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Jan 28, 2012
Stew B
123 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Accu Chek Aviva Expert 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 |
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Jan 28, 2012
Ahmentep
98 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Graduation Graduated yesterday! 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 |
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Jan 27, 2012
SimonC
78 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Redoing DAFNE??? 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. |
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Jan 27, 2012
Naz
10 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Accu Chek Aviva Expert 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! |
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Jan 27, 2012
Anele46
108 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Increasing Exercise...not Hypos
Good luck Jen, Hopefully lowering the Lunchtime QA will do the trick. Enjoy  Cheers, Anele. |
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Jan 27, 2012
JenC
4 posts
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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! |
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Jan 27, 2012
novorapidboi26
1,816 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Increasing Exercise...not Hypos
that is much more user friendly............... the first page resembles the exercise section in the DAFNE handbook........ |
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Jan 27, 2012
Carolin
83 posts
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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!
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Jan 27, 2012
Anele46
108 posts
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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 All the best, Anele. |
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Jan 27, 2012
novorapidboi26
1,816 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Redoing DAFNE??? 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................ 
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Jan 27, 2012
Carolin
83 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Redoing DAFNE???
But remember that most Calories in our diet come from fats (9 Cal/g) and alcohol (7 Cal/g), as opposed to carbs and protein (both 4 Cal/g), so reducing PORTION sizes of everything is much healthier than cutting down/out one particular food group 
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Jan 27, 2012
novorapidboi26
1,816 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Increasing Exercise...not Hypos Keep at it, and just go prepared at the gym.................its good your keeping active and helping insulin sensitivity, that will almost certainly reduce your insulin requirements across the board, eventually, hopefully, it will all settle down once you have made the right adjustments for you routinely workouts............... |
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Jan 27, 2012
JenC
4 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Increasing Exercise...not Hypos Thanks for responding!I know all too well about trial and error, I feel that I have probably made to many changes in one go and my diabetes has decided to have a moan. Just feel hard to stay motivated when you feel hypo almost all the time - my levels in general have dropped so I think my body is adjusting to that feeling. My average reading is not about 5-6 when before it would have been 8-9 I'll stick at it and see how it goes! |
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Jan 27, 2012
novorapidboi26
1,816 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / low sugars and background insulin if your BI dose is out, then you might not have the correct insulin/carb ratio, it might change when you adjust your BI..............so it requires a bit of trial and error.............its hard to say why your BG didn't drop drastically in that occasion, it could of been down to slower digestion food you had for dinner etc............can you remember what you had?.............. the high in the morning is also a mystery, but could be the effects of the dawn phenomenon...............however you need to test to find out whats going on exactly.............. So 3 consecutive days with the same result is good enough to make a decision on dose............ |
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Jan 27, 2012
novorapidboi26
1,816 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Increasing Exercise...not Hypos No experience unfortunately but I think its really as case of trial and error [as diabetes always is] regarding you insulin reduction.................it all depends on intensity and duration I think, theres more details in the handbook, but I think what you need to do is drop your QA dose prior to the exercise...............how much will need to be found out by you, hence the trial and error............. sorry I couldn't be of any more help......................  Welcome to the forum...................
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Jan 27, 2012
MARIER
42 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / low sugars and background insulin Any suggestions of why i went to bed on 9.9 and 3am test was spot on 8.7 then 815 am this morning threw a 18.2 ?????thanx Marie |
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Jan 27, 2012
MARIER
42 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / low sugars and background insulin Thanks i will try the online diary as i cant seem to enter dtes at bottom just doesnt do anything ? mayb should try if on target goin to bed just always felt it was a bit low for me in my own mind under 10 would be ok !!! if i know today as i did yest that i had correct insulin to carbs then its deffo background if i am low again this aft then tommr morn i will test as usual and at 10.30 am b4 i have background and not eat anything. |
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Jan 27, 2012
JenC
4 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Increasing Exercise...not Hypos Hi,I was wondering if anyone might want to share their experiences with me on the best way to approach exercising. I've recently joined the gym and am committed to losing weight this year - however, I've found the number of hypos I'm getting increasing drastically. I've reduced my background insulin which has improved things slightly, but I am finding that my sugars seem to plummet very fast. EG - Last night I did a pre workout test - 5.2, I had a banana then did 40 minutes cardio and had to stop because I felt low and when I did a test I was 3.3. I had my usual hypo treatment and then went home and had dinner, when I did a test at this point my sugar was only 4.2 I'm finding it a bit disheartening - I'm trying really hard to get some healthy habits into my life and feel like all I've done all week is drink lucozade just to feel normal!! There has to be a better way, any experienced athletes who want to share tips?? Thanks, Jen |
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Jan 27, 2012
novorapidboi26
1,816 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / low sugars and background insulin You can input your diary by going to the Online diary................then you can enter in the dates you wish to post in the 2 boxes below the main box you type in when in the forum.................I hope that link works...............you can also access the diary on the right hand menu................If you tested at 3am and you thought it was too low, then your evening BI is out, it should be holding you steady.......................the fact that you went to bed on 7.4 and dropped to 5.6 by 3am also confirms that..................7.4 is fine to go to bed on...........what would you like to be before bed.............? Your lows in the afternoon could be too much insulin at lunchtime, or too much BI insulin in the morning......................so you should test your morning BI with some carb free meals or miss a meal...................but you should also check your evening BI as it looks to me as its too much........ just remember to get a few days results to confirm the pattern............ So I think your initial analysis of your results is correct, you need to reduce both BI doses............. HAPPY TESTING...................
