Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Mar 16, 2011

DFH_17 22 posts

Topic: General Discussion / weather and hypos

I find when its warmer I tend to go hypo. And am really releived to see reference to hypos around when having a period. Have found that I need less insulin when I'm on the actual week of my period otherwise if I dont adjust my bg's go mad.

Mar 16, 2011

DFH_17 22 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs

I've found since doing the DAFNE course in January I'm beginning to recognise the warning signs - tend to feel v tired n achey n can't concentrate. I completely lost all warning signs last September so has been a bit frightening. However I can also say that I have done random tests and the test has been a below 3.5.

Mar 16, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs

I take it running your blood sugar higher has not helped...............in situations like this there could be other underlying problems that will be contributing to you lack of awareness and struggle to regain the symptoms.............

What has your care team suggested.........

Do you have lots of hypos, or just seldomly.........

Mar 15, 2011

Kathryn76 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs

I have lost all my awareness of hypos and I have been like this for about 6 months now. I am still unable to work as I have a job in a warehouse and it was unsafe for me to continue working being up and down ladders etc.. I have also had to surrender my driving licence and I have no idea when I will get it back, especially with the way things are going and I still have no awareness back I want to know will I ever get any awareness back as I do really want to get my licence back.

I have had diabetes for 25 years and always been well controlled but just had a very bad 12 months which has resulted in these problems.

To be honest I am very very worried about what is happening and I really thought that it be resolved after a couple of months, I just perhaps need some advice from someone that may have been through this

Thanks

Mar 15, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / calories affecting insulin required?

I don't personally account for anything other than countable carbohydrates but I have heard of people counting their proteins, like meat and eggs......................more commonly people on pumps, this is because the insulin they are using is just one type, novorapid, so there is no slow acting insulin dealing with slow and negligible glucose production from these foods, even though there is what they call a basal dose being delivered constantly through the day...........

But everyone is different and can be sensitive in terms of digestion........

God Luck with DAFNE and I look forward to seeing you on here as a fully fledged graduate...............

Mar 15, 2011

kymmbo46 2 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / calories affecting insulin required?

Hi Emma and helen,
I have just completed the DAFNE course and have found the information invaluable. It really does clarify issues and let you focus on gaining control of your life and you have support to look at problems when they arize and most of all you'll find you are not alone....

Mar 15, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Site Development / Smilie Icons....

Alot of forums nowadays have this facility which can assist in expressing the tone of the post...........

Just another suggestion to the long list.........lol........ Smile

Mar 14, 2011

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

The hardest part was getting the appointment with the Credentialled Diabetic Educator...literally took 5 months! The Endo was fine with it (a bit surprised I went with an Animas pump but OK with my choice). He wrote a letter to the Health Fund (Queensland Teachers), (mentioning varying HbA1c's and hypos) and apparently teachers do well on pumps! (control freaks/obsessive compulsives?) they paid for it all ($(AUD)7,500). The day in hospital was fraught! There is a lot to learn in the 2-3 hours the educator is there. And off course you cannot really practice on your pump as it is attached. The educator established the settings and basically left me to it. Lunch arrived and I got out the cheat sheet and could not get past the first two steps,,,hence no bolus for lunch so used my trusty pen! Spoke to the RN who rang the CDE who simply said do the usual (use the pen!). I was unimpressed...what am I doing sitting in a hospital bed supposed learning how to "pump" and using a pen for more than 24 of the 28 hours I am in hospital (the basal was functioning). I then decided I could fix it...out with the manual and after some thought and manual reading I "enabled" a function. Did not realize I could test the "theory" by simply disconnecting from the pump so told the RN that I thought I had fixed it. She had kittens on the spot! Rang the Endo who blasted the CDE and the situation was wait until tea and do it with the CDE on the phone...reading each screen. I had fixed it! To the CDE's credit I think she had the basal rate fairly right (although it is the same over 24 hours and that does not seem logical) but she is way down on the I:C ratio and I have been asked not to touch it (I had, so reversed it) but to keep taking corrections through the pump! So I am still counting carbs inputing that data letting the pump calculate how much insulin I need...documenting that and then adding in what I think (and documenting that). The BGs are OK (not good) on this but it seems a bit pointless not to increase the I:C ratio based on what I needed for carbs pre pump. I will give her two weeks then I will decide what to change. My Endo is OK with that but has warned me not to be too adventurous! I leave to go to Korea (the land of rice and honey) in 11 days. Saw my GP for a flu vac yesterday...I think he is impressed!

