Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Feb 18, 2010

DavidJ 23 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Metformin /Type 1

Hi Paul
I'm not a healthcare professional just another type 1 diabetic who takes Metformin. Metformin increases your sensitivity to insulin so it is likely that your blood glucoses will drop if you continue with the same ratios. I take 500mg of Metformin twice a day and if I forget and miss a dose my blood glucose rises as if I should have moved my ratio up by another 0.5. Most of my ratios are 1:1, if I didn't have the Metformin they would probably be 1.5:1. This example is just my experience though. Just apply the DAFNE principles and find your new ratios and background. Best of luck. Dave.

Feb 16, 2010

Mike Dagley 12 posts

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

Thanks Marke,
A few slips will be inevitable I suppose. I had feared that repeated slips, say over a few hours a few times a week could cause an accumulative problem. That makes hypers seem more sinister than hypos to me.

I am still trying to get the balance right and have had too many mild hypos. Then with DAFNE that is normal. Being in my 'honeymoon' time my injections are normally so small that the change of regime with DAFNE meant that I am really upping my dosage at certain times which seems a bit racy.

There's no rush but getting recognition for good control after another 9 years will be nice. Definiteey no rush - lots of life to live before then!
Mike

Feb 16, 2010

marke 681 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge

John,
I don't think the DAFNE CP value is wrong, its a guideline not a rule set in stone. As I said before different people have different insulin needs for the same food. In addition its a generic value for porridge and different brands all have different ingredients ( apart from the obvious !). So the thing to remember when looking at the CP booklet or this site is its a guide and yuor requirements may vary.

Feb 16, 2010

marke 681 posts

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

Mike,
One thing I would add, is that getting the scores wrong occasionally won't necessarily wreck your health. The complications caused by Diabetes develop over time, so the main issue with getting it wrong in the short term are things like Ketatosis but fortunately that is pretty rare. I'm not encouraging you to be complacent just warning you that over the years there will be times when your control 'slips' slightly, you shouldn't get too worked up over this I'm sure most people on this site who have been diabetic for 10 years+ will have had the occasional period where things have not gone quite right. The secret is, to get back on the wagon as soon as possible and get things back under control. Thats one of the reasons for this site existing, its recognised that the long term support for DAFNE graduates is lacking from the DAFNE Programme. The hope is this site will help remedy that by giving DAFNE graduates support and information ongoing over the years, helping them to stick to the DAFNE regime and thus greatly reduce the risk of complications and hospital treatment for their condition.

I look forward to seeing your posts on your 20th and 30th anniversaries of being a diabetic :-)

Feb 15, 2010

John Roscoe 14 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge

Hi Diane,
I have porridge most morning and I count 3.5 CP's for 30g of oats and 350 mls semi skimmed milk. The oats I use are 2.75 CP's per 45g so the amount of oats I use is equivalent to 1.8 CP's and the 350 mls of milk 1.75 CP's. This works well for me. It may be worth checking the carbohydrate value on the pack of oats you are using. I think the DAFNE CP value may be wrong.
Good luck.
John

Feb 15, 2010

Mike Dagley 12 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge

Hi Everyone,
I eat porridge a lot too and agree that the 3 CP thing is about right. I am still in honeymoon (11 months since diagnosed) and I find that porridge is barely enough for me in the mornings. If I exercise at all after breakfast (eg cycle to work or walk the dog) then I can approach a hypo rather easily. Mornings are my challenge and I guess that porridge is fine but rather slower an energy release than I had imagined. Even before I was diabetic I used to feel really hungry within a hour of eating porridge. It never seemed to be sustaining though I know how great oats are. All of this isn't that relevant perhaps but don't be put off good ol' porridge it is a wonderful food.
Mike the Newbie

Feb 15, 2010

Mike Dagley 12 posts

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

Hi Ruth,
Great story. We are being given every chance to have a good life. A very positive place to be. The way I have thought about it has been that as a diabetic I know I now HAVE to do the right things to look after myself as against non-diabetics who have the apparent choice to chance their luck. I am grateful for the advance warning which shakes off any complacency I had. It kills off spontaneity a bit tho' but. I am very glad to be otherwise-healthy and if I have to have any condition then I am happy to settle for this one.

My attitude as an optimist helps and I have taken a light-hearted approach to the diabetes most of the time. Not suffering pain with the condition is a great relief. I do have low days and sometimes can't believe what has happened to me. Sitting amongst the DAFNE students was one such moment on Day three. I felt slightly trapped. The feeling passes fortunately - one reason for that is how this condition demands an hour by hour awareness and keeps one tuned in to the here-and-now and therefore not overwhelmed by the long-term reality of it all.

