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i was exactly the same this morning, i woke at 8 done a blood test and it was above the targets so i took a correction but didnt have my breakfast insulin untill 10 am

Jan 28, 2012

meltow 78 posts

I'd have done a correction dose with my breakfast dose.
The only time I seem to do a correction dose with out a dose connected with actual intake of food, is before bed. Having said that, I don't seem to need too many corrections Wink

Jan 28, 2012

sarahlou 7 posts

Lizzie, I know what you mean with doctors 'scaremongering' it feels awful having them nag you. I had a doctor when I was in my teens telling me I would be blind by the time I was 20 and I'm nearly 21 and my eye sight is fine! You could maybe ask to be referred to a dietician who will be able to give you some positive advice regarding weight loss. I agree it has to be done slowly and safely to allow it to be effective and long term. Are there any weight loss groups/counselling style services in your area that you could maybe get involved in if that would be something that would interest you? I would love to give a lot more nutritional advice on here but I am not fully qualified until next year and don't want to be giving people false information!

Like others on here I find having meals low in carbs much easier to count for therefore i match my dose better and my control is better but carbs are the body's preferred source of fuel so don't be dropping too low on energy our overcompensating by having too much fat as that won't help our health either! Less carbs doesn't always mean less calories if you overcompensate with other food groups. I've found low GI foods a good substitute however. I have read positive research into low carb diets and diabetic control so it is something worth looking at Smile

I'm having problems with my lantus dose 17 gives me a hypo in the night and 16 gives me high blood sugar in the morning?! Bit frustrating as it is knocking all day sugars out!

Jan 28, 2012

Naz 10 posts

Macka said:
Hi Naz

Well done on your Hba1C results, i to have just be given the Expert as a pre runner to getting the pump (which im getting in about 3 weeks) and i have to say i love it, yes it takes a bit of time to enter all the info etc but once you have got used to it it takes not much time at all, and the bolus advice on insulin that is still active is to me, very important. As a diabetic of 25 years i thought i controlled mine quite well, but recently i also did DAFNE and it has revolutionised my life, im not telling you anything you don't know by saying this but it really is amazing !.

Good luck in the future.

Regards Paul.

Hi Paul,

I'm glad you like it too - it seems we're in the minority at the moment but I have a feeling this kind of meter could really take off in the future.

I found DAFNE amazing as well and I'm so thankful I got to do it. With all the recent NHS cuts, I know many people will miss out which is a huge shame.

Finally, good luck with the pump, I'd love to know how you get on as I'm interested in one myself.

Take care =)

Jan 28, 2012

Naz 10 posts

Stew B said:
Hi Naz, if its working for you why worry? I ran the two together because what I was getting from the new meter didn't feel right for me - a great thing about DAFNE is that because you understand what's going on, you can develop an intuition about levels (not unique to DAFNE grads I know). I also know that my intuition is far from 100% reliable, hence the importance of a meter that is reasonably accurate. As a gadget freak I was really attracted by the Expert, but I didn't use it for long enough to benefit from the bells and whistles!

Its great that DAFNE has helped you to improve your HbA1c, it will be brilliant if the Expert adds another dimension to your control - good luck!

Stew

That's exactly why I like it - I love my gadgets! And I think you're right, it's working for me so far. If I start to fiddle around with things too much, I could end up in a muddle. I am finding the Aviva Expert the perfect lazy guide right now =)

Thank you for the luck, the same to you too!

Jan 28, 2012

Naz 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Graduation

Congratulations!

Jan 28, 2012

Collette 2 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Ratios and compensating

Thank you, the course was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it to any Type 1's who have the opportunity to attend. Well worth it!! Very Happy

Jan 28, 2012

MARIER 42 posts

I would have done a correction
Marie

Jan 28, 2012

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Hi All,

This morning on waking at 8.49am i did a blood test (hubby thought i may have been hypo as i was sweating & huffing & puffing) & my bs was 13.7. I'm not a breakfast person until somewhere between 1000am - 1100am. What would you have done about the high bs ie done an extra injection, do a correction dose when i have my breakfast.......?

