Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Oct 7, 2011

jgibson1962 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When to test

Maybe the GP and the consultant share the same piggy bank lol..

Oct 7, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

From what I have seen of it, I would keep it just as it is, seems really good, if you do get on DAFNE, or at least start using there terms like QA, CP, BI, then you could adapt your sheet to suit..........

its the best one I have seen, have you done similar spreadsheets in your working life..........?

Oct 7, 2011

jgibson1962 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

For the daytime i use the log book the hospital gave me then transfer the results to my spreadsheet later and now i have joined this site i can do it here too. The reason i have the graphs etc is useful as i can stick it on my memory stick or email it to the doc if need be.....its a voyage of discovery at the moment, i have yet to decide what is best for me.

Oct 7, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

its OK, I have one, it doesn't contain formulas, as I dont require and graphs or totals/averages to be produced, that is all done on here through the online diary................it gives you 7, 14, 30 and 90 day averages and lots of different graphs.............

I like to write down my results through the day and then back them up on here, which also gives me the averages, so I can work out my guesstimated HbA1c, so that's the main purpose of the spreadsheet.........

Oct 7, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When to test

So what happens when you save up and have money for it.................were do you go? who actually teaches the material? I would go elsewhere, really......!

No test can tell you how stable you actually are apart from finger prick testing, as you could have an OK HbA1c, but it is only an average, you could have lots of lows, and lots of highs, which can bring its own problems to the micro vascular system.....

Once I completed DAFNE, and this applies to other graduates also, your educators will write a letter that you can give to your GP stating you need more strips to allow you to follow the DAFNE principals.....................its strange your consultant would be concerned, as they dont provide you with the strips, its the GP that funds them.......

Oct 7, 2011

jgibson1962 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

Its something i knocked up myself using my knowledge of excel formulas. Be happy to send it to you, its pretty basic.

Oct 7, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

Thats great your following some kind of program, I actually did DAFNE unofficially for about a year at my clinic through my dietician........

The online diary can do some basic graph production which is good.............

Is your home made diary similar to the DAFNE one....?

Oct 7, 2011

jgibson1962 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

Hi again, I am using my own spreadsheet as well, its interesting to pull the data into a chart and spot where the peaks and troughs are and because i am physically active, i can take the necessary measures. I have just put my first entry into the diary, at the moment i am not following the DAFNE program, but one my local team have given me. Lets see what happens...

Oct 7, 2011

jgibson1962 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When to test

Thanks for the advice, I am in the process of pushing for a DAFNE course, everything seems so confusing. As i explained in my other posting, funding for DAFNE does not appear to be available in my area, so it looks like i will have to save up for it. I get the impression that they may be trying to save on the amount of test strips prescribed, because i appear to be stable. No need to test, just guess.

Oct 7, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / zumba :)

You should check that the previous meals dose is correct on the days your not attending the class, if its not then this may be the problem........

Also, only act upon it if it happens more than once...........

Have a look at the DAFNE handbook in the exercise section, that tells you what tactics to take depending on duration and intensity of the activity, and whether or not your looking to lose weight......

Oct 7, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When to test

If your on MDI [Multiple Daily Injection] insulin regime, which for DAFNE is a requirement, and can be assumed you are as your here on the website, then you should be testing before every meal at a minimum..........

If your on a twice a day injection regime with a mixed insulin, then the only effective time to test is before each injection, breakfast and dinner, but that is in my opinion and old method that just isn't effective at controlling blood sugars.......

I test before every meal, snack, in between meals, before driving, before drinking, exercise [not that often... Embarassed

].............so that's quite a lot, maybe more than I should in between meals, but I like to see if my dose timing is right...........

Being newly diagnosed it may seem quite frightening.................there is a good forum for newbies like yourself with lots of support and info from other members, you can find it at www.diabetessupport.co.uk.................I am a member, hope to see you there..........

and if you have the oppurtunity, try and sign up for a DAFNE course as soon as you can..............

Oct 7, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

Would it be possible to try other clinics/hospitals out...............

I had to travel to another hospital to attend the DAFNE course, in a totally different county, this was down to my clinic not having the trained staff as opposed to funding, but it would definitely be worth inquiring elsewhere....

you seem to be pro active already in your approach to control, so well done............

as mentioned previously, try the diary out, I have made up a spreadsheet that I use to write everything down as well as the online diary, this allows me to spot patterns and adjust dose accordingly, getting everything down on paper is the foundation for DAFNE, so I cant emphasize it enough..........

let me know if you would like me to email you the spreadsheet to give you and idea/start..........

