Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Feb 22, 2012

ChrisS 12 posts

Topic: General Discussion / No DAFNE specialist nurse

Thanks for the replies. I could try on here, but it is difficult to put into words the issues. I basically need a refresher/kick-up the backside as I did DAFNE in 2007 and now cant seem to get my BG under control working shifts as I do now. One week I'm running high, the next I suffer from lows.
Alan - I've spoken to Maidstone but need to be referred by my GP. My surgery tells me I need to speak to my consultant - and my consultant said he would write to the SDN team but he didn't. I think I'll have to book an appt with my GP persoanlly to get anything done.

I tried again this afternoon and actually spoke to a SDN who told me she had been working to arrange some help for me since I first called in January. Would have been good if somebody told me!! I've now called and left messages 4 times. I appreciate these people are underpaid/overworked but they could benefit from some communication training.

I'm going to give it a week before I finally give up with Medway. See if they can get me some help.

Feb 22, 2012

MARIER 42 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir

Iv to start tommr 8am with BI ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I had my BI this morning at 10.30 am Sorry if im confusing you James Smile

But i do understand what your saying I will start tommr at 8am and watch for a few days Can you tell me out of curiosity what i should be looing for ??
M

Feb 22, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / GI FOODS

I dont think every where does them................

I think Tesco might do those labels with there own stuff.............

Not sure though.......

Feb 22, 2012

MARIER 42 posts

Topic: General Discussion / GI FOODS

Does anyone know how you find the GI on labels when you go to supermarket
Marie

Feb 22, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir

Just because you had a carb free breakfast and therefore no QA insulin and your BG levels steadily rose up until 11am, so the only dose working between breakfast and 11am is your 8am Levemir dose, which should be holding you steady..........

Only make a decision once you have recorded a few days of similar BG behavior, this will confirm it, and eliminate any variables, like hormones, miscalculation of carbs, carbs present when you believed there not to be etc.........

Good job though........... Wink

Feb 22, 2012

MARIER 42 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir

Can i ask why you say that ???? Iv just to stay at BI 20 + 20 till Mon when i email my Diary to her i quess trial and error not really understanding some of it but with all your help im sure il get there
Thanks

Feb 22, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir

So your 8am BI dose may need increased................

Feb 22, 2012

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / No DAFNE specialist nurse

Hello Chris
I did my DAFNE course at Maidstone hospital, and very good it was. They have a Diabetes centre - you could try contacting them, the phone number is 224406, but very often there's no one there, but you can leave a message. There is a DAFNE educator called Anne Cox - she might be able to help you.

Feb 22, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pain after injecting

As mentioned, some insulins are higher in pH and therefore do produce a nip sometimes.............

Making sure the needle is changed for every injection and that injection sites are being rotated will help too.................but to be honest, there will be times when it does sting.......and you just get used to it.............

Some hope for the future at least......... Wink

Feb 22, 2012

Anele46 109 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pain after injecting

Hi Joanne,
I learned from reading the DAFNE forum on Facebook that Lantus has an acidic pH hence when you inject it nips which I definitely find the case when I inject Lantus but thankfully haven't had much pain when injecting my Novorapid - it can be sore depending on where I inject (I find the stomoch is the least painful) but my thighs can be a bit sore depending on what thigh I use as am left handed so can find it bit sore injecting on my right as it's a little more difficult stretching to the other side with my left and but as a rule for me it only nips with my Lantus (Background Insulin).

Cheers,
Anele.

Feb 22, 2012

MARIER 42 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir

Thanks Guys It is very interesting how everyone of us is diffrant I am now to change my 10.30am and 10.30pm to 8am and 8pm as my am BI isnt lasting Done carb free breakfast this mornng and it was 7.45am BG 5.4 then every hour 11.4 13.6 SO AT 11 am had corrective of +2 was at Diabetes Clinic at time so was good DSN could see results

Feb 22, 2012

Joanne L 7 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pain after injecting

My friend has an eleven year old son who has been diabetic for 3 years. He has recently been complaining about the "nippy" pain in his arm/leg/stomach after injecting. Her son is on 4mm needles and has tried pinching and not pinching. Has anyone else experienced this and knows how to ease this?

Feb 22, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving License Renewal

If your warning signs are gone, or not as good, then your control is not that good in my opinion..................you could have a hypo during the day as well and not notice, possibly behind the wheel....

I would think an overnight basal test would be in order and bumping up your target blood sugar to the 7s and 8s, at least for a short while........

