Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

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 686 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 686 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 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 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 686 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 686 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.

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