Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Mar 31, 2017

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DEXCOM G4 - CGM

unsure but I would guess a couple of hundred quid for the CGM and another hundred or so for the sensors, which will last a week or two.....although some have reported getting longer on them...

what sticks out for me on your post though is you have admitted reduced hypo awareness and you are still driving.....are you over exaggerating your awareness to justify the CGM or is it really that bad and the DVLA don't know...

Mar 31, 2017

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

All worth it, especially if she has not had any similar education

Mar 30, 2017

Mezzy_d 2 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / To 29.03.2017

Diary from 20th March

Mar 30, 2017

Mezzy_d 2 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / To 29.03.2017

Diary from 20th March

Mar 30, 2017

meltow 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DEXCOM G4 - CGM

I'm interested to know how much the Dexcom G4 system costs - does anyone know?

I've had one on loan for the last 6 weeks, and it's been a godsend. I'm virtually totally unaware of hypos unless my BG falls to 2.5 or below. Not good - particularly as my job entails a lot of driving to meet clients! Having the CGM has been great - a complete new tool for helping me to manage my diabetes, together with finger pricking and DAFNE. 48 hours now without it, and I'm back to square one Evil or Very Mad

Obviously there is the sensor, plus the reader, and the needles which need changing weekly.
Love to hear from anyone self-funding a Dexcom meter.

Cheers,

Mar 29, 2017

Bananaman 34 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / blood glucose problems

I have been having some problems my blood glucose reading lately could someone help I am on levemir and novorapid

Mar 28, 2017

marke 686 posts

Topic: Site Development / Any plans to serve pages over HTTPS?

So, After a few headaches and some downtime we now support https. Thanks go to Alistair for pointing me in the direction of lets encrypt. We are still supporting both http and https so you can use either at the moment. Eventually I will try to re-direct http requests to the http site but I need a rest now ;-) Upgrading websites is really not as easy as it should be when you do it in your own time ( that's both Simon and me, not just me !). I will add a news item to the site to let everyone know they can now use https and get rid of the browser warnings about security.

Mar 28, 2017

laridkelly 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Blood glucose

Assuming carbs count is accurate. How long after taking humalog should my blood glucose be in target range?

Mar 27, 2017

michaelj 45 posts

Topic: Site Development / Any plans to serve pages over HTTPS?

I too have had problems with the new version of Firefox telling me the DAFNE site is unsecured. Have now stopped using this to log in, but find the Google Chrome still functions with no problems and lets me in without fuss

Mar 26, 2017

alturn 78 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

I think she should take the course. This sounds similar to me pre-Dafne â€“ flunctuating BG, HBA1C out of range causing blurred vision, (incorrect) carb-counting. Dafne worked for me, though I still have periods of low & high BG (less extreme) but no blurred vision, and HBA1C in range.

If BG is flunctuating implies something may not be correct so this would be an opportunity to look at this. It could be QA or BI (or both) need tuning. External factors such as stress, driving, work-patterns may also contribute.

Dafne does require self-discipline to monitor and react to obtain full benefit. Then there are other aspects like sick-day rules (potentially very useful), interactions with others, confidence boost in the control.

Hope this helps,
J

Mar 26, 2017

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

I'm with you Simon ! I never would have guessed 8 years or so ago when I did it where it would lead me. I met interesting people on the course and have continued to meet Diabetics and Medical professionals since then that have taught me more than I ever would have guessed there was to know about Diabetes. It is difficult I appreciate for anyone to do the course, even without the commuting but I think most people get a lot out of the course in many ways.

Ok sales pitch over Cool

Mar 26, 2017

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning

The problem for me with the NICE guidelines are they cover ALL diabetics and as ALL diabetics know we are all different ! Personally I would never worry about the 90 minutes target. I may experiment with a CGM to change Bolus times to move them further before a meal but thats about as far as a would or could go. If I miss the target cest a vie I wouldn't worry about it. As I said in my first post, we have a bit missing so with current technologies we are never going to be the same as 'normal' people, we can aim to be but if our aim is not true its just the way it is.