Gill

Jan 28, 2012

Macka 7 posts

Hi Naz

Well done on your Hba1C results, i to have just be given the Expert as a pre runner to getting the pump (which im getting in about 3 weeks) and i have to say i love it, yes it takes a bit of time to enter all the info etc but once you have got used to it it takes not much time at all, and the bolus advice on insulin that is still active is to me, very important. As a diabetic of 25 years i thought i controlled mine quite well, but recently i also did DAFNE and it has revolutionised my life, im not telling you anything you don't know by saying this but it really is amazing !.

Good luck in the future.

Regards Paul.

Jan 28, 2012

Stew B 125 posts

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

Hi Jen

In my younger, pre-diabetes, days I was a sport freak. As I got older other things took over and I found myself doing less and less exercise. This doesn't stop me having an image of myself as a fit athlete!! Because I'm scared of the potential long-term effects of poorly managed diabetes and since doing DAFNE in 2007, I've tried to exercise at least three times a week. Sadly, I've had to stop running (my knees are ageing too!) so I play squash and cycle. On Sundays when I play squash in the evening, I reduce my dinner-time ratio from 1.5:1 to 1:1, test about 30 mins before playing and if necessary have an extra carb or two to get my level to around 10. I find that this usually leaves me at around 6 after a fairly vigorous 40 minute session.

I'm a bit of a fair-weather cyclist, so I've bought an exercise bike for the winter. My job means that I can't mess with my ratios / carbs during the day because I can't guarantee that my planned evening exercise will take place, so again I test about 30 mins before exercise and then use carbs to get my levels up - the amount depending on how much exercise I plan to do. The great thing about the exercise bike is that my family are around so I've been able to experiment a bit without the fear that I'll fall off my bike with a hypo in the middle of nowhere and nobody will notice!

Please keep posting - I think DAFNE and exercise is an area where we can all learn from each other. Good luck!

Stew

Jan 28, 2012

Stew B 125 posts

Hi Naz, if its working for you why worry? I ran the two together because what I was getting from the new meter didn't feel right for me - a great thing about DAFNE is that because you understand what's going on, you can develop an intuition about levels (not unique to DAFNE grads I know). I also know that my intuition is far from 100% reliable, hence the importance of a meter that is reasonably accurate. As a gadget freak I was really attracted by the Expert, but I didn't use it for long enough to benefit from the bells and whistles!

Its great that DAFNE has helped you to improve your HbA1c, it will be brilliant if the Expert adds another dimension to your control - good luck!

Stew

Jan 28, 2012

Ahmentep 99 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Graduation

Graduated yesterday! Very Happy

Many thanks to the staff at the Diabetes Centre at Monklands who did an excellent job of presenting the course. Many thanks to my classmates too for being so friendly and supportive, making the week a very enjoyable experience.

Best wishes to everyone for the future.

Roger

Jan 27, 2012

SimonC 78 posts

Re the splitting of the Lantus - plumped for an equal split at 12 hours apart, and just decided that on a day I was going to start it - on that day I had to be careful because the first am injection meant that later that afternoon, there was a bit more Lantus floating around, so had to be mindful when giving QA, but a slight increase in testing for this day will help. Then in the evening of just give the rest of the dose.

As with any adjustment of BI, it does take a few days to settle, and careful monitoring will be needed - you may find that after a few days you to adjust the midday/evening meal ratio's as you will have more Lantus around doing its job.

Re losing weight, I have lost about 3 stone (mainly measuring in trouser and jacket sizes) over the past 3 years. I deliberately went very slow, and all I did was a) eat less - no real surprise here, and b) changed the ratios of food on the plate - less carbs, more protein, and of course cut out some of the alcohol. The reduction in portions wasn't huge, so I didn't feel I was losing out, and the slight increase in the protein made me feel fuller for longer. So now a 44 jacket - was a 50, and a 38 - sometimes a 36, waist from a 42.

