Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Nov 23, 2009

jigme 9 posts

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

hi Simon -

ok, well here's my thoughts on what a DAFNE app would need.

each individual record to include the following fields (all optional, except perhaps Date/Time):

Date/Time (autofilled with current values, but editable to allow post-dated enties);
CP (Carbohydrate Portions eaten)
BG (Blood Glucose reading);
QA (Quick Acting insulin dose with either the option to add Adjustment dose, or a separate field for Adjustment dose);
BI (Background Insulin dose);
Notes

I'd suggest that a number-wheel for the numerical entries would probably be quickest, with one decimal place for the BG field (and maybe an option to enable a decimal place for the QA/BI fields, for pump users? for pen users, these would probably just get in the way.)

additional features that would be necessary/helpful are, in no particular order:

personal info. to include name, height, weight, insulin types, other medication, etc.
ability to view a day's results together (listed in chronological order), and maybe a week's results together (grouped by day) - basically, just like looking at a page in your DAFNE diary.
ability to see BGs plotted on a daily graph, perhaps with the ability to overlay several days' results, and with all out-of-range BGs and Adjustment doses highlighted?
ability to export results to PC/Mac (as csv, or similar).
ability to connect and upload results to your DAFNE online diary.
ability to email results to yourself, your HCP, etc.
ability to input ratios for mealtimes, and for the appropriate QA field to be automagically calculated and filled (whilst remaining editable) from the CP field's value.

these are just a few things off the top of my head. if anyone sees something that you disagree with, or doesn't see something that should be included, then please comment!

many thanks to Simon and any other interested developers.

Nov 22, 2009

Ian Dransfield 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook?

Hi Marke

PDF format is fine, it just makes it easier to have a copy on my PDA where it is not possible to connect to the net to read it online

Many thanks

Ian

Nov 21, 2009

john day 54 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic

Hi All,

Here is a suggested spec for a basic HCP summary: suggest itâ€™s located on the Diary view page and generates a tabular result.
The process summarises analyses already available on a date by date basis plus few other bits.
To be effective needs Diary entries to be filled fully inc significant comments on ratio changes, CP errors etc .

Needs a User selected high reading level X specified to suit their situation.

The User specifies a start date and no of weeks to be covered by the table.
7 dayâ€™s records are averaged and summarized per line of a table with column headings:

Start Date, Avg Daily QA taken, Avg Daily BI taken, Avg Breakfast BG, Avg Lunch BG, Avg Dinner BG, No of rdgs< 3.5, No of rdgs> X, Avg Bkf ratio, Avg Lun ratio, Avg Din ratio, Comments for all 7 days

The Ratios are the tricky one. If the avg ratios per Type are calculated, need to either use the entered ratios or calculate using the CPs and QA data entered (if in a + b format). The former seems easier. I always note ratio changes in Comments, but other info also. Perhaps Ratio handling need a rethink in due course?

For longish diaries it might be good to eventually to offer a separate but similar previous month by month analysis for longer term comparison. But no doubt better to get the basics out for feedback first.

Using my own data, this was easy to see trends and impact of dosage changes made.. as long as these were recorded in Comments! The comment lists gave a review of how I was trying to attack BGs over time. One surprising thing I noted was that although the averages were generally coming down, as was the no of rdgs >12 (doh!), the trend of rdgs <3.5 stayed the same, either 1, 2, or 3. Go figure.

Anyway, interesting to see if you think this can be done without too mush hassle and then see user response. Iâ€™m off to a Dafne Review next week and am taking my own manual version along so will see what the hcps think!

Cheers, John

Nov 20, 2009

john day 54 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic

Hi marke .. I'll send you some clarification by message. Cheers, John

Nov 20, 2009

john day 54 posts

Topic: Site Development / Question: Sharing the online diary

Hi Jennifer & Simon ..

I tried this a few weeks ago and saw the gobbledy gook too but did not think it related to Excel but to some other more esoteric software! The excel meal Estimator form I send to others are .csv.

