Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Mar 17, 2016

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BGs before exercise

Alan, just my 2p, trial and error is needed as we're all different.

For me it would depend on exercise intensity, if I knew I was doing an aerobic pootle / fat burner ride I wouldn't do much different with insulin unless it was going to be over an hour when I would lower QA, over 4 hours I would lower background and take sugar just in case (at lower intensity, very rarely needed).

For intense anaerobic sessions I wouldn't lower QA as I find cortisol and liver/ muscle glycogen spike my BG so having that QA on board is good.

This all works fine in theory until you go out and do a new route and find it has more hills than you expected or there is a massive headwind! On long rides for this reason I will take NovoRapid pen with me too as I feel lousy if BG spike is too much.

Hope this helps a bit? Trial and error though? Regardless if I go out on my bike I have pockets full of energy gels just in case Very Happy

Phil

Mar 16, 2016

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BGs before exercise

Thanks very much for the responses - very re-assuring.

Mar 16, 2016

sjohno 37 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BGs before exercise

Hi Alan

As every diabetic is different I think that only you after experimenting can find a 'happy' situation with your BG's. I do agree with what Andrew has said and from experience using the 'rulebook' etc I found that eating extra CP's before exercise/reducing insulin before exercise just resulted in very high BG's after as there was not enough insulin left in my body!
I have found that matching CP's with the QA is good (but I do have jelly babies with me), I do reduce my BI on an exercise day and find that I can eat 1 CP before bed without having to take any QA.

Good luck Very Happy

Mar 15, 2016

AMcD 38 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BGs before exercise

Hi alan. Whatever the rulebook says I would agree with your current regime as personally I feel that the alternative option of taking the correct QA and then taking on additional carbs to make up BG levels in some way defeats some of the benefits of doing the exercise. Andy

Mar 15, 2016

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BGs before exercise

I spend 20 minutes on my exercise bike most afternoons in an attempt to keep myself reasonably fit. I usually reduce my lunchtime QA so that my BG before this is around 10 or 11. Would it be better to inject the correct QA and then take extra Carbs if necessary before the exercise? Or doesn't it matter?

Mar 14, 2016

Loonydriver 1 post

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Insulin dose

When I put in 4 units of insulin it says this is an invalid value why can't you out in a dose less than 8 units

Mar 14, 2016

Cliff Thompson 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / NEW APP

Paul Patterson said:

In our news recently

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=11604883

Just what I need; since retiring I no longer have the system i used when working. I am all over the place with BG readings, I forget to take the insulin and forget to record my results; I am feeling quite useless with my diabetes management. My Diabetic nurse is helping as best she can but in the end it is down to me to get a grip. I reckon this pump would certainly help me now I am getting older, when can we get these I wonder?

Mar 14, 2016

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Trying to carbohydrate count

1CP in DAFNE is equal to 10g of carbohydrate...........

to be honest, the CP was only really useful for me when following DAFNE strictly on paper........its useful on paper that's for sure......

Mar 14, 2016

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Levemir

Upon starting DAFNE I was put on Lantus but almost immediately it was clear it wasn't lasting 24 hours, so went on Levemir.........

Didn't look back from Levemir until the pump came along......

its much more flexible for things like exercise, alcohol and illness, generally anyway, there are always exceptions.... Very Happy

Mar 14, 2016

Paul Patterson 7 posts

Topic: General Discussion / NEW APP

In our news recently

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=11604883

Mar 13, 2016

TrayKev 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Trying to carbohydrate count

I have been carb counting now for about a year, I was finding it hard to start with but 8wks ago I went on the DAFNE course and have learnt a whole new way of doing things, the only problem was then, trying to work carbs in CP's. I was given a Accu-Chek Aviva Expert metre and things are so much easier. Now I am just trying to work out with my carb and cal book, how many carbs there are in each food I eat so I can work out the correct dosage of insulin.

Mar 12, 2016

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre/ Australia

I have recently received a notification that these will shortly be available in Australia.

Abbott received "approval from TGA (for Freestyle Libre) to be sold in the Australian market. It is currently unclear as to whether it will be offered for a subsidy under the NDSS."

Any ideas re cost?

Helen

Mar 9, 2016

Ivorthediver 5 posts

Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / Insulin and accessories holdalls

I certainly can Jack .
Bought mine on Amazon and it has a central pocket with a Glycol type cool bag that keeps the two pencils nice and cool along with a central zip pocket with needle bags inside and 4/5 external zipped pockets
Look for" Elite bags " and you should find it alright , cost about Â£20 ish but well worth the money and the knowledge that EVERYTHING you need can be put in their and the insulins stay cool and it doesn't need freezing to maintain its temp even on warm days
I bought some iron on first aid / insulin badges to deter would be muggers from thinking its a general purpose type bum bag accessory and has a shoulder strap if you need it . Laughing

Mar 8, 2016

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / Any comments or suggestions?

