Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Feb 22, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

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

For me, there was not much parenting going on........I was 15 when I was diagnosed and had moved in with my girlfriend shortly after, so from then on it was purely down to me.........looking back, now split from said partner, I probably regret leaving home so early as my parent(s) would have done a better job at motivating me with my condition, more so as they had experience with my younger brother who was diagnosed at 2 years old, bless him.........

I now have a son and I know its very possible he may one day be struck down with Type 1, but I m prepared for it as i know I can give him the best start and teach him all he needs to know, basically all thanks to DAFNE, just simple education....

To you JWo, I would say, have children whenever you want, the risks are there, for both you and the baby, but there are risks with every pregnancy, so when the time is right, go for it..........

Feb 22, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Thoughts??

Just a few observations for the Friday...................:

8:00am - You corrected 2, 3 units may have been better, if you remember, higher numbers mean more correction.....

12:00 - 6 unit correction is exactly what I would have done for this reading....13-17mmol/l drops me 1unit:1.5mmol/l...

17:30 - No correction, why?

21:00 - 3:1 ratio stated but QA is not 12 as it should be....

All these minor errors don't happen often but thought I would point them out as consistency I feel really does help when managing your sugars on paper....

As JWo has said, increasing your evening BI dose would definitely be my first thoughts, as your consistently rising overnight even at the reasonably high ratio for that time of day, 2.5:1.....I would probably recommend 2 units as your insulin requirements, a bit like me, are quite large.....and also 2 units for any other dose change....

Just keep going up until you wake consistently on target numbers.........!!

On the Saturday evening you had a blood sugar of 5.4, well done, was there any other factors that could of effected that result, extra activity, alcohol?

On the Sunday your on target for dinner this time, this is without any carbs at lunch, only correction, so initial thought would be your BI dose during the day is good, however, using my own correction rules, which don't apply to everyone, I would of corrected anything over 17 with 1unit drops 1mmol/l, therefore 12 units, assuming that you also have similar resistance, in fact your day time BI may be too strong, however a pattern would have to be spotted, maybe a carb free lunch for a few days....

Alot of comments there but hopefully some thought provoking ones.......good luck.........

Feb 22, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Old habits die hard...

Ive been diabetic for only 12 years and I have heard something regarding hypos leading to hypos , but now I have the DAFNE knowledge I cant understand, when all doses are correct, how this could happen.

For example, my hypo procedure would be to test, treat with 20g QA CPs and that would be it, unless there was exercise involved of course or I felt I wasn't coming up. By my next meal if I was above target I would correct, would you not....?

You mentioned over correcting, was this a conscious decision you made.....? Did you know how corrections worked then...?

I assume your on Lantus which takes a good 3 days to notice real time effect, it might help if you switch to Levemir, gives you more flexibility and means you don't need to wait as long to get a grip of things...

In terms of diabetic habits, up until a few years ago when I started DAFNE I was on 2 a day injections, never tested, sometimes didn't inject as I thought no food, no insulin (not knowing about the liver dumping a continuous supply of glucose which needed covering).......so really I would say I didn't have any habits, good or bad, as I didn't really take an interest in my treatment, so now its all good habits, maybe apart from testing to much.........LOL, but Im trying to get a pump....... Smile

Feb 22, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon

Hey Stew, I think the actual physical act of waking up does not effect your blood sugars/dawn phenomenon, rather your body clock and when your body thinks it will be getting up........

On a Monday to Friday my body clock is tuned to getting up at 6:30am, so in response to that knowledge my body will start to release the mix of hormones a few hours before it expects me to rise so that when I do wake my brain and muscles have the energy right there when they need it.......

If someone suffers from dawn phenomenon its critical they get up, test and get insulin in as soon as possible, even if you want to go back to bed...that's what I do anyway....

So it is to do with waking, or at least when your body expects to wake, if you get up at 11am everyday for example, I would expect the body to start the hormone process about 8am/9am, but most people are up before then.....

As Caroline says, a CGM can be fitted and this can map out the rise and fall of blood sugars when you sleep and is often a very useful tool, especially when establishing basal rates overnight for the pump...

