Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Jan 18, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / What made you smile today?

Got my first ever mp3 player today... very happy with it! ^___^

Jan 18, 2011

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Difference in BG from different fingers!

I raised this issue with a "researcher" on a medical trial that I am on and her suggestion was that it could have something to do with the circulation system and the "distance' and the route that some blood flows...she suggested that someone try the right and left foot (well, toes on the right and left foot) and we may find that we get 4 different readings. I'll stick to my left hand, thanks! Helen

Jan 17, 2011

ytyynycefn 9 posts

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

Hi Simon, could I just add to Tony's request and ask for a "background insulin" option too? For example I take a split dose at 8am and 8pm, but that doesn't necessarily coincide with meals. When it does, the next meal of that type automatically adds it in. And as I'm sure I'm not alone in finding that weekday and weekend breakfasts often happen at very different times.... You see what I mean? I'm currently using the "other" option but a specific BI choice would be brilliant.

Thanks so much for a great app, couldn't be without it now!

Mel

Jan 17, 2011

Tony 3 posts

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

Hi Simon, excellent app, thank you so much. One thing I would like is, during exercise and during night added to the "type" dropdown box

Regards Tony

Jan 17, 2011

Simon 578 posts

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

Hi all, need your help/advice again.

After a brief iPhone development break whilst we upgraded the DAFNE Online servers, I'm working on the next update again. The first new bit of functionality I'm putting in is the creation of a meal - adding carbs to a 'plate' to count total CPs. First question - whilst you're looking at Carb information in the app, how do you want to add that info to the meal? Buttons with predefined amounts? Or a text box? Any other ideas?

Simon

Jan 17, 2011

marke 681 posts

Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / ?elected?

updated now ! sorry I forgot, other more pressing issues........

Jan 17, 2011

marke 681 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules!

Claire with regard to registering as a graduate, I'm not sure what you mean by 'hospital code'. If you email us using the link at the bottom of every page, with your name, what hospital you did your DAFNE Course at and roughly when (exact dates are not necessary) we can get you verified via DAFNE Central and your account changed to graduate. You will then be able to access the online handbook.
You can also send us your 'hospital code' however I suspect it is more likely to be a DAFNE Centre number, a number of centres seem to confuse this with the DAFNEOnline code which is generated by them on the site itself. There are codes per centre NOT per patient.

Jan 17, 2011

Simon 578 posts

Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / ?elected?

Hi Annette, what do you think the text should be changed to? Happy to take your guidance on this.

Jan 17, 2011

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / ?elected?

still not updated then!

Jan 17, 2011

SiobhanOsborne 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Iphone Apps

Love the DAFNE ap - so much more convenient than pulling out a diary and carb list...

One thing though - is it possible to put in your correction dose seperate from the QA ratio dose?

Jan 17, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / sport and high bloods

What CPs are you putting on board to compensate for the exercise?

If you don't have anything at all, your body will naturally start releasing glucose to provide the energy needed - especially for strenuous exercise - and because of this, your sugar levels can rise quite a bit (I usually hit around 20 if I don't provide CPs for strenuous exercise). Due to the fact your body uses insulin more effectively after exercise as well (it's a bit like the effect in the 24 hours after a hypo), this can put you more at risk of hypo if you correct after exercise as well (which may explain the hypos during the night/in the morning).

If you're regularly exercising so much you can plan ahead and you're interested in losing weight, look at taking the CPs from your last meal instead of eating a snack pre-exercise.

All this is covered in the exercise section of the DAFNE guidebook.

Jan 17, 2011

MikeH 9 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules!

i use the Lantus Solostar pen it has 1 unit doses on it, also i found i was haveing problems with my Lantus lasting for 24 hours so with the help from my HCP's i split the dose and now inject the Lantus twice a day this has worked very well for me.

