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Jan 15, 2012
SimonC
78 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / New Needles Hi there, I was on the 12mm needles and changed to the 8mm, found them much easier, my GP wanted to put me on 5mm, but I was reluctant, so they didn't push it. I moved house last year, ands the new GP suggested the 5mm, so I gave it a go, and they are a doddle, even after the 8mm ones. Much prefer them. |
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Jan 15, 2012
DRS
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / New Needles Thank you both for your replies. Certainly the letter says the shorter needles are more comfortable - less bruising or need to pinch. Leon's experience also reassures me somewhat. The nasty suspicious part of my mind was thinking it might be a money saving exercise of some sort.
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Jan 15, 2012
jennyshepperd
6 posts
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Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb Counting Conflicts? Hi- i have been using the DAFNE carb counting "book" from 2010/2011 and it states an apple weighing 120g is 1 carbohydrate portion. I have recently discovered the new version on this site and uploaded it to my phone - however, it now states a 100g apple is 1 carbohydrate portion.I've noticed this with a few other foods- have i missed something? If i use the 120g weight is 1 CP for an apple it works fine for me. I'm still using 1CP = 10g CHO. I'm guessing the new one is more up to date...? |
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Jan 15, 2012
ruthhutchinson
39 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Hi, new on here Welcome Cathy. I've beenType 1 diabetic since 1970 - almost 42 years and I have to say that I find this forum one of the best tools I've ever had to help control my condition. You can learn lots from people who have experience. You won't have to listen to people telling you that you can't do this or that. We normally find a way round most problems. |
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Jan 15, 2012
LeonT
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / New Needles I think, and don't quote me on this, its to do with the shorter needles being more reliable at injecting insulin into your subcutaneous fat - the chances of injecting into muscle is greater with the longer needles which can alter the absorsion rate. Personally, I found that I not only needed slightly more insulin with the longer needles, but my BG readings were less stable.Also, as Alan says, the shorter needles are more comfortable too. Give them a go 
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Jan 14, 2012
Anele46
109 posts
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Topic: Site Development / Entry Sites Hi there,Not sure if anyone has asked this before and this may not apply to everyone but I think it would be handy to have some extra Entry Sites for the Blood Glucose Diary e.g. After Breakfast, After Lunch, After Dinner? Sometimes depending on my BG and the type of food I'm eating, I will Inject my QA after my meal so thought it would be handy to have these extra sites (think that's what they're called) added? Not sure if anyone else agrees but I know it would be handy for me, but then I am a bit sad  and still record everything as am still relatively new to Diabetes (2yrs) and like to keep track.Cheers, Anele. |
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Jan 14, 2012
Anele46
109 posts
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Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / fresh cherries? Hi Jen,Welcome to the DAFNE family  My supermarket sells a pot of cherries weighing 80g and I find I don't need to inject QA to cover them but as Novorapidboi26 says everyone is different and totally agree with the advice of eat first and correct later (if needs be). Enjoy the cherries! Yum yum Cheers, Anele x |
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Jan 14, 2012
CathySbd
7 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Hi, new on here Hi everyone and thank you all for the lovely replies. Its nice to have people out there who understand and are there for you. I am a bit of a worrier (hypochondriac!) about my health these days and sometimes i feel it would be good to be able to ask other people questions of how they are doing etc. xcathy |
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Jan 14, 2012
ChristineBat...
23 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Hi, new on here Hi Cathy, welcome! I've been type 1 diabetic for 33 years, and I'm 43. Good luck for 2012, and I hope you feel supported on here. Christine |
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Jan 14, 2012
marke
681 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Hi, new on here Hi cathy and welcome. If nothing else you are testing regularly and that's a big bonus. We are all bad from time to time no one is perfect but at least now you have the tools to improve things. As for the other nurses about time they listened and stopped preaching. In every job we all have new things to learn and never know it all even if we think we do. |
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Jan 14, 2012
marke
681 posts
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Simon made a very good point that I had forgotten about, which is surprising considering the circumstances. You need to be careful when you stop taking the steroids. They will taper them off slowly so that you body resumes production of 'natural' steroids. However my insulin requirements became a bit unpredictable for a week or two after I had finished the steroids completely. I had my only ever assisted hypo during this period. I was at work and apparently started behaving strangely then went to sleep at my desk. Sadly despite all my previous instructions to colleagues they called an ambulance. The operator told them to give me coca cola. I remember waking up and thinking oh there is an ambulance crew here, I wonder why. Oh sh*t it's for me !! I have been fine ever since. |
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Jan 14, 2012
Alan 49
284 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / New Needles That sounds like rubbish to me - you're still going to need the same dosage whether you inject it deeper with the 8mm needles, or not so deep with the 4mm. Perhaps you should get your GP to explain it.I would recommend the shorter needles, though. I use 5mm needles and the actual injections are a lot more comfortable than with the 8mm ones. |
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Jan 14, 2012
Simon Heller
46 posts
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Marke is right. Everyone responds differently to steroids but since they are very effective at turning the body's fat and muscle stores into glucose (in the liver) they will make glucose go up in everyone. Just increasing bolus and corrective doses may well not work if the doses are large enough and then background insulin has to be increased to bring the fasting, i.e. starting glucose of the day down. Morning BI also needs increasing by and large as Marke indicates. You also need to remember that when the steroids are reduced and this is normally gradually, then doses should begin to be wound down within 24 hours of a dose reduction. It is frustrating that there is no std formula so the secret is applying DAFNE principles very precisely as well as seeking help from a local DAFNE educator or doc. Simon |