Feb 22, 2011

meltow 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dispatches - Hospital Food

I've spent the last 4 years encouraging NHS Trusts, local authorities and other public sector bodies to source and supply fresh and better quality foods. This was in the Yorkshire Humberside region. The post was made redundant in December 2010.
I never worked with Sodexho, but the damning evidence of their regenerated meals shown last night on C4 was a disgrace.
I was fortunate to work with Trusts that had their own kitchens on site, and so meals were prepared from a range of ingredients. The Trusts which made a difference over the years were: NHS N Lincs and Goole, NHS Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, and NHS York Teaching Hospitals. There were many that never wanted or were allowed to engage.

If you are admitted to hospital, as a diabetic are you given the CP's for your choice off the menu, thus allowing you to take the correct amount of insulin?

Feb 22, 2011

ReNZoR 5 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Spirits and Wines

Thanks very much for your reply mate Smile

I guess I am jumping the gun a bit in reality :/ But thank you once again Smile

Day two is about to start so I better be off and continue getting ready!

Thanks again Smile

Feb 21, 2011

caroline15 45 posts

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

Hi

I am T1 and my daughter (who is 14) is T1 also. We have both been diagnosed in the last seven years (me first then my daughter four years later) so do not know how diabetes was treated prior to this. We are both on multi injections and my daughter is starting on a pump next month.

We have always counted our carbs and injected accordingly so we've not had the guilt trips described in the article. My daughter was diagnosed with a peanut allergy when she was three so we have always had to check packets etc anyway.

If there's anything you want to know please ask.

Caroline

Feb 21, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Thoughts??

It is certainly very interesting that your BGs are starting to become in the good range around dinnertime...

If you were me, I would consider putting your evening BI up by at least one unit because your waking around 10-11 BG in the morning and it is fairly consistent. This may be a good starting point, though please do see what others suggest.

Are you able to have a carb free meal or possibly a carb free day? If not, another possible course of action is to not correct for any meals and see how your BI copes with just the meal insulin ratios alone... things may become a bit clearer.

Best of luck...!

Feb 21, 2011

SimonC 78 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Spirits and Wines

Stuart

Welcome and good luck with the course - you will learn loads, and it does help.

The wine, spirits etc should be covered on your course, but as a quick rule of thumb, the normal table wines wouldn't be counted, where as beers will be. From memory it goes along the lines of, those made from grain, you count, and those made from the grape you don't, it gets a little more difficult when you get to the spirits as they have a higher alcohol content and its harder to work out what they are made from.

It should all be covered in your course though.

Feb 21, 2011

ReNZoR 5 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Spirits and Wines

Hey

I am new here, as you can already tell Smile

My name is Stuart and I started the DAFNE course today (21st Feb) and so far have found it informative and very much an eye opening experience. I am looking forward to what will open up over the next few days and with any luck, it will assist me to gain better glycemic control finally after almost 18 years.

I have been looking through the DAFNE provided Carbohydrate Portion List booklet that was provided, and even though I am aware that it doesn't contain every possible item of food or drink, I did notice something missing that I was wondering about.

In the Alcohol section there are entries for Liqueur, Port, Beer/Lager etc, but no entries for what I would term Spirits such as Jack Daniels, Tequila, Rum, Gin, Vodka and Brandy to name a few. Unless I am grouping them wrong? What would be the Carbohydrate Portion for say a shot of Jack Daniels or Tequila?

Also, Wines... no entry for White or Red wines? Does anybody have any idea what the CP would be for say a glass of White (Dry or Sweet) or Red wine?

Hoping someone out there can help Smile

Thanks in advance!

Stuart

Feb 21, 2011

Jo Penn 24 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Thoughts??

Any thoughts of my readings??

Feb 21, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Old habits die hard...

Oh golly, that's a blast from the past!

I used to barely test at all during my teen years!! Thankfully wasn't stupid enough to exercise the same with my injections! Once I hit about 17, I soon learnt to appreciate the value of blood testing. Looking back, I tend to see that time as my sort of "denial" stage for myself, but I definitely understand even now how frustrating it can be to get your hands clean for yet another blood test!

I can get quite grumpy if washing facilities aren't available and I want to do a test. lol! ;)

Feb 21, 2011

PNThompson 57 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Old habits die hard...