I cant see an appeal being successful as you have clearly stated the situation in terms of hypos, but you should be able to get it back, I just dont know how long, maybe a question for your team and the DVLA.... Wink

Feb 22, 2012

Broady 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving License Renewal

Yes I would say my control is quite good my last hba1c was 7.2, i was not aware of the new legislation and would have dealt with it differently. I have been diabetic for 43 years now and my night time warning signs are not as good as they used to br

Feb 22, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving License Renewal

The new European legislation being put in place is basically if you have 2 or more severe hypos in a year, severe being needing assistance, then you cant drive..............regardless of whether your doctors say you have good control or not..........

Its a shame you were not aware of this, as you may have held back the fact you had to be helped.............

Would you say your control is good? Why did you need assistance........?

I think after a certain time scale your license will be reissued providing you have not had further 'severe' episodes and your nurses and consultants can confirm......

Feb 22, 2012

Broady 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Driving License Renewal

When filling in my application form to renew my license I stated that I had 2 hypos during the night while sleeping and had to have assistance from another person. I received a letter off the DVLA saying that they will not be renewing my license for this year, and I could reapply next year. I have checked with Dr Lane's secretary and my GP and they say that the DVLA haven't been in contact with them to find out how my blood sugar control is. Hopefully you can give me some advice on how to go about appealing the decision.

Feb 22, 2012

Anele46 109 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Feet treatment

Hi there,
When was the last time you had your feet checked with a Podiatrist for your diabetes screening?
I would advise you see your GP or your DSN for advice.

All the best Smile

Anele.

Feb 22, 2012

Anele46 109 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Spare diabetes kit

Nightmare! And so easy done too.

I have a spare insulin pen and spare insulin in the fridge and keep a spare meter with strips in my car although I have a feeling the strips might be out of date.....hmmm, will need to check.

I carry everything with me in my bag (apart from my Lantus unless I know I will be out late as take it once a day at 22:00), can be a handy excuse if I want to leave and go home Smile

but can be annoying if I'm having a nice time out and have to go home early Sad

Thanks for sharing your experience as it is a nice reminder Smile

Cheers,
Anele.

Feb 22, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / No DAFNE specialist nurse

It would be good to have phone/face to face contact with someone who knows the DAFNE regime, however you can get advice on here from the various HCPs that frequent the forum, and obviously us fellow DAFNE graduates...........

What are the chances of signing up to the clinic where you live, Maidstone?

The location of your GP is irrelevant as he/she shouldn't be dealing with your primary care......

Do they do DAFNE?

Feb 22, 2012

bmoran1 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Feet treatment

Hi All,

Recently I am having problems with my feet in that the skin is hardening and cracking leaving cuts etc.

can you recommend a suitable cream / treatment that I can use.

Many thanks

Feb 22, 2012

ChrisS 12 posts

Topic: General Discussion / No DAFNE specialist nurse

The PCT(Medway) that I took my DAFNE with no longer has a specialist DAFNE Diabetes nurse.
I am having problems with my BG control currently and would like to speak to somebody one-to-one to try and sort this out. Despite leaving several messages with the diabetes centre I'm getting no help.
How can I swap to a neighbouring PCT/Hospital? I live in the neihbouring area(Maidstone) but my GP is in the same as Diabetes centre(Medway).
Or is there another alternative?

Feb 21, 2012

PNThompson 57 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increasing Exercise...not Hypos

I found a couple of adjustments to combat Hypos.
Reduced ratio after exercise and a couple of Rich Tea biscuits on the way to the gym after work.

I found a cardio workout caused a hypo quickly while weights caused hypos overnight. It's been a while since I regularly exercised so I don't know if this would still work for me now that i'm a bit older. I would imagine that some of the issues with hypos may change as we get older as the body may need to work harder to repair any muscle damage so I think that as people have mentioned there is a bit of trial and error.

Feb 21, 2012

Pepsi 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increasing Exercise...not Hypos

Hi
I only did my Daphne course last week., so all still very new to me.
I exercise 3 times a week (Jazzercise) and have my evening meal first, reducing my
QA by 30~50% prior to this meal. So far, no hypos, no lucozade, no additional carbs required.
Haven't tried exercise yet without eating first!!

Feb 21, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Spare diabetes kit

My meter and insulin goes in the pram bag or when at work in my work bag, but is then sitting next to me all day.............

Fortunately for me I use disposable insulin pens, so always have them in the fridge...............

I also have a spare meter at home that I got free off some website, with it cam 50 strips, so good for emergencies and general blood sugar testing for family too..........

