Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

May 1, 2011

derekh1965 92 posts

Hi

Thanks for your encouraging words.

I have always taken less insulin in the last 5 or 6 years because i have it in my head that insulin causes weight gain and I hate being fat, although htat's what I certainly am now.

Dafne has beenh a great help and opened my eyes to how much insulin I need to be taking , eg if I had a snack I would never have taken QA even if they had 20 or 30 grams..

I used to have many hyos over the years, but none in the past 5 years because I always preffered to keep myself higher rather than lower due to not wanting to have too much insulin for the weight gains but that idea has obviouslky not worked as|I have put on sbout 5 stone in the past 8 year.

You're right I could do with some help with my emotional well being and support at a gym or something. Shame you can't get a personal trainer on the NHS lol.

My sugars have been improicving in the past couple of days so hopefully I will have it sorted soon.

All the best

Derek

May 1, 2011

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon

Davie..
You could try a 0.75:1 also. It sounds daunting but it maybe better than just halving the dose. I am assuming you have a demipen. Helen

May 1, 2011

DFH_17 22 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Hay fever - BG's gone high

Hi,

I dont know if anyone else is suffering from hayfever at the moment? Unfortunately my hay fever kicked from the Friday before last - have been prescribed with Loratadine 10mg tablets which contain lactose. I've been taking these tablets since last Tuesday and initially my BG's were fine but since Friday my BG's keep going high - I've been correcting and the correcting unfortunately isn't working.
I've increased my BI last night so am hoping that'll over the next few days my BG will calm down.

My question is - would the Loratadine affect my BG's - due to the lactose in the tablet? Am asking as its putting me off taking the tablets.

Any thoughts/help would be really welcome.

May 1, 2011

daviebear 19 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon

Thanks Trudi and grandma carol.Am fairly sure I'm not hypoing at 4am.But may ask for the CGMS,I have the first follow up to dafne on wednesday,so will give it a shot.Grandma Carol,you have answered another query I was going to put up here.I hypo evry working day(not on days off as ratio is different then),at 2pm then again at 4pm.I have reduced my BI and am on a 1to 1 ratio at lunchtime.I was going to ask if you could do a 0.5 to 1 ratio.Seeing as you're doing it,I will go ahead and do it too,and agin let them know on wednesday.That's been a great help.Thanks a lot. Very Happy

May 1, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help

It's okay, you were asking for help - so I've done my best! Smile

As bad as it sounds, with my new understanding of the animal insulin you were on, I'm glad to hear you're going to stick to humalog. From my own experience, it does make things a lot easier to understand to use an insulin that works within a reasonable time (2-5 hours) than 8 hours.

With this, best of luck with working out your doses for humalog! You may be quite close to a good result!

Apr 30, 2011

grandma carol 61 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon

I was the same and just would put my BI up to try to bring BGs down in the mornings tests at 3.00 were fine. Got the use of a CGMS and found out that I was hypoing at the 4.00. I have now drooped my BG down from 20 to 10 and if I am high through night then I give a extra QA things still not quite right yet but getting better. Would never have known about the night hypos if it haddent been gor the CGM so if you can get one for a week take it. I am on a 3.5 to1 ratio in the mornings but at dinner time just 0.5.

Apr 30, 2011

Trudi 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon

My neice has been having highs in the morning with good readings at 3am. My sister decided to try a CGMS to see if there was anything going on - turned out she was hypoing at 4am so they were missing it with the 3am test. Do you have the option for a CGMS - if only for a week, it can give you some fantastic feedback and provide patterns you might otherwise miss.
Trudi

Apr 29, 2011

Caroline 29 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose range whilst pregnant

