Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Sep 20, 2011

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary

Following your comment novarapidboi26 I have just had a play and see that Shift and Tab held down together goes backwards.......... I knew there had to be a sneaky set of keystrokes to do what we needed Very Happy

Regards
Garry

Sep 20, 2011

PNThompson 57 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary

I only use the Diary via the DAFNE App on my iPod Touch.
It looks like the comments field is too small and with the grey background of the screen being protected the field is restricted to what you can view though you can type a lot of data into it.

Sep 20, 2011

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Smart Insulin

Jwo, not licensed in the UK means it cannot be prescribed and used in the UK legally. If someone IS using it in the UK they do so at their own risk and must be importing it via questionable means. I would not recommend this course of action since you have no guarantee what you are getting, there are very good reasons to have clinical trials and licensing rules. It is to protect people from those that want to make money out of people. Anyway I'll step off my soapbox now... Confused

I agree its worth keeping an eye on the website but I wouldn't get too excited until a realistic date is set to bring the product to market i.e until it is likely to be available to be prescribed to people in the UK. With a product like this it is likely that there are lots of tests needed to ensure it really is safe, Injecting a load of insulin and trusting
it to only be used when it is needed is a big challenge and one that really needs to be working correctly before it is used by a lot of people. It would be nice to have something like this but only if it REALLY works effectively.

Sep 20, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary

I use the tab button, you can just sift through all the fields, once I have tabbed back to the first field, the date, I just scroll down with the scroller on my mouse to access the save button....... Smile

Sep 20, 2011

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary

Me too. Mine shows up part of the Ketone field. Made several entries and then further problem arises in that without the horizontal scroll bar, once you have made a comments entry, it's difficult to get back to save your entries.
Managed it though by moving cursor to furthest left screen field visible and left arrow until it pops back. Sure to be some clever keystoke sequence to overcome this....but don't ask me Embarassed

Please help Marke

Regards
Garry

Sep 20, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Getting partner involved

My course was another that did a partner session but my partner was not able to attend. I did try to get my parents to attend instead, but again, had to work.

I'd love to do a separate meeting, but considering a meeting I've tried to arrange through this forum with another member had a fairly lacking response, I'm not sure one will ever happen...

Sep 20, 2011

Carolin 83 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Results

whiskysmum said:
.... You're very lucky being able to go on a DAFNE course & like you say you've learnt all about the ratios, hypos, tablets etc, maybe you could teach me about this ratio thing and the way it's all written down ie 1:1, 0.5:1, 3:1 etc when i see it all on here on the forums. The book i bought looks excellent if i could maybe learn how to use it and maybe alongside my diabetic specialist nurse who i go to see at my gp surgery. They don't do a dafne course in Warrington & i don't have the time to be travelling miles away to one or to be staying away from home due to family ie hubby, daughter & son. I guess i'll just have to carry on trying to learn from the forums on here.

This is another sad example of a service which had trained and set up to deliver DAFNE, but I believe the funding was pulled.
Anyone who feels very strongly that they should be able to access DAFNE locally should if possible try to lobby their PCT; put pressure on the 'commissioners'.
Whiskysmum, I don't know if the nurse you see at your GP practice is actually a Diabetes Specialist Nurse or just a Practice Nurse who's interested in diabetes? There is a big difference in skills. There are nurses and dietitians at the hospital who have been trained in DAFNE and although they are not currently offering courses, they will have the skills required to give you better guidance.
Good luck,
Carolin

Sep 20, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Smart Insulin

I do agree - it is a bit exciting and it's very valid that the dating of the article means it's going to be years off yet...

However, it was a lady I met yesterday that admitted that her son had been put on a "smart insulin from America" that was not licensed in the UK. She explained that even after 2 years he was still having trouble controlling his condition (we're talking someone aged around 23 years from what I could tell) so arrangements were made to put him on it (possibly through private care?)... and the main google search result that came up for this was the article I have posted.

I do find it very strange that there was not more information avaliable if people were being put on to it... but as I'm sure we're all aware, people do tell porkies.
I guess if we want more information, might be worth keeping an eye on the (seemingly) dedicated site http://www.smartinsulin.com/ but I dunno...

This just doesn't add up...

Edit:

Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will acquire all outstanding stock of SmartCells, Inc. In return SmartCells shareholders will receive an upfront cash payment and be eligible to receive clinical development and regulatory milestones for products resulting from the transaction for potential aggregate payments in excess of $500 million.

http://www.smartinsulin.com/news/news_main.html

Are they effectively saying that if you're a shareholder, you have access to product use?

Sep 20, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary

Its the same for me, and I believe its something to do with the site as opposed to your display settings.............

