Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Apr 8, 2012

Stew B 125 posts

Topic: General Discussion / A Petition Regarding Changes to the NHS

I work in the "public sector", and have a fair amount to do with both practitioners and commissioners in various parts of my local NHS. I'm also a member of my GP practice's Patient Participation Group. Locally, the consortium which my practice is a member of is a pathfinder for GP Commissioning. So, I feel that I ought to have some kind of handle on both the nature and implications of the proposals.. Sadly (but far from surprisingly), things seem to be characterised by confusion and a very significant lack of detail. The Health Secretary's pause and reflection does not seem to have changed things or shone much light onto the exact nature of how priorities will be set or how services might be commissioned once the bill becomes an act. So it seems that at the moment the only judgements that can be made are political ones - on whether or not you agree with (what I see as) politically driven principles behind the proposed legislation. At the moment we have to take it on trust that the coalition's espoused aims to give more commissioning power to GPs can be delivered - there is no detail that shows how this will happen.

My own (perhaps ill-informed) anxiety is that GP Commissioning will lead to more post-code lotteries for people with diabetes (and other conditions of course). Budgets will be limited, commissioners will have to prioritise - with the risk that one commissioning group will see diabetes as a higher priority than its neighbour, leading to different levels of service depending on the area that you live (although I suppose it might be possible to "choose" a GP practise in an area where diabetes is a high priority).

I must stress that this is speculation on my part - I am sure that there are better informed people able to reassure me that I'm worrying unnecessarily.

Stew

Apr 8, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility?

Here we go...

After chatting to my partner, I'm planning to put my evening BI up tonight from 18 to 20. The whole waking up at 12-14 pattern is too frequent to ignore especially now this has been seen (a repeat of the last time I looked but concentrated on before bed first).

Let's do this.

Apr 7, 2012

SA2010 69 posts

Topic: General Discussion / A Petition Regarding Changes to the NHS

I've just come across this. Agree that politics should be off the forum but this bill is relevant to us all here and it would be right to discuss it. I do not know the details but one thing I would be strongly against is give responsibility to GPs. GPs cannot cope with their own surgery let alone have more responsibility. May be it is the right LONG TERM aim but there would be a lot of pain on the way. If it does go ahead I can see years later will probably have different tiers (just like trusts) and there will be the good clinics (like Foundation Trusts) and the laggers behind and in time - a very long time - things might turn round. Not in our lifetime. Anyway - the e-petition would need a lot of visibility - with under 200,000 signatories it won't stand a chance - not on its own. The government see all this just as resistance to change and we all know that it is human nature to resist change.

I wonder who the GPs would expect to tell them how many BG test strips one is allowed to have on prescription a day when the hospitals are not controlling our care.

The NHS does need to change and you do need proper controls and measures and measures refined all the time so as to stop them being got round and to always give a true reflection of patient care. But giving it to GPs to control is wrong and if it is the right long term strategy then we can transition to it a little bit at a time.

I

Apr 7, 2012

moflaherty 5 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Croissant the Rubicon

BG was 10.8 before breakfast. Possible dawn phenomenon.

I generally apply a correction of 1iu for each 2mmol over target hence a correction of +2. On the higher end but necessary I find.

No I did'nt realise there were different corrections for higher BGs. Hands up! I just stuck to the maximum limit of 4. Will check the big orange book again.

I was'nt singling out the croissants just because they are French (though that is a good reason), but I have noticed this effect before which is why I rarely eat them.

I guess the mid-way correction was a hasty reaction to a very elevated BG reading. But dealing with high BGs quickly has kept me alive and complication free for the 34 years leading up to DAFNE.

I suppose I should get to grips with the online diary. Watch this space.