Oct 7, 2011

jgibson1962 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

Just spoken on the phone with Nurse. Looks like my area doesnt have funding for the course and if i want to go on it, it will be out of my own pocket, but they will look into it for me. The diabetic team here is very good but seems they are under the cosh from these stupid government cut-backs and the advice they have given me is very good. At the moment my regime is 3xNovorapid taken before meals and 1xLevemir taken at bedtime. I am working on a 1:1 ratio, lessening the dosage depending on how much physical exercise i do (horse riding). So far have had about 3 hypos since diagnosis.

Oct 6, 2011

jgibson1962 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

Many thanks for your reply, i intend to start the online diary asap. But yes i will certainly ask to see the nurse, i'll keep you posted. Cheers

Oct 6, 2011

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

Are you in the UK?
If so, make contact with your local hospital and find out what local diabetic support is available from there, who your local diabetic consultant and diabetic nurses are. You may find that your GP practice wants to keep hold of you as they get paid more money that way. I suggest you get the best professional help available which inevitably comes from the hospital specialists as they see a much larger population and are far more clued up about developments in diabetic control than your GP practice could ever be.
You may find that your area hospital is not signed up to the programme, trained or provide any form of DAFNE support, but I hope not.
DAFNE will not make it easier to work it out in your head......all the time.....but DAFNE training and its disciplined approach will give you a strong framework to help you control things so much better.
If you at least input your results into the Online diary it can help you understand significant variations and patterns in your results that you input yourself. The colour coding system indicates expected ranges against time of day. Hover the cursory over a result and see what happens. Not sure whether you get to see range too.
Give the Online diary a try and see what you think Cool

Regards
Garry

Oct 6, 2011

jgibson1962 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / When to test

I'm a newly diagnosed type 1 from July. Although i am managing my diabetes very well, i am just a bit confused by what the consultant said to me, he suggested that i only need to BG test twice daily, before breakfast and bedtime and in addition with regard to the driving rules, which means that at the moment for my lunch and evening meal i'm guestimating my BG levels and using my guess against the carb count. So far at the end of the day i am getting readings in the region of 6 to 7 mols, whilst in the mornings before breakfast i am getting readings up to 9, even though i have increased my levemir dosage. Should i be testing before all my meals??? Thank you in advance Smile

Oct 6, 2011

tcmonkey80 41 posts

Topic: General Discussion / zumba :)

Hi everyone,
I am in a pickle, I go to zumba for an hour a week, however it seems to raise my ng, before I went it was 6.1 after 17.7? Am I meant to have some qa before I go? I can't remember.
Thanks

Oct 6, 2011

jgibson1962 29 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course

I am a Type 1 diabetic and jabbing 4 times daily. Was diagnosed in July. Have spoken to my dietician and she reckons i'm doing a pretty good job and dont need to go on the DAFNE course. Is this good advice? or should i try and push a little harder? I havent had any serious problems since leaving hospital and am using books and net resources to calculate carbs vs insulin, would DAFNE make it easier for me to say work it all out in my head. Question

Have just signed up on this site so dont have any further info to add as yet.

Oct 6, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carbs & Cals Books?

Just out of general curiosity, do people find that they are using books like these even long after they have graduated from DAFNE..........

there comes a time I believe were you dont actually need any books or carb lists like this unless you are eating out at a restaurant.........which for most is not that often, well, once or twice a week maybe......... Smile

Oct 5, 2011

SA2010 69 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carbs & Cals Books?

For anyone who makes references to the Carbs & Cals book, please be aware that some of the figures have changed since the first edition.

I had the first Edition of this book and used it before the DAFNE Carb Counter book came out and also continued to use it for items not in the DAFNE Booklet. I just got given Edition 4 of the book with the new ACCU-CHEK Aviva Expert BG Meter and discovered that some of the Carbs figures moved up. One I have frequently is 'Pain Aux Raisins' and the new edition has CPs 25% more than the original figure I have only checked a few items and the carbs were slightly higher numbers.

Pity no one produces a list of all changes so that one does not need to read the whole book and compare every item to find the changes.