I think you might get more responses if you put this in the General Discussion forum.

Mar 8, 2016

wjennings 15 posts

Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / Any comments or suggestions?

Any comments or suggestions?

Mar 7, 2016

Ivorthediver 5 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Jelly Babies

Tried many types ...from gulcostop and dextrostix which both make me throw up but Lucozade for very low or Jelly babies to stave off minor issues

Mar 7, 2016

Ivorthediver 5 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Insulin types and doses - Basel/Bolus doses - Novapen 5

Well thanks for that Vic , this new word of Spike has only recently crossed my path in diabetic control , but now i am on the Forum i hope to address that .

I have been a T1 for 43 years and like most old hands are a little annoyed at the BSL / HbA1c goal post migration .
When first diagnosed in 1974 I was told that an HbA1c of 8 would put them all out of a job , but despite leading an active life until very recently where Arthritis of the spine is slowing me down my HbA1c has remained there or there about .
With less mobility now I am being persuaded to lower it , which I take on board , but i am finding it difficult to say the least .
My Dietician is trying her best , but between us we are not doing to well , but perhaps its me being impatient .

It was suggested to me by another diabetic that perhaps a pump is the answer but from what i have viewed on Forums they are harder to manage than the insulins i am currently on .
I have always done about 8 blood sugar level tests a day [ though some are just checks to see whats going on ] but i have recently been given a Freestyle which i find easy to use but hard to comprehend , as the suggested insulin doses are well below what i would normally have taken and some days i seem to be riding on a spike which i find counter productive short term and insanity on the long term

Hopefully things will improve but the signs so far are sole destroying

Mar 7, 2016

Ivorthediver 5 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Can a ipad app talk to the iPhone?

I recall getting the iPhone BS add on so that my blood glucose results could be entered via a plug in device that clipped into the base and therefore went everywhere your iPhone went Very Happy

What no one told me was that the reporting system only worked on Apple related devices and the NHS only used Microsoft Shocked

so that was a waist of money Evil or Very Mad

Mar 3, 2016

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Eating in Japan - any tips?

Ooops, I missed this conversation! I've been to Japan twice (once in 2007 and again in 2011) and not had any troubles with food really. Like in the UK, most foods came with labelling which made eating only about as challenging as it is at home. You can get a whole delicious noodle or rice bowl with the carb info in quite a few places!

Sounds like you had a great time! I can't wait to go again myself! ^_^

Mar 3, 2016

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Struggling with emotions

Sharon doodle said:
Hi, it seems like the DAFNE course has opened a can of worms for me. I have lots of undealt with gremlins. Gas anyone else found this? I'm going to follow it up with my gp, but I'm just wondering if there is support out there for us?

yes, I experienced a huge amount of grief (even broke down during a catch up post-DAFNE session - NOTHING was done or offered to help me deal with my mental health after this) after realising that for 19 years of my life, I had been living in fear of type 1 just because no diabetic education was given to me sooner. I did not even get a hint to try carb counting from health care professionals throughout my diabetes life.

Even now, 7 years later after DAFNE/26 years after diagnosis, I am still trying to fix the mess the lack of support has caused MYSELF. You have to fight for help in my experience. I am so angry at how poor this all is.

I wish you all the best of wishes.

Mar 3, 2016

DianeW 115 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Levemir

Thanks sjohno. Wow that is an excellent HbA1c. I've noticed my bedtime readings have been really good. Then this morning, from being 7.9 yesterday I was 14 this morning! I really don't know if it is dawn p or I went hypo in the night and didn't know! I will persevere!

Mar 2, 2016

sjohno 37 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Levemir

Hi DianeW

I started with Lantus in November 2009, a year later after listening to my body I switched to Levemir. It was the best thing I ever did! lol lol. But I do exercise alot as well and found Levemir was a brilliant BI for this.
On exercise days I take 13 units once a day and 14 units non execise days, I'm lucky that I don't have to split my dose. My latest Hb1Ac in September 2015 was 6.6%.

I like Levemir. Very Happy

Good luck with your Levemir.

Mar 2, 2016

DianeW 115 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Levemir

Would be interested to hear others experiences of it, and particularly going from Lantus to Levemir. I changed from Lantus to Levemir on Monday, giving it a trial for a month to see if control better. I took Lantus before breakfast and before bed. I am doing that with Levemir. For the first time in ages this morning my BG actually went DOWN between 6.30 and 8.30 with no insulin or food, albeit only from 9.5 to 7.9 (I have dawn phenomenon) and it is only one result, but when you've been waking up with 13-15 that is a real boost, so hoping the positive trend continues!