Another feeling that is possibly peculiar to me as is one of feeling slightly like a student rather than a patient. Managing my BG is a strange kind of serious game where my BG readings are like 'scores' and that maintaining these is something I need to do to be a 'good patient/student'. It is more a vague feeling than a real belief of course but now and again I have a reality check wash over me when I realise the obvious point that I am ultimately on my own with looking after myself. Getting these 'scores' wrong can wreck my health. That is frightening. The consequences of getting it wrong are rather worse than a getting a 'bad report'. If you like the matter is very very live, very much now. It is happening every minute of every day. You don't take time off from it nor can you cruise along if you are bored or inattentive. So many things in life are just not that important. I realise that this is one of the few things in my experience that demands my attention to concentrate on it and get it right, no option. In terms of analogies I can't stop the merry-go-round to take a break, or back off from a difficult rock climb which intimidates me. All obvious stuff but it makes one grow up (at whatever age and I am 44) and learn discipline more than anything else before.

My experience of hospitals is fortunately very very small and I am so glad for decent health to date. Being sent to A&E with suspected diabetes was a weird experience and I was totally reassured by the specialist team which attended to me over the 4 days I was in. I do feel privileged that the NHS (Wythenshawe UHSM) staff were so caring and professional and interested in getting me on track. I am deeply grateful to them for that.

So I guess my initial question on this 'thread' was worth asking. You all sound determined and positive people. I will try to be the same. Thanks.

Feb 15, 2010

marke 681 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge

I would suggest its more likely your breakfast ratio, remember that you are more likely to have higher BG's ( and possibly a higher ratio) in the mornings because of the hormones our bodies release to wake us up. Most people tend to need more insulin in the morning, but the key to all of this is 'most' we are all different and even though the CP value is correct it doesn't necessarily mean that your insulin requirements for that amount of CP's are 'standard'. basically the only solution is trial and error. I think its very unlikely you are hypoing, so would suggest upping your insulin a bit and seeing what effect it has. Again remember the key to these things is a step wise, change one thing approach.

Feb 15, 2010

Simon Quinnell 16 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge

Hi Diane.

I've had porridge for breakfast for the past 20 years and never get bored of it! I make mine this way:- 1 cup of porridge , 200ml of soya milk, 150ml of water, and 15g of raisins. I count that as 6 CPs in total and I've haven't had any problems with high BG before lunch.

I would say that the 3 CP value is correct.

Some questions to ask yourself:-

Are you having hypos after breakfast? Is your QA/CP ratio correct at breakfast? Are you getting a "bounce-back" effect from night-time hypos? Are you active in the morning? Is your BG OK before breakfast?

Feb 15, 2010

Diane Macfaden 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge

When I use the info in my Dafne Carb book to work out 3 carbohydrate portions of porridge -i.e. 50g of dry porridge oats and make it into porridge using half milk and water, I always end up with a really high blood sugar result by lunch time as if there is much more than 3 CP's in this amount of porridge.
has anyone else found this? Or does the 50g relate to 50g of cooked porridge.
I would be grateful for some clarification on the true carbohydrate content of porridge oats.

Feb 14, 2010

Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE strapline poll

Hi, the results are available now and have been shared with the DAFNE Executive. You can see them on the poll page or via this link

Feb 14, 2010

dafra 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE strapline poll

where is the result?
Oh i see it is coming to DAFNE Poll page!

Feb 13, 2010

Mike Dagley 12 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Indian food and takeways

Hi there,
Recent graduate calling...I have had my first Indian takeaway in ages today and have had fun trying to work out the CP content. The Carb booklet was very helpful with samosas and the rice. Seems very accurate.

However, not sure if it is possible to work out what the actual main dish contained by way of CPs? It isn't always just fats and protein. My choice tonight was a so-called Nepalese dish which contained lychees, lamb, ginger and spices in a thick sauce. It tasted very sweet to me and I am not sure if the dish is made sweet by just the bits of fruit or whether they add sugar. I could have asked I suppose - but being a Saturday the place was humming and there was no time to ask.

Possibly a daft question as there are too many variables. Perhaps the more regular consumers of Indians out there might have worked out a rule of thumb for this kind of dish?

Thanks Mike
PS. I won't order it again as it wasn't savoury enough for my palate.