Hello Lil, sorry to hear of your miscarrriage. Miscarriages can happen for many reasons and not just because you are a diabetic. I do agree that your blood glucose control needs to be tightly monitored, however you and me both know it can seem like an impossibility at times. My advice to you is to keep on trying to conceive and continue to follow what you have learnt from the Dafne course. My blood glucose range wasnt exactly good when I fell pregnant with my first child. In fact I only got diagnosed as diabetic 3 weeks before I found out I was pregnant. Education was poor then and to be honest I did not have a clue what I was doing! However, she was born 3 weeks early than due and weighed 9.4! With my second child, my education was obviously better understood and I ate the same carbs each day and he weighed 7.9 (born by induction at 38 weeks). Now carrying my third child (6 months pregnant now) my blood sugars have been ok but I wouldnt say brilliant. Some times they are high... so I adjust my insulin accordingly. Then some times im low... again I follow the dafne way and adjust if necessary. Since doing Dafne in Sept 2010, I feel pregnant in November 2010. They say it bests to have good control before you plan, but in my experience that could take forever. Keeping a closer eye on my blood glucose control enables me to correct if necessary. Its up to me and now not the speciailists and I very rarely need their input in my montioring. My last HBA1C was 6.6 (miracle) however I expect it has risen lately due to frequent highs (2 trimester requires more insulin). My HBA1Cs were not great before becoming pregnant. Anyway, I hope my comments help you, and I wish you all the best.

Apr 29, 2011

Pluggitin 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge

Hello everyone. I believe porridge is a good start to the day. However it is a slow release and in order to balance this I add some currants to the mix. If you want to be anal count about 12 in the total mix of 40 grams of carbs. This however is for my sedentary lifestyle. 30+ years on insulin and qualify for bus pass. Take care everyone.

Apr 28, 2011

Lil miss 1 post

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose range whilst pregnant

hello caroline, i see that im not the only one who is struggling,i was 7 weeks pregnant but sadly i lost the baby 4 weeks ago, ive been trying to get pregnant for 3 years and all the time i kept going to see my diabetes nurse she was telling me how my bg's had to be spot on target, its easy said then done dont you think! ive been a diabetic for 20 years and i have never had my h1abc lower than 8%. i just wish the nurses would be more supportive and put their selves in our shoes! how far gone are you? Rolling Eyes

Apr 28, 2011

ketostix pla... 25 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / La Tasca

Hi All, Does anybody have any nutritional information for La Tasca restaurants. I have recently completed my Dafne course and still getting to grips with eating out. I have emailed La Tasca and yet to have a response and am planning a night out next week. Any help would be appreciated or experience shared. Many thanks Dean Very Happy

Apr 28, 2011

Doc_46 3 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Android app

Hi All,

I only emailed Sharon at the Diabetes Resource Centre within the last day or so on this very topic.
It's just a thought, but most Android/Smart phones can open Excell spreadsheets. It wouldn't take to long
to input the info from the alphabetic listing of food groups from the DAFNE hand book into an Excell worksheet or use the
PDF version of the Carb Counting Booklet on this site until an application is developed.

Marcus.

Apr 27, 2011

derekh1965 92 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help

There's a turn up for the books. All ady my sugars have been B= 14.9, L = 14.5, D = 14. I decided to try Humalog for dinner, which was 5:30pm, had 2 CP's and took 8+4 units, and at 8:30pm my BG was 5.9.
If that had been the porcine I would still have been high. Back onto the humalog I think.

Thanks for your help and taking an interest in my post, much appreciated.

Best regards

Derek

Apr 27, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help

If you inject or not for a snack really depends on what you ate and what your BGs are rather than a random guess. DAFNE works towards you having to do a lot less guessing after all.

Considering how unsure and underconfident you sound, I really think you should speak to another diabetic that is on similar insulin because they may be able to give you a view that is better than the one I get from being on my insulins. It's very worrying how you're coming across. Sad

Will you be having a refresher meeting with your DAFNE group soon?
If you're feeling like you cannot cope (possibly causing comfort eating), I think maybe you should speak to someone about your emotional health as well.