Oct 5, 2011

marke 686 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carbohydrate list in .csv format

sorry but we are not allowed to distribute the carb book in cssv form. In fact we are not allowed to distribute it in any form apart from web form, I am keeping quiet about the pdf one on the page Wink

Your best option is to go to www.dafne.uk.com click on contact us and ask DAFNE central who are the ones that 'own' the carb book. I agree it would make sense for them to provide it but they are the ones that decide.

Oct 5, 2011

SA2010 69 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Handbook and CP List booklets - version differences list

Thanks Marke. I will do that

Oct 5, 2011

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Handbook and CP List booklets - version differences list

Hi, sorry no. For 2 reasons, firstly we are not allowed to distribute the handbook in any form. We had to sign a legal disclaimer to this effect. Secondly and more practically, there doesn't seem to be any change control
between the two versions ! I got the handbook as a PDF only and so had to completely rebuild the online handbook from scratch, there is no way to do comparisons since the original was a word document and as you can see there are lots of diagrams etc in there that cannot be compared. The carb booklet is change controlled but as I say I'm not allowed to provide these only put them online.
I would suggest you go to www.dafne.uk.com click on the contact us and ask them the question direct since the documents come from here not us, hopefully they may be able to help.

Oct 5, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Meters

Hey,

I use the Freestyle InsulinX, only just got it recently after seeing it advertised on the internet. It allows you to program in your mealtime insulin/carb ratios, how much 1 unit drops you for corrections etc, this then allows you to test your blood, then enter in your carb portions/grams of carbs [you can choose which one], and it will tell you how much insulin to take.......

This for me is only used a check/record as I still calculate the dose manually in my head.........I believe there are other meters with similar 'bolus calculators' on them...

The Nano I have heard is good, so enjoy...........

Not every meter has the function to test ketones, but for me personally the function is only a bonus............the urine testing is sufficient for me in the event ketones may be present......

Let us know what you think of your new meter......... Wink

Oct 5, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carbs & Cals Books?

I have no first hand experience with either but have heard the carbs and cals book is really good........

Personally I need to count my carbohydrates with a bit more accuracy than that provided by the book, or, at least when I am in the house anyway...... Smile

Oct 7, 2011 jgibson1962 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When to test Maybe the GP and the consultant share the same piggy bank lol..

Oct 7, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course From what I have seen of it, I would keep it just as it is, seems really good, if you do get on DAFNE, or at least start using there terms like QA, CP, BI, then you could adapt your sheet to suit.......... its the best one I have seen, have you done similar spreadsheets in your working life..........?

Oct 7, 2011 jgibson1962 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course For the daytime i use the log book the hospital gave me then transfer the results to my spreadsheet later and now i have joined this site i can do it here too. The reason i have the graphs etc is useful as i can stick it on my memory stick or email it to the doc if need be.....its a voyage of discovery at the moment, i have yet to decide what is best for me.

Oct 7, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course its OK, I have one, it doesn't contain formulas, as I dont require and graphs or totals/averages to be produced, that is all done on here through the online diary................it gives you 7, 14, 30 and 90 day averages and lots of different graphs............. I like to write down my results through the day and then back them up on here, which also gives me the averages, so I can work out my guesstimated HbA1c, so that's the main purpose of the spreadsheet.........

Oct 7, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When to test So what happens when you save up and have money for it.................were do you go? who actually teaches the material? I would go elsewhere, really......! No test can tell you how stable you actually are apart from finger prick testing, as you could have an OK HbA1c, but it is only an average, you could have lots of lows, and lots of highs, which can bring its own problems to the micro vascular system..... Once I completed DAFNE, and this applies to other graduates also, your educators will write a letter that you can give to your GP stating you need more strips to allow you to follow the DAFNE principals.....................its strange your consultant would be concerned, as they dont provide you with the strips, its the GP that funds them.......

Oct 7, 2011 jgibson1962 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course Its something i knocked up myself using my knowledge of excel formulas. Be happy to send it to you, its pretty basic.

Oct 7, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course Thats great your following some kind of program, I actually did DAFNE unofficially for about a year at my clinic through my dietician........ The online diary can do some basic graph production which is good............. Is your home made diary similar to the DAFNE one....?