The comments field is still there, its just the end of the box is out of sight, not a big problem I suppose, maybe they could introduce a horizontal scroll bar or reduce the size of the DAFNE Tools menu on the right hand side..........

Sep 20, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / hgv

In light of these proposed changes I might try and get my 7 ton license, there has been a few times were this would have come in handy...........the criteria to meet seems to be really easy, well, for me anyway............

The criteria being;

There has not been any severe hypoglycaemic event in the previous 12 months;

The driver has full hypoglycaemic awareness;

The driver must show adequate control of the condition by regular blood glucose monitoring, at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving*;

The driver must demonstrate an understanding of the risks of hypoglycaemia; and,

There are no other debarring complications of diabetes.

This is really god news actually, especially for drivers who have had to stop driving after diagnosis............probably need to be reviewed on an annual basis though, which is safe.........

Sep 19, 2011

briangildea2002 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / hgv

Thanks for the help guys,dont think i will pursue it even with the new regulations coming in.

Sep 19, 2011

mum2westiesGill 502 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary

Hi,

Mine is the same, it only goes upto the Injection Site column

Sep 19, 2011

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary

When making entries in my online diary, I like to use the 'Multiple Entry' option, but recently I have found that the panel seems to cut off the 'Comments' column on the right.
Is this something I can fix on my PC or is it a problem with the actual online diary?

Sep 19, 2011

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / hgv

There are changes being implemented in October 2011 - see http://www.diabetes.org.uk/driving

Sep 19, 2011

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Smart Insulin

Their website says its still in pre-clincical trials ( the article referenced is from 2008 ) which means its still a long way from being released onto the market. It would be nice BUT its a long way from reality.

Sep 19, 2011

Steven 18 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Android app

Did this not come through?!!? Shocked

If possible please could we have BG figures within range highlighted in green, as on the website?

Thanks
Steven

Sep 19, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Getting partner involved

The general concern and interest is what sticks out for me.............well done for him.............. Smile

Sep 19, 2011

caroline15 45 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Getting partner involved

novorapidboi26 said:
Thanks...............it seems like so long ago now, loving married life though..........

So who was that conversation with?

Glad to hear it Very Happy

It was my (living apart) husband and he did come on the partners day on the Dafne course.

The ketones question was because Amy was constantly in hospital with DKA before she got her pump so he knows ketones are bad but didn't realise they tend to be with high BS Laughing

(He has MS - me too - and doesn't always remember what I tell him).

Sep 19, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / hgv

as far as I am aware, any class of HGV is prohibited.........I am not familiar with classes and so on, but anything above 7 tonne and its a no no.............so I believe.........

I seen this quoted from the DVLA website..........

New applicants on insulin or existing drivers are barred in law from driving LGV (Cat C) or PCV (Cat D) vehicles from 1/4/91.

Drivers licensed before 1/4/91 on insulin are dealt with individually and licensed subject to satisfactory annual Consultant assessment.

Regulation changes in April 2001 allow â€œexceptional caseâ€ drivers to apply for or renew their entitlement to C1/C1E to drive small lorries with or without a trailer subject to meeting all â€œQualifying Conditionsâ€.

Sep 19, 2011

briangildea2002 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / hgv

Hi guys,
Does anyone know if a diabetic is allowed an hgv class 2 licence? i am insulin dependant.

Sep 19, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Results

Hey............

your carb counting seems to be really good so far with your porridge example..............the next step would be to consider your insulin/carb ratio...............

this is basically how many units of insulin you need to process the DAFNE standard of 1 carb portion (10grams).......

all new DAFNE students start at 1 unit for every 10 grams (1:1)..........then its test, test, test, adjust............

as i mentioned earlier, the best place to go is the Bournemouth website, its pretty much the same, all done at your own pace....then any questions you have can be asked here............have you told your team about your interest in carb counting and your intentions to delve deeper................?

Sep 19, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Getting partner involved

Thanks...............it seems like so long ago now, loving married life though..........

So who was that conversation with?

Sep 19, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Smart Insulin

Always wary of these things, but the idea is exciting I suppose......................

But it would be like having a large dose if insulin inside you just waiting to be released, which has it risks I suppose......

Sep 19, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Smart Insulin

Surprised there wasn't a discussion already about this...

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/21613/?a=f

Maintaining tight control over blood-sugar levels is a daily challenge for people with diabetes: it requires constant monitoring and multiple insulin injections each day. Now the biotech company SmartCells, based in Beverly, MA, is developing a drug that may do most of the heavy lifting in controlling diabetes. The injectable drug, called SmartInsulin, senses high glucose levels and automatically dispenses insulin on demand. As glucose levels drop off, the drug stabilizes, trapping insulin until the next glucose spike. Such a drug may cut down the number of insulin injections required to once a day.