Apr 27, 2011

derekh1965 92 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help

Spoke too soon, 14.9 at breakfast!! Had 2 CPs and 4 units for bedtime snack, know it's the worst time to snack at bedtime but it';s a very hard habit to break, been doing it since childhood. Maybe shouldn't have taken insulin with the snack or taken more. If I was still on Humalog I would have taken none but don't know with this Porcine Neutral, seem to need a lot more than with Humalog.,

Apr 27, 2011

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Android app

I've recently taken an interest in Android for something else and have been looking at the SDK and the emulator (as I don't have an android phone) for the last few days. I don't want to volunteer to take this on, but I did get as far as getting my app to create a successful login to DAFNE using the same methods that Marke and Simon kindly provided for the meter upload.

Happy to share and advise, but afraid I can't commit to doing a whole app.

NiVZ

Apr 27, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help

Okay, I understand.
I'm glad to hear your sugar levels are hinting at starting to behave a bit more now - so have mine the past few days which is a relief! My body's regular hormonal changes really do mess my levels around - it's been hard working it all out! X(
Either way, we'll keep working at it and we'll get there. ;)
Best wishes!

Apr 26, 2011

derekh1965 92 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help

Hi JWo

thanks for your reply.
I know all about how to eat and what not to eat, always take my time eating etc. However it si different puting into practice all the time when you just seem to put weight on.
The last time I can remember being fit was about 5 years ago and the way I feel now I can't believe how really unfit I am. Your right I should take a mate to the gym with me but noone is interested, all got their own lives etc.
regarding my BSs, their better today, I took 20 units BI this morning and 14 units at 10 tonight. Never took any corrections today, other than 4 at dinnertine and my BS was 7.5 at bedtiime.
So I shall see how good it is tomorrow at breakfrast.

Best regards

Derek

Apr 26, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help

The high BGs, or unstable BG times you are working though right now, are probably encouraging your tiredness. Perhaps a friend will go with you to keep your spirits up?

Talking about food, it is also worth keeping in mind about portion sizes for your food because it is easy to over eat! People today dont take their time. Its all rush, rush and this means their bodies dont get a chance to make you feel full!

Can also consider eating more complex carbs in your diet because they help you feel full for longer.

At the end of the day, the only reason carbs stay on as fat is because not enough exercise is being done for the carbs eaten. Its your body's natural response to the amount eaten.

Crash dieting can make your body respond in negative ways, such as boomeranging weight because of sudden big change in diet. A lifestyle choice change works a lot better in the long run because they tend to be gradual changes, which in turn, stresses your body out a lot less.

Either way, its your body, your choice - no one elses. Take care, okay?

Apr 25, 2011

derekh1965 92 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help

Hio

Thanks for your replies JWo and novorapidboi26.
I was taking 18 ||BI at 22.30 and thought i would try taking it esarlie, becauses when I was on Humilin Isophane I took that at dinnertime and it has the same properties as the
Porcine |Isophane. I reduced the amount to try and coincide with the totals I was recommended to take, 32 units.
As for low carbing there are a few succesful type 1 low carbers on the Diabetes UK forum, will have to ask them what they do.
I can't help associating carbs with weight gain because that is when all my weight has gone on, following the governments recommended diet. Despite always eating very low fat foods
the doctoirs woukd always think I was eating too high a fat diet.
As for exercise I did join a gym last year and was starting to enjoy it, but whether it was a coincidence or not, after they put me on Lantus I became really tired, no energy or motivation. This is only my 3rd week using aniimalo insulin and I am hoping I will have more energy soon, aklthough I probably need to sort out my dosages first.

Once again thank you so much for your inputs I really appreciate them.