Mar 17, 2016 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BGs before exercise Alan, just my 2p, trial and error is needed as we're all different. For me it would depend on exercise intensity, if I knew I was doing an aerobic pootle / fat burner ride I wouldn't do much different with insulin unless it was going to be over an hour when I would lower QA, over 4 hours I would lower background and take sugar just in case (at lower intensity, very rarely needed). For intense anaerobic sessions I wouldn't lower QA as I find cortisol and liver/ muscle glycogen spike my BG so having that QA on board is good. This all works fine in theory until you go out and do a new route and find it has more hills than you expected or there is a massive headwind! On long rides for this reason I will take NovoRapid pen with me too as I feel lousy if BG spike is too much. Hope this helps a bit? Trial and error though? Regardless if I go out on my bike I have pockets full of energy gels just in case Phil

Mar 16, 2016 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BGs before exercise Thanks very much for the responses - very re-assuring.

Mar 16, 2016 sjohno 37 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BGs before exercise Hi Alan As every diabetic is different I think that only you after experimenting can find a 'happy' situation with your BG's. I do agree with what Andrew has said and from experience using the 'rulebook' etc I found that eating extra CP's before exercise/reducing insulin before exercise just resulted in very high BG's after as there was not enough insulin left in my body! I have found that matching CP's with the QA is good (but I do have jelly babies with me), I do reduce my BI on an exercise day and find that I can eat 1 CP before bed without having to take any QA. Good luck

Mar 15, 2016 AMcD 38 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BGs before exercise Hi alan. Whatever the rulebook says I would agree with your current regime as personally I feel that the alternative option of taking the correct QA and then taking on additional carbs to make up BG levels in some way defeats some of the benefits of doing the exercise. Andy

Mar 15, 2016 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BGs before exercise I spend 20 minutes on my exercise bike most afternoons in an attempt to keep myself reasonably fit. I usually reduce my lunchtime QA so that my BG before this is around 10 or 11. Would it be better to inject the correct QA and then take extra Carbs if necessary before the exercise? Or doesn't it matter?

Mar 14, 2016 Loonydriver 1 post	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Insulin dose When I put in 4 units of insulin it says this is an invalid value why can't you out in a dose less than 8 units

Mar 14, 2016 Cliff Thompson 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / NEW APP Paul Patterson said: In our news recently http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=11604883 Just what I need; since retiring I no longer have the system i used when working. I am all over the place with BG readings, I forget to take the insulin and forget to record my results; I am feeling quite useless with my diabetes management. My Diabetic nurse is helping as best she can but in the end it is down to me to get a grip. I reckon this pump would certainly help me now I am getting older, when can we get these I wonder?

Mar 14, 2016 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Trying to carbohydrate count 1CP in DAFNE is equal to 10g of carbohydrate........... to be honest, the CP was only really useful for me when following DAFNE strictly on paper........its useful on paper that's for sure......

Mar 14, 2016 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Levemir Upon starting DAFNE I was put on Lantus but almost immediately it was clear it wasn't lasting 24 hours, so went on Levemir......... Didn't look back from Levemir until the pump came along...... its much more flexible for things like exercise, alcohol and illness, generally anyway, there are always exceptions....

Mar 14, 2016 Paul Patterson 7 posts	Topic: General Discussion / NEW APP In our news recently http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=11604883

Mar 13, 2016 TrayKev 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Trying to carbohydrate count I have been carb counting now for about a year, I was finding it hard to start with but 8wks ago I went on the DAFNE course and have learnt a whole new way of doing things, the only problem was then, trying to work carbs in CP's. I was given a Accu-Chek Aviva Expert metre and things are so much easier. Now I am just trying to work out with my carb and cal book, how many carbs there are in each food I eat so I can work out the correct dosage of insulin.

Mar 12, 2016 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre/ Australia I have recently received a notification that these will shortly be available in Australia. Abbott received "approval from TGA (for Freestyle Libre) to be sold in the Australian market. It is currently unclear as to whether it will be offered for a subsidy under the NDSS." Any ideas re cost? Helen

Mar 9, 2016 Ivorthediver 5 posts	Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / Insulin and accessories holdalls I certainly can Jack . Bought mine on Amazon and it has a central pocket with a Glycol type cool bag that keeps the two pencils nice and cool along with a central zip pocket with needle bags inside and 4/5 external zipped pockets Look for" Elite bags " and you should find it alright , cost about Â£20 ish but well worth the money and the knowledge that EVERYTHING you need can be put in their and the insulins stay cool and it doesn't need freezing to maintain its temp even on warm days I bought some iron on first aid / insulin badges to deter would be muggers from thinking its a general purpose type bum bag accessory and has a shoulder strap if you need it .

