Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Jul 13, 2009

ChrisS 12 posts

I've always had a Sharps Bin on my prescription since diagnosis in 2003.
I take the full one to the Pharmacy who then dispose of it.

I would just ask your GP to add it to your prescription.

Jul 13, 2009

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: Site Development / BG Graphs

Hello,

I've made a DAFNE Diary Excel spreadsheet that produces graphs (see screenshot below):

http://www.freewebs.com/nivz78/BG_Graph.jpg

I wondered if you could implement something similar for the Blood Glucose Diaries on the site?

Thanks,

NiVZ

Jul 13, 2009

JayBee 582 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Needle Bins

I've only had one bin so far (which I need to go hand in now funnily enough!) and the only reason I started having them was because my DAFNE nurse wrote to my GP and the bins have been added to my prescription list. The needle clipper was also added.

So, from this, my only suggestion would be to contact your DAFNE person and they should be okay to send a letter to your GP. My DAFNE nurse did it for everyone on my group.

Take care Jen. Smile

Jul 13, 2009

Mark Wilcox 6 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Rationale - Please read

Hi. I downloaded Opera Mini onto my Nokia 6500 slide, and find the mobile site works perfectly well. Thank you

Jul 12, 2009

marke 643 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Introductions

welcome john, there will be a lot more about the DAFNE User Group soon. I attended the 'introductory/training' meeting this friday and saturday and the group is now up and running. However obviously we are at a very early stage and it will take time to acheive our objectives. I will be posting more about this in the user group forum once I receive some write-ups from the meeting. I also recently posted a report on the DAFNE collarobative in that forum that has a paragraph on the dawn effect, sadly its not a solution just more of a realisation of its effect. hopefully more research in the area will produce a means of 'treating' it effectively.
Be careful what you volunteer for :-) , one of our terms of reference in the user group is to allow us to co-opt others to help in certain areas. Although obviously at this stage we have no idea what for. In the meantime I'm sure you you can help others by being active in the forums posting replies to questions.

Jul 12, 2009

John Roscoe 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Introductions

Hi everyone,
I have just joined DAFNE online after having been told about it at a DAFNE follow up session I did on Friday, so I thought I should introduce myself.
I was diagnosed Type 1 in April 1986 and attended the DAFNE course in October 2007. Although I managed reasonable control for the first 21 years I did suffer badly from severe hypos during the night and also with the dawn effect. Since attending DAFNE the night time hypos have stopped and although I still suffer from the dawn effect I find I am able to manage it better. I really think that DAFNE is the best tool available for the ongoing management of diabetes and things for me have been so much easier as a result. I hope that sites like this and the DAFNE user group help to increase awareness of DAFNE because I strongly believe in it and if I had any criticism it would be that I don't think it has yet had the publicity or the push it deserves (I'll get off my soap box now).
I have quite a bit of experience of managing diabetes and hope that if required I can share this with others hopefully to help them. I also look forward to learning from other folks experience.
I am 56, married with two daughters and two grandchildren.I have been retired for 4 years, I play golf regularly enjoy gardening and watch rugby union (Scotland fan). I visit Italy alot and have recently bought a small house there which after lots of issues is now being refurbished
and I am looking forward to spending more time out there.
Hope this gives a reasaonable overview.
Look forward to talking in the future and feel free to make contact.
Cheers
John

Jul 11, 2009

Jennifer 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Needle Bins

Hi everyone,

A few months ago, a friend who has diabetes told me that soon needle bins (like those used in surgeries and hospitals) would be available for all diabetics who inject to get rid of used needles and finger prickers more safely. You would then return them to clinic and they would dispose safely. Has anyone else heard anything? I have asked at clinic but to no avail.

The advice I was given when I was first diagnosed was to clip all needles and put into a container with a lid, tape up & write 'sharps' on the side and dispose of into the bin!

Jul 11, 2009

Jennifer 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / "Balance" letter about injecting in public

I completely agree. I also used to go the the toilet in a restaurant to inject but after meeting other diabetics on my Dafne course, I realised that it's nothing to be ashamed of. The pens that you get these days allow you to be really discreet and I wouldn't exactly invite people to watch but I find most of my friends are interested in what I go through every day so it doesn't even bother them and most of the time they don't even notice that i've already injected!

I also have no qualms about testing my blood in public when i'm out, it's an important part of my routine and i'm not going to go and hide away to do it, although I do make sure I let whoever i'm with know i'm doing it so they can look away.

The person who wrote that article in Balance magazine obviously has no idea what we have to do every day just to look after ourselves and should be far more accommodating and sensitive, especially if she is a nurse.

