Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Nov 18, 2009

jigme 9 posts

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

hi -

like everybody else, i'm busy & disorganized & not good at recording... to help me improve my recording, i'd like to find EITHER:

a meter that will allow me to enter, as well as BG results, CPs eaten and insulin injected (preferably both BI and QA, as well as adjustment doses), and that has a USB port or Bluetooth/Wifi to upload all the records to some software on my computer;

OR

a Diabetes log app for my iPhone that has the appropriate DAFNE fields: Time, BG, CP, QA and BI - with the option to add adjustment QA doses also.

i know i could just carry the diary around and write all this down, but i don't. with the best will in the world, i know i'm not likely to in future, either! i already carry around my iPhone and my meter, and you'd think that there'd be either a meter or an iPhone app that would fulfil this function? if not, there'd be a market for one, i'm sure. does anyone know if such a meter/app exists?

many thanks.

Nov 17, 2009

Stew B 125 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control

Hi Sheila

I have worked out what seems to work best for me. Often work gets in the way of exercise so I can't absolutely rely on going running, even if I've planned to do so. So, during the week I tend to use DAFNE as normal and take on extra carbs about 20 -30 minutes before I start running (I always run before my evening meal). At the moment I am "running" about three miles at least one evening a week. I test about 30 mins before I start, and then allow 1cp for every mile but adjust the cp depending on my starting BG level (so if I'm high when I test I'll reduce carbs so that I'm not still high when I finish, if I'm low I increase carbs to try to make sure I don't go below a BG level of 5. For short runs I tend to use orange juice as a quick-acting carb.

I play squash on most Sunday evenings, after my evening meal. For this I reduce my evening meal QA ratio from 1.5:1 to 1:1 and again test about 30 mins before I play. Using the theory that 1cp raises my BG level by 3 units, I take on enough carbs to get my level to between 10 and 12. On this basis, for me a reasonably strenuous game will leave me at a BG level around 6 at the end of the game.

I always make sure I've got something like Glucogel with me, and carry my mobile phone and a card saying I'm diabetic. I've never had a serious problem, but it makes me feel a bit more secure and has become part of the ritual!

Reading back, it sounds like I've got it sussed... The reality is that in the early days it was simply a matter of following DAFNE principles (lots of testing - including taking my meter with me and testing during the activity - and looking for patterns) and getting information about what has worked for others. I quickly got a feel for what works for me.

That doesn't mean that stretching out on the sofa with a glass of something isn't often a more attractive option - hence setting targets, and finding someone to run with once a week!

Good luck with it!

Stew

Nov 17, 2009

Nugget 1 post

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

Hi, my name is Sarah and I am a new user to online DAFNE as I only started the course yesterday and am thinking this is great but oh my god, help, so much to remember, BUT, as I have been DM for 33 years and am about to turn 38 in December and have a little lad to look after the motivation is there. There are people in this world who have no option but to live with what they are dealt to whatever degree but DAPHNE is giving us the knowledge and the tools to improve our quality of life so embrace it and get rid of the can't be arsed feeling because once the complications start you will wish you'd been bothered and then you will have another happy health dilema to deal with so do what you can whilst you can. Everyone is different and everyone has these periods but the important thing is to bring yourself out of the other side.

Nov 17, 2009

wickedwicca 1 post

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

Hello, when you have a snack and don't test your BG - i entered mine as 0 - but that brought the average down (wrongly) - but it would not let me proceed without entering a nunmber.

Pam

Nov 17, 2009

Derek Brown 32 posts

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

To put not too fine a point on it I have became very lazy regards to DAFNE and it's rules and methods and am coming to the point I don't care about the state of my diabetes.

My control and focus has always been yo-yo but the DAFNE course was an up point and while I stuck to it I improved and reduced my Hba1c to below double figure (9. Cool

for the first time in many years.

But gradually I got lazy eating before bed and saying "I can correct that in the morning" and went downhill since. I know what I should be doing I just can't be motivated anymore. Even recent need for additional laser on existing retinopathy couldn't motivate me. I do still test but recording is my biggest fault.

