I am also about confused about your theory that there is insufficient carbs in your system because there is insufficient insulin to convert it into energy.......so you then burn fat..... It is us that put the carbs in to which we then match with insulin and inject. The food is then digested and the glucose is delivered in to the blood stream. The insulin then allows the glucose to pass into the cells. So no conversion as such, at least on the insulin front.... Everyone will have some fat burning overnight as our stomach are empty, there will also ketone production, very small amounts, but they are used by the brain and other parts of the body......our basal dose will process these..... High readings in the morning are common for everyone....

Dec 23, 2012 Ahmentep 99 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Fasting blood sugars... what on earth is going on here?? I find that I frequently go very low overnight, despite taking a tiny amount of QA with supper (ratio 0.6:1). When this happens I usually awake, at around mid-day, with BG well into double figures, often over 20. Over 30 a few days ago. This is, I believe, because there is insufficient carbohydrate in my system due to insufficient insulin to convert it into energy. As a result my body starts to convert my fat for energy but since the body's control system does not work in type1 diabetics there is no means of stopping the conversion of fat once it has begun, this results in high BG readings. I find that taking more insulin at night, either QA or BI results in hypos so bad that an ambulance is needed and reducing it, or cutting it out results in dangerously high BG readings, so I haven't cracked this one yet. The level of BI (Levemir) I use keeps me level overnight if I take no carbs or QA at suppertime. The level of QA taken at suppertime keeps me at a reasonable level for much of the time, but I have frequent, inexplicable swings, both high and low. I have been trying for over thirty years to identify a reason for these without success. The medics have been trying too, enjoying much the same level of success as I. I don't know how relevant any of this is to you, but it occurred to me that your body too is breaking down fat with insufficient insulin to convert that into energy, resulting in your high BG levels. Kind regards, and Merry Christmas, Roger

Dec 22, 2012 krf 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Swollen ankle Hi there, I am wondering if anyone is able to answer a simple question! I have mild kidney function issues and realise one symptom of this is swollen ankles. I have swelling in one ankle only though and was wondering if this could be a kidney issue of if I should see my podiatrist in case it is a foot issue ( I also have neuropathy)

Dec 21, 2012 Elvie 6 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / overnight BGs Thank you so much Carolin, I didn't know that about BI's and thought I was doing the right thing by having them as close to 12 hours apart as possible, I'll make the change.

Dec 21, 2012 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / DAFNE Courses Mark, you're right - it's not DAFNE, Medway doesn't do DAFNE anymore. They've got what they call the Patient Education Programme and it's 4 one day courses, spread over 4 weeks. Sorry I got the information wrong - I've not been able to speak directly with my niece about this - I get the details from her mother. I think they still do DAFNE courses at Maidstone - my local hospital. Would my niece be able to get on a course run by a Healthcare Trust (or whatever they're called now) outside her area?