The only Bad Habit that I have shaken is not testing enough. With DAFNE the testing is of paramount importance.
I have not changed my BI too much and I have waited for my BG readings to settle into a pattern before changing anything.

I still over correct, though it depends on how bad any Hypo is.

Feb 21, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

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

Hi all,

After reading this article called Tiger Mother Approach for a Child with Type 1 Diabetes, has got me curious again about the possibility of being a mother... and so a discussion!

Shall start with some questions:

~How were you treated as a diabetic child?
~How have you found it being a diabetic parent?
~Are you a situation where you are a diabetic parent with a diabetic child?

I have only been a Type 1 Diabetic child with non-diabetic parents (for most of my time as a diabetic - Dad was diagnosed with Type 2 last year).

My parents were (understandably) over protective of their child and fearful of the condition I had. Once I was diagnosed at the age of 5 in 1989, they found it difficult to understand at first (they thought it was a passing phase... the honeymooning period was not helpful with moving on with this misunderstanding) and so when I attended birthday parties and the like, they would advise me to not eat anything out of fear that I would respond badly.

This naturally lead me on to become a fearful child (according to my parents, I became very very very withdrawn - an extreme contrast to what I was like pre-diabetes) and with no other diabetics nearby to really relate to, it never really changed. It took until DAFNE about 21 years later before I pursued dreams such as (simply) riding a motorbike or driving a car - all because of my lack of confidence and, I guess to an extent, "fear of living".

Despite this, I have never ever been resentful to my parents because of how I was bought up. They did the best they could.

So to come back to the topic of parenting...

I have been put off for many years (as part of the fear condition), but I know that if say, my partner and I decided to have children, I would put aside my fears. Now I have DAFNE, if I was ever to become a Type 1 Diabetic's parent, I would encourage them to try foods and don't let the condition take away their dreams.

I would love to hear your memories and thoughts on this subject - and inspiration for others!
I know we have some expecting Mums on the forum! Smile

Feb 21, 2011

caroline15 45 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon

Hi Stew

In my experience they rise when I am asleep. If I wake during the night I always test my blood and it can increase from 6 to 14 between (say) 3am and 7am. I'm meant to be having a trial on a CGM soon which will hopefully let us see a fuller picture. Apparently DP is one of the qualifiers for a pump where I live so hopefully I will get one soon. My daughter gets hers four weeks today Smile

Caroline

Feb 21, 2011

Stew B 125 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon

Hi,

Posted here because I didn't want to provide a distraction to JackieH's post on the Coeliac Disease and other things thread.

I did my DAFNE course with the Elsie Bertram Clinic from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (and what a life-changing experience it was). That was where I first heard about the "dawn phenomenon". My understanding was/is that the phenomenon is that BG levels rise from waking in the morning without any carb intake, but I get the impression that for some the waking part isn't important - their BGs rise from early morning whether they are awake or not (tho' how you'd test for this I don't know). Am I confused? For me it definitelyseems to be to do with waking. I usually eat fairly soon after I wake up, but where I know there's going to be a gap of an hour or two I test when I wake up. My levels can rise two or three units over a two hour period.

I thought I'd check my recollection out and revisited the handbook for the first time for a long while, but of course there's no mention of the dawn phenomenon in the handbooK. Perhaps it's something which ought to be included in future editions?

Stew

Feb 21, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE news on Twitter ..and now Google Plus!

Marvellous Simon! Thanks! Smile

Feb 21, 2011

Growler 4 posts

Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed

Are there any plans for a Windows Phone 7 app? I'm really starting to regret getting rid of my iPhone now!

Feb 21, 2011

Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE news on Twitter ..and now Google Plus!

Twitter feed is now on the (slightly redesigned) homepage!

Feb 21, 2011

Growler 4 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Mobile site released

Just brings up the full web page on Windows Phone 7. A bit fiddly to get to the right sections Sad

JohnRigby: pressing I or O on the keyboard will zoom in or out on your Blackberry.