I think the possibilities are:
1) Lipoatrophy which was spotted in the middle of my stomach late last year after which I switched things around a little. The croissant breakfast was in a hotel so I reverted to the easiest most discrete spot which is the middle part of the stomach.
2) Crazy Croissant phenomenon.....less likely I think but I will continue the research

Thanks for the advice

Apr 7, 2012

SA2010 69 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Lantus Solostar pre-filled pen releasing insulin when pressed on zero setting

Sanofi UK have responded saying NO FAULT FOUND. The feedback from their manufacturing site stated that the returned sample was found to be working correctly and compliant with the specification and the concentration of the insulin was within the specification and no fault could be detected. Other influences related to the therapy and interactions with other medications should be considered"

I wrote back referring to the "continuous dispensing of insulin (leakage) after reaching zero dose on the solostar pen"? Meanwhile I went back to counting one to ten as 1, 2, 3, 4.... and not as 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000... Have also just gone through period of carb free meals to make sure the split between the BI and QA is at the optimum level.

Apr 7, 2012

SA2010 69 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Calibrating split Lantus dose with Carb Free meals

A few months ago I split my 10 units of bedtime lantus dose to two doses settling to 5 at breakfast (between 8am and 9am) and 4 units at around 11pm with evening meal being between 7pm and 8:30pm and bedtime about 1am.

Found the split dose giving better results but there were still issues and my recent other change to count 1 to 10 as 1000, 2000, 3000 ... to 10,000 I think increased my Lantus dose because of the solostar continuous insulin leak after reaching zero (see other post). So decided to start at square one and work out my Lantus need with zero carb meals. Each adjustment to the background insulin takes 2 to 3 days to settle down so now I am in Day 5 of carb free food !! and it is looking all good except for last night woke up in the middle of the night and felt BG being low. It was 4.8.

Would be good to get extra pairs of eyes and some input from others as to what further adjustments I should do before going to normal meals and start re-calibrating my QA:CP ratios with the new optimum BI doses.

I am using half-units pen for the QA (Novopen 3 Demi for Novorapid) so the QA doses can be set more accurately and I have also shifted a bit from DAFNE ratios using fractions other than half-unit fractions for the ratios where I found it necessary. Looking at today and yesterday figures may be there is scope for increasing the morning Lantus - unfortunately there isn;t a half-unit solostar pen and would have to be a full unit.

Anyway - please have a browse at the diary and my figures and doses since starting the zero carbs meals on the 3rd of April

Thanks

Apr 7, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Croissant the Rubicon

2 CP sounds right so I wonder what's up? We need a lot more information than you've given. Try to use the diary feature on the App to post up some results to show the full picture.

Two hours is not a very long time to let your insulin work.. depending on what your insulin is, it can work from 2- 5 hours... are you definitely sure it's finished working?

Also, as NB is hinting, sometimes what you've eaten with it can affect what happens to your BG during the QA insulin working time, but as long as you check at the end of your QA insulin's working time, then you'll get a much clearer picture.

You really shouldn't be correcting mid-way between insulin working time, you might hypo and it means you have wait longer for your QA to finish.

I hope this makes sense... have you actually done the DAFNE course yet? You're giving the impression you haven't... take care.

Apr 7, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Snack Ideas - under 10g of carbs

I tend to have half a biscuit (hob nob or digestive, stuff like that or a small biscuit) usually (and give the other half to my partner!)... but that's only when I'm desperately hungry or something between meals. I try not to snack if I can.

Oh, I have also been known to have a vending machine hot chocolate. They're under 0.5CP - Klix for example! XD

Apr 7, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / White Bread or Brown?

I eat what I like and I prefer white over brown any day. I don't like the taste of seeded bread either.

Apr 7, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility?

Yeah, my dinner was a bit of guesswork yesterday.. I have started using the Android DAFNE app and I sometimes add information a bit late. Sorry. Sad

At the time I was rushing to get to the table and had other things on my mind as the evening went on.

I will be doing two overnight checks again tonight and tomorrow, well, if I carb free and don't have to correct, it might be just one (I've made evening carb free plans with the boyfriend right now to do so so it's looking likely!).

For a while now, 1.5 QA correction for 14 BG has been a mostly precautionary dose. If it happens again tonight, I will brave 2 units (if 1 QA really does take me down by 4 BG, 6 would be lovely).

