Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Feb 27, 2009

marke 686 posts

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

I'm with all of you. When first diagnosed I injected in toliets, but like others found this impractical. I also decided if people didn't like it that was their problem. I am discreet, but not ashamed !! The original letter is a joke, if that person really is a nurse I hope they never care for me they obviously have no understanding of what it means to be a diabetic. Personally if we can't inject then there should be a ban on all medicines in public ;-)

Feb 27, 2009

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / "Diabetes set off course" Balance letter

I would encourage everyone who has joined this site to email diabetes UK with a positive letter regarding DAFNE. The address is
[email protected]. For every approach to Diabetes management there will be winners and losers, this is the only loser I
have come across and I have to say I find Diabetes UK approach to this disturbing. I'm sure they will say they can only print what
they say, to lets give them something to print !

I would suggest though that no one actually criticises this persons views as they are quite entitled to them. Better to let everyone
at Diabetes UK know how good the course is. I have criticised Diabetes UK in the past for their DAFNE coverage but not really got
a good answer from them. So lets make them aware that there ARE people who found it a life changing experience.

Feb 26, 2009

Jenny 27 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Do periods mess up your blood sugars?

Hi. I did the DAFNE course 18mths ago. Mainly after changing from twice daily injections to Basal bolus regime before trying for a baby. (Baby girl 8lb 13oz, 4 weeks early HbA1c 6. Cool

I have had diabetes for 20years.

I would like to know if any other women notice differences in insulin requirements throughout the month linked to menstrual cycle? I seem to spend a couple of weeks carefully adjusting my ratios etc. due to high blood sugars only to just get them right and start getting hypos for the next couple of weeks while I carefully adjust everything again. I am sure this is linked to periods but none of my health care team seem to agree. They just give vague answers.

It is really frustrating because I can never seem to get on top of things. I find that I am constantly thinking about reasons why blood sugars are high/low. During hospital visits i am always told that I have good control but I feel like I am always one step away from getting it right.

It would be good to hear if anyone elso has the same problems.

Jenny

Feb 25, 2009

Em 2 posts

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

Wow, its great, thanks Simon for being so quick!
Em

Feb 25, 2009

Lizzie 87 posts

Topic: General Discussion / "Diabetes set off course" Balance letter

I thought it was odd that they would print that. Everyone is entitled to their view, but I don't think it is constructive to print a letter criticising an education course.

If this man has problems with hypos he should speak to his diabetic care team. In fact, I had loads of hypos prior to doing DAFNE and afterwards they are vastly reduced. If he is having hypos and yet his HBA1 is rising, he must be having high sugars too and misjudging something, I don't know if it is his insulin or food or what. It sounds like this man was using a rough reckoning system and ignoring his diabetes and DAFNE may have brought home some truths to him about the damage he could be doing, and the amount of work he needs to do to prevent it. His main criticism is that he 'hates mucking around with his food' - but food is integral to diabetes management and however much we might hate it, we would probably hate getting complications more. If his mealtime companions are so rude that they won't wait for everyone around the table to be ready before eating, that is not a fault of DAFNE. He says prior to DAFNE his blood sugars were not above 13 - but that is quite a bit higher than the DUK guidelines (http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Treatment__your_health/Monitoring/Blood_Glucose/Blood-glucose-target-ranges/). I can't find any solid criticism of what he thinks is wrong with DAFNE exactly - is it the material which is taught? The methods? He says he is less happy after DAFNE. But that is to be expected to some extent - a whole 5 days thinking only of your diabetes is very intense. It brings up some deep-rooted emotions. I myself was in floods of tears at one point because I had been so scared for so long and had been denying my fears, or my diabetes, existed, and suddenly both were confronting me. It is an intense time and can be difficult for people to deal with.

Feb 25, 2009

Lizzie 87 posts

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

I have always injected in public. I don't know if people are becoming more conservative, it seems that way to me. I know some people don't see diabetes as a disability but to me this story is related to the one about the cbeebies presenter who has 1 arm and some parents complained that she scared their kids - people seem to be more uncomfortable with medical/disability stuff in public.