Feb 13, 2010

ruthhutchinson 39 posts

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

When I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1970 I thought my world had come to an end. I was 11 and had no understanding of what it meant. A clergyman visiting the lady in the next bed to mine came to speak to me one day. He said" You are lucky. You've been given the ticket to a long and healthy life". I thought he was crazy until he explained what he meant. "You wll eat healthily, you will exercise regularly, you will live the life the rest of us should live and will have regular health check ups which the rest of us would love to have." Forty years later I now realise that he was right. I'm now 51 and I don't plan on dying anytime soon. Keep thinking postively. It works.

Feb 13, 2010

Peter 109 posts

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

Mike,

To respond to your earlier questions. I did my DAFNE course just over 2 years ago, being lucky enough to get a place on the first course that UCLH had run. Yes I did notice a difference. It was effectively the first diabetes education I'd received in 40 years. I already had some knowledge of DAFNE as my sister had done the course several years earlier and it made a tremendous difference for her. So I was expecting alot, and wasn't disappointed. My control is much better, and although not perfect, I at least now know enough to make sensible decisions about what to change. I'm a big fan of the DAFDNE approach and hence stood for election last year to what is now called the DAFNE User Action Group (DUAG) and am pleased to be having input into decisions anout how DAFNE should be taken forward.

Feb 12, 2010

Mike Dagley 12 posts

Topic: General Discussion / First illness since dafne

Hi there,
Sorry you are sick. I am new to DAFNE as I only did it in January and am a newbie to diabetes in 2009 too. I am reassured that DAFNE has a system to deal with illness. I hope it works for you. | do admit to worrying about getting sick as learning to have good control has been enough of a challenge!
Cheers Mike

Feb 12, 2010

Mike Dagley 12 posts

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

Thanks Simon and Vic. Good points. Type 1 is different for sure and it is quite 'fun' being part of a smaller (more select?) group relative to Type 2. Sorry to hear about your parents Vic, I have a partner enduring cancer treatment presently and I have reflected on the two conditions (that and diabetes). I consider myself lucky in many ways and feel very much for her as it has been a tough journey for her.
It is good to know how highly rated DAFNE is and I feel reassured by this. My dietitian hinted to me that I should do this course from early on. Glad I did it. Yes, we have a choice - that is one of the really good things. We have the choice to be healthy and are equipped to manage that. I do realise that.
Best Wishes M


Feb 18, 2010 DavidJ 23 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Metformin /Type 1 Hi Paul I'm not a healthcare professional just another type 1 diabetic who takes Metformin. Metformin increases your sensitivity to insulin so it is likely that your blood glucoses will drop if you continue with the same ratios. I take 500mg of Metformin twice a day and if I forget and miss a dose my blood glucose rises as if I should have moved my ratio up by another 0.5. Most of my ratios are 1:1, if I didn't have the Metformin they would probably be 1.5:1. This example is just my experience though. Just apply the DAFNE principles and find your new ratios and background. Best of luck. Dave.

Feb 16, 2010 Mike Dagley 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics? Thanks Marke, A few slips will be inevitable I suppose. I had feared that repeated slips, say over a few hours a few times a week could cause an accumulative problem. That makes hypers seem more sinister than hypos to me. I am still trying to get the balance right and have had too many mild hypos. Then with DAFNE that is normal. Being in my 'honeymoon' time my injections are normally so small that the change of regime with DAFNE meant that I am really upping my dosage at certain times which seems a bit racy. There's no rush but getting recognition for good control after another 9 years will be nice. Definiteey no rush - lots of life to live before then! Mike

Feb 16, 2010 marke 681 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge John, I don't think the DAFNE CP value is wrong, its a guideline not a rule set in stone. As I said before different people have different insulin needs for the same food. In addition its a generic value for porridge and different brands all have different ingredients ( apart from the obvious !). So the thing to remember when looking at the CP booklet or this site is its a guide and yuor requirements may vary.