Jul 11, 2009

Jennifer 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diaries

I get new Dafne diaries when I attend clinic. Also after our course we were sent them in excel form so we could record our results and send to fellow graduates or Dafne leaders for advice.

Jul 11, 2009

Jennifer 10 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Mobile site released

Great, will be really handy for when i'm out & about to record BG levels & carb counting. I use Sony Ericsson k660i and it seems to be working fine for me. Thanks a lot!

Jul 10, 2009

Daniel Pizarro 1 post

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Mobile site released

I thought about developing this myself a year ago when I did dafne - thanks so much for getting this up and running - for me this will change my life and is probably one of the best uses of technology ever. Whoever created it is a legend. I have not even used the mobile device but I am so excited to do so particularly as I am so bad at recording my results in the dafne book. It almost makes diabetes cool! Cannot wait to get started on my blackeberry. The carb counter is soooooooooooooooo good as I always struggle to keep control when out in restuarents and now can just pull out my phone and get the amount of carb for everything I am eating without pulling out the DAFNE book.

Cheers to all involved

Jul 9, 2009

Simon 574 posts

Topic: General Discussion / More forums ?

Hi Aifric,

If you browse the General forum you'll see that other users have raised general Diabetes related issues here, would this meet your needs, or would you prefer to have a more specific forum geared towards health issues?

Our development, as always, is guided by you - the users.

Thanks,

Simon

Jul 9, 2009

Simon 574 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Rationale - Please read

I also have an iPhone and the mobile version of the site, whilst cut down, displays pretty well on it. If you let us know what features you'd specifically like to access (currently you can search CP lists, view the forums and enter new BG results) via the mobile site then we can work on that, or a native iPhone app.

Thanks,

Simon

Jul 9, 2009

Aifric 2 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Rationale - Please read

I have an iPhone and i use a programme called Islet that i downloaded. Its good and easy enough to use.
The only problem is that you cant really see patterns - the graphs suck and when you "email" the data to yourself, it comes in an unreadable mess.
I'd love to see and iPhone application that you could enter the info in and it would sync easily with an application on your desktop....
Maybe....

Jul 9, 2009

Aifric 2 posts

Topic: General Discussion / More forums ?

Any chance we could get a forum for how diabetes in general affects everyday health issues. ??
I'd love to see a forum where maybe i can chat to other women who have had babies and how they fared with pregnancies etc....

Jul 8, 2009

PJ 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / "Balance" letter about injecting in public

I'd say it's a matter of personal choice and about judging the situation. Of course, as diabetics we are not ashamed by the neccessary paraphenalia that goes along with our condition, and we have the same rights as everyone else to exercise free will. I would definitely make a fuss if I was told to take my injections elsewhere, not because I think toilets are disgusting or unhygenic particularly, but because it's taken me several years to get to the point of self confidence about being diabetic, that I will now do everything in public if I feel like it.
I only take it somewhere private when I feel I can't be bothered with the staring and the curiosity. I'm a quiet, shy sort of person and I don't really want to have to explain to everyone who wants to know, what it is I'm doing.

I think it's about judging the situation in terms of eating at a resteraunt. Of course it's pretty easy to inject discreetly and then pop to the loo to make sure your bloods are ok and you don't need top-ups or something, I might be a little embarrassed about getting out my blood meter and slapping it on the table in front of everyone just because it would appear rather attention seeking. And in my experience it's the blood prick that seems to jar with people the most anyway. Perhaps whipping out a brightly coloured Novopen at a business lunch for new clients might be a little insensitive. But I can't imagine anyone seriously objecting. It's quite obvious that insuin pens and meters are medical and legal and all above board.

It's totally personal preference. I don't think anyone should be forced to inject in a corner, that seems humiliating and unfair. And the nurse who wrote the letter might be more understanding if she did have to inject, if the person who upset her had a habit of announcing her injection and turned it into a regular, gawp fest then I might understand her annoyance. But I'm sure most diabetics simply want it over with asap and discretion is something we're all practising anyway. People who don't like it can always look away or mind their own business.

To be honest I've sat on enough buses smeared with bogeys, fast food grease, cigarette butts and discarded gum and despaired at the way people treat public spaces. I will practise discretion but I will not hide.

PJ

Jul 3, 2009

marke 643 posts

Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter

ok, I have just spent a lovely hour or so correcting the online carb counter so that it now matches version 8 of the book. i also corrected some duplicates that somehow crept in. If anyone spots any other errors please let us know !

