Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Apr 20, 2017

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Never actually seen one as there is only 2 pumps available in my area, one of which has a bigger reservoir, which is what I need, so only really one choice.....

From other people I have heard its good......a smaller reservoir than I need but good....

do you need a pump or are they giving them away......lol...

Apr 20, 2017

Rafa 99 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Beer advice confusing

Yes if I drink branded beers my sugars will be high waking up and won't drop later that day but any craft beers and if I don't eat before bed I wake up really low. Trial and error.

Apr 18, 2017

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Accu-check Aviva Expert meter

Contact Accu-Chek via www.accu-chek.co.uk/contactus

I am contacting you from Roche Diabetes Care as the product manager for the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert bolus advisor system. The following stream has come to our attention ...
http://www.dafneonline.co.uk/forums/1/topics/2957?page=1

We would like to offer a correction to the post dated 08 Jan.2017 by AMcD, DAFNE Graduate from Galway as this advises the originator of the query that the test strips have been discontinued. That is definitely not the case and the Aviva test strips used with the system are definitely still available on prescription in the UK and Ireland.

Patients being denied test strips of their choice should refer to the latest NICE guidance for Type 1 or 2 and download the advocacy pack from the Diabetes UK website ...
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/How_we_help/Helpline/Your-rights/

Apr 17, 2017

sarahl84 5 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Omnipod

Hi, after 17 years of saying no to an insulin pump I'm now considering it. My consultant mentioned the omnipod to me the other day & was just wondering what the general opinion was on it? In my teenage years i never liked the thought of a pump attached to me constantly but now I'm older I'm passed caring lol. I've watched a few videos on YouTube & everyone raves about it, please let me know your thoughts & any advice ☺

Apr 17, 2017

Warwick 425 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Help

Where are you moving to? DAFNE is offered in Singapore, New Zealand and Australia if you are moving to any of those countries.

Apr 16, 2017

derekh1965 95 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help

Thanks for your replies. I have a habit of injecting for every carb I consume and not considering the 3-5 hrs length of humalog.
I'm thinking the food has used the insulin injected and therefore I need more insulin when consuming more carbs.
Have I got the calculation correct for my BI?
I am not working due to having MS.

Apr 16, 2017

Pip510 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help

Levemir has a working time of about 18 hours and you should inject twice daily, just before bed and when you get up in the morning.

It has a slow start time and takes up to two hours to peak, all of this information is in the Dafne Handbook.

If you want to keep a track on it follow Dafne rules and do a check at 3am to test your glucose levels.
You appear to be stacking your insulin in the daytime but you have to remember that it has a working time period as well, dependant upon what you are using.

Keep adjusting and seeing what works for you

Apr 16, 2017

alturn 78 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help

There appear to be frequent changes to BI. DAFNE says BI changes should be allowed to take effect for 2 or 3 days before changing again. When BI is correct, then use QA adjustments but separate from BI changes. I was also advised to try and keep my am and pm BI at the same units (mine differed by 3 at one point). It's a continous process - I change my BI every few weeks depending on BGs. May also help to take BI at the same time each day. I believe Levemir should be taken twice a day as it will not last 24 hrs.

But what works for one person may not work for you, or may not be possible due to lifestyle, work etc.

Hope this helps.

J

Apr 16, 2017

derekh1965 95 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help

Thanks for your reply Russ. I'll give what you suggested tonight and see how it goes.
I'm just mystified withj my night time readings and when I wake up 3 hours later, 9 night and 14.4 waking??

Apr 16, 2017

Russ28 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help

First thing I would suggest is you BI in the evening needs to be later have it just before you go to bed not 2 hours before. Secondly to test if it is the evening BI or not you need to go to bed with nothing working but that BI injection so no CPs or QA less than 4 hours before bedtime, test BG at bedtime then BI and bed test in the morning if BG results from prev evening and following morn are pretty much the same BI is fine if not repeat the process tweaking the night time BI until they come stable. By the way one set of results is inadequate to check you need couple of nights doing the same to find patterns. Hope this was helpful and good luck Smile

Apr 16, 2017

Russ28 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

Without a doubt I did DAFNE here in UK when it first started here 17 years ago and just done it again as a refresher and the knowledge you gain is invaluable

Apr 16, 2017

derekh1965 95 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help

Hi,
I am looking for some help sorting out my BI. I have calculated my total daily insulin using 0.55 x weight in kgs = 80kg x 0.55 = 44 units,thus BI would be 22 units.
As you can see by my morning BS I'm doing something wrong.
I am injecting levermir twice daily. Should I just inject once a day at maybe dinnertime?

