Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Jan 7, 2010

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: Site Development / Meter Upload Development

Hello,

Just to say I haven't forgotten about this. I can get the UltraEasy working, but unfortunately it appears there aren't that many people on here that use this meter.

Work on the UltraSmart has stalled. I can get the data from the meter onto the PC and I managed to figure out the date part of the entry, but I'm struggling to convert the computer (hex) numbers to real BG numbers. Some work ok, but really high or really low numbers don't seem to follow the same pattern.

Unfortunately Lifescan give you the technical specification for all meters EXCEPT the UltraSmart. Other people have managed it, so it is do-able. I've even got a C++ program that is supposed to be able to do it, but I'm struggling to understand it. Something about Bitshifting and bitstuffing. Don't suppose Marke or Simon know anything about this?

The UltraSmart would be the best meter to figure out, since it stores BG, Carbs, QI and BI taken. The Optium Xceed also looks fairly straight forward, but it is BG only and I don't have one to test with Surprised

(

NiVZ

Jan 7, 2010

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE

Hello,

Just to say I haven't forgotten about this. I can get the UltraEasy working, but unfortunately it appears there aren't that many people on here that use this meter.

Work on the UltraSmart has stalled. I can get the data from the meter onto the PC and I managed to figure out the date part of the entry, but I'm struggling to convert the computer (hex) numbers to real BG numbers. Some work ok, but really high or really low numbers don't seem to follow the same pattern.

Unfortunately Lifescan give you the technical specification for all meters EXCEPT the UltraSmart. Other people have managed it, so it is do-able. I've even got a C++ program that is supposed to be able to do it, but I'm struggling to understand it. Something about Bitshifting and bitstuffing. Don't suppose Marke or Simon know anything about this?

The UltraSmart would be the best meter to figure out, since it stores BG, Carbs, QI and BI taken. The Optium Xceed also looks fairly straight forward, but it is BG only and I don't have one to test with Surprised

(

NiVZ

Jan 7, 2010

hankypanky 18 posts

Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE

one touch, ultra smart it does your bg + you can enter insulin amount and also how many carbs too, i used this metre for ages and its always good to look at your patterns

Steve H

Jan 6, 2010

Rosemary 3 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Watch out - Corn on the cob!

I had a problem with Corn on the Cob as well. I counted it during my Dafne course and it resulted in low blood sugars. Was told not to count it. Have carried on not counting it and seem to be ok with that. Go with whatever is best for you.

Jan 6, 2010

Rosemary 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / HbA1c

I did the Dafne course in July and my HbA1c was 7.7. I am due at the hospital next week and am deperate to find out what it is now.
I have lost almost 2 stone and one of my friends said I now weigh and look exactly the same as I did before I was diagnosed in 1989!!! (apart from the wrinkles and some grey hairs!!) This made me feel great.

Jan 5, 2010

Mark Wilcox 6 posts

Topic: Site Development / Deleting Multiple Diary Entries

Hi. Is there any way of deleting multiple diary entries, without having to select each one at a time?

Best regards,

Mark.

Jan 4, 2010

marke 681 posts

Topic: Site Development / Recipes

Sam,
I will try to look at doing some pages to allow this kind of info to be entered in the near future. I have had a few problems recently getting my development system to work again after upgrading to windows 7, not microsofts fault I should add for once ;-) Its working
again now so I will try to come up with something.

Jan 3, 2010

Karen Westwood 38 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Forever chasing my tail - Any suggestions please

Happy New Year Liz, hope you had a good Christmas.

Just wondering how you are getting on with your results - have you managed to find out the levels of insulin that work for you yet?

Karen x

Jan 3, 2010

Karen Westwood 38 posts

Topic: General Discussion / HbA1c

Hi Sam,

Happy New Year to you too!

Thats great news with you HbA1c result. It feels great doesn't it when you see the results for the hard work that you have put in.

I attended DAFNE the last week in July 09 and my HbA1c at the time was 8.5% When I went to the clinic at the end of November it was 6.7%. The only time I have ever had results that good before was during my 2 pregnancies. My Cholestrol level has only reduced to 3.6 due to my change in diet which has helped me shift 5 and a half stone since June last year. Heres to more weight loss and keeping going with the DAFNE principles in the next 12 months.

Keep up the good work and hopefully you will see your result reduce even further at your next clinic appointment.