But after reading a lot of other peoples posts I'm drawing a line and am determined to turn it around and hope with support of people on here that know what it's like and how to handle it, along with my diabetes care team I'm taking a tep in the right direction.

I have my annual review tomorrow morning and expect the worst but will bite the bullet and accept what I get told and start from the beginning. In addition to this though I'd like others opinions because I believe I sorely need a little bit of support/motivation that I believe this forum can give.

Don't hold back and be as brutal as you need to be.

Oh, and thanks for reading this far if you have. I tend to go on a bit if I get started.

Nov 17, 2009

Sheila_Kay 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control

Hi Stew, thanks for the encouragement. Do you follow the Dafne guidelines for carbs andexercise? What works for you. I was good today, cycled to the hospital for appointment.

Nov 16, 2009

Katy B 8 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Day Surgery

Im not a HCP but I think there at least 3 options for you. If you normally go to bed in range and wake up in range and think you wont go hypo if you skip your breakfast meal then simply take your Levimir as normal but dont eat 6cps and dont take the Lispro. If you think you may go hypo for missing breakfast then you could reduce your evening meal ratio so just on this occasion you could go to sleep higher than normal, and wake up higher than normal and therfore avoid going low in the morning/afternoon while skipping breakfast. Or finally, Have your breakfast with your fast acting insulin before 7am. No matter which option you choose, you should always take your Levimir as normal.

I have just noticed the date on your post and see that my comment for you is now not usefull but I shall post it incase anyone else has the same question now i've written it!!! How did you manage in the end Vashcrof?? I hope it went well for you. Katy x

Nov 15, 2009

Simon 578 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic

Hi Guys,

This certainly sounds like something that would be useful. Echoing what Stew said, we need to ensure that the data we present isn't too high-level and may disguise/ignore any underlying problems. It would be useful to get some feedback from the DAFNE HCPs on what they think would be valuable in a 1-page summary.

We could certainly do something where you had a week-by-week or month-by-month summary - just need to know what goes in there!

Cheers,

Simon

Nov 15, 2009

Stew B 125 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic

Hi John

I'm sure that a summary (whether pre or at a review) would be useful. My concern would be that given the pressures that many, if not most, hcps are under, a summary that appears to show that all is well might hide underlying patterns that are potentially problematic, so it would be really important to look at the diaries in full at the review. Maybe if your hcp signed up to DO you could look at your on-line diary and all the accompanying graphs and tables while you are with her? I always spend time before my review identifying things that I think are going OK, things that I'm concerned about or any unexplained/strange results - I write them down (terrible memory) for discussion with my hcp.

Stew

Nov 15, 2009

Stew B 125 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control

Hi Sheila

I can identify with the motivation issue... I like to "run" (a rather overstated description of my efforts) and I've found that (a) having a target such as a 10k event (not as horrible as it sounds as there are lots of events that attract more fun-runners than proper athletes - google your County and 10k runs) to aim for - I do a couple a year - and (b) finding a friend to run with, have really helped. Each week my friend Tracey and I fix a time to run after work, and I've found that this really helps (otherwise I get home from work with good intentions and then find myself still on the sofa two hours later). We've even been out in the rain the last two weeks! Its definitely worth it - not just for the positive impact on BG levels but also for the rather smug sense of well-being.. Good luck!

Stew

Nov 14, 2009

john day 54 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic

Hi All ..

As I am off for a dafne review in a couple of week I emailed my hcp, asking if she could register on DO and she could then see my Diary before the review.

Unfortunately they are short staffed and time pressure would prevent any pre-review activity of several a4 pages of diary data.

This seemed a fair point in the circumstances, so how about making available on DO a simple table summary for hcps use covering (say), for various periods (eg 1 week, 1 month ..)

Average BGs' at various time (ie lunch, bed etc)
Average QA's & BI Dosages
Ratios used and Comments made
No of Hypos, No of high rdgs

These are just the things that come to mind immediately but if we had an hcp on DO who could specify what they really would like to see in such a summary prior to Review this could be a starting point.

