Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Sep 3, 2012

Jayne Blakes 9 posts

Hi Vic and JWo

I've never been on here - wander if this will work!
Vic bet your laughing thinking I'm being mad again.
JWo - I met Vic on the Dafne course!
I have to say I've been reading your conversation. One thing stands out that we all agree on the consultants at the hospitals have not been helpful in the past! I remember one (no names mentioned) telling me that it says in a book .... Bla bla. Really she is supposed to be helping / educating diabetics and she didn't have a clue!
One dietician told me one to eat a yogurt and I said really its got a lot of sugar! She looked puzzled and said maybe don't eat it then!
I struggled for years in double figures till a family member told me she did the Dafne course!
I went to my gp whose a diabetic and asked to be referred! She asked me what Dafne was?? I told her what I'd been told and she referred me. I copied my manual for her as she's a diabetic herself and now shes very nice to me lol.
The other point you were discussing I agree you have to learn your own body. Theres no set rules everyone differs.
My last blood test was 7 something. Had another test today! I used to be 9 + before Dafne so it's helped educate me.
I speak to so many diabetics who are older through work and they all count sugars in foods not carbs still. They are not trained at all!
Something's I noticed:
If I have a hypo I can only control it well with glucose or jelly babies otherwise I go high after. Once I'm high after a hypo it's a hard battle!
Excercise is a nightmare - so hard to work out. I usually test before during and after! And eat jelly babies / glucose during!
I find different carbs act differently for example pasta is a rubbish carb for my body, may as well assume I'm eating carb free! Potatoes similar but not as bad unless fried likes chips or something!
Stress is a nightmare - sends me up or down - no pattern to that!
And lack of sleep - I'm not a good sleeper and I find that makes me shakey and I need to eat more and inject more if tired!

Just thought I'd confirm - we are all different and I agree with you both!

Oh and lastly (for now) I'm on novarapid and lantus too. I don't alter my lantus very often though prob should look at that as some nights I drop over night. The nova rapid I find keeps working for at least 4 hours and so I have to eat regularly spacing approx 4 hours between meals and struggle to eat later than 6.30pm for my evening meal as I have to wait to test my levels 4-5 hours after eating so I know I'm ok through the night. Do you both keep strict meal times?

Hope your both feeling ok anyhow!

Speak soon
Jayne
Ps Vic - your scrabble move lol

Sep 3, 2012

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic jokes

There was a young diabetic from Spain
Whose injections gave him some pain
'I don't think I'll bother'
'You will!' said his mother
'I'm not going to tell you again'.

Sep 3, 2012

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dafne Diary - looking for some comments / help

More comments / help please on these next diary dates.

Sep 3, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Foot care

I think just taking part in the 10k is what has caused the blisters as opposed to anything diabetic related.

Diabetes doesn't make you more prone to blister or something similar, its the being able to feel injuries and heal that's affected......

It might just be a case of choosing the right shoe.....

Congratulations on the run..... Very Happy

Sep 3, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Result.

vic demain said:
Guess this really should be a pm, but if it helps others, then all the better.

To be frank, this "issue", call it what we will, is something that does need discussing but it does involved getting personal. I'm glad you've spoken up now and that my control madness is not something I have alone.

Sorry JWo, for getting the insulins wrong. I am on Novorapid fast acting and Lantus, have been since before Dafne. Must admit my Lantus has been so up and down due to hypos and is currently on the increase again.

Oh vic, you make me want to cry. You've pretty much described the same pattern... a period of highs, followed by a period of lows... the cycle was never ending. You've done very well to keep trying as you have. Sad

I would be similar to you about 0.6:1 at breakfast and lunch but after work increase to around 1.3:1 however corrections I have always done at 1:1.

Again, wow. Do you find your worse time for highs is the evening or even into the night? I've lost count how many times I've tried 2:3 ratio at lunchtimes to try and get that sodding balance right! After so much adjusting of meal ratios, I now stick to 0.5:1 and adjust my BI. This did ease off the hypos but those highs, particularly late afternoon and into the night were still there... when they felt like it of course. Not consistently, eh body?

