Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Aug 30, 2010

chris s 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / spiking early evening

Thanks for replies - I too came to same conclusion. My basal dose is split so I have increased am dose - hope it works. Re Mark 2 - yes I had one glass of wine. Thanks.

Aug 30, 2010

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Clikstar Pens

Hello,

Forgot to reply to this topic.

Finally got hold of a blue Clikstar pen and I like it a lot - it's so much better than the Autopen, although still not quite as good as my Humapen Luxura.

The pen is a good size (only marginally bigger than a Humapen) and goes up in 1 click intervals up to 80 units. One very clever feature is when you get near to the end of the cartridge it will only allow you to dial up how much is actually in there - ie no more plunger stopping half way through a dose because you know before hand there isn't enough in there. I think more manufacturers need to implement this.

My only gripe is it is a bit plasticy, but thats only me being very picky. Overall it feels very robust and easy to use, and I'm now safe in the knowledge I'm using an approved pen for my Lantus injections Smile

NiVZ

Aug 30, 2010

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please?

Hey Lee.........

It seems to me that most of the time your background lantus is doing ok..........if not too much, even when your dose was 13 you were still coming down by morning........have you ever tried changing your background injection time.....experimenting with that might set you up better for the day.......

Its hard to tell whats going on as the QA doses on your diary are confusing with the CP amounts because you have not put down the ratios...........it would suggest to me you are quite sensitive to insulin, having ratios of 0.1-1:1......

What are your ratiios?

Apart from the ups and downs your control not bad at all!!

Aug 29, 2010

Sheila_Kay 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please?

Hi Lee,

I hope that by now you have had some help with your blood sugars, I am on Novorapid and lantus and just when I think I have got my readings level they can go up or down. I had to split my lantus which does work well for me. 7am and 7pm. I find that when I try to keep my meals to set times and not too many carbs my sugars are better, but I do shift work and that does make me tired and effect my readings. Have you tried changing the time you give your lantus?
How are you getting on now. Sheila

Aug 28, 2010

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Introductions

Welcome Alan from a fellow monklands graduate, the team there are brilliant................................

See u around........................

Aug 28, 2010

AlanC 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Introductions

Hi everyone - just graduated yesterday (27 Aug) from DAFNE at Monklands Hospital - I wish I had been given the opportunity to do this many years ago. I was diagnosed in early 1986, aged 17, early years I didnt look after myself as closely as I should have, but my good lady wife (who I married 16 years ago) has made sure that this has changed for good! Prior to DAFNE was using far too much Insulin (to ensure my BG's didn't run too high). Despite good HBA1c results, have had too many hypos and as a result of the high Insulin doses have been eating too much (at the expense of my waistline!. Currently on Levemir (now split!) and Actrapid. Following DAFNE I am using around 15-20 less units of Insulin per day!!!!. Hopefully I can maintain this in teh long run. I'd also like to thank the DAFNE educators at Monklands, Pat and Lynn, who were absolutely brilliant last week. Hope to visit this site every day and maybe speak to some of you soon

Alan

Aug 28, 2010

Dr Jez McCole 11 posts

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

I am enjoying the app loads Simon, thank you for all the work. I believe one of the DAFNE principles is to decide what's for dinner before worrying about your sugar level. That is to say that the decision about carbs comes before the decision about any corrections. This is why CP's comes before BG, even if we all do actually check our sugars 1st.
Can I suggest:
- a keypad entry for BG and CPs as an option instead of the scroll wheels?
- Because I have found myself using a calculator alongside the app, a CP calculator function within the app would be great. If you press "CP" and see a calculator style screen that has the option of either typing in CPs or even more usefully, typing "Carbohydrate per 100g" (as printed on a packet) and "grams I'm actually eating". To then add to a "Carb Totaliser" for the meal and 'Save' the total CPs once done.
- Some reporting functionality within the app, similar to the online reports. Can we have reporting on insulin doses as well as BGs? Perhaps "Average Total Daily Dose" over the past 14 or 28 days would be good for sick day calculations. Also a report on the number of corrective doses needed and when could really help fine tune the previous meal's ratio. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN SIMON. Dr Jez McCole

Aug 28, 2010

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pens

Humapen Memoir is available on prescription here in the UK.