I think going to the toilet is unhygienic, and it is hard to balance meter, insulin pen, writing pen, diary, insulin all on the small area on top of the toilet. I guess I could go to the disabled loo but then people glare at you - you have all 4 limbs and don't use a wheelchair, why are you in the disabled toilet? And also it is similarly unhygienic. People don't store other medical stuff in the toilet, the first aid kit is not kept there, for a good reason - it is disgusting.

Personally, I think that if someone has a disabling phobia of some kind - and it must be disabling for a nurse to be scared of seeing people inject - then they should get it treated. People should not have to go out of their way because someone has a phobia. I wonder how this nurse manages to do her job if she is so squeamish about injections.

Feb 24, 2009

Simon Heller 46 posts

Topic: General Discussion / "Diabetes set off course" Balance letter

We on the DAFNE executive wondered whether anyone had read the March/April Balance letters page which carried this critical letter of someone who had a very negative view of the DAFNE course. If someone felt able to submit a contrary view this might be helpful in creating 'balance' and helping us to try and ensure that DAFNE or another structured education courses are more available.
Simon

Feb 23, 2009

Simon 578 posts

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

An update on the pie charts - you can now access pie charts via links underneath your diary display in the BG diary function. There are two options currently; one which will display the chart for all of your results, and one which will display results for the currently displayed diary entries (chosen using the date pickers above the diary page).

This gives you a nice graphical representation of how you are doing in terms of BG targets.

Let me know what you think of this, and as always if you have any improvement requests.

Simon

Feb 23, 2009

Diana 7 posts

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

I have always injected in public, even in business meetings, and usually manage to do it discreetly so most people don't even notice or realise what I'm doing. I've never noticed negative reactions from anyone, and only very occasionally curiosity. The only time I find injecting in public a hassle is when I grab something to eat on the run in winter, but that's only because it's fiddly to unbutton layers, inject and carry stuff at the same time.

Feb 23, 2009

AlisonCo 1 post

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Parameters

The targets change, my hospital recommends no more than 5.5 before meals and no more than 7.8 1 hour after meals. Pregnancy is the only time DAFNE recommends post-meal testing at 1 hour. Some women find that it is helpful to adopt this prior to pregnancy.

Feb 23, 2009

Jenny Howard 1 post

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

I did used to go and hide when I had to inject but then I made the decision that I shouldn't have to go into the toilets to have my insulin.

I also asked my husband what his thoughts were and he said that it is other people's problem if they have an issue with it and they shouldn't be so nosy in the first place!!!

I had no idea that people would feel so strongly about it especially a nurse and I would never like to offend people but we shouldn't be made to feel that we are doing something wrong.

Feb 23, 2009

Joolie 3 posts

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

The two letters in balance have really unsettled me. I asked my husband what he thought and he said it's the other people's issue if they have a problem with these necessary injections.

Every time I'm eating out with someone for the first time I always check to see if they're afraid of needles, to give them a chance to look away while I do my injection. I always try to inject discreetly and many people don't realise I'm doing it. My husband asked what these people would do if a person was in a wheelchair, clearly, it would be disgraceful if the person in the wheelchair was asked to go somewhere else as they were being inconsiderate. Unfortunately, I'm a person with diabetes and have to inject insulin. I don't like it much either, but do I have to move away every single time I need to inject?

Feb 23, 2009

Joolie 3 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Parameters

Hello

I have been a type 1 diabetic since the summer of 1997 and will be 30 in July. I'm trying to tighten up my blood glucose levels, possibly with a view to pregnancy this year. Please can you tell me if there is suggested range for people on DAFNE re- conception and pregnancy ?

I have seen parameters for non-DAFNE and these often include figures for after eating. Since starting DAFNE I don't normally test 2 hrs after eating and am wondering if I should start doing this now?

I am meeting a specialist nurse for people with diabetes tomorrow (for the first time) and don't know how clued up she will be on DAFNE. I moved to the borders of Surrey/Hampshire about 6 years ago from Leicester, where I'd done DAFNE, and they're not as familiar with it here.