Feb 21, 2011

Jane Seddon 4 posts

Topic: Site Development / Diary Entries After Midnight

Thanks for confirming it wasn't just me. I know it's not a big deal but just like to have things in the right place IYKWIM =]

Feb 21, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Site Development / Diary Entries After Midnight

I haven't come across a way to do this, the only thing editable is the blood glucose targets, however if the app has this function I am sure it could be added to the website without too much difficulty..............some of the staff will see this shortly......

Feb 21, 2011

Jane Seddon 4 posts

Topic: Site Development / Diary Entries After Midnight

Hi,

Firstly I'd just like to say what fantastic resources this site and the iphone app are. I completed the DAFNE course last week and I'm really pleased to have a focal point where I can continue to record/analyse my results.

On the app I have been able to set the time for the end of the day to after midnight. I often don't get to bed before midnight and therefore my last BG test often falls into the next day in the diary. Can anyone please let me know if there is a way I change this online?

Apologies if it's glaringly obvious and I've missed it! Advice is grately appreciated.

Many thanks
Jane

Feb 21, 2011

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Coeliac Disease and other things

As far as the dawn phenomenon is concerned it does happen everyday, its just sometimes the livers response is slowed down by things like alcohol, or sometimes the digestion of a slowly released carbohydrate the previous night tells the liver to go slightly easier, my dawn phenomenon seems to be fairly consistent whatever I do, even after lots of alcohol , I only feel the effect later on in the day......

Hope you get some feedback on the coeliacs'............ Smile

Feb 21, 2011

jackieh 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Coeliac Disease and other things

I am a type 1 diabetic (for 38 years)and last year I found out I had coeliac and a thyroid condition. I finally managed to access a diabetic dietitian (after 12 years) but only because of the major change in my diet with the coeliac. DAFNE was recommended for me and I did the course last July.
I wondered if anyone else using this site has coeliac and do you find that gluten-free products make your blood glucose rise much faster than ordinary ones? Gluten-free stuff seems to be much higher in carbs than regular food, especially the cake and biscuits. Imagine, 1 of Tesco's FreeFrom jammy dodger type biscuits is 2 CP's, which for me, on a 2-1 ratio, is 4 units of insulin for 1 biscuit! I don't tend to bother!
And this dawn phenomenon, does it happen every day? Some days I wake up with highs and other days I don't. Is that the way it works? If anyone knows, let me know!

Feb 22, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Type 1 Diabetes and the Art of Parenting... For me, there was not much parenting going on........I was 15 when I was diagnosed and had moved in with my girlfriend shortly after, so from then on it was purely down to me.........looking back, now split from said partner, I probably regret leaving home so early as my parent(s) would have done a better job at motivating me with my condition, more so as they had experience with my younger brother who was diagnosed at 2 years old, bless him......... I now have a son and I know its very possible he may one day be struck down with Type 1, but I m prepared for it as i know I can give him the best start and teach him all he needs to know, basically all thanks to DAFNE, just simple education.... To you JWo, I would say, have children whenever you want, the risks are there, for both you and the baby, but there are risks with every pregnancy, so when the time is right, go for it..........

Feb 22, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Thoughts?? Just a few observations for the Friday...................: 8:00am - You corrected 2, 3 units may have been better, if you remember, higher numbers mean more correction..... 12:00 - 6 unit correction is exactly what I would have done for this reading....13-17mmol/l drops me 1unit:1.5mmol/l... 17:30 - No correction, why? 21:00 - 3:1 ratio stated but QA is not 12 as it should be.... All these minor errors don't happen often but thought I would point them out as consistency I feel really does help when managing your sugars on paper.... As JWo has said, increasing your evening BI dose would definitely be my first thoughts, as your consistently rising overnight even at the reasonably high ratio for that time of day, 2.5:1.....I would probably recommend 2 units as your insulin requirements, a bit like me, are quite large.....and also 2 units for any other dose change.... Just keep going up until you wake consistently on target numbers.........!! On the Saturday evening you had a blood sugar of 5.4, well done, was there any other factors that could of effected that result, extra activity, alcohol? On the Sunday your on target for dinner this time, this is without any carbs at lunch, only correction, so initial thought would be your BI dose during the day is good, however, using my own correction rules, which don't apply to everyone, I would of corrected anything over 17 with 1unit drops 1mmol/l, therefore 12 units, assuming that you also have similar resistance, in fact your day time BI may be too strong, however a pattern would have to be spotted, maybe a carb free lunch for a few days.... Alot of comments there but hopefully some thought provoking ones.......good luck.........

