Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Aug 20, 2009

Jane White 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Glucotabs: Where they can be found?

I buy my Glucotabs from my local Asda - they stock them behind the pharmacy counter where the other controlled drugs are. They do large tubs so you can fill up your smaller tube rady for handbag or pocket. I think they are great as because they are in a tube they dont go powdery or grubby when not in use!

Aug 20, 2009

JayBee 582 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Hypo - rebound

I'm not a HCP, just another diabetic patient.

When you've had a hypo, I was told your body is more prone to having another one for the next 24 hours so corrections for hypos are generally not recommended.

I was a diabetic very prone to quick correcting before DAFNE (it has been a hard habit to break) but I have found waiting does work as long as you have a correct for you arrangement with your insulin.

To put it bluntly - your background insulin should be what corrects it - not your quick acting.

Since doing DAFNE and trying to break my habit, I have come to learn that the 'another hypo' really does occur - even if you aim to only put yourself down to 12 BG from say, 21 BG, by injecting 3 units (saying that 1 unit takes you down by 3), it is likely you'll make yourself hypo still.

This is also why DAFNE teaches us to pick how we treat our hypos as well (2 fast CP and 2 slow CP as you may require) - so we don't shoot up our BG a drastic amount. Smile

Take care - and don't be embarrassed about asking - DAFNE is a change of regime so unsureness will happen sometimes. Even I question it sometimes! ^_^

Aug 20, 2009

JayBee 582 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Carb Counter discriptions

I know this might make some members laugh, but I have a similar problem with banana sizes.... is there some kind of "by banana" length guideline? I've been told that some large bananas are 2.5 units... so how do you know what's what when you're just looking at them?

Aug 20, 2009

MaryMary 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Carb Counter discriptions

Alongside the weight for melon, the Dafne Carb counter also gives '1 small slice'. Does anyone know whether this is peeled or unpeeled? On most fruits this wouldn't make much difference, but most of the weight of the melon is in the skin. Also can we please have the count for fresh, not tinned pineapple in there please?

Aug 19, 2009

Irenemc 1 post

Topic: Questions ? / Giving birth without an insulin/glucose drip

Hi

I gave birth to a beautiful daughter 3 years ago. Diabetes was very well controlled during pregancy and was only induced 2 days prior to due date. She was born the following day and in the end she came so quickly that there was no time for drip etc. just checked blood immediately after birth as i felt little low however all was fine with glucose levels. Baby was fine and i breast feed in delivery unit.

Best of luck with your little bundle

Irene

Aug 19, 2009

Alzibiff 20 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Hypo - rebound

Hope this is in the right part of the forum as I guess that this is one of those questions which DAFNE graduates with a better memory than I could/should be able to answer!

After a hypo and the taking of rapid acting CPs - jelly babies being my preferred option - we don't correct for a high BG reading at the next meal. Why is that exactly? Is is something to do with a rebound effect where the BG rises because of the liver firing out stored glucose? If so, wouldn't we need insulin to get it back again? (Ooooo - feeling embarrassed now it is in writing as I think I should know the answers).

Alan

Aug 19, 2009

Jess 13 posts

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

An observation about the diary - I am testing 2 hours post meal (or trying to) as I'm in pre-pregnancy mode. Would it be possible to be able to add more tests per day (I often do 10) and the ability to put "after" rather than "before" a meal? I appreciate its not a DAFNE thing per se, but it would be useful!

Also, are we able to set our own targets?

Aug 19, 2009

Jess 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Needle Bins

I've never had one! I use a needle clipper, or put the cap back on the pen needles and fill up a can and seal it.

Aug 19, 2009

Jess 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Changes to HbA1c reporting

Yep, read that. There was no clear justification there!

they say:

Laboratories in the UK are about to change the
way in which the HbA1c results are reported.
The International Federation of Clinical
Chemistry (IFCC) has put forward a new
reference measurement method after discussion
with diabetes groups worldwide. This will make
comparing HbA1c results from different
laboratories and from research trials throughout
the world much easier.

But the americans also use %, so we can already compare?

I guess I'm a scientist, and want to know WHY. There is clearly something about the current method that is variable between labs (which is what I remember being told) but it doesn't say why this method is better.

I fear I am wanting to know too much!

Aug 19, 2009

marke 655 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Changes to HbA1c reporting

jess, see this post for links to further details and the rationale for why it is being done.