The summary might cause the hcp then to request the full diary for check before the Review, hopefully leading to better outcomes!

Comments please to the forum.. and let's hope Simon has yet another pair of hands in addition to the half dozen he already seems to have!

John

Nov 14, 2009

Debs Ledger 9 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Hi!..... Im New

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to say Hi. I have just compleated a DAFNE course run by Janet Barber & Katie Vautier in Broadstaires Kent. I was diagnosed Type 1 just over 4 yrs ago. I was never taught to carb count or change ratios. After a terrible struggle since diagnosis DAFNE has explained so much that I didn't understand & now I have some answers to why everything was out of control! I know its not going to happen over night but I have already seen an improvement in control & my outlook on life is a tad Sunnier than a week ago!
Thankyou Janet & Katie you are true stars!

Debsx

Nov 13, 2009

Alann 12 posts

Topic: Site Development / Searches

Great work !!!! Smile

Nov 13, 2009

Simon 578 posts

Topic: Site Development / Searches

We've just rolled out some search functionality for your enjoyment.

In the handbook, see the search box at the bottom of the contents page. This will search both topic titles and body text. In the forums, see the search link at the top of the page. This will search topic titles for your chosen text.

As always wigth new and existing features, let us know what you think.

Simon

Nov 11, 2009

LizB 23 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Swine Flu

Hi Sam
I had a letter from my GP practice last week offering the H1N1 vaccine as I am in the "highrisk" category of having a pre-existing condition. Clinics are happening this week...

Nov 11, 2009

Sheila_Kay 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / A wee story.....

Hi Sam, I had a slight problem but not as drastic as yours. The Dr was reluctant at first to issue the Ketone test strips due to cost, she relented when I explained they were for emergancies only. But then when I next ordered the ordinary BG strips they gave me the Ketone ones as well, so I then feel guilty for spending money unnecessary. Ho Hum.

Nov 11, 2009

Sheila_Kay 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control

Does anyone else have "Motivation" problems re exercise? I have lots of good intentions but all my plans seen to come to nothing. I know excerise is essential for good diabetis control but getting into a routine of doing it is hard. Any ideas would be welcomed.

Nov 11, 2009

Sheila_Kay 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Swine Flu

Hi Sam, I have my doubts about the vaccine for swine flu, I don't feel it has been tested adequately as yet. If I am called up to recieve it I shall have a few questions to ask. Having said that I always go for my annual flu jab, I have been told it is cheaper for the nhs to give me the jab than treat me in hospital with full blown flu, so diabetics do need to weigh up the pros and cons. Sheila

Nov 11, 2009

shaun 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Coeliac as well as Diabetic?

i am a well and have been for about 4 years and it is hard as welll 2 get all the nice food that u like 2 eat
and all my blood glucose r all over the place at this time as i have just done the dafne

Nov 10, 2009

Alzibiff 21 posts

Topic: General Discussion / post meal peaks

What does "lipos" mean? Not a term I have seen before.

Alan

Nov 10, 2009

john day 54 posts

Topic: Site Development / Recipes

Hi Simon..

Following from previous post, a few more thoughts pursuing the importance of including CP values:

In the recipe ingredient list perhaps zero CP items (most?) could be listed separately and so highlight the remaining CP items that matter.

Those items with CP could pehaps have values automatically derived from the exisiting Carb Counter info. This would encourage/enforce new entries to the CC info prior to adding a recipe, adding to the overall usefulness and awareness.

I haven't myself yet seen any recipes, hardcopy or printed, with CP values.. even Balance mag only seems to give Cals & Fat, so DO could have a first!

No doubt a bit tricky technically to do the item matching for the calculation, so perhaps the way forward is to build the recipe online by adding or selecting existing items with the Carb Counter, amending the quantity of each as required.

This would probably need the CC handling & display options to be improved a bit but would make the addition of CP calculated recipes easier with time for all users, CP beginners or experts.

