Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Nov 12, 2012

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Ratios / higher number of units of insulin

DianeW said:
Hi

I think you are getting confused....1 unit of insulin would never be able to cope with 8 CPs.

Whatever amount of CPs you have, you just multiply that by your ratio (i.e. 1.5 or 2 or 2.5 or 3) for example if you were on 1.5:1 and you had 8 CPs that would be 8 x 1.5 = 12 units. If you were on 2:1 with 8 CPS you would have 8 x 2 = 16 units. So it all depends on the ratio you are on.

If you're still not sure then I would strongly suggest you talk to your own diabetic team who will be able to suggest the right ratio for you based on your readings.

Thank you DianeW. Those examples you've given me are much clearer now Very Happy

x

Nov 12, 2012

DianeW 115 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Ratios / higher number of units of insulin

Hi

I think you are getting confused....1 unit of insulin would never be able to cope with 8 CPs.

Whatever amount of CPs you have, you just multiply that by your ratio (i.e. 1.5 or 2 or 2.5 or 3) for example if you were on 1.5:1 and you had 8 CPs that would be 8 x 1.5 = 12 units. If you were on 2:1 with 8 CPS you would have 8 x 2 = 16 units. So it all depends on the ratio you are on.

If you're still not sure then I would strongly suggest you talk to your own diabetic team who will be able to suggest the right ratio for you based on your readings.

Nov 12, 2012

pfordmartin 5 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Top 5 Takeaways from DAFNE

Hi again all. I am inboxing some of you separately for your approval on quoting you in an article sidebar (Top 5 Takeaways from DAFNE). Thanks again for your input! Laughing

Best,
Paula

Nov 12, 2012

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Ratios / higher number of units of insulin

DianeW said:
The answer to your question from your example woujld be 1.5:1.

1:1 is. 1 unit QA equals 1 CP *1 CP being 10g of carbs)
1.5:1 is 1.5 units QA to 1 CP (i.e. if you have 4 CPs equals 6 units QA
2:1 is 2 units QA for every 1 CP ( i.e. 4 CP equals 8 units QA)

and then the ratios increase by half at a time

Thank you.

Do you have some examples like this going up for every 8 carbs

1:8 = 1 unit of insulin for every 8 carbs

Nov 12, 2012

DianeW 115 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Ratios / higher number of units of insulin

The answer to your question from your example woujld be 1.5:1.

1:1 is. 1 unit QA equals 1 CP *1 CP being 10g of carbs)
1.5:1 is 1.5 units QA to 1 CP (i.e. if you have 4 CPs equals 6 units QA
2:1 is 2 units QA for every 1 CP ( i.e. 4 CP equals 8 units QA)

and then the ratios increase by half at a time

Nov 12, 2012

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Ratios / higher number of units of insulin

1:10 = 1 unit of insulin for every 10g carbs
50g carbs would be 5u

what would be the next highest ratio / number of units of insulin?

Nov 12, 2012

Nick_G 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / I did it :)

Out of interest how long did it take you to get the pump? I posted the other day to try and gauge how long it'll take. My post was

"Im looking for some advice from all of you insulin pumpers! I know speed and services can vary between hospitals but i wanted to gauge your experiences of waiting times.

I completed DAFNE at University Hospital of South Manchester in September and following on from a meeting with my Consultant on Tuesday i have been informed that she agrees that i should be on an insulin pump and will put the wheels in motion to request the necessary funding from my PCT which is in the Macclesfield District.I have read that as long as a consultant diabetiologist says you require a pump then your PCT cannot refuse to fund it.

Can anyone give me any advice about how long this whole process will take from beginning to end? I have been informed i will be invited to a pump meeting at the hospital at some point and once the funding is approed they will look to order the pump i want.

Am i looking at pre or post christmas?

Thank you in advance :-)"

Nov 12, 2012

Nick_G 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / will dafne course help me?

Couldn't disagree with any of the comments above! I've been Diabetic for 20 years and I learnt more in 1 week than I have in 20 years.