Thanks for your guidance.
Joolie

Feb 23, 2009

Simon 578 posts

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

Hi All,

I just wanted to invite some comments on a letter I read in this months Diabetes UK magazine, Balance. It was a response to a letter in a previous issue, and reads:

"I was astounded by the letter from the man whose wife injected herself at a restaurant table while dining with friends ('Injection etiquette', Your health: Dear Richard, Jan/Feb 2009 Balance). How anyone can think this is acceptable is beyond me, but Richard's reply made it seem that anyone who might be upset should look away. Personally, I'd be disgusted if someone at the table did this, and I'm a nurse! I would be angry at that person's lack of consideration for others. The lady may not want to inject in the toilet, but if she is eating at a decent restaurant then they should be perfectly hygenic and a far more suitable place for such and intimate act." - Balance, Mar/April 2009, P.11

Now at first glance I thought this was a joke... But then was a little shocked to read that this person (a nurse) sounded deadly serious about it. I was wondering what other people's thoughts were on this - do you feel comfortable when injecting in public, or do you find somewhere private (e.g. a toilet) to do it?

Simon

Feb 23, 2009

Simon 578 posts

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

Hi Emma,

Thanks for the feedback. I agree that this would be a nice feature to have. Unfortunately it's a little more difficult displaying things graphically on the web versus in table format, rest assured though I'll get working on it and update you on progress via this forum post.

Thanks,

Simon

Feb 23, 2009

Em 2 posts

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

Hi Simon

Thanks for all the hard work you are putting into this site - its great!

Is it possible that the BG diary could some how have the option to be viewed as a pie chart, as this is helpful to see a percentage of BG on target, under and over??

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Emma

Feb 22, 2009

Simon 578 posts

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

Stew,

Thanks for your feedback, I totally agree and have now sorted that out, You can now put decimal numbers plus corrections in the CP,QA and BI fields in a diary entry. For example, these entries:

8, 8+1, 8.5, 8.5+1, 8.5+0.5

Are now allowed in the aforementioned fields.

If you have any more feedback then please don't hesitate to post here or get in touch.

Simon

Feb 22, 2009

Stew B 125 posts

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

Hi Simon, I've tried a few entries in the online diary. One issue is that if I make a CP or QA correction I like to show it in my paper diary in the form "8+1" (i.e. 8CPs for the food I am about to eat, plus one CP correction, or 8 units of QA plus one unit for a correction). The on-line diary won't let me do this, it seems to require a single number entry. I guess I could indicate that I have made a correction in the comments box, but I'm also using the comments box to indicate QA ratios etc. Is there any reason why the CP and QA boxes can't be allowed to take an entry in the "8+1" format?

Feb 19, 2009

Simon 578 posts

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

Hi Louisa,

Thanks for your post. A lot of your requirements seem to relate to a paper-based diary - is this correct? At the moment I'm just looking at implementing one that you can update via this website, and in the future share your diary (if you want) with other site users. Your paper-based comments do still come in handy though, as I need to define a layout for printing the online diary.

With regard to the 'more columns' request - how many is a good number for you? There has to be a tradeoff here between how many entries you can make into the diary, and how it looks on a page (more entries per day may become confusing).

Please feel free to add more comments, the more user feedback we get the better we can make it!

Thanks,

Simon

Feb 19, 2009

Louisa 1 post

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

Hi Simon,

This is of particluar interest to me and I hope you dont mind me sharing my thoughts. I was given three BG diaries when I finished the course and Im but a couple of pages away from the end of my supply! To my great suprise (in my pre-Dafne state, I had avoided writing them down EVER), I now intend to keep this going....until I get a better hobbie anyhow....

The closest thing I found online was a Leceister Hospital own version of the diary, available for download. Not as nice as the Dafne produced one, but when printed was too large. I started to devise my own (my Dafne team dont do an on-going supply). Main features for me are...

* Size, I find the current diary too large and bulky for fitting inside my kitbag
* Preferably, the size of a passport as I would like one that fits a passport holder and get myself a nice protective case (and defer away from my current decoration of spots of blood from my fingers!)
* Somewhere for an indication of ratio's as I differ on working and non-working days
* More colums. I test more than the number of columns if I have hypo'd or been to the gym.

Ive just read that back and I appear to have a lot of requirements for a very small page! Overall, Im happy with the format we have now with the current diary - I just cant get my hands on any!!! An online option would be very useful for me and I look forward to what you come up with.

Cheers
Lou

Feb 14, 2009

marke 686 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Compare notes...