Oct 7, 2011 jgibson1962 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course Hi again, I am using my own spreadsheet as well, its interesting to pull the data into a chart and spot where the peaks and troughs are and because i am physically active, i can take the necessary measures. I have just put my first entry into the diary, at the moment i am not following the DAFNE program, but one my local team have given me. Lets see what happens...

Oct 7, 2011 jgibson1962 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When to test Thanks for the advice, I am in the process of pushing for a DAFNE course, everything seems so confusing. As i explained in my other posting, funding for DAFNE does not appear to be available in my area, so it looks like i will have to save up for it. I get the impression that they may be trying to save on the amount of test strips prescribed, because i appear to be stable. No need to test, just guess.

Oct 7, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / zumba :) You should check that the previous meals dose is correct on the days your not attending the class, if its not then this may be the problem........ Also, only act upon it if it happens more than once........... Have a look at the DAFNE handbook in the exercise section, that tells you what tactics to take depending on duration and intensity of the activity, and whether or not your looking to lose weight......

Oct 7, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When to test If your on MDI [Multiple Daily Injection] insulin regime, which for DAFNE is a requirement, and can be assumed you are as your here on the website, then you should be testing before every meal at a minimum.......... If your on a twice a day injection regime with a mixed insulin, then the only effective time to test is before each injection, breakfast and dinner, but that is in my opinion and old method that just isn't effective at controlling blood sugars....... I test before every meal, snack, in between meals, before driving, before drinking, exercise [not that often... ].............so that's quite a lot, maybe more than I should in between meals, but I like to see if my dose timing is right........... Being newly diagnosed it may seem quite frightening.................there is a good forum for newbies like yourself with lots of support and info from other members, you can find it at www.diabetessupport.co.uk.................I am a member, hope to see you there.......... and if you have the oppurtunity, try and sign up for a DAFNE course as soon as you can..............

Oct 7, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course Would it be possible to try other clinics/hospitals out............... I had to travel to another hospital to attend the DAFNE course, in a totally different county, this was down to my clinic not having the trained staff as opposed to funding, but it would definitely be worth inquiring elsewhere.... you seem to be pro active already in your approach to control, so well done............ as mentioned previously, try the diary out, I have made up a spreadsheet that I use to write everything down as well as the online diary, this allows me to spot patterns and adjust dose accordingly, getting everything down on paper is the foundation for DAFNE, so I cant emphasize it enough.......... let me know if you would like me to email you the spreadsheet to give you and idea/start..........

Oct 7, 2011 jgibson1962 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course Just spoken on the phone with Nurse. Looks like my area doesnt have funding for the course and if i want to go on it, it will be out of my own pocket, but they will look into it for me. The diabetic team here is very good but seems they are under the cosh from these stupid government cut-backs and the advice they have given me is very good. At the moment my regime is 3xNovorapid taken before meals and 1xLevemir taken at bedtime. I am working on a 1:1 ratio, lessening the dosage depending on how much physical exercise i do (horse riding). So far have had about 3 hypos since diagnosis.

Oct 6, 2011 jgibson1962 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course Many thanks for your reply, i intend to start the online diary asap. But yes i will certainly ask to see the nurse, i'll keep you posted. Cheers

Oct 6, 2011 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course Are you in the UK? If so, make contact with your local hospital and find out what local diabetic support is available from there, who your local diabetic consultant and diabetic nurses are. You may find that your GP practice wants to keep hold of you as they get paid more money that way. I suggest you get the best professional help available which inevitably comes from the hospital specialists as they see a much larger population and are far more clued up about developments in diabetic control than your GP practice could ever be. You may find that your area hospital is not signed up to the programme, trained or provide any form of DAFNE support, but I hope not. DAFNE will not make it easier to work it out in your head......all the time.....but DAFNE training and its disciplined approach will give you a strong framework to help you control things so much better. If you at least input your results into the Online diary it can help you understand significant variations and patterns in your results that you input yourself. The colour coding system indicates expected ranges against time of day. Hover the cursory over a result and see what happens. Not sure whether you get to see range too. Give the Online diary a try and see what you think Regards Garry