Jul 3, 2009

marke 643 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Useful link for looking up CPs

Ian, I have spoken to DAFNE Central and they suggest they can provide them if necessary however they would prefer you to get them from your DAFNE Educator. Why ? Because like all parts of the NHS they are under resourced and over worked. I do have the order form that I can send you to obtain copies from DAFNE Central, if this is your only option email admin at dafneonline.co.uk and we will send them to you.

Jul 3, 2009

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diaries

Hi Phil,

Sounds good. Can you send in to nivz78 [at] yahoo.co.uk

I'll send you a copy of what I've done if you want. Might be interesting to 'splice' them together ;o)

NiVZ

Jul 3, 2009

Phil Kane 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diaries

I could send you a copy of same for you to look at if interested.
Philip

Jul 3, 2009

ianmac 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE in peril at the Wirral

if the powers in charge thought about it they would see that in the long run the DAFNE course may save a lot of money as well as helping Type 1 diabetics.
I learnt so much on the course and found out lots of things i was doing wrong
Its better having plenty of time to discuss and learn things rather than 5 minutes with your doctor who is under pressure to get through patients quickly
To me its should be compulsory like in Germany
i am using less insulin which is a saving and if my control is better i hopefully will require less treatmeny on the NHS.

Jul 3, 2009

ianmac 3 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Useful link for looking up CPs

Thanks wanted a spare one to leave at work as canteen menu varies

Jul 3, 2009

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diaries

I've also made my own spreadsheet in Excel which exactly copies the layout of the DAFNE diaries, and prints them to fill A4 sheets (like the overheads used on the DAFNE course). I added a button to make it do graphs as well (need to enable Macros).

@Phil - Yours sounds pretty good too with averages, etc

NiVZ

Jul 3, 2009

Phil Kane 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diaries

I have devised a excel worksheet which caculates daily levels, weekly and monthly averages and this is turn is very easy to keep updated as it is a locked cell format. I use this instread of the dairy and I can automatically see just by looking at the screen to where the ups are downs are. The only disadvantage is you need a PC to update this sheet daily.
Phil Kane

Jul 3, 2009

Phil Kane 4 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Introductions

Hi Anne Marie. The Second Irish registered DAFNE user who is now on this site. The one thing I find amazing is the lack of support this site gets from the Health people in the various teaching hospitals in Ireland.You would think that in order for things to grow you need to participate after you finish the last day of the course and walk out into a different way of thinking. I know everybody has a honeymoon period where for a few weeks or months every test is recorded along with each CP but once the pattern gets set, old habits set back in. Keep the faith.
Phll

Jul 13, 2009 ChrisS 12 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Needle Bins I've always had a Sharps Bin on my prescription since diagnosis in 2003. I take the full one to the Pharmacy who then dispose of it. I would just ask your GP to add it to your prescription.

Jul 13, 2009 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: Site Development / BG Graphs Hello, I've made a DAFNE Diary Excel spreadsheet that produces graphs (see screenshot below): http://www.freewebs.com/nivz78/BG_Graph.jpg I wondered if you could implement something similar for the Blood Glucose Diaries on the site? Thanks, NiVZ

Jul 13, 2009 JayBee 582 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Needle Bins I've only had one bin so far (which I need to go hand in now funnily enough!) and the only reason I started having them was because my DAFNE nurse wrote to my GP and the bins have been added to my prescription list. The needle clipper was also added. So, from this, my only suggestion would be to contact your DAFNE person and they should be okay to send a letter to your GP. My DAFNE nurse did it for everyone on my group. Take care Jen.

Jul 13, 2009 Mark Wilcox 6 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Rationale - Please read Hi. I downloaded Opera Mini onto my Nokia 6500 slide, and find the mobile site works perfectly well. Thank you

Jul 12, 2009 marke 643 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Introductions welcome john, there will be a lot more about the DAFNE User Group soon. I attended the 'introductory/training' meeting this friday and saturday and the group is now up and running. However obviously we are at a very early stage and it will take time to acheive our objectives. I will be posting more about this in the user group forum once I receive some write-ups from the meeting. I also recently posted a report on the DAFNE collarobative in that forum that has a paragraph on the dawn effect, sadly its not a solution just more of a realisation of its effect. hopefully more research in the area will produce a means of 'treating' it effectively. Be careful what you volunteer for :-) , one of our terms of reference in the user group is to allow us to co-opt others to help in certain areas. Although obviously at this stage we have no idea what for. In the meantime I'm sure you you can help others by being active in the forums posting replies to questions.

