Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Sep 7, 2012

Nikki H-C 23 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Eating Out - help needed please to stop my panic

Hi there,
I'm a huge fan of eating out, a lot! lol!
Some tips that work for me or that I've found and are worth a try....

Look at the menu online for the restaurant you'll be going to and have in mind the meal you will be eating. Calculate the carbs for that meal and pop them on a post it note in your diabetic bag or on the meter so you don't have to look them up at the time.

I tend to inject for my starter directly after eating it, then inject again directly after my main meal, this then allows for gaps in service/food being delivered. I tend to avoid puddings when I'm out as it's just too hard to figure out what carbs are in them most of the time.
The reason I inject immediately after a meal is that I'm never 100% sure if I will like it all or if I'll be too full so this way I'm injecting for what I've actually eaten.

There is also a Carbs and Cals app for iPhones and Androids too plus lots of other free app's that will give you the carbs per meal/item..... I have loads of them on my phone as you never know which one will have the exact food I am eating. If none of them have it, I go on to Livestrong.com website as that has loads of nutrition information.

Hope some of this helps :-)

Sep 7, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Sep 7, 2012 Nikki H-C 23 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Eating Out - help needed please to stop my panic Hi there, I'm a huge fan of eating out, a lot! lol! Some tips that work for me or that I've found and are worth a try.... Look at the menu online for the restaurant you'll be going to and have in mind the meal you will be eating. Calculate the carbs for that meal and pop them on a post it note in your diabetic bag or on the meter so you don't have to look them up at the time. I tend to inject for my starter directly after eating it, then inject again directly after my main meal, this then allows for gaps in service/food being delivered. I tend to avoid puddings when I'm out as it's just too hard to figure out what carbs are in them most of the time. The reason I inject immediately after a meal is that I'm never 100% sure if I will like it all or if I'll be too full so this way I'm injecting for what I've actually eaten. There is also a Carbs and Cals app for iPhones and Androids too plus lots of other free app's that will give you the carbs per meal/item..... I have loads of them on my phone as you never know which one will have the exact food I am eating. If none of them have it, I go on to Livestrong.com website as that has loads of nutrition information. Hope some of this helps :-)

Sep 7, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. vic demain said: JWo - must have been frustrating for you to post a message looking for help and just one person respond, thank you for your help in getting this one going, little surprised no doctor or nurse has jumped in to offer anything, or perhaps they dont visit the site. It has been frustrating but I do consider that thread to be one of my not so bad attempts at seeking help on this forum(!). My DAFNE nurse is on here (JJPAG) but I don't know how much she signs in now. When I first joined the site, she did message me privately to discuss my levels but was usually very concerned about the privacy of the site, which I can understand, they have legal procedures to follow. So I usually update my diary here and then email it to her and the hospital diabetes team to get their feedback that way (I've signed for the okay for them to discuss my levels by email so it's okay with them). JJPAG has been a great help to me though with most of the problems I've been having, I've usually been adjusting too keenly (as I put in my first reply to this thread, I have been known to not let my QA insulin to finish working - gaining that patience and fighting the highs phobia has been difficult but it's worth it in the long run) or I've been doing everything fine and the good range HbA1c I desperately wanted continued to remain out of reach. She and the hospital team did however recognise that I was stressed/low mood so did remind me that I shouldn't be looking for patterns because stress makes them irratic. Since then, I'd started trying to work out what has been causing me continued stress causing the knock on effect on my control - a difficult task when a lot of unfortunate events have happened in the past year and a half or so. One thing at a time I suppose though... most of the adjustments I'm trying currently seem to be working out okay (I mean, just looking at my recent BG results, great results have started appearing more frequently!) so I'm already on my way to sorting things out which helps everything (especially my sanity!). Does feel like a bit like a game of wack-a-mole doesn't it? You fix one thing and then another red BG result appears at another point of the day!

Sep 7, 2012 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. Jayne Blakes said: Excuse my typing I'm not on the usual keyboard I'm on the iPad! Vic - you would really only find the ibg star tester as good as me with the iPhone! They're brilliant together x I looked at these, my concern is the iPhone 5 is rumoured to have a new bottom connector which would make the ibg unusable. Shame cos they look cool

Sep 7, 2012 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic jokes Diabetes is a demanding condition Good blood-sugar is the ideal position You test, you inject The result's not what you expect? Then DAFNE can help in your mission.

Sep 7, 2012 Moris 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Eating Out - help needed please to stop my panic I tend to "Double Dip" when I eat out. While ordering my meal I think about the CPs and I inject when the meal arrives. Not before as sometimes there is a bit of a wait. I then inject a second time either when the second course arrives or to correct at the end of the meal. It can be hard to judge how many CPs are in a meal that you have not prepared and it can ruin your meal out if you let it. I then test and correct later. Moris.