I have decided not to insure it as it is attached to me, It seems that if I do insure it I have to insure it under house/contents insurance, like jewellery, and whilst I like the look of the pump it is hardly bling! This type of insurance is expensive. Will discuss travel insurance with the travel agent later today but probably will not insure it as it will never leave my side. The Animas "lady" has offered me a loan pump as a spare to take with me. Much more kit to take than when on MDI's

Helen

Mar 14, 2011

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Census Form

wow all this debate over one question :-) I think the real answer is that we all need to appreciate that Diabetes affects us in different ways and everyones experience is as valid as everyone elses. I don't feel limited and tend fortunately to not have too many hypo's but not everyone is that fortunate.
Perhaps the key thing to remember when posting is that your post may not be interpreted in the way you mean or intend it to be. Some of the debate 'appears' a bit heated at times, this may just be the way it comes across to me. Remeber we are all on the same side, trying to handle the same condition the best way we can. So lets all be nice to each other eh ?
A, B or C one thing you can be sure, Diabetes services will most likely get cut given the current economic situation. A cenus most likely won't change that in the slightest...

Mar 14, 2011

moyesy 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Census Form

To sum up it would appear that we differ in opinion as to the answer to the Census Question.

Perhaps the real answer is that everyone should have diabetes and live with it. It would break the NHS but we would all live excit ing lives . Mind you I pity other road users when I am having a hypo as there could be some blood shed. Still it's only something we have to live with.

I am sure when Cameron gets the responses he'll live with it and might even find a way to apply cuts to the Diabetes Budget

Mar 14, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Census Form

How so with the license, are you getting to the stage were you cant feel the symptoms...................people who through all the efforts to get there symptoms back but cant should definitely be in the limited category, and not just because they cant drive, just general life must be bad.......

Mar 14, 2011

vic demain 87 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Census Form

One wonders if some people ever experience hypos? I do and they affect my day to day life dramatically, even to the extent where my driving licence is under threat. If I didn't have diabetes, and hadn't for the past 30 years, I wouldn't have this concern. Do I blame anything on diabetes? No, I get on with my life.

Mar 14, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / App

Hey Caroline, I hope this is the start of a new era in her diabetes management, hopefully she can now get on with living a bit..................keep us updated................. Smile

Mar 14, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

Hey Helen,

Sorry if I missed any post regarding your pump, but how did it work out over in Australia regarding the funding, insurance etc...........

Mar 14, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Census Form

If we can go back to the original post of this thread referring to the question are you A. Limited a lot B. Limited a little C. Not limited.........

In reality the wide spectrum of diabetes severity does mean than some people will actually be limited in what they do, a good example would be lack of hypo awareness with no real solution in sight. They people could not drive a car.

So the main point is that some people are limited, however some people, and I would say the majority are not limited but may still feel as if they are, so in the context of the census, surely just the simple feeling of the individual is what they are after in order to paint a picture of the country...

Some people in this thread are referring to diabetes effecting them, that is not what the thread is talking about.........it is obvious we are all effected.......but limited is a whole different matter.......

For me personally as I have posted earlier, I am not limited in any way in my day to day activities, note day to day......but just to mix things up a bit I would still put B as it is a possibility my day to day activities could be effected and thus limit me, this being the obvious event of severe hypo...

Mar 14, 2011

moyesy 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Census Form

Hello
sjohno you do seem to becoming dogmatic.

i think you have made it clear that your Diabetes does not limit your daily activities. Others differ in opinion (and wahat's wrong with that).

I have now made my choice on my Census Form and you can make your choice of answer. Again semantics but I don't let Diabetes rule my life but having Diabetes does limit my daily life in a way it would not be limited if I did not have Diabetes.

Mar 14, 2011

moyesy 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Census Form

Hello
sjohno you do seem to becoming dogmatic.

i think you have made it clear that your Diabetes does not limit your daily activities. Others differ in opinion (and wahat's wrong with that).