Feb 22, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Old habits die hard... Ive been diabetic for only 12 years and I have heard something regarding hypos leading to hypos , but now I have the DAFNE knowledge I cant understand, when all doses are correct, how this could happen. For example, my hypo procedure would be to test, treat with 20g QA CPs and that would be it, unless there was exercise involved of course or I felt I wasn't coming up. By my next meal if I was above target I would correct, would you not....? You mentioned over correcting, was this a conscious decision you made.....? Did you know how corrections worked then...? I assume your on Lantus which takes a good 3 days to notice real time effect, it might help if you switch to Levemir, gives you more flexibility and means you don't need to wait as long to get a grip of things... In terms of diabetic habits, up until a few years ago when I started DAFNE I was on 2 a day injections, never tested, sometimes didn't inject as I thought no food, no insulin (not knowing about the liver dumping a continuous supply of glucose which needed covering).......so really I would say I didn't have any habits, good or bad, as I didn't really take an interest in my treatment, so now its all good habits, maybe apart from testing to much.........LOL, but Im trying to get a pump.......

Feb 22, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon Hey Stew, I think the actual physical act of waking up does not effect your blood sugars/dawn phenomenon, rather your body clock and when your body thinks it will be getting up........ On a Monday to Friday my body clock is tuned to getting up at 6:30am, so in response to that knowledge my body will start to release the mix of hormones a few hours before it expects me to rise so that when I do wake my brain and muscles have the energy right there when they need it....... If someone suffers from dawn phenomenon its critical they get up, test and get insulin in as soon as possible, even if you want to go back to bed...that's what I do anyway.... So it is to do with waking, or at least when your body expects to wake, if you get up at 11am everyday for example, I would expect the body to start the hormone process about 8am/9am, but most people are up before then..... As Caroline says, a CGM can be fitted and this can map out the rise and fall of blood sugars when you sleep and is often a very useful tool, especially when establishing basal rates overnight for the pump...

Feb 22, 2011 meltow 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dispatches - Hospital Food I've spent the last 4 years encouraging NHS Trusts, local authorities and other public sector bodies to source and supply fresh and better quality foods. This was in the Yorkshire Humberside region. The post was made redundant in December 2010. I never worked with Sodexho, but the damning evidence of their regenerated meals shown last night on C4 was a disgrace. I was fortunate to work with Trusts that had their own kitchens on site, and so meals were prepared from a range of ingredients. The Trusts which made a difference over the years were: NHS N Lincs and Goole, NHS Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, and NHS York Teaching Hospitals. There were many that never wanted or were allowed to engage. If you are admitted to hospital, as a diabetic are you given the CP's for your choice off the menu, thus allowing you to take the correct amount of insulin?

Feb 22, 2011 ReNZoR 5 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Spirits and Wines Thanks very much for your reply mate I guess I am jumping the gun a bit in reality :/ But thank you once again Day two is about to start so I better be off and continue getting ready! Thanks again

Feb 21, 2011 caroline15 45 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Type 1 Diabetes and the Art of Parenting... Hi I am T1 and my daughter (who is 14) is T1 also. We have both been diagnosed in the last seven years (me first then my daughter four years later) so do not know how diabetes was treated prior to this. We are both on multi injections and my daughter is starting on a pump next month. We have always counted our carbs and injected accordingly so we've not had the guilt trips described in the article. My daughter was diagnosed with a peanut allergy when she was three so we have always had to check packets etc anyway. If there's anything you want to know please ask. Caroline

Feb 21, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Thoughts?? It is certainly very interesting that your BGs are starting to become in the good range around dinnertime... If you were me, I would consider putting your evening BI up by at least one unit because your waking around 10-11 BG in the morning and it is fairly consistent. This may be a good starting point, though please do see what others suggest. Are you able to have a carb free meal or possibly a carb free day? If not, another possible course of action is to not correct for any meals and see how your BI copes with just the meal insulin ratios alone... things may become a bit clearer. Best of luck...!