My eldest daughter is also type1 but has not done the course, as for my friend, we met on the course, bought into it, filled in the diaries on this site for a couple of years and have tried to help each other, but we both have difficulties getting results. I like to talk with others who understand the feeling of dealing with diabetes.

You are very blessed to have those others in your life. I've primarily had non-diabetics to help me - especially my fiance. He's such a maths whiz, he's such a great help and helps to keep my head in the right place when I go off track. I do share my diary with quite a few people (diabetic and non) but only have discussions with one or two (DSN and my partner).

Sure doctors know all the book details but they have never experienced that out of body feeling of having a serious hypo and how scary it is. They tell you to run high, but that has other problems which are not pleasent. How many times has someone said to you "improve your control and you will be better"? I want to drag them over the table and tell them about the daily ongoing battle.

Oooooo, I know exactly what you mean. I just want to drop my face in my hands when people use black and white logic with diabetes.
I WISH IT WAS A BLACK AND WHITE PROBLEM I feel like screaming! -______-;;
I know DAFNE has bought some sense to the madness which I'm VERY thankful for, but it's not the complete answer because our bodies are the ever changing puzzles that they are....

Touching back on the "stress project" I'm doing now... There is a serious lack of research into the benefits of stress prevention and Type 1 diabetes. How is us correcting after each hormonal response a good way of dealing with it if the long term effects are high averages? I find that terrifying that it's something we have to put up with - with DAFNE now, I'm very aware of it... and it does get me down. Knowingly allowing your averages to be high and you have no control over it...

Sleep has thankfully never been a problem, I go off like a log. Also never used anti-depressants (yet) so can't make an informed judgement.

Considering our situations, I hope this continues to be the case. Maybe someone who has looked into them may reply...

Ah the answer about as elusive as the cure for cancer, at least we can live normally with diabetes and that in its self is a huge blessing.

That's certainly a truth, even if it leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. ;P

Sep 3, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Foot care

If they're typical blisters, then they'll heal and go. You've done very very well from the sounds of things, try not to let the blisters worry you. Have you got foot complications already to make you especially concerned like this? If I'm worried about a pair of shoes rubbing, then I tend to minimise how often I wear them.... are we talking about a pair you wear frequently for running, doing gym or sport? Is this why you're surprised about the blisters appearing?

Best wishes.

Sep 3, 2012

gills29 5 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Foot care

I have lost almost 2 stone since completing my DAFNE course (aided by my weight management programme). I have brought my HbA1c down from 9.8% to 7.4%, and I have being going regularly to a gym for the last 12 weeks. On Sunday I did my 1st 10K race (for Diabetes UK of course!), but I have ended up with lots of blisters on my feet. I have dressed them all and have been trying to rest them as much as possible, but I am really upset they occurred in the first place. I have full sensation in my feet, and appart from the odd small blister occurring with new or 'fancy' shoes, I generally don't have a problem with them. Is there anything anyone can suggest to strengthen the skin (or underlying structure) of my feet to prevent this from happening again (as it's really cutting into my gym time!), or have years of being above 9% done the damage to my feet for good?

Sep 2, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Result.

Thanks vic. Smile

I suspect that we're both quite active generally then, which could suggest insulin sensitivity in both of us...

My BI is Levemir and my QA is Humalog. I was on Lantus before, split dose, but would frequently suffer hypos so my DAFNE team moved me on to Levemir. I was told Levemir is more suitable for an active lifestyle but I'm still not sure how true this is. I've had less of a difficult time reaching some stability from changing to it though.

My current "when not ill/stressed" arrangement understanding is 0.5:1 meal ratios (Humalog half unit per 10g) across the day and split Levemir 11/17 taken at 7am/7pm. Is that similar to you?

I'm glad to hear that you have diabetic friends to compare to. I'm often alone with my diabetes on that front.

I do wonder how well certain suppressives (like anti-depressants for example, or using sleeping tablets to get more sleep to help with coping, stuff like that) would be effective, but what does one do if it's not something usual? I would rather not take anti-depressants to sort my situation out. I'm still too pro-active to take that route in my opinion. Hopefully shall get somewhere soon though. Just got to find the answer..!