I have now made my choice on my Census Form and you can make your choice of answer. Again semantics but I don't let Diabetes rule my life but having Diabetes does limit my daily life in a way it would not be limited if I did not have Diabetes.

Mar 13, 2011

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Census Form

It is semantics...mostly the "limits" are to do with the time/planning and attention to details.
There are some things that a diabetic is simply not allowed to do...fly commercial planes!
I am planning a trip o'seas in ten days and the stuff I have to take to be "safe" is significant!
Helen

Mar 13, 2011

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: Site Development / Last

Of course! What a dummy! Sorry about that.

Mar 13, 2011

marke 681 posts

Topic: Site Development / Last

it lets you moved to the last post for a topic immediately rather than having to page through each page of a lengthy topic. Its not much use if a topic only has 2 or 3 posts, but if it has 20 or 30 that are split over 3,4,5 pages its useful to let you go to the last page quickly....

Mar 13, 2011

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: Site Development / Last

Can someone tell me why the word 'Last' sometimes appears next to the title of a topic? When I first saw it, I thought that the topic had been closed by the administrators or by the system, but I found that I was able to add a comment to a topic that had been 'Lasted'. It seems a bit pointless to me.

Mar 13, 2011

PNThompson 57 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Census Form

I agree with MOYESY. If anybody has to control their diet or take medication it does change your life.
Prior to attending DAFNE I never used to count Carbs, and just had a set injection.
Now I spend more time calculating the injection and checking what i'm eating than what I did before.
Prior to being Diabetic I took Sugar in my tea, drank normal soft drinks, not diet ones but now have changed what I eat and drink.

These are just a small change to my life, but it does impact on it. I wanted to try some scuba diving a few years ago while on holiday, but was rejected because of my diabetes.

Mar 13, 2011

moyesy 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Census Form

Seems to be getting well debated.

Each has his opinion and must decide what (s)he thinks. Personally I believe that my life would be easier without five injections a day, having to count carbs at inconvenient times, attend hospital, surgeries etc. So I remain convinced that whilst Diabetes is not the end of the world I contend that for the vast majority of people it is fair to say that it does limit their
lifestyle to some extent. Just to give a small example I forgot my insulin when away for a few days and had to seek alternative provision to ensure that the break continued.

Mar 16, 2011 DFH_17 22 posts	Topic: General Discussion / weather and hypos I find when its warmer I tend to go hypo. And am really releived to see reference to hypos around when having a period. Have found that I need less insulin when I'm on the actual week of my period otherwise if I dont adjust my bg's go mad.

Mar 16, 2011 DFH_17 22 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs I've found since doing the DAFNE course in January I'm beginning to recognise the warning signs - tend to feel v tired n achey n can't concentrate. I completely lost all warning signs last September so has been a bit frightening. However I can also say that I have done random tests and the test has been a below 3.5.

Mar 16, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs I take it running your blood sugar higher has not helped...............in situations like this there could be other underlying problems that will be contributing to you lack of awareness and struggle to regain the symptoms............. What has your care team suggested......... Do you have lots of hypos, or just seldomly.........

Mar 15, 2011 Kathryn76 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs I have lost all my awareness of hypos and I have been like this for about 6 months now. I am still unable to work as I have a job in a warehouse and it was unsafe for me to continue working being up and down ladders etc.. I have also had to surrender my driving licence and I have no idea when I will get it back, especially with the way things are going and I still have no awareness back I want to know will I ever get any awareness back as I do really want to get my licence back. I have had diabetes for 25 years and always been well controlled but just had a very bad 12 months which has resulted in these problems. To be honest I am very very worried about what is happening and I really thought that it be resolved after a couple of months, I just perhaps need some advice from someone that may have been through this Thanks

Mar 15, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / calories affecting insulin required? I don't personally account for anything other than countable carbohydrates but I have heard of people counting their proteins, like meat and eggs......................more commonly people on pumps, this is because the insulin they are using is just one type, novorapid, so there is no slow acting insulin dealing with slow and negligible glucose production from these foods, even though there is what they call a basal dose being delivered constantly through the day........... But everyone is different and can be sensitive in terms of digestion........ God Luck with DAFNE and I look forward to seeing you on here as a fully fledged graduate...............

