Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Aug 12, 2010

Jennypenny 34 posts

Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump

Good Luck Nat , when i went to my follow up on tuesday , it was agreed that i could give the pump a go ,now they have to ask for funding and fingers crosses i might be able to get one at the end of september .Let us know how you get on Nat as mine is also to treat hypos and DP

Aug 12, 2010

Frankston Ho... 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Sultanas

Hi, great to read the comments, yes it would be the saltana's, they are grapes, but dehydrated. You will need to incorporate the carb amount of the saltanas in the cake recipe as you do the other carb ingredients.
Nic

Aug 11, 2010

Nat 30 posts

Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump

I have now been granted access to a 6 month pump/sensor trial due to my lack of hypo warnings. I was unsure at first but due to the small amounts that I eat and insulin consumption of QA usually between 8 units a day I found it hard to give myself the right amounts. I will see at the end of the trial whether it is worth continuing but anything will help to get rid of my 3/4/5 hypos a day!

Aug 11, 2010

Labsteward 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carbs and cals book

Amazon have stock at about 9 pounds

Aug 11, 2010

Labsteward 6 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Insulin resistace and Alergy?

Bring back the Bovine! :-}

Aug 11, 2010

marke 681 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Insulin resistace and Alergy?

Albumin is actually protein and is most commonly found in the blood to bind multiple things like hormones, acids etc. Of course protein is found
in lots of other things like egg white which is often used in vaccines. I don't think you can say you are allegic to 'albumin', however I agree people can and are allergic to some of the ingredients used in insulin solutions. As always my reaction is to suggest you speak to you Diabetes
support Team/DAFNE team, they should be able to help confirming that it IS an allegric reaction but more importantly what the alternatives are. No one on here can tell you to change insulins this is something that needs to be done in co-ordination with your Diabetes Team.
I know a lot of people are uneasy contacting their Diabetes team, feeling they are being a nuisance, but it really is the only way to sort out issues like this and it is after all what they are there for.

Aug 11, 2010

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exhaustion

claire, thanks for that. It reminds me of the most important Diabetes maxim of all 'everyone is different'. My assumption was that exhaustion and diabetes are not connected because I have never come across anyone who has experienced it. However this forum has demonstrated at least 2 people HAVE experienced it. This useful to all of us on the site to know it is possible and that we are not alone if we do experience it. Hopefully it is also useful to HCP's since it shows that people do have this problem and that perhaps it is something that needs research.
Thank you both for your input, the drive behind this site is to allow DAFNE Grads to continue to share experiences and benefits of the course for more than just the follow up meetings. We obviously can't do this without user contributions and anything that helps to highlight Diabetic issues will ultimately benefit us all.

Aug 10, 2010

dragonrat 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Denial

I was diagnosed eight years ago after a lengthy misdiagnosis by my GP, and I'd say I've only recently come out of denial, if I have at all. I think it's just something you have to come to terms with in your own time. I only did DAFNE a week ago, but it has helped me having a logical framework to work from. I wouldn't say I've 'embraced' diabetes at all, it's more reluctant resignation, but now I'm able to eat what I want (being a total chocoholic) the punishment feeling has lessened. I gave up smoking about three years ago, after many failed attempts, by reading one of Alan Carr's books (not the alleged comic), so can recommend that method.

Leigh

Aug 10, 2010

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump

I feel the same in some ways about pumps......

But after speaking to users who use them on the diabetes UK forum my opinion has been alterered.......

Som people do need them for there graduall release of insulin as well as the very small doses it can deliver to the over sensitive individuals........

If you have one just for the convenience of not injecting........I disagree......

Aug 10, 2010

David Bagnall 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump

I have to say to me the costs are of little concern, the NHS funds plenty of people who have complications through their own fault...smokers, heavy drinkers, drug addicts etc but no one is discussing the cost implications of treating these people so why are people beating themselves over the costs of a relatively cheap insulin pump.

However I have no desire to use a pump and be attached 24/7 to a device that constantly reminds me that I am diabetic...when you roll over in your sleep there it is...when you want to have sex you have to take it off (how romantic)....every time you want to get changed there it is jutting out reminding you.

With injections its over in seconds and you are free to carry on like every other human being out there.

Just my thoughts I think to a certain extent the manufactures / drug companies love expensive complicated systems as it ties in users and they have a customer for life.

Aug 9, 2010

GR156 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / 4mm needles

Just a quick post to let people know that DB 4mm needles are avliable on prescription... Having just got mine updated...
Trialed them a few months back just after finishing my DAFNE course, so I'm not sure if they help improve my control, but they did it no harm, as for comfort, I used 5mm any way so it was negotiable. Just a case that smaller might be better...........

Aug 9, 2010

Labsteward 6 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Insulin resistace and Alergy?