Sep 2, 2012

susieq 19 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Fajitas

Yes, that worked, only really needed the 3cp's per tortilla, was a little low by tea time. so great result really on a new food group. Very Happy

Sep 2, 2012

vic demain 87 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Result.

Thank you JWo, very interesting and in many ways similar.
My work can be very active as I am outside in all weathers and summer is a lot more intense than winter.
Stress is never far away again through work but also illness at home. I however can not point the finger at these factors for my rise and fall in blood test results.
I am on Lantus rather than Humalog.
Interesting what you say about ratios as I have always found myself to require a lot less insulin than my friends, which I always put down to being very active.
I am sorry to hear that you have experienced such pain in life and wish you well for the future, also that you find a way to control the anxiety.
Think my HbA1c has hovered around 8%-10% always but was told it should drop by 0.5% each 6 months following the course. This has never been the case.
Good luck in your fight and don't get depressed.
Cheers for being so open.

Sep 2, 2012

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / What did you have to eat yesterday?

Yesterday 1/9/2012

Breakfast - toast (2 x rnds)

Lunch - tuna pate sandwich (2 x rnds brd)

Dinner - chinese:
chicken soup
chicken fried rice (1/2 tray)
curry sauce

Sep 2, 2012

susieq 19 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Fajitas

No, Meltow, no nutritional content on the salsa, it was all in a package, every nutrition value on the pkt except carbs!!! But I had about a tblsp per wrap, so I think I've estimated right, we'll see later at tea time!!

Sep 2, 2012

meltow 78 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Fajitas

I wouldn't count anything for peppers, onions or cheese. I don't know much about the contents of salsa, nor how much you may be having. If I'm having a sauce, I tend to gauge about 0.5CP for a tablespoon of sauce, wether it is a sweet sauce or milk-based.
If it's packaged salsa doesn't it have nutritional content on the label?

Sep 2, 2012

susieq 19 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Fajitas

I'm having Spicy Fajitas for lunch, wondering how many cp's in it all...

Tortillas = 3cp each
salsa ????
peppers????
cheese ???
onion - nil

the last three I think are nil cp? so I'm hoping 2 wraps would be 6cp maybe 7cp accounting for the sugar in the salsa? what do you reckon?

Sep 1, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Result.

You sound like me. Even after 3 years I'm still having trouble finding my body's requirements however in the last six months some things have come to light. Hopefully we can help each other - even if it means just encouragement. Smile

You have to factor in a lot of things, beyond just looking at carbs and adjusting to blood results (frustrating I know).
Examples are:
~knowing what your exercise needs are (because I've learnt that the exercise rules don't apply in the same way to me to as we're taught on the DAFNE course - I need to do a lot of exercise before I need to look at eating something)
~stress (look at your work environment or if there's something in your life that constantly makes you anxious (like a bully's behaviour) - I find my levels rise without fail if I'm anxious or upset and can continue to rise despite correction over at least 12hours)
~patience to give your insulin time to work (after learning that it could take 2-5hours for my humalog to finish, I would regularly try to test again after it was 5 hours so I could catch true patterns - this did mean letting myself be high if I got it wrong for a little while which in itself is distressing - trying to stop myself correcting too soon was a very hard habit to break after years of only giving my body an hour or two to get me down).
~learning your insulin sensitivity (It took me years to learn that 1:1 ratio was too much. I now understand that 1QA takes me down by 4-5BG, not 2-3BG - this is such a big difference to my control and worth considering here; could be seen under the "brittle" label perhaps but I haven't been given that tag yet and nor do I want to)

It can be so hard to make a call on things and it is disheartening. I frequently have felt I'm fighting a losing battle when I couldn't see these things I've mentioned just now. Sad

We need to be so familiar with our bodies to make progress.