Thank goodness it's Easter so I can mess around with sleep... will aim for a more usual wake up time tomorrow. Today wasn't great but I did go to bed late and got up twice.

Hope things are working out well for you NB. Smile

(Edit: Wheyhey, my 300th post lol.)

Apr 7, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility?

so it would seem that you arent really getting the dawn rise, but a few more nights would confirm it.................

do you have any thoughs as to why you were high at 1:10am.....?

I personally would of thougght 1.5 units would not be enough, but everyone is different I suppose, and you use insulin really well, so I dont think you would need the amounts I take for correction, you could of maybe went to 2 units, but you know more than me about how you react.......

you might want to get a BG reading at breakfast, as its perfectly possible you could have went up further..........

Apr 7, 2012

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / The Best Meter?

Like DaveDee, I have used an Abbot Medisense Optium Xceed for years.
Abbot diabetic care support, for me personally, has been exceptional.
If you are handy on the computer their software, called Co-Pilot, allows you to download all info from the meter to computer via a specific USB lead, both available free to Abbot meter users. Enables you to produce graphs for information in many different formats to HCPs. This software also supports pump users too.
Regards
Garry

Apr 7, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility?

Here is the next day... as it unfolds....

Apr 7, 2012

Ahmentep 99 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / NEUROPATHY - advice please

Hi hazbol,

This is interesting to me as it may explain the increasing pain in my hips, even though the joints are fine. I hope that someone can give you the information you need, which may be of benefit to me too.

Best of luck,

Roger

Apr 6, 2012

DaveDee 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Night time cycle ride.

Have you considered a Hydration Backpack? I attach a link. If you fill it with non diet lemonade that should keep any Hypo at bay. Best of luck DD.

Link wont work so enter Google search...'cycle drink backpack' and see whats avaliable.

Apr 6, 2012

DaveDee 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / The Best Meter?

I have been using the Optium Xceed for ten years now. First its FREE from my diabetic nurse. Second batteries are free and are delivered to my address in 24hrs. Thirdly if you ask nicely,when you ring up for a spare battery, they will send you a free meter so you have a spare to take on holiday. Oh yes all 'phone calls are FREE too!

Apr 6, 2012

DaveDee 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Holiday turkey

Hi Darren, I wrote my own letter then when I went to see my Doc I asked her to sign it. This she did and stamped it with the surgery stamp all for free! My letter mentioned I was Type1 diabetic and needed to carry insulin, injectors and needles and that they cant be stored in an aircraft hold. I also took with me a repeat prescription form of all my medical requirements stapled to the letter. I did this just in case I needed to know what has been prescribed for me. Have fun in Turkey. Very Happy

Apr 6, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility?

Hey NB, thanks for replying.

I certainly agree with you about doing the overnight and carbs free during day. I keep meaning to but some nights I'm just outright exhausted. I'm not convinced I sleep well right now. I will aim for a evening 5hr test and a 3am tonight.

That 21 you've noticed is at least a couple of hours after exercise. Apologies for the confusion.

I will have to have a good think about my doses if I have to look at pushing my evening BI back to 9 or 10pm. Shall cross that bridge when I get to it...

Thanks.

Apr 6, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility?

Most of the rises overnight that you hae recorded are not that large, so it would definitely be worth getting some eearly morning readings to confirm whats going on...

you seem to be quite sensitive to insulin, being on a 0:5:1/1:1 ratio, and a reasonably low BI dose..................i would try and get some basal testing done overnight and during the day.........you may find that you just need really small amounts, which would be perfect qualifications for a pump..........especially if you end up needing less than 0.5:1 for your carbs........

i seen a 21 after exercise, this may be down to having little to no insulin on board, i need to have carbs before exercise, not immediateky before, but with my dinner at 17:30, then exercise at 19:30, I need insulin in my system to ensure my BG doesnt rise.........coz if theres no insulin, how does your muscles get the energy in?

