Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Jan 12, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb Free Breakfast

Wow, that is quite remarkable! I understand completely what you mean - however, it also makes me quite glad that my body responds in the more DAFNE research common way to those foods! Very Happy

Best wishes considering I'm guessing that can make life a bit awkward!

Jan 11, 2011

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dafne ratio works - upto 18 units or so.

I have had the inclination to thoroughly look at my ratios since a discussion with my endocrinologist and my ratio on a "good" day is close to, but, not exactly 2.27:1. I also weigh and calculate carbs to two decimal places! I have worked out that this ratio works well up to a total of 10-12 CPs a day. Beyond that the "error" is magnified to the extent that the calculation is no longer valid. The process I used was to weigh everything and to be "anal' about the carbs then to calculate the ratio considering the carbs, the insulin (including corrections) over a two week period. When I am out and not in a position to weigh etc I use 2.3:1 in the belief that I usually underestimate carbs. I also use a demipen and "correct" with half units.
If you are using 2:1 and the actual ratio is closer to 1.5:1 then over a 10CP load that can make a crucial difference (5u on 10 Carbs). Worth considering. Helen

Jan 10, 2011

Paul Lyons 8 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / prawn crackers?

doh! Thanks Mike, I just realised a Carb app on my HTC phone would help me out a lot!

Jan 10, 2011

Paul Lyons 8 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dafne ratio works - upto 18 units or so.

My evening ratio is 2:1 and I find that I am comfortable counting carbs and injecting upto around 18 units, so 9CP's when not requiring a correction does.

Tonight and on other nights I had 10CP's and was 10.6mmol before my meal. I should have been injecting 20+1 but with a history of this problem, injected 19 (no particular calculation other than working on 9 CP's and 1 correction unit).

After 2 hours, I had the sensation of my BG dropping and it was 5mmol. I have had 40mins of 1/3rds of lucozade (so around 8CP's) to get back to 7mmol. It just stayed between 4.5mmol and 5.5mmol during this time, and often fluctuates whilst the lucozade takes effect.

1hr and 30mins after all that lucozade I am now 9.1mmol which doesnt indicate a massive rise in BG.

To me this suggests a massive overdose of insulin and something that seems to occur when I am having to take larger doses than usual, despite eating an equivalent amount.

Jan 10, 2011

Paul Lyons 8 posts

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

I have found out tonight through chance that my BG readings from my left hand to right hand have actually differed by 1.6mmol!

I would imagine that I could expect a difference of +/- 5% perhaps but 6.1mmol on one finger and 7.7mmol on the other is very strange.

Later on this evening is has been 7mmol and 8.1mmol (left hand always measuring lower)

Any thoughts please?

Jan 10, 2011

Jenny Spollen 13 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb Free Breakfast

I have to agree with the general idea that the eating of sausages = a need to stab yourself up with some lovely QA. I also feel a definite need to respond to the beans issue Very Happy

I know it depends on a persons reaction/sensitivity to sugar releases from carbs but in my case anyways, being as I am so annoyingly sensitive to everything, I find that ye old pulses, beans, whole grains like pearl barley, wheat etc definitely need a dose of QA. Yes they are slow release foods with a relatively low impact on sugar level rises but they do cause a rise nonetheless. I'm not saying they qualify for your full CP to QA ratios but rather what I like to call a partial ratio. At the min, I'm on a 1:1 ratio across the board for my QA except for these partial ratio foods, which depending on the food can be from 1/4:1 to 1/2:1 ratio. I don't know if that all makes sense but I guess my general point is that we are def all different and for some the tin of beans has no impact but for others it def does. So even eating a can of sugar free beans there are still carbs that for me would rule them out of a carb free meal.

Jan 10, 2011

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Weight

Yes, I was told this as well and I have found that I am slightly heavier than I was pre-DAFNE but luckily, I know that my regime hasn't changed too much in terms what I do around my diabetes - just what my doses are. My control has tightened and we're now seeing the 'truer picture'. Smile

I think that if any one has any concerns about the weight gain, once they know their 'resting' insulin, they can apply the DAFNE exercise rules to work at losing weight. Obviously, what you eat can be an effect on your weight as well - I think this is why my body's weight changed slightly, because even though I don't excessively eat unhealthy, I'm certainly not strict! Razz

Jan 9, 2011

emmahope 17 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Am new...And 'RECOVERY'

congratualations hiv1904! you've come a long way. i really try now but still bg is all over the place so hoping DAFNE makes a good difference and they mentioned a pump as a possibility once ive done DAFNE.Thanks, sharing your story and your hope,xemmanh