Just ask GP for a script:

Humapen Memoir on PIP code 329-3727

or in other parts of the world EAN code 5014602500320

Regards
Garry

Aug 28, 2010

ThunderBolt 28 posts

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

Sorry for the multiple posts but can't see an edit button.

As I say the app works great now but one thing I would suggest is that the times of day could be listed in chronological order rather than alphabetical order. Also the order of entry, as we spoke about on the paper version could have the BG and CP swapped about as the BG is the 1st thing you usually do. It's probably me being a bit dense again but I always enter them in the wrong box!

Aug 28, 2010

ThunderBolt 28 posts

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

I'm glad - if a little embarrassed - to say my 10 year old cousin sorted it out for me. Works a treat now!

Aug 28, 2010

kestle 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pens

I would just like to say thanks to everyone who has responded to my original post, i haven't had any luck as yet finding anything suitable in Aussie yet (no jokes required lol) I have talked to my GP and diabetes guru and im sure they will track something down that i can give a try. They were both interested and could definitely see where i was coming from so in closing thanks again to yall. BTW go spurs for all you footy tragics Smile

Cheers Charlie

Aug 27, 2010

ThunderBolt 28 posts

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

Perhaps it's an older version of ipod I have. Tells me I need iphone 4 software...

Can't win 'em all. Ta anyway!!!

Aug 27, 2010

marke 686 posts

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

yes, all apps work on iphone, ipod touch and ipad ( for the truly lucky). We also hope to do a version that runs on other phones in the future but there is still a lot of work to do on this, so no timescales as yet.

Aug 27, 2010

marke 686 posts

Topic: Site Development / New Meter Upload Development

hi, as ever I'm happy to be a tester. i still have my trusty 'onetouch ultrasmart' doing sterling service for me.

Aug 27, 2010

marke 686 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Iphone Apps

nice to hear that Simon's hard work is being so well recieved. For those that don't have an iphone we do hope to develop a version of the app that will run on other phones. This is just about to start development and I make no promises about how quick it will get done since I have never written software for mobile phones before. But hey its a great challenge and hopefully will result in something that is of great use to everyone. i will post about my progress on site development forum and hopefully have something working in a month or two/.

Aug 27, 2010

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4

I know I'm bound to say this since I'm lucky enough to be involved with the DAFNE Management team and have been to the collaboratives and met a number of the HCP's, but there ARE a lot of good and very dedicated medical people out there who work very hard. I'm also very lucky to have a brilliant Diabetes consultant who always has as much time for me as I need and never rushes our consultations. Sure his clinics ALWAYS run late, but you happily accept that because you know you will probably run over your slot. I have on occasion seen newer, younger consultants and one or two have had a lot to learn in terms of patient relationships. I guess thats something they learn with experience and maybe Lizzies consultants still have this road to walk. I'm not clear though Lizzie if you see a GP or a hospital when you talk of 'doctors'. I do find that GP's are no where near as good. They just don't understand the deep details like someone who works in Diabetes full time. I know locally to me the PCT is trying to push Type 1 and 2's into the GP's care which is NOT a good thing.
I think the problem with young people is they want to rebel, we all did at that age. Fortunately for me I wasn't diabetic so my rebellions were not dangerous to my health ( well not in the long term anyway !). I have met many people who went off the rails when they were younger and now with the benefit of hindsight regret it. Maybe, just maybe, shock tactics are necessary to make people take it seriously. I never forget my first visit to the hospital diabetes clinic when I lived in southampton. It scared the life out of me, people with amputations etc. that made me realise I had to take things seriously and ensure I kept my condition under control, I didn't ever want it to be me in a wheelchair. Fortunately since then I have met and become involved with diabetics of 30 and 50 years who are completely fine and complication free. It can be done but not without taking responsibility ourselves for our own treatment. Thats the point of DAFNE, to give us the ability to manage ourselves and NOT rely so much on the Diabetes support team.
Sorry that went on a bit and I haven't seen the TV programme but maybe the negatives will encourage a few to take Diabetes as seriously as they should.