My personal experience is a lot more freedom, flexibility and better Control which inevitably will improve my HBA1c.

I approached the course thinking 'they cannot tell me anything I don't already know' .......how wrong I was.

Nov 12, 2012

DianeW 115 posts

Topic: General Discussion / will dafne course help me?

I've been diabetic 32 years and did DAFNE in January and it definitely changed my view of diabetes. I had acquired bad habits, hardly used to test, never used to watch what I ate and now although far from perfect it has made me WANT to take care of myself, which is a big change in my opinion. I wish I had gone on something like it in the early days. I WANT to know what my BG is, I am curious to know if my carb intake is matching my QA, so I test regularly and thefore have better control. It gave me a much needed kick up the backside and it shows that even if you've had diabetes a long time and are stuck in your ways, it is worth going on and although it perhaps helps some more than others, it refreshes your thinking at least.

Nov 12, 2012

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Hypos and testing

Good on yer.
Regards
Garry

Nov 12, 2012

merstone 3 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / DAFNE view of Post-meal BG Testing

I noted that a recent issue of Balance magazine included a set of suggested BG targets covering pre-meal and also post-meal test scenarios. However, from my course, the DAFNE concept seemed to be that occasional testing for BG peaks (typically 2 hours after a meal) is completely unnecessary.

So is the DAFNE view of post-meal testing driven by just test strip economy, or is there some recent research to suggest that provided DAFNE pre-meal BG targets are being met, post-meal highs are too short in duration to increase the risk of longer term complications?

Nov 11, 2012

ruthhutchinson 39 posts

Topic: General Discussion / carb free day

Thanks. I took some QA yesterday but it DID confuse the results so I started again today without adjusting. My last reading was 19 so obviously I need to increase BI. Very interesting.

Nov 11, 2012

emdj 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / carb free day

I believe you need to stick just with the Levemir so you can see how it affects your bg over the time. If you bring in QA you'll have to start again with your carb free meal/day. It would be better to start such a day with a normal BG, so might be best to resume when you get that...

Nov 11, 2012

vic demain 87 posts

Topic: General Discussion / will dafne course help me?

Hi Jackie,

I've been diabetic for over 30 years now. Did the course in 2010 and learnt more about the condition in one week than I had in a lifetime before. You will come away with so much knowledge and probably a couple of new friends. You will be able to do things after the course which previously, would have frightened the life out of you.

Now the but, for me, my expectations were raised about the overall control of my situation. My blood sugar results had always been up and down and that remains the case after DAFNE. My Hb1ac results are little better now, despite working extremely hard on it.

That said, the course is a must do for all, unless of course they are not prepared to work at it. You need to put a lot of effort in and not expect miracles..

Good luck.

Nov 11, 2012

Ahmentep 99 posts

Topic: General Discussion / will dafne course help me?

Hi Jacks,

Welcome! Dafne has made a vast improvement to my life after 34 years as a type 1.

For all of those 34 years my BG levels have swung wildly and unpredictably from one extreme to the other. Dafne and its medical team have not cured that, and they have been unable to discern any pattern in my BG levels. Despite this, I have reduced my insulin intake by half and have a much more flexible meal/insulin regimen. I can now feel much more confident about going out.

It is vital to be sure you understand the DAFNE principles before leaving the course, and to follow those principles religously. Keep accurate records of what you eat and when, what you inject and when, what you do and when. Only then can you define with reasonable accuracy what adjustments need to be made and when they need to be made.

This forum will give you plenty of guidance, as will your DAFNE team.

Best Wishes,

Roger

Nov 11, 2012

jacks 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / will dafne course help me?