I used to have the same problems with Gym visits. My advice would be, experiment. I don't think there is a good answer because we are
all so different. I tried banana's and chocolate and a few other things. I was sometimes a bit low by not having enough but there was no
set amount since the level of exercise could change from week to week as could my reaction to the carbs and exercise. I would
always keeps some carbs with me though just in case. In fact the biggest issue I had was the next morning when the carb 'demand'
was still higher than normal. Its easy to forget about this when 'planning' exercise.

Feb 11, 2009

Diana 7 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Useful link for looking up CPs

http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/ is also very good and includes UK brands. if you go straight to the website i think it's only possible to browse (as opposed to searching) the food categories without becoming a member, but if you google the food you're after and "carbohydrate" it usually comes up...

Feb 11, 2009

Simon 578 posts

Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries

The team are now looking to implement new features and one requested in the initial meeting was an online blood glucose diary. I'd like to canvas for opinions on what features you'd like to see if such a thing were implemented. First question though - would you want one? There's no point in spending time developing a feature if it wasn't going to be used.

Next - what would you want it to do? Here's some thoughts:

Show BG results that you have input in the same format as the one you receive during DAFNE Week
Allow you to share it with others (optionally) and integrate it with forums in case you wanted to ask for opinions on ratios/trends.
Allow you to set specific targets and show whether each reading is above, in, or below target.
Be printable so you can take it to reviews and doctors appointments

Any thoughts are most welcome.

Thanks,

Simon

Feb 11, 2009

Simon 578 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Useful link for looking up CPs

Hi,

I found quite a useful site today, at http://caloriecount.about.com. Basically you can search for any food/drink, even branded goods and it will show you the nutrition information for that item, in terms of /100g or per portion. It seems to be a massive database, so might be a good place to look if you are stuck trying to work out the Carbohydrate content of an item.

As an aside, the development team are currently working on a CP list function for the site, and will let you know when that is up and running.

Simon

Feb 10, 2009

Diana 7 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Mulled wine

I wouldn't normally adjust for alcohol but I've found in the past that mulled wine sends my BS a bit high when I don't count it. Also, I wonder if microwaving it zaps the alcohol to some extent? It never goes to my head, whereas the same quantity of red wine would! Anyway, I injected 4.5u and a couple of hours later my BS was 5.6 so 30g CHO/120mls must be about right.

Feb 27, 2009 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Balance" letter about injecting in public I'm with all of you. When first diagnosed I injected in toliets, but like others found this impractical. I also decided if people didn't like it that was their problem. I am discreet, but not ashamed !! The original letter is a joke, if that person really is a nurse I hope they never care for me they obviously have no understanding of what it means to be a diabetic. Personally if we can't inject then there should be a ban on all medicines in public ;-)

Feb 27, 2009 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Diabetes set off course" Balance letter I would encourage everyone who has joined this site to email diabetes UK with a positive letter regarding DAFNE. The address is [email protected]. For every approach to Diabetes management there will be winners and losers, this is the only loser I have come across and I have to say I find Diabetes UK approach to this disturbing. I'm sure they will say they can only print what they say, to lets give them something to print ! I would suggest though that no one actually criticises this persons views as they are quite entitled to them. Better to let everyone at Diabetes UK know how good the course is. I have criticised Diabetes UK in the past for their DAFNE coverage but not really got a good answer from them. So lets make them aware that there ARE people who found it a life changing experience.

Feb 26, 2009 Jenny 27 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Do periods mess up your blood sugars? Hi. I did the DAFNE course 18mths ago. Mainly after changing from twice daily injections to Basal bolus regime before trying for a baby. (Baby girl 8lb 13oz, 4 weeks early HbA1c 6. I have had diabetes for 20years. I would like to know if any other women notice differences in insulin requirements throughout the month linked to menstrual cycle? I seem to spend a couple of weeks carefully adjusting my ratios etc. due to high blood sugars only to just get them right and start getting hypos for the next couple of weeks while I carefully adjust everything again. I am sure this is linked to periods but none of my health care team seem to agree. They just give vague answers. It is really frustrating because I can never seem to get on top of things. I find that I am constantly thinking about reasons why blood sugars are high/low. During hospital visits i am always told that I have good control but I feel like I am always one step away from getting it right. It would be good to hear if anyone elso has the same problems. Jenny