DP occurs in everyone, its just diabetics cant control it, and for me personally the effects are large, however I dont think this is the case for you, as your body seems to use the insulin really well..........i think with the basal test, this will be confirmed.......

you may want to consider taking youe PM BI dose later if you find the DP is effecting you, this would allow you to have more units working at the time the DP starts, roughly 2 hours before you ususally get up, this may help if you think an increase in dose would drop you overnight.............

all speculation at the moment though, you need to get some overnight results, basically confirm your BI doses are right, if so , decide if you are seeing the DP effect, find a strategy to combat it, like moving PM dose later, and ultimately, decide whether a pump is needed to cope with your tiny doses......

nice hearing from you again............ Very Happy

Apr 6, 2012

salionela 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / loosing weight ideas?

i m taking 12 unit of lantus at 11 pm and 12 unit at 6 am

Apr 6, 2012

thebatoutofhull 60 posts

Topic: General Discussion / loosing weight ideas?

I'm in a similar boat to you. I am trying to get off lantus. I have put on weight since using it. I now eat no carbs to keep my QA low. Lantus does have a small peak, regardless of what dr's say. It can take up to 4 hrs to become fully active and does not make any effect for the ist 30 mins. If you split your dose you have to get your timings right for the second jab. If you leave it too late it takes a while to get going. Therefore you will go higher and correct. later on you could hypo. With this irregular pattern I have found it difficult to lose weight.

Apr 6, 2012

salionela 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / loosing weight ideas?

i have everyday like 150 to 200 carbs

Apr 6, 2012

Darren.w. 9 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Holiday turkey

Thanks JWo, good to know i dont need a new one each time.
I'll give them till tuesday then it will have been 2weeks since the email and i'll the chase it up as you say.

@MARIER if the DAFNE doctor will do it for nothing why pay?.

Apr 6, 2012

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Holiday turkey

Best give them a call to chase it up. The person you emailed may be off sick or on holiday. I've had at least two for my trips abroad because I lost my original. My DAFNE team told me that I don't need to ask for a new one for each trip, which is so good to know.

Apr 8, 2012 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: General Discussion / A Petition Regarding Changes to the NHS I work in the "public sector", and have a fair amount to do with both practitioners and commissioners in various parts of my local NHS. I'm also a member of my GP practice's Patient Participation Group. Locally, the consortium which my practice is a member of is a pathfinder for GP Commissioning. So, I feel that I ought to have some kind of handle on both the nature and implications of the proposals.. Sadly (but far from surprisingly), things seem to be characterised by confusion and a very significant lack of detail. The Health Secretary's pause and reflection does not seem to have changed things or shone much light onto the exact nature of how priorities will be set or how services might be commissioned once the bill becomes an act. So it seems that at the moment the only judgements that can be made are political ones - on whether or not you agree with (what I see as) politically driven principles behind the proposed legislation. At the moment we have to take it on trust that the coalition's espoused aims to give more commissioning power to GPs can be delivered - there is no detail that shows how this will happen. My own (perhaps ill-informed) anxiety is that GP Commissioning will lead to more post-code lotteries for people with diabetes (and other conditions of course). Budgets will be limited, commissioners will have to prioritise - with the risk that one commissioning group will see diabetes as a higher priority than its neighbour, leading to different levels of service depending on the area that you live (although I suppose it might be possible to "choose" a GP practise in an area where diabetes is a high priority). I must stress that this is speculation on my part - I am sure that there are better informed people able to reassure me that I'm worrying unnecessarily. Stew

Apr 8, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility? Here we go... After chatting to my partner, I'm planning to put my evening BI up tonight from 18 to 20. The whole waking up at 12-14 pattern is too frequent to ignore especially now this has been seen (a repeat of the last time I looked but concentrated on before bed first). Let's do this.