Hi thought id come on here for some answers|

i start the dafne course in 2 weeks and just wanted to know if its going to help me. my hba1c has been in the high 60s for quite some time and my doc has been trying to get me on the course for a long time now. ive been type 1 since 16yrs old and im now 34 and no matter how well ive always thought ive managed my diabetes, ive never been able to reduce my hba1c. my other blood tests always come back good ( cholestrol,blood pressure,kidney function)etc.

has anyone done this course lately and if so, how useful to you was it?
many thanks

jackie Smile

Nov 10, 2012

tcmonkey80 41 posts

Topic: General Discussion / I did it :)

Yesterday was the first day with my insulin pump. I wasnt looking forward to the whole new process. Was worried it would hurt fitting the canula. I shouldnt have worried the whole few hours went by in a haze. Found sleeping a bit tricky as worried about turning over on to my meter lol. Going back wednesday to start using insulin, have to say it does sound scary almost learning the whole process over again lol.

Nov 10, 2012

mtspider 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / unstable b/g's

novorapidboi26 said:
I am not familiar with that insulin. Are you on it for specific reasons?

Do they provide a quick acting meal time dose together with the longer acting background dose....?

hI novorapidI I HAVE BEEN ON BOVINE FOR AROUND FIFTY YEARS!!I think my insulin has quitea different characteristic to the modern types. My quick acting has abut a two hour time lapse and tails off slowly, unlike I believe an hour or so to react on food consumed ,thus the reasonably high B/G from breakfast and mid morn snack. to lunch to supper, but to confuse the issue ,from supper thro to 8am in morning my B/G is down to 4,5,6,b/g.
Thanks for interest as I was the odd one out when I attended the DAFNE course and I am 75 years young!!!
Malcolm
I am duee to attend the Clinic end of of Nov Where I feel like asking about changing my short acting insulin, but am very aprehensive on possible reaction after so many years on the old style bottle insulin

Nov 10, 2012

ruthhutchinson 39 posts

Topic: General Discussion / carb free day

Having a carb free day today to try to work out what my Levemir is really doing. BG was 12 before I took my Levemir at 7 and is now 12.9. Should I take some corrective Novorapid or will that distort my results. Any advice please.

Nov 9, 2012

DianeW 115 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Hypos and testing

If I wake up with a hypo in the night, as I said I am in a panic. I don't know whether it's because it doesn't come on gradually like in the day time, whether it's dark, quiet...I don't know. I eat biscuits and feel incredibly dry (even though I am obviously not high!) so drink Diet Coke! I know I should be having orange juice and one or two biscuits, after 30 years it takes a while to shake off bad habits Sad

Anyway I have reduced my bed time BI by 2 units and touch wood have not had a night time hypo for a week and am waking up with levels of 6-8.

Nov 9, 2012

DianeW 115 posts

Topic: General Discussion / exercise

A lot I would think depends on how soon you do the exercise after breakfast, if straight after, it seems daft to rest before and then straight after - so therefore you would need to try and work out how many units less of QA to take. If NOT straight after then yes I would test before.

45 minutes of rowing seems a very intense form of exercise so have extra CPs on hand and perhaps test half way through? And exercise can still have quite an effect for quite a number of hours afterwards, so make sure you test then too. If it is a regular thing then you will learn by trial and error what suits you.

Nov 9, 2012

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Clickstar Pen - insulin delivery speed

Gill
Why would you need to control the speed of delivery?

Nov 9, 2012

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / exercise

Paul
I would reduce my QA before breakfast and before the exercise I would test again - to make sure I had enough glucose in my system to cope with the exercise.

Nov 9, 2012

Nick_G 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pump approval

Im looking for some advice from all of you insulin pumpers! I know speed and services can vary between hospitals but i wanted to gauge your experiences of waiting times.

I completed DAFNE at University Hospital of South Manchester in September and following on from a meeting with my Consultant on Tuesday i have been informed that she agrees that i should be on an insulin pump and will put the wheels in motion to request the necessary funding from my PCT which is in the Macclesfield District.I have read that as long as a consultant diabetiologist says you require a pump then your PCT cannot refuse to fund it.

Can anyone give me any advice about how long this whole process will take from beginning to end? I have been informed i will be invited to a pump meeting at the hospital at some point and once the funding is approed they will look to order the pump i want.

Am i looking at pre or post christmas?