Jul 12, 2009 John Roscoe 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Introductions Hi everyone, I have just joined DAFNE online after having been told about it at a DAFNE follow up session I did on Friday, so I thought I should introduce myself. I was diagnosed Type 1 in April 1986 and attended the DAFNE course in October 2007. Although I managed reasonable control for the first 21 years I did suffer badly from severe hypos during the night and also with the dawn effect. Since attending DAFNE the night time hypos have stopped and although I still suffer from the dawn effect I find I am able to manage it better. I really think that DAFNE is the best tool available for the ongoing management of diabetes and things for me have been so much easier as a result. I hope that sites like this and the DAFNE user group help to increase awareness of DAFNE because I strongly believe in it and if I had any criticism it would be that I don't think it has yet had the publicity or the push it deserves (I'll get off my soap box now). I have quite a bit of experience of managing diabetes and hope that if required I can share this with others hopefully to help them. I also look forward to learning from other folks experience. I am 56, married with two daughters and two grandchildren.I have been retired for 4 years, I play golf regularly enjoy gardening and watch rugby union (Scotland fan). I visit Italy alot and have recently bought a small house there which after lots of issues is now being refurbished and I am looking forward to spending more time out there. Hope this gives a reasaonable overview. Look forward to talking in the future and feel free to make contact. Cheers John

Jul 11, 2009 Jennifer 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Needle Bins Hi everyone, A few months ago, a friend who has diabetes told me that soon needle bins (like those used in surgeries and hospitals) would be available for all diabetics who inject to get rid of used needles and finger prickers more safely. You would then return them to clinic and they would dispose safely. Has anyone else heard anything? I have asked at clinic but to no avail. The advice I was given when I was first diagnosed was to clip all needles and put into a container with a lid, tape up & write 'sharps' on the side and dispose of into the bin!

Jul 11, 2009 Jennifer 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Balance" letter about injecting in public I completely agree. I also used to go the the toilet in a restaurant to inject but after meeting other diabetics on my Dafne course, I realised that it's nothing to be ashamed of. The pens that you get these days allow you to be really discreet and I wouldn't exactly invite people to watch but I find most of my friends are interested in what I go through every day so it doesn't even bother them and most of the time they don't even notice that i've already injected! I also have no qualms about testing my blood in public when i'm out, it's an important part of my routine and i'm not going to go and hide away to do it, although I do make sure I let whoever i'm with know i'm doing it so they can look away. The person who wrote that article in Balance magazine obviously has no idea what we have to do every day just to look after ourselves and should be far more accommodating and sensitive, especially if she is a nurse.

Jul 11, 2009 Jennifer 10 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diaries I get new Dafne diaries when I attend clinic. Also after our course we were sent them in excel form so we could record our results and send to fellow graduates or Dafne leaders for advice.

Jul 11, 2009 Jennifer 10 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Mobile site released Great, will be really handy for when i'm out & about to record BG levels & carb counting. I use Sony Ericsson k660i and it seems to be working fine for me. Thanks a lot!

Jul 10, 2009 Daniel Pizarro 1 post	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Mobile site released I thought about developing this myself a year ago when I did dafne - thanks so much for getting this up and running - for me this will change my life and is probably one of the best uses of technology ever. Whoever created it is a legend. I have not even used the mobile device but I am so excited to do so particularly as I am so bad at recording my results in the dafne book. It almost makes diabetes cool! Cannot wait to get started on my blackeberry. The carb counter is soooooooooooooooo good as I always struggle to keep control when out in restuarents and now can just pull out my phone and get the amount of carb for everything I am eating without pulling out the DAFNE book. Cheers to all involved

Jul 9, 2009 Simon 574 posts	Topic: General Discussion / More forums ? Hi Aifric, If you browse the General forum you'll see that other users have raised general Diabetes related issues here, would this meet your needs, or would you prefer to have a more specific forum geared towards health issues? Our development, as always, is guided by you - the users. Thanks, Simon

Jul 9, 2009 Simon 574 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Rationale - Please read I also have an iPhone and the mobile version of the site, whilst cut down, displays pretty well on it. If you let us know what features you'd specifically like to access (currently you can search CP lists, view the forums and enter new BG results) via the mobile site then we can work on that, or a native iPhone app. Thanks, Simon

Jul 9, 2009 Aifric 2 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Rationale - Please read I have an iPhone and i use a programme called Islet that i downloaded. Its good and easy enough to use. The only problem is that you cant really see patterns - the graphs suck and when you "email" the data to yourself, it comes in an unreadable mess. I'd love to see and iPhone application that you could enter the info in and it would sync easily with an application on your desktop.... Maybe....

Jul 9, 2009 Aifric 2 posts	Topic: General Discussion / More forums ? Any chance we could get a forum for how diabetes in general affects everyday health issues. ?? I'd love to see a forum where maybe i can chat to other women who have had babies and how they fared with pregnancies etc....