Best regards

Derek

Apr 25, 2011

Neil Brown 28 posts

Topic: General Discussion / latest figures

Thanks for all the advice . When I was on 1:1 ratios BG was usually high

Apr 25, 2011

Tim1 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / carb counting Apps

Hi
has any one tried any of the carb counting Apps for Android phones, there are a few out there but not sure what one to try
Tim

May 1, 2011 derekh1965 92 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help Hi Thanks for your encouraging words. I have always taken less insulin in the last 5 or 6 years because i have it in my head that insulin causes weight gain and I hate being fat, although htat's what I certainly am now. Dafne has beenh a great help and opened my eyes to how much insulin I need to be taking , eg if I had a snack I would never have taken QA even if they had 20 or 30 grams.. I used to have many hyos over the years, but none in the past 5 years because I always preffered to keep myself higher rather than lower due to not wanting to have too much insulin for the weight gains but that idea has obviouslky not worked as\|I have put on sbout 5 stone in the past 8 year. You're right I could do with some help with my emotional well being and support at a gym or something. Shame you can't get a personal trainer on the NHS lol. My sugars have been improicving in the past couple of days so hopefully I will have it sorted soon. All the best Derek

May 1, 2011 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon Davie.. You could try a 0.75:1 also. It sounds daunting but it maybe better than just halving the dose. I am assuming you have a demipen. Helen

May 1, 2011 DFH_17 22 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Hay fever - BG's gone high Hi, I dont know if anyone else is suffering from hayfever at the moment? Unfortunately my hay fever kicked from the Friday before last - have been prescribed with Loratadine 10mg tablets which contain lactose. I've been taking these tablets since last Tuesday and initially my BG's were fine but since Friday my BG's keep going high - I've been correcting and the correcting unfortunately isn't working. I've increased my BI last night so am hoping that'll over the next few days my BG will calm down. My question is - would the Loratadine affect my BG's - due to the lactose in the tablet? Am asking as its putting me off taking the tablets. Any thoughts/help would be really welcome.

May 1, 2011 daviebear 19 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon Thanks Trudi and grandma carol.Am fairly sure I'm not hypoing at 4am.But may ask for the CGMS,I have the first follow up to dafne on wednesday,so will give it a shot.Grandma Carol,you have answered another query I was going to put up here.I hypo evry working day(not on days off as ratio is different then),at 2pm then again at 4pm.I have reduced my BI and am on a 1to 1 ratio at lunchtime.I was going to ask if you could do a 0.5 to 1 ratio.Seeing as you're doing it,I will go ahead and do it too,and agin let them know on wednesday.That's been a great help.Thanks a lot.

May 1, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help It's okay, you were asking for help - so I've done my best! As bad as it sounds, with my new understanding of the animal insulin you were on, I'm glad to hear you're going to stick to humalog. From my own experience, it does make things a lot easier to understand to use an insulin that works within a reasonable time (2-5 hours) than 8 hours. With this, best of luck with working out your doses for humalog! You may be quite close to a good result!

Apr 30, 2011 grandma carol 61 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon I was the same and just would put my BI up to try to bring BGs down in the mornings tests at 3.00 were fine. Got the use of a CGMS and found out that I was hypoing at the 4.00. I have now drooped my BG down from 20 to 10 and if I am high through night then I give a extra QA things still not quite right yet but getting better. Would never have known about the night hypos if it haddent been gor the CGM so if you can get one for a week take it. I am on a 3.5 to1 ratio in the mornings but at dinner time just 0.5.

Apr 30, 2011 Trudi 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon My neice has been having highs in the morning with good readings at 3am. My sister decided to try a CGMS to see if there was anything going on - turned out she was hypoing at 4am so they were missing it with the 3am test. Do you have the option for a CGMS - if only for a week, it can give you some fantastic feedback and provide patterns you might otherwise miss. Trudi