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Jan 27, 2012
MARIER
42 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / low sugars and background insulin 25/1/126am 11AM 12.50PM 3PM 5.45PM 9.45PM 10.30 CP 2.5 4.5 5 4.5 BG 11.4 12.0 8.6 * 3.1* 6.6 7.2 QA 1+2.5 4.5 5 4.5 BI 10.30AM 24 10.30 PM 24 ****************************************************************************** 26/1/12 3AM TEST 5.6 CP + 1 8.45AM 10.30 12.45 1.25 5PM 5.45 10PM 10.30PM CP 2 1.5 1 5 3.5 BG 10.7 11.7 5.7 9.9 QA 2 +1 1.5 5 3.5 BI 24 24 ***************************************************************************************************** 27/1/12 3AM TEST BG 8.7 8.15 AM 8.45 AM 10.30 CP 2 BG 18.2 14.8 QA +4 2 BI 24 |
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Jan 27, 2012
MARIER
42 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / low sugars and background insulin Sorry that was my fault never thought to post carbs .I had the 1cp at 3am as 5.6 is to low for me went to bed with 7.4 which again is to low but i thought i would try it to see how i got on . Also forgot to put that i was low yest aft also Heck sorry not very good at this yes i will try go do online diary for last few daysThanx Novorapidboi26 |
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Jan 27, 2012
novorapidboi26
1,816 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / low sugars and background insulin Hi there,I am struggling a wee bit to understand whats going on, mainly because there are no carb values or insulin values, only that you said you had the right amount...........so cant really say whats going on......... You said you done a 3am test and it was 5.6, which is good, perfect even...............did you have 1CP at 3am then, and if so, why? If thae above scenario is correct and you woke up at 8.45am with a BG of 10.1, this is probably down to the 1CP you had at 3am...... At the end of your post you mention low sugars in the afternoon, the only low I see is the 3.2 at 3.10pm, but I dont know whether this was the day before the rest of the results, as you mention the 3.2 first before the rest of the results.......... Sorry I cant help much............ Would you be able to think back to your results and put them in the online diary, then post them up................. Without carbs consumed and insulin taken for them, ratios, times and doses of background insulin, previous days results, you just cant make a decision really...........
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Jan 27, 2012
novorapidboi26
1,816 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Redoing DAFNE??? Every clinic is different I suppose, but mine dont hassle me about weight, and I am 5 stone overweight..................They can see I am proactive in my approach to get my blood sugar under control, and they understand that in doing so, I might have to put on a few pounds, or in my case stones.......... I think you should concentrate on you blood glucose control for now, get in to the habit of testing and experimenting with different foods, build up a database of knowledge specific to you, then think about cutting out carbs and eating more healthy........... For a week I reduced my carb amount significantly, so just meat and veg etc................and the results were brilliant, blood sugars much more easily managed, and the less carbs you have, the less calories are going in.............so for me, this looks like a good plan for the future, not carb free, but reduced carbs....................although I have still to adopt this plan........
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Jan 27, 2012
Lizzie
87 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Redoing DAFNE??? Hi and thanks all for your helpful advice. I just wanted to say I am still persevering and haven't gone away but it was very busy at work yesterday so i didn't have a chance to reply.If I wanted to split my Lantus (haven't yet decided), does anyone have any advice? Sarahlou I know being fat can cause insulin resistance. I am prepared to admit that I could lose some weight. But I feel that doctors do not give natural means like healthy diets and exercise enough of a chance. I would love to be given more support to lose weight in that way. If the doctors supported me in trying to eat more healthily and took a positive outlook on the whole thing then I would be happy. But instead they are very negative, scaremongering and nagging all the time and forcing drugs and surgery on people unecessarily. If people want to quit smoking they are given free counselling, quit kits etc all on the NHS. Of course that is right, they should be given support. But I just think people trying to lose weight should get similar support, like counselling or cookery classes, exercise groups etc. It should be given more of a positive slant instead of nagging, you can't eat this, you shouldn't do that. And also they focus too much on weight when they should be focusing on health - losing weight is not necessarily healthy in itself unless it is the result of a balanced diet and exercise. All this is IMHO of course. |
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Jan 26, 2012
MARIER
42 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / low sugars and background insulin Hi Guys i have lost my DAFNE book yesterday i was Hypo at 3.10 pm BG 3.2 DID A 3AM TEST AND IT WAS 5.6 SO Had 1 cp BG this morn at 8.45am was 10.1 12.45pm BG 11.4 - 4.45 BG 5.2 so had 1 cp have had correct amount of carbs / insulin just tested it at 7.45 pm as wasnt feeln to good and its 6.1 going to do another 3 am test as think Background needs reduced do you think i need to reduce morning also hence low sugars x2 in afternoonthanks |