Oct 6, 2011 jgibson1962 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / When to test I'm a newly diagnosed type 1 from July. Although i am managing my diabetes very well, i am just a bit confused by what the consultant said to me, he suggested that i only need to BG test twice daily, before breakfast and bedtime and in addition with regard to the driving rules, which means that at the moment for my lunch and evening meal i'm guestimating my BG levels and using my guess against the carb count. So far at the end of the day i am getting readings in the region of 6 to 7 mols, whilst in the mornings before breakfast i am getting readings up to 9, even though i have increased my levemir dosage. Should i be testing before all my meals??? Thank you in advance

Oct 6, 2011 tcmonkey80 41 posts	Topic: General Discussion / zumba :) Hi everyone, I am in a pickle, I go to zumba for an hour a week, however it seems to raise my ng, before I went it was 6.1 after 17.7? Am I meant to have some qa before I go? I can't remember. Thanks

Oct 6, 2011 jgibson1962 29 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How do i get on a DAFNE course I am a Type 1 diabetic and jabbing 4 times daily. Was diagnosed in July. Have spoken to my dietician and she reckons i'm doing a pretty good job and dont need to go on the DAFNE course. Is this good advice? or should i try and push a little harder? I havent had any serious problems since leaving hospital and am using books and net resources to calculate carbs vs insulin, would DAFNE make it easier for me to say work it all out in my head. Have just signed up on this site so dont have any further info to add as yet.

Oct 6, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carbs & Cals Books? Just out of general curiosity, do people find that they are using books like these even long after they have graduated from DAFNE.......... there comes a time I believe were you dont actually need any books or carb lists like this unless you are eating out at a restaurant.........which for most is not that often, well, once or twice a week maybe.........

Oct 5, 2011 SA2010 69 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carbs & Cals Books? For anyone who makes references to the Carbs & Cals book, please be aware that some of the figures have changed since the first edition. I had the first Edition of this book and used it before the DAFNE Carb Counter book came out and also continued to use it for items not in the DAFNE Booklet. I just got given Edition 4 of the book with the new ACCU-CHEK Aviva Expert BG Meter and discovered that some of the Carbs figures moved up. One I have frequently is 'Pain Aux Raisins' and the new edition has CPs 25% more than the original figure I have only checked a few items and the carbs were slightly higher numbers. Pity no one produces a list of all changes so that one does not need to read the whole book and compare every item to find the changes.

Oct 5, 2011 marke 686 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carbohydrate list in .csv format sorry but we are not allowed to distribute the carb book in cssv form. In fact we are not allowed to distribute it in any form apart from web form, I am keeping quiet about the pdf one on the page Your best option is to go to www.dafne.uk.com click on contact us and ask DAFNE central who are the ones that 'own' the carb book. I agree it would make sense for them to provide it but they are the ones that decide.

Oct 5, 2011 SA2010 69 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Handbook and CP List booklets - version differences list Thanks Marke. I will do that

Oct 5, 2011 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Handbook and CP List booklets - version differences list Hi, sorry no. For 2 reasons, firstly we are not allowed to distribute the handbook in any form. We had to sign a legal disclaimer to this effect. Secondly and more practically, there doesn't seem to be any change control between the two versions ! I got the handbook as a PDF only and so had to completely rebuild the online handbook from scratch, there is no way to do comparisons since the original was a word document and as you can see there are lots of diagrams etc in there that cannot be compared. The carb booklet is change controlled but as I say I'm not allowed to provide these only put them online. I would suggest you go to www.dafne.uk.com click on the contact us and ask them the question direct since the documents come from here not us, hopefully they may be able to help.

Oct 5, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Meters Hey, I use the Freestyle InsulinX, only just got it recently after seeing it advertised on the internet. It allows you to program in your mealtime insulin/carb ratios, how much 1 unit drops you for corrections etc, this then allows you to test your blood, then enter in your carb portions/grams of carbs [you can choose which one], and it will tell you how much insulin to take....... This for me is only used a check/record as I still calculate the dose manually in my head.........I believe there are other meters with similar 'bolus calculators' on them... The Nano I have heard is good, so enjoy........... Not every meter has the function to test ketones, but for me personally the function is only a bonus............the urine testing is sufficient for me in the event ketones may be present...... Let us know what you think of your new meter.........

Oct 5, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carbs & Cals Books? I have no first hand experience with either but have heard the carbs and cals book is really good........ Personally I need to count my carbohydrates with a bit more accuracy than that provided by the book, or, at least when I am in the house anyway......