Thank you in advance :-)

Nov 9, 2012

Nick_G 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / One unit of insulin to ten grams carbs ratio

based on your example your ratio would be 1.5:1 so for every 1cp you would take 1.5 units of QA insulin.

Nov 12, 2012 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Ratios / higher number of units of insulin DianeW said: Hi I think you are getting confused....1 unit of insulin would never be able to cope with 8 CPs. Whatever amount of CPs you have, you just multiply that by your ratio (i.e. 1.5 or 2 or 2.5 or 3) for example if you were on 1.5:1 and you had 8 CPs that would be 8 x 1.5 = 12 units. If you were on 2:1 with 8 CPS you would have 8 x 2 = 16 units. So it all depends on the ratio you are on. If you're still not sure then I would strongly suggest you talk to your own diabetic team who will be able to suggest the right ratio for you based on your readings. Thank you DianeW. Those examples you've given me are much clearer now x

Nov 12, 2012 DianeW 115 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Ratios / higher number of units of insulin Hi I think you are getting confused....1 unit of insulin would never be able to cope with 8 CPs. Whatever amount of CPs you have, you just multiply that by your ratio (i.e. 1.5 or 2 or 2.5 or 3) for example if you were on 1.5:1 and you had 8 CPs that would be 8 x 1.5 = 12 units. If you were on 2:1 with 8 CPS you would have 8 x 2 = 16 units. So it all depends on the ratio you are on. If you're still not sure then I would strongly suggest you talk to your own diabetic team who will be able to suggest the right ratio for you based on your readings.

Nov 12, 2012 pfordmartin 5 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Top 5 Takeaways from DAFNE Hi again all. I am inboxing some of you separately for your approval on quoting you in an article sidebar (Top 5 Takeaways from DAFNE). Thanks again for your input! Best, Paula

Nov 12, 2012 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Ratios / higher number of units of insulin DianeW said: The answer to your question from your example woujld be 1.5:1. 1:1 is. 1 unit QA equals 1 CP *1 CP being 10g of carbs) 1.5:1 is 1.5 units QA to 1 CP (i.e. if you have 4 CPs equals 6 units QA 2:1 is 2 units QA for every 1 CP ( i.e. 4 CP equals 8 units QA) and then the ratios increase by half at a time Thank you. Do you have some examples like this going up for every 8 carbs 1:8 = 1 unit of insulin for every 8 carbs

Nov 12, 2012 DianeW 115 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Ratios / higher number of units of insulin The answer to your question from your example woujld be 1.5:1. 1:1 is. 1 unit QA equals 1 CP *1 CP being 10g of carbs) 1.5:1 is 1.5 units QA to 1 CP (i.e. if you have 4 CPs equals 6 units QA 2:1 is 2 units QA for every 1 CP ( i.e. 4 CP equals 8 units QA) and then the ratios increase by half at a time

Nov 12, 2012 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Ratios / higher number of units of insulin 1:10 = 1 unit of insulin for every 10g carbs 50g carbs would be 5u what would be the next highest ratio / number of units of insulin?

Nov 12, 2012 Nick_G 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / I did it :) Out of interest how long did it take you to get the pump? I posted the other day to try and gauge how long it'll take. My post was "Im looking for some advice from all of you insulin pumpers! I know speed and services can vary between hospitals but i wanted to gauge your experiences of waiting times. I completed DAFNE at University Hospital of South Manchester in September and following on from a meeting with my Consultant on Tuesday i have been informed that she agrees that i should be on an insulin pump and will put the wheels in motion to request the necessary funding from my PCT which is in the Macclesfield District.I have read that as long as a consultant diabetiologist says you require a pump then your PCT cannot refuse to fund it. Can anyone give me any advice about how long this whole process will take from beginning to end? I have been informed i will be invited to a pump meeting at the hospital at some point and once the funding is approed they will look to order the pump i want. Am i looking at pre or post christmas? Thank you in advance :-)"

Nov 12, 2012 Nick_G 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / will dafne course help me? Couldn't disagree with any of the comments above! I've been Diabetic for 20 years and I learnt more in 1 week than I have in 20 years. My personal experience is a lot more freedom, flexibility and better Control which inevitably will improve my HBA1c. I approached the course thinking 'they cannot tell me anything I don't already know' .......how wrong I was.