I believe it has albumin in it and some people are alergic to that

Aug 9, 2010

Nat 30 posts

Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump

Jennypenny
I too was always told that I had brittle diabetes but now they don't seem to use that term anymore. I have been diabetic for nearly 20 years now and am the same as you eat, inject, exercise identical days and with totally different BGs. I too am hoping to go down the pump route (and as you say they are half the size and hopefully less noisy than the original ones). Keep us posted!

Aug 9, 2010

toni 9 posts

Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump

jennypenny,
please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.
and the best of luck

Aug 9, 2010

Jennypenny 34 posts

Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump

Hi , i have had diabetes for 30 years , i too suffer with hypo unawareness and have done for quiite a few years . My diabetes has often been discribed as brittle diabetes because i could inject the same , eat the same and exercise the same over a matter of time and it will never give the same blood results !!! Years ago i was offered a pump and choose not to have one as i felt being a diabetic was enough without carrying something about me telling everyone i was diabetic !!! ( pumps are now half the size they were originally ) Since doing DAFNE my views have changed .......... I have accepted that i have never had perfect control of my diabetes , i have diabetic related complications , i have had diabetes 30 years , i suffer with hypo unawareness and DP and i now feel Something needs to be done , so when i go for my DAFNE follow up appointment tomorrow i will be signing papers for a pump . I do work and have spoke to my employer who says she will support me with hospital appointments for getting sorted with the pump too .

Aug 9, 2010

Jennypenny 34 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes.............

Thanks for that Alan , i am on humalog i have a dafne follow up session tomorrow so will certialy ask about it .

Aug 8, 2010

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes.............

If you have problems remembering if you've injected or not and you're on Humalog insulin, there is a pen with a display and a memory, so you can see the date & time of your last injection - see: http://www.dafneonline.co.uk/forums/1/topics/328

Alan

Aug 8, 2010

Stew B 125 posts

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

Hi Simon, I'm with Claire on this - option 1 would be my preference (can't wait, in fact). Stew

Aug 8, 2010

Jennypenny 34 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes.............

I know what you mean Nat , i was 10 when i got diabetes and am now 40 , so really cant remember what llife pre diabetes was like .

Aug 8, 2010

PNThompson 57 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs

Since doing DAFNE (April '09), I have managed to improve my hypo awareness, though still not 100%.
I too live on my own, and it can be a bit of a concern for my parents especially, and they will ring to check i'm still ok.
I nearly passed out a week or so ago, but just managed to catch it, though remember really struggling to focus my vision on trying to sort some food out. Couldn't focus on getting the coca cola or lucozade to recover.

When I do sense a hypo, and I feel it's quite bad it isn't that low (3.0-3.4), and often I feel fine even when the BG is below 3.0 or 2.0

Overall my hypo awareness isn't good enough, but not sure if anybody could guarantee that they are aware of all their hypos.

Aug 7, 2010

meltow 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs

I had a BG of 1.8 this week, and nothing felt or showing. Yikes! Never fitted yet, and fingers crossed it isn't about to start.

I live alone which is a little disconcerting, but if I tend to go low, most of these are in the night and, it never fails to wake me up. Very heavy sweats, and it may take me a while to be compus mentus and focus on what is happening. But I have always managed to take +ve action, and these BGs are usually around 2.5 to 2.9.

I do have a good friend and she is brilliant at picking up the signs - usually 'cos I start talking gibberish, my mind is definitely wandering and I can't formulate a good response to a question! Then she notices the sweats starting........

Aug 7, 2010

Nat 30 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes.............

.... I also took my BI dose (before Dafne and when I was on fixed amounts) so 22 units of Novorapid. I had only been diabetic for a year and had to eat weetabix every 2 hours throughout the night - that was a lesson I will never forget.

Aug 7, 2010

Nat 30 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes.............

Yes, I often sit at dinner and say to the children can you remember if I have done my injection and my little boy usually says "yes mummy look your arm is bleeding" and we all laugh. I too get people asking if it hurts or how can you do that every day, but I have had diabetes for 19 years and have now had it longer than I didn't so really have forgotten the before!

Aug 7, 2010

Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes.............

Jenny - yes I've only had it for 4 years but I often forget if I've taken my insulin, as it has become second nature to me now. One time I made a mistake and injected twice - then a couple of hours later had to eat nearly a whole packet of jelly babies to correct! Not making that mistake again...

