Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

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 27, 2010

Anil 39 posts

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

Hi,
To overcome this hurdle, couldnt you have a feature where a user can enter all the information themselves.
So I can enter the food, portion size and carb count.

This would overcome this problem and be a excellent feature to have, you could build your own diary with other foods as well.
Definitely would be the best way to go.

Aug 27, 2010

Garry 328 posts

Topic: Site Development / Forum improvments

Information is available in your DAFNE Course Handbook. The link to an on line version is available on the right side of this web page.

Or use this link in your browser if you prefer: -

http://www.dafneonline.co.uk/hbook_topics/38

You could perhaps save it as a favourite.

Hope this helps.

Regards
Garry

Aug 27, 2010

Lizzie 87 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Alternative remedies

I would ask your doctor before trying anything like this. Just because something is 'natural' does not mean it has no adverse effects.

Aug 27, 2010

Lizzie 87 posts

Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4

Simon, I don't think a 'kick up the backside' is what people need. I went through a bad period that lasted years and I do blame the doctors for that. They put me on MDI without telling me how to adjust my insulin. The emphasis was all on restricting food as if I was still on 2 injections of mixed insulin. My HBA1C must have been through the roof but they never mentioned it, or my obviously faked blood sugar results in my diary. They booted me out at 15 as my working parents could not take me to the clinic and missed some appointments. There was no continuity of care they just dumped me. I got myself referred to adult clinic but it was so miserable with no support I stopped going and did not see a dr for years. Sadly I do not think my experience is unique. Doctors are appalling at dealing with teenagers or diabetics in general. They expect you to be a machine and if you are human and make mistakes they have not a clue how to support you. They neglect to tell you vital information about how to deal with hypos, adjust insulin...the list goes on. They are happy to just see you once a year and leave you to struggle in between appointments. Teenage years are hard enough for people, for diabetics they are even worse. We need support not criticism. In fact, all the scare tactics people used made me worse - they scared me rigid so I could not even think about my diabetes and avoided testing so I did not see the high results. If I was high I did not know what to do about it due to the doctors not telling me, so I did not bother testing. I think that at least for some of these teenagers their fierce bravado might hide terrible fear and the doctors showing them images or telling them about amputations or blind people and how irresponsible they are just makes that worse, makes them more resistant and obstinate, more terrified to face their condition. Not everyone is irresponsible. Doctors are neglecting their duty of care to find out the real reasons why teens do not check their blood sugar or manage their condition. Blaming the teenagers is lazy and despicable in the part of the doctors in my opinion.

Aug 27, 2010

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Introductions

The good thing is that you now have the tools and knowledge to help her as much as she lets you...........

She wont hear it from anyone else so she is quite lucky infact.......

Does she test alot? and I assume she is on Multiple Daily Injections?

Aug 27, 2010

caroline15 45 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Introductions

Thanks for the welcome novo.

I asked if she could come on my dafne course with me as it was on in the first week of the summer holidays but apparently you have to be at least 18. She would have hated it anyway but that's her age, she wants to be with her friends not fellow diabetics. I personally loved it!

Aug 27, 2010

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Iphone Apps

Well done to all involved, cant wait to get an iphone/pad.................

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

Aug 27, 2010 Anil 39 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed Hi, To overcome this hurdle, couldnt you have a feature where a user can enter all the information themselves. So I can enter the food, portion size and carb count. This would overcome this problem and be a excellent feature to have, you could build your own diary with other foods as well. Definitely would be the best way to go.

Aug 27, 2010 Garry 328 posts	Topic: Site Development / Forum improvments Information is available in your DAFNE Course Handbook. The link to an on line version is available on the right side of this web page. Or use this link in your browser if you prefer: - http://www.dafneonline.co.uk/hbook_topics/38 You could perhaps save it as a favourite. Hope this helps. Regards Garry

Aug 27, 2010 Lizzie 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Alternative remedies I would ask your doctor before trying anything like this. Just because something is 'natural' does not mean it has no adverse effects.

Aug 27, 2010 Lizzie 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / The Hospital - Channel 4 Simon, I don't think a 'kick up the backside' is what people need. I went through a bad period that lasted years and I do blame the doctors for that. They put me on MDI without telling me how to adjust my insulin. The emphasis was all on restricting food as if I was still on 2 injections of mixed insulin. My HBA1C must have been through the roof but they never mentioned it, or my obviously faked blood sugar results in my diary. They booted me out at 15 as my working parents could not take me to the clinic and missed some appointments. There was no continuity of care they just dumped me. I got myself referred to adult clinic but it was so miserable with no support I stopped going and did not see a dr for years. Sadly I do not think my experience is unique. Doctors are appalling at dealing with teenagers or diabetics in general. They expect you to be a machine and if you are human and make mistakes they have not a clue how to support you. They neglect to tell you vital information about how to deal with hypos, adjust insulin...the list goes on. They are happy to just see you once a year and leave you to struggle in between appointments. Teenage years are hard enough for people, for diabetics they are even worse. We need support not criticism. In fact, all the scare tactics people used made me worse - they scared me rigid so I could not even think about my diabetes and avoided testing so I did not see the high results. If I was high I did not know what to do about it due to the doctors not telling me, so I did not bother testing. I think that at least for some of these teenagers their fierce bravado might hide terrible fear and the doctors showing them images or telling them about amputations or blind people and how irresponsible they are just makes that worse, makes them more resistant and obstinate, more terrified to face their condition. Not everyone is irresponsible. Doctors are neglecting their duty of care to find out the real reasons why teens do not check their blood sugar or manage their condition. Blaming the teenagers is lazy and despicable in the part of the doctors in my opinion.

Aug 27, 2010 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Introductions The good thing is that you now have the tools and knowledge to help her as much as she lets you........... She wont hear it from anyone else so she is quite lucky infact....... Does she test alot? and I assume she is on Multiple Daily Injections?

Aug 27, 2010 caroline15 45 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Introductions Thanks for the welcome novo. I asked if she could come on my dafne course with me as it was on in the first week of the summer holidays but apparently you have to be at least 18. She would have hated it anyway but that's her age, she wants to be with her friends not fellow diabetics. I personally loved it!

Aug 27, 2010 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Iphone Apps Well done to all involved, cant wait to get an iphone/pad.................