Apr 7, 2012 SA2010 69 posts	Topic: General Discussion / A Petition Regarding Changes to the NHS I've just come across this. Agree that politics should be off the forum but this bill is relevant to us all here and it would be right to discuss it. I do not know the details but one thing I would be strongly against is give responsibility to GPs. GPs cannot cope with their own surgery let alone have more responsibility. May be it is the right LONG TERM aim but there would be a lot of pain on the way. If it does go ahead I can see years later will probably have different tiers (just like trusts) and there will be the good clinics (like Foundation Trusts) and the laggers behind and in time - a very long time - things might turn round. Not in our lifetime. Anyway - the e-petition would need a lot of visibility - with under 200,000 signatories it won't stand a chance - not on its own. The government see all this just as resistance to change and we all know that it is human nature to resist change. I wonder who the GPs would expect to tell them how many BG test strips one is allowed to have on prescription a day when the hospitals are not controlling our care. The NHS does need to change and you do need proper controls and measures and measures refined all the time so as to stop them being got round and to always give a true reflection of patient care. But giving it to GPs to control is wrong and if it is the right long term strategy then we can transition to it a little bit at a time. I

Apr 7, 2012 moflaherty 5 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Croissant the Rubicon BG was 10.8 before breakfast. Possible dawn phenomenon. I generally apply a correction of 1iu for each 2mmol over target hence a correction of +2. On the higher end but necessary I find. No I did'nt realise there were different corrections for higher BGs. Hands up! I just stuck to the maximum limit of 4. Will check the big orange book again. I was'nt singling out the croissants just because they are French (though that is a good reason), but I have noticed this effect before which is why I rarely eat them. I guess the mid-way correction was a hasty reaction to a very elevated BG reading. But dealing with high BGs quickly has kept me alive and complication free for the 34 years leading up to DAFNE. I suppose I should get to grips with the online diary. Watch this space. I think the possibilities are: 1) Lipoatrophy which was spotted in the middle of my stomach late last year after which I switched things around a little. The croissant breakfast was in a hotel so I reverted to the easiest most discrete spot which is the middle part of the stomach. 2) Crazy Croissant phenomenon.....less likely I think but I will continue the research Thanks for the advice

Apr 7, 2012 SA2010 69 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Lantus Solostar pre-filled pen releasing insulin when pressed on zero setting Sanofi UK have responded saying NO FAULT FOUND. The feedback from their manufacturing site stated that the returned sample was found to be working correctly and compliant with the specification and the concentration of the insulin was within the specification and no fault could be detected. Other influences related to the therapy and interactions with other medications should be considered" I wrote back referring to the "continuous dispensing of insulin (leakage) after reaching zero dose on the solostar pen"? Meanwhile I went back to counting one to ten as 1, 2, 3, 4.... and not as 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000... Have also just gone through period of carb free meals to make sure the split between the BI and QA is at the optimum level.

Apr 7, 2012 SA2010 69 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Calibrating split Lantus dose with Carb Free meals A few months ago I split my 10 units of bedtime lantus dose to two doses settling to 5 at breakfast (between 8am and 9am) and 4 units at around 11pm with evening meal being between 7pm and 8:30pm and bedtime about 1am. Found the split dose giving better results but there were still issues and my recent other change to count 1 to 10 as 1000, 2000, 3000 ... to 10,000 I think increased my Lantus dose because of the solostar continuous insulin leak after reaching zero (see other post). So decided to start at square one and work out my Lantus need with zero carb meals. Each adjustment to the background insulin takes 2 to 3 days to settle down so now I am in Day 5 of carb free food !! and it is looking all good except for last night woke up in the middle of the night and felt BG being low. It was 4.8. Would be good to get extra pairs of eyes and some input from others as to what further adjustments I should do before going to normal meals and start re-calibrating my QA:CP ratios with the new optimum BI doses. I am using half-units pen for the QA (Novopen 3 Demi for Novorapid) so the QA doses can be set more accurately and I have also shifted a bit from DAFNE ratios using fractions other than half-unit fractions for the ratios where I found it necessary. Looking at today and yesterday figures may be there is scope for increasing the morning Lantus - unfortunately there isn;t a half-unit solostar pen and would have to be a full unit. Anyway - please have a browse at the diary and my figures and doses since starting the zero carbs meals on the 3rd of April Thanks