Feb 16, 2010 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics? Mike, One thing I would add, is that getting the scores wrong occasionally won't necessarily wreck your health. The complications caused by Diabetes develop over time, so the main issue with getting it wrong in the short term are things like Ketatosis but fortunately that is pretty rare. I'm not encouraging you to be complacent just warning you that over the years there will be times when your control 'slips' slightly, you shouldn't get too worked up over this I'm sure most people on this site who have been diabetic for 10 years+ will have had the occasional period where things have not gone quite right. The secret is, to get back on the wagon as soon as possible and get things back under control. Thats one of the reasons for this site existing, its recognised that the long term support for DAFNE graduates is lacking from the DAFNE Programme. The hope is this site will help remedy that by giving DAFNE graduates support and information ongoing over the years, helping them to stick to the DAFNE regime and thus greatly reduce the risk of complications and hospital treatment for their condition. I look forward to seeing your posts on your 20th and 30th anniversaries of being a diabetic :-)

Feb 15, 2010 John Roscoe 14 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge Hi Diane, I have porridge most morning and I count 3.5 CP's for 30g of oats and 350 mls semi skimmed milk. The oats I use are 2.75 CP's per 45g so the amount of oats I use is equivalent to 1.8 CP's and the 350 mls of milk 1.75 CP's. This works well for me. It may be worth checking the carbohydrate value on the pack of oats you are using. I think the DAFNE CP value may be wrong. Good luck. John

Feb 15, 2010 Mike Dagley 12 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge Hi Everyone, I eat porridge a lot too and agree that the 3 CP thing is about right. I am still in honeymoon (11 months since diagnosed) and I find that porridge is barely enough for me in the mornings. If I exercise at all after breakfast (eg cycle to work or walk the dog) then I can approach a hypo rather easily. Mornings are my challenge and I guess that porridge is fine but rather slower an energy release than I had imagined. Even before I was diabetic I used to feel really hungry within a hour of eating porridge. It never seemed to be sustaining though I know how great oats are. All of this isn't that relevant perhaps but don't be put off good ol' porridge it is a wonderful food. Mike the Newbie

Feb 15, 2010 Mike Dagley 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics? Hi Ruth, Great story. We are being given every chance to have a good life. A very positive place to be. The way I have thought about it has been that as a diabetic I know I now HAVE to do the right things to look after myself as against non-diabetics who have the apparent choice to chance their luck. I am grateful for the advance warning which shakes off any complacency I had. It kills off spontaneity a bit tho' but. I am very glad to be otherwise-healthy and if I have to have any condition then I am happy to settle for this one. My attitude as an optimist helps and I have taken a light-hearted approach to the diabetes most of the time. Not suffering pain with the condition is a great relief. I do have low days and sometimes can't believe what has happened to me. Sitting amongst the DAFNE students was one such moment on Day three. I felt slightly trapped. The feeling passes fortunately - one reason for that is how this condition demands an hour by hour awareness and keeps one tuned in to the here-and-now and therefore not overwhelmed by the long-term reality of it all. Another feeling that is possibly peculiar to me as is one of feeling slightly like a student rather than a patient. Managing my BG is a strange kind of serious game where my BG readings are like 'scores' and that maintaining these is something I need to do to be a 'good patient/student'. It is more a vague feeling than a real belief of course but now and again I have a reality check wash over me when I realise the obvious point that I am ultimately on my own with looking after myself. Getting these 'scores' wrong can wreck my health. That is frightening. The consequences of getting it wrong are rather worse than a getting a 'bad report'. If you like the matter is very very live, very much now. It is happening every minute of every day. You don't take time off from it nor can you cruise along if you are bored or inattentive. So many things in life are just not that important. I realise that this is one of the few things in my experience that demands my attention to concentrate on it and get it right, no option. In terms of analogies I can't stop the merry-go-round to take a break, or back off from a difficult rock climb which intimidates me. All obvious stuff but it makes one grow up (at whatever age and I am 44) and learn discipline more than anything else before. My experience of hospitals is fortunately very very small and I am so glad for decent health to date. Being sent to A&E with suspected diabetes was a weird experience and I was totally reassured by the specialist team which attended to me over the 4 days I was in. I do feel privileged that the NHS (Wythenshawe UHSM) staff were so caring and professional and interested in getting me on track. I am deeply grateful to them for that. So I guess my initial question on this 'thread' was worth asking. You all sound determined and positive people. I will try to be the same. Thanks.

Feb 15, 2010 marke 681 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge I would suggest its more likely your breakfast ratio, remember that you are more likely to have higher BG's ( and possibly a higher ratio) in the mornings because of the hormones our bodies release to wake us up. Most people tend to need more insulin in the morning, but the key to all of this is 'most' we are all different and even though the CP value is correct it doesn't necessarily mean that your insulin requirements for that amount of CP's are 'standard'. basically the only solution is trial and error. I think its very unlikely you are hypoing, so would suggest upping your insulin a bit and seeing what effect it has. Again remember the key to these things is a step wise, change one thing approach.