Karen x

Jan 3, 2010

Sam 64 posts

Topic: Site Development / Recipes

Okay here's a recipe, sorry it's taken so long!! I've made this and the CP value has been spot on with my BGs, rather than be boring I thought I'd go for the pudding. Hopefully it's simple enough for something to be devloped out of and easy for other people to read and make. I had this plain however icing sugar, jam etc can be added if prefered, you would just to to work out CP value. I have also marked the CP value next to the ingredients that have CPs in them, this was per 100g.

Title: Plain Sponge Cake

Ingredients:
8 eggs (seperated)
190g Sugar / 190 CP
95g Flour / 67CP
55g Corn Flour / 46CP
45g melted butter
1 tsp Vanilla extract

Total CPs = 303 CP (7inch round cake tin / 8 portions / 1 portion = 4CP)

Bake in pre heated oven at 180 degrees for 30 mins.

Method:
1. Seperate the egg yolks and whites
2. Mix the yolks with 2 tbls sugar until creamy
3. Mix the whites adding the rest of the sugar gradually until stiff/white
4. Add the yolk mixture to the whites folding together
5. Sive the flour/corn flour into the main mixture and fold all together
6. Add the melted butter and vanilla extract and again fold all together
7. Place a piece of baking paper onto your baking tray and pour mixture into this
8. Put in a pre heated oven for 30 mins at 180 degrees.

Add icing sugar on top or eat plain whatever you prefer. You can cut this into as many portions as you want. I got 8, could have got more I guess it depends on how much of a sweet tooth you have!!

Let me know your thoughts.

Sam x

Jan 2, 2010

Sam 64 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pump :)

Hey Steve

How you getting on with your pump? Hope you're managing okay, interested to know how it feels etc.

Sam x

Jan 2, 2010

Sam 64 posts

Topic: General Discussion / HbA1c

Hi All

Happy New Year!

Just wanted to share that in Aug 09 before I attended the DAFNE course in Sept my HbA1c was 9.5%
I was at the clinic last week and I'm down at 8.4% woohoo!!!!
I'm over the moon and just wanted to say that by following the rules it actually does work. My eating habits haven't changed, I still have a dessert after dinner, I have a drink at weekends but I manage my insulin and carb portions. I honestly thought I'd still be around the 9ish mark but I'm not, and I hope to keep coming down.

Hope the news is good for you guys and you're seeing the results. It means a lot to know the theory does work!!

Sam x

Dec 30, 2009

Stew B 125 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control

I normally exercise during the early evening, before my evening meal and well after my lunchtime QA has peaked. A couple of weeks ago I went for a run an hour or so after lunch, when my QA was still "active", and I had a terrible time - heavy legs, no energy etc. My pre-run BG was fine - about the same level as it would be when I run in the evenings, but there had been a much larger than usual drop during the run.

I guess this can be put down to the effect of "active" insulin, but the question is what should I do under similar circumstances in the future (other than avoiding exercise until any QA has peaked).? I guess the choices are to drop the QA ratio at the previous meal or to load up with extra carbs before running (regardless of the BG level at the start). Or is there another solution?

Just when I thought I knew what I was doing...

Stew

Dec 28, 2009

ob 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Need a kick up the backside! :(

Hi Derek
I really really empathise with you. I did Dafne only two weeks ago and thought the whole thing made so much sense and was really practical, but I have lost my way again as regards proper recording. My HBA1c is at 8.4 so not disgraceful, but whilst I carry all the stuff, diary, pen, etc with good intentions I just can't seem to get my act together. I think what frustrates me most is no clear patterns and every time I think I have the ratios cracked, I skip a day or three of monitoring and I am back to square one. I know I am late to your post, but I guess tomorrow, post xmas I must put my foot down with myself and try to get focused properly! - GOOD LUCK with yours. OB

Dec 24, 2009

Sam 64 posts

Topic: General Discussion / A Very Merry Christmas to all

I second that!! Have a good one everyone!!

Sam x

Dec 24, 2009

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / A Very Merry Christmas to all

Thanks Simon (and Mark)

Season's Greetings to you and thanks for the good work you've done on the DAFNE website - I find it a great help.