Jan 9, 2011

adamrit 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Brittle Diabetes

I test most nights at times between 3.00 and 6.00am and I have never noticed the "dawn effect", though told to expect and beware of it. I do tend normally to go up 1 or 2 points between 6.00 and 8.00am, but that night starvation where your bloodsugar registers very high after a sleeping hypo, doesn't seem to happen to me. I am looking forward to doing continuous bloodsugar monitoring with the Veo pump and sensor which will reveal the reality, because you have to be careful not to get fixed ideas about how your diabetes works. I blame everything on "brittle diabetes, though it may be that my estimation of carbohydrate may not be as accurate as I think and I my background insulin could be fine-tuned with better continuous glucose monitoring.
My view of my diabetes is that my insulin sensitivity just goes up and down by a factor of four or five without warning. Today I tested 8.0 mm m/l at 8.30am, had 45gms carbohydrate (porridge) for breakfast but didn't take a bolus of 4.2units until 9.00 (Very unusual; I almost always have it 10 minutes before eating). At 11.00 I was up to 16mm m/l in spite of an hour and a half of hard work in my allotment. After more work, a cup of coffee and half an apple, I was still 13mm m/l before late lunch at 13.30. Every episode of irregular sensitivity can be ascribed to one cause or another but there seems little consistency ever.
I will try Broady's advice above and fine-tune the basals with a diabetic nurse after a few weeks of continuous blood glucose monitoring. I'll report back on the results.
Adam

Jan 9, 2011

hld1904 5 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Weight

Has anyone found their weight has gone up since following DAFNE? Spoke to my GP who specialises in Diabetes and he told me people often find their weight increases due to better control and CP's being equal to Insulin doses! Great start to the New Year!

Jan 9, 2011

hld1904 5 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Am new...And 'RECOVERY'

I know what you mean. I have been type 1 since age of 3 and have had a lot to deal with too. I suffered domestic violence form my father and tried to stay away from him by putting myself in hospital using my insulin to do so. I was also Bulimic. I was told i was Brittle Diabetic. That has followed all my life and i eneded up in violent relationships too. I am 43 this year and have finally found a decent man and am only now able to talk about using my diabetes to 'protect' myself. I can finally admit i deliberately overdosed with insulin or other times stopped taking it completely. I have had laser eye treatment, Ulcers and loss of feeling in my feet. My kidneys are beginning to show signs too. I know i am lucky compared to what i could be suffering from by now but there is nothing i can do to change that now. I have graduated from DAFNE and have got my HbA1c into single figures for the first time in 25 years.
It has taken me 40 years to finally settle and take control and i will never go back to those ways.
Life is what you make it and i intend to live mine to the full from now on!

Jan 9, 2011

luisafontana 9 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Brittle Diabetes

This might sound like a dumb question as you might test for it all the time, but I noted in your example day's readings (and I realise it's only an example), that you said you'd gone to bed fine - then at 4am it was at 16, and then it was difficult to get down after that. Is it possible that you've suffered from the dawn phenomenon, which I'm given to understand produces exactly those effects? Again I realise it was just an example and could have been a coincidence but from reading in forums elsewhere, if that's what's causing you trouble it tends to make problems for you throughout the day due to the effect of everything your body does to counter the hypo during the night and the other hormones it releases to wake you up. I don't get it because of the times I work and sleep so I'm lucky. Do you test between 2-3am to see if you're having hypos?

Jan 8, 2011

emmahope 17 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / calories affecting insulin required?

HI Helen, thanks for that.It's reassuring to hear -when I've put it to hcps they just dismissed it, which gave me a sense that 'whatever I do I cant get it right'.I'm looking forward to doing DAFNE 2nd week of February,a bit trepidatious but I'm sure it will be great to compare notes with others living with other type ones. Best, Emma

Jan 8, 2011

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / calories affecting insulin required?

Hi Emma,

I have done DAFNE and one of the things that has really hit home for me is that we are all different...for example I need to count two chicken drumsticks as 1CP. When I raised this as a theory with the dietician she confirmed that 150g of protein (more than I usually have) may very well need to be "covered" by a small dose of insulin. I also steer away from fat calories as they also have a crucial (and disproportionate) effect on my BGs after meals. I believe it has something to do with fat effecting glucose absorption....or something. Are you booked in to do DAFNE? I found it unbelievably informative and as it gave me more answers I am much more conscious of the whole diabetes situation. Good luck.
Helen

Jan 7, 2011

dougie70 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / HAPPY NEW YEAR

happy new year everyone

Jan 7, 2011

marke 681 posts

Topic: DUAG Committee / PCT response letter

Annette, good letter ! It will be very interesting to hear the response if they can come up with one ;-)

Jan 7, 2011

emmahope 17 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / calories affecting insulin required?