Jan 16, 2011

ClaireMccann 2 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules!

thank you, i do find the site useful to record my sugars and I've tried to register as a graduate but my hospital code won't work!
is that a generic code for each hospital or should i have a specific one for me as a patient?

the problem with the background is that if i drop it any lower than it is (i take 12 of lantus each night) I start to run v high the next day, almost as if the lantus runs out. What would you recommend as a pre-bed sugar, if my last insulin was more than 4 hours ago? I use the pen, and the disposable lantus pen has a minimum dose of 2 units (ie either 12 or 14 but not 13)

On Friday I had a pint with my dinner, but only one so I'm not sure if that would have caused it? i'm very conscious if i've been drinking to have a carb snack before bed, even if it does induce a higher morning sugar (as I've had the post alcohol hypos and they are not fun)

My general problem is that my hba1c is too low - its thankfuly gone up in recent months (from 5.4 to 6.3) but i feel that some of that may be due to hypo kickbacks but when i reduce insulins, even by a unit im suddenly up over 10 all the time so im on a permanent sugars see-saw.

Jan 16, 2011

Broady 13 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules!

If you had 3cps and didn't take any insulin and still had a hypo during the night, I would say that your background insulin needs to be altered. Can i ask if you are injecting or using a pump

Jan 16, 2011

marke 681 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules!

Hi, I'm not sure why you would need to take 3 CP's to 'keep your BG up' overnight. This would suggest your background insulin is too high.
You should be able to have 'stable'-ish BG's if you don't eat anything with just background insulin. If you are having to eat without injecting that doesn't sound right. Having accurate estimates of CP's should only affect your Quick acting insulin. You don't say when these hypo's
occurred and under what circumstances. Are you doing more exercise, have other things changed in your day to day life. You need to look
at the big picture, which is what your Blood Glucose Diary will hopefully tell you. Look for patterns, especially round the hypos and try to
spot causes. You can also post your BG's on here if you want too, to get advice from others, although I appreciate many people (including me) find it difficult to share their BG's.

P.S You should get yuorself registered as a graduate on the site, having done a DAFNE course.

Jan 16, 2011

marke 681 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Conflicting Adivce

Hi, You don't say if your new nurse is DAFNE trained I presume not. The DAFNE Handbook says 3.5 is the 'floor' and with DAFNE you are managing your BG much more tightly so thats why there is a lower figure. With regard to correcting a Hypo, I have never been told a 'range'
to correct too and I can't see anything in the handbook. The aim is not to overtreat a hypo by eating too much, so just increasing your BG higher than the floor is the aim. This invariably leads to your BG being higher than that, but you just don't want it to be +10.
With regard to diet, I would guess their 'take time' advice is due to your DKA. If you try to lose weight too quickly or don't give enough
insulin this is the path to DKA, so slowly and reliably is the way. Easier said than done I guess.
Finally if you contact your original DAFNE Centre or us, we can verify you as a graduate and change your account to reflect this. This will mean
you can check stuff like the above in the online handbook.

Jan 15, 2011

ClaireMccann 2 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules!

Hi,

I have suffered from some bad hypos in recent months so started to follow my DAFNE rules more strictly (complete weighing of foods etc) - i completed the course a few years ago. Last night, 4 hours after my dinner and appropriate dinner insulin my BG was 5 going to bed so i approx 3 CP to keep it up overnight, which i have found has worked well before but this morning i had an extremely bad hypo. I couldn't test my sugar as my limbs were super jerky so it took all my focus to get the lucozade down me!

is there any explanation why this might have happened? I usually wake up if I am low but this morning and am able to resolve the situation normally, but this morning this didn't happen either.

thanks
Claire

Jan 15, 2011

Jen1984 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Conflicting Advice

I recently moved to Scotland and have been on the DAFNE course. Had a few problems with hypos but when I spoke to my new nurse they contradicted some of DAFNE saying 4 is the floor for hypo not 3.5 and only correct back to 8, instead of 4.5 to 7.5! I am confused what to do, my hbalc before dafne was 14 and got down to 10 in two months. Also concerned with weight as got 2.5 stone to loose but they keep telling me not to be hard on myself and things take time but after being in hospital 6 times last year with DKA I am anxious.

Can anyone help/ any weight loss tips?!

Jen

Jan 15, 2011

Jen1984 2 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Conflicting Adivce

I recently moved to Scotland and have been on the DAFNE course. Had a few problems with hypos but when I spoke to my new nurse they contradicted some of DAFNE saying 4 is the floor for hypo not 3.5 and only correct back to 8, instead of 4.5 to 7.5! I am confused what to do, my hbalc before dafne was 14 and got down to 10 in two months. Also concerned with weight as got 2.5 stone to loose but they keep telling me not to be hard on myself and things take time but after being in hospital 6 times last year with DKA I am anxious.