Feb 21, 2011 SimonC 78 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Spirits and Wines Stuart Welcome and good luck with the course - you will learn loads, and it does help. The wine, spirits etc should be covered on your course, but as a quick rule of thumb, the normal table wines wouldn't be counted, where as beers will be. From memory it goes along the lines of, those made from grain, you count, and those made from the grape you don't, it gets a little more difficult when you get to the spirits as they have a higher alcohol content and its harder to work out what they are made from. It should all be covered in your course though.

Feb 21, 2011 ReNZoR 5 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Spirits and Wines Hey I am new here, as you can already tell My name is Stuart and I started the DAFNE course today (21st Feb) and so far have found it informative and very much an eye opening experience. I am looking forward to what will open up over the next few days and with any luck, it will assist me to gain better glycemic control finally after almost 18 years. I have been looking through the DAFNE provided Carbohydrate Portion List booklet that was provided, and even though I am aware that it doesn't contain every possible item of food or drink, I did notice something missing that I was wondering about. In the Alcohol section there are entries for Liqueur, Port, Beer/Lager etc, but no entries for what I would term Spirits such as Jack Daniels, Tequila, Rum, Gin, Vodka and Brandy to name a few. Unless I am grouping them wrong? What would be the Carbohydrate Portion for say a shot of Jack Daniels or Tequila? Also, Wines... no entry for White or Red wines? Does anybody have any idea what the CP would be for say a glass of White (Dry or Sweet) or Red wine? Hoping someone out there can help Thanks in advance! Stuart

Feb 21, 2011 Jo Penn 24 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Thoughts?? Any thoughts of my readings??

Feb 21, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Old habits die hard... Oh golly, that's a blast from the past! I used to barely test at all during my teen years!! Thankfully wasn't stupid enough to exercise the same with my injections! Once I hit about 17, I soon learnt to appreciate the value of blood testing. Looking back, I tend to see that time as my sort of "denial" stage for myself, but I definitely understand even now how frustrating it can be to get your hands clean for yet another blood test! I can get quite grumpy if washing facilities aren't available and I want to do a test. lol! ;)

Feb 21, 2011 PNThompson 57 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Old habits die hard... The only Bad Habit that I have shaken is not testing enough. With DAFNE the testing is of paramount importance. I have not changed my BI too much and I have waited for my BG readings to settle into a pattern before changing anything. I still over correct, though it depends on how bad any Hypo is.

Feb 21, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Type 1 Diabetes and the Art of Parenting... Hi all, After reading this article called Tiger Mother Approach for a Child with Type 1 Diabetes, has got me curious again about the possibility of being a mother... and so a discussion! Shall start with some questions: ~How were you treated as a diabetic child? ~How have you found it being a diabetic parent? ~Are you a situation where you are a diabetic parent with a diabetic child? I have only been a Type 1 Diabetic child with non-diabetic parents (for most of my time as a diabetic - Dad was diagnosed with Type 2 last year). My parents were (understandably) over protective of their child and fearful of the condition I had. Once I was diagnosed at the age of 5 in 1989, they found it difficult to understand at first (they thought it was a passing phase... the honeymooning period was not helpful with moving on with this misunderstanding) and so when I attended birthday parties and the like, they would advise me to not eat anything out of fear that I would respond badly. This naturally lead me on to become a fearful child (according to my parents, I became very very very withdrawn - an extreme contrast to what I was like pre-diabetes) and with no other diabetics nearby to really relate to, it never really changed. It took until DAFNE about 21 years later before I pursued dreams such as (simply) riding a motorbike or driving a car - all because of my lack of confidence and, I guess to an extent, "fear of living". Despite this, I have never ever been resentful to my parents because of how I was bought up. They did the best they could. So to come back to the topic of parenting... I have been put off for many years (as part of the fear condition), but I know that if say, my partner and I decided to have children, I would put aside my fears. Now I have DAFNE, if I was ever to become a Type 1 Diabetic's parent, I would encourage them to try foods and don't let the condition take away their dreams. I would love to hear your memories and thoughts on this subject - and inspiration for others! I know we have some expecting Mums on the forum!