Aug 19, 2009

marke 655 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Meeting up after the course

interesting points, at the DAFNE Collaborative a few months ago, one of the presentations was about research on post course experiences and its was clear that some people need further support/training and some need something less formal but still need support to help them stay focused on DAFNE Principles. I think this is one of the areas the DAFNE User Action Group
should address (there will be a section on the website for the group, when I work out how to format it) and I will raise it as a discussion point at the next meeting. One of the current DUAG objectives is to find the 'missing' 12,000 DAFNE Graduates who did the course before permission was asked to hold their details centrally. Once we 'find' the missing 12,000 we will need a plan to keep them involved/updated. Since not everyone has, or will have, access to this website having localised meetings for those interested would be a sensible option.

Aug 19, 2009

Jess 13 posts

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

I will have to look into using this! Sounds great. The ability to download to excel will be especially valuable.

Re: paper diaries, I was able to purchase some from DAFNE central a while back, but I have no idea who the contact was, how much they were ext. Could we perhaps have a section on this site detailing how we can get hold of further paper diaries?

Aug 19, 2009

Jess 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Meeting up after the course

Well I did DAFNE 5 years ago now! We met up after 6 or 12 months for a day refresher, which was great, but after a further 4 years I'm definitely struggling with the finer points. I have moved twice since then so have no contact with T1 diabetics. I use a couple of other forums, but most members are american and are pump orientated. I've only just been referred back to a hospital as we are trying for a baby, so for the last few years I've essentially been on my own.

It would be great if we could have some type of meet ups in future from this forum, based on location rather than where you did DAFNE! Maybe not a formal refresher (thoguh I would love one of those) as I appreciate the costs and logistics involved, but just a chance to meet other local (ish) DAFNEites and T1 diabetics.

Aug 19, 2009

Jess 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Changes to HbA1c reporting

I do think the new way of reporting will confuse many people. At the moment having the HbA1c as a percentage means that most people know not to relate it directly to finger prick measurements, in mmol/l. However, the new version is in mmol/mol - which is a very different metric to mmol/l, but sounds similar. I would really like to know WHY they have decided to do this, and what they think the benefits are, there must be some surely?

Its a long time since was converting mols to litres (or whatever) but I'd like to find out how we can convert mols of blood to litres of blood (not something I can look up on the periodic table!). Then we can easily convert the new HbA1c to mmol/l which would give us a rouhg idea of what our average BG is in terms we understand.

I have seen tables that roughly corellate the % to mmol/l so they will still stand.

So, unless someone can tell me WHY they are doing this, I'm unconvinced at the moment!

Oh, one thing that you don't see advertised much is the variation between labs. IIRC it is quite high, and I was told (once, in the dark ages) that when you move labs you shouldn't directly compare HbA1cs as their ranges on the test will be slightly different. Anyone know if this is still true.
Or would it??

Aug 19, 2009

Jess 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Hypos

That would of course be a good idea, don't know why I didn't think of that, thanks!

There really should be a 5-year refresher course, you do slip into bad habits after that long!

Aug 19, 2009

mandyrobertson9 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Hypos

How about reducing your night time background insulin if you've been exercising.

Aug 18, 2009

Jess 13 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Hypos

Its 00:30 and I', 2.8 mmol. Woke up in a sweat (thankfully I guess!). I exercised at 6. with a BG of 7 and a milky way (though they only have the carbs per 100g so I have no idea how many CPs). I was 6.0 before dinner, did 1:1 instead of my usual 1:1.5, and 8.2 before bed. Hooray! I thought.

But no. I really want to go to bed, but I'm desperately trying to wait for my OJ to take effect before I eat a long acting snack as per the handbook I re-read recently. I know if I don't eat a snack I'll be up again in a few hours from experience though.

As I was 8.2 before bed I can't reduce my after exercise insulin further. What should I do in future?

Aug 18, 2009

Jess 13 posts

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

Cheers.

Aug 18, 2009

Karen Westwood 38 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic Birth Stories

Katy,

So pleased you have managed to speak to your diabetic nurse and hopefully things will settle down for you soon. Enjoy you bedtime snack! and most of all the rest of your pregnancy.

All the best

Karen
x

Aug 18, 2009

marke 655 posts

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

Jess,
I have contacted DAFNE Central about 'verifying' you as a graduate, as soon as I have a result I will let you know.

Aug 18, 2009

Polly 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Caravan towing?