Anyway, have tried XML output again to be rewarded with 'This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.'

Excel Help advises it does not recognise the search term xml and can't see anything on the menus, so how can I use xml in relation to excel? I did use a homemade excel BG analysis pre Compass and Dafne Online.

Cheers, John

Nov 20, 2009

Karen Westwood 38 posts

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

Hi Derek,

By making this first step of asking for support via the forum I think that is a really positive start.

As others have said, we have all been where you are today, and I think that it needs to be yourself that wants to improve not anyone else.

Before DAFNE I had a bit of a health scare and with 2 young children (aged 6 and 9) and being significantly overweight I knew that I had to tighten my control or risk not being here to see my kids grow up. This was the thing that has kept me going since I attended my DAFNE course in July this year. Following on from DAFNE I have managed to get my Hba1c down to 6.7 and have lost almost 5 stone in weight. I feel so much better in myself but I know that you have to be in the right place mentally to achieve what you want.

I think what Mark has said about making sure that you do plenty of tests is absolutely the best thing to do first because you need these results to see any patterns that are forming with your results.

Hopefully your hospital review was helpful too in pointing you in the right direction to get you back on track.

Don't forget to keep us informed of how you are getting on.

Good luck

Karen x

Nov 20, 2009

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / sugars in the 20's who to call in aust.

Russ,
Unfotunately there are not many people signed up from Oz as yet so you may not get a response from them. I am not a HCP but my advice would be don't panic. Your BG's are not ideal but given the way they are going up and down I wouldn't be hugely concerned about Ketones just yet. Your BG's are erratic and without lots of background information it might be hard to identify the exact cause on here. You
really need the help of an expert. I'm not sure how it works in Oz, do you have a Diabetes Consultant or Nurse you see regularly can they help with advice ? Sorry I can't help more. One thing I would say, earlier in the year I had to take Steriods and they cause Insulin Resistance. My BG's were up like yours for a few months and as far as I can tell it has done me no long term damage, well apart from the stupid idea of helping with a diabetes website, but thats another story :^)

Nov 20, 2009

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook?

ian,
I have passed your question onto DAFNE Central as they 'own' the Course Handbook. If they say ok, I will make it available on the site. It would be in PDF format because they don't like us putting the docs on here in word format mainly because they could be changed and re-distributed as the 'real' thing. I'm not suggesting any one on here would, but its the could rather than would thats the issue.

Nov 20, 2009

Simon 578 posts

Topic: Site Development / Question: Sharing the online diary

Hi Jennifer,

The gobbledygook you mention is XML - a way of exporting data for use in another system, for example Microsoft Excel. I've just had a look and it doesn't seem any different to normal. It should look like this:

<diary_entries>
âˆ’
<head>
<title>Blood Glucose diary for Simon</title>
<start_date>2008-11-10</start_date>
<end_date>2009-11-20</end_date>
</head>
âˆ’
<diary_entry>
<id/>
<entry_time>2009-02-20 09:00:00 UTC</entry_time>
<blood_glucose>6.5</blood_glucose>
<carbohydrate_portions>8</carbohydrate_portions>
<quick_insulin>9</quick_insulin>
<background_insulin/>
<ratio/>
<entry_type>BFAST</entry_type>
<target_min_bg>5.5</target_min_bg>
<target_max_bg>7.5</target_max_bg>
<comments/>
</diary_entry>

Let me know if it's different for you, and I'll see what we can do to fix it.

Simon

Nov 20, 2009

Ian Dransfield 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook?

Hi

I have just graduated from the DAFNE course (today infact) and I was wondering if it is possible to download the full DAFNE Course Handbook as 1 file instead of each separate section

Thanks

Nov 20, 2009

Sheila_Kay 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control

Thanks Stew for the encouragement. I have been trying to walk more and get my bike out instead of using the car. The biggest setback is the fact that I do shift work so it is difficult to set a regular time to go out, and that shifts can leave me quite tired. But you are right, sitting and thinking about exercise won't make it happen. Have fun with the running. Sheila

Nov 20, 2009

russ_au 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / sugars in the 20's who to call in aust.

