Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Feb 27, 2010

luisafontana 9 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Correcting high blood glucose levels

From my understanding, glucose toxicity means there is so much glucose stuck to the outside of the cells that it makes it tougher to shift it and normal rules no longer apply; it hits some kind of threshold where things go a bit woolly around the edges. So you need more insulin than you would imagine to get it all absorbed. This is, I understand, the reason for the need for so much insulin to be injected when you've got high sugars and ketones, which we learned about on the "sickness" part of the DAFNE course. I believe glucose toxicity can also mean your sugars can go up when exercising (if you don't have much insulin in your system already). So I might be wrong, but that may be the science behind the 11 mmol/l thing, it sounds logical to me.

Feb 26, 2010

sj61angel 9 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Symptoms when high

Help!

Has anybody else found that when their blood sugars go above 15 that they go dizzy, loose concentration, get really light headed start seeing spots, get a strange numbness and throbbing in their head along with losing feeling in the lips and tongue.
Or is it just me and should really go and see my doctor.

Any thoughts, experiences or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Diabetic in distress

Feb 26, 2010

marke 655 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Correcting high blood glucose levels

Hi, there are doctors/HCPs on the forum/site however you have to remember they are all very busy people so sometimes a response can take a while. The answer is there WILL be some clear science behind it since DAFNE is based on research both from the original in Germany and here, the research is still continuing. The question is can it be explained in simple terms ?

Feb 26, 2010

marke 655 posts

Topic: Site Development / Glycaemic Index

Alan,
This is the only response I have had so far, now you have reminded me I will chase it up again.

"will run past some educators and get back to you; I know they are not keen to give more information in the DAFNE course (hence we have not developed any GI resource) as GI is a difficult area."

Feb 26, 2010

marke 655 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Acquiring a Glucoject Dual S system

I would speak to your Diabetes team see if they can get you one. I would never pay for any diabetes equipment, the manufacturers want you to use their meter because of the money they make from test strips which is substantial. If your diabetes team can't help it wouldn't hurt to try the manufacturer see if they will send you one.

As for it being pain free, I'm afraid I don't believe it. It has to break the skin to draw blood and in doing so there must be a risk of some pain. Its
just the way life is, but if you want to try this stabber why not it can't be any worse than the others and it might be better.

Feb 26, 2010

fonteyn 4 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Correcting high blood glucose levels

not heard of this.
are there not any doctors on this forum who could answer the question for us?!?

Feb 26, 2010

Simon 574 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Rationale - Please read

I'm currently learning how to make iPhone apps - requires a different programming language which I've not used before. I'm getting more familiar though so hopefully you'll be seeing a DAFNE iPhone app in the coming months.

Feb 26, 2010

Alan 49 280 posts

Topic: Site Development / Glycaemic Index

Marke

Any response on this yet?

Alan

Feb 26, 2010

luisafontana 9 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Correcting high blood glucose levels

Hello, could it be something to do with glucose toxicity?

Feb 26, 2010

sj61angel 9 posts

Topic: General Discussion / post meal peaks

Hi Rachel, I think I'll give the exercise thing ago it can't be that bad for my health lol.
Congratulations on the baby I'm glad that it's going well.
It's uplifting to hear news as good as that.

Kind regards

Sarah

Feb 26, 2010

RachelA 10 posts

Topic: Site Development / exporting diary entries

Nivz thanks for that, I had not thought of right clicking on it. I have got it working now.

Rachel

Feb 26, 2010

Karl 83 posts

Topic: Site Development / exporting diary entries

What browser are you using - have had this with Firefox downloading XML before - but it wasn't from here.

Feb 25, 2010

Mike Dagley 12 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics?

Thanks Jen,
I am a good bit older than you and yet you have 20 years experience already. I am a real L-plate diabetic! I like the idea of working 'with your body'. Good idea. I like the fact that we all should have a much better understanding of how our bodies work. DAFNE is great for that. I am lucky so far and the denial thingy hasn't hit me. I occasionally get those reality checks where I feel a little demoralised when I realise that this is a bit more than a game. The hospital were clear but gentle about my diagnosis last March. They just got me moving very quickly through the learning curve - so I have felt blessed by their great care rather than been left to feel morose and self-pitying. I have surprised myself really. It is a chance to make a fresh start and to deal with my condition properly from the start. A rare experience as you get older. So far so good.
Best of Luck Mike

Feb 25, 2010

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: Site Development / exporting diary entries

Hi Rachel,

Just right click on the 'XML Export of currently displayed results' link and choose 'Save target as' and you should be able to save it as a .xml file.

