Recent Posts

Search the DAFNE Online Forums

15,864 posts found

Nov 5, 2010
Jennypenny 34 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

I too have john walshs bok and it is great http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pumping-Insulin-Everything-Success-Smart/dp/1884804861/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1288930606&sr=8-13 , I too overestimate my carbs and at the mo is one of my major causes of hypos , but afetr having had such bad blood sugars for so long now im on the pump and getting average blood sugars of between 5 and 8 i dont want to underestimate and see them blood sugars raise ! After 30 years of having brittle diabetes and bad sugars the pump has sorted out my blood sugars in 5 weeks .
 
Nov 5, 2010
niamh 3 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Vegetables affect BMs?

hi, thanks!, i'd just like to add definately no added sugar to tomatoes, maybe naturally ocurring carbohydrates?
 
Nov 4, 2010
HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Travel to China

I went to China 10 years ago. Took needles etc with no problems but experienced significant problems with food. Was counting carbs then but if you ask whether the dish has sugar in it they will tell you what they think you want to hear (not helpful).

Are you going as part of an organized tour or "back packing"? Some tour guides are excellent but some are very keen to please and the info is not always accurate. My friend (not diabetic) picked up a bug and was hospitalized in The 8th People's Hospital. She still dines out on the stories. Watch your personal hygiene! I took two dozen muesli bars and sometimes found it easier to eat them instead of the meal provided. I had none left at the end of 3 weeks. Stick to vegetable dishes.

Had a fabulous time and would do it all again.

We stopped at a park and there were vans selling fresh fruit. Decided to pay $AUD10 for a beautiful peach. The lady behind the counter bent down to get tissue paper and wrapped it out of sight...you guessed when I got to the bus opened the package with excitement only to see she had swapped the peach for a much inferior one! When I challenged the guide we were virtually told that as foreigners we are fair game. They also think is is OK to sell fakes and represent them as genuine. Don't buy coins etc and be mindful that if it looks real it probably still isn't. Real...made this morning!

We saw a Marble Boat (somewhere) and we had an expert with us who challenged whether the boat was made of marble. It wasn't, this was a replica made of wood as the real one had been destroyed. No amount of saying you ought to say it is a replica meant anything. Made for the tourist...still real!

I am sure you will be fine with the pump just take all the stuff the manufacturers recommend. My info is that they can not be exposed to xrays but that Walk Through and Wands are OK. You can get a list of English speaking doctors from www.iamat.org Carry all your stuff with you all the time! I always take two meters with me when I go to Asia (2-3 times a year).

Good luck. Have a great time. Helen
 
Nov 4, 2010
Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / iPhone App

Thanks Peter, it was only released a few months ago. Let us know if there's anything you'd like added to it.
 
Nov 4, 2010
Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / App

Caroline, your daughter is able to register on this site even though she's not a DAFNE Graduate - she just won't be able to see the handbook, but will be able to access the diary, forums etc. Would using the site's diary help her?
 
Nov 4, 2010
HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

My problem is that I have no idea of the support I will receive... I went to an information session (2 weeks ago) because I was seriously considering a pump. I tend to think about things for a while and can not be talked into anything, but when I decide then I usually want some sort of action. I rang around and was told to make an appointment to see a private consultant ($AUD 200... I am fairly sure 1 AUD=0.6 GBP). She was going away and the first appointment was 18 Nov. No one else does the same job in Brisbane! I tried to find out what I could expect from that consultation but all I could get was she may want me to see a private dietician. Rang the endocrinologist and the first appointment to see him was 13 January. I have that appointment. But neither of these people seem very "available"!

At the info session the reps from the various companies were fairly aggressive and one (Animas) offered to come out to the house to show me the pump etc and answer any questions. She uses a pump. I can see advantages to going with that pump (because of the marketing) but am a bit afraid that once the sale is made $5-8000 their support will not be as available (or as useful)! Too cynical? I gave my email address to a rep from Meditronic (most common type of pump here in Australia, I believe) but she has not sent me any information.

So I read all the posts here while I wait.

Another issue (I think) is that I am on high doses (100u TDD most days on 10 carb portions). I do deal in halves and my insulin to carb ratio is 2.7:1 for lunch. I also correct at 3 1/2 hours after a meal if BGs are over 10.0 as my novorapid only seems to last that long. Most of my BGs are <10. I cover everything >1/2 CP. Being able to "inject" 0.1u seems irrelevant.

I have seen a pump...handled a pump etc but what worries me is where is the support (chronic!) and what about DKA and the bubbles! I live alone.

Any suggestions?

BTW does anyone know what the HbA1c of a "so called normal" person would be? Just curious!

As soon as the shops open I will hunt down John Walsh's book!

Helen
 
Nov 4, 2010
novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Vegetables affect BMs?