Can anyone help/ any weight loss tips?!

Jen

Jan 15, 2011

Tony 3 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Difference in BG from different fingers!

I have this same problem, my right hand lower than left, I did ask my diabeties doctor about it but he changed the subject lol

Jan 13, 2011

carl render 1 post

Topic: Questions for HCPs / sport and high bloods

hi, im 31 and had type 1 for 26ys and ive been doing kickboxing for 5yrs and been doing the dafne for 3yrs. the problem is when i train my blood sugars go sky high . i can start my exercise at 5.5 and finish 2 hours later and my blood level is in the late teens i only drink water or sugar free juice and have a protein shake 1 hour before. ive had the protein checked and i was told theres no problem in taking it and even when i dont use it the levels are the same. i take my lanctus at 9.30pm and i finish my training at 8.00pm. so is the lanctus running out and this is raising the blood levels or is it using stored fat as energy and can this affect the blood level. the reason for that questian is im losing weight quite fast because i train 4 nights a week and 4hrs of exercise through the week at college but only have this problem at night and sometimes hypo in the early mornings while sleeping. just need some info to see where im going wrong.....?? many thanks

Jan 12, 2011

Jenny Spollen 13 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Difference in BG from different fingers!

I have also noticed a similar trend over the years. I have no idea why this happens, but there can be a significant difference between the two hands on wide variety of meters.

Also, I have a vague memory of reading about this before in a paper/book way back but can't remember where/when....

All the advise I can give is, if in doubt don't forget to pay attention to what/how you are feeling because one hand may register the hypo/hyper that you are feeling while the other hand may not have yet come to the same conclusion so to speak

Jan 12, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Difference in BG from different fingers!

No blood testing machines are 100% accurate (and the actual difference percentage is often so tiny and insignificant) so what you're probably seeing is just how the machine has interpreted your sugar levels from the sample(s). You're getting the same blood in both hands as well (at least I hope you are!) so I think it's very likely to be just the machine.

I wouldn't worry about it too much because of this. Smile

Jan 18, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / What made you smile today? Got my first ever mp3 player today... very happy with it! ^___^

Jan 18, 2011 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Difference in BG from different fingers! I raised this issue with a "researcher" on a medical trial that I am on and her suggestion was that it could have something to do with the circulation system and the "distance' and the route that some blood flows...she suggested that someone try the right and left foot (well, toes on the right and left foot) and we may find that we get 4 different readings. I'll stick to my left hand, thanks! Helen

Jan 17, 2011 ytyynycefn 9 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed Hi Simon, could I just add to Tony's request and ask for a "background insulin" option too? For example I take a split dose at 8am and 8pm, but that doesn't necessarily coincide with meals. When it does, the next meal of that type automatically adds it in. And as I'm sure I'm not alone in finding that weekday and weekend breakfasts often happen at very different times.... You see what I mean? I'm currently using the "other" option but a specific BI choice would be brilliant. Thanks so much for a great app, couldn't be without it now! Mel

Jan 17, 2011 Tony 3 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed Hi Simon, excellent app, thank you so much. One thing I would like is, during exercise and during night added to the "type" dropdown box Regards Tony

Jan 17, 2011 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed Hi all, need your help/advice again. After a brief iPhone development break whilst we upgraded the DAFNE Online servers, I'm working on the next update again. The first new bit of functionality I'm putting in is the creation of a meal - adding carbs to a 'plate' to count total CPs. First question - whilst you're looking at Carb information in the app, how do you want to add that info to the meal? Buttons with predefined amounts? Or a text box? Any other ideas? Simon

Jan 17, 2011 marke 681 posts	Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / ?elected? updated now ! sorry I forgot, other more pressing issues........

Jan 17, 2011 marke 681 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules! Claire with regard to registering as a graduate, I'm not sure what you mean by 'hospital code'. If you email us using the link at the bottom of every page, with your name, what hospital you did your DAFNE Course at and roughly when (exact dates are not necessary) we can get you verified via DAFNE Central and your account changed to graduate. You will then be able to access the online handbook. You can also send us your 'hospital code' however I suspect it is more likely to be a DAFNE Centre number, a number of centres seem to confuse this with the DAFNEOnline code which is generated by them on the site itself. There are codes per centre NOT per patient.