Aug 27, 2010

LauraH 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Introductions

Hi, didn't realise there was an introduction post on here, what a good idea.

My name is Laura, I am 22. I was diagnosed when I was 20. I was getting very poorly in the lead up to my wedding in 2008 and of course we all just put it down to wedding stress. But 6 weeks after the wedding came the diagnosis...huge shock. I was very lucky to be put on a Dafne course in January 2010, so I really only went 18 months without it. It was such a relief feeling everything fall into place, and my HbA1c dropped right down to 8.2 which I was so pleased about, although still working on. Plus I really loved meeting everyone else on the course, and having the chance to talk to them about day to day things. Probably why I like this forum so much, it's like being back in our Dafne classes, just with a lot more people!

Aug 27, 2010

LauraH 6 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Iphone Apps

Hi,

Just wanted to say the iPhone app is fabulous, and so easy to use, thanks for all the hard work put into it. I had an appointment today at the diabetes clinic and when the doctor asked if I had any diary or readings with me I pulled out my iPhone and showed him the app, he was very impressed and spent almost as much time looking at the app as talking to me!! Although I can honestly say I'm so pleased with the app I really didn't mind :-)

Aug 27, 2010

caroline15 45 posts

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

It works on my ipod touch.

Aug 27, 2010

ThunderBolt 28 posts

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

Just wondering if there's any plan to make this work on the poor man's iPhone. Aka iPod.

Certainly looks the part but for those with iPods there's one called glucose buddy. Does much of the same thing but without the carb list. An option at least. Until it's made compatible or you can afford an iPhone4!

Top work though. Ta!

Aug 27, 2010

SimonC 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pens

The memoir is available on prescription - I got mine this way. I have had one fail - not down to batteries, and Lilly did replace it free of charge, no problems.

Aug 27, 2010

Simon Heller 46 posts

Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4

Yes, your experiences aren't encouraging but I do know docs/diabetes teams in London who have a very different attitude and who were instrumental in developing DAFNE with us. Just as it has been a big struggle to persuade diabetes teams that DAFNE is essential to promoting better diabetes care, we all have a lot to learn about the right way to support young people who would rather not have diabetes.

Aug 27, 2010

Lizzie 87 posts

Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4

Maybe I was a little harsh Simon. I am sure somewhere out there there are doctors who are kind and supportive. But I have not met any and can only speak for my own experiences. Maybe I have been unlucky. I wish I could find a doctor or medical professional who actually cared. I try to be hopeful when I go for appointments but each one just ticks the boxes and gets me out the door again. The last one did not even check my feet or ask to see my diary. He was more interested in pressuring me to have weight loss surgery. This seems to be the favoured solution for my doctors rather than asking about my mental wellbeing and trying to deal with all my many and varied issues involving food, diabetes, and my father's death when I was 18 months old, which have plagued me all my life. Instead of doing what I think is their job and investigating the actual reason why I am struggling with diet and exercise, they would rather I had my stomach removed. Nice, eh?