Apr 7, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Croissant the Rubicon 2 CP sounds right so I wonder what's up? We need a lot more information than you've given. Try to use the diary feature on the App to post up some results to show the full picture. Two hours is not a very long time to let your insulin work.. depending on what your insulin is, it can work from 2- 5 hours... are you definitely sure it's finished working? Also, as NB is hinting, sometimes what you've eaten with it can affect what happens to your BG during the QA insulin working time, but as long as you check at the end of your QA insulin's working time, then you'll get a much clearer picture. You really shouldn't be correcting mid-way between insulin working time, you might hypo and it means you have wait longer for your QA to finish. I hope this makes sense... have you actually done the DAFNE course yet? You're giving the impression you haven't... take care.

Apr 7, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Snack Ideas - under 10g of carbs I tend to have half a biscuit (hob nob or digestive, stuff like that or a small biscuit) usually (and give the other half to my partner!)... but that's only when I'm desperately hungry or something between meals. I try not to snack if I can. Oh, I have also been known to have a vending machine hot chocolate. They're under 0.5CP - Klix for example! XD

Apr 7, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / White Bread or Brown? I eat what I like and I prefer white over brown any day. I don't like the taste of seeded bread either.

Apr 7, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility? Yeah, my dinner was a bit of guesswork yesterday.. I have started using the Android DAFNE app and I sometimes add information a bit late. Sorry. At the time I was rushing to get to the table and had other things on my mind as the evening went on. I will be doing two overnight checks again tonight and tomorrow, well, if I carb free and don't have to correct, it might be just one (I've made evening carb free plans with the boyfriend right now to do so so it's looking likely!). For a while now, 1.5 QA correction for 14 BG has been a mostly precautionary dose. If it happens again tonight, I will brave 2 units (if 1 QA really does take me down by 4 BG, 6 would be lovely). Thank goodness it's Easter so I can mess around with sleep... will aim for a more usual wake up time tomorrow. Today wasn't great but I did go to bed late and got up twice. Hope things are working out well for you NB. (Edit: Wheyhey, my 300th post lol.)

Apr 7, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility? so it would seem that you arent really getting the dawn rise, but a few more nights would confirm it................. do you have any thoughs as to why you were high at 1:10am.....? I personally would of thougght 1.5 units would not be enough, but everyone is different I suppose, and you use insulin really well, so I dont think you would need the amounts I take for correction, you could of maybe went to 2 units, but you know more than me about how you react....... you might want to get a BG reading at breakfast, as its perfectly possible you could have went up further..........

Apr 7, 2012 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / The Best Meter? Like DaveDee, I have used an Abbot Medisense Optium Xceed for years. Abbot diabetic care support, for me personally, has been exceptional. If you are handy on the computer their software, called Co-Pilot, allows you to download all info from the meter to computer via a specific USB lead, both available free to Abbot meter users. Enables you to produce graphs for information in many different formats to HCPs. This software also supports pump users too. Regards Garry

Apr 7, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility? Here is the next day... as it unfolds....

Apr 7, 2012 Ahmentep 99 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / NEUROPATHY - advice please Hi hazbol, This is interesting to me as it may explain the increasing pain in my hips, even though the joints are fine. I hope that someone can give you the information you need, which may be of benefit to me too. Best of luck, Roger

Apr 6, 2012 DaveDee 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Night time cycle ride. Have you considered a Hydration Backpack? I attach a link. If you fill it with non diet lemonade that should keep any Hypo at bay. Best of luck DD. Link wont work so enter Google search...'cycle drink backpack' and see whats avaliable.