Sep 7, 2012 Ahmentep 99 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Andriod App - Diary Upload Hi, The Android app does download your diary entries from the website. If you tap on 'entries' then tap on your menu button you will get a dialogue box/strip giving these headings: Download, Upload, Food Groups, Alphabetic, Favourites, More. Tapping on 'Download' gives you options for the period of time that you want to download. Roger

Sep 6, 2012 Jayne Blakes 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. JWo - sorry I don't think i can view your diary will try again! Novorapid - that's quite a difference I've never considered changing my ratios depending on the meal - I notice you both do! Maybe I should look into that! Thanks

Sep 6, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. I am on 2.5:1 for breakfast, 1.5:1 the rest of the time....

Sep 6, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. As shown on my BG diary entries, I was taking 0.5:1 across all meals but today I adjusted my lunchtime ratio to 1:1 in light of the last past few days patterns.

Sep 6, 2012 Jayne Blakes 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. Excuse my typing I'm not on the usual keyboard I'm on the iPad! Vic - you would really only find the ibg star tester as good as me with the iPhone! They're brilliant together x

Sep 6, 2012 Jayne Blakes 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. Hi JWo I can see that you qa could reduce your by 4-5 but I do think this will vary person - person andcwecall just have to get to grips with our own bodies don't you? Am I right in thinking your ratio is less than 1:1 on your meals - I'm sure you said that previously? I was just thinking / comparing - see I'm about 2:1 so I feel that's why my qa would not drop me 4-5. Vic - you take less than 1:1 don't you? So maybe your corrections of qa would drop you more than someone like me? What ratios is everyone finding works for them at the moment? Chat soon Jayne

Sep 6, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. It is mostly my partner and I but for most of my diabetic life I have been working it all out myself. My partner likes to be involved because it helps him to help me and I am thankful for his help. I usually contact my nurse when I've come to a stalemate or I want to check DAFNE rules with her. Since removing myself from the stressful situation about a month or so ago, I've finally started seeing more frequent green BG results. Edit: Also, vic, I asked about my patterns back in April 2012 which Novo was the only reply. I was still in a stressful working environment for this. I was suspicious of having Dawn Phenomenon but that suspicion isn't in my head any more... I do mention about my wacky levels in the first post which is why I could relate to you. I was on different BI doses then and was still even trying 1:1 for dinner! Oh the highs! ;_; http://www.dafneonline.co.uk/forums/4/topics/1646 novorapidboi26 said: So is your theory that 1 unit drops you 4-5 mmol just when you are in target range.....? Would you make that assumption at 15.0 mmol for example..? I realize you are probably just beginning to test this so probably don't have answers to the above.... Sorry Novo, I've just realised I didn't reply properly to this...! I do tend to assume that 1QA would drop me by 4-5BG regardless of sugar level at th time, particularly because of the error margin. When correcting, I do often check with my partner before correcting if I'm not feeling 100% sure of myself. It seems okay most of the time, but with drastic drops occurring (like last night or, could say, even today's lunchtime result), I am still fairly cautious. If I was 15BG, we would look at 2QA - hoping for something between 5 - 7 BG as a target result, keeping the 4-5BG drop in mind.

Sep 6, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. 4 hour point and I'm 5.7BG... Machine error margin perhaps? I did have a cup of tea too. That shouldn't matter THAT much, right? ._.

Sep 6, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. OMG how interesting! Now, I will take this opportunity to just point out something. I have felt poorly for the past few weeks so I have put my BI up here and there and not too long ago, I did a carb free day thing (results posted above) and my body held my levels like a charm on 11BI in the morning (and I hypo'd during the night on 21BI in the evening... ugh). Considering the 4.8BG now, would that suggest that the drop may be a result of the BI effect? I will keep an eye on it... Thank goodness the drop isn't 6BG in an hour like last night lol. Scary stuff! XD @Novo - shall I share my diary with you?

Sep 6, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. The idea we had was that I drop by 4-5BG for 1QA, but we think its possible that this isn't the case with the effect of CPs. We think 1CP make me rise 2-3BG but I need to check this out... If it does, it'll explain a lot again of past patterns. I feel quite tired and strange at the moment so I think a early test maybe in order.

Sep 6, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. So is your theory that 1 unit drops you 4-5 mmol just when you are in target range.....? Would you make that assumption at 15.0 mmol for example..? I realize you are probably just beginning to test this so probably don't have answers to the above....

Sep 6, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. I'm hoping so too... I'm hoping that nasty hypos in the past were caused by my lack of understanding that 1QA took me down by 4-5BG... It's going to mean a lot if my BGs stay around 10-11BG for dinnertime... may be on my way to solving a good chunk of my body puzzle if it does behave! I do hate the waiting game though, sigh, but it's gotta be done. ._.

Sep 6, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. Here's yesterday and today's results. Going to be interesting what happens as the day unfolds (which it will as I do my tests)! Today's change was 1:1 ratio at lunchtime as part of my idea trial. iPhone apps aren't much good for Android phone users like me but hey, if it works, carry on using it! If you wanted to share the results on the thread here, you could possibly copy and paste it into the thread so you could get feedback. Up to you though. I update the DAFNE app like a written diary on my phone as part of the testing regime (in a way, I consider my phone a part of my kit these days), so the annoying inputting of results into the site's facility doesn't happen any more. I know I didn't use it as much as I do now when I didn't have my smart phone... just did it when felt results needed showing in the forum. Technology is amazing isn't it? So much choice!