Mar 26, 2017

Simat 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

Hi Jos

Having just completed a DAFNE course last week I would definitely recommend your daughter goes on the course. Prior to the course I was also carb counting in the way you describe and had good control. Nevertheless I still learnt loads and I should hopefully now have the tools to achieve even better control. Also, a major benefit of the course is meeting and discussing experiences with other type 1s. This was absolutely invaluable and something which can't be gained from simply reading the materials.

Best

Simon

Mar 26, 2017

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

Hi, Without boring you rigid with the details. Its political , the materials are 'owned' by one particular NHS trust who have copyright on them. For the next version of DAFNE being developed now, I hope they won't make the same mistakes and one part of the NHS won't own it but it will be owned by the programme. I'm not sure I will hold my breath though, ALL big organisations run on bureaucracy not just he NHS Sad

Mar 25, 2017

Jos2 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

BTW, how do they justify the secrecy over the materials?

Mar 25, 2017

Jos2 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

Thanks for the advice Marke, I'll pass this on. Any other opinions? Smile

Mar 25, 2017

Jos2 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning

Hi Marke,

My daughter has been using the Dexcom G4 system for about 6 years, though she has just lost funding for this so she will be back to using just a normal monitor soon. I've no doubt that her BG did go high before she had the CGM, and still does when she doesn't have time to wait - or is too hungry. The NICE guidelines recommend a level of between 5 and 9 at 90 minutes after eating. This is rarely achieved. How practical do others find this target?

Mar 25, 2017

pmason 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning

Yes, good advice. Thanks Marke, BG monitoring however is not the issue for me. I use to do nearly as many tests when finger pricking and I understand the difference between the two methods. I will be looking at all factors with my Endo.

Mar 25, 2017

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning

Hi neither of you say if how long you have been using you Abbott devices ? Is it possible this has always happened but that you were never aware of it because you never had the tools to monitor it before. Also you have to accept you don't have a normal pancreas anymore, so your BG's are never going to be like a normal persons. There are a number of other possible factors but you should discus this with your Diabetes Team to get a proper answer. Some cereals will have a longer lasting effect on BG's, a lot of people are more resistant to insulin in the mornings due to Dawn phenomenon related issues. finally the Abbott Freestyle is an inter-cellular BG measure NOT a blood glucose measure and is only a guide not the same as a BG reading. As I say things to discuss with a Diabetes Team.

Mar 25, 2017

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

I'm probably not the best person to answer since I help run the site so I'm evidently biased, however I would say yes. There are loads of fringe benefits to doing the course including being in a room with a group of fellow diabetics and so realising you are not alone with any issues you have and everyone has the same problems. It also joins the dots over a lot of diabetic related things including carb counting and not over compensating for highs and lows in BG's.

I'm afraid you can't view the course materials unless you have done the course. You have to sign a contract in blood and offer up your first born as security Evil or Very Mad

I'm only half joking here, they are VERY protective of the materials and we had to sign legal documents to host them on the site.

Mar 25, 2017

Jos2 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning

My daughter found that giving her insulin 40-60 minutes before breakfast eliminates this increase, but I wouldn't recommend attempting this without a continuous BG monitor of some kind. Also, it's not often practical time wise, especially for breakfast when it's most often an issue.

Mar 25, 2017

Jos2 8 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE?

Hi,

My daughter was offered a DAFNE course last year but couldn't do it because of work. However, her shifts have changed so she is wondering if it's worth asking about the course. She wants to be sure that it's worth doing though, as it would involve an hour and a quarter commute each way to clinic Monday to Friday for the course, before working 5pm-10pm on Friday and 2pm to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday as a care assistant.

She currently counts carbohydrates using a combination of packet information and weighing food, when possible, and estimating based on experience when it's not. She uses an insulin pump and has set the basal rate through testing (her BGs are level if she does nothing and eats nothing Smile

). Her meal bolus ratios have been adjusted for each meal and correction factors also vary through the day as a result of testing. However, she still has wildly fluctuating BGs and her HBA1C is around 8.5%.

As a child we managed to keep her HBA1c at around 6.5%. But that was obviously before driving and university/work.

What do people think?

Also, is it possible to see a copy of the course materials, as this might help her decide.