Jan 17, 2011 Simon 578 posts	Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / ?elected? Hi Annette, what do you think the text should be changed to? Happy to take your guidance on this.

Jan 17, 2011 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / ?elected? still not updated then!

Jan 17, 2011 SiobhanOsborne 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Iphone Apps Love the DAFNE ap - so much more convenient than pulling out a diary and carb list... One thing though - is it possible to put in your correction dose seperate from the QA ratio dose?

Jan 17, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / sport and high bloods What CPs are you putting on board to compensate for the exercise? If you don't have anything at all, your body will naturally start releasing glucose to provide the energy needed - especially for strenuous exercise - and because of this, your sugar levels can rise quite a bit (I usually hit around 20 if I don't provide CPs for strenuous exercise). Due to the fact your body uses insulin more effectively after exercise as well (it's a bit like the effect in the 24 hours after a hypo), this can put you more at risk of hypo if you correct after exercise as well (which may explain the hypos during the night/in the morning). If you're regularly exercising so much you can plan ahead and you're interested in losing weight, look at taking the CPs from your last meal instead of eating a snack pre-exercise. All this is covered in the exercise section of the DAFNE guidebook.

Jan 17, 2011 MikeH 9 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules! i use the Lantus Solostar pen it has 1 unit doses on it, also i found i was haveing problems with my Lantus lasting for 24 hours so with the help from my HCP's i split the dose and now inject the Lantus twice a day this has worked very well for me.

Jan 16, 2011 ClaireMccann 2 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules! thank you, i do find the site useful to record my sugars and I've tried to register as a graduate but my hospital code won't work! is that a generic code for each hospital or should i have a specific one for me as a patient? the problem with the background is that if i drop it any lower than it is (i take 12 of lantus each night) I start to run v high the next day, almost as if the lantus runs out. What would you recommend as a pre-bed sugar, if my last insulin was more than 4 hours ago? I use the pen, and the disposable lantus pen has a minimum dose of 2 units (ie either 12 or 14 but not 13) On Friday I had a pint with my dinner, but only one so I'm not sure if that would have caused it? i'm very conscious if i've been drinking to have a carb snack before bed, even if it does induce a higher morning sugar (as I've had the post alcohol hypos and they are not fun) My general problem is that my hba1c is too low - its thankfuly gone up in recent months (from 5.4 to 6.3) but i feel that some of that may be due to hypo kickbacks but when i reduce insulins, even by a unit im suddenly up over 10 all the time so im on a permanent sugars see-saw.

Jan 16, 2011 Broady 13 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules! If you had 3cps and didn't take any insulin and still had a hypo during the night, I would say that your background insulin needs to be altered. Can i ask if you are injecting or using a pump

Jan 16, 2011 marke 681 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules! Hi, I'm not sure why you would need to take 3 CP's to 'keep your BG up' overnight. This would suggest your background insulin is too high. You should be able to have 'stable'-ish BG's if you don't eat anything with just background insulin. If you are having to eat without injecting that doesn't sound right. Having accurate estimates of CP's should only affect your Quick acting insulin. You don't say when these hypo's occurred and under what circumstances. Are you doing more exercise, have other things changed in your day to day life. You need to look at the big picture, which is what your Blood Glucose Diary will hopefully tell you. Look for patterns, especially round the hypos and try to spot causes. You can also post your BG's on here if you want too, to get advice from others, although I appreciate many people (including me) find it difficult to share their BG's. P.S You should get yuorself registered as a graduate on the site, having done a DAFNE course.

Jan 16, 2011 marke 681 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Conflicting Adivce Hi, You don't say if your new nurse is DAFNE trained I presume not. The DAFNE Handbook says 3.5 is the 'floor' and with DAFNE you are managing your BG much more tightly so thats why there is a lower figure. With regard to correcting a Hypo, I have never been told a 'range' to correct too and I can't see anything in the handbook. The aim is not to overtreat a hypo by eating too much, so just increasing your BG higher than the floor is the aim. This invariably leads to your BG being higher than that, but you just don't want it to be +10. With regard to diet, I would guess their 'take time' advice is due to your DKA. If you try to lose weight too quickly or don't give enough insulin this is the path to DKA, so slowly and reliably is the way. Easier said than done I guess. Finally if you contact your original DAFNE Centre or us, we can verify you as a graduate and change your account to reflect this. This will mean you can check stuff like the above in the online handbook.