Keep up the good work,

Alan

Dec 24, 2009

Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / A Very Merry Christmas to all

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick message to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and all the best for the year ahead. It's a difficult time of year for us diabetics, what with the constant temptation of food around every corner (I am most looking forward to a large Christmas dinner with plenty of meat, stuffing and potatoes - maybe some veg as well, with a healthy dose of Christmas Pudding after of course). Thankfully DAFNE gives us the flexibility to eat a bit more and still maintain good blood glucose control via adjusting our insulin dosage. Remember also to take care of yourself if you are ill - at this time of year it seems everyone falls victim to at least the festive sniffles (I can feel them coming on now). If you need to remind yourself of the DAFNE step-wise dose adjustment, or sick day rules you can do so by using the online handbook (see DAFNE Tools to the right once logged in).

Now... as well as Christmas we're also reaching another milestone - DAFNE Online will be a year old on the 29th December! That's right, we launched the site nearly a whole year ago, and it had come on leaps and bounds since we did so. Some statistics for you:

Since we launched the site...
Over 2,120 users have signed up.
These users have created 153 discussion topics
With 951 posts
151 private messages have been sent
And the big one... over 40,000 (yes - forty thousand) blood glucose diary entries have been saved.

These statistics are fantastic - it really shows that we have built up a community around DAFNE. This is in no small part thanks to you - our users. Without you we wouldn't have a site, so give yourselves a pat on the back, you deserve it.

So as we look towards 2010 and DAFNE Online's second year, we will be constantly updating and improving the site, with things that make managing your diabetes easier. If there are features or improvements you'd like to see on the site - please do let us know. You can do so on the Site Development Forum, or by clicking the Contact DAFNE Online link at the bottom of every page.

Again - on behalf of Mark and myself - a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. We'll see you in 2010.

Simon

Dec 23, 2009

Simon Heller 46 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Should I Be On Statins?

Hi Simon. The general guidance is that everyone with diabetes (either Type 1 or Type 2) should start on statins above the age of 40 based on a trial published some years ago which showed the risks of heart attacks and strokes halving over 5 years in people whose cholesterol was above 3.5 in this age group. What we don't know is whether high risk people below this age should start statins earlier but trials are underway. Certainly if people had other problems that might be considered in the over 30s. Simon

Dec 19, 2009

john day 54 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic

Hi Simon ..

Just had a quick peak and print and info looks compact & useful. As well as the immediate BG trends, points like average rise overnight can be assessed and the QC column tells a story all of its own (in my case anyway!).

Will have a closer look tomorrow hopefully .. there are a few presentation suggestions I might have.

Appreciate your work pre xmas .. I was thinking 'sometime in the NY'

Cheers, John

Jan 7, 2010 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: Site Development / Meter Upload Development Hello, Just to say I haven't forgotten about this. I can get the UltraEasy working, but unfortunately it appears there aren't that many people on here that use this meter. Work on the UltraSmart has stalled. I can get the data from the meter onto the PC and I managed to figure out the date part of the entry, but I'm struggling to convert the computer (hex) numbers to real BG numbers. Some work ok, but really high or really low numbers don't seem to follow the same pattern. Unfortunately Lifescan give you the technical specification for all meters EXCEPT the UltraSmart. Other people have managed it, so it is do-able. I've even got a C++ program that is supposed to be able to do it, but I'm struggling to understand it. Something about Bitshifting and bitstuffing. Don't suppose Marke or Simon know anything about this? The UltraSmart would be the best meter to figure out, since it stores BG, Carbs, QI and BI taken. The Optium Xceed also looks fairly straight forward, but it is BG only and I don't have one to test with ( NiVZ

Jan 7, 2010 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE Hello, Just to say I haven't forgotten about this. I can get the UltraEasy working, but unfortunately it appears there aren't that many people on here that use this meter. Work on the UltraSmart has stalled. I can get the data from the meter onto the PC and I managed to figure out the date part of the entry, but I'm struggling to convert the computer (hex) numbers to real BG numbers. Some work ok, but really high or really low numbers don't seem to follow the same pattern. Unfortunately Lifescan give you the technical specification for all meters EXCEPT the UltraSmart. Other people have managed it, so it is do-able. I've even got a C++ program that is supposed to be able to do it, but I'm struggling to understand it. Something about Bitshifting and bitstuffing. Don't suppose Marke or Simon know anything about this? The UltraSmart would be the best meter to figure out, since it stores BG, Carbs, QI and BI taken. The Optium Xceed also looks fairly straight forward, but it is BG only and I don't have one to test with ( NiVZ

Jan 7, 2010 hankypanky 18 posts	Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE one touch, ultra smart it does your bg + you can enter insulin amount and also how many carbs too, i used this metre for ages and its always good to look at your patterns Steve H

Jan 6, 2010 Rosemary 3 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Watch out - Corn on the cob! I had a problem with Corn on the Cob as well. I counted it during my Dafne course and it resulted in low blood sugars. Was told not to count it. Have carried on not counting it and seem to be ok with that. Go with whatever is best for you.