Apr 6, 2012 DaveDee 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / The Best Meter? I have been using the Optium Xceed for ten years now. First its FREE from my diabetic nurse. Second batteries are free and are delivered to my address in 24hrs. Thirdly if you ask nicely,when you ring up for a spare battery, they will send you a free meter so you have a spare to take on holiday. Oh yes all 'phone calls are FREE too!

Apr 6, 2012 DaveDee 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Holiday turkey Hi Darren, I wrote my own letter then when I went to see my Doc I asked her to sign it. This she did and stamped it with the surgery stamp all for free! My letter mentioned I was Type1 diabetic and needed to carry insulin, injectors and needles and that they cant be stored in an aircraft hold. I also took with me a repeat prescription form of all my medical requirements stapled to the letter. I did this just in case I needed to know what has been prescribed for me. Have fun in Turkey.

Apr 6, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility? Hey NB, thanks for replying. I certainly agree with you about doing the overnight and carbs free during day. I keep meaning to but some nights I'm just outright exhausted. I'm not convinced I sleep well right now. I will aim for a evening 5hr test and a 3am tonight. That 21 you've noticed is at least a couple of hours after exercise. Apologies for the confusion. I will have to have a good think about my doses if I have to look at pushing my evening BI back to 9 or 10pm. Shall cross that bridge when I get to it... Thanks.

Apr 6, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dawn Phenomenon possibility? Most of the rises overnight that you hae recorded are not that large, so it would definitely be worth getting some eearly morning readings to confirm whats going on... you seem to be quite sensitive to insulin, being on a 0:5:1/1:1 ratio, and a reasonably low BI dose..................i would try and get some basal testing done overnight and during the day.........you may find that you just need really small amounts, which would be perfect qualifications for a pump..........especially if you end up needing less than 0.5:1 for your carbs........ i seen a 21 after exercise, this may be down to having little to no insulin on board, i need to have carbs before exercise, not immediateky before, but with my dinner at 17:30, then exercise at 19:30, I need insulin in my system to ensure my BG doesnt rise.........coz if theres no insulin, how does your muscles get the energy in? DP occurs in everyone, its just diabetics cant control it, and for me personally the effects are large, however I dont think this is the case for you, as your body seems to use the insulin really well..........i think with the basal test, this will be confirmed....... you may want to consider taking youe PM BI dose later if you find the DP is effecting you, this would allow you to have more units working at the time the DP starts, roughly 2 hours before you ususally get up, this may help if you think an increase in dose would drop you overnight............. all speculation at the moment though, you need to get some overnight results, basically confirm your BI doses are right, if so , decide if you are seeing the DP effect, find a strategy to combat it, like moving PM dose later, and ultimately, decide whether a pump is needed to cope with your tiny doses...... nice hearing from you again............

Apr 6, 2012 salionela 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / loosing weight ideas? i m taking 12 unit of lantus at 11 pm and 12 unit at 6 am

Apr 6, 2012 thebatoutofhull 60 posts	Topic: General Discussion / loosing weight ideas? I'm in a similar boat to you. I am trying to get off lantus. I have put on weight since using it. I now eat no carbs to keep my QA low. Lantus does have a small peak, regardless of what dr's say. It can take up to 4 hrs to become fully active and does not make any effect for the ist 30 mins. If you split your dose you have to get your timings right for the second jab. If you leave it too late it takes a while to get going. Therefore you will go higher and correct. later on you could hypo. With this irregular pattern I have found it difficult to lose weight.

Apr 6, 2012 salionela 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / loosing weight ideas? i have everyday like 150 to 200 carbs

Apr 6, 2012 Darren.w. 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Holiday turkey Thanks JWo, good to know i dont need a new one each time. I'll give them till tuesday then it will have been 2weeks since the email and i'll the chase it up as you say. @MARIER if the DAFNE doctor will do it for nothing why pay?.

Apr 6, 2012 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Holiday turkey Best give them a call to chase it up. The person you emailed may be off sick or on holiday. I've had at least two for my trips abroad because I lost my original. My DAFNE team told me that I don't need to ask for a new one for each trip, which is so good to know.