Feb 21, 2012

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir

I take mine once a day- before bed, and that seems to work for me.

As Roger said - everyone is different.

Feb 22, 2012 ChrisS 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / No DAFNE specialist nurse Thanks for the replies. I could try on here, but it is difficult to put into words the issues. I basically need a refresher/kick-up the backside as I did DAFNE in 2007 and now cant seem to get my BG under control working shifts as I do now. One week I'm running high, the next I suffer from lows. Alan - I've spoken to Maidstone but need to be referred by my GP. My surgery tells me I need to speak to my consultant - and my consultant said he would write to the SDN team but he didn't. I think I'll have to book an appt with my GP persoanlly to get anything done. I tried again this afternoon and actually spoke to a SDN who told me she had been working to arrange some help for me since I first called in January. Would have been good if somebody told me!! I've now called and left messages 4 times. I appreciate these people are underpaid/overworked but they could benefit from some communication training. I'm going to give it a week before I finally give up with Medway. See if they can get me some help.

Feb 22, 2012 MARIER 42 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir Iv to start tommr 8am with BI ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I had my BI this morning at 10.30 am Sorry if im confusing you James But i do understand what your saying I will start tommr at 8am and watch for a few days Can you tell me out of curiosity what i should be looing for ?? M

Feb 22, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / GI FOODS I dont think every where does them................ I think Tesco might do those labels with there own stuff............. Not sure though.......

Feb 22, 2012 MARIER 42 posts	Topic: General Discussion / GI FOODS Does anyone know how you find the GI on labels when you go to supermarket Marie

Feb 22, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir Just because you had a carb free breakfast and therefore no QA insulin and your BG levels steadily rose up until 11am, so the only dose working between breakfast and 11am is your 8am Levemir dose, which should be holding you steady.......... Only make a decision once you have recorded a few days of similar BG behavior, this will confirm it, and eliminate any variables, like hormones, miscalculation of carbs, carbs present when you believed there not to be etc......... Good job though...........

Feb 22, 2012 MARIER 42 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir Can i ask why you say that ???? Iv just to stay at BI 20 + 20 till Mon when i email my Diary to her i quess trial and error not really understanding some of it but with all your help im sure il get there Thanks

Feb 22, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir So your 8am BI dose may need increased................

Feb 22, 2012 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / No DAFNE specialist nurse Hello Chris I did my DAFNE course at Maidstone hospital, and very good it was. They have a Diabetes centre - you could try contacting them, the phone number is 224406, but very often there's no one there, but you can leave a message. There is a DAFNE educator called Anne Cox - she might be able to help you.

Feb 22, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pain after injecting As mentioned, some insulins are higher in pH and therefore do produce a nip sometimes............. Making sure the needle is changed for every injection and that injection sites are being rotated will help too.................but to be honest, there will be times when it does sting.......and you just get used to it............. Some hope for the future at least.........

Feb 22, 2012 Anele46 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pain after injecting Hi Joanne, I learned from reading the DAFNE forum on Facebook that Lantus has an acidic pH hence when you inject it nips which I definitely find the case when I inject Lantus but thankfully haven't had much pain when injecting my Novorapid - it can be sore depending on where I inject (I find the stomoch is the least painful) but my thighs can be a bit sore depending on what thigh I use as am left handed so can find it bit sore injecting on my right as it's a little more difficult stretching to the other side with my left and but as a rule for me it only nips with my Lantus (Background Insulin). Cheers, Anele.

Feb 22, 2012 MARIER 42 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir Thanks Guys It is very interesting how everyone of us is diffrant I am now to change my 10.30am and 10.30pm to 8am and 8pm as my am BI isnt lasting Done carb free breakfast this mornng and it was 7.45am BG 5.4 then every hour 11.4 13.6 SO AT 11 am had corrective of +2 was at Diabetes Clinic at time so was good DSN could see results

Feb 22, 2012 Joanne L 7 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pain after injecting My friend has an eleven year old son who has been diabetic for 3 years. He has recently been complaining about the "nippy" pain in his arm/leg/stomach after injecting. Her son is on 4mm needles and has tried pinching and not pinching. Has anyone else experienced this and knows how to ease this?

Feb 22, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving License Renewal If your warning signs are gone, or not as good, then your control is not that good in my opinion..................you could have a hypo during the day as well and not notice, possibly behind the wheel.... I would think an overnight basal test would be in order and bumping up your target blood sugar to the 7s and 8s, at least for a short while........ I cant see an appeal being successful as you have clearly stated the situation in terms of hypos, but you should be able to get it back, I just dont know how long, maybe a question for your team and the DVLA....