Apr 29, 2011 Caroline 29 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose range whilst pregnant Hello Lil, sorry to hear of your miscarrriage. Miscarriages can happen for many reasons and not just because you are a diabetic. I do agree that your blood glucose control needs to be tightly monitored, however you and me both know it can seem like an impossibility at times. My advice to you is to keep on trying to conceive and continue to follow what you have learnt from the Dafne course. My blood glucose range wasnt exactly good when I fell pregnant with my first child. In fact I only got diagnosed as diabetic 3 weeks before I found out I was pregnant. Education was poor then and to be honest I did not have a clue what I was doing! However, she was born 3 weeks early than due and weighed 9.4! With my second child, my education was obviously better understood and I ate the same carbs each day and he weighed 7.9 (born by induction at 38 weeks). Now carrying my third child (6 months pregnant now) my blood sugars have been ok but I wouldnt say brilliant. Some times they are high... so I adjust my insulin accordingly. Then some times im low... again I follow the dafne way and adjust if necessary. Since doing Dafne in Sept 2010, I feel pregnant in November 2010. They say it bests to have good control before you plan, but in my experience that could take forever. Keeping a closer eye on my blood glucose control enables me to correct if necessary. Its up to me and now not the speciailists and I very rarely need their input in my montioring. My last HBA1C was 6.6 (miracle) however I expect it has risen lately due to frequent highs (2 trimester requires more insulin). My HBA1Cs were not great before becoming pregnant. Anyway, I hope my comments help you, and I wish you all the best.

Apr 29, 2011 Pluggitin 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge Hello everyone. I believe porridge is a good start to the day. However it is a slow release and in order to balance this I add some currants to the mix. If you want to be anal count about 12 in the total mix of 40 grams of carbs. This however is for my sedentary lifestyle. 30+ years on insulin and qualify for bus pass. Take care everyone.

Apr 28, 2011 Lil miss 1 post	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Blood Glucose range whilst pregnant hello caroline, i see that im not the only one who is struggling,i was 7 weeks pregnant but sadly i lost the baby 4 weeks ago, ive been trying to get pregnant for 3 years and all the time i kept going to see my diabetes nurse she was telling me how my bg's had to be spot on target, its easy said then done dont you think! ive been a diabetic for 20 years and i have never had my h1abc lower than 8%. i just wish the nurses would be more supportive and put their selves in our shoes! how far gone are you?

Apr 28, 2011 ketostix pla... 25 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / La Tasca Hi All, Does anybody have any nutritional information for La Tasca restaurants. I have recently completed my Dafne course and still getting to grips with eating out. I have emailed La Tasca and yet to have a response and am planning a night out next week. Any help would be appreciated or experience shared. Many thanks Dean

Apr 28, 2011 Doc_46 3 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Android app Hi All, I only emailed Sharon at the Diabetes Resource Centre within the last day or so on this very topic. It's just a thought, but most Android/Smart phones can open Excell spreadsheets. It wouldn't take to long to input the info from the alphabetic listing of food groups from the DAFNE hand book into an Excell worksheet or use the PDF version of the Carb Counting Booklet on this site until an application is developed. Marcus.

Apr 27, 2011 derekh1965 92 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help There's a turn up for the books. All ady my sugars have been B= 14.9, L = 14.5, D = 14. I decided to try Humalog for dinner, which was 5:30pm, had 2 CP's and took 8+4 units, and at 8:30pm my BG was 5.9. If that had been the porcine I would still have been high. Back onto the humalog I think. Thanks for your help and taking an interest in my post, much appreciated. Best regards Derek

Apr 27, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help If you inject or not for a snack really depends on what you ate and what your BGs are rather than a random guess. DAFNE works towards you having to do a lot less guessing after all. Considering how unsure and underconfident you sound, I really think you should speak to another diabetic that is on similar insulin because they may be able to give you a view that is better than the one I get from being on my insulins. It's very worrying how you're coming across. Will you be having a refresher meeting with your DAFNE group soon? If you're feeling like you cannot cope (possibly causing comfort eating), I think maybe you should speak to someone about your emotional health as well.