I have checked for keytones 0.2 was the result. tested by blood.

Nov 20, 2009

russ_au 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / sugars in the 20's who to call in aust.

Hi, my sugars are in the 20's, this last week and i feel crap. i tried to call the educator in ballarat where i did the dafne course but shes not in today and the educator that i normally see has the phone switched off.

Is there another number for anyone in dafne that i can call?
Any ideas please

Nov 19, 2009

Jennifer 11 posts

Topic: Site Development / Question: Sharing the online diary

Hi,

I am having trouble exporting my diary. I am sending a copy to my HCP weekly as my BGL are high. At the moment I am having to copy the printable version of the diary as a word document and then save as before I can attach to email but it doesn't turn out right.

For some reason, when I use the 'XML export of displayed results' it comes up as gobbledygook! I am sure I have done it this way before but doesn't seem to be working for me now. Any ideas?

Thanks :-)

Nov 19, 2009

Simon 578 posts

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

Oh and I forgot to say - unfortunately it couldn't be easily ported between devices, as iPhone uses Objective-C as a programming language, which no other mobile device uses. That said, if there was enough demand for a DAFNE Diary on specific devices then we could get to grips with the technology and then implement it.

Nov 19, 2009

Simon 578 posts

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

I have the UltraSmart too - it does have a lot of cool features but I ended up never using them as the input method was too hard (apart from BG - I just bleed on it for that ;) ) I should be in a position to start doing a DAFNE Diary app over the Christmas break, all being well. In the meantime though, if anyone wants to start creating one, or knows someone who will then let us all know so we don't duplicate efforts.

Also, to get it specced up why not use this post, that way we can get everyone's input into the app?

So... Discuss what you want!

Simon

Nov 19, 2009

marke 681 posts

Topic: Site Development / Recipes

how about someone posts a recipe on this thread with roughly the details you want, even if its just plain text. We can then use it as the basis to feed something back to you about how it could look. We can then refine it until it is basically what you want and we can then implement it formally.

Nov 19, 2009

marke 681 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Rising morning BG knowing the 'Dawn' Phenomenon is not present

tracy,
Why are you so sure its not 'Dawn' ? Its effects are not necessarily text book and as you would expect. As I understand it ( and i'm NOT a HCP), 'dawn' is basically your body releasing hormones to get you moving in the mornings its effects can vary and can last right through the moring not just literally at dawn. I'm not suggesting it IS 'dawn', I just wanted to be clear why you are sure its not.

Nov 19, 2009

marke 681 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic

John,
Can I just clarify when you talk about your HCP not having time and the review only lasting an hour are you talking about DAFNE reviews or your normal Diabetes Clinic reviews. The whole point of DAFNE is its a tightly controlled and audited programme where the standard of support and care is supposed to be the same regardless of location. Having a review that only lasts an hour is NOT my experience of DAFNE.
I would be very interested to learn if this IS the case in your area both from a DAFNE Online perspective and from my role in the DAFNE User Group.

Nov 19, 2009

marke 681 posts

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

like the others I don't think criticism is the way to make you change, support is a much better option. I can assure you that you are NOT alone in letting things slip from time to time. Its VERY easy to get in a rut and let things slide slowly but surely. This IS something recognised by the DAFNE Programme and was something identified at the DAFNE Collaborative this year. However, unfortunatley, identifying an issue and solving it are two different things. There is awareness that some people need more than just a weeks course and an occasional get together after that. Hopefully something will happen in the not too distant future.
For me you should look for the positives, you are obviously still doing some recording of your BG's as shown, you recognise you are letting things slip and have asked for opinions which is a GOOD thing and posting your BG's is a brave thing that most of us find difficult to do. Hopefully this site can help provide some support and encouragement.
For me my biggest suggestion is to try to record all your results and keep testing regularly. Its hard to draw conclusions and offer advice about your readings due to the gaps in them. It could be your high early moring readings are due to 'Dawn phenomenom' or it could be from late night snacking. Its hard to be sure. This is why its important to do the tests even if you know its snacks that are the cause.
Anyway keep posting and keep trying, I'm sure we all want to help where we can !