Feb 22, 2012 Broady 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving License Renewal Yes I would say my control is quite good my last hba1c was 7.2, i was not aware of the new legislation and would have dealt with it differently. I have been diabetic for 43 years now and my night time warning signs are not as good as they used to br

Feb 22, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving License Renewal The new European legislation being put in place is basically if you have 2 or more severe hypos in a year, severe being needing assistance, then you cant drive..............regardless of whether your doctors say you have good control or not.......... Its a shame you were not aware of this, as you may have held back the fact you had to be helped............. Would you say your control is good? Why did you need assistance........? I think after a certain time scale your license will be reissued providing you have not had further 'severe' episodes and your nurses and consultants can confirm......

Feb 22, 2012 Broady 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Driving License Renewal When filling in my application form to renew my license I stated that I had 2 hypos during the night while sleeping and had to have assistance from another person. I received a letter off the DVLA saying that they will not be renewing my license for this year, and I could reapply next year. I have checked with Dr Lane's secretary and my GP and they say that the DVLA haven't been in contact with them to find out how my blood sugar control is. Hopefully you can give me some advice on how to go about appealing the decision.

Feb 22, 2012 Anele46 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Feet treatment Hi there, When was the last time you had your feet checked with a Podiatrist for your diabetes screening? I would advise you see your GP or your DSN for advice. All the best Anele.

Feb 22, 2012 Anele46 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Spare diabetes kit Nightmare! And so easy done too. I have a spare insulin pen and spare insulin in the fridge and keep a spare meter with strips in my car although I have a feeling the strips might be out of date.....hmmm, will need to check. I carry everything with me in my bag (apart from my Lantus unless I know I will be out late as take it once a day at 22:00), can be a handy excuse if I want to leave and go home but can be annoying if I'm having a nice time out and have to go home early Thanks for sharing your experience as it is a nice reminder Cheers, Anele.

Feb 22, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / No DAFNE specialist nurse It would be good to have phone/face to face contact with someone who knows the DAFNE regime, however you can get advice on here from the various HCPs that frequent the forum, and obviously us fellow DAFNE graduates........... What are the chances of signing up to the clinic where you live, Maidstone? The location of your GP is irrelevant as he/she shouldn't be dealing with your primary care...... Do they do DAFNE?

Feb 22, 2012 bmoran1 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Feet treatment Hi All, Recently I am having problems with my feet in that the skin is hardening and cracking leaving cuts etc. can you recommend a suitable cream / treatment that I can use. Many thanks

Feb 22, 2012 ChrisS 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / No DAFNE specialist nurse The PCT(Medway) that I took my DAFNE with no longer has a specialist DAFNE Diabetes nurse. I am having problems with my BG control currently and would like to speak to somebody one-to-one to try and sort this out. Despite leaving several messages with the diabetes centre I'm getting no help. How can I swap to a neighbouring PCT/Hospital? I live in the neihbouring area(Maidstone) but my GP is in the same as Diabetes centre(Medway). Or is there another alternative?

Feb 21, 2012 PNThompson 57 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increasing Exercise...not Hypos I found a couple of adjustments to combat Hypos. Reduced ratio after exercise and a couple of Rich Tea biscuits on the way to the gym after work. I found a cardio workout caused a hypo quickly while weights caused hypos overnight. It's been a while since I regularly exercised so I don't know if this would still work for me now that i'm a bit older. I would imagine that some of the issues with hypos may change as we get older as the body may need to work harder to repair any muscle damage so I think that as people have mentioned there is a bit of trial and error.

Feb 21, 2012 Pepsi 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increasing Exercise...not Hypos Hi I only did my Daphne course last week., so all still very new to me. I exercise 3 times a week (Jazzercise) and have my evening meal first, reducing my QA by 30~50% prior to this meal. So far, no hypos, no lucozade, no additional carbs required. Haven't tried exercise yet without eating first!!

Feb 21, 2012 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Spare diabetes kit My meter and insulin goes in the pram bag or when at work in my work bag, but is then sitting next to me all day............. Fortunately for me I use disposable insulin pens, so always have them in the fridge............... I also have a spare meter at home that I got free off some website, with it cam 50 strips, so good for emergencies and general blood sugar testing for family too..........

Feb 21, 2012 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When is best to take BI Levemir I take mine once a day- before bed, and that seems to work for me. As Roger said - everyone is different.