I'm currently looking more into things like zen meditation and just learning how to stop my body "triggering" anxiety after a GP's suggestion. A feat in itself I know but while I'm going through a difficult time in my life (I've had a lot of one thing after another in the last year at least, including death in family), it's something. I have also asked my workplace for help which they are now looking into.

Don't feel bad about not being on a pump either - it's not a miracle cure. Even though it provides more injecting flexibility, you'll still need to see what are causing the highs and lows to prevent them.

Best wishes.

Edit: I hope your HbA1c hasn't been too high above the recommended range. I've been stuck between 8%-9% but with some changes (like the work situation etc) this has been starting to drop. I hope my next HbA1c is below 8%, will have to wait and see.

Sep 1, 2012

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / What did you have to eat yesterday?

Yesterday - 31/08/2012

Breakfast - toast (2 x rnds)

Lunch - tuna & mayo sandwich (2 x rnds brd)

Dinner - cheese & ham pasta bake (homemade)

Supper - tuna & mayo sandwich (2 rnds brd)

Sep 1, 2012

grahamjames 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dafne Diary - looking for some comments / help

hiya whiskysmum i think you would find it advantageous to take10 units of bi in morning then 12 units of bi in evening but keep an eye on bg and increase or decrease after 1 weeks results you may find ai will need adjusting also but most type1 find iess bi is needed ,try to keep bi injections 10 to 12 hours apart ,hope to hear from you soon all the best

Sep 1, 2012

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dafne Diary - looking for some comments / help

Hello Gill
Your carb estimation and your overall control don't look too bad to me, considering you haven't done the DAFNE course. I reckon most of us get the occasional high and low readings. I would urge you to enter your CPs and Ratios in the table - which make it a lot easier to spot if things start going wrong. The system will tell you if you've got the format wrong and give you useful guidance on how to enter it correctly.

I thinks it's important to do a blood test before bed, as well. This could prevent any night-time hypos you may get.

Also - get yourself on a DAFNE course ASAP

Alan

Sep 1, 2012

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic jokes

I need help - I can't seem to stop thinking about Limericks. I think I've got Limerickitis - does anyone know a good Limerickologist?

A music-mad diabetic called Peter
Spent most of his time on his geetar
His podiatrist said 'Pete -
You've neglected your feet
And you know how important your feet are'

There once was a diabetic called Margaret
Whose blood-sugars were well over target.
On DAFNE she went
And you know what that meant -
Now most of her readings are great.

Sep 1, 2012

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic jokes

A young diabetic called Jim
had had carb counts up to the brim
he preferred his pump
to a jab in the rump
but he so wished it was not him.

Helen

Aug 31, 2012

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / What did you have to eat yesterday?

Yesterday - 30/08/2012

Breakfast - toast (2 x rnds)

Lunch - paste sandwich (2 x rnds brd)
crisps (1 x 25g bag)

Dinner - Young's Chip Shop Fish & Chips

Supper - egg custard cake Crying or Very sad

Aug 31, 2012

vic demain 87 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Result.

No patterns at all, that is the major difficulty. Hypo this afternoon when normally I would never get one at that time of day. My long acting results have never improved since the course and we have always put this down to so many hypos and corrections causing the results to just go high or low.
Very annoying having worked so hard at it.

Aug 31, 2012

susieq 19 posts

Topic: General Discussion / morning highs

Hmmm, Phil, It does sound appealing, but I'll just have to resist !!! (the 3am jab!) LOL

DianeW I don't have night time hypo's no, I'm just 2yrs into this Diabetes!! and I'm sure with a little tweaking and a little help from you all I'll finally come to a reasonable - able to live with level. I tried adding another 2u of bi, but then was hypo'ing at 3am so back down it went, and back up the morning levels went.
onwards we go.... Rolling Eyes

Aug 31, 2012

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dafne Diary - looking for some comments / help

No I haven't done a DAFNE course.

I've now entered all my BI / BED enteries . Bit frightened to enter CPs, and ratios into the diary in case i get it wrong. Please take another look now i've entered the BI / BED enteries. Also re being frightened to enter the CPs, and ratios maybe you could take a look in my comments sections which is where i write what meals i've had and also the CPs, .