Feb 21, 2011 caroline15 45 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon Hi Stew In my experience they rise when I am asleep. If I wake during the night I always test my blood and it can increase from 6 to 14 between (say) 3am and 7am. I'm meant to be having a trial on a CGM soon which will hopefully let us see a fuller picture. Apparently DP is one of the qualifiers for a pump where I live so hopefully I will get one soon. My daughter gets hers four weeks today Caroline

Feb 21, 2011 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dawn Phenomenon Hi, Posted here because I didn't want to provide a distraction to JackieH's post on the Coeliac Disease and other things thread. I did my DAFNE course with the Elsie Bertram Clinic from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (and what a life-changing experience it was). That was where I first heard about the "dawn phenomenon". My understanding was/is that the phenomenon is that BG levels rise from waking in the morning without any carb intake, but I get the impression that for some the waking part isn't important - their BGs rise from early morning whether they are awake or not (tho' how you'd test for this I don't know). Am I confused? For me it definitelyseems to be to do with waking. I usually eat fairly soon after I wake up, but where I know there's going to be a gap of an hour or two I test when I wake up. My levels can rise two or three units over a two hour period. I thought I'd check my recollection out and revisited the handbook for the first time for a long while, but of course there's no mention of the dawn phenomenon in the handbooK. Perhaps it's something which ought to be included in future editions? Stew

Feb 21, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE news on Twitter ..and now Google Plus! Marvellous Simon! Thanks!

Feb 21, 2011 Growler 4 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed Are there any plans for a Windows Phone 7 app? I'm really starting to regret getting rid of my iPhone now!

Feb 21, 2011 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE news on Twitter ..and now Google Plus! Twitter feed is now on the (slightly redesigned) homepage!

Feb 21, 2011 Growler 4 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Mobile site released Just brings up the full web page on Windows Phone 7. A bit fiddly to get to the right sections JohnRigby: pressing I or O on the keyboard will zoom in or out on your Blackberry.

Feb 21, 2011 Jane Seddon 4 posts	Topic: Site Development / Diary Entries After Midnight Thanks for confirming it wasn't just me. I know it's not a big deal but just like to have things in the right place IYKWIM =]

Feb 21, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Site Development / Diary Entries After Midnight I haven't come across a way to do this, the only thing editable is the blood glucose targets, however if the app has this function I am sure it could be added to the website without too much difficulty..............some of the staff will see this shortly......

Feb 21, 2011 Jane Seddon 4 posts	Topic: Site Development / Diary Entries After Midnight Hi, Firstly I'd just like to say what fantastic resources this site and the iphone app are. I completed the DAFNE course last week and I'm really pleased to have a focal point where I can continue to record/analyse my results. On the app I have been able to set the time for the end of the day to after midnight. I often don't get to bed before midnight and therefore my last BG test often falls into the next day in the diary. Can anyone please let me know if there is a way I change this online? Apologies if it's glaringly obvious and I've missed it! Advice is grately appreciated. Many thanks Jane

Feb 21, 2011 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Coeliac Disease and other things As far as the dawn phenomenon is concerned it does happen everyday, its just sometimes the livers response is slowed down by things like alcohol, or sometimes the digestion of a slowly released carbohydrate the previous night tells the liver to go slightly easier, my dawn phenomenon seems to be fairly consistent whatever I do, even after lots of alcohol , I only feel the effect later on in the day...... Hope you get some feedback on the coeliacs'............

Feb 21, 2011 jackieh 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Coeliac Disease and other things I am a type 1 diabetic (for 38 years)and last year I found out I had coeliac and a thyroid condition. I finally managed to access a diabetic dietitian (after 12 years) but only because of the major change in my diet with the coeliac. DAFNE was recommended for me and I did the course last July. I wondered if anyone else using this site has coeliac and do you find that gluten-free products make your blood glucose rise much faster than ordinary ones? Gluten-free stuff seems to be much higher in carbs than regular food, especially the cake and biscuits. Imagine, 1 of Tesco's FreeFrom jammy dodger type biscuits is 2 CP's, which for me, on a 2-1 ratio, is 4 units of insulin for 1 biscuit! I don't tend to bother! And this dawn phenomenon, does it happen every day? Some days I wake up with highs and other days I don't. Is that the way it works? If anyone knows, let me know!