Recent Posts

Yes you can tow a caravan. Providing you have a car licence you can tow a trailer regardless of medical restrictions.

The restriction you have now with your licence is you cannot drive over 3.5Tonnes like you probably could before. This is not because of Type-1, but because you have a new licence.
Remember if your car and caravan are over 3.5T combined this is not allowed - but this is unlikely with most outfits including 4x4s.

Jul 27, 2009

Lizzie 87 posts

Alzibiff - I wasn't thinking of the HCPs on my course when I said that. There were no doctors there - well one dropped in for about half an hour to answer a few questions, but the hard work was done by a dietitian and a nurse who were and are lovely and always respond to me if I need help. In contrast I have no relationship with any doctor, whether a GP or a diabetes doctor. I see a diabetes doctor for five minutes at my annual review and that's it really, and the next year it is a different doctor.

Jul 26, 2009

Simon 574 posts

Topic: Site Development / Question: Sharing the online diary

As an update, diary viewers can now access your BG Graphs, if you have allowed them access to your diary. This is useful for HCPs to spot trends graphically in your results.

Jul 26, 2009

Simon 574 posts

Just added a 'Seven Day' graph to the list of available graphs. It shows you 7 days worth of diary results in a similar way to NiVZ's example above. If you have opted to show graphs for all entries, you will be limited to the last 7 days for this graph type. If you are showing graphs for a specified date range, the 7 days will start from the first date in the date range selection boxes - I hope this makes sense.

Let me know if this is useful, and any updates you would like to it, or indeed any new graph types.

Thanks,

Simon

Jul 26, 2009

Simon 574 posts

We've just rolled out a major update to the graphs, so they all have a consistent look and feel. Check it out. They require the Flash player (if you can see the graphs on the diary graphs page, then you have it) - if you don't have it then there is a link to install it on the same page. If you aren't able to install it and want to be able to access the graphs then let us know and we will work on a solution.

Let us know what you think of the new graph features.

Also - still working on your request NiVZ, hope to have it done soon.

Thanks,

Simon

Jul 24, 2009

Jodie 1 post

Topic: Questions ? / Dieting

I am booking in for gastric band surgery will cost Â£3000 but i can't bear being fat ny longer. Has anyone had any weight loss surgery? I am worried about treating hypos and what my blood sugars might do.

Jodie

Jul 24, 2009

Widster 23 posts

I've now found a useful link that explains it:-

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

Jul 24, 2009

Widster 23 posts

Hi Polly,

Thanks for the advice. I have now found my licence and i have the same categories as you but also A (i took my motorbike test a few years ago) and B1 (not sure what this means but there is a picture of a van i think).

It's a relief that we are able to tow a caravan though. We have a 4 month old and a 2 year old and looking forward to lots of family holidays in the future!

Thanks
Widster

Jul 24, 2009

Polly 2 posts

Hi there, my 3 year licence was issued in March 2007. The categories are B, BE, f, k, l, n, p. I checked the DVLA website but it wasn't much help only that the BE category concerns towing. I googled towing a caravan and come up with www.practicalcaravan .com on the home page scroll down to Driving Licences and you will see we are entitled to pull a caravan as long as the caravan doesn't weigh more that the car.

Jul 24, 2009

Widster 23 posts

Hi, I have type 1 diabetes (since 2004) and therefore have to reapply for my driving licence every 3 years. I have had no problems with my driving and they always issue my licence for the firther 3 years. Can anyone tell me if my licence will allow me to tow a caravan? I have temporarily misplaced it so i can't have a look at the moment and i am unable to find out from the DVLA website. I am planning to buy a caravan to take my family away next year. Thanks, Widster

Jul 23, 2009

NiVZ 82 posts

Hi Simon,

I remember the very old diaries I used to use when first diagnosed where you put the reading on one half of the page and plotted a line graph on the opposite page. It's probably just familiarity that I like the line graph and made mine as shown in the picture.

I do like the graphs in the Blood Glucose Diary as I can see the benefit of showing readings grouped by time of day to help identify if theres a certain mealtime where you are high low, and it's also easy to see how much you change from bedtime to morning to keep an eye on the basal.