I havent done DAFNE yet but am following principles as far as I know them.Do others notice that its not just cps that affect insulin requirements but non carbohydrate containing calories too? This is the case for me,borne out of experience. Thanks

Jan 6, 2011

Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Great video - worth a watch

I'm sure we've heard all of the silly comments in this video at least once in our diabetic lifetimes:

What NOT to say to the parent of a Type 1 Diabetic

Enjoy!

Jan 5, 2011

MikeH 9 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / prawn crackers?

useing the iphone app "carbs and cals" it gives 20g carbs for 35g of prawn crackers

Jan 5, 2011

Carolin 83 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / prawn crackers?

Using info from supermarket prawn crackers, approx 6 crackers (20g weight) is 1CP
Good luck!
Smile

Jan 5, 2011

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: DUAG Committee / PCT response letter

Hi folks! Mark has kindly sorted this so I can send you a copy of the letter I have finally sent to my PCT in response to their letter. Here is the link:
PCT response.doc

Jan 4, 2011

emmahope 17 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Am new...And 'RECOVERY'

I know many of us with this disease have had periods of struggling to accept this condition. I wonder whether there are others who have dealt with related (for me) issues also: Have others grown up with diabetes which was abused by carers or have needed to go through a recovery,perhaps, with eating disorder like me- or have recovered from using diabetes as self harm? I"m now in recovery but the history has left me with complications.I do at times struggle with acceptance with what this disease has brought and does bring but it has also been a journey of spiritual and emotional/mental growth and lessons.

Jan 4, 2011

Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / We'll be upgrading soon

Upgade complete - topic locked.

Jan 4, 2011

Broady 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Brittle Diabetes

Hi adamrit
I was put on a continuous glucose monitor last year, when I had the results the specialist nurse and myself went through them and altered my basal rates to suit. With a bit of tweaking and a lot of hard work it paid off and my bloods have been very good since the alterations. I hope everything works out for you and let me know how you get on

Jan 12, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb Free Breakfast Wow, that is quite remarkable! I understand completely what you mean - however, it also makes me quite glad that my body responds in the more DAFNE research common way to those foods! Best wishes considering I'm guessing that can make life a bit awkward!

Jan 11, 2011 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dafne ratio works - upto 18 units or so. I have had the inclination to thoroughly look at my ratios since a discussion with my endocrinologist and my ratio on a "good" day is close to, but, not exactly 2.27:1. I also weigh and calculate carbs to two decimal places! I have worked out that this ratio works well up to a total of 10-12 CPs a day. Beyond that the "error" is magnified to the extent that the calculation is no longer valid. The process I used was to weigh everything and to be "anal' about the carbs then to calculate the ratio considering the carbs, the insulin (including corrections) over a two week period. When I am out and not in a position to weigh etc I use 2.3:1 in the belief that I usually underestimate carbs. I also use a demipen and "correct" with half units. If you are using 2:1 and the actual ratio is closer to 1.5:1 then over a 10CP load that can make a crucial difference (5u on 10 Carbs). Worth considering. Helen

Jan 10, 2011 Paul Lyons 8 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / prawn crackers? doh! Thanks Mike, I just realised a Carb app on my HTC phone would help me out a lot!

Jan 10, 2011 Paul Lyons 8 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Dafne ratio works - upto 18 units or so. My evening ratio is 2:1 and I find that I am comfortable counting carbs and injecting upto around 18 units, so 9CP's when not requiring a correction does. Tonight and on other nights I had 10CP's and was 10.6mmol before my meal. I should have been injecting 20+1 but with a history of this problem, injected 19 (no particular calculation other than working on 9 CP's and 1 correction unit). After 2 hours, I had the sensation of my BG dropping and it was 5mmol. I have had 40mins of 1/3rds of lucozade (so around 8CP's) to get back to 7mmol. It just stayed between 4.5mmol and 5.5mmol during this time, and often fluctuates whilst the lucozade takes effect. 1hr and 30mins after all that lucozade I am now 9.1mmol which doesnt indicate a massive rise in BG. To me this suggests a massive overdose of insulin and something that seems to occur when I am having to take larger doses than usual, despite eating an equivalent amount.