Feb 25, 2009 Em 2 posts	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries Wow, its great, thanks Simon for being so quick! Em

Feb 25, 2009 Lizzie 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Diabetes set off course" Balance letter I thought it was odd that they would print that. Everyone is entitled to their view, but I don't think it is constructive to print a letter criticising an education course. If this man has problems with hypos he should speak to his diabetic care team. In fact, I had loads of hypos prior to doing DAFNE and afterwards they are vastly reduced. If he is having hypos and yet his HBA1 is rising, he must be having high sugars too and misjudging something, I don't know if it is his insulin or food or what. It sounds like this man was using a rough reckoning system and ignoring his diabetes and DAFNE may have brought home some truths to him about the damage he could be doing, and the amount of work he needs to do to prevent it. His main criticism is that he 'hates mucking around with his food' - but food is integral to diabetes management and however much we might hate it, we would probably hate getting complications more. If his mealtime companions are so rude that they won't wait for everyone around the table to be ready before eating, that is not a fault of DAFNE. He says prior to DAFNE his blood sugars were not above 13 - but that is quite a bit higher than the DUK guidelines (http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Treatment__your_health/Monitoring/Blood_Glucose/Blood-glucose-target-ranges/). I can't find any solid criticism of what he thinks is wrong with DAFNE exactly - is it the material which is taught? The methods? He says he is less happy after DAFNE. But that is to be expected to some extent - a whole 5 days thinking only of your diabetes is very intense. It brings up some deep-rooted emotions. I myself was in floods of tears at one point because I had been so scared for so long and had been denying my fears, or my diabetes, existed, and suddenly both were confronting me. It is an intense time and can be difficult for people to deal with.

Feb 25, 2009 Lizzie 87 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Balance" letter about injecting in public I have always injected in public. I don't know if people are becoming more conservative, it seems that way to me. I know some people don't see diabetes as a disability but to me this story is related to the one about the cbeebies presenter who has 1 arm and some parents complained that she scared their kids - people seem to be more uncomfortable with medical/disability stuff in public. I think going to the toilet is unhygienic, and it is hard to balance meter, insulin pen, writing pen, diary, insulin all on the small area on top of the toilet. I guess I could go to the disabled loo but then people glare at you - you have all 4 limbs and don't use a wheelchair, why are you in the disabled toilet? And also it is similarly unhygienic. People don't store other medical stuff in the toilet, the first aid kit is not kept there, for a good reason - it is disgusting. Personally, I think that if someone has a disabling phobia of some kind - and it must be disabling for a nurse to be scared of seeing people inject - then they should get it treated. People should not have to go out of their way because someone has a phobia. I wonder how this nurse manages to do her job if she is so squeamish about injections.

Feb 24, 2009 Simon Heller 46 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Diabetes set off course" Balance letter We on the DAFNE executive wondered whether anyone had read the March/April Balance letters page which carried this critical letter of someone who had a very negative view of the DAFNE course. If someone felt able to submit a contrary view this might be helpful in creating 'balance' and helping us to try and ensure that DAFNE or another structured education courses are more available. Simon

Feb 23, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries An update on the pie charts - you can now access pie charts via links underneath your diary display in the BG diary function. There are two options currently; one which will display the chart for all of your results, and one which will display results for the currently displayed diary entries (chosen using the date pickers above the diary page). This gives you a nice graphical representation of how you are doing in terms of BG targets. Let me know what you think of this, and as always if you have any improvement requests. Simon

Feb 23, 2009 Diana 7 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Balance" letter about injecting in public I have always injected in public, even in business meetings, and usually manage to do it discreetly so most people don't even notice or realise what I'm doing. I've never noticed negative reactions from anyone, and only very occasionally curiosity. The only time I find injecting in public a hassle is when I grab something to eat on the run in winter, but that's only because it's fiddly to unbutton layers, inject and carry stuff at the same time.

Feb 23, 2009 AlisonCo 1 post	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Parameters The targets change, my hospital recommends no more than 5.5 before meals and no more than 7.8 1 hour after meals. Pregnancy is the only time DAFNE recommends post-meal testing at 1 hour. Some women find that it is helpful to adopt this prior to pregnancy.

