Recent Posts

The Stomach issue may be causing problems, only one way to find out really, change the sites and see what results you get...........you seem to be holding steadyish over night, so thumbs up for the evening dose, but unfortunately, after seeing what changing your injection sites do obviously, it will simply be a case of upping your BI morning dose until, well, you start to go low..........

A pump would obviously help immensely, but is 10 times more work with the testing and ultimately you may still be taking the same amounts of insulin........

Good luck............

Feb 25, 2011

maria51 22 posts

I use 4mm only on my thighs with lantus. Used to use 8mm & it hurt a great deal + injection site leaked. With 4mm needles I get no pain, I don't have to "pinch up" & get no leaking. Fantastic !!

Feb 25, 2011

Jane Seddon 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Losing Control

Hi Vicky,

So very sorry to read your post. I completely understand the "putting everyone elses needs before my own" part. I completed DAFNE last week but before then I'd completely given up on ever being in control of my diabetes as everything else (kids/work/home) came first. It got to the point where I was forgetting to take insulin for an entire day at a time. Because of this I couldn't function properly and looked like a shell of my former self. A week on I am feeling and looking better. I feel more positive and can start to bring some order to my life for the first time in ages...anyhoo...what I'm saying (sort of!) is you should maybe take time to focus on yourself and to make yourself feel well again and then in turn you'll be able to takle the issue of pregnancy.

I was pregnant with twins in 2006 (HBA1C of around 8%) and the doctors sat me down and asked if I was aware of the risks of what a pregnancy could do to me and asked if I wanted to proceed with it. Needless to say they and I were fine. I guess you need to be in posession of all the facts to make an informed decision but at the end of the day it's a decision for you. Is there any other health care provider you could speak to about your concerns?

I really hope you get the answers you are looking for.

Jane

Feb 25, 2011

jackieh 4 posts

Yeah, I too remember the days when you had reusable needles and metal and glass syringes! One needle had to last a whole week! I had to boil the syringe and needle each day - imagine as a 13 year old having to do that each morning before school!
We have come a long way and I still have the lumps and bumps. Hey ho!
Yes, 4 mm needles were mentioned on my DAFNE course, but, all being well, there's a pump with my name on it, so I'll leave things as they are.

Feb 25, 2011

DianeH 7 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / How to download data from iphone app

Think I have cracked it. I logged into the Dafne online site on the iPod and it just uploaded. Then all I had to do was sort out the post midnight date. I have set the iPod to see my bedtime as after midnight so it stays on the right page but the main site still stops each day at midnight. Any way of changing that?

Best wishes to all
Diane

Feb 25, 2011

DianeH 7 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / How to download data from iphone app

Hi again. I have recorded today's results in real time and it's a great improvement. When I came home I set the app to "Diary Sync" but it hasn't done anything, even when docked with the computer. Do I have to tell the main programme that I want to upload and if so, where? I don't try on the iPod cos he print is tiny but I think the site contents is the same as on the computer.

Thanks for any help. I am new to this gadget (iPod touch)

Feb 25, 2011

vickyrees 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / TYPE 1 PREGNANCY

Thank you all for your advice - it is greatly appreciated

Feb 25, 2011

vickyrees 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Losing Control

I feel very lost and out of control I put everyone elses needs before my own and as a result this impacts my usual pretty good control. I am 33 and was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 13/14 years old so thats 19/20 years ago. I have had a daughter five years ago and a temporary diabetic doctor doubted that another pregnancy would be a good idea due to a very slightly leaking kidney now my health care team who I have known and trusted and took great care of me during my first pregnancy are saying yes there are risk but if I have good control then everything "Should" be fine! I got the green light to start trying as my HbA1c was under 7% but Polysistic Ovaries kicked in and cause me to have fertility issues, I am now seeing this as a sign and after speaking to a number of people some say go for it and some say that I should think about the risks "is it worth it". I don't think I have ever been this lost ever and which direction to take.