Also the ingredient CP verification process might need to be tighter/quicker if anybody can be found to undertake this unenviable task!

Hope this helps promote others' thoughts, Cheers, John

Nov 18, 2009 jigme 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE hi - like everybody else, i'm busy & disorganized & not good at recording... to help me improve my recording, i'd like to find EITHER: a meter that will allow me to enter, as well as BG results, CPs eaten and insulin injected (preferably both BI and QA, as well as adjustment doses), and that has a USB port or Bluetooth/Wifi to upload all the records to some software on my computer; OR a Diabetes log app for my iPhone that has the appropriate DAFNE fields: Time, BG, CP, QA and BI - with the option to add adjustment QA doses also. i know i could just carry the diary around and write all this down, but i don't. with the best will in the world, i know i'm not likely to in future, either! i already carry around my iPhone and my meter, and you'd think that there'd be either a meter or an iPhone app that would fulfil this function? if not, there'd be a market for one, i'm sure. does anyone know if such a meter/app exists? many thanks.

Nov 17, 2009 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control Hi Sheila I have worked out what seems to work best for me. Often work gets in the way of exercise so I can't absolutely rely on going running, even if I've planned to do so. So, during the week I tend to use DAFNE as normal and take on extra carbs about 20 -30 minutes before I start running (I always run before my evening meal). At the moment I am "running" about three miles at least one evening a week. I test about 30 mins before I start, and then allow 1cp for every mile but adjust the cp depending on my starting BG level (so if I'm high when I test I'll reduce carbs so that I'm not still high when I finish, if I'm low I increase carbs to try to make sure I don't go below a BG level of 5. For short runs I tend to use orange juice as a quick-acting carb. I play squash on most Sunday evenings, after my evening meal. For this I reduce my evening meal QA ratio from 1.5:1 to 1:1 and again test about 30 mins before I play. Using the theory that 1cp raises my BG level by 3 units, I take on enough carbs to get my level to between 10 and 12. On this basis, for me a reasonably strenuous game will leave me at a BG level around 6 at the end of the game. I always make sure I've got something like Glucogel with me, and carry my mobile phone and a card saying I'm diabetic. I've never had a serious problem, but it makes me feel a bit more secure and has become part of the ritual! Reading back, it sounds like I've got it sussed... The reality is that in the early days it was simply a matter of following DAFNE principles (lots of testing - including taking my meter with me and testing during the activity - and looking for patterns) and getting information about what has worked for others. I quickly got a feel for what works for me. That doesn't mean that stretching out on the sofa with a glass of something isn't often a more attractive option - hence setting targets, and finding someone to run with once a week! Good luck with it! Stew

Nov 17, 2009 Nugget 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Need a kick up the backside! :( Hi, my name is Sarah and I am a new user to online DAFNE as I only started the course yesterday and am thinking this is great but oh my god, help, so much to remember, BUT, as I have been DM for 33 years and am about to turn 38 in December and have a little lad to look after the motivation is there. There are people in this world who have no option but to live with what they are dealt to whatever degree but DAPHNE is giving us the knowledge and the tools to improve our quality of life so embrace it and get rid of the can't be arsed feeling because once the complications start you will wish you'd been bothered and then you will have another happy health dilema to deal with so do what you can whilst you can. Everyone is different and everyone has these periods but the important thing is to bring yourself out of the other side.

Nov 17, 2009 wickedwicca 1 post	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries Hello, when you have a snack and don't test your BG - i entered mine as 0 - but that brought the average down (wrongly) - but it would not let me proceed without entering a nunmber. Pam