Nov 19, 2009

marke 681 posts

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

Bit late to this conversation ( must have missed it somehow), a few points:
There ARE meters that let you enter this stuff, I have a Lifescan Onetouch UltraSmart and I can enter CP's exercise, BG's etc. It has a USB cable and I got the cable, software and meter free. The software is ok and NiVZ is working on apps to link these devices into the site.
I would be interested in trying the iphone app that already exists as well as anything developed. One of the issues for me is that the iphone app development environment is macintosh only I believe. Whilst I love my iphone, I really can't move away from windows bad though it is.
It may also mean its hard to port apps to Windows Mobile, symbian etc. I'm not really sure having only ever developed on larger equipment.
Still if we can find anyone to try development then why not.
I also agree the issue with a 'smart' app is it is very hard to give generic advice regarding diabetes, everyone is different and has different needs, better to have a recording device that provides information in a manner that allows the user to make their own decisions based on their own experiences.

Nov 19, 2009

Karen Westwood 38 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Day Surgery

Hi Vashcrof,

I too had a general anaestetic last week (Wednesday). How did you manage with your BG levels. I wasn't too bad on the day of surgery - it did go up a bit but I think that I can put that down to stress!! I have found that my BG levels over the last week have been a bit higher than normal. Not sure whether this had anything to do with my body recovering from the operation or the fact that I am not able to be as active as I usually am.

Hope everything went well for your op.

Karen x

Nov 19, 2009

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Swine Flu

I've got mine saturday. No need to worry ! The vaccine wouldn't be given nationally if there was any chance it could cause major side effects. Anyway the alternative is get iswine flu and take Tamiflu, now there IS something with well documented side effects, give me a sore arm any day ( well just a day would be nice ;-) ).
It will be interesting to see which areas get their diabetics done first, I'm in South East Kent PCT like Debs......

Nov 23, 2009 jigme 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE hi Simon - ok, well here's my thoughts on what a DAFNE app would need. each individual record to include the following fields (all optional, except perhaps Date/Time): Date/Time (autofilled with current values, but editable to allow post-dated enties); CP (Carbohydrate Portions eaten) BG (Blood Glucose reading); QA (Quick Acting insulin dose with either the option to add Adjustment dose, or a separate field for Adjustment dose); BI (Background Insulin dose); Notes I'd suggest that a number-wheel for the numerical entries would probably be quickest, with one decimal place for the BG field (and maybe an option to enable a decimal place for the QA/BI fields, for pump users? for pen users, these would probably just get in the way.) additional features that would be necessary/helpful are, in no particular order: personal info. to include name, height, weight, insulin types, other medication, etc. ability to view a day's results together (listed in chronological order), and maybe a week's results together (grouped by day) - basically, just like looking at a page in your DAFNE diary. ability to see BGs plotted on a daily graph, perhaps with the ability to overlay several days' results, and with all out-of-range BGs and Adjustment doses highlighted? ability to export results to PC/Mac (as csv, or similar). ability to connect and upload results to your DAFNE online diary. ability to email results to yourself, your HCP, etc. ability to input ratios for mealtimes, and for the appropriate QA field to be automagically calculated and filled (whilst remaining editable) from the CP field's value. these are just a few things off the top of my head. if anyone sees something that you disagree with, or doesn't see something that should be included, then please comment! many thanks to Simon and any other interested developers.