Jul 8, 2009 PJ 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / "Balance" letter about injecting in public I'd say it's a matter of personal choice and about judging the situation. Of course, as diabetics we are not ashamed by the neccessary paraphenalia that goes along with our condition, and we have the same rights as everyone else to exercise free will. I would definitely make a fuss if I was told to take my injections elsewhere, not because I think toilets are disgusting or unhygenic particularly, but because it's taken me several years to get to the point of self confidence about being diabetic, that I will now do everything in public if I feel like it. I only take it somewhere private when I feel I can't be bothered with the staring and the curiosity. I'm a quiet, shy sort of person and I don't really want to have to explain to everyone who wants to know, what it is I'm doing. I think it's about judging the situation in terms of eating at a resteraunt. Of course it's pretty easy to inject discreetly and then pop to the loo to make sure your bloods are ok and you don't need top-ups or something, I might be a little embarrassed about getting out my blood meter and slapping it on the table in front of everyone just because it would appear rather attention seeking. And in my experience it's the blood prick that seems to jar with people the most anyway. Perhaps whipping out a brightly coloured Novopen at a business lunch for new clients might be a little insensitive. But I can't imagine anyone seriously objecting. It's quite obvious that insuin pens and meters are medical and legal and all above board. It's totally personal preference. I don't think anyone should be forced to inject in a corner, that seems humiliating and unfair. And the nurse who wrote the letter might be more understanding if she did have to inject, if the person who upset her had a habit of announcing her injection and turned it into a regular, gawp fest then I might understand her annoyance. But I'm sure most diabetics simply want it over with asap and discretion is something we're all practising anyway. People who don't like it can always look away or mind their own business. To be honest I've sat on enough buses smeared with bogeys, fast food grease, cigarette butts and discarded gum and despaired at the way people treat public spaces. I will practise discretion but I will not hide. PJ

Jul 3, 2009 marke 643 posts	Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter ok, I have just spent a lovely hour or so correcting the online carb counter so that it now matches version 8 of the book. i also corrected some duplicates that somehow crept in. If anyone spots any other errors please let us know !

Jul 3, 2009 marke 643 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Useful link for looking up CPs Ian, I have spoken to DAFNE Central and they suggest they can provide them if necessary however they would prefer you to get them from your DAFNE Educator. Why ? Because like all parts of the NHS they are under resourced and over worked. I do have the order form that I can send you to obtain copies from DAFNE Central, if this is your only option email admin at dafneonline.co.uk and we will send them to you.

Jul 3, 2009 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diaries Hi Phil, Sounds good. Can you send in to nivz78 [at] yahoo.co.uk I'll send you a copy of what I've done if you want. Might be interesting to 'splice' them together ;o) NiVZ

Jul 3, 2009 Phil Kane 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diaries I could send you a copy of same for you to look at if interested. Philip

Jul 3, 2009 ianmac 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE in peril at the Wirral if the powers in charge thought about it they would see that in the long run the DAFNE course may save a lot of money as well as helping Type 1 diabetics. I learnt so much on the course and found out lots of things i was doing wrong Its better having plenty of time to discuss and learn things rather than 5 minutes with your doctor who is under pressure to get through patients quickly To me its should be compulsory like in Germany i am using less insulin which is a saving and if my control is better i hopefully will require less treatmeny on the NHS.

Jul 3, 2009 ianmac 3 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Useful link for looking up CPs Thanks wanted a spare one to leave at work as canteen menu varies

Jul 3, 2009 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diaries I've also made my own spreadsheet in Excel which exactly copies the layout of the DAFNE diaries, and prints them to fill A4 sheets (like the overheads used on the DAFNE course). I added a button to make it do graphs as well (need to enable Macros). @Phil - Yours sounds pretty good too with averages, etc NiVZ

Jul 3, 2009 Phil Kane 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diaries I have devised a excel worksheet which caculates daily levels, weekly and monthly averages and this is turn is very easy to keep updated as it is a locked cell format. I use this instread of the dairy and I can automatically see just by looking at the screen to where the ups are downs are. The only disadvantage is you need a PC to update this sheet daily. Phil Kane

Jul 3, 2009 Phil Kane 4 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Introductions Hi Anne Marie. The Second Irish registered DAFNE user who is now on this site. The one thing I find amazing is the lack of support this site gets from the Health people in the various teaching hospitals in Ireland.You would think that in order for things to grow you need to participate after you finish the last day of the course and walk out into a different way of thinking. I know everybody has a honeymoon period where for a few weeks or months every test is recorded along with each CP but once the pattern gets set, old habits set back in. Keep the faith. Phll