Feb 23, 2009 Jenny Howard 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / "Balance" letter about injecting in public I did used to go and hide when I had to inject but then I made the decision that I shouldn't have to go into the toilets to have my insulin. I also asked my husband what his thoughts were and he said that it is other people's problem if they have an issue with it and they shouldn't be so nosy in the first place!!! I had no idea that people would feel so strongly about it especially a nurse and I would never like to offend people but we shouldn't be made to feel that we are doing something wrong.

Feb 23, 2009 Joolie 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Balance" letter about injecting in public The two letters in balance have really unsettled me. I asked my husband what he thought and he said it's the other people's issue if they have a problem with these necessary injections. Every time I'm eating out with someone for the first time I always check to see if they're afraid of needles, to give them a chance to look away while I do my injection. I always try to inject discreetly and many people don't realise I'm doing it. My husband asked what these people would do if a person was in a wheelchair, clearly, it would be disgraceful if the person in the wheelchair was asked to go somewhere else as they were being inconsiderate. Unfortunately, I'm a person with diabetes and have to inject insulin. I don't like it much either, but do I have to move away every single time I need to inject?

Feb 23, 2009 Joolie 3 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / BG Parameters Hello I have been a type 1 diabetic since the summer of 1997 and will be 30 in July. I'm trying to tighten up my blood glucose levels, possibly with a view to pregnancy this year. Please can you tell me if there is suggested range for people on DAFNE re- conception and pregnancy ? I have seen parameters for non-DAFNE and these often include figures for after eating. Since starting DAFNE I don't normally test 2 hrs after eating and am wondering if I should start doing this now? I am meeting a specialist nurse for people with diabetes tomorrow (for the first time) and don't know how clued up she will be on DAFNE. I moved to the borders of Surrey/Hampshire about 6 years ago from Leicester, where I'd done DAFNE, and they're not as familiar with it here. Thanks for your guidance. Joolie

Feb 23, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / "Balance" letter about injecting in public Hi All, I just wanted to invite some comments on a letter I read in this months Diabetes UK magazine, Balance. It was a response to a letter in a previous issue, and reads: "I was astounded by the letter from the man whose wife injected herself at a restaurant table while dining with friends ('Injection etiquette', Your health: Dear Richard, Jan/Feb 2009 Balance). How anyone can think this is acceptable is beyond me, but Richard's reply made it seem that anyone who might be upset should look away. Personally, I'd be disgusted if someone at the table did this, and I'm a nurse! I would be angry at that person's lack of consideration for others. The lady may not want to inject in the toilet, but if she is eating at a decent restaurant then they should be perfectly hygenic and a far more suitable place for such and intimate act." - Balance, Mar/April 2009, P.11 Now at first glance I thought this was a joke... But then was a little shocked to read that this person (a nurse) sounded deadly serious about it. I was wondering what other people's thoughts were on this - do you feel comfortable when injecting in public, or do you find somewhere private (e.g. a toilet) to do it? Simon

Feb 23, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries Hi Emma, Thanks for the feedback. I agree that this would be a nice feature to have. Unfortunately it's a little more difficult displaying things graphically on the web versus in table format, rest assured though I'll get working on it and update you on progress via this forum post. Thanks, Simon

Feb 23, 2009 Em 2 posts	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries Hi Simon Thanks for all the hard work you are putting into this site - its great! Is it possible that the BG diary could some how have the option to be viewed as a pie chart, as this is helpful to see a percentage of BG on target, under and over?? Thank you. Kind regards, Emma

Feb 22, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries Stew, Thanks for your feedback, I totally agree and have now sorted that out, You can now put decimal numbers plus corrections in the CP,QA and BI fields in a diary entry. For example, these entries: 8, 8+1, 8.5, 8.5+1, 8.5+0.5 Are now allowed in the aforementioned fields. If you have any more feedback then please don't hesitate to post here or get in touch. Simon

Feb 22, 2009 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries Hi Simon, I've tried a few entries in the online diary. One issue is that if I make a CP or QA correction I like to show it in my paper diary in the form "8+1" (i.e. 8CPs for the food I am about to eat, plus one CP correction, or 8 units of QA plus one unit for a correction). The on-line diary won't let me do this, it seems to require a single number entry. I guess I could indicate that I have made a correction in the comments box, but I'm also using the comments box to indicate QA ratios etc. Is there any reason why the CP and QA boxes can't be allowed to take an entry in the "8+1" format?