Nov 12, 2012 DianeW 115 posts	Topic: General Discussion / will dafne course help me? I've been diabetic 32 years and did DAFNE in January and it definitely changed my view of diabetes. I had acquired bad habits, hardly used to test, never used to watch what I ate and now although far from perfect it has made me WANT to take care of myself, which is a big change in my opinion. I wish I had gone on something like it in the early days. I WANT to know what my BG is, I am curious to know if my carb intake is matching my QA, so I test regularly and thefore have better control. It gave me a much needed kick up the backside and it shows that even if you've had diabetes a long time and are stuck in your ways, it is worth going on and although it perhaps helps some more than others, it refreshes your thinking at least.

Nov 12, 2012 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Hypos and testing Good on yer. Regards Garry

Nov 12, 2012 merstone 3 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / DAFNE view of Post-meal BG Testing I noted that a recent issue of Balance magazine included a set of suggested BG targets covering pre-meal and also post-meal test scenarios. However, from my course, the DAFNE concept seemed to be that occasional testing for BG peaks (typically 2 hours after a meal) is completely unnecessary. So is the DAFNE view of post-meal testing driven by just test strip economy, or is there some recent research to suggest that provided DAFNE pre-meal BG targets are being met, post-meal highs are too short in duration to increase the risk of longer term complications?

Nov 11, 2012 ruthhutchinson 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / carb free day Thanks. I took some QA yesterday but it DID confuse the results so I started again today without adjusting. My last reading was 19 so obviously I need to increase BI. Very interesting.

Nov 11, 2012 emdj 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / carb free day I believe you need to stick just with the Levemir so you can see how it affects your bg over the time. If you bring in QA you'll have to start again with your carb free meal/day. It would be better to start such a day with a normal BG, so might be best to resume when you get that...

Nov 11, 2012 vic demain 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / will dafne course help me? Hi Jackie, I've been diabetic for over 30 years now. Did the course in 2010 and learnt more about the condition in one week than I had in a lifetime before. You will come away with so much knowledge and probably a couple of new friends. You will be able to do things after the course which previously, would have frightened the life out of you. Now the but, for me, my expectations were raised about the overall control of my situation. My blood sugar results had always been up and down and that remains the case after DAFNE. My Hb1ac results are little better now, despite working extremely hard on it. That said, the course is a must do for all, unless of course they are not prepared to work at it. You need to put a lot of effort in and not expect miracles.. Good luck.

Nov 11, 2012 Ahmentep 99 posts	Topic: General Discussion / will dafne course help me? Hi Jacks, Welcome! Dafne has made a vast improvement to my life after 34 years as a type 1. For all of those 34 years my BG levels have swung wildly and unpredictably from one extreme to the other. Dafne and its medical team have not cured that, and they have been unable to discern any pattern in my BG levels. Despite this, I have reduced my insulin intake by half and have a much more flexible meal/insulin regimen. I can now feel much more confident about going out. It is vital to be sure you understand the DAFNE principles before leaving the course, and to follow those principles religously. Keep accurate records of what you eat and when, what you inject and when, what you do and when. Only then can you define with reasonable accuracy what adjustments need to be made and when they need to be made. This forum will give you plenty of guidance, as will your DAFNE team. Best Wishes, Roger

Nov 11, 2012 jacks 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / will dafne course help me? Hi thought id come on here for some answers\| i start the dafne course in 2 weeks and just wanted to know if its going to help me. my hba1c has been in the high 60s for quite some time and my doc has been trying to get me on the course for a long time now. ive been type 1 since 16yrs old and im now 34 and no matter how well ive always thought ive managed my diabetes, ive never been able to reduce my hba1c. my other blood tests always come back good ( cholestrol,blood pressure,kidney function)etc. has anyone done this course lately and if so, how useful to you was it? many thanks jackie

Nov 10, 2012 tcmonkey80 41 posts	Topic: General Discussion / I did it :) Yesterday was the first day with my insulin pump. I wasnt looking forward to the whole new process. Was worried it would hurt fitting the canula. I shouldnt have worried the whole few hours went by in a haze. Found sleeping a bit tricky as worried about turning over on to my meter lol. Going back wednesday to start using insulin, have to say it does sound scary almost learning the whole process over again lol.