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Jan 14, 2012
CathySbd
7 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Hi, new on here Hi. Thought I'd introduce myself. Type 1 diabetic 39 years! Am 48 but don't look it!!!! Been on DAFNE about 5 years. HBA1c been 8.something for long time. Would like to get this lower. Trying to lose 30 lbs with Slimming World-am inclined to 'binge' hence probs getting HBA1c lower. Work parttime (26.5 hrs). Work in a hospital where other ppl in the department where I work (ie the nurses) are convinced I am a very bad diabetic because of how I eat, what I eat and when etc. i have tried to explain DAFNE but they all think it's some newfangled rubbish and not good for me. Their attitudes annoy me. Love the Dafne regime, it is the one thing that got me test my blood sugar regularly as pre-dafne I would go for 6 months or more without testing. I always had good intentions but never followed them. Have very supportive husband and 2 great kids age 20 and 14. Want 2012 the year i get fitter and healthier-and relax more!!! Xcathy |
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Jan 13, 2012
marke
681 posts
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I have experience but no simple solution. I have been on steriods a number of times and experienced insulin resistance as a result. The only solution I found was trial and error, however I also found that the larger the meal I ate, the harder it was to adjust for the resistance. It didn't seem to be linear i.e if I at 4 CP's and used a ratio of 2:1, if I ate 8 CP's then a 2:1 ratio was not enough. The only solution I found was to try and keep the CP's down and maybe eat more often and inject for each. Another important factor is to increase your BI accordingly as well. This will require acting like you are starting from scratch and try to get your BI right with carb free days. It won't 'fix' the issue but it will improve it by giving a better baseline to adjust the QA for. |
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Jan 13, 2012
LeonT
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Sensible drinkers need not apply... Thank you all. I think, as Alp147 said, it'll probably take a bit of trial and error. It's interesting to see that the dosage levels vary so much between different people.I'm going to have another look at the DAFNE handbook because, to be honest, the alcohol section confused me when we went through it on the course. I sort of like the idea of injecting throughout a "session" though - who knows, it might inadvertently keep me sober(ish) lol! |
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Jan 13, 2012
DRS
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / New Needles I currently use 8mm needles for my insulin injections. My GP's surgery have written recommending switching to 4mm needles which they say may help to reduce the amount of insulin I need to take. Does this sound right? |
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Jan 13, 2012
alp147
4 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Sensible drinkers need not apply... When i drink i tend to stick to spirits and diet mixer, so i dont have any insulin for that. If i drink cocktails i just count the juice as i would a juice drink normally, i go by say for every 100mls i take 1 unit and jab as a i go along. And i too have something to eat at the end of the night which i dont count. I test my bg when i get in, unless it is rediculously high i leave it as it will drop =] lots of trial and error though! |
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Jan 13, 2012
ketostix pla...
25 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Sensible drinkers need not apply... Hi LeonT, Im not a massive drinker as not very good at it lol, however will occasionaly go on a massive adhoc session. The way I tend to do it which works well for me apart from the hangover, is first pint dont count. Then after every two pints I do 1 unit QA, however I tend to keep a mental count of pints and do an injection after four pints as tend to inject to often for my liking if on a mission with mates. I dont count shots or spirits if having a break from lager, apart from if mixed with OJ but I only drink diet coke with spirits. The important rule I always follow is on way home have kebab or burger and chips but dont count them, as my blood glucose will crash during the night. I have to keep a close eye on my levels the following day, but tend to be in good range. I remember on Dafne course they said that alchol is a bit of a grey area but there are details in the training guide if I remember correctly, but you need to find what works for you. enjoy yourself and remember its only one day, so you will get back into a routine after the madness which we are allowed!!! |
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Jan 13, 2012
SimonC
78 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Sensible drinkers need not apply... I have had type for 22 years - almost to the day, and of course I have never strayed of the virtuous path, but when no one is looking I'm may have the odd pint or three. I used to deal with it by having extra the day after, but always remembering that you can have sudden drops due to the effect of alcohol, however, I now try to l add a small dose of QA as I go along, which is much better, for me, but I don't always remember.It is always useful to take into account what it is you are drinking, for pints, I would have a shot of 3 units per pint, but if drinking wine I wouldn't have any. For me, it is easier to jab as I go along. |
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Jan 13, 2012
LeonT
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Sensible drinkers need not apply... Ok, so I've had type one for yearssss (21) and graduated from DAFNE earlier this year. Now, I've got quite a few stag weekends comIng up and I was wondering the best way of dealing with drunken nights out. The delegates on my DAFNE course were all "perfect" - nobody drank more than 2 pints a year ;o) - but I'm a tad different lol.So, how do you deal with boozey sessions? Do you attempt to inject as you go along, or do you leave it until the next morning when you've sobered up sufficiently? Alternatively, do you just abstain on the grounds that you have Type 1 diabetes? |
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Jan 13, 2012
LeonT
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / App developments Rapidcalc (iphone app) does something similar although it doesnt take into account DAFNE principles. |
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Jan 13, 2012
mum2westiesGill
502 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Exciting news............
I'm very happy for you & your wife and as you say it's the perfect wee family. Gill
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