Nov 22, 2009 Ian Dransfield 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook? Hi Marke PDF format is fine, it just makes it easier to have a copy on my PDA where it is not possible to connect to the net to read it online Many thanks Ian

Nov 21, 2009 john day 54 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic Hi All, Here is a suggested spec for a basic HCP summary: suggest itâ€™s located on the Diary view page and generates a tabular result. The process summarises analyses already available on a date by date basis plus few other bits. To be effective needs Diary entries to be filled fully inc significant comments on ratio changes, CP errors etc . Needs a User selected high reading level X specified to suit their situation. The User specifies a start date and no of weeks to be covered by the table. 7 dayâ€™s records are averaged and summarized per line of a table with column headings: Start Date, Avg Daily QA taken, Avg Daily BI taken, Avg Breakfast BG, Avg Lunch BG, Avg Dinner BG, No of rdgs< 3.5, No of rdgs> X, Avg Bkf ratio, Avg Lun ratio, Avg Din ratio, Comments for all 7 days The Ratios are the tricky one. If the avg ratios per Type are calculated, need to either use the entered ratios or calculate using the CPs and QA data entered (if in a + b format). The former seems easier. I always note ratio changes in Comments, but other info also. Perhaps Ratio handling need a rethink in due course? For longish diaries it might be good to eventually to offer a separate but similar previous month by month analysis for longer term comparison. But no doubt better to get the basics out for feedback first. Using my own data, this was easy to see trends and impact of dosage changes made.. as long as these were recorded in Comments! The comment lists gave a review of how I was trying to attack BGs over time. One surprising thing I noted was that although the averages were generally coming down, as was the no of rdgs >12 (doh!), the trend of rdgs <3.5 stayed the same, either 1, 2, or 3. Go figure. Anyway, interesting to see if you think this can be done without too mush hassle and then see user response. Iâ€™m off to a Dafne Review next week and am taking my own manual version along so will see what the hcps think! Cheers, John

Nov 20, 2009 john day 54 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic Hi marke .. I'll send you some clarification by message. Cheers, John

Nov 20, 2009 john day 54 posts	Topic: Site Development / Question: Sharing the online diary Hi Jennifer & Simon .. I tried this a few weeks ago and saw the gobbledy gook too but did not think it related to Excel but to some other more esoteric software! The excel meal Estimator form I send to others are .csv. Anyway, have tried XML output again to be rewarded with 'This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.' Excel Help advises it does not recognise the search term xml and can't see anything on the menus, so how can I use xml in relation to excel? I did use a homemade excel BG analysis pre Compass and Dafne Online. Cheers, John

Nov 20, 2009 Karen Westwood 38 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Need a kick up the backside! :( Hi Derek, By making this first step of asking for support via the forum I think that is a really positive start. As others have said, we have all been where you are today, and I think that it needs to be yourself that wants to improve not anyone else. Before DAFNE I had a bit of a health scare and with 2 young children (aged 6 and 9) and being significantly overweight I knew that I had to tighten my control or risk not being here to see my kids grow up. This was the thing that has kept me going since I attended my DAFNE course in July this year. Following on from DAFNE I have managed to get my Hba1c down to 6.7 and have lost almost 5 stone in weight. I feel so much better in myself but I know that you have to be in the right place mentally to achieve what you want. I think what Mark has said about making sure that you do plenty of tests is absolutely the best thing to do first because you need these results to see any patterns that are forming with your results. Hopefully your hospital review was helpful too in pointing you in the right direction to get you back on track. Don't forget to keep us informed of how you are getting on. Good luck Karen x

Nov 20, 2009 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / sugars in the 20's who to call in aust. Russ, Unfotunately there are not many people signed up from Oz as yet so you may not get a response from them. I am not a HCP but my advice would be don't panic. Your BG's are not ideal but given the way they are going up and down I wouldn't be hugely concerned about Ketones just yet. Your BG's are erratic and without lots of background information it might be hard to identify the exact cause on here. You really need the help of an expert. I'm not sure how it works in Oz, do you have a Diabetes Consultant or Nurse you see regularly can they help with advice ? Sorry I can't help more. One thing I would say, earlier in the year I had to take Steriods and they cause Insulin Resistance. My BG's were up like yours for a few months and as far as I can tell it has done me no long term damage, well apart from the stupid idea of helping with a diabetes website, but thats another story :^)

Nov 20, 2009 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook? ian, I have passed your question onto DAFNE Central as they 'own' the Course Handbook. If they say ok, I will make it available on the site. It would be in PDF format because they don't like us putting the docs on here in word format mainly because they could be changed and re-distributed as the 'real' thing. I'm not suggesting any one on here would, but its the could rather than would thats the issue.