Feb 15, 2010 Simon Quinnell 16 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge Hi Diane. I've had porridge for breakfast for the past 20 years and never get bored of it! I make mine this way:- 1 cup of porridge , 200ml of soya milk, 150ml of water, and 15g of raisins. I count that as 6 CPs in total and I've haven't had any problems with high BG before lunch. I would say that the 3 CP value is correct. Some questions to ask yourself:- Are you having hypos after breakfast? Is your QA/CP ratio correct at breakfast? Are you getting a "bounce-back" effect from night-time hypos? Are you active in the morning? Is your BG OK before breakfast?

Feb 15, 2010 Diane Macfaden 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge When I use the info in my Dafne Carb book to work out 3 carbohydrate portions of porridge -i.e. 50g of dry porridge oats and make it into porridge using half milk and water, I always end up with a really high blood sugar result by lunch time as if there is much more than 3 CP's in this amount of porridge. has anyone else found this? Or does the 50g relate to 50g of cooked porridge. I would be grateful for some clarification on the true carbohydrate content of porridge oats.

Feb 14, 2010 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE strapline poll Hi, the results are available now and have been shared with the DAFNE Executive. You can see them on the poll page or via this link

Feb 14, 2010 dafra 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE strapline poll where is the result? Oh i see it is coming to DAFNE Poll page!

Feb 13, 2010 Mike Dagley 12 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Indian food and takeways Hi there, Recent graduate calling...I have had my first Indian takeaway in ages today and have had fun trying to work out the CP content. The Carb booklet was very helpful with samosas and the rice. Seems very accurate. However, not sure if it is possible to work out what the actual main dish contained by way of CPs? It isn't always just fats and protein. My choice tonight was a so-called Nepalese dish which contained lychees, lamb, ginger and spices in a thick sauce. It tasted very sweet to me and I am not sure if the dish is made sweet by just the bits of fruit or whether they add sugar. I could have asked I suppose - but being a Saturday the place was humming and there was no time to ask. Possibly a daft question as there are too many variables. Perhaps the more regular consumers of Indians out there might have worked out a rule of thumb for this kind of dish? Thanks Mike PS. I won't order it again as it wasn't savoury enough for my palate.

Feb 13, 2010 ruthhutchinson 39 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics? When I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1970 I thought my world had come to an end. I was 11 and had no understanding of what it meant. A clergyman visiting the lady in the next bed to mine came to speak to me one day. He said" You are lucky. You've been given the ticket to a long and healthy life". I thought he was crazy until he explained what he meant. "You wll eat healthily, you will exercise regularly, you will live the life the rest of us should live and will have regular health check ups which the rest of us would love to have." Forty years later I now realise that he was right. I'm now 51 and I don't plan on dying anytime soon. Keep thinking postively. It works.

Feb 13, 2010 Peter 109 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics? Mike, To respond to your earlier questions. I did my DAFNE course just over 2 years ago, being lucky enough to get a place on the first course that UCLH had run. Yes I did notice a difference. It was effectively the first diabetes education I'd received in 40 years. I already had some knowledge of DAFNE as my sister had done the course several years earlier and it made a tremendous difference for her. So I was expecting alot, and wasn't disappointed. My control is much better, and although not perfect, I at least now know enough to make sensible decisions about what to change. I'm a big fan of the DAFDNE approach and hence stood for election last year to what is now called the DAFNE User Action Group (DUAG) and am pleased to be having input into decisions anout how DAFNE should be taken forward.

Feb 12, 2010 Mike Dagley 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / First illness since dafne Hi there, Sorry you are sick. I am new to DAFNE as I only did it in January and am a newbie to diabetes in 2009 too. I am reassured that DAFNE has a system to deal with illness. I hope it works for you. \| do admit to worrying about getting sick as learning to have good control has been enough of a challenge! Cheers Mike

Feb 12, 2010 Mike Dagley 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics? Thanks Simon and Vic. Good points. Type 1 is different for sure and it is quite 'fun' being part of a smaller (more select?) group relative to Type 2. Sorry to hear about your parents Vic, I have a partner enduring cancer treatment presently and I have reflected on the two conditions (that and diabetes). I consider myself lucky in many ways and feel very much for her as it has been a tough journey for her. It is good to know how highly rated DAFNE is and I feel reassured by this. My dietitian hinted to me that I should do this course from early on. Glad I did it. Yes, we have a choice - that is one of the really good things. We have the choice to be healthy and are equipped to manage that. I do realise that. Best Wishes M