I would say it is the BI, although some tinned stuff may have additives, just check the labels..........................obviously large amounts may effect the blood sugar..........maybe the can of tomatoes had some sugar in them..............
 
Nov 4, 2010
donnellysdogs 5 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

Don't be put off by the thought of better control through doing a few different things to MDI and having to do more tests. After 10 weeks my HBA1C has come down from 7.1 to 6.4, so it is possble to get better hba1C results quite quickly if prepared to do a little bit extra.....and yes, I do actually count every thing salad wise, as on a pump you can give a bolus to 0.1 accuracy rates, not whole units as on pens, so you can get much tighter control on the foods you eat. (Obviouwsly I am not going to weigh all the time, but if you read John Walsh's Pumping Insulin Book it says that 30% of diabetics OVERestimate their carbs, and even after going on DAFNE courses 17% continue to over estimate their carbs. I admit readily I was one of those 30%. I have never been on a dafne course, and I saw a dietitan 25 years ago, so I though I would just re-educate myself with my weighing scales. Certainly pump-wise it has paid off no end.

I was given a pump 3 weeks after having a bad hypo incident whilst driving........and I was as nervous as anything, but of course this is only naturall. Most human beings hate change, so why should diabetics be any different?

I was sort of thrown in to having a pump, I would have had it immediately if my DSN hadn't had 2 weeks holiday. She has stacks of them in her office just waiting for 1 person every week to get one. We don't have to get permission from a consultant or pct as the nurse has purchased them in bulk through the pct in one go. I didn't even meet the pump consultant until 1 week after going on it! The DSN decided it would be right for me. Only downfall is that my consumables have to be ordered by and delivered to the hospital instead of dealing directly with Accuchek myself. I just wish that someone had told me exactly what was involved before I had it. I bought John Walsh's pumping insulin book before I went on to the pump, but the detail before actually knowing or seeing what a reservoir or cartridge was or even seeing a pump was a bit scary.

Pumps definitely can get better results, but they say to allow 6 months to fully get everything sorted. Good luck to those going on to the pumping regime...just be realistic....

 
Nov 4, 2010
caroline15 45 posts

Topic: General Discussion / App

Thanks, I'm not really that good with spreadsheets. Word's more my thing as I did RSA in word processing - a very long time ago now though. Would you be able to email me your spreadsheet please? I'm not sure if my email address is available for you to see, please let me know if it isn't.

She loves the internet but hates diabetes. I will suggest to her that she joins the group but I won't be holding my breath!

I've emailed her last 24 hours readings to her dsn, hopefully he will reply. This afternoon her blood went up from 16.4 to Hi in 1.5 hours and she'd only had a sugar free jelly (2g carbs). ketones rose from 0.2 to 1.2 in the same time.

Thanks for all your help, I do appreciate it.
 
Nov 4, 2010
niamh 3 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Vegetables affect BMs?

Hi, I was checking my ratios and 4 hours after my last meal bm's were 7.6(still outside target but hour left in QA insulin's action which should have brought them lower). I decided to have can of tomatoes,red pepper,1 carrot and chicken fillet as dinner and took no insulin as I was told there was no need when just eating veg and protein. However an hour later BM's shot up to 11.8. Can someone tell me if carbs in veg should be injected for or if perhaps it was failure of BI insulin(i.e insufficient amount to keep BMs stable when no novorapid online).Thanks
 
Nov 4, 2010
kid127 25 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Travel to China

Hi everybody. I am going to go for a holiday to China in January and wondered if anyone here had ever been there before?

I'm particularly interested to here about any potential issues anyone had at airports

I have a pump and have been told that it can't pass through the x-ray scanner. I've been in contact with the embassy and they said that if I get a letter from my doctor with details and passport number on I can show it to an airport officer and they will allow me to bypass the x-ray. This sounds great in theory but I'm not sure I want to risk turning up to the airport and not being able to find someone that understands English enough to interpret a doctors letter. And I'm not sure I will be able to bypass a worldwide security policy just becuase I hold a peice of paper. If that happens I may have to leave my pump behind to be able to get through the scanner and on to the plane.

The other option of course is to disconnect the pump and go back to the needles while I'm away. Far from ideal but possibly an easier and more hassle free option in the airport

Any suggestions would be appreciated Smile
 
Nov 4, 2010
Brian Trench 17 posts

Topic: DUAG Committee / Repose Study - Pump v Injections

Hi Emma

I will willingly send you the protocol document that lays out the trial detail but there are nearly 10-12 documents already in this package and would not impact on you and your pump; however, I can not attach docs to this system so please send me an email and I will respond with the attachment. Regards, Brian
 
Nov 4, 2010
novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

Being nervous is good, its normal, you must be excited too..............I am even more jealous now...........I need to wait till the 19th of this month to just mention it to my DSN, then it will be passed to consultant then to the pump centre.............Sad
 
Nov 4, 2010
novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / iPhone App

Spread the word pete.....
 