Jan 6, 2010 Rosemary 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / HbA1c I did the Dafne course in July and my HbA1c was 7.7. I am due at the hospital next week and am deperate to find out what it is now. I have lost almost 2 stone and one of my friends said I now weigh and look exactly the same as I did before I was diagnosed in 1989!!! (apart from the wrinkles and some grey hairs!!) This made me feel great.

Jan 5, 2010 Mark Wilcox 6 posts	Topic: Site Development / Deleting Multiple Diary Entries Hi. Is there any way of deleting multiple diary entries, without having to select each one at a time? Best regards, Mark.

Jan 4, 2010 marke 681 posts	Topic: Site Development / Recipes Sam, I will try to look at doing some pages to allow this kind of info to be entered in the near future. I have had a few problems recently getting my development system to work again after upgrading to windows 7, not microsofts fault I should add for once ;-) Its working again now so I will try to come up with something.

Jan 3, 2010 Karen Westwood 38 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Forever chasing my tail - Any suggestions please Happy New Year Liz, hope you had a good Christmas. Just wondering how you are getting on with your results - have you managed to find out the levels of insulin that work for you yet? Karen x

Jan 3, 2010 Karen Westwood 38 posts	Topic: General Discussion / HbA1c Hi Sam, Happy New Year to you too! Thats great news with you HbA1c result. It feels great doesn't it when you see the results for the hard work that you have put in. I attended DAFNE the last week in July 09 and my HbA1c at the time was 8.5% When I went to the clinic at the end of November it was 6.7%. The only time I have ever had results that good before was during my 2 pregnancies. My Cholestrol level has only reduced to 3.6 due to my change in diet which has helped me shift 5 and a half stone since June last year. Heres to more weight loss and keeping going with the DAFNE principles in the next 12 months. Keep up the good work and hopefully you will see your result reduce even further at your next clinic appointment. Karen x

Jan 3, 2010 Sam 64 posts	Topic: Site Development / Recipes Okay here's a recipe, sorry it's taken so long!! I've made this and the CP value has been spot on with my BGs, rather than be boring I thought I'd go for the pudding. Hopefully it's simple enough for something to be devloped out of and easy for other people to read and make. I had this plain however icing sugar, jam etc can be added if prefered, you would just to to work out CP value. I have also marked the CP value next to the ingredients that have CPs in them, this was per 100g. Title: Plain Sponge Cake Ingredients: 8 eggs (seperated) 190g Sugar / 190 CP 95g Flour / 67CP 55g Corn Flour / 46CP 45g melted butter 1 tsp Vanilla extract Total CPs = 303 CP (7inch round cake tin / 8 portions / 1 portion = 4CP) Bake in pre heated oven at 180 degrees for 30 mins. Method: 1. Seperate the egg yolks and whites 2. Mix the yolks with 2 tbls sugar until creamy 3. Mix the whites adding the rest of the sugar gradually until stiff/white 4. Add the yolk mixture to the whites folding together 5. Sive the flour/corn flour into the main mixture and fold all together 6. Add the melted butter and vanilla extract and again fold all together 7. Place a piece of baking paper onto your baking tray and pour mixture into this 8. Put in a pre heated oven for 30 mins at 180 degrees. Add icing sugar on top or eat plain whatever you prefer. You can cut this into as many portions as you want. I got 8, could have got more I guess it depends on how much of a sweet tooth you have!! Let me know your thoughts. Sam x

Jan 2, 2010 Sam 64 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Insulin Pump :) Hey Steve How you getting on with your pump? Hope you're managing okay, interested to know how it feels etc. Sam x

Jan 2, 2010 Sam 64 posts	Topic: General Discussion / HbA1c Hi All Happy New Year! Just wanted to share that in Aug 09 before I attended the DAFNE course in Sept my HbA1c was 9.5% I was at the clinic last week and I'm down at 8.4% woohoo!!!! I'm over the moon and just wanted to say that by following the rules it actually does work. My eating habits haven't changed, I still have a dessert after dinner, I have a drink at weekends but I manage my insulin and carb portions. I honestly thought I'd still be around the 9ish mark but I'm not, and I hope to keep coming down. Hope the news is good for you guys and you're seeing the results. It means a lot to know the theory does work!! Sam x