Thanks,
Jos

Mar 25, 2017

pmason 11 posts

Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning

Exactly the same has been happening to me lately; although I've only had diabetes for the last 35 years. I use Humalog, (1-1+2 ratio) and eat the same breakfast each day However, in the past couple of months I too have found my QA doesn't start working until about 45 minutes to an hour after injecting. HAS THIS BATCH OF HUMALOG CHANGED (use by date 03 2018 ). I too can see this happening since using the Abbots freestyle libre. I have breakfast around 6am and inject just prior; so I can't have an extra unit or two 2 hours before brekkie. (as suggested by Warwick) I also take my BI (Levermir) 12 hours apart at 6pm & 6am. If I sleep in 'til 7am, my levels are definitely on the rise. I have increased my BI from 12 at 6pm to 13 then 14 and I'm checking over the next week if this helps. I see my Endo next month to discuss the matter. My DAFNE diabetes educator has suggested I maybe should try Nova rapid instead of Humalog because it can work quicker for some. (i'll ask my Endo).
DAFNE says if levels are ok before brekkie and before lunch, all is fine. But if i'm going up to 16 or 17 two hours after brekkie I feel it is not fine. In fact one feels lousy until ones sugars come down again. Cheers............

Mar 22, 2017

Warwick 426 posts

Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning

Has the types of food you consume at breakfast changed since 8 weeks ago? If not, then as your BGLs are already rising from 3 am, perhaps take an extra unit or two of QA s per the DAFNE principles about 2 hours before breakfast. This should cover the rise until 2 hours after breakfast without adding to the drop 2 hours after breakfast.

Mar 21, 2017

Colin McC 15 posts

Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning

Been a diabetic for 50 years & still around, & for the past 10 months been taking QA (Humalog) 15-20 mins before eating. Had no problems for 8 months, but these past 8 weeks I have been getting high mid morning BG levels, approx. 2 hours after breakfast, which then quickly falls about 1-2 hours later. Found this out as I use the Abbots freestyle libre. Been increasing my BI (Lantus) at night from 10u to 15u gradually & my pre-breakfast QA, but this has not solved the problem. Maybe a case of dawn phenomenom but this seems to be a bit later than dawn! Most of the time my 3am & pre-breakfast BG is on the rise. Anyone out there had this kind of problem? I am booked in to se my Diabetic nurse next week.

Mar 31, 2017 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DEXCOM G4 - CGM unsure but I would guess a couple of hundred quid for the CGM and another hundred or so for the sensors, which will last a week or two.....although some have reported getting longer on them... what sticks out for me on your post though is you have admitted reduced hypo awareness and you are still driving.....are you over exaggerating your awareness to justify the CGM or is it really that bad and the DVLA don't know...

Mar 31, 2017 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? All worth it, especially if she has not had any similar education

Mar 30, 2017 Mezzy_d 2 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / To 29.03.2017 Diary from 20th March

Mar 30, 2017 Mezzy_d 2 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / To 29.03.2017 Diary from 20th March

Mar 30, 2017 meltow 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DEXCOM G4 - CGM I'm interested to know how much the Dexcom G4 system costs - does anyone know? I've had one on loan for the last 6 weeks, and it's been a godsend. I'm virtually totally unaware of hypos unless my BG falls to 2.5 or below. Not good - particularly as my job entails a lot of driving to meet clients! Having the CGM has been great - a complete new tool for helping me to manage my diabetes, together with finger pricking and DAFNE. 48 hours now without it, and I'm back to square one Obviously there is the sensor, plus the reader, and the needles which need changing weekly. Love to hear from anyone self-funding a Dexcom meter. Cheers,

Mar 29, 2017 Bananaman 34 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / blood glucose problems I have been having some problems my blood glucose reading lately could someone help I am on levemir and novorapid

Mar 28, 2017 marke 686 posts	Topic: Site Development / Any plans to serve pages over HTTPS? So, After a few headaches and some downtime we now support https. Thanks go to Alistair for pointing me in the direction of lets encrypt. We are still supporting both http and https so you can use either at the moment. Eventually I will try to re-direct http requests to the http site but I need a rest now ;-) Upgrading websites is really not as easy as it should be when you do it in your own time ( that's both Simon and me, not just me !). I will add a news item to the site to let everyone know they can now use https and get rid of the browser warnings about security.