Sep 6, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. I find that in order to make DAFNE effective I need to have the last three days available to me on paper, be it printed or written, this means I can make dose adjustments there and then if needed. I use the Freestyle insulinX which records dose and CP values, so I usually fill out my written diary [homemade spreadsheet] after a few days of testing. I then fill the online diary out when I can, the more regular the better. I haven't filled in the online diary in a while as time is precious these days with work and a small baby and toddler.... the iPhone attachment does look good though, does anyone know the price of the strips on prescription..

Sep 6, 2012 Jayne Blakes 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. Hi all I found that it takes a long time to fill in the diary online for the dafne site. Do any of you have the IBG Star Tester. You test away and then clip it to the bottom of the iphone and it register it all for you in a book form or a graph form and you can email it and print it! Its brilliant, takes 2 seconds. I love it! Â£50 though in boots, the only place in the uk to sell it! So monday morning before my hospital visit I can print it all off. It also charges from the phone! I should be a sales person on commission. Chat soon Jayne

Sep 6, 2012 thebatoutofhull 60 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic jokes Here's a simple diabetic joke....... .....my mother in law.

Sep 5, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Eating Out - help needed please to stop my panic I usually go to the toilets first to wash my hands and then return to the table to blood test before the food gets there, keeping in mind the remaining insulins that are working if there are any when I see the BG result. I do tend to pick meals depending on how brave I feel like being with guesswork. I wait for the food to arrive before looking into injecting (done at table as well). I'm happy to weigh the food if I have my scales in my bag to assist myself.. and then I eat. Sometimes I make a note of what I ate so I can learn for next time (I mean, sometimes you won't be able to know any other way if you don't). Is there any chance of getting nutritional info from the business? That'll definitely minimise panic. My partner sometimes laughs at the fact he's usually finished his food when I'm starting mine. It's best to try and ignore it from a stranger, or say "I'm fine with that. I have to do this regardless." If the DS person knows anything of you, they'd rather you take care of yourself properly than make yourself unwell. Have a nice time when you do go. Best wishes!

Sep 5, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. vic demain said: JWo - There seems to be little consistancy to my BI action as for a few days I run at around 14, then I go down to 3. My BI has been so up and down recently, Dr keeps wanting me to reduce it, but then I go high!! Oh dear, if your BI alone does that, it may be possible that your BI runs out during the day... and because you raise it, the hypos happen. Are the timings of the hypos and highs different? When I was on Lantus before Levemir, I eventually found out that it was running out around 2pm (I would inject it at 10pm the night before) so I ended up splitting the dose. Have you considered this possibility? Before I knew, I was often high without fail in the afternoon and living on corrections. As for the depression, you seem to be a strong person, you are aware of the situations and I am sure that you are strong enough to get through the hard times. Try to keep the positive thoughts - you know this is tough, however, if you maintain your control and strength, then you can overcome it - and not let doubts creep in. Thanks vic. I appreciate it. Like Jayne, I struggle with carb free meals as most of my diet includes potatoe somewhere. Also just recently I have experienced a couple of occasions where I have felt low, yet tests were 9. Feelings of energy loss, shaking and tiredness. It is possible that if you're high frequently enough, this may be your body trying to warn you of being too low because it doesn't think the normal range is normal any more.... bit like when you lose hypo awareness from being too low, your warning signals can be too high from being too high. I think I do understand what you're saying though. Your description is making me think of times I've had recently during the night when I've had some really annoying spells of hunger and it took a lot of time but I did eventually reach hypo range. I've been feeling like this around 10BG. Is this the sort of thing you mean? If so, it may be messed up signals. I am so glad of the opportunity of attending the DAFNE course and thought for a while that I was doing well, but whilst everyone else seems to have improved their long acting tests, mine seem as bad as before if not worse. Think I will start filling in my diary on here again as that used to give me a sense of purpose to improve control. Like Garry, I use the BG diary facility religiously (though I didn't do it from the start). When I got a smartphone last December, I installed the DAFNE Online app as well and stopped using the written diary so I could keep the site one updated through my phone in case I needed to send it's info to anyone (including my DSN team by email). I'm happy to start diary sharing for the discussion. It will be very fascinating and helpful to see what numbers we see and get outside views! In light of this, I was going to hold back on an idea my partner and I had about my control problems and share it after I'd tested it out... but I'll do it as we share, yes? I was proper excited when we noticed it and I hope it works out (the 2 day rule sucks for this for this sort of thing, haha)! The idea trial starts tomorrow - can't wait! Take care all! Sleep well!

Sep 5, 2012 kajobren 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Eating Out - help needed please to stop my panic I test before going out then have the meal and calculate and inject after eating.

Sep 5, 2012 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. Please do that vic. I have filed my diary on here religiously since doing DAFNE in November 2009 and have found that it has always given me focus. Regards Garry