Due to my uncertainty I have given up on myself, gained weight, lost control with my usual BG routine and I just feel that I can't take anymore. I think all I need is a day to get my head on track but that day is always put off for the next and next and I just want someone to motivate me to get up off my bum and get healthy again. I don't mind REALLY i don't if the doctor said look Vicky it really looks like if you were to have another pregnancy that you are at very high risk therefore we wouldn't recommend it but I have mixed messages and I really don't know what to do. I know Diabetes is not an exact science but I don't know what i'm doing.

Feb 24, 2011

Garry 328 posts

Seem to remember when I started out on insulin that I was give two reusable needles to put on my one glass syringe. They were 2" long 21 gauge. Many moons ago however.
Then revolution.... disposables..... and at that time the smallest diameter 12.5 mm disposables were 26 gauge. Pleased to say that much smaller needle diameters are now available.
There are so many pen types out there now. Your HCP should provide you with sufficient info to help you make an informed choice and supply you with some options to try. Bear in mind that syringes mean that the needle you use has already been used once in piercing the insulin bottle cap seal before you use it on yourself.
BD disposable needles are available in all the sizes mentioned and some lengths in between too. Length to use really depends upon where you inject and how much subcutaneous fat you have in those areas. I don't carry much fat so am happy with 4 mm and I rarely bruise using them in stomach and thighs.
Current 4 mm long are now 0.23 mm diameter - or old 34 gauge.
Smaller diameters are so much more comfortable to use.
Regards
Garry

Feb 24, 2011

caroline15 45 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Type 1 Diabetes and the Art of Parenting...

It's funny you say about the "I'd give anything to take it away from you". I thought I'd done that - when Amy was four I was diagnosed with MS and when she was seven I was diagnosed with T1 - I was grateful that it was me that got something wrong and not Amy (she is my only child). Unfortunately it didn't stay that way and she was diagnosed with T1 at age 11. At least we both know what a hypo feels like, so we can empathise with each other and she helps with finding fast acting carbs Smile

On the memories of first day of diagnosis, I took Amy to the hospital after school for a blood test (having already got the form from my GP as she'd started having wetting problems) and to reward her for being brave about the big needle I bought her a big bar of galaxy on the way home (what an idiot!). We were eating our tea when we got a phone call telling us to go straight to the children's ward. I can't believe that I didn't realise she was diabetic.

Feb 24, 2011

ReNZoR 5 posts

I am still on 12mm syringes as I have been since I was diagnosed in 1993 (Dislike the NovoPen). My doctor is being slow at changing my prescription. Going to have to book an appointment soon and see what is going on. Are the shorter syringes more comfortable?

Feb 24, 2011

marke 643 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blog: "DIY DAFNE" - An Diabetic Outsider's View

My thoughts will come as no suprise, I did after all start this site with Simon, the article like most that have not done DAFNE misses the point conpletely. Just becasue the name of the course includes a reference to eating people presume thats all it is. Those that have done the course know different. Unfortunately it seems that even some of those in the medical profession don't get the point.
DAFNE is evidence based, this means it is based on lots of research and a large amount of data that proves it works. Doing it DIY or doing a PCT version of DAFNE is NOT the same. Changing the course to 5 x 1 day a week is NOT the same. Evidence is base on fact not presumption. This sadly is where it does need a louder voice, to make people understand its more than just carb exchanges and the body of evidence that supports it.
I have no problem with people adjusting their insulin themselves and I too did it pre-DAFNE, however it is niave to compare this to DAFNE and believe you are doing 'the same' as DAFNE. You are not.
Anyway, my views, interested to hear what others think.

Feb 24, 2011

JayBee 582 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Blog: "DIY DAFNE" - An Diabetic Outsider's View

Blog entry: DIY DAFNE

Came across this blog today and found it interesting because I understand what they see when it comes to DAFNE (I used to do the guesstimation stuff pre-DAFNE!) but I don't think they see everything DAFNE has to offer at the same time. I feel there is a possibility of DAFNE being shrugged off due to a brief outside view!

For example, how does this person cope when it comes to serious sickness?
Do they just go to the hospital like most of us would have done pre-DAFNE?

I don't know about you, but I was genuinely amazed and frightened about how the DAFNE sick day rules worked - but they do work! It's quite natural for someone who has not done DAFNE to think "oh I couldn't possibly do that" because of the risk of taking the action - it is a lot of insulin to take on such a regular and hourly basis!