Apr 13, 2017

pjc21 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / no pancreas

Hello sdhanani and novorapidboi. Thanks for your notes. I'm on less Creon than you. I take 4 @ 25,000 for breakfast (5 CP) and 6 or 7 for lunch and supper (6 – 8 CP), but I don't now think that that is the problem, because my digestion seems okay. My BG level is mostly okay for breakfast and lunch (7 or Cool

but then often goes down to 4 or 3 mid-afternoon. If I correct with dextrose or cake, even only 1 CP, it then tends to go high for supper (12, 13, 14). I'm interested in the glucagon point, atlhough I'm not having real hypos, just the “aura”. Maybe the problem is just being more insulin sensitive? I have good days with all readings around 7 or 8, then, with the same food and exercise, same insulin doses (QA: 5 – 7 - 8, BI: 5 – 2), there are days when it's up into the teens. I'm also wondering about caffeine and statins, which I've read can interfere with insulin absorption. I'm trying to use decaf (despite having read how they make it ...), and I'm going back to my GP ask about the statin, which they increased a while back. Do you have any experience with caffeine or statin?

Apr 8, 2017

pmason 11 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Help

See your Diabetes specialist AND I suggest your Dietitian as well.

Apr 8, 2017

pmason 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

Couldn't agree more Pip510. I did the course in Melbourne (at Knox) last year at age 69. It taught me heaps and I'm still learning.

Apr 7, 2017

Pip510 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Help

You will really need to speak to a Diabetes Nurse to sort that out and not something that you take advice on from others, Rolling Eyes

as this all depends on your own circumstances and what works for you

Apr 7, 2017

Pip510 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

Anyone that gets offered the option to do the course should go for it and not be worried about their age or whether it is worth it.
I have just finished mine today and although I thought I knew a fair bit about my diabetes this course is great for getting to meet others in the same boat as you and to learn about how to manage your regime.
You will learn a load and get invaluable support Smile

Apr 6, 2017

Geoff the cy... 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

Im so glad ive read your answers as i have just booked a dafne course and the answers have given me more confidence im 62 years old and only confirmed as type 1 for a year .

Apr 6, 2017

Hodgkin66 1 post

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Help

Hello everyone
I am new to this site and seeking advise on how adjust my levimer and novo rapid both in pens.
I due to leave the Uk at the end of April and have not been able to attend a course.
My current intake of carbs in the is around around 400 carbs a day according to my carb counter.
Current doze of levimer is around 40 units
And novo rapid is around 16
Am I taking to Much? I

With using the carbon counter what should I be adjusting the levimer or novo rapid .thanks to who ever replies

Apr 4, 2017

Warwick 425 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / blood glucose problems

This is hopefully also covered in the DAFNE handbook that you would have received a copy of. If you don't have it there is also an electronic copy under DAFNE Tools above - DAFNE Course Handbook. This probably does a better job of explaining how to test that your basal rates are correct. I can't refer you to a specific page as I only have access to the Australian version which differs from the British one.

All the best with it.

Apr 4, 2017

Bananaman 34 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / blood glucose problems

Cheers warwick that helped a lot and on my dafne course they took me out the class to get my weight and when I went back they asked who was on steroids and everyone put their hand up and got took into the next room but they wouldnt let me go through so I got a different dafne from everyone else.

Apr 3, 2017

DiabDave 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Lantus to Levemir

Thanks Sarah

Apr 3, 2017

sjohno 37 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Lantus to Levemir

Hi DiabDave

I was also on Lantus and changed to Levemir because of the amount of exercise that I do. On Lantus I was taking 14 units and on Levemir I still take 14 units. I find it a very flexible insulin and my BG's didn't change or my Novorapid ratios. The only thing that changed was the amount of Levemir that I took on exercise days and non-exercise days. On a non exercise day I take 14 units 5 pm daily and depending on my exercise classes I take 12 or 13 units. I'm very lucky as I seem to find my daily units of Levemir last 24 hours but I have read comments about it not lasting. Good luck!

regards

Sarah

Apr 2, 2017

DiabDave 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Lantus to Levemir

I will have to see how it works for me. Thanks for all your help.

Apr 2, 2017

Warwick 425 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / blood glucose problems

To test basal, compare your before bed readings with your waking readings.To have validity, it is best to not have food or QA close to bed time (if your bed time reading is at least 3 hours after carbs and QA, then this test will be much more accurate). If you need to correct with insulin or treat a hypo during the night, then the test isn't valid either. Basically you want to see how your body responds to basal insulin without food or QA.

If your bed time and waking readings are within 1.5 mmol/L of each other, then your basal is considered to be the appropriate dose. If you consistently get differing readings that show a trend (e.g. almost always higher in the morning than at bed time), then follow the DAFNE rules to change your basal by 10% or 1 unit up or down depending on the trend. Monitor again over three days to see if any further dosage changes are required.