Thanks for all that info, very helpful

Aug 17, 2009

Katy Lou 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic Birth Stories

Karen - My nurse agrees with you. She gave me very similar advice so fingers crossed I may have a full night's sleep before the week is out and get to eat biscuits at bedtime. Reading your success story has really helped. Thank you.

Aug 17, 2009

Concha 1 post

Topic: Questions ? / Giving birth without an insulin/glucose drip

Hi,
i can only give you my experience 14 y ago.i was induced because of risk of still birth(placenta not working anymore) at 39 weeks. did no have a drip, but I was encourage to do prick finger test during delivery. straight away after my son was born, was kept under obs.and I was asked to breast fed from start (on delivery bed)and 2 hourly prety tiring!!. all went well.i forgot, i did have normal vaginal delivery..all the best concha

Aug 17, 2009

noatey 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Caravan towing?

There is full information on driving license catagories and types of caravans and trailors that can be towed on the caravan club website. The main point being that a change came into force in 1997, I believe. I have copied the article and will try and paste it here:

DRIVERS' LICENCES IN A NUTSHELL!
This leaflet is prepared as a Club service. The contents are believed correct at the date of publication but please raise any queries with the Clubâ€™s Information office.
April 2008
TOWED OUTFITS AND RIGID MOTOR CARAVAN OUTFITS
CATEGORY B LICENCE OBTAINED PRIOR TO 1 JANUARY 1997 MAY DRIVE:
a. Towed Outfits any outfit where the combined MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass) does not exceed 8,250kg. (over which weight would have required an additional test pre-1997) However Club recommendations on weight ratio between trailer and towing vehicle remain at 85%.
b. Rigid Motor Caravans without trailer any rigid motor caravan without a trailer where the MAM does not exceed 7,500kg.
c. Rigid Motor Caravan with trailer provided the total MAM of trailer and motor caravan does not exceed 8,250kg no further test is required, but Club recommendations on weight ratio between trailer and towing vehicle remain at 85%.
CATEGORY B LICENCE FIRST OBTAINED ON OR AFTER 1 JANUARY 1997
MAY DRIVE:
a. Towed Outfits driver restricted to a combined MAM of 3,500kg and the trailer MAM must not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (85% ratio remains strongly recommended). If this MAM is to be exceeded an E Test pass is required. A list of B+E test driving instructorsâ€™ can be found in the Practical Advice section of The Caravan Club Website. The Driving Instructorsâ€™ Association also has a list of qualified driving instructors that can tutor those wishing to take the B+E driving test - visit the Driving Standards Website on www.dsa.gov.uk, or telephone 0845 345 5151.
b. Rigid Motor Caravans without trailer driver restricted to a MAM of 3,500kg until obtaining a pass of the LGV test, after which the driver is qualified to 7,500kg MAM.
c. Rigid Motor Caravan towing trailer provided the trailer does not exceed 750kg and the combined MAM does not exceed 4,250kg no further test is required for this type of outfit. However if the trailer MAM exceeds 750kg then a. applies for a vehicle less than 3,500kg. Otherwise an LGV test plus an E Test is needed.
YOUR DRIVING ENTITLEMENT ON RENEWING AT THE AGE OF 70
On reaching the age of 70, drivers will retain their driving entitlement for Category B and Category B+E (provided Category B+E was held prior to the expiry date of their driving licence). Category B+E entitles drivers to drive a motor vehicle (ie car, van or 4x4) not exceeding 3.5 tonnes Maximum Authorised Mass* (MAM), drawing/towing any weight trailer/caravan within the prescribed maximum towing weight. The maximum towing weight will be specified in the technical data section of the vehicle manufacturerâ€™s handbook. However, Club recommendations on weight ratio between trailer and towing vehicle remain at 85%.
*The terms â€˜Maximum Authorised Massâ€™, â€˜Gross Weightâ€™ and â€˜Permissible Maximum Weightâ€™ all have the same meaning, ie the weight of the vehicle plus the maximum load the vehicle may safely carry.
When drivers of any vehicle over a MAM of 3,500kg reach 70 years of age and their driving licence expires they must pass the D4 Medical Test and pass the required standard eyesight test at 20.5 metres/67 feet with glasses used when driving. This legislation became effective from 1 January 1998.
COURSES/TESTS/EGC/JP/SJS/LICENCE Â© The Caravan Club 2008

Aug 17, 2009

Claire Hough 12 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Cherries

Hi Sylvia, I find the supermarket websites really helpful for fresh food carb values as they give the nutritional values for nearly everything they sell. Sainsburys is especially good as you don't need to register your details before you can view the products. Hope that helps

Aug 20, 2009 Jane White 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Glucotabs: Where they can be found? I buy my Glucotabs from my local Asda - they stock them behind the pharmacy counter where the other controlled drugs are. They do large tubs so you can fill up your smaller tube rady for handbag or pocket. I think they are great as because they are in a tube they dont go powdery or grubby when not in use!