Nov 17, 2009 Derek Brown 32 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Need a kick up the backside! :( To put not too fine a point on it I have became very lazy regards to DAFNE and it's rules and methods and am coming to the point I don't care about the state of my diabetes. My control and focus has always been yo-yo but the DAFNE course was an up point and while I stuck to it I improved and reduced my Hba1c to below double figure (9. for the first time in many years. But gradually I got lazy eating before bed and saying "I can correct that in the morning" and went downhill since. I know what I should be doing I just can't be motivated anymore. Even recent need for additional laser on existing retinopathy couldn't motivate me. I do still test but recording is my biggest fault. But after reading a lot of other peoples posts I'm drawing a line and am determined to turn it around and hope with support of people on here that know what it's like and how to handle it, along with my diabetes care team I'm taking a tep in the right direction. I have my annual review tomorrow morning and expect the worst but will bite the bullet and accept what I get told and start from the beginning. In addition to this though I'd like others opinions because I believe I sorely need a little bit of support/motivation that I believe this forum can give. Don't hold back and be as brutal as you need to be. Oh, and thanks for reading this far if you have. I tend to go on a bit if I get started.

Nov 17, 2009 Sheila_Kay 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control Hi Stew, thanks for the encouragement. Do you follow the Dafne guidelines for carbs andexercise? What works for you. I was good today, cycled to the hospital for appointment.

Nov 16, 2009 Katy B 8 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Day Surgery Im not a HCP but I think there at least 3 options for you. If you normally go to bed in range and wake up in range and think you wont go hypo if you skip your breakfast meal then simply take your Levimir as normal but dont eat 6cps and dont take the Lispro. If you think you may go hypo for missing breakfast then you could reduce your evening meal ratio so just on this occasion you could go to sleep higher than normal, and wake up higher than normal and therfore avoid going low in the morning/afternoon while skipping breakfast. Or finally, Have your breakfast with your fast acting insulin before 7am. No matter which option you choose, you should always take your Levimir as normal. I have just noticed the date on your post and see that my comment for you is now not usefull but I shall post it incase anyone else has the same question now i've written it!!! How did you manage in the end Vashcrof?? I hope it went well for you. Katy x

Nov 15, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic Hi Guys, This certainly sounds like something that would be useful. Echoing what Stew said, we need to ensure that the data we present isn't too high-level and may disguise/ignore any underlying problems. It would be useful to get some feedback from the DAFNE HCPs on what they think would be valuable in a 1-page summary. We could certainly do something where you had a week-by-week or month-by-month summary - just need to know what goes in there! Cheers, Simon

Nov 15, 2009 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic Hi John I'm sure that a summary (whether pre or at a review) would be useful. My concern would be that given the pressures that many, if not most, hcps are under, a summary that appears to show that all is well might hide underlying patterns that are potentially problematic, so it would be really important to look at the diaries in full at the review. Maybe if your hcp signed up to DO you could look at your on-line diary and all the accompanying graphs and tables while you are with her? I always spend time before my review identifying things that I think are going OK, things that I'm concerned about or any unexplained/strange results - I write them down (terrible memory) for discussion with my hcp. Stew

Nov 15, 2009 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control Hi Sheila I can identify with the motivation issue... I like to "run" (a rather overstated description of my efforts) and I've found that (a) having a target such as a 10k event (not as horrible as it sounds as there are lots of events that attract more fun-runners than proper athletes - google your County and 10k runs) to aim for - I do a couple a year - and (b) finding a friend to run with, have really helped. Each week my friend Tracey and I fix a time to run after work, and I've found that this really helps (otherwise I get home from work with good intentions and then find myself still on the sofa two hours later). We've even been out in the rain the last two weeks! Its definitely worth it - not just for the positive impact on BG levels but also for the rather smug sense of well-being.. Good luck! Stew

Nov 14, 2009 john day 54 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Diary at Clinic Hi All .. As I am off for a dafne review in a couple of week I emailed my hcp, asking if she could register on DO and she could then see my Diary before the review. Unfortunately they are short staffed and time pressure would prevent any pre-review activity of several a4 pages of diary data. This seemed a fair point in the circumstances, so how about making available on DO a simple table summary for hcps use covering (say), for various periods (eg 1 week, 1 month ..) Average BGs' at various time (ie lunch, bed etc) Average QA's & BI Dosages Ratios used and Comments made No of Hypos, No of high rdgs These are just the things that come to mind immediately but if we had an hcp on DO who could specify what they really would like to see in such a summary prior to Review this could be a starting point. The summary might cause the hcp then to request the full diary for check before the Review, hopefully leading to better outcomes! Comments please to the forum.. and let's hope Simon has yet another pair of hands in addition to the half dozen he already seems to have! John