Mar 8, 2016 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / Any comments or suggestions? I think you might get more responses if you put this in the General Discussion forum.

Mar 8, 2016 wjennings 15 posts	Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / Any comments or suggestions? Any comments or suggestions?

Mar 7, 2016 Ivorthediver 5 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Jelly Babies Tried many types ...from gulcostop and dextrostix which both make me throw up but Lucozade for very low or Jelly babies to stave off minor issues

Mar 7, 2016 Ivorthediver 5 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Insulin types and doses - Basel/Bolus doses - Novapen 5 Well thanks for that Vic , this new word of Spike has only recently crossed my path in diabetic control , but now i am on the Forum i hope to address that . I have been a T1 for 43 years and like most old hands are a little annoyed at the BSL / HbA1c goal post migration . When first diagnosed in 1974 I was told that an HbA1c of 8 would put them all out of a job , but despite leading an active life until very recently where Arthritis of the spine is slowing me down my HbA1c has remained there or there about . With less mobility now I am being persuaded to lower it , which I take on board , but i am finding it difficult to say the least . My Dietician is trying her best , but between us we are not doing to well , but perhaps its me being impatient . It was suggested to me by another diabetic that perhaps a pump is the answer but from what i have viewed on Forums they are harder to manage than the insulins i am currently on . I have always done about 8 blood sugar level tests a day [ though some are just checks to see whats going on ] but i have recently been given a Freestyle which i find easy to use but hard to comprehend , as the suggested insulin doses are well below what i would normally have taken and some days i seem to be riding on a spike which i find counter productive short term and insanity on the long term Hopefully things will improve but the signs so far are sole destroying

Mar 7, 2016 Ivorthediver 5 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / Can a ipad app talk to the iPhone? I recall getting the iPhone BS add on so that my blood glucose results could be entered via a plug in device that clipped into the base and therefore went everywhere your iPhone went What no one told me was that the reporting system only worked on Apple related devices and the NHS only used Microsoft so that was a waist of money

Mar 3, 2016 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Eating in Japan - any tips? Ooops, I missed this conversation! I've been to Japan twice (once in 2007 and again in 2011) and not had any troubles with food really. Like in the UK, most foods came with labelling which made eating only about as challenging as it is at home. You can get a whole delicious noodle or rice bowl with the carb info in quite a few places! Sounds like you had a great time! I can't wait to go again myself! ^_^

Mar 3, 2016 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Struggling with emotions Sharon doodle said: Hi, it seems like the DAFNE course has opened a can of worms for me. I have lots of undealt with gremlins. Gas anyone else found this? I'm going to follow it up with my gp, but I'm just wondering if there is support out there for us? yes, I experienced a huge amount of grief (even broke down during a catch up post-DAFNE session - NOTHING was done or offered to help me deal with my mental health after this) after realising that for 19 years of my life, I had been living in fear of type 1 just because no diabetic education was given to me sooner. I did not even get a hint to try carb counting from health care professionals throughout my diabetes life. Even now, 7 years later after DAFNE/26 years after diagnosis, I am still trying to fix the mess the lack of support has caused MYSELF. You have to fight for help in my experience. I am so angry at how poor this all is. I wish you all the best of wishes.

Mar 3, 2016 DianeW 115 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Levemir Thanks sjohno. Wow that is an excellent HbA1c. I've noticed my bedtime readings have been really good. Then this morning, from being 7.9 yesterday I was 14 this morning! I really don't know if it is dawn p or I went hypo in the night and didn't know! I will persevere!

Mar 2, 2016 sjohno 37 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Levemir Hi DianeW I started with Lantus in November 2009, a year later after listening to my body I switched to Levemir. It was the best thing I ever did! lol lol. But I do exercise alot as well and found Levemir was a brilliant BI for this. On exercise days I take 13 units once a day and 14 units non execise days, I'm lucky that I don't have to split my dose. My latest Hb1Ac in September 2015 was 6.6%. I like Levemir. Good luck with your Levemir.

Mar 2, 2016 DianeW 115 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Levemir Would be interested to hear others experiences of it, and particularly going from Lantus to Levemir. I changed from Lantus to Levemir on Monday, giving it a trial for a month to see if control better. I took Lantus before breakfast and before bed. I am doing that with Levemir. For the first time in ages this morning my BG actually went DOWN between 6.30 and 8.30 with no insulin or food, albeit only from 9.5 to 7.9 (I have dawn phenomenon) and it is only one result, but when you've been waking up with 13-15 that is a real boost, so hoping the positive trend continues!