Aug 20, 2009 JayBee 582 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Hypo - rebound I'm not a HCP, just another diabetic patient. When you've had a hypo, I was told your body is more prone to having another one for the next 24 hours so corrections for hypos are generally not recommended. I was a diabetic very prone to quick correcting before DAFNE (it has been a hard habit to break) but I have found waiting does work as long as you have a correct for you arrangement with your insulin. To put it bluntly - your background insulin should be what corrects it - not your quick acting. Since doing DAFNE and trying to break my habit, I have come to learn that the 'another hypo' really does occur - even if you aim to only put yourself down to 12 BG from say, 21 BG, by injecting 3 units (saying that 1 unit takes you down by 3), it is likely you'll make yourself hypo still. This is also why DAFNE teaches us to pick how we treat our hypos as well (2 fast CP and 2 slow CP as you may require) - so we don't shoot up our BG a drastic amount. Take care - and don't be embarrassed about asking - DAFNE is a change of regime so unsureness will happen sometimes. Even I question it sometimes! ^_^

Aug 20, 2009 JayBee 582 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Carb Counter discriptions I know this might make some members laugh, but I have a similar problem with banana sizes.... is there some kind of "by banana" length guideline? I've been told that some large bananas are 2.5 units... so how do you know what's what when you're just looking at them?

Aug 20, 2009 MaryMary 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Carb Counter discriptions Alongside the weight for melon, the Dafne Carb counter also gives '1 small slice'. Does anyone know whether this is peeled or unpeeled? On most fruits this wouldn't make much difference, but most of the weight of the melon is in the skin. Also can we please have the count for fresh, not tinned pineapple in there please?

Aug 19, 2009 Irenemc 1 post	Topic: Questions ? / Giving birth without an insulin/glucose drip Hi I gave birth to a beautiful daughter 3 years ago. Diabetes was very well controlled during pregancy and was only induced 2 days prior to due date. She was born the following day and in the end she came so quickly that there was no time for drip etc. just checked blood immediately after birth as i felt little low however all was fine with glucose levels. Baby was fine and i breast feed in delivery unit. Best of luck with your little bundle Irene

Aug 19, 2009 Alzibiff 20 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Hypo - rebound Hope this is in the right part of the forum as I guess that this is one of those questions which DAFNE graduates with a better memory than I could/should be able to answer! After a hypo and the taking of rapid acting CPs - jelly babies being my preferred option - we don't correct for a high BG reading at the next meal. Why is that exactly? Is is something to do with a rebound effect where the BG rises because of the liver firing out stored glucose? If so, wouldn't we need insulin to get it back again? (Ooooo - feeling embarrassed now it is in writing as I think I should know the answers). Alan

Aug 19, 2009 Jess 13 posts	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries An observation about the diary - I am testing 2 hours post meal (or trying to) as I'm in pre-pregnancy mode. Would it be possible to be able to add more tests per day (I often do 10) and the ability to put "after" rather than "before" a meal? I appreciate its not a DAFNE thing per se, but it would be useful! Also, are we able to set our own targets?

Aug 19, 2009 Jess 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Needle Bins I've never had one! I use a needle clipper, or put the cap back on the pen needles and fill up a can and seal it.

Aug 19, 2009 Jess 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Changes to HbA1c reporting Yep, read that. There was no clear justification there! they say: Laboratories in the UK are about to change the way in which the HbA1c results are reported. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) has put forward a new reference measurement method after discussion with diabetes groups worldwide. This will make comparing HbA1c results from different laboratories and from research trials throughout the world much easier. But the americans also use %, so we can already compare? I guess I'm a scientist, and want to know WHY. There is clearly something about the current method that is variable between labs (which is what I remember being told) but it doesn't say why this method is better. I fear I am wanting to know too much!

Aug 19, 2009 marke 655 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Changes to HbA1c reporting jess, see this post for links to further details and the rationale for why it is being done.