Our thoughts on this?
I'm wary myself.

Sep 20, 2011 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary Following your comment novarapidboi26 I have just had a play and see that Shift and Tab held down together goes backwards.......... I knew there had to be a sneaky set of keystrokes to do what we needed Regards Garry

Sep 20, 2011 PNThompson 57 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary I only use the Diary via the DAFNE App on my iPod Touch. It looks like the comments field is too small and with the grey background of the screen being protected the field is restricted to what you can view though you can type a lot of data into it.

Sep 20, 2011 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Smart Insulin Jwo, not licensed in the UK means it cannot be prescribed and used in the UK legally. If someone IS using it in the UK they do so at their own risk and must be importing it via questionable means. I would not recommend this course of action since you have no guarantee what you are getting, there are very good reasons to have clinical trials and licensing rules. It is to protect people from those that want to make money out of people. Anyway I'll step off my soapbox now... I agree its worth keeping an eye on the website but I wouldn't get too excited until a realistic date is set to bring the product to market i.e until it is likely to be available to be prescribed to people in the UK. With a product like this it is likely that there are lots of tests needed to ensure it really is safe, Injecting a load of insulin and trusting it to only be used when it is needed is a big challenge and one that really needs to be working correctly before it is used by a lot of people. It would be nice to have something like this but only if it REALLY works effectively.

Sep 20, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary I use the tab button, you can just sift through all the fields, once I have tabbed back to the first field, the date, I just scroll down with the scroller on my mouse to access the save button.......

Sep 20, 2011 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary Me too. Mine shows up part of the Ketone field. Made several entries and then further problem arises in that without the horizontal scroll bar, once you have made a comments entry, it's difficult to get back to save your entries. Managed it though by moving cursor to furthest left screen field visible and left arrow until it pops back. Sure to be some clever keystoke sequence to overcome this....but don't ask me Please help Marke Regards Garry

Sep 20, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Getting partner involved My course was another that did a partner session but my partner was not able to attend. I did try to get my parents to attend instead, but again, had to work. I'd love to do a separate meeting, but considering a meeting I've tried to arrange through this forum with another member had a fairly lacking response, I'm not sure one will ever happen...

Sep 20, 2011 Carolin 83 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Results whiskysmum said: .... You're very lucky being able to go on a DAFNE course & like you say you've learnt all about the ratios, hypos, tablets etc, maybe you could teach me about this ratio thing and the way it's all written down ie 1:1, 0.5:1, 3:1 etc when i see it all on here on the forums. The book i bought looks excellent if i could maybe learn how to use it and maybe alongside my diabetic specialist nurse who i go to see at my gp surgery. They don't do a dafne course in Warrington & i don't have the time to be travelling miles away to one or to be staying away from home due to family ie hubby, daughter & son. I guess i'll just have to carry on trying to learn from the forums on here. This is another sad example of a service which had trained and set up to deliver DAFNE, but I believe the funding was pulled. Anyone who feels very strongly that they should be able to access DAFNE locally should if possible try to lobby their PCT; put pressure on the 'commissioners'. Whiskysmum, I don't know if the nurse you see at your GP practice is actually a Diabetes Specialist Nurse or just a Practice Nurse who's interested in diabetes? There is a big difference in skills. There are nurses and dietitians at the hospital who have been trained in DAFNE and although they are not currently offering courses, they will have the skills required to give you better guidance. Good luck, Carolin

Sep 20, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Smart Insulin I do agree - it is a bit exciting and it's very valid that the dating of the article means it's going to be years off yet... However, it was a lady I met yesterday that admitted that her son had been put on a "smart insulin from America" that was not licensed in the UK. She explained that even after 2 years he was still having trouble controlling his condition (we're talking someone aged around 23 years from what I could tell) so arrangements were made to put him on it (possibly through private care?)... and the main google search result that came up for this was the article I have posted. I do find it very strange that there was not more information avaliable if people were being put on to it... but as I'm sure we're all aware, people do tell porkies. I guess if we want more information, might be worth keeping an eye on the (seemingly) dedicated site http://www.smartinsulin.com/ but I dunno... This just doesn't add up... Edit: Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will acquire all outstanding stock of SmartCells, Inc. In return SmartCells shareholders will receive an upfront cash payment and be eligible to receive clinical development and regulatory milestones for products resulting from the transaction for potential aggregate payments in excess of $500 million. http://www.smartinsulin.com/news/news_main.html Are they effectively saying that if you're a shareholder, you have access to product use?