NiVZ

Feb 25, 2010

vic demain 87 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition.

Interesting points, thanks everyone. For the past week or so I have experienced a lot higher results, until today when I have had two hypos, but both have resulted in good warnings.
Peter, good to hear that others have had a similar experience and Cmac, you could well be right about the contamination.
Thanks again.
Vic.

Feb 25, 2010

RachelA 10 posts

Topic: Site Development / exporting diary entries

Apologies if this has been asked and answered somewhere else already. I have tried to export my diary entries to an xml file using the link in the diary page, but I just get a screen of text appearing which can not be saved as an xml file - any ideas?

Thanks

Rachel

Feb 25, 2010

RachelA 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / post meal peaks

Hi Sarah, I have just about sorted the problem at breakfast by walking 2miles to work after eating which stops the peaks then. Dinner has never been so bad, but I have not sorted the lunchtime problem. I am now having my insulin about 25mins before eating which helps a bit. The family planning is going well - I am now 11 weeks pregnant!!!

Feb 25, 2010

Alan 49 280 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition.

Further to Cmac's suggestion of contamination: on the DAFNE course I was on, we were told that Carex anti-bacterial handwash can affect blood-glucose tests. Pre DAFNE I used to use Carex, but never noticed anything abnormal. I now use handwashes that are not anti-bacterial - just in case.

Feb 25, 2010

JayBee 582 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How good is dafne

I've definitely found DAFNE to be good thing for me. I was doing something very similar before DAFNE... it was mostly minus the DAFNE CP/QA maths and so I'd regularly make mistakes and when it reached a point where I said to the doctor, "I really need help with this, my old routine doesn't work anymore." and DAFNE was suggested to me to try out considering it was new to the hospital. I pounced on it!

I have no intention to look back and it has been refreshing to meet others going through this as me considering I don't have any relatives that are diabetic and no diabetics I've met have ever become good friends with me. So good to know I'm not alone.

With this very positive experience, whenever I meet a new diabetic - Type 1 or 2 - I recommend DAFNE or DESMOND depending on what Type they are. :3

Feb 25, 2010

JayBee 582 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics?

Heya Mike,

Slips ups are definitely inevitable - to assume that everything will go smoothly all the time isn't the best way to think about this condition, especially if you're newly diagnosed.

I unfortunately cannot remember how things were when I was first diagnosed. I was 5 years old then and I'm 25 now - but from speaking to my parents, the honeymoon time is one of the most awkward because insulin is still being released. Once it stops, everything will calm down and you'll probably start to feel more in control when it comes to your future.

I hope DAFNE lets you skip the 'denial' phase. I had that during my teens (so double denial was likely) and I just refused to do blood tests. With this, I dread to think how long some of my high sugar levels periods went on for.

Saying that, I am glad I got my diabetes when I was young... has given me time to grow up with it.

I wish I had DAFNE from when I started but that's life for you. I'm sure you'll be okay, you keep up the good work! As many have said so far, it's mostly the long term high sugar levels you should be more concerned about in reference to the complications - as well as general illness in fact!

My doctor told me that if you keep your control reasonably stable, your body will respond to illness in a more 'normal person' standard, which is nice to know with all the flu warnings we get over the winter. Even more incentive to work with your body. Smile

On that note, over the 20 years, I've lost track on how many times I've had to say "please body, just work with me please!" but I think DAFNE will help nip that sort of thing in the bud now. I've learnt so much and I'm sure you will too.

I had no idea about the 50 year medals - I look forward to getting mine in 30 years time! Razz

~Jen

Feb 25, 2010

Cmac 3 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition.

Hi, thanks everyone for joining in this discussion, it's very productive of us! The speed at which the blood glucose drops does affect the resulting symptoms or lack of them as Peter says. This seems to be an individual thing though.
Something that occurred to me for Vic's question is to ask whether there could have been anything on the fingers when testing first, ie the 8 wasn't a true 8 as you were actually hypo then, but the test was contaminated in some way? Any sugary or chemical substance on the skin might affect a result, and I've known some people get an unexpected result, then wash their hands and test again....and get a result closer to what was expected! If you want to try this out, peel an orange and test your blood without washing your hands - it's surprising how something as simple as washing your hands is so important. What do you think?