Mar 28, 2017 laridkelly 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Blood glucose Assuming carbs count is accurate. How long after taking humalog should my blood glucose be in target range?

Mar 27, 2017 michaelj 45 posts	Topic: Site Development / Any plans to serve pages over HTTPS? I too have had problems with the new version of Firefox telling me the DAFNE site is unsecured. Have now stopped using this to log in, but find the Google Chrome still functions with no problems and lets me in without fuss

Mar 26, 2017 alturn 78 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? I think she should take the course. This sounds similar to me pre-Dafne â€“ flunctuating BG, HBA1C out of range causing blurred vision, (incorrect) carb-counting. Dafne worked for me, though I still have periods of low & high BG (less extreme) but no blurred vision, and HBA1C in range. If BG is flunctuating implies something may not be correct so this would be an opportunity to look at this. It could be QA or BI (or both) need tuning. External factors such as stress, driving, work-patterns may also contribute. Dafne does require self-discipline to monitor and react to obtain full benefit. Then there are other aspects like sick-day rules (potentially very useful), interactions with others, confidence boost in the control. Hope this helps, J

Mar 26, 2017 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? I'm with you Simon ! I never would have guessed 8 years or so ago when I did it where it would lead me. I met interesting people on the course and have continued to meet Diabetics and Medical professionals since then that have taught me more than I ever would have guessed there was to know about Diabetes. It is difficult I appreciate for anyone to do the course, even without the commuting but I think most people get a lot out of the course in many ways. Ok sales pitch over

Mar 26, 2017 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning The problem for me with the NICE guidelines are they cover ALL diabetics and as ALL diabetics know we are all different ! Personally I would never worry about the 90 minutes target. I may experiment with a CGM to change Bolus times to move them further before a meal but thats about as far as a would or could go. If I miss the target cest a vie I wouldn't worry about it. As I said in my first post, we have a bit missing so with current technologies we are never going to be the same as 'normal' people, we can aim to be but if our aim is not true its just the way it is.

Mar 26, 2017 Simat 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? Hi Jos Having just completed a DAFNE course last week I would definitely recommend your daughter goes on the course. Prior to the course I was also carb counting in the way you describe and had good control. Nevertheless I still learnt loads and I should hopefully now have the tools to achieve even better control. Also, a major benefit of the course is meeting and discussing experiences with other type 1s. This was absolutely invaluable and something which can't be gained from simply reading the materials. Best Simon

Mar 26, 2017 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? Hi, Without boring you rigid with the details. Its political , the materials are 'owned' by one particular NHS trust who have copyright on them. For the next version of DAFNE being developed now, I hope they won't make the same mistakes and one part of the NHS won't own it but it will be owned by the programme. I'm not sure I will hold my breath though, ALL big organisations run on bureaucracy not just he NHS

Mar 25, 2017 Jos2 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? BTW, how do they justify the secrecy over the materials?

Mar 25, 2017 Jos2 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? Thanks for the advice Marke, I'll pass this on. Any other opinions?

Mar 25, 2017 Jos2 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning Hi Marke, My daughter has been using the Dexcom G4 system for about 6 years, though she has just lost funding for this so she will be back to using just a normal monitor soon. I've no doubt that her BG did go high before she had the CGM, and still does when she doesn't have time to wait - or is too hungry. The NICE guidelines recommend a level of between 5 and 9 at 90 minutes after eating. This is rarely achieved. How practical do others find this target?

Mar 25, 2017 pmason 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning Yes, good advice. Thanks Marke, BG monitoring however is not the issue for me. I use to do nearly as many tests when finger pricking and I understand the difference between the two methods. I will be looking at all factors with my Endo.

Mar 25, 2017 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning Hi neither of you say if how long you have been using you Abbott devices ? Is it possible this has always happened but that you were never aware of it because you never had the tools to monitor it before. Also you have to accept you don't have a normal pancreas anymore, so your BG's are never going to be like a normal persons. There are a number of other possible factors but you should discus this with your Diabetes Team to get a proper answer. Some cereals will have a longer lasting effect on BG's, a lot of people are more resistant to insulin in the mornings due to Dawn phenomenon related issues. finally the Abbott Freestyle is an inter-cellular BG measure NOT a blood glucose measure and is only a guide not the same as a BG reading. As I say things to discuss with a Diabetes Team.