Mar 15, 2011 kymmbo46 2 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / calories affecting insulin required? Hi Emma and helen, I have just completed the DAFNE course and have found the information invaluable. It really does clarify issues and let you focus on gaining control of your life and you have support to look at problems when they arize and most of all you'll find you are not alone....

Mar 15, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Site Development / Smilie Icons.... Alot of forums nowadays have this facility which can assist in expressing the tone of the post........... Just another suggestion to the long list.........lol........

Mar 14, 2011 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps The hardest part was getting the appointment with the Credentialled Diabetic Educator...literally took 5 months! The Endo was fine with it (a bit surprised I went with an Animas pump but OK with my choice). He wrote a letter to the Health Fund (Queensland Teachers), (mentioning varying HbA1c's and hypos) and apparently teachers do well on pumps! (control freaks/obsessive compulsives?) they paid for it all ($(AUD)7,500). The day in hospital was fraught! There is a lot to learn in the 2-3 hours the educator is there. And off course you cannot really practice on your pump as it is attached. The educator established the settings and basically left me to it. Lunch arrived and I got out the cheat sheet and could not get past the first two steps,,,hence no bolus for lunch so used my trusty pen! Spoke to the RN who rang the CDE who simply said do the usual (use the pen!). I was unimpressed...what am I doing sitting in a hospital bed supposed learning how to "pump" and using a pen for more than 24 of the 28 hours I am in hospital (the basal was functioning). I then decided I could fix it...out with the manual and after some thought and manual reading I "enabled" a function. Did not realize I could test the "theory" by simply disconnecting from the pump so told the RN that I thought I had fixed it. She had kittens on the spot! Rang the Endo who blasted the CDE and the situation was wait until tea and do it with the CDE on the phone...reading each screen. I had fixed it! To the CDE's credit I think she had the basal rate fairly right (although it is the same over 24 hours and that does not seem logical) but she is way down on the I:C ratio and I have been asked not to touch it (I had, so reversed it) but to keep taking corrections through the pump! So I am still counting carbs inputing that data letting the pump calculate how much insulin I need...documenting that and then adding in what I think (and documenting that). The BGs are OK (not good) on this but it seems a bit pointless not to increase the I:C ratio based on what I needed for carbs pre pump. I will give her two weeks then I will decide what to change. My Endo is OK with that but has warned me not to be too adventurous! I leave to go to Korea (the land of rice and honey) in 11 days. Saw my GP for a flu vac yesterday...I think he is impressed! I have decided not to insure it as it is attached to me, It seems that if I do insure it I have to insure it under house/contents insurance, like jewellery, and whilst I like the look of the pump it is hardly bling! This type of insurance is expensive. Will discuss travel insurance with the travel agent later today but probably will not insure it as it will never leave my side. The Animas "lady" has offered me a loan pump as a spare to take with me. Much more kit to take than when on MDI's Helen

Mar 14, 2011 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Census Form wow all this debate over one question :-) I think the real answer is that we all need to appreciate that Diabetes affects us in different ways and everyones experience is as valid as everyone elses. I don't feel limited and tend fortunately to not have too many hypo's but not everyone is that fortunate. Perhaps the key thing to remember when posting is that your post may not be interpreted in the way you mean or intend it to be. Some of the debate 'appears' a bit heated at times, this may just be the way it comes across to me. Remeber we are all on the same side, trying to handle the same condition the best way we can. So lets all be nice to each other eh ? A, B or C one thing you can be sure, Diabetes services will most likely get cut given the current economic situation. A cenus most likely won't change that in the slightest...

Mar 14, 2011 moyesy 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Census Form To sum up it would appear that we differ in opinion as to the answer to the Census Question. Perhaps the real answer is that everyone should have diabetes and live with it. It would break the NHS but we would all live excit ing lives . Mind you I pity other road users when I am having a hypo as there could be some blood shed. Still it's only something we have to live with. I am sure when Cameron gets the responses he'll live with it and might even find a way to apply cuts to the Diabetes Budget

Mar 14, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Census Form How so with the license, are you getting to the stage were you cant feel the symptoms...................people who through all the efforts to get there symptoms back but cant should definitely be in the limited category, and not just because they cant drive, just general life must be bad.......