Dec 30, 2009 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control I normally exercise during the early evening, before my evening meal and well after my lunchtime QA has peaked. A couple of weeks ago I went for a run an hour or so after lunch, when my QA was still "active", and I had a terrible time - heavy legs, no energy etc. My pre-run BG was fine - about the same level as it would be when I run in the evenings, but there had been a much larger than usual drop during the run. I guess this can be put down to the effect of "active" insulin, but the question is what should I do under similar circumstances in the future (other than avoiding exercise until any QA has peaked).? I guess the choices are to drop the QA ratio at the previous meal or to load up with extra carbs before running (regardless of the BG level at the start). Or is there another solution? Just when I thought I knew what I was doing... Stew

Dec 28, 2009 ob 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Need a kick up the backside! :( Hi Derek I really really empathise with you. I did Dafne only two weeks ago and thought the whole thing made so much sense and was really practical, but I have lost my way again as regards proper recording. My HBA1c is at 8.4 so not disgraceful, but whilst I carry all the stuff, diary, pen, etc with good intentions I just can't seem to get my act together. I think what frustrates me most is no clear patterns and every time I think I have the ratios cracked, I skip a day or three of monitoring and I am back to square one. I know I am late to your post, but I guess tomorrow, post xmas I must put my foot down with myself and try to get focused properly! - GOOD LUCK with yours. OB

Dec 24, 2009 Sam 64 posts	Topic: General Discussion / A Very Merry Christmas to all I second that!! Have a good one everyone!! Sam x

Dec 24, 2009 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / A Very Merry Christmas to all Thanks Simon (and Mark) Season's Greetings to you and thanks for the good work you've done on the DAFNE website - I find it a great help. Keep up the good work, Alan

Dec 24, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / A Very Merry Christmas to all Hi Everyone, Just a quick message to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and all the best for the year ahead. It's a difficult time of year for us diabetics, what with the constant temptation of food around every corner (I am most looking forward to a large Christmas dinner with plenty of meat, stuffing and potatoes - maybe some veg as well, with a healthy dose of Christmas Pudding after of course). Thankfully DAFNE gives us the flexibility to eat a bit more and still maintain good blood glucose control via adjusting our insulin dosage. Remember also to take care of yourself if you are ill - at this time of year it seems everyone falls victim to at least the festive sniffles (I can feel them coming on now). If you need to remind yourself of the DAFNE step-wise dose adjustment, or sick day rules you can do so by using the online handbook (see DAFNE Tools to the right once logged in). Now... as well as Christmas we're also reaching another milestone - DAFNE Online will be a year old on the 29th December! That's right, we launched the site nearly a whole year ago, and it had come on leaps and bounds since we did so. Some statistics for you: Since we launched the site... Over 2,120 users have signed up. These users have created 153 discussion topics With 951 posts 151 private messages have been sent And the big one... over 40,000 (yes - forty thousand) blood glucose diary entries have been saved. These statistics are fantastic - it really shows that we have built up a community around DAFNE. This is in no small part thanks to you - our users. Without you we wouldn't have a site, so give yourselves a pat on the back, you deserve it. So as we look towards 2010 and DAFNE Online's second year, we will be constantly updating and improving the site, with things that make managing your diabetes easier. If there are features or improvements you'd like to see on the site - please do let us know. You can do so on the Site Development Forum, or by clicking the Contact DAFNE Online link at the bottom of every page. Again - on behalf of Mark and myself - a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. We'll see you in 2010. Simon

Dec 23, 2009 Simon Heller 46 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Should I Be On Statins? Hi Simon. The general guidance is that everyone with diabetes (either Type 1 or Type 2) should start on statins above the age of 40 based on a trial published some years ago which showed the risks of heart attacks and strokes halving over 5 years in people whose cholesterol was above 3.5 in this age group. What we don't know is whether high risk people below this age should start statins earlier but trials are underway. Certainly if people had other problems that might be considered in the over 30s. Simon

Dec 19, 2009 john day 54 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic Hi Simon .. Just had a quick peak and print and info looks compact & useful. As well as the immediate BG trends, points like average rise overnight can be assessed and the QC column tells a story all of its own (in my case anyway!). Will have a closer look tomorrow hopefully .. there are a few presentation suggestions I might have. Appreciate your work pre xmas .. I was thinking 'sometime in the NY' Cheers, John