Nov 4, 2010
novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / App

I think the best way to record information in the first instance is on paper, I record my all my info on a printed exel spreadsheet, exactly like the dafne book, just more space for more tests.............and I use an app too.......

Paper is the best way to get to grips with spotting patterns and fuguring out why the bloods are were they are......

I dont know how good you are with spreadshets but you should try it out, or i can send you mine.....and she wont need to write it down at school only test then use the meter or iphone app to put it on paper....

As dafne grads we both know how effective it is.......

It must be hard though, I didnt start giving a toss till my early 20s, purely down to lack of info and mixed insulin..

And as the thyroid is ok a little extra activity would help with the insulin resistance she is experiencing..........

If your daughter likes the internet and chatting, send her over to www.diabetessupport.co.uk, I am a member there and there is alot of diabetics in her position and age group who could help her with anything she wants to know, you too......
 
Nov 4, 2010
Peter B 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / iPhone App

I have recently started using the iPhone app to record and upload my meter readings. It is really good, I wish I had realised it existed before.
 
Nov 4, 2010
Jennifer Iden 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

Hello again. I've just had confirmation that I get a pump on 15th Nov, and having decided that it was for me, I am now really nervous!
 
Nov 4, 2010
caroline15 45 posts

Topic: General Discussion / App

I wish she would, I have to tell her to do everything. She got the ipod touch for the diabetes diary app, she was bought it so she could keep her records but she doesn't do it. I bought her a contour usb to encourage her to test at school but she still doesn't. I know it sounds as if I take the easy way out and just buy things but I have MS which brings great fatigue and I am a single parent too.

We've been at the gp's this morning because although her ketones were only 1.2 this morning she was complaining about her pain in the stomach. The thyroid results are normal. The doctor has given her Ranitidine as he is suspecting it is stomach acid.

Her bloods have been

21.35 38 Lantus
22.19 10 mmol/L 40g carb 10 nova did less than 12 as upped lantus

03.16 18 mmol/L ketones.0.1 0+6 nova
07.42 24.8 mmol/L ketones 1.2 9+8 nova she thought bfast was 30g
08.26 40g carb
10.27 HI ketones 1.7 80g carb 34 nova (24 + 10)

The gp wants to see us again in a week.

I've rung the DSN and left a message for him to ring me.
 
Nov 4, 2010
novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

Well done dude..............the hard work will pay off............im jealous.....
 
Nov 4, 2010
Davejg 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

Hi everyone
Well after reading a lot of good comments on here I have now taken the plunge. I started on my medtronic pump last week and must say I love it. It was hard work trying to keep control of my highs and lows on injections and depression because it didnt matter how carefull you are never seemed to get it quite right and always felt like crap. I am actually feeling a lot happier in myself.LOL hope I am not speaking to soon.
Its early days yet and a lot more hard work to do but already feel a lot better and my blood sugars on the whole have been much better and been more stable including to a certain extent it has helped a lot with the dawn phenomenon.
My specialist nurse has been absolutely brilliant and calls me everyday even as late as 10pm to tweek the basal rate if needed.
Being diabetic for so long carb counting has never been a problem to me because that was the way 38 years ago, in those days 10g of carbs was called a line and you had to strictly stick to the amount of carbs you could have. I was on 27 lines which had to be split througout the day and you always had to have 3 lines at bedtime whether you wanted it or not. How things have changed with the new insulins.
Have also been told of a bum bag by my diabetic nursethat you can use for pump users the one from medtronic is £21 which I think is quite expensive,look at www.spibelt.com and they do one especially for pump users the cost is in dollars and works out at about £11 with free postiage and I also have the codes for a 15% discount.
I am sure things are not going to be easy but am very confident know that I am going in the right direction
 
Nov 4, 2010
novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

You dont count the carbs in your salads do you?

What amounts do you get from these scales, is it worth it.....I suppose the pump can deal with these tiny amounts....!!
 
Nov 4, 2010
HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pumps

Wow, have I got cold feet! Helen
 
Nov 4, 2010
novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / App

Has your daughter ever been involved directly with testing and carbs?

If not now is the time......Smile
 
Nov 3, 2010
caroline15 45 posts

Topic: General Discussion / App

I've bought DiabetesDiary, looks ok so far. At least there's no chance of me mixing up our records (says she who injected lantus instead of novarapid tonight, I think I need a sleep!)
 
Nov 3, 2010
caroline15 45 posts

Topic: General Discussion / App

Thanks Simon, I'll just have to keep on trying the other apps. At least that will make sure our readings won't get mixed up.