Feb 27, 2010 luisafontana 9 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Correcting high blood glucose levels From my understanding, glucose toxicity means there is so much glucose stuck to the outside of the cells that it makes it tougher to shift it and normal rules no longer apply; it hits some kind of threshold where things go a bit woolly around the edges. So you need more insulin than you would imagine to get it all absorbed. This is, I understand, the reason for the need for so much insulin to be injected when you've got high sugars and ketones, which we learned about on the "sickness" part of the DAFNE course. I believe glucose toxicity can also mean your sugars can go up when exercising (if you don't have much insulin in your system already). So I might be wrong, but that may be the science behind the 11 mmol/l thing, it sounds logical to me.

Feb 26, 2010 sj61angel 9 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Symptoms when high Help! Has anybody else found that when their blood sugars go above 15 that they go dizzy, loose concentration, get really light headed start seeing spots, get a strange numbness and throbbing in their head along with losing feeling in the lips and tongue. Or is it just me and should really go and see my doctor. Any thoughts, experiences or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards Diabetic in distress

Feb 26, 2010 marke 655 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Correcting high blood glucose levels Hi, there are doctors/HCPs on the forum/site however you have to remember they are all very busy people so sometimes a response can take a while. The answer is there WILL be some clear science behind it since DAFNE is based on research both from the original in Germany and here, the research is still continuing. The question is can it be explained in simple terms ?

Feb 26, 2010 marke 655 posts	Topic: Site Development / Glycaemic Index Alan, This is the only response I have had so far, now you have reminded me I will chase it up again. "will run past some educators and get back to you; I know they are not keen to give more information in the DAFNE course (hence we have not developed any GI resource) as GI is a difficult area."

Feb 26, 2010 marke 655 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Acquiring a Glucoject Dual S system I would speak to your Diabetes team see if they can get you one. I would never pay for any diabetes equipment, the manufacturers want you to use their meter because of the money they make from test strips which is substantial. If your diabetes team can't help it wouldn't hurt to try the manufacturer see if they will send you one. As for it being pain free, I'm afraid I don't believe it. It has to break the skin to draw blood and in doing so there must be a risk of some pain. Its just the way life is, but if you want to try this stabber why not it can't be any worse than the others and it might be better.

Feb 26, 2010 fonteyn 4 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Correcting high blood glucose levels not heard of this. are there not any doctors on this forum who could answer the question for us?!?

Feb 26, 2010 Simon 574 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Rationale - Please read I'm currently learning how to make iPhone apps - requires a different programming language which I've not used before. I'm getting more familiar though so hopefully you'll be seeing a DAFNE iPhone app in the coming months.

Feb 26, 2010 Alan 49 280 posts	Topic: Site Development / Glycaemic Index Marke Any response on this yet? Alan

Feb 26, 2010 luisafontana 9 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Correcting high blood glucose levels Hello, could it be something to do with glucose toxicity?

Feb 26, 2010 sj61angel 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / post meal peaks Hi Rachel, I think I'll give the exercise thing ago it can't be that bad for my health lol. Congratulations on the baby I'm glad that it's going well. It's uplifting to hear news as good as that. Kind regards Sarah

Feb 26, 2010 RachelA 10 posts	Topic: Site Development / exporting diary entries Nivz thanks for that, I had not thought of right clicking on it. I have got it working now. Rachel

Feb 26, 2010 Karl 83 posts	Topic: Site Development / exporting diary entries What browser are you using - have had this with Firefox downloading XML before - but it wasn't from here.

Feb 25, 2010 Mike Dagley 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics? Thanks Jen, I am a good bit older than you and yet you have 20 years experience already. I am a real L-plate diabetic! I like the idea of working 'with your body'. Good idea. I like the fact that we all should have a much better understanding of how our bodies work. DAFNE is great for that. I am lucky so far and the denial thingy hasn't hit me. I occasionally get those reality checks where I feel a little demoralised when I realise that this is a bit more than a game. The hospital were clear but gentle about my diagnosis last March. They just got me moving very quickly through the learning curve - so I have felt blessed by their great care rather than been left to feel morose and self-pitying. I have surprised myself really. It is a chance to make a fresh start and to deal with my condition properly from the start. A rare experience as you get older. So far so good. Best of Luck Mike

Feb 25, 2010 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: Site Development / exporting diary entries Hi Rachel, Just right click on the 'XML Export of currently displayed results' link and choose 'Save target as' and you should be able to save it as a .xml file. NiVZ

Feb 25, 2010 vic demain 87 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition. Interesting points, thanks everyone. For the past week or so I have experienced a lot higher results, until today when I have had two hypos, but both have resulted in good warnings. Peter, good to hear that others have had a similar experience and Cmac, you could well be right about the contamination. Thanks again. Vic.