Mar 14, 2011 vic demain 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Census Form One wonders if some people ever experience hypos? I do and they affect my day to day life dramatically, even to the extent where my driving licence is under threat. If I didn't have diabetes, and hadn't for the past 30 years, I wouldn't have this concern. Do I blame anything on diabetes? No, I get on with my life.

Mar 14, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / App Hey Caroline, I hope this is the start of a new era in her diabetes management, hopefully she can now get on with living a bit..................keep us updated.................

Mar 14, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps Hey Helen, Sorry if I missed any post regarding your pump, but how did it work out over in Australia regarding the funding, insurance etc...........

Mar 14, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Census Form If we can go back to the original post of this thread referring to the question are you A. Limited a lot B. Limited a little C. Not limited......... In reality the wide spectrum of diabetes severity does mean than some people will actually be limited in what they do, a good example would be lack of hypo awareness with no real solution in sight. They people could not drive a car. So the main point is that some people are limited, however some people, and I would say the majority are not limited but may still feel as if they are, so in the context of the census, surely just the simple feeling of the individual is what they are after in order to paint a picture of the country... Some people in this thread are referring to diabetes effecting them, that is not what the thread is talking about.........it is obvious we are all effected.......but limited is a whole different matter....... For me personally as I have posted earlier, I am not limited in any way in my day to day activities, note day to day......but just to mix things up a bit I would still put B as it is a possibility my day to day activities could be effected and thus limit me, this being the obvious event of severe hypo...

Mar 14, 2011 moyesy 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Census Form Hello sjohno you do seem to becoming dogmatic. i think you have made it clear that your Diabetes does not limit your daily activities. Others differ in opinion (and wahat's wrong with that). I have now made my choice on my Census Form and you can make your choice of answer. Again semantics but I don't let Diabetes rule my life but having Diabetes does limit my daily life in a way it would not be limited if I did not have Diabetes.

Mar 14, 2011 moyesy 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Census Form Hello sjohno you do seem to becoming dogmatic. i think you have made it clear that your Diabetes does not limit your daily activities. Others differ in opinion (and wahat's wrong with that). I have now made my choice on my Census Form and you can make your choice of answer. Again semantics but I don't let Diabetes rule my life but having Diabetes does limit my daily life in a way it would not be limited if I did not have Diabetes.

Mar 13, 2011 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Census Form It is semantics...mostly the "limits" are to do with the time/planning and attention to details. There are some things that a diabetic is simply not allowed to do...fly commercial planes! I am planning a trip o'seas in ten days and the stuff I have to take to be "safe" is significant! Helen

Mar 13, 2011 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: Site Development / Last Of course! What a dummy! Sorry about that.

Mar 13, 2011 marke 681 posts	Topic: Site Development / Last it lets you moved to the last post for a topic immediately rather than having to page through each page of a lengthy topic. Its not much use if a topic only has 2 or 3 posts, but if it has 20 or 30 that are split over 3,4,5 pages its useful to let you go to the last page quickly....

Mar 13, 2011 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: Site Development / Last Can someone tell me why the word 'Last' sometimes appears next to the title of a topic? When I first saw it, I thought that the topic had been closed by the administrators or by the system, but I found that I was able to add a comment to a topic that had been 'Lasted'. It seems a bit pointless to me.

Mar 13, 2011 PNThompson 57 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Census Form I agree with MOYESY. If anybody has to control their diet or take medication it does change your life. Prior to attending DAFNE I never used to count Carbs, and just had a set injection. Now I spend more time calculating the injection and checking what i'm eating than what I did before. Prior to being Diabetic I took Sugar in my tea, drank normal soft drinks, not diet ones but now have changed what I eat and drink. These are just a small change to my life, but it does impact on it. I wanted to try some scuba diving a few years ago while on holiday, but was rejected because of my diabetes.

Mar 13, 2011 moyesy 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Census Form Seems to be getting well debated. Each has his opinion and must decide what (s)he thinks. Personally I believe that my life would be easier without five injections a day, having to count carbs at inconvenient times, attend hospital, surgeries etc. So I remain convinced that whilst Diabetes is not the end of the world I contend that for the vast majority of people it is fair to say that it does limit their lifestyle to some extent. Just to give a small example I forgot my insulin when away for a few days and had to seek alternative provision to ensure that the break continued.