Aug 31, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dafne Diary - looking for some comments / help

I don't think she has officially done the DAFNE course, but its definitely worth getting to grips with the diary if you want other 'DAFNE' trained folk to give advice.....

Sep 3, 2012 Jayne Blakes 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. Hi Vic and JWo I've never been on here - wander if this will work! Vic bet your laughing thinking I'm being mad again. JWo - I met Vic on the Dafne course! I have to say I've been reading your conversation. One thing stands out that we all agree on the consultants at the hospitals have not been helpful in the past! I remember one (no names mentioned) telling me that it says in a book .... Bla bla. Really she is supposed to be helping / educating diabetics and she didn't have a clue! One dietician told me one to eat a yogurt and I said really its got a lot of sugar! She looked puzzled and said maybe don't eat it then! I struggled for years in double figures till a family member told me she did the Dafne course! I went to my gp whose a diabetic and asked to be referred! She asked me what Dafne was?? I told her what I'd been told and she referred me. I copied my manual for her as she's a diabetic herself and now shes very nice to me lol. The other point you were discussing I agree you have to learn your own body. Theres no set rules everyone differs. My last blood test was 7 something. Had another test today! I used to be 9 + before Dafne so it's helped educate me. I speak to so many diabetics who are older through work and they all count sugars in foods not carbs still. They are not trained at all! Something's I noticed: If I have a hypo I can only control it well with glucose or jelly babies otherwise I go high after. Once I'm high after a hypo it's a hard battle! Excercise is a nightmare - so hard to work out. I usually test before during and after! And eat jelly babies / glucose during! I find different carbs act differently for example pasta is a rubbish carb for my body, may as well assume I'm eating carb free! Potatoes similar but not as bad unless fried likes chips or something! Stress is a nightmare - sends me up or down - no pattern to that! And lack of sleep - I'm not a good sleeper and I find that makes me shakey and I need to eat more and inject more if tired! Just thought I'd confirm - we are all different and I agree with you both! Oh and lastly (for now) I'm on novarapid and lantus too. I don't alter my lantus very often though prob should look at that as some nights I drop over night. The nova rapid I find keeps working for at least 4 hours and so I have to eat regularly spacing approx 4 hours between meals and struggle to eat later than 6.30pm for my evening meal as I have to wait to test my levels 4-5 hours after eating so I know I'm ok through the night. Do you both keep strict meal times? Hope your both feeling ok anyhow! Speak soon Jayne Ps Vic - your scrabble move lol

Sep 3, 2012 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic jokes There was a young diabetic from Spain Whose injections gave him some pain 'I don't think I'll bother' 'You will!' said his mother 'I'm not going to tell you again'.

Sep 3, 2012 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dafne Diary - looking for some comments / help More comments / help please on these next diary dates.

Sep 3, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Foot care I think just taking part in the 10k is what has caused the blisters as opposed to anything diabetic related. Diabetes doesn't make you more prone to blister or something similar, its the being able to feel injuries and heal that's affected...... It might just be a case of choosing the right shoe..... Congratulations on the run.....