Feb 25, 2010 RachelA 10 posts	Topic: Site Development / exporting diary entries Apologies if this has been asked and answered somewhere else already. I have tried to export my diary entries to an xml file using the link in the diary page, but I just get a screen of text appearing which can not be saved as an xml file - any ideas? Thanks Rachel

Feb 25, 2010 RachelA 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / post meal peaks Hi Sarah, I have just about sorted the problem at breakfast by walking 2miles to work after eating which stops the peaks then. Dinner has never been so bad, but I have not sorted the lunchtime problem. I am now having my insulin about 25mins before eating which helps a bit. The family planning is going well - I am now 11 weeks pregnant!!!

Feb 25, 2010 Alan 49 280 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition. Further to Cmac's suggestion of contamination: on the DAFNE course I was on, we were told that Carex anti-bacterial handwash can affect blood-glucose tests. Pre DAFNE I used to use Carex, but never noticed anything abnormal. I now use handwashes that are not anti-bacterial - just in case.

Feb 25, 2010 JayBee 582 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How good is dafne I've definitely found DAFNE to be good thing for me. I was doing something very similar before DAFNE... it was mostly minus the DAFNE CP/QA maths and so I'd regularly make mistakes and when it reached a point where I said to the doctor, "I really need help with this, my old routine doesn't work anymore." and DAFNE was suggested to me to try out considering it was new to the hospital. I pounced on it! I have no intention to look back and it has been refreshing to meet others going through this as me considering I don't have any relatives that are diabetic and no diabetics I've met have ever become good friends with me. So good to know I'm not alone. With this very positive experience, whenever I meet a new diabetic - Type 1 or 2 - I recommend DAFNE or DESMOND depending on what Type they are. :3

Feb 25, 2010 JayBee 582 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics? Heya Mike, Slips ups are definitely inevitable - to assume that everything will go smoothly all the time isn't the best way to think about this condition, especially if you're newly diagnosed. I unfortunately cannot remember how things were when I was first diagnosed. I was 5 years old then and I'm 25 now - but from speaking to my parents, the honeymoon time is one of the most awkward because insulin is still being released. Once it stops, everything will calm down and you'll probably start to feel more in control when it comes to your future. I hope DAFNE lets you skip the 'denial' phase. I had that during my teens (so double denial was likely) and I just refused to do blood tests. With this, I dread to think how long some of my high sugar levels periods went on for. Saying that, I am glad I got my diabetes when I was young... has given me time to grow up with it. I wish I had DAFNE from when I started but that's life for you. I'm sure you'll be okay, you keep up the good work! As many have said so far, it's mostly the long term high sugar levels you should be more concerned about in reference to the complications - as well as general illness in fact! My doctor told me that if you keep your control reasonably stable, your body will respond to illness in a more 'normal person' standard, which is nice to know with all the flu warnings we get over the winter. Even more incentive to work with your body. On that note, over the 20 years, I've lost track on how many times I've had to say "please body, just work with me please!" but I think DAFNE will help nip that sort of thing in the bud now. I've learnt so much and I'm sure you will too. I had no idea about the 50 year medals - I look forward to getting mine in 30 years time! ~Jen

Feb 25, 2010 Cmac 3 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition. Hi, thanks everyone for joining in this discussion, it's very productive of us! The speed at which the blood glucose drops does affect the resulting symptoms or lack of them as Peter says. This seems to be an individual thing though. Something that occurred to me for Vic's question is to ask whether there could have been anything on the fingers when testing first, ie the 8 wasn't a true 8 as you were actually hypo then, but the test was contaminated in some way? Any sugary or chemical substance on the skin might affect a result, and I've known some people get an unexpected result, then wash their hands and test again....and get a result closer to what was expected! If you want to try this out, peel an orange and test your blood without washing your hands - it's surprising how something as simple as washing your hands is so important. What do you think?