Nov 14, 2009 Debs Ledger 9 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Hi!..... Im New Hi Everyone, Just wanted to say Hi. I have just compleated a DAFNE course run by Janet Barber & Katie Vautier in Broadstaires Kent. I was diagnosed Type 1 just over 4 yrs ago. I was never taught to carb count or change ratios. After a terrible struggle since diagnosis DAFNE has explained so much that I didn't understand & now I have some answers to why everything was out of control! I know its not going to happen over night but I have already seen an improvement in control & my outlook on life is a tad Sunnier than a week ago! Thankyou Janet & Katie you are true stars! Debsx

Nov 13, 2009 Alann 12 posts	Topic: Site Development / Searches Great work !!!!

Nov 13, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Site Development / Searches We've just rolled out some search functionality for your enjoyment. In the handbook, see the search box at the bottom of the contents page. This will search both topic titles and body text. In the forums, see the search link at the top of the page. This will search topic titles for your chosen text. As always wigth new and existing features, let us know what you think. Simon

Nov 11, 2009 LizB 23 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Swine Flu Hi Sam I had a letter from my GP practice last week offering the H1N1 vaccine as I am in the "highrisk" category of having a pre-existing condition. Clinics are happening this week...

Nov 11, 2009 Sheila_Kay 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / A wee story..... Hi Sam, I had a slight problem but not as drastic as yours. The Dr was reluctant at first to issue the Ketone test strips due to cost, she relented when I explained they were for emergancies only. But then when I next ordered the ordinary BG strips they gave me the Ketone ones as well, so I then feel guilty for spending money unnecessary. Ho Hum.

Nov 11, 2009 Sheila_Kay 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and diabetic control Does anyone else have "Motivation" problems re exercise? I have lots of good intentions but all my plans seen to come to nothing. I know excerise is essential for good diabetis control but getting into a routine of doing it is hard. Any ideas would be welcomed.

Nov 11, 2009 Sheila_Kay 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Swine Flu Hi Sam, I have my doubts about the vaccine for swine flu, I don't feel it has been tested adequately as yet. If I am called up to recieve it I shall have a few questions to ask. Having said that I always go for my annual flu jab, I have been told it is cheaper for the nhs to give me the jab than treat me in hospital with full blown flu, so diabetics do need to weigh up the pros and cons. Sheila

Nov 11, 2009 shaun 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Coeliac as well as Diabetic? i am a well and have been for about 4 years and it is hard as welll 2 get all the nice food that u like 2 eat and all my blood glucose r all over the place at this time as i have just done the dafne

Nov 10, 2009 Alzibiff 21 posts	Topic: General Discussion / post meal peaks What does "lipos" mean? Not a term I have seen before. Alan

Nov 10, 2009 john day 54 posts	Topic: Site Development / Recipes Hi Simon.. Following from previous post, a few more thoughts pursuing the importance of including CP values: In the recipe ingredient list perhaps zero CP items (most?) could be listed separately and so highlight the remaining CP items that matter. Those items with CP could pehaps have values automatically derived from the exisiting Carb Counter info. This would encourage/enforce new entries to the CC info prior to adding a recipe, adding to the overall usefulness and awareness. I haven't myself yet seen any recipes, hardcopy or printed, with CP values.. even Balance mag only seems to give Cals & Fat, so DO could have a first! No doubt a bit tricky technically to do the item matching for the calculation, so perhaps the way forward is to build the recipe online by adding or selecting existing items with the Carb Counter, amending the quantity of each as required. This would probably need the CC handling & display options to be improved a bit but would make the addition of CP calculated recipes easier with time for all users, CP beginners or experts. Also the ingredient CP verification process might need to be tighter/quicker if anybody can be found to undertake this unenviable task! Hope this helps promote others' thoughts, Cheers, John