Aug 7, 2010

Jennypenny 34 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs

Sorry Judith like Toni , i have not had return of hypo signs if anything i have also lost the signs that my family would pick up on eg , paleness , talking gobbydigook, staring etc The other day my blood sugar was 2.1 on a random blood test and my husband said ' You didnt even appear hypo to us 'Which causes some concern as i too fit if blood goes under 2

Aug 12, 2010 Jennypenny 34 posts	Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump Good Luck Nat , when i went to my follow up on tuesday , it was agreed that i could give the pump a go ,now they have to ask for funding and fingers crosses i might be able to get one at the end of september .Let us know how you get on Nat as mine is also to treat hypos and DP

Aug 12, 2010 Frankston Ho... 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Sultanas Hi, great to read the comments, yes it would be the saltana's, they are grapes, but dehydrated. You will need to incorporate the carb amount of the saltanas in the cake recipe as you do the other carb ingredients. Nic

Aug 11, 2010 Nat 30 posts	Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump I have now been granted access to a 6 month pump/sensor trial due to my lack of hypo warnings. I was unsure at first but due to the small amounts that I eat and insulin consumption of QA usually between 8 units a day I found it hard to give myself the right amounts. I will see at the end of the trial whether it is worth continuing but anything will help to get rid of my 3/4/5 hypos a day!

Aug 11, 2010 Labsteward 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carbs and cals book Amazon have stock at about 9 pounds

Aug 11, 2010 Labsteward 6 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Insulin resistace and Alergy? Bring back the Bovine! :-}

Aug 11, 2010 marke 681 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Insulin resistace and Alergy? Albumin is actually protein and is most commonly found in the blood to bind multiple things like hormones, acids etc. Of course protein is found in lots of other things like egg white which is often used in vaccines. I don't think you can say you are allegic to 'albumin', however I agree people can and are allergic to some of the ingredients used in insulin solutions. As always my reaction is to suggest you speak to you Diabetes support Team/DAFNE team, they should be able to help confirming that it IS an allegric reaction but more importantly what the alternatives are. No one on here can tell you to change insulins this is something that needs to be done in co-ordination with your Diabetes Team. I know a lot of people are uneasy contacting their Diabetes team, feeling they are being a nuisance, but it really is the only way to sort out issues like this and it is after all what they are there for.

Aug 11, 2010 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exhaustion claire, thanks for that. It reminds me of the most important Diabetes maxim of all 'everyone is different'. My assumption was that exhaustion and diabetes are not connected because I have never come across anyone who has experienced it. However this forum has demonstrated at least 2 people HAVE experienced it. This useful to all of us on the site to know it is possible and that we are not alone if we do experience it. Hopefully it is also useful to HCP's since it shows that people do have this problem and that perhaps it is something that needs research. Thank you both for your input, the drive behind this site is to allow DAFNE Grads to continue to share experiences and benefits of the course for more than just the follow up meetings. We obviously can't do this without user contributions and anything that helps to highlight Diabetic issues will ultimately benefit us all.

Aug 10, 2010 dragonrat 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Denial I was diagnosed eight years ago after a lengthy misdiagnosis by my GP, and I'd say I've only recently come out of denial, if I have at all. I think it's just something you have to come to terms with in your own time. I only did DAFNE a week ago, but it has helped me having a logical framework to work from. I wouldn't say I've 'embraced' diabetes at all, it's more reluctant resignation, but now I'm able to eat what I want (being a total chocoholic) the punishment feeling has lessened. I gave up smoking about three years ago, after many failed attempts, by reading one of Alan Carr's books (not the alleged comic), so can recommend that method. Leigh

Aug 10, 2010 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump I feel the same in some ways about pumps...... But after speaking to users who use them on the diabetes UK forum my opinion has been alterered....... Som people do need them for there graduall release of insulin as well as the very small doses it can deliver to the over sensitive individuals........ If you have one just for the convenience of not injecting........I disagree......

Aug 10, 2010 David Bagnall 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump I have to say to me the costs are of little concern, the NHS funds plenty of people who have complications through their own fault...smokers, heavy drinkers, drug addicts etc but no one is discussing the cost implications of treating these people so why are people beating themselves over the costs of a relatively cheap insulin pump. However I have no desire to use a pump and be attached 24/7 to a device that constantly reminds me that I am diabetic...when you roll over in your sleep there it is...when you want to have sex you have to take it off (how romantic)....every time you want to get changed there it is jutting out reminding you. With injections its over in seconds and you are free to carry on like every other human being out there. Just my thoughts I think to a certain extent the manufactures / drug companies love expensive complicated systems as it ties in users and they have a customer for life.

Aug 9, 2010 GR156 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / 4mm needles Just a quick post to let people know that DB 4mm needles are avliable on prescription... Having just got mine updated... Trialed them a few months back just after finishing my DAFNE course, so I'm not sure if they help improve my control, but they did it no harm, as for comfort, I used 5mm any way so it was negotiable. Just a case that smaller might be better...........