Sep 3, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. vic demain said: Guess this really should be a pm, but if it helps others, then all the better. To be frank, this "issue", call it what we will, is something that does need discussing but it does involved getting personal. I'm glad you've spoken up now and that my control madness is not something I have alone. Sorry JWo, for getting the insulins wrong. I am on Novorapid fast acting and Lantus, have been since before Dafne. Must admit my Lantus has been so up and down due to hypos and is currently on the increase again. Oh vic, you make me want to cry. You've pretty much described the same pattern... a period of highs, followed by a period of lows... the cycle was never ending. You've done very well to keep trying as you have. I would be similar to you about 0.6:1 at breakfast and lunch but after work increase to around 1.3:1 however corrections I have always done at 1:1. Again, wow. Do you find your worse time for highs is the evening or even into the night? I've lost count how many times I've tried 2:3 ratio at lunchtimes to try and get that sodding balance right! After so much adjusting of meal ratios, I now stick to 0.5:1 and adjust my BI. This did ease off the hypos but those highs, particularly late afternoon and into the night were still there... when they felt like it of course. Not consistently, eh body? My eldest daughter is also type1 but has not done the course, as for my friend, we met on the course, bought into it, filled in the diaries on this site for a couple of years and have tried to help each other, but we both have difficulties getting results. I like to talk with others who understand the feeling of dealing with diabetes. You are very blessed to have those others in your life. I've primarily had non-diabetics to help me - especially my fiance. He's such a maths whiz, he's such a great help and helps to keep my head in the right place when I go off track. I do share my diary with quite a few people (diabetic and non) but only have discussions with one or two (DSN and my partner). Sure doctors know all the book details but they have never experienced that out of body feeling of having a serious hypo and how scary it is. They tell you to run high, but that has other problems which are not pleasent. How many times has someone said to you "improve your control and you will be better"? I want to drag them over the table and tell them about the daily ongoing battle. Oooooo, I know exactly what you mean. I just want to drop my face in my hands when people use black and white logic with diabetes. I WISH IT WAS A BLACK AND WHITE PROBLEM I feel like screaming! -______-;; I know DAFNE has bought some sense to the madness which I'm VERY thankful for, but it's not the complete answer because our bodies are the ever changing puzzles that they are.... Touching back on the "stress project" I'm doing now... There is a serious lack of research into the benefits of stress prevention and Type 1 diabetes. How is us correcting after each hormonal response a good way of dealing with it if the long term effects are high averages? I find that terrifying that it's something we have to put up with - with DAFNE now, I'm very aware of it... and it does get me down. Knowingly allowing your averages to be high and you have no control over it... Sleep has thankfully never been a problem, I go off like a log. Also never used anti-depressants (yet) so can't make an informed judgement. Considering our situations, I hope this continues to be the case. Maybe someone who has looked into them may reply... Ah the answer about as elusive as the cure for cancer, at least we can live normally with diabetes and that in its self is a huge blessing. That's certainly a truth, even if it leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. ;P

Sep 3, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Foot care If they're typical blisters, then they'll heal and go. You've done very very well from the sounds of things, try not to let the blisters worry you. Have you got foot complications already to make you especially concerned like this? If I'm worried about a pair of shoes rubbing, then I tend to minimise how often I wear them.... are we talking about a pair you wear frequently for running, doing gym or sport? Is this why you're surprised about the blisters appearing? Best wishes.

Sep 3, 2012 gills29 5 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Foot care I have lost almost 2 stone since completing my DAFNE course (aided by my weight management programme). I have brought my HbA1c down from 9.8% to 7.4%, and I have being going regularly to a gym for the last 12 weeks. On Sunday I did my 1st 10K race (for Diabetes UK of course!), but I have ended up with lots of blisters on my feet. I have dressed them all and have been trying to rest them as much as possible, but I am really upset they occurred in the first place. I have full sensation in my feet, and appart from the odd small blister occurring with new or 'fancy' shoes, I generally don't have a problem with them. Is there anything anyone can suggest to strengthen the skin (or underlying structure) of my feet to prevent this from happening again (as it's really cutting into my gym time!), or have years of being above 9% done the damage to my feet for good?

Sep 2, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. Thanks vic. I suspect that we're both quite active generally then, which could suggest insulin sensitivity in both of us... My BI is Levemir and my QA is Humalog. I was on Lantus before, split dose, but would frequently suffer hypos so my DAFNE team moved me on to Levemir. I was told Levemir is more suitable for an active lifestyle but I'm still not sure how true this is. I've had less of a difficult time reaching some stability from changing to it though. My current "when not ill/stressed" arrangement understanding is 0.5:1 meal ratios (Humalog half unit per 10g) across the day and split Levemir 11/17 taken at 7am/7pm. Is that similar to you? I'm glad to hear that you have diabetic friends to compare to. I'm often alone with my diabetes on that front. I do wonder how well certain suppressives (like anti-depressants for example, or using sleeping tablets to get more sleep to help with coping, stuff like that) would be effective, but what does one do if it's not something usual? I would rather not take anti-depressants to sort my situation out. I'm still too pro-active to take that route in my opinion. Hopefully shall get somewhere soon though. Just got to find the answer..!