Thanks,

NiVZ

Jul 23, 2009

Simon 574 posts

I agree that the advice given here may well be useful - we are all living with diabetes, and anything that can help or make that situation more bearable/manageable is a good thing. We have purposefully put users 'levels' underneath their names on the forums so that you can see if the post has come from a Medical Professional (HCP) or DAFNE Graduate, or someone else. That way users can make informed decisions as to whether to follow advice given on the forums or not. It is true that adjustments made by one person with diabetes may not work the same for another person, but it is also true that the same adjustments may work for both people. My thoughts are this - give advice freely - be open about your experiences, that is what forums are about; but use it with care, if you do make changes do them gradually - as things which are too drastic may have severe effects. If something doesn't work for you, don't hold the advice-giver responsible, it's not their fault it didn't work for you - just try something else, or speak with your DAFNE Specialist. This site was created so Graduates could help each other.

Anyway, sermon over Smile

on to the topic in hand... I often find that if I've had a night-time hypo I'll have a headache - even if my BG is 8.3 or something. I remember also on our DAFNE course one of the guys had to do a 3AM test 3 nights out of the 4, and found that he was having night time hypos so reduced his background insulin.

Thanks,

Simon

Jul 22, 2009

Simon Heller 46 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Protein Supplements

Excess protein supplements are generally excreted without causing any real harm. However, in people who have developed kidney damage there is evidence that high protein diets can increase the amount of protein leaking from the kidneys and perhaps increase the rate of deterioration in kidney function, so probably best avoided. Simon H

Jul 22, 2009

Alzibiff 20 posts

Oops! Hope I haven't offended anyone but I was expressing a personal opinion and please don't forget that this foum is open to the entire public of the world which includes people with diabetes who have and have NOT attended a DAFNE course, their relatives, parents and children.

Not everyone has the DAFNE experience to draw on, not everyone is aware of hypo rebounds, the "dawn phenomenon" and the need for careful monitoring of BG levels. (I have only just stared to take BG monitoring seriously after many many years). I stick to my view that I think it is best to describe experiences and explain reasons for various actions when it comes to dose adjustment rather than to suggest to someone that they "try this". Let others draw on these experiences and apply them to their regime by all means.

Still friends I hope <smiley thing>

Alan

p.s. My experience of the HCP people that ran my DAFNE course is definitely not the same as Lizzie's.

"...all they usually say is 'it could be so-and-so, try doing this and come back in a few weeks' and that is based on reading some books many years ago.."

I have had excellent support - EMails get answered within hours rather than days and they have experience of dealing with many people with diabetes rather than my experience which is dealing with just me!

Jul 22, 2009

Jennifer 10 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Needle Bins

JWo, that does sound very annoying!! I will bear that in mind when I take mine back!

I ended up having to make an appointment at the surgery to see a doctor & ask if I could get a sharps bin on prescription. Seems a little bit of a waste of an appointment time but....., although my pharmacy had to order it so I haven't actually got it yet!

Jul 22, 2009

Jennifer 10 posts

Hi Widster/Alzibiff,

I spent a couple of weeks a few months ago testing at 3am & 5am and found by BG levels to be ok, it just seems the 2 hours before I wake for the day that something is happening. I have now been advised by my doc to split my BI as they don't think it's lasting even 12 hours, although it should last 24 hours!! At the moment i've had to reduced my dose aswell but my readings are still in the very high teens & am having to correct every meal time. I think i'll just have to spend the next wee while experimenting with levels and discussing with the nurse about what to do next!

It's very frustrating as I feel I am working really hard, being good and getting nowhere. Sad

Thanks for the advice. It's great for me to hear from other diabetics as I don't personally know anyone else that has type 1 diabetes. I also haven't had diabetes for that long so I am still learning all the time. If people are willing to share their experiences or offer me advice about what I can do then bring it on! I also feel the forums are great if people are seeking some help or guidance about their diabetes & want to talk to someone who is living through it and has experience every day of living with diabetes.

Jul 22, 2009

JayBee 582 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Dieting

Like Alzibiff, I have found that my eating habits have changed. I used to eat a big breakfast because I wanted to prevent hunger (that was probably being caused by lows) during the morning but since doing DAFNE, I can be a lot more flexible and I know I won't be hungry later on now. Smile

It's heaven now especially considering I don't like to snack between meals.