Aug 19, 2009 marke 655 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Meeting up after the course interesting points, at the DAFNE Collaborative a few months ago, one of the presentations was about research on post course experiences and its was clear that some people need further support/training and some need something less formal but still need support to help them stay focused on DAFNE Principles. I think this is one of the areas the DAFNE User Action Group should address (there will be a section on the website for the group, when I work out how to format it) and I will raise it as a discussion point at the next meeting. One of the current DUAG objectives is to find the 'missing' 12,000 DAFNE Graduates who did the course before permission was asked to hold their details centrally. Once we 'find' the missing 12,000 we will need a plan to keep them involved/updated. Since not everyone has, or will have, access to this website having localised meetings for those interested would be a sensible option.

Aug 19, 2009 Jess 13 posts	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries I will have to look into using this! Sounds great. The ability to download to excel will be especially valuable. Re: paper diaries, I was able to purchase some from DAFNE central a while back, but I have no idea who the contact was, how much they were ext. Could we perhaps have a section on this site detailing how we can get hold of further paper diaries?

Aug 19, 2009 Jess 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Meeting up after the course Well I did DAFNE 5 years ago now! We met up after 6 or 12 months for a day refresher, which was great, but after a further 4 years I'm definitely struggling with the finer points. I have moved twice since then so have no contact with T1 diabetics. I use a couple of other forums, but most members are american and are pump orientated. I've only just been referred back to a hospital as we are trying for a baby, so for the last few years I've essentially been on my own. It would be great if we could have some type of meet ups in future from this forum, based on location rather than where you did DAFNE! Maybe not a formal refresher (thoguh I would love one of those) as I appreciate the costs and logistics involved, but just a chance to meet other local (ish) DAFNEites and T1 diabetics.

Aug 19, 2009 Jess 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Changes to HbA1c reporting I do think the new way of reporting will confuse many people. At the moment having the HbA1c as a percentage means that most people know not to relate it directly to finger prick measurements, in mmol/l. However, the new version is in mmol/mol - which is a very different metric to mmol/l, but sounds similar. I would really like to know WHY they have decided to do this, and what they think the benefits are, there must be some surely? Its a long time since was converting mols to litres (or whatever) but I'd like to find out how we can convert mols of blood to litres of blood (not something I can look up on the periodic table!). Then we can easily convert the new HbA1c to mmol/l which would give us a rouhg idea of what our average BG is in terms we understand. I have seen tables that roughly corellate the % to mmol/l so they will still stand. So, unless someone can tell me WHY they are doing this, I'm unconvinced at the moment! Oh, one thing that you don't see advertised much is the variation between labs. IIRC it is quite high, and I was told (once, in the dark ages) that when you move labs you shouldn't directly compare HbA1cs as their ranges on the test will be slightly different. Anyone know if this is still true. Or would it??

Aug 19, 2009 Jess 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Hypos That would of course be a good idea, don't know why I didn't think of that, thanks! There really should be a 5-year refresher course, you do slip into bad habits after that long!

Aug 19, 2009 mandyrobertson9 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Hypos How about reducing your night time background insulin if you've been exercising.

Aug 18, 2009 Jess 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Hypos Its 00:30 and I', 2.8 mmol. Woke up in a sweat (thankfully I guess!). I exercised at 6. with a BG of 7 and a milky way (though they only have the carbs per 100g so I have no idea how many CPs). I was 6.0 before dinner, did 1:1 instead of my usual 1:1.5, and 8.2 before bed. Hooray! I thought. But no. I really want to go to bed, but I'm desperately trying to wait for my OJ to take effect before I eat a long acting snack as per the handbook I re-read recently. I know if I don't eat a snack I'll be up again in a few hours from experience though. As I was 8.2 before bed I can't reduce my after exercise insulin further. What should I do in future?

Aug 18, 2009 Jess 13 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook? Cheers.

Aug 18, 2009 Karen Westwood 38 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic Birth Stories Katy, So pleased you have managed to speak to your diabetic nurse and hopefully things will settle down for you soon. Enjoy you bedtime snack! and most of all the rest of your pregnancy. All the best Karen x

Aug 18, 2009 marke 655 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook? Jess, I have contacted DAFNE Central about 'verifying' you as a graduate, as soon as I have a result I will let you know.

Aug 18, 2009 Polly 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Caravan towing? Thanks for all that info, very helpful

Aug 17, 2009 Katy Lou 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic Birth Stories Karen - My nurse agrees with you. She gave me very similar advice so fingers crossed I may have a full night's sleep before the week is out and get to eat biscuits at bedtime. Reading your success story has really helped. Thank you.