Sep 2, 2012 susieq 19 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Fajitas Yes, that worked, only really needed the 3cp's per tortilla, was a little low by tea time. so great result really on a new food group.

Sep 2, 2012 vic demain 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. Thank you JWo, very interesting and in many ways similar. My work can be very active as I am outside in all weathers and summer is a lot more intense than winter. Stress is never far away again through work but also illness at home. I however can not point the finger at these factors for my rise and fall in blood test results. I am on Lantus rather than Humalog. Interesting what you say about ratios as I have always found myself to require a lot less insulin than my friends, which I always put down to being very active. I am sorry to hear that you have experienced such pain in life and wish you well for the future, also that you find a way to control the anxiety. Think my HbA1c has hovered around 8%-10% always but was told it should drop by 0.5% each 6 months following the course. This has never been the case. Good luck in your fight and don't get depressed. Cheers for being so open.

Sep 2, 2012 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / What did you have to eat yesterday? Yesterday 1/9/2012 Breakfast - toast (2 x rnds) Lunch - tuna pate sandwich (2 x rnds brd) Dinner - chinese: chicken soup chicken fried rice (1/2 tray) curry sauce

Sep 2, 2012 susieq 19 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Fajitas No, Meltow, no nutritional content on the salsa, it was all in a package, every nutrition value on the pkt except carbs!!! But I had about a tblsp per wrap, so I think I've estimated right, we'll see later at tea time!!

Sep 2, 2012 meltow 78 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Fajitas I wouldn't count anything for peppers, onions or cheese. I don't know much about the contents of salsa, nor how much you may be having. If I'm having a sauce, I tend to gauge about 0.5CP for a tablespoon of sauce, wether it is a sweet sauce or milk-based. If it's packaged salsa doesn't it have nutritional content on the label?

Sep 2, 2012 susieq 19 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Fajitas I'm having Spicy Fajitas for lunch, wondering how many cp's in it all... Tortillas = 3cp each salsa ???? peppers???? cheese ??? onion - nil the last three I think are nil cp? so I'm hoping 2 wraps would be 6cp maybe 7cp accounting for the sugar in the salsa? what do you reckon?

Sep 1, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. You sound like me. Even after 3 years I'm still having trouble finding my body's requirements however in the last six months some things have come to light. Hopefully we can help each other - even if it means just encouragement. You have to factor in a lot of things, beyond just looking at carbs and adjusting to blood results (frustrating I know). Examples are: ~knowing what your exercise needs are (because I've learnt that the exercise rules don't apply in the same way to me to as we're taught on the DAFNE course - I need to do a lot of exercise before I need to look at eating something) ~stress (look at your work environment or if there's something in your life that constantly makes you anxious (like a bully's behaviour) - I find my levels rise without fail if I'm anxious or upset and can continue to rise despite correction over at least 12hours) ~patience to give your insulin time to work (after learning that it could take 2-5hours for my humalog to finish, I would regularly try to test again after it was 5 hours so I could catch true patterns - this did mean letting myself be high if I got it wrong for a little while which in itself is distressing - trying to stop myself correcting too soon was a very hard habit to break after years of only giving my body an hour or two to get me down). ~learning your insulin sensitivity (It took me years to learn that 1:1 ratio was too much. I now understand that 1QA takes me down by 4-5BG, not 2-3BG - this is such a big difference to my control and worth considering here; could be seen under the "brittle" label perhaps but I haven't been given that tag yet and nor do I want to) It can be so hard to make a call on things and it is disheartening. I frequently have felt I'm fighting a losing battle when I couldn't see these things I've mentioned just now. We need to be so familiar with our bodies to make progress. I'm currently looking more into things like zen meditation and just learning how to stop my body "triggering" anxiety after a GP's suggestion. A feat in itself I know but while I'm going through a difficult time in my life (I've had a lot of one thing after another in the last year at least, including death in family), it's something. I have also asked my workplace for help which they are now looking into. Don't feel bad about not being on a pump either - it's not a miracle cure. Even though it provides more injecting flexibility, you'll still need to see what are causing the highs and lows to prevent them. Best wishes. Edit: I hope your HbA1c hasn't been too high above the recommended range. I've been stuck between 8%-9% but with some changes (like the work situation etc) this has been starting to drop. I hope my next HbA1c is below 8%, will have to wait and see.