Nov 10, 2012 mtspider 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / unstable b/g's novorapidboi26 said: I am not familiar with that insulin. Are you on it for specific reasons? Do they provide a quick acting meal time dose together with the longer acting background dose....? hI novorapidI I HAVE BEEN ON BOVINE FOR AROUND FIFTY YEARS!!I think my insulin has quitea different characteristic to the modern types. My quick acting has abut a two hour time lapse and tails off slowly, unlike I believe an hour or so to react on food consumed ,thus the reasonably high B/G from breakfast and mid morn snack. to lunch to supper, but to confuse the issue ,from supper thro to 8am in morning my B/G is down to 4,5,6,b/g. Thanks for interest as I was the odd one out when I attended the DAFNE course and I am 75 years young!!! Malcolm I am duee to attend the Clinic end of of Nov Where I feel like asking about changing my short acting insulin, but am very aprehensive on possible reaction after so many years on the old style bottle insulin

Nov 10, 2012 ruthhutchinson 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / carb free day Having a carb free day today to try to work out what my Levemir is really doing. BG was 12 before I took my Levemir at 7 and is now 12.9. Should I take some corrective Novorapid or will that distort my results. Any advice please.

Nov 9, 2012 DianeW 115 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Hypos and testing If I wake up with a hypo in the night, as I said I am in a panic. I don't know whether it's because it doesn't come on gradually like in the day time, whether it's dark, quiet...I don't know. I eat biscuits and feel incredibly dry (even though I am obviously not high!) so drink Diet Coke! I know I should be having orange juice and one or two biscuits, after 30 years it takes a while to shake off bad habits Anyway I have reduced my bed time BI by 2 units and touch wood have not had a night time hypo for a week and am waking up with levels of 6-8.

Nov 9, 2012 DianeW 115 posts	Topic: General Discussion / exercise A lot I would think depends on how soon you do the exercise after breakfast, if straight after, it seems daft to rest before and then straight after - so therefore you would need to try and work out how many units less of QA to take. If NOT straight after then yes I would test before. 45 minutes of rowing seems a very intense form of exercise so have extra CPs on hand and perhaps test half way through? And exercise can still have quite an effect for quite a number of hours afterwards, so make sure you test then too. If it is a regular thing then you will learn by trial and error what suits you.

Nov 9, 2012 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Clickstar Pen - insulin delivery speed Gill Why would you need to control the speed of delivery?

Nov 9, 2012 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / exercise Paul I would reduce my QA before breakfast and before the exercise I would test again - to make sure I had enough glucose in my system to cope with the exercise.

Nov 9, 2012 Nick_G 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pump approval Im looking for some advice from all of you insulin pumpers! I know speed and services can vary between hospitals but i wanted to gauge your experiences of waiting times. I completed DAFNE at University Hospital of South Manchester in September and following on from a meeting with my Consultant on Tuesday i have been informed that she agrees that i should be on an insulin pump and will put the wheels in motion to request the necessary funding from my PCT which is in the Macclesfield District.I have read that as long as a consultant diabetiologist says you require a pump then your PCT cannot refuse to fund it. Can anyone give me any advice about how long this whole process will take from beginning to end? I have been informed i will be invited to a pump meeting at the hospital at some point and once the funding is approed they will look to order the pump i want. Am i looking at pre or post christmas? Thank you in advance :-)

Nov 9, 2012 Nick_G 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / One unit of insulin to ten grams carbs ratio based on your example your ratio would be 1.5:1 so for every 1cp you would take 1.5 units of QA insulin.