Aug 27, 2010

Simon Heller 46 posts

Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4

Hi Lizzie. I am straying a little from the 'questions for health care professionals' forums in posting on this thread but I think you are being a little hard on medical staff here and hope we have learnt a bit a bit over the years. Those of us who run clinics for young people can see very clearly how tough it is to manage diabetes on top of coping with being a teenager.
The difficulty is finding the right approach to let young people know they are supported and doing anything in our power to help them manage their diabetes more successfully. Many just hate having diabetes and it is scary to see people stopping their injections and ending up in hospital with dka or running sugars around 30 for weeks on end. I agree we haven't yet learnt the best way to support them but hopefully in clinic no-one is judgmental just exploring the best way to give the right level and type of support. I couldn't agree more that taking people round the kidney unit or showing horrible pictures is completely crass and wrong.
We are currently exploring ways of supporting people with a team of nurses/dietitians who are there for families outside traditional clinic settings. We hope this will offer better support in terms of education (when it is wanted/needed), dealing with family conflict and encouraging even small positive steps for kids to look after their diabetes a bit more effectively. It is challenging however and we will get many things wrong as well as hopefully a few things right. If it got rid of the traditional diabetic clinic which doesn't seem to suit most young people,and replaced it with something more effective, I would be very happy. Simon

Aug 27, 2010

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: Site Development / New Meter Upload Development

Spent lunchtime today going over the code I already had to refresh my memory. And also getting my meter working with Windows 7 (need to use the cable driver from the Prolific website as the OneTouch one doesn't work - think Marke mentioned this a while back)

Going to start coding a very streamlined easy to use app from scratch with very few options. Just read the data from the meter and submit to website with as few clicks needed as possible.

I'm planning to do each part in very small steps, ie

1. get it finding the data cable (COM port)
2. speak to the meter (initialise, get serial no, settings, etc)
3. read data back from meter (just date/time, BG and comment to start with) and display on screen
4. send the data to DAFNE online (either overwriting exisiting values or figuring out the last value and only writing newer ones)
5. get it to read the insulin and carb data (something I've not tried)

I plan to release something at each of the steps above which I would be grateful if people could test at each stage. The more testers the better to ensure it's working on everyone's meter. The response has been a bit underwhelming so far, but hopefully more people might be encouraged once theres something to try out.

I'm going to keep the user interface very simple (probably just a text box telling you what the program is currently doing) so that it is easy to figure out any problems that arise.

I'm hoping to have the first release for step 1 very soon for people to try.

Thanks,

NiVZ

Aug 30, 2010 chris s 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / spiking early evening Thanks for replies - I too came to same conclusion. My basal dose is split so I have increased am dose - hope it works. Re Mark 2 - yes I had one glass of wine. Thanks.

Aug 30, 2010 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Clikstar Pens Hello, Forgot to reply to this topic. Finally got hold of a blue Clikstar pen and I like it a lot - it's so much better than the Autopen, although still not quite as good as my Humapen Luxura. The pen is a good size (only marginally bigger than a Humapen) and goes up in 1 click intervals up to 80 units. One very clever feature is when you get near to the end of the cartridge it will only allow you to dial up how much is actually in there - ie no more plunger stopping half way through a dose because you know before hand there isn't enough in there. I think more manufacturers need to implement this. My only gripe is it is a bit plasticy, but thats only me being very picky. Overall it feels very robust and easy to use, and I'm now safe in the knowledge I'm using an approved pen for my Lantus injections NiVZ

Aug 30, 2010 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please? Hey Lee......... It seems to me that most of the time your background lantus is doing ok..........if not too much, even when your dose was 13 you were still coming down by morning........have you ever tried changing your background injection time.....experimenting with that might set you up better for the day....... Its hard to tell whats going on as the QA doses on your diary are confusing with the CP amounts because you have not put down the ratios...........it would suggest to me you are quite sensitive to insulin, having ratios of 0.1-1:1...... What are your ratiios? Apart from the ups and downs your control not bad at all!!

Aug 29, 2010 Sheila_Kay 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help or advice...please? Hi Lee, I hope that by now you have had some help with your blood sugars, I am on Novorapid and lantus and just when I think I have got my readings level they can go up or down. I had to split my lantus which does work well for me. 7am and 7pm. I find that when I try to keep my meals to set times and not too many carbs my sugars are better, but I do shift work and that does make me tired and effect my readings. Have you tried changing the time you give your lantus? How are you getting on now. Sheila

Aug 28, 2010 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Introductions Welcome Alan from a fellow monklands graduate, the team there are brilliant................................ See u around........................