Mar 25, 2017 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? I'm probably not the best person to answer since I help run the site so I'm evidently biased, however I would say yes. There are loads of fringe benefits to doing the course including being in a room with a group of fellow diabetics and so realising you are not alone with any issues you have and everyone has the same problems. It also joins the dots over a lot of diabetic related things including carb counting and not over compensating for highs and lows in BG's. I'm afraid you can't view the course materials unless you have done the course. You have to sign a contract in blood and offer up your first born as security I'm only half joking here, they are VERY protective of the materials and we had to sign legal documents to host them on the site.

Mar 25, 2017 Jos2 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning My daughter found that giving her insulin 40-60 minutes before breakfast eliminates this increase, but I wouldn't recommend attempting this without a continuous BG monitor of some kind. Also, it's not often practical time wise, especially for breakfast when it's most often an issue.

Mar 25, 2017 Jos2 8 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Worth doing DAFNE? Hi, My daughter was offered a DAFNE course last year but couldn't do it because of work. However, her shifts have changed so she is wondering if it's worth asking about the course. She wants to be sure that it's worth doing though, as it would involve an hour and a quarter commute each way to clinic Monday to Friday for the course, before working 5pm-10pm on Friday and 2pm to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday as a care assistant. She currently counts carbohydrates using a combination of packet information and weighing food, when possible, and estimating based on experience when it's not. She uses an insulin pump and has set the basal rate through testing (her BGs are level if she does nothing and eats nothing ). Her meal bolus ratios have been adjusted for each meal and correction factors also vary through the day as a result of testing. However, she still has wildly fluctuating BGs and her HBA1C is around 8.5%. As a child we managed to keep her HBA1c at around 6.5%. But that was obviously before driving and university/work. What do people think? Also, is it possible to see a copy of the course materials, as this might help her decide. Thanks, Jos

Mar 25, 2017 pmason 11 posts	Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning Exactly the same has been happening to me lately; although I've only had diabetes for the last 35 years. I use Humalog, (1-1+2 ratio) and eat the same breakfast each day However, in the past couple of months I too have found my QA doesn't start working until about 45 minutes to an hour after injecting. HAS THIS BATCH OF HUMALOG CHANGED (use by date 03 2018 ). I too can see this happening since using the Abbots freestyle libre. I have breakfast around 6am and inject just prior; so I can't have an extra unit or two 2 hours before brekkie. (as suggested by Warwick) I also take my BI (Levermir) 12 hours apart at 6pm & 6am. If I sleep in 'til 7am, my levels are definitely on the rise. I have increased my BI from 12 at 6pm to 13 then 14 and I'm checking over the next week if this helps. I see my Endo next month to discuss the matter. My DAFNE diabetes educator has suggested I maybe should try Nova rapid instead of Humalog because it can work quicker for some. (i'll ask my Endo). DAFNE says if levels are ok before brekkie and before lunch, all is fine. But if i'm going up to 16 or 17 two hours after brekkie I feel it is not fine. In fact one feels lousy until ones sugars come down again. Cheers............

Mar 22, 2017 Warwick 426 posts	Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning Has the types of food you consume at breakfast changed since 8 weeks ago? If not, then as your BGLs are already rising from 3 am, perhaps take an extra unit or two of QA s per the DAFNE principles about 2 hours before breakfast. This should cover the rise until 2 hours after breakfast without adding to the drop 2 hours after breakfast.

Mar 21, 2017 Colin McC 15 posts	Topic: General Discussion / High BG mid morning Been a diabetic for 50 years & still around, & for the past 10 months been taking QA (Humalog) 15-20 mins before eating. Had no problems for 8 months, but these past 8 weeks I have been getting high mid morning BG levels, approx. 2 hours after breakfast, which then quickly falls about 1-2 hours later. Found this out as I use the Abbots freestyle libre. Been increasing my BI (Lantus) at night from 10u to 15u gradually & my pre-breakfast QA, but this has not solved the problem. Maybe a case of dawn phenomenom but this seems to be a bit later than dawn! Most of the time my 3am & pre-breakfast BG is on the rise. Anyone out there had this kind of problem? I am booked in to se my Diabetic nurse next week.