Jan 10, 2011 Paul Lyons 8 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Difference in BG from different fingers! I have found out tonight through chance that my BG readings from my left hand to right hand have actually differed by 1.6mmol! I would imagine that I could expect a difference of +/- 5% perhaps but 6.1mmol on one finger and 7.7mmol on the other is very strange. Later on this evening is has been 7mmol and 8.1mmol (left hand always measuring lower) Any thoughts please?

Jan 10, 2011 Jenny Spollen 13 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb Free Breakfast I have to agree with the general idea that the eating of sausages = a need to stab yourself up with some lovely QA. I also feel a definite need to respond to the beans issue I know it depends on a persons reaction/sensitivity to sugar releases from carbs but in my case anyways, being as I am so annoyingly sensitive to everything, I find that ye old pulses, beans, whole grains like pearl barley, wheat etc definitely need a dose of QA. Yes they are slow release foods with a relatively low impact on sugar level rises but they do cause a rise nonetheless. I'm not saying they qualify for your full CP to QA ratios but rather what I like to call a partial ratio. At the min, I'm on a 1:1 ratio across the board for my QA except for these partial ratio foods, which depending on the food can be from 1/4:1 to 1/2:1 ratio. I don't know if that all makes sense but I guess my general point is that we are def all different and for some the tin of beans has no impact but for others it def does. So even eating a can of sugar free beans there are still carbs that for me would rule them out of a carb free meal.

Jan 10, 2011 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Weight Yes, I was told this as well and I have found that I am slightly heavier than I was pre-DAFNE but luckily, I know that my regime hasn't changed too much in terms what I do around my diabetes - just what my doses are. My control has tightened and we're now seeing the 'truer picture'. I think that if any one has any concerns about the weight gain, once they know their 'resting' insulin, they can apply the DAFNE exercise rules to work at losing weight. Obviously, what you eat can be an effect on your weight as well - I think this is why my body's weight changed slightly, because even though I don't excessively eat unhealthy, I'm certainly not strict!

Jan 9, 2011 emmahope 17 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Am new...And 'RECOVERY' congratualations hiv1904! you've come a long way. i really try now but still bg is all over the place so hoping DAFNE makes a good difference and they mentioned a pump as a possibility once ive done DAFNE.Thanks, sharing your story and your hope,xemmanh

Jan 9, 2011 adamrit 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Brittle Diabetes I test most nights at times between 3.00 and 6.00am and I have never noticed the "dawn effect", though told to expect and beware of it. I do tend normally to go up 1 or 2 points between 6.00 and 8.00am, but that night starvation where your bloodsugar registers very high after a sleeping hypo, doesn't seem to happen to me. I am looking forward to doing continuous bloodsugar monitoring with the Veo pump and sensor which will reveal the reality, because you have to be careful not to get fixed ideas about how your diabetes works. I blame everything on "brittle diabetes, though it may be that my estimation of carbohydrate may not be as accurate as I think and I my background insulin could be fine-tuned with better continuous glucose monitoring. My view of my diabetes is that my insulin sensitivity just goes up and down by a factor of four or five without warning. Today I tested 8.0 mm m/l at 8.30am, had 45gms carbohydrate (porridge) for breakfast but didn't take a bolus of 4.2units until 9.00 (Very unusual; I almost always have it 10 minutes before eating). At 11.00 I was up to 16mm m/l in spite of an hour and a half of hard work in my allotment. After more work, a cup of coffee and half an apple, I was still 13mm m/l before late lunch at 13.30. Every episode of irregular sensitivity can be ascribed to one cause or another but there seems little consistency ever. I will try Broady's advice above and fine-tune the basals with a diabetic nurse after a few weeks of continuous blood glucose monitoring. I'll report back on the results. Adam

Jan 9, 2011 hld1904 5 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Weight Has anyone found their weight has gone up since following DAFNE? Spoke to my GP who specialises in Diabetes and he told me people often find their weight increases due to better control and CP's being equal to Insulin doses! Great start to the New Year!