Aug 28, 2010 AlanC 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Introductions Hi everyone - just graduated yesterday (27 Aug) from DAFNE at Monklands Hospital - I wish I had been given the opportunity to do this many years ago. I was diagnosed in early 1986, aged 17, early years I didnt look after myself as closely as I should have, but my good lady wife (who I married 16 years ago) has made sure that this has changed for good! Prior to DAFNE was using far too much Insulin (to ensure my BG's didn't run too high). Despite good HBA1c results, have had too many hypos and as a result of the high Insulin doses have been eating too much (at the expense of my waistline!. Currently on Levemir (now split!) and Actrapid. Following DAFNE I am using around 15-20 less units of Insulin per day!!!!. Hopefully I can maintain this in teh long run. I'd also like to thank the DAFNE educators at Monklands, Pat and Lynn, who were absolutely brilliant last week. Hope to visit this site every day and maybe speak to some of you soon Alan

Aug 28, 2010 Dr Jez McCole 11 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed I am enjoying the app loads Simon, thank you for all the work. I believe one of the DAFNE principles is to decide what's for dinner before worrying about your sugar level. That is to say that the decision about carbs comes before the decision about any corrections. This is why CP's comes before BG, even if we all do actually check our sugars 1st. Can I suggest: - a keypad entry for BG and CPs as an option instead of the scroll wheels? - Because I have found myself using a calculator alongside the app, a CP calculator function within the app would be great. If you press "CP" and see a calculator style screen that has the option of either typing in CPs or even more usefully, typing "Carbohydrate per 100g" (as printed on a packet) and "grams I'm actually eating". To then add to a "Carb Totaliser" for the meal and 'Save' the total CPs once done. - Some reporting functionality within the app, similar to the online reports. Can we have reporting on insulin doses as well as BGs? Perhaps "Average Total Daily Dose" over the past 14 or 28 days would be good for sick day calculations. Also a report on the number of corrective doses needed and when could really help fine tune the previous meal's ratio. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN SIMON. Dr Jez McCole

Aug 28, 2010 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pens Humapen Memoir is available on prescription here in the UK. Just ask GP for a script: Humapen Memoir on PIP code 329-3727 or in other parts of the world EAN code 5014602500320 Regards Garry

Aug 28, 2010 ThunderBolt 28 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed Sorry for the multiple posts but can't see an edit button. As I say the app works great now but one thing I would suggest is that the times of day could be listed in chronological order rather than alphabetical order. Also the order of entry, as we spoke about on the paper version could have the BG and CP swapped about as the BG is the 1st thing you usually do. It's probably me being a bit dense again but I always enter them in the wrong box!

Aug 28, 2010 ThunderBolt 28 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed I'm glad - if a little embarrassed - to say my 10 year old cousin sorted it out for me. Works a treat now!

Aug 28, 2010 kestle 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pens I would just like to say thanks to everyone who has responded to my original post, i haven't had any luck as yet finding anything suitable in Aussie yet (no jokes required lol) I have talked to my GP and diabetes guru and im sure they will track something down that i can give a try. They were both interested and could definitely see where i was coming from so in closing thanks again to yall. BTW go spurs for all you footy tragics Cheers Charlie

Aug 27, 2010 ThunderBolt 28 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed Perhaps it's an older version of ipod I have. Tells me I need iphone 4 software... Can't win 'em all. Ta anyway!!!

Aug 27, 2010 marke 686 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed yes, all apps work on iphone, ipod touch and ipad ( for the truly lucky). We also hope to do a version that runs on other phones in the future but there is still a lot of work to do on this, so no timescales as yet.