Apr 27, 2011 derekh1965 92 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help Spoke too soon, 14.9 at breakfast!! Had 2 CPs and 4 units for bedtime snack, know it's the worst time to snack at bedtime but it';s a very hard habit to break, been doing it since childhood. Maybe shouldn't have taken insulin with the snack or taken more. If I was still on Humalog I would have taken none but don't know with this Porcine Neutral, seem to need a lot more than with Humalog.,

Apr 27, 2011 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Android app I've recently taken an interest in Android for something else and have been looking at the SDK and the emulator (as I don't have an android phone) for the last few days. I don't want to volunteer to take this on, but I did get as far as getting my app to create a successful login to DAFNE using the same methods that Marke and Simon kindly provided for the meter upload. Happy to share and advise, but afraid I can't commit to doing a whole app. NiVZ

Apr 27, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help Okay, I understand. I'm glad to hear your sugar levels are hinting at starting to behave a bit more now - so have mine the past few days which is a relief! My body's regular hormonal changes really do mess my levels around - it's been hard working it all out! X( Either way, we'll keep working at it and we'll get there. ;) Best wishes!

Apr 26, 2011 derekh1965 92 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help Hi JWo thanks for your reply. I know all about how to eat and what not to eat, always take my time eating etc. However it si different puting into practice all the time when you just seem to put weight on. The last time I can remember being fit was about 5 years ago and the way I feel now I can't believe how really unfit I am. Your right I should take a mate to the gym with me but noone is interested, all got their own lives etc. regarding my BSs, their better today, I took 20 units BI this morning and 14 units at 10 tonight. Never took any corrections today, other than 4 at dinnertine and my BS was 7.5 at bedtiime. So I shall see how good it is tomorrow at breakfrast. Best regards Derek

Apr 26, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help The high BGs, or unstable BG times you are working though right now, are probably encouraging your tiredness. Perhaps a friend will go with you to keep your spirits up? Talking about food, it is also worth keeping in mind about portion sizes for your food because it is easy to over eat! People today dont take their time. Its all rush, rush and this means their bodies dont get a chance to make you feel full! Can also consider eating more complex carbs in your diet because they help you feel full for longer. At the end of the day, the only reason carbs stay on as fat is because not enough exercise is being done for the carbs eaten. Its your body's natural response to the amount eaten. Crash dieting can make your body respond in negative ways, such as boomeranging weight because of sudden big change in diet. A lifestyle choice change works a lot better in the long run because they tend to be gradual changes, which in turn, stresses your body out a lot less. Either way, its your body, your choice - no one elses. Take care, okay?

Apr 25, 2011 derekh1965 92 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help Hio Thanks for your replies JWo and novorapidboi26. I was taking 18 \|\|BI at 22.30 and thought i would try taking it esarlie, becauses when I was on Humilin Isophane I took that at dinnertime and it has the same properties as the Porcine \|Isophane. I reduced the amount to try and coincide with the totals I was recommended to take, 32 units. As for low carbing there are a few succesful type 1 low carbers on the Diabetes UK forum, will have to ask them what they do. I can't help associating carbs with weight gain because that is when all my weight has gone on, following the governments recommended diet. Despite always eating very low fat foods the doctoirs woukd always think I was eating too high a fat diet. As for exercise I did join a gym last year and was starting to enjoy it, but whether it was a coincidence or not, after they put me on Lantus I became really tired, no energy or motivation. This is only my 3rd week using aniimalo insulin and I am hoping I will have more energy soon, aklthough I probably need to sort out my dosages first. Once again thank you so much for your inputs I really appreciate them. Best regards Derek

Apr 25, 2011 Neil Brown 28 posts	Topic: General Discussion / latest figures Thanks for all the advice . When I was on 1:1 ratios BG was usually high

Apr 25, 2011 Tim1 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / carb counting Apps Hi has any one tried any of the carb counting Apps for Android phones, there are a few out there but not sure what one to try Tim