Aug 9, 2010 Labsteward 6 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Insulin resistace and Alergy? I believe it has albumin in it and some people are alergic to that

Aug 9, 2010 Nat 30 posts	Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump Jennypenny I too was always told that I had brittle diabetes but now they don't seem to use that term anymore. I have been diabetic for nearly 20 years now and am the same as you eat, inject, exercise identical days and with totally different BGs. I too am hoping to go down the pump route (and as you say they are half the size and hopefully less noisy than the original ones). Keep us posted!

Aug 9, 2010 toni 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump jennypenny, please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. and the best of luck

Aug 9, 2010 Jennypenny 34 posts	Topic: General Discussion / I want an insulin pump Hi , i have had diabetes for 30 years , i too suffer with hypo unawareness and have done for quiite a few years . My diabetes has often been discribed as brittle diabetes because i could inject the same , eat the same and exercise the same over a matter of time and it will never give the same blood results !!! Years ago i was offered a pump and choose not to have one as i felt being a diabetic was enough without carrying something about me telling everyone i was diabetic !!! ( pumps are now half the size they were originally ) Since doing DAFNE my views have changed .......... I have accepted that i have never had perfect control of my diabetes , i have diabetic related complications , i have had diabetes 30 years , i suffer with hypo unawareness and DP and i now feel Something needs to be done , so when i go for my DAFNE follow up appointment tomorrow i will be signing papers for a pump . I do work and have spoke to my employer who says she will support me with hospital appointments for getting sorted with the pump too .

Aug 9, 2010 Jennypenny 34 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes............. Thanks for that Alan , i am on humalog i have a dafne follow up session tomorrow so will certialy ask about it .

Aug 8, 2010 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes............. If you have problems remembering if you've injected or not and you're on Humalog insulin, there is a pen with a display and a memory, so you can see the date & time of your last injection - see: http://www.dafneonline.co.uk/forums/1/topics/328 Alan

Aug 8, 2010 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed Hi Simon, I'm with Claire on this - option 1 would be my preference (can't wait, in fact). Stew

Aug 8, 2010 Jennypenny 34 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes............. I know what you mean Nat , i was 10 when i got diabetes and am now 40 , so really cant remember what llife pre diabetes was like .

Aug 8, 2010 PNThompson 57 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs Since doing DAFNE (April '09), I have managed to improve my hypo awareness, though still not 100%. I too live on my own, and it can be a bit of a concern for my parents especially, and they will ring to check i'm still ok. I nearly passed out a week or so ago, but just managed to catch it, though remember really struggling to focus my vision on trying to sort some food out. Couldn't focus on getting the coca cola or lucozade to recover. When I do sense a hypo, and I feel it's quite bad it isn't that low (3.0-3.4), and often I feel fine even when the BG is below 3.0 or 2.0 Overall my hypo awareness isn't good enough, but not sure if anybody could guarantee that they are aware of all their hypos.

Aug 7, 2010 meltow 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs I had a BG of 1.8 this week, and nothing felt or showing. Yikes! Never fitted yet, and fingers crossed it isn't about to start. I live alone which is a little disconcerting, but if I tend to go low, most of these are in the night and, it never fails to wake me up. Very heavy sweats, and it may take me a while to be compus mentus and focus on what is happening. But I have always managed to take +ve action, and these BGs are usually around 2.5 to 2.9. I do have a good friend and she is brilliant at picking up the signs - usually 'cos I start talking gibberish, my mind is definitely wandering and I can't formulate a good response to a question! Then she notices the sweats starting........

Aug 7, 2010 Nat 30 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes............. .... I also took my BI dose (before Dafne and when I was on fixed amounts) so 22 units of Novorapid. I had only been diabetic for a year and had to eat weetabix every 2 hours throughout the night - that was a lesson I will never forget.

Aug 7, 2010 Nat 30 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes............. Yes, I often sit at dinner and say to the children can you remember if I have done my injection and my little boy usually says "yes mummy look your arm is bleeding" and we all laugh. I too get people asking if it hurts or how can you do that every day, but I have had diabetes for 19 years and have now had it longer than I didn't so really have forgotten the before!

Aug 7, 2010 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes............. Jenny - yes I've only had it for 4 years but I often forget if I've taken my insulin, as it has become second nature to me now. One time I made a mistake and injected twice - then a couple of hours later had to eat nearly a whole packet of jelly babies to correct! Not making that mistake again...

Aug 7, 2010 Jennypenny 34 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Loss of Hypo warning signs Sorry Judith like Toni , i have not had return of hypo signs if anything i have also lost the signs that my family would pick up on eg , paleness , talking gobbydigook, staring etc The other day my blood sugar was 2.1 on a random blood test and my husband said ' You didnt even appear hypo to us 'Which causes some concern as i too fit if blood goes under 2