Aug 27, 2010 marke 686 posts	Topic: Site Development / New Meter Upload Development hi, as ever I'm happy to be a tester. i still have my trusty 'onetouch ultrasmart' doing sterling service for me.

Aug 27, 2010 marke 686 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Iphone Apps nice to hear that Simon's hard work is being so well recieved. For those that don't have an iphone we do hope to develop a version of the app that will run on other phones. This is just about to start development and I make no promises about how quick it will get done since I have never written software for mobile phones before. But hey its a great challenge and hopefully will result in something that is of great use to everyone. i will post about my progress on site development forum and hopefully have something working in a month or two/.

Aug 27, 2010 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4 I know I'm bound to say this since I'm lucky enough to be involved with the DAFNE Management team and have been to the collaboratives and met a number of the HCP's, but there ARE a lot of good and very dedicated medical people out there who work very hard. I'm also very lucky to have a brilliant Diabetes consultant who always has as much time for me as I need and never rushes our consultations. Sure his clinics ALWAYS run late, but you happily accept that because you know you will probably run over your slot. I have on occasion seen newer, younger consultants and one or two have had a lot to learn in terms of patient relationships. I guess thats something they learn with experience and maybe Lizzies consultants still have this road to walk. I'm not clear though Lizzie if you see a GP or a hospital when you talk of 'doctors'. I do find that GP's are no where near as good. They just don't understand the deep details like someone who works in Diabetes full time. I know locally to me the PCT is trying to push Type 1 and 2's into the GP's care which is NOT a good thing. I think the problem with young people is they want to rebel, we all did at that age. Fortunately for me I wasn't diabetic so my rebellions were not dangerous to my health ( well not in the long term anyway !). I have met many people who went off the rails when they were younger and now with the benefit of hindsight regret it. Maybe, just maybe, shock tactics are necessary to make people take it seriously. I never forget my first visit to the hospital diabetes clinic when I lived in southampton. It scared the life out of me, people with amputations etc. that made me realise I had to take things seriously and ensure I kept my condition under control, I didn't ever want it to be me in a wheelchair. Fortunately since then I have met and become involved with diabetics of 30 and 50 years who are completely fine and complication free. It can be done but not without taking responsibility ourselves for our own treatment. Thats the point of DAFNE, to give us the ability to manage ourselves and NOT rely so much on the Diabetes support team. Sorry that went on a bit and I haven't seen the TV programme but maybe the negatives will encourage a few to take Diabetes as seriously as they should.

Aug 27, 2010 LauraH 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Introductions Hi, didn't realise there was an introduction post on here, what a good idea. My name is Laura, I am 22. I was diagnosed when I was 20. I was getting very poorly in the lead up to my wedding in 2008 and of course we all just put it down to wedding stress. But 6 weeks after the wedding came the diagnosis...huge shock. I was very lucky to be put on a Dafne course in January 2010, so I really only went 18 months without it. It was such a relief feeling everything fall into place, and my HbA1c dropped right down to 8.2 which I was so pleased about, although still working on. Plus I really loved meeting everyone else on the course, and having the chance to talk to them about day to day things. Probably why I like this forum so much, it's like being back in our Dafne classes, just with a lot more people!

Aug 27, 2010 LauraH 6 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Iphone Apps Hi, Just wanted to say the iPhone app is fabulous, and so easy to use, thanks for all the hard work put into it. I had an appointment today at the diabetes clinic and when the doctor asked if I had any diary or readings with me I pulled out my iPhone and showed him the app, he was very impressed and spent almost as much time looking at the app as talking to me!! Although I can honestly say I'm so pleased with the app I really didn't mind :-)

Aug 27, 2010 caroline15 45 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed It works on my ipod touch.

Aug 27, 2010 ThunderBolt 28 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed Just wondering if there's any plan to make this work on the poor man's iPhone. Aka iPod. Certainly looks the part but for those with iPods there's one called glucose buddy. Does much of the same thing but without the carb list. An option at least. Until it's made compatible or you can afford an iPhone4! Top work though. Ta!