Not really seen much change in my weight on that note, but I guess everything's just taking a bit of time to adjust! ^_^

Jul 22, 2009

JayBee 582 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Needle Bins

I took my first sharps bin to do an exchange recently and I've learnt that I'm supposed to take them to my surgery/doctors and not the pharmacy, so considering ChrisS takes it to their pharmacy, I'd say be prepared to go to either on your first trip to get do a bins exchange.

From that experience, I'm a bit annoyed that the first pharmacy told me to visit another pharmacy and then when I visited the pharmacy the first pharmacy suggested, they told me to go back to my surgery/doctors instead. It does seem some places just don't know what's going on hense the mess around. :/

Oh well, thankfully the surgery/doctors was more than happy to take it off me and give me another one. That made it feel a bit better lol. Smile

Jul 22, 2009

Lizzie 87 posts

I agree with Widster. This forum is open to any DAFNE graduate and people will mean well and give different advice and that is good. It is far better to get advice and support from people who have lived with diabetes, than struggle alone with only a yearly visit to the doctor. I am sure as DAFNE grads we will all realise that before making big changes we should ask our doctor, and that everyone is different so what works for one won't work for another, but we also know how to alter out own insulin gradually in order to control our diabetes and there is nothing wrong with that. After all, that is all a doctor can really do, they are not on call 24/7, all they usually say is 'it could be so-and-so, try doing this and come back in a few weeks' and that is based on reading some books many years ago, not living every single day with diabetes. At the end of the day we are all responsible for our own diabetes, if we do not feel comfortable making changes we don't have to, but if we feel happy with making them responsibly then why not?

Jul 22, 2009

Widster 23 posts

Alzibiff/Jennifer,

Yes, i agree that this could be a rebound from a night-time hypo. Setting the alarm at 3am to see what the reading is would be a good way to proceed.

I think this forum is all about advice. Describing personal experiences, what has happened to oneself, how problems were overcome is all advice of one sort or another. People will make their own decisions and i don't think there should be restrictions on what is said, within reason of course! However, as i said, it is always wise to discuss any concerns with a health professional and i think most people who have been on the DAFNE course would realise this.

Don't forget that the whole purpose of DAFNE is to put control back into the hands of the person who has diabetes! We are encouraged to make small, reasoned changes and to see how this affects or overall blood glucose levels. This all contributes to flexibility in our eating habits and the way we live our lives.

Widster

Jul 22, 2009

Alzibiff 20 posts

Jennifer / Widster,
Careful!
A high BG in the morning could be the result of a "rebound" from an early morning hypo whilst asleep. Rather than go ahead and start adjusting your before bedtime BI, it may be worthwhile setting your alarm for 3am and testing your BG to allow you to take this reading into consideration with other factors which may be leading to a high waking BG level.

Personally - and this is my view - I don't think that we should be offering advice to anyone on this forum regarding insulin doses and the like - best to describe personal experiences and let others draw upon those.

Widster - agree that this needs discussion with a HCP though!

Alan

Jul 22, 2009

Widster 23 posts

Jennifer, if your BG is high by morning i would think that you may need to increase your background overnight? I would talk to your diabetes nurse/consultant about this or try it and observe the results? I suppose it depends when you are taking your background. i inject 20 units of lantus just before bed. When my BG was high i realised it was because my background was too low at 16 so i gradually increased it until it is now 20 units and i usually wake up with a reading between 4 and 7 and not over 10. Just my thoughts. Good luck. Paul

Jul 20, 2009

Simon 574 posts

Hi, sorry for the delay in replying to this guys - I've been out of the country for the past week.

NiVZ - Have you seen our Diary Graphs, which are accessible from the BG Diary view (underneath the actual table of entries)? If not, you may find what you are looking for there. If not then what type of graph would you like to see above and beyond what we already have?

Alan - I have implemented both 'mean' and 'modal' versions of this graph, and you can find links to them as 'Daily Trend Charts' in the BG Diary section - is this the kind of thing you are after? If not then let me know and I'll modify it for you.

As always - feedback by all members is encouraged.

Simon

Jul 19, 2009

Sheila_Kay 11 posts