Aug 17, 2009 Concha 1 post	Topic: Questions ? / Giving birth without an insulin/glucose drip Hi, i can only give you my experience 14 y ago.i was induced because of risk of still birth(placenta not working anymore) at 39 weeks. did no have a drip, but I was encourage to do prick finger test during delivery. straight away after my son was born, was kept under obs.and I was asked to breast fed from start (on delivery bed)and 2 hourly prety tiring!!. all went well.i forgot, i did have normal vaginal delivery..all the best concha

Aug 17, 2009 noatey 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Caravan towing? There is full information on driving license catagories and types of caravans and trailors that can be towed on the caravan club website. The main point being that a change came into force in 1997, I believe. I have copied the article and will try and paste it here: DRIVERS' LICENCES IN A NUTSHELL! This leaflet is prepared as a Club service. The contents are believed correct at the date of publication but please raise any queries with the Clubâ€™s Information office. April 2008 TOWED OUTFITS AND RIGID MOTOR CARAVAN OUTFITS CATEGORY B LICENCE OBTAINED PRIOR TO 1 JANUARY 1997 MAY DRIVE: a. Towed Outfits any outfit where the combined MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass) does not exceed 8,250kg. (over which weight would have required an additional test pre-1997) However Club recommendations on weight ratio between trailer and towing vehicle remain at 85%. b. Rigid Motor Caravans without trailer any rigid motor caravan without a trailer where the MAM does not exceed 7,500kg. c. Rigid Motor Caravan with trailer provided the total MAM of trailer and motor caravan does not exceed 8,250kg no further test is required, but Club recommendations on weight ratio between trailer and towing vehicle remain at 85%. CATEGORY B LICENCE FIRST OBTAINED ON OR AFTER 1 JANUARY 1997 MAY DRIVE: a. Towed Outfits driver restricted to a combined MAM of 3,500kg and the trailer MAM must not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (85% ratio remains strongly recommended). If this MAM is to be exceeded an E Test pass is required. A list of B+E test driving instructorsâ€™ can be found in the Practical Advice section of The Caravan Club Website. The Driving Instructorsâ€™ Association also has a list of qualified driving instructors that can tutor those wishing to take the B+E driving test - visit the Driving Standards Website on www.dsa.gov.uk, or telephone 0845 345 5151. b. Rigid Motor Caravans without trailer driver restricted to a MAM of 3,500kg until obtaining a pass of the LGV test, after which the driver is qualified to 7,500kg MAM. c. Rigid Motor Caravan towing trailer provided the trailer does not exceed 750kg and the combined MAM does not exceed 4,250kg no further test is required for this type of outfit. However if the trailer MAM exceeds 750kg then a. applies for a vehicle less than 3,500kg. Otherwise an LGV test plus an E Test is needed. YOUR DRIVING ENTITLEMENT ON RENEWING AT THE AGE OF 70 On reaching the age of 70, drivers will retain their driving entitlement for Category B and Category B+E (provided Category B+E was held prior to the expiry date of their driving licence). Category B+E entitles drivers to drive a motor vehicle (ie car, van or 4x4) not exceeding 3.5 tonnes Maximum Authorised Mass* (MAM), drawing/towing any weight trailer/caravan within the prescribed maximum towing weight. The maximum towing weight will be specified in the technical data section of the vehicle manufacturerâ€™s handbook. However, Club recommendations on weight ratio between trailer and towing vehicle remain at 85%. *The terms â€˜Maximum Authorised Massâ€™, â€˜Gross Weightâ€™ and â€˜Permissible Maximum Weightâ€™ all have the same meaning, ie the weight of the vehicle plus the maximum load the vehicle may safely carry. When drivers of any vehicle over a MAM of 3,500kg reach 70 years of age and their driving licence expires they must pass the D4 Medical Test and pass the required standard eyesight test at 20.5 metres/67 feet with glasses used when driving. This legislation became effective from 1 January 1998. COURSES/TESTS/EGC/JP/SJS/LICENCE Â© The Caravan Club 2008

Aug 17, 2009 Claire Hough 12 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Cherries Hi Sylvia, I find the supermarket websites really helpful for fresh food carb values as they give the nutritional values for nearly everything they sell. Sainsburys is especially good as you don't need to register your details before you can view the products. Hope that helps