Aug 27, 2010 SimonC 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pens The memoir is available on prescription - I got mine this way. I have had one fail - not down to batteries, and Lilly did replace it free of charge, no problems.

Aug 27, 2010 Simon Heller 46 posts	Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4 Yes, your experiences aren't encouraging but I do know docs/diabetes teams in London who have a very different attitude and who were instrumental in developing DAFNE with us. Just as it has been a big struggle to persuade diabetes teams that DAFNE is essential to promoting better diabetes care, we all have a lot to learn about the right way to support young people who would rather not have diabetes.

Aug 27, 2010 Lizzie 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4 Maybe I was a little harsh Simon. I am sure somewhere out there there are doctors who are kind and supportive. But I have not met any and can only speak for my own experiences. Maybe I have been unlucky. I wish I could find a doctor or medical professional who actually cared. I try to be hopeful when I go for appointments but each one just ticks the boxes and gets me out the door again. The last one did not even check my feet or ask to see my diary. He was more interested in pressuring me to have weight loss surgery. This seems to be the favoured solution for my doctors rather than asking about my mental wellbeing and trying to deal with all my many and varied issues involving food, diabetes, and my father's death when I was 18 months old, which have plagued me all my life. Instead of doing what I think is their job and investigating the actual reason why I am struggling with diet and exercise, they would rather I had my stomach removed. Nice, eh?

Aug 27, 2010 Simon Heller 46 posts	Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4 Hi Lizzie. I am straying a little from the 'questions for health care professionals' forums in posting on this thread but I think you are being a little hard on medical staff here and hope we have learnt a bit a bit over the years. Those of us who run clinics for young people can see very clearly how tough it is to manage diabetes on top of coping with being a teenager. The difficulty is finding the right approach to let young people know they are supported and doing anything in our power to help them manage their diabetes more successfully. Many just hate having diabetes and it is scary to see people stopping their injections and ending up in hospital with dka or running sugars around 30 for weeks on end. I agree we haven't yet learnt the best way to support them but hopefully in clinic no-one is judgmental just exploring the best way to give the right level and type of support. I couldn't agree more that taking people round the kidney unit or showing horrible pictures is completely crass and wrong. We are currently exploring ways of supporting people with a team of nurses/dietitians who are there for families outside traditional clinic settings. We hope this will offer better support in terms of education (when it is wanted/needed), dealing with family conflict and encouraging even small positive steps for kids to look after their diabetes a bit more effectively. It is challenging however and we will get many things wrong as well as hopefully a few things right. If it got rid of the traditional diabetic clinic which doesn't seem to suit most young people,and replaced it with something more effective, I would be very happy. Simon

Aug 27, 2010 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: Site Development / New Meter Upload Development Spent lunchtime today going over the code I already had to refresh my memory. And also getting my meter working with Windows 7 (need to use the cable driver from the Prolific website as the OneTouch one doesn't work - think Marke mentioned this a while back) Going to start coding a very streamlined easy to use app from scratch with very few options. Just read the data from the meter and submit to website with as few clicks needed as possible. I'm planning to do each part in very small steps, ie 1. get it finding the data cable (COM port) 2. speak to the meter (initialise, get serial no, settings, etc) 3. read data back from meter (just date/time, BG and comment to start with) and display on screen 4. send the data to DAFNE online (either overwriting exisiting values or figuring out the last value and only writing newer ones) 5. get it to read the insulin and carb data (something I've not tried) I plan to release something at each of the steps above which I would be grateful if people could test at each stage. The more testers the better to ensure it's working on everyone's meter. The response has been a bit underwhelming so far, but hopefully more people might be encouraged once theres something to try out. I'm going to keep the user interface very simple (probably just a text box telling you what the program is currently doing) so that it is easy to figure out any problems that arise. I'm hoping to have the first release for step 1 very soon for people to try. Thanks, NiVZ