Nov 20, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Site Development / Question: Sharing the online diary Hi Jennifer, The gobbledygook you mention is XML - a way of exporting data for use in another system, for example Microsoft Excel. I've just had a look and it doesn't seem any different to normal. It should look like this: <diary_entries> âˆ’ <head> <title>Blood Glucose diary for Simon</title> <start_date>2008-11-10</start_date> <end_date>2009-11-20</end_date> </head> âˆ’ <diary_entry> <id/> <entry_time>2009-02-20 09:00:00 UTC</entry_time> <blood_glucose>6.5</blood_glucose> <carbohydrate_portions>8</carbohydrate_portions> <quick_insulin>9</quick_insulin> <background_insulin/> <ratio/> <entry_type>BFAST</entry_type> <target_min_bg>5.5</target_min_bg> <target_max_bg>7.5</target_max_bg> <comments/> </diary_entry> Let me know if it's different for you, and I'll see what we can do to fix it. Simon

Nov 20, 2009 Ian Dransfield 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook? Hi I have just graduated from the DAFNE course (today infact) and I was wondering if it is possible to download the full DAFNE Course Handbook as 1 file instead of each separate section Thanks

Nov 20, 2009 Sheila_Kay 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control Thanks Stew for the encouragement. I have been trying to walk more and get my bike out instead of using the car. The biggest setback is the fact that I do shift work so it is difficult to set a regular time to go out, and that shifts can leave me quite tired. But you are right, sitting and thinking about exercise won't make it happen. Have fun with the running. Sheila

Nov 20, 2009 russ_au 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / sugars in the 20's who to call in aust. I have checked for keytones 0.2 was the result. tested by blood.

Nov 20, 2009 russ_au 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / sugars in the 20's who to call in aust. Hi, my sugars are in the 20's, this last week and i feel crap. i tried to call the educator in ballarat where i did the dafne course but shes not in today and the educator that i normally see has the phone switched off. Is there another number for anyone in dafne that i can call? Any ideas please

Nov 19, 2009 Jennifer 11 posts	Topic: Site Development / Question: Sharing the online diary Hi, I am having trouble exporting my diary. I am sending a copy to my HCP weekly as my BGL are high. At the moment I am having to copy the printable version of the diary as a word document and then save as before I can attach to email but it doesn't turn out right. For some reason, when I use the 'XML export of displayed results' it comes up as gobbledygook! I am sure I have done it this way before but doesn't seem to be working for me now. Any ideas? Thanks :-)

Nov 19, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE Oh and I forgot to say - unfortunately it couldn't be easily ported between devices, as iPhone uses Objective-C as a programming language, which no other mobile device uses. That said, if there was enough demand for a DAFNE Diary on specific devices then we could get to grips with the technology and then implement it.

Nov 19, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE I have the UltraSmart too - it does have a lot of cool features but I ended up never using them as the input method was too hard (apart from BG - I just bleed on it for that ;) ) I should be in a position to start doing a DAFNE Diary app over the Christmas break, all being well. In the meantime though, if anyone wants to start creating one, or knows someone who will then let us all know so we don't duplicate efforts. Also, to get it specced up why not use this post, that way we can get everyone's input into the app? So... Discuss what you want! Simon

Nov 19, 2009 marke 681 posts	Topic: Site Development / Recipes how about someone posts a recipe on this thread with roughly the details you want, even if its just plain text. We can then use it as the basis to feed something back to you about how it could look. We can then refine it until it is basically what you want and we can then implement it formally.