Apr 20, 2017 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Omnipod Never actually seen one as there is only 2 pumps available in my area, one of which has a bigger reservoir, which is what I need, so only really one choice..... From other people I have heard its good......a smaller reservoir than I need but good.... do you need a pump or are they giving them away......lol...

Apr 20, 2017 Rafa 99 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Beer advice confusing Yes if I drink branded beers my sugars will be high waking up and won't drop later that day but any craft beers and if I don't eat before bed I wake up really low. Trial and error.

Apr 18, 2017 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Accu-check Aviva Expert meter Contact Accu-Chek via www.accu-chek.co.uk/contactus I am contacting you from Roche Diabetes Care as the product manager for the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert bolus advisor system. The following stream has come to our attention ... http://www.dafneonline.co.uk/forums/1/topics/2957?page=1 We would like to offer a correction to the post dated 08 Jan.2017 by AMcD, DAFNE Graduate from Galway as this advises the originator of the query that the test strips have been discontinued. That is definitely not the case and the Aviva test strips used with the system are definitely still available on prescription in the UK and Ireland. Patients being denied test strips of their choice should refer to the latest NICE guidance for Type 1 or 2 and download the advocacy pack from the Diabetes UK website ... https://www.diabetes.org.uk/How_we_help/Helpline/Your-rights/

Apr 17, 2017 sarahl84 5 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Omnipod Hi, after 17 years of saying no to an insulin pump I'm now considering it. My consultant mentioned the omnipod to me the other day & was just wondering what the general opinion was on it? In my teenage years i never liked the thought of a pump attached to me constantly but now I'm older I'm passed caring lol. I've watched a few videos on YouTube & everyone raves about it, please let me know your thoughts & any advice ☺

Apr 17, 2017 Warwick 425 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Help Where are you moving to? DAFNE is offered in Singapore, New Zealand and Australia if you are moving to any of those countries.

Apr 16, 2017 derekh1965 95 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help Thanks for your replies. I have a habit of injecting for every carb I consume and not considering the 3-5 hrs length of humalog. I'm thinking the food has used the insulin injected and therefore I need more insulin when consuming more carbs. Have I got the calculation correct for my BI? I am not working due to having MS.

Apr 16, 2017 Pip510 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help Levemir has a working time of about 18 hours and you should inject twice daily, just before bed and when you get up in the morning. It has a slow start time and takes up to two hours to peak, all of this information is in the Dafne Handbook. If you want to keep a track on it follow Dafne rules and do a check at 3am to test your glucose levels. You appear to be stacking your insulin in the daytime but you have to remember that it has a working time period as well, dependant upon what you are using. Keep adjusting and seeing what works for you

Apr 16, 2017 alturn 78 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help There appear to be frequent changes to BI. DAFNE says BI changes should be allowed to take effect for 2 or 3 days before changing again. When BI is correct, then use QA adjustments but separate from BI changes. I was also advised to try and keep my am and pm BI at the same units (mine differed by 3 at one point). It's a continous process - I change my BI every few weeks depending on BGs. May also help to take BI at the same time each day. I believe Levemir should be taken twice a day as it will not last 24 hrs. But what works for one person may not work for you, or may not be possible due to lifestyle, work etc. Hope this helps. J

Apr 16, 2017 derekh1965 95 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help Thanks for your reply Russ. I'll give what you suggested tonight and see how it goes. I'm just mystified withj my night time readings and when I wake up 3 hours later, 9 night and 14.4 waking??

Apr 16, 2017 Russ28 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help First thing I would suggest is you BI in the evening needs to be later have it just before you go to bed not 2 hours before. Secondly to test if it is the evening BI or not you need to go to bed with nothing working but that BI injection so no CPs or QA less than 4 hours before bedtime, test BG at bedtime then BI and bed test in the morning if BG results from prev evening and following morn are pretty much the same BI is fine if not repeat the process tweaking the night time BI until they come stable. By the way one set of results is inadequate to check you need couple of nights doing the same to find patterns. Hope this was helpful and good luck

Apr 16, 2017 Russ28 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? Without a doubt I did DAFNE here in UK when it first started here 17 years ago and just done it again as a refresher and the knowledge you gain is invaluable

Apr 16, 2017 derekh1965 95 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BI Help Hi, I am looking for some help sorting out my BI. I have calculated my total daily insulin using 0.55 x weight in kgs = 80kg x 0.55 = 44 units,thus BI would be 22 units. As you can see by my morning BS I'm doing something wrong. I am injecting levermir twice daily. Should I just inject once a day at maybe dinnertime?