Jan 15, 2011 ClaireMccann 2 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Bad hypos even when following all dafne rules! Hi, I have suffered from some bad hypos in recent months so started to follow my DAFNE rules more strictly (complete weighing of foods etc) - i completed the course a few years ago. Last night, 4 hours after my dinner and appropriate dinner insulin my BG was 5 going to bed so i approx 3 CP to keep it up overnight, which i have found has worked well before but this morning i had an extremely bad hypo. I couldn't test my sugar as my limbs were super jerky so it took all my focus to get the lucozade down me! is there any explanation why this might have happened? I usually wake up if I am low but this morning and am able to resolve the situation normally, but this morning this didn't happen either. thanks Claire

Jan 15, 2011 Jen1984 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Conflicting Advice I recently moved to Scotland and have been on the DAFNE course. Had a few problems with hypos but when I spoke to my new nurse they contradicted some of DAFNE saying 4 is the floor for hypo not 3.5 and only correct back to 8, instead of 4.5 to 7.5! I am confused what to do, my hbalc before dafne was 14 and got down to 10 in two months. Also concerned with weight as got 2.5 stone to loose but they keep telling me not to be hard on myself and things take time but after being in hospital 6 times last year with DKA I am anxious. Can anyone help/ any weight loss tips?! Jen

Jan 15, 2011 Jen1984 2 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Conflicting Adivce I recently moved to Scotland and have been on the DAFNE course. Had a few problems with hypos but when I spoke to my new nurse they contradicted some of DAFNE saying 4 is the floor for hypo not 3.5 and only correct back to 8, instead of 4.5 to 7.5! I am confused what to do, my hbalc before dafne was 14 and got down to 10 in two months. Also concerned with weight as got 2.5 stone to loose but they keep telling me not to be hard on myself and things take time but after being in hospital 6 times last year with DKA I am anxious. Can anyone help/ any weight loss tips?! Jen

Jan 15, 2011 Tony 3 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Difference in BG from different fingers! I have this same problem, my right hand lower than left, I did ask my diabeties doctor about it but he changed the subject lol

Jan 13, 2011 carl render 1 post	Topic: Questions for HCPs / sport and high bloods hi, im 31 and had type 1 for 26ys and ive been doing kickboxing for 5yrs and been doing the dafne for 3yrs. the problem is when i train my blood sugars go sky high . i can start my exercise at 5.5 and finish 2 hours later and my blood level is in the late teens i only drink water or sugar free juice and have a protein shake 1 hour before. ive had the protein checked and i was told theres no problem in taking it and even when i dont use it the levels are the same. i take my lanctus at 9.30pm and i finish my training at 8.00pm. so is the lanctus running out and this is raising the blood levels or is it using stored fat as energy and can this affect the blood level. the reason for that questian is im losing weight quite fast because i train 4 nights a week and 4hrs of exercise through the week at college but only have this problem at night and sometimes hypo in the early mornings while sleeping. just need some info to see where im going wrong.....?? many thanks

Jan 12, 2011 Jenny Spollen 13 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Difference in BG from different fingers! I have also noticed a similar trend over the years. I have no idea why this happens, but there can be a significant difference between the two hands on wide variety of meters. Also, I have a vague memory of reading about this before in a paper/book way back but can't remember where/when.... All the advise I can give is, if in doubt don't forget to pay attention to what/how you are feeling because one hand may register the hypo/hyper that you are feeling while the other hand may not have yet come to the same conclusion so to speak

Jan 12, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Difference in BG from different fingers! No blood testing machines are 100% accurate (and the actual difference percentage is often so tiny and insignificant) so what you're probably seeing is just how the machine has interpreted your sugar levels from the sample(s). You're getting the same blood in both hands as well (at least I hope you are!) so I think it's very likely to be just the machine. I wouldn't worry about it too much because of this.