Before I did the DAFNE course, my doctor's rough explaination of DAFNE was along the lines of "it's what you do now, but with a bit more information" ... something like that - and I think that's a great thing, not a reason to pass it by.

It's all well and good you DIY'ing your control, but if you can get the research results from day one - good golly, it sure saves a lot of hassle! I don't think it'll be possible to figure out post-hypo sensitivity on DIY alone as well - another hassle saver from DAFNE!

What are your thoughts on this? How do we feel about how well DAFNE stands out within the diabetic community?
Does it need a stronger or louder voice?

Feb 24, 2011

JayBee 582 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Type 1 Diabetes and the Art of Parenting...

Thanks for your posts, I think this is a great subject to talk about... even though it can be a touch sensitive.

It can be quite sad how life works out when it comes to having the condition. I've never really had any one to relate to so I'm glad your daughter has you caroline15. Your post does remind me of all the times when I wasn't feeling very well my Mom would say to me "I'd give anything to take it away from you." ... even now, I don't think I'd be prepared to give it to either of my parents.

Fascinating video interviewing 4 families that have a Type 1 Diabetic child

One of the questions: What sort of memories do you have of your first day of diagnosis?

All I remember is my Mom getting me into the car and driving me to the hospital. For some reason me looking out the window at the sky particularly stands out in my memories.
Not long after my diagnosis, my Mom bought me a regular can of coke and at the time, I became very sick. For years I thought it was because of the coke - turned out I had a stomach bug!

Feb 24, 2011

grandma carol 61 posts

I was the same since last Sep. when I went on the Dafne and had very high readings all day and even with the corections it would not come down. I have been testing through night and have been hypoing through night and dident know it. I have now got my BI down from 20 to 8, and from the start of this year have not been to bad. Because of the highs in the mornings I had been putting the BI up. I injected for years in my stomach but now I move it around and things have started to get better it has taken a long time and I thought that this wasent working for me but with sticking with it, its starting to work.
Hope things get better for you keep at it good look.

Feb 24, 2011

Karl 83 posts

Yes - it comes up as a printer - just pick that and print

Feb 24, 2011

Garry 328 posts

I see you use your stomach for all injections.
Do you have any lumps or bruising problem areas Jo?
I found when using large doses that it was necessary to spread things around to get repeatable insulin absorption.
Have you discussed alternate injection sites with your HCP?
Try not to miss BED result - and possibly some 03:00 am results especially when changing BI - you need as much info as you can get.
Stick with it. I can imagine that you may be a little dispirited at the minute - but your results seem more controlled. You will put it right.

Garry

Feb 24, 2011

Jo Penn 23 posts

Well here are the next lot of readings - including an increase in basal to 32u BD :-( bring on the weight gain.. my team are well confused and not sure whats happening and feel very out of the loop.

So gonna write a complaint; compile correspondence (lack of) and get some pump info

Jo

Feb 24, 2011

DianeH 7 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / How to download data from iphone app

Thanks Dr.Jamie. I'll have a go!

Feb 24, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,816 posts

Good call Karl, I take it once installed it gives you the cute pdf option within the print options.....

Feb 24, 2011

Dr.Jamie 2 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / How to download data from iphone app

Hi Guys
Thanks for your help I have now managed to get my results to the online records. It was really easy when I was shown how. Thanks

Dianne
To answer your question the dafne app allows you to record your results without being online I am terrible at recording results in a paper diary but I always have my mobile with me so it's simple.
If you need any help just ask as I am pretty confident on how to use the app now

Feb 23, 2011

DianeH 7 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / How to download data from iphone app

Hi

I have just acquired an iPod touch. I have the carbs and cals app but where can I get the diary one? I have been logging some of my results but have poor wi-fi access near my work locations and cannot get onto the site without internet. Does the app help?

Feb 23, 2011

Karl 83 posts

install CUTEPDF http://www.cutepdf.com/products/cutepdf/Writer.asp then print but pick cutepdf - it will ask you to name the file and make a PDF instead of printing - best of all its FREE

Feb 23, 2011

Stew B 123 posts