Jan 9, 2011 hld1904 5 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Am new...And 'RECOVERY' I know what you mean. I have been type 1 since age of 3 and have had a lot to deal with too. I suffered domestic violence form my father and tried to stay away from him by putting myself in hospital using my insulin to do so. I was also Bulimic. I was told i was Brittle Diabetic. That has followed all my life and i eneded up in violent relationships too. I am 43 this year and have finally found a decent man and am only now able to talk about using my diabetes to 'protect' myself. I can finally admit i deliberately overdosed with insulin or other times stopped taking it completely. I have had laser eye treatment, Ulcers and loss of feeling in my feet. My kidneys are beginning to show signs too. I know i am lucky compared to what i could be suffering from by now but there is nothing i can do to change that now. I have graduated from DAFNE and have got my HbA1c into single figures for the first time in 25 years. It has taken me 40 years to finally settle and take control and i will never go back to those ways. Life is what you make it and i intend to live mine to the full from now on!

Jan 9, 2011 luisafontana 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Brittle Diabetes This might sound like a dumb question as you might test for it all the time, but I noted in your example day's readings (and I realise it's only an example), that you said you'd gone to bed fine - then at 4am it was at 16, and then it was difficult to get down after that. Is it possible that you've suffered from the dawn phenomenon, which I'm given to understand produces exactly those effects? Again I realise it was just an example and could have been a coincidence but from reading in forums elsewhere, if that's what's causing you trouble it tends to make problems for you throughout the day due to the effect of everything your body does to counter the hypo during the night and the other hormones it releases to wake you up. I don't get it because of the times I work and sleep so I'm lucky. Do you test between 2-3am to see if you're having hypos?

Jan 8, 2011 emmahope 17 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / calories affecting insulin required? HI Helen, thanks for that.It's reassuring to hear -when I've put it to hcps they just dismissed it, which gave me a sense that 'whatever I do I cant get it right'.I'm looking forward to doing DAFNE 2nd week of February,a bit trepidatious but I'm sure it will be great to compare notes with others living with other type ones. Best, Emma

Jan 8, 2011 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / calories affecting insulin required? Hi Emma, I have done DAFNE and one of the things that has really hit home for me is that we are all different...for example I need to count two chicken drumsticks as 1CP. When I raised this as a theory with the dietician she confirmed that 150g of protein (more than I usually have) may very well need to be "covered" by a small dose of insulin. I also steer away from fat calories as they also have a crucial (and disproportionate) effect on my BGs after meals. I believe it has something to do with fat effecting glucose absorption....or something. Are you booked in to do DAFNE? I found it unbelievably informative and as it gave me more answers I am much more conscious of the whole diabetes situation. Good luck. Helen

Jan 7, 2011 dougie70 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / HAPPY NEW YEAR happy new year everyone

Jan 7, 2011 marke 681 posts	Topic: DUAG Committee / PCT response letter Annette, good letter ! It will be very interesting to hear the response if they can come up with one ;-)

Jan 7, 2011 emmahope 17 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / calories affecting insulin required? I havent done DAFNE yet but am following principles as far as I know them.Do others notice that its not just cps that affect insulin requirements but non carbohydrate containing calories too? This is the case for me,borne out of experience. Thanks

Jan 6, 2011 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Great video - worth a watch I'm sure we've heard all of the silly comments in this video at least once in our diabetic lifetimes: What NOT to say to the parent of a Type 1 Diabetic Enjoy!

Jan 5, 2011 MikeH 9 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / prawn crackers? useing the iphone app "carbs and cals" it gives 20g carbs for 35g of prawn crackers

Jan 5, 2011 Carolin 83 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / prawn crackers? Using info from supermarket prawn crackers, approx 6 crackers (20g weight) is 1CP Good luck!

Jan 5, 2011 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: DUAG Committee / PCT response letter Hi folks! Mark has kindly sorted this so I can send you a copy of the letter I have finally sent to my PCT in response to their letter. Here is the link: PCT response.doc

Jan 4, 2011 emmahope 17 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Am new...And 'RECOVERY' I know many of us with this disease have had periods of struggling to accept this condition. I wonder whether there are others who have dealt with related (for me) issues also: Have others grown up with diabetes which was abused by carers or have needed to go through a recovery,perhaps, with eating disorder like me- or have recovered from using diabetes as self harm? I"m now in recovery but the history has left me with complications.I do at times struggle with acceptance with what this disease has brought and does bring but it has also been a journey of spiritual and emotional/mental growth and lessons.

Jan 4, 2011 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / We'll be upgrading soon Upgade complete - topic locked.

Jan 4, 2011 Broady 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Brittle Diabetes Hi adamrit I was put on a continuous glucose monitor last year, when I had the results the specialist nurse and myself went through them and altered my basal rates to suit. With a bit of tweaking and a lot of hard work it paid off and my bloods have been very good since the alterations. I hope everything works out for you and let me know how you get on