Nov 19, 2009 marke 681 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Rising morning BG knowing the 'Dawn' Phenomenon is not present tracy, Why are you so sure its not 'Dawn' ? Its effects are not necessarily text book and as you would expect. As I understand it ( and i'm NOT a HCP), 'dawn' is basically your body releasing hormones to get you moving in the mornings its effects can vary and can last right through the moring not just literally at dawn. I'm not suggesting it IS 'dawn', I just wanted to be clear why you are sure its not.

Nov 19, 2009 marke 681 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic John, Can I just clarify when you talk about your HCP not having time and the review only lasting an hour are you talking about DAFNE reviews or your normal Diabetes Clinic reviews. The whole point of DAFNE is its a tightly controlled and audited programme where the standard of support and care is supposed to be the same regardless of location. Having a review that only lasts an hour is NOT my experience of DAFNE. I would be very interested to learn if this IS the case in your area both from a DAFNE Online perspective and from my role in the DAFNE User Group.

Nov 19, 2009 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Need a kick up the backside! :( like the others I don't think criticism is the way to make you change, support is a much better option. I can assure you that you are NOT alone in letting things slip from time to time. Its VERY easy to get in a rut and let things slide slowly but surely. This IS something recognised by the DAFNE Programme and was something identified at the DAFNE Collaborative this year. However, unfortunatley, identifying an issue and solving it are two different things. There is awareness that some people need more than just a weeks course and an occasional get together after that. Hopefully something will happen in the not too distant future. For me you should look for the positives, you are obviously still doing some recording of your BG's as shown, you recognise you are letting things slip and have asked for opinions which is a GOOD thing and posting your BG's is a brave thing that most of us find difficult to do. Hopefully this site can help provide some support and encouragement. For me my biggest suggestion is to try to record all your results and keep testing regularly. Its hard to draw conclusions and offer advice about your readings due to the gaps in them. It could be your high early moring readings are due to 'Dawn phenomenom' or it could be from late night snacking. Its hard to be sure. This is why its important to do the tests even if you know its snacks that are the cause. Anyway keep posting and keep trying, I'm sure we all want to help where we can !

Nov 19, 2009 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE Bit late to this conversation ( must have missed it somehow), a few points: There ARE meters that let you enter this stuff, I have a Lifescan Onetouch UltraSmart and I can enter CP's exercise, BG's etc. It has a USB cable and I got the cable, software and meter free. The software is ok and NiVZ is working on apps to link these devices into the site. I would be interested in trying the iphone app that already exists as well as anything developed. One of the issues for me is that the iphone app development environment is macintosh only I believe. Whilst I love my iphone, I really can't move away from windows bad though it is. It may also mean its hard to port apps to Windows Mobile, symbian etc. I'm not really sure having only ever developed on larger equipment. Still if we can find anyone to try development then why not. I also agree the issue with a 'smart' app is it is very hard to give generic advice regarding diabetes, everyone is different and has different needs, better to have a recording device that provides information in a manner that allows the user to make their own decisions based on their own experiences.

Nov 19, 2009 Karen Westwood 38 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Day Surgery Hi Vashcrof, I too had a general anaestetic last week (Wednesday). How did you manage with your BG levels. I wasn't too bad on the day of surgery - it did go up a bit but I think that I can put that down to stress!! I have found that my BG levels over the last week have been a bit higher than normal. Not sure whether this had anything to do with my body recovering from the operation or the fact that I am not able to be as active as I usually am. Hope everything went well for your op. Karen x

Nov 19, 2009 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Swine Flu I've got mine saturday. No need to worry ! The vaccine wouldn't be given nationally if there was any chance it could cause major side effects. Anyway the alternative is get iswine flu and take Tamiflu, now there IS something with well documented side effects, give me a sore arm any day ( well just a day would be nice ;-) ). It will be interesting to see which areas get their diabetics done first, I'm in South East Kent PCT like Debs......