Sep 1, 2012 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / What did you have to eat yesterday? Yesterday - 31/08/2012 Breakfast - toast (2 x rnds) Lunch - tuna & mayo sandwich (2 x rnds brd) Dinner - cheese & ham pasta bake (homemade) Supper - tuna & mayo sandwich (2 rnds brd)

Sep 1, 2012 grahamjames 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dafne Diary - looking for some comments / help hiya whiskysmum i think you would find it advantageous to take10 units of bi in morning then 12 units of bi in evening but keep an eye on bg and increase or decrease after 1 weeks results you may find ai will need adjusting also but most type1 find iess bi is needed ,try to keep bi injections 10 to 12 hours apart ,hope to hear from you soon all the best

Sep 1, 2012 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dafne Diary - looking for some comments / help Hello Gill Your carb estimation and your overall control don't look too bad to me, considering you haven't done the DAFNE course. I reckon most of us get the occasional high and low readings. I would urge you to enter your CPs and Ratios in the table - which make it a lot easier to spot if things start going wrong. The system will tell you if you've got the format wrong and give you useful guidance on how to enter it correctly. I thinks it's important to do a blood test before bed, as well. This could prevent any night-time hypos you may get. Also - get yourself on a DAFNE course ASAP Alan

Sep 1, 2012 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic jokes I need help - I can't seem to stop thinking about Limericks. I think I've got Limerickitis - does anyone know a good Limerickologist? A music-mad diabetic called Peter Spent most of his time on his geetar His podiatrist said 'Pete - You've neglected your feet And you know how important your feet are' There once was a diabetic called Margaret Whose blood-sugars were well over target. On DAFNE she went And you know what that meant - Now most of her readings are great.

Sep 1, 2012 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic jokes A young diabetic called Jim had had carb counts up to the brim he preferred his pump to a jab in the rump but he so wished it was not him. Helen

Aug 31, 2012 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / What did you have to eat yesterday? Yesterday - 30/08/2012 Breakfast - toast (2 x rnds) Lunch - paste sandwich (2 x rnds brd) crisps (1 x 25g bag) Dinner - Young's Chip Shop Fish & Chips Supper - egg custard cake

Aug 31, 2012 vic demain 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Result. No patterns at all, that is the major difficulty. Hypo this afternoon when normally I would never get one at that time of day. My long acting results have never improved since the course and we have always put this down to so many hypos and corrections causing the results to just go high or low. Very annoying having worked so hard at it.

Aug 31, 2012 susieq 19 posts	Topic: General Discussion / morning highs Hmmm, Phil, It does sound appealing, but I'll just have to resist !!! (the 3am jab!) LOL DianeW I don't have night time hypo's no, I'm just 2yrs into this Diabetes!! and I'm sure with a little tweaking and a little help from you all I'll finally come to a reasonable - able to live with level. I tried adding another 2u of bi, but then was hypo'ing at 3am so back down it went, and back up the morning levels went. onwards we go....

Aug 31, 2012 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dafne Diary - looking for some comments / help No I haven't done a DAFNE course. I've now entered all my BI / BED enteries . Bit frightened to enter CPs, and ratios into the diary in case i get it wrong. Please take another look now i've entered the BI / BED enteries. Also re being frightened to enter the CPs, and ratios maybe you could take a look in my comments sections which is where i write what meals i've had and also the CPs, .

Aug 31, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dafne Diary - looking for some comments / help I don't think she has officially done the DAFNE course, but its definitely worth getting to grips with the diary if you want other 'DAFNE' trained folk to give advice.....