Feb 19, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries Hi Louisa, Thanks for your post. A lot of your requirements seem to relate to a paper-based diary - is this correct? At the moment I'm just looking at implementing one that you can update via this website, and in the future share your diary (if you want) with other site users. Your paper-based comments do still come in handy though, as I need to define a layout for printing the online diary. With regard to the 'more columns' request - how many is a good number for you? There has to be a tradeoff here between how many entries you can make into the diary, and how it looks on a page (more entries per day may become confusing). Please feel free to add more comments, the more user feedback we get the better we can make it! Thanks, Simon

Feb 19, 2009 Louisa 1 post	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries Hi Simon, This is of particluar interest to me and I hope you dont mind me sharing my thoughts. I was given three BG diaries when I finished the course and Im but a couple of pages away from the end of my supply! To my great suprise (in my pre-Dafne state, I had avoided writing them down EVER), I now intend to keep this going....until I get a better hobbie anyhow.... The closest thing I found online was a Leceister Hospital own version of the diary, available for download. Not as nice as the Dafne produced one, but when printed was too large. I started to devise my own (my Dafne team dont do an on-going supply). Main features for me are... * Size, I find the current diary too large and bulky for fitting inside my kitbag * Preferably, the size of a passport as I would like one that fits a passport holder and get myself a nice protective case (and defer away from my current decoration of spots of blood from my fingers!) * Somewhere for an indication of ratio's as I differ on working and non-working days * More colums. I test more than the number of columns if I have hypo'd or been to the gym. Ive just read that back and I appear to have a lot of requirements for a very small page! Overall, Im happy with the format we have now with the current diary - I just cant get my hands on any!!! An online option would be very useful for me and I look forward to what you come up with. Cheers Lou

Feb 14, 2009 marke 686 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Compare notes... I used to have the same problems with Gym visits. My advice would be, experiment. I don't think there is a good answer because we are all so different. I tried banana's and chocolate and a few other things. I was sometimes a bit low by not having enough but there was no set amount since the level of exercise could change from week to week as could my reaction to the carbs and exercise. I would always keeps some carbs with me though just in case. In fact the biggest issue I had was the next morning when the carb 'demand' was still higher than normal. Its easy to forget about this when 'planning' exercise.

Feb 11, 2009 Diana 7 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Useful link for looking up CPs http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/ is also very good and includes UK brands. if you go straight to the website i think it's only possible to browse (as opposed to searching) the food categories without becoming a member, but if you google the food you're after and "carbohydrate" it usually comes up...

Feb 11, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Site Development / Online BG Diaries The team are now looking to implement new features and one requested in the initial meeting was an online blood glucose diary. I'd like to canvas for opinions on what features you'd like to see if such a thing were implemented. First question though - would you want one? There's no point in spending time developing a feature if it wasn't going to be used. Next - what would you want it to do? Here's some thoughts: Show BG results that you have input in the same format as the one you receive during DAFNE Week Allow you to share it with others (optionally) and integrate it with forums in case you wanted to ask for opinions on ratios/trends. Allow you to set specific targets and show whether each reading is above, in, or below target. Be printable so you can take it to reviews and doctors appointments Any thoughts are most welcome. Thanks, Simon

Feb 11, 2009 Simon 578 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Useful link for looking up CPs Hi, I found quite a useful site today, at http://caloriecount.about.com. Basically you can search for any food/drink, even branded goods and it will show you the nutrition information for that item, in terms of /100g or per portion. It seems to be a massive database, so might be a good place to look if you are stuck trying to work out the Carbohydrate content of an item. As an aside, the development team are currently working on a CP list function for the site, and will let you know when that is up and running. Simon

Feb 10, 2009 Diana 7 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Mulled wine I wouldn't normally adjust for alcohol but I've found in the past that mulled wine sends my BS a bit high when I don't count it. Also, I wonder if microwaving it zaps the alcohol to some extent? It never goes to my head, whereas the same quantity of red wine would! Anyway, I injected 4.5u and a couple of hours later my BS was 5.6 so 30g CHO/120mls must be about right.