Apr 13, 2017 pjc21 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / no pancreas Hello sdhanani and novorapidboi. Thanks for your notes. I'm on less Creon than you. I take 4 @ 25,000 for breakfast (5 CP) and 6 or 7 for lunch and supper (6 – 8 CP), but I don't now think that that is the problem, because my digestion seems okay. My BG level is mostly okay for breakfast and lunch (7 or but then often goes down to 4 or 3 mid-afternoon. If I correct with dextrose or cake, even only 1 CP, it then tends to go high for supper (12, 13, 14). I'm interested in the glucagon point, atlhough I'm not having real hypos, just the “aura”. Maybe the problem is just being more insulin sensitive? I have good days with all readings around 7 or 8, then, with the same food and exercise, same insulin doses (QA: 5 – 7 - 8, BI: 5 – 2), there are days when it's up into the teens. I'm also wondering about caffeine and statins, which I've read can interfere with insulin absorption. I'm trying to use decaf (despite having read how they make it ...), and I'm going back to my GP ask about the statin, which they increased a while back. Do you have any experience with caffeine or statin?

Apr 8, 2017 pmason 11 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Help See your Diabetes specialist AND I suggest your Dietitian as well.

Apr 8, 2017 pmason 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? Couldn't agree more Pip510. I did the course in Melbourne (at Knox) last year at age 69. It taught me heaps and I'm still learning.

Apr 7, 2017 Pip510 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Help You will really need to speak to a Diabetes Nurse to sort that out and not something that you take advice on from others, as this all depends on your own circumstances and what works for you

Apr 7, 2017 Pip510 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? Anyone that gets offered the option to do the course should go for it and not be worried about their age or whether it is worth it. I have just finished mine today and although I thought I knew a fair bit about my diabetes this course is great for getting to meet others in the same boat as you and to learn about how to manage your regime. You will learn a load and get invaluable support

Apr 6, 2017 Geoff the cy... 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? Im so glad ive read your answers as i have just booked a dafne course and the answers have given me more confidence im 62 years old and only confirmed as type 1 for a year .

Apr 6, 2017 Hodgkin66 1 post	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Help Hello everyone I am new to this site and seeking advise on how adjust my levimer and novo rapid both in pens. I due to leave the Uk at the end of April and have not been able to attend a course. My current intake of carbs in the is around around 400 carbs a day according to my carb counter. Current doze of levimer is around 40 units And novo rapid is around 16 Am I taking to Much? I With using the carbon counter what should I be adjusting the levimer or novo rapid .thanks to who ever replies

Apr 4, 2017 Warwick 425 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / blood glucose problems This is hopefully also covered in the DAFNE handbook that you would have received a copy of. If you don't have it there is also an electronic copy under DAFNE Tools above - DAFNE Course Handbook. This probably does a better job of explaining how to test that your basal rates are correct. I can't refer you to a specific page as I only have access to the Australian version which differs from the British one. All the best with it.

Apr 4, 2017 Bananaman 34 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / blood glucose problems Cheers warwick that helped a lot and on my dafne course they took me out the class to get my weight and when I went back they asked who was on steroids and everyone put their hand up and got took into the next room but they wouldnt let me go through so I got a different dafne from everyone else.

Apr 3, 2017 DiabDave 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Lantus to Levemir Thanks Sarah

Apr 3, 2017 sjohno 37 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Lantus to Levemir Hi DiabDave I was also on Lantus and changed to Levemir because of the amount of exercise that I do. On Lantus I was taking 14 units and on Levemir I still take 14 units. I find it a very flexible insulin and my BG's didn't change or my Novorapid ratios. The only thing that changed was the amount of Levemir that I took on exercise days and non-exercise days. On a non exercise day I take 14 units 5 pm daily and depending on my exercise classes I take 12 or 13 units. I'm very lucky as I seem to find my daily units of Levemir last 24 hours but I have read comments about it not lasting. Good luck! regards Sarah

Apr 2, 2017 DiabDave 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Lantus to Levemir I will have to see how it works for me. Thanks for all your help.

Apr 2, 2017 Warwick 425 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / blood glucose problems To test basal, compare your before bed readings with your waking readings.To have validity, it is best to not have food or QA close to bed time (if your bed time reading is at least 3 hours after carbs and QA, then this test will be much more accurate). If you need to correct with insulin or treat a hypo during the night, then the test isn't valid either. Basically you want to see how your body responds to basal insulin without food or QA. If your bed time and waking readings are within 1.5 mmol/L of each other, then your basal is considered to be the appropriate dose. If you consistently get differing readings that show a trend (e.g. almost always higher in the morning than at bed time), then follow the DAFNE rules to change your basal by 10% or 1 unit up or down depending on the trend. Monitor again over three days to see if any further dosage changes are required.