I also didn't worry about if I had good food, such as a double choc muffin! every now and then and I didn't weigh my self every week, in fact I only ever got weighed at the Diabetic clinic every 6 months. Constant weighing causes you to worry about every minute ounce, and your weight will fluctuate naturally - so why bother, and don't aim for losing 9 stone in 2 weeks type diets - as they never work, you may lose the weight, but it won't stay off, and so the diet doesn't work. Eat a bit less food, don't worry about it, and before you know it, a year will have passed, your eating habits will have changed, and you will probably have lost a bit of weight, then keep up the good work.

Jan 27, 2012

Naz 10 posts

Thank you for replying guys, sorry it's taken me so long to respond myself - no net for a while.

I am honestly so happy about improving my HbA1c - it makes it all worthwhile.

About the meter, I'm actually really liking mine but that could be because I still feel very new to DAFNE and haven't had much time to get used to the calculations by myself. I find the meter really helps me and it hasn't steered me wrong at all, but I can see why some people would find it a bit of a nuisance.

Stew, I think I'll do what you did and run 2 meters just to make sure I'm getting accurate readings.

Again, thanks for replying - I like to have as much info on a new aspect to my diabetes as possible!

Jan 27, 2012

Anele46 109 posts

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

JenC said:
Thanks so much for all your input and suggestions - seems I'm not alone in my frustrations/difficulty! The point about extra CPs and Hypo treatments cancelling out all my hard work in the gym and avoiding treats is so true.

I'm more determined now to keep going and not just give up!

I think next week I'll try lowering my lunchtime QA - I hope that it doesn't make me sleepy in the afternoon - and see how I feel after work at the gym.

Wish me luck!

Good luck Jen,
Hopefully lowering the Lunchtime QA will do the trick.

Enjoy Smile

Cheers,
Anele.

Jan 27, 2012

JenC 4 posts

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

Thanks so much for all your input and suggestions - seems I'm not alone in my frustrations/difficulty! The point about extra CPs and Hypo treatments cancelling out all my hard work in the gym and avoiding treats is so true.

I'm more determined now to keep going and not just give up!

I think next week I'll try lowering my lunchtime QA - I hope that it doesn't make me sleepy in the afternoon - and see how I feel after work at the gym.

Wish me luck!

Jan 27, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

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

sjohno said:
http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/prevention/insulindoseexercise.htm

that is much more user friendly............... Smile

the first page resembles the exercise section in the DAFNE handbook........

Jan 27, 2012

Carolin 83 posts

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

Remember, a really useful source of 'advanced' information (i.e. taking the basics from the DAFNE workbook a stage further) is:
http://www.runsweet.com/
Good luck! Smile

Jan 27, 2012

Anele46 109 posts

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

Hi Jen,
Not sure if this helps but since been diagnosed with Diabetes (two years ago) I have found that cycling seems to be the best form of exercise (for me).
I used to go to the gym twice a week and would use the rowing machine, bike, stepper and cross trainer and found that seemed not too bad for my BG levels.

I have since cancelled my Gym membership (to save money) and bought a second hand exercise bike off Gumtree and I find if I use that for an hour (after work) my BGs don't drop that much, probably 3mmols and sometimes have to reduce my QA before my evening meal.

I found it frustrating trying to keep up the exercise regime as I used to really push myself at the gym only to find that in order to keep myself from being low was to keep drinking energy drinks which kind out-weighs the hard work done at the gym as most of the calories burned at the gym had to be replaced with more carbs either before/during/after exercise.
I was advised my DSN to either inject less QA at last meal (in my case Lunch) prior to the gym which seemed to help but then I found I would be more thirsty and need to go to the toilet due to the higher BGs.

Hope you manage to get the right balance Very Happy

All the best,
Anele.

Jan 27, 2012

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

your right, but reducing the carbs is a good middle point for calorie reduction and blood glucose control...................

everyone is different I suppose.........I record my calorie intake next to the carb value, so the pattern I see is lots of calories next to the carbs..........

I suppose for me it just means I have more carbs than I do high fat foods and alcohol................ Wink

Jan 27, 2012

Carolin 83 posts