Sep 20, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary Its the same for me, and I believe its something to do with the site as opposed to your display settings............. The comments field is still there, its just the end of the box is out of sight, not a big problem I suppose, maybe they could introduce a horizontal scroll bar or reduce the size of the DAFNE Tools menu on the right hand side..........

Sep 20, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / hgv In light of these proposed changes I might try and get my 7 ton license, there has been a few times were this would have come in handy...........the criteria to meet seems to be really easy, well, for me anyway............ The criteria being; There has not been any severe hypoglycaemic event in the previous 12 months; The driver has full hypoglycaemic awareness; The driver must show adequate control of the condition by regular blood glucose monitoring, at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving*; The driver must demonstrate an understanding of the risks of hypoglycaemia; and, There are no other debarring complications of diabetes. This is really god news actually, especially for drivers who have had to stop driving after diagnosis............probably need to be reviewed on an annual basis though, which is safe.........

Sep 19, 2011 briangildea2002 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / hgv Thanks for the help guys,dont think i will pursue it even with the new regulations coming in.

Sep 19, 2011 mum2westiesGill 502 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary Hi, Mine is the same, it only goes upto the Injection Site column

Sep 19, 2011 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Blood Glucose diary When making entries in my online diary, I like to use the 'Multiple Entry' option, but recently I have found that the panel seems to cut off the 'Comments' column on the right. Is this something I can fix on my PC or is it a problem with the actual online diary?

Sep 19, 2011 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / hgv There are changes being implemented in October 2011 - see http://www.diabetes.org.uk/driving

Sep 19, 2011 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Smart Insulin Their website says its still in pre-clincical trials ( the article referenced is from 2008 ) which means its still a long way from being released onto the market. It would be nice BUT its a long way from reality.

Sep 19, 2011 Steven 18 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Android app Did this not come through?!!? If possible please could we have BG figures within range highlighted in green, as on the website? Thanks Steven

Sep 19, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Getting partner involved The general concern and interest is what sticks out for me.............well done for him..............

Sep 19, 2011 caroline15 45 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Getting partner involved novorapidboi26 said: Thanks...............it seems like so long ago now, loving married life though.......... So who was that conversation with? Glad to hear it It was my (living apart) husband and he did come on the partners day on the Dafne course. The ketones question was because Amy was constantly in hospital with DKA before she got her pump so he knows ketones are bad but didn't realise they tend to be with high BS (He has MS - me too - and doesn't always remember what I tell him).

Sep 19, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / hgv as far as I am aware, any class of HGV is prohibited.........I am not familiar with classes and so on, but anything above 7 tonne and its a no no.............so I believe......... I seen this quoted from the DVLA website.......... New applicants on insulin or existing drivers are barred in law from driving LGV (Cat C) or PCV (Cat D) vehicles from 1/4/91. Drivers licensed before 1/4/91 on insulin are dealt with individually and licensed subject to satisfactory annual Consultant assessment. Regulation changes in April 2001 allow â€œexceptional caseâ€ drivers to apply for or renew their entitlement to C1/C1E to drive small lorries with or without a trailer subject to meeting all â€œQualifying Conditionsâ€.

Sep 19, 2011 briangildea2002 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / hgv Hi guys, Does anyone know if a diabetic is allowed an hgv class 2 licence? i am insulin dependant.

Sep 19, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Results Hey............ your carb counting seems to be really good so far with your porridge example..............the next step would be to consider your insulin/carb ratio............... this is basically how many units of insulin you need to process the DAFNE standard of 1 carb portion (10grams)....... all new DAFNE students start at 1 unit for every 10 grams (1:1)..........then its test, test, test, adjust............ as i mentioned earlier, the best place to go is the Bournemouth website, its pretty much the same, all done at your own pace....then any questions you have can be asked here............have you told your team about your interest in carb counting and your intentions to delve deeper................?

Sep 19, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Getting partner involved Thanks...............it seems like so long ago now, loving married life though.......... So who was that conversation with?

Sep 19, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Smart Insulin Always wary of these things, but the idea is exciting I suppose...................... But it would be like having a large dose if insulin inside you just waiting to be released, which has it risks I suppose......

Sep 19, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Smart Insulin Surprised there wasn't a discussion already about this... http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/21613/?a=f Maintaining tight control over blood-sugar levels is a daily challenge for people with diabetes: it requires constant monitoring and multiple insulin injections each day. Now the biotech company SmartCells, based in Beverly, MA, is developing a drug that may do most of the heavy lifting in controlling diabetes. The injectable drug, called SmartInsulin, senses high glucose levels and automatically dispenses insulin on demand. As glucose levels drop off, the drug stabilizes, trapping insulin until the next glucose spike. Such a drug may cut down the number of insulin injections required to once a day. Our thoughts on this? I'm wary myself.