Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Jan 28, 2016

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Pump failure.

Hi,

I am in Australia and the system here is that your private health fund buys your pump and then a Diabetic Educator (often in private practice) teaches you how to use it. About 15 months ago I received a letter from my pump manufacturers saying that my pump was now out of warranty (3 years). At Christmas time I asked my endocrinologist to put in an application on my behalf to my health fund for a new pump. I received notification yesterday saying that the replacement pump had been denied as it was "fully functional"!

Has anyone had a pump fail? What were the signs of approaching death? How old was the pump?

Currently the clip is unable to be put back onto the pump so I am carrying it in a pockets where it regularly bungees to the floor/pavement etc and I wear it in a sock pinned to PJs. This is causing damage to the outer skin but all appears to be working...
Helen

Jan 28, 2016

HelenP 218 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Johncook

I did something similar but you will be very careful and do lots of tests and make decisions based on the readings you get. Be vigilant! I ended up running towards the low teens until the danger period was over. Then had to bring it down. I have only done it once I think it makes you less complacent...more careful. Helen.

Jan 28, 2016

Ben in the Stow 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / mySugr app

Just wondering if anybody else has had experience good or bad with the mySugr logbook app. I've been using it for the last month and have found it pretty helpful, especially the bolus calculator (it's got the certified medical device status going on). Not sure if the HbA1c estimator is gimmick or not yet.
Anyway I'd just love a way to export my data from it to this site. Can you do that with a csv file?

Jan 28, 2016

JohnCook 3 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Johncook

Accidentally dosed 21 units BI instead of 0 at breakfast. Then used reduced QA of 8units instead of 12. Not sure how to proceed for rest of day? Location is Adelaide SA

Jan 27, 2016

Gdorean 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dosage auto-calculation in apps

Hello all, I've just logged onto this site for the first time and am a bit dizzy at how good the iPhone app and info on here are. Brilliant, but obviously not having the calc thing sucks big time.
Nevertheless, finally seeing what's going on here has reinvigorated me. Cheers

Jan 27, 2016

Trish Skidmore 18 posts

Topic: General Discussion / freestyle libra

Thank you

Jan 27, 2016

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / freestyle libra

yes a number of people, there is a long thread on this forum, about it. search for freestyle libre. Secondly no its not available on the NHS, Abbott the manufacturer are in discussions with the NHS but don't hold your breath :-(

Jan 26, 2016

Brumfoodie 10 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Maths Test

novorapidboi26 said:
Use the smartphone app 'MyFitness Pal', a quick scan of the barcode or a manual search and you will find someone has likely done all the legwork for you.......

also handy if you were to add additional items to your meal, the website at least shows the total carb amount for each item combined......yay...

I use Fat Secret for most foods -and it doesn't need the intrusive sign up that"My Fitness Pal " seems to need .Very simple to change serving size : grams, cups ounces....

Jan 26, 2016

Warwick 423 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / 2 Hour rise after a meal and HbA1c results

I was given the opportunity to wear a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) for a weekend. Up until then, I thought that my BGs were fine after eating muesli as they were generally similar values before and 4 hours after eating it. However, the CGM showed that they were spiking at 17 within an hour of eating the muesli. I haven't touched it since and I now try and avoid foods that have many carbs in them. My HbA1C has dropped from 6.5 to 5.8 as a result. As novorapidboi26 says, injecting or bolusing 15-20 minutes before eating a high carb meal can reduce the spikes.

Jan 26, 2016

Trish Skidmore 18 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / freestyle libra

Hi can you tell me if the Freestyle Libre is available on the NHS free please.

Thank you Trish

Jan 26, 2016

Trish Skidmore 18 posts

Topic: General Discussion / freestyle libra

Hi does anyone use the freestyle Libre and can you get it on the NHS

Jan 26, 2016

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / 2 Hour rise after a meal and HbA1c results

I suppose it will be different for everyone but I found that mid meal numbers where keeping my HbA1c up a wee bit..............

I have now went on a pump and its much better..........

make sure to experiment with dose timing.........at starting point of 15 minutes before eating should be considered for Novorapid at least....

Jan 26, 2016

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Maths Test

Use the smartphone app 'MyFitness Pal', a quick scan of the barcode or a manual search and you will find someone has likely done all the legwork for you.......

also handy if you were to add additional items to your meal, the website at least shows the total carb amount for each item combined......yay...

Jan 26, 2016

novorapidboi26 1,819 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course

DAFNE is great and the time spent with others like you is invaluable........

if its and issue to get to the clinic ask for help with transport..........is it far away? can you stay in a hotel? all questions to be asked.....

you can also go through an online course provided by the Bournemouth Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, link below;

BDEC Diabetes Learning Programme

Jan 25, 2016

lbouchier 2 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb counting whey protein

I tend not to do my cardio in the gym, just weights so you could have a point here alright. A bit if trial and error since and I'm getting closer to where I want to be now.
Thanks Gmac.

Jan 25, 2016

AMcD 38 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / 2 Hour rise after a meal and HbA1c results

BG Results will raise after meals but perhaps not as much as you think. The various insulins have different effects. I had a 24 hour monitor attached for 7 days and I was pleasently suprised that my BG almost flat lined throughout the day and night except after high carb pizza but even with that the results were very good... I use novorapid in a pump... the HBA1C is a measure of your average control. It is used as a guide for overall control si it's an average.Don't be too concerned if your control is good as you state 4 to 5 hours after meals. .. Andy

Jan 25, 2016

Popey81 5 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / 2 Hour rise after a meal and HbA1c results

I understand that during meals you BG readings can nearly double so they say to avoid checking inbetween. So if every 4 to 5 hours my bloods seem to have good control but in between their going up before coming down, what affect would this have on my HbA1c results??

Jan 22, 2016

macthecat 1 post

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb counting whey protein

When I exercise (which is first thing in the morning) I eat a banana before I go to the gym which is about 3.5cp. I normally run 9k in 45mins and during that time I drink an isotonic drink which is 1cp. I then do weights different parts of my body on different days ( I go five days a week). I then as I leave the gym have a protein shake 2cp. I only inject my background before going and don't inject any quick acting. Sometimes when you do to much weight training it can raise your bloods. When I have breakfast I don't usually adjust I just inject for the cps I'm eating. This is because in the past my bloods have crashed down by lunchtime causing me to have a hypo. Hope this helps your query. GMac

Jan 22, 2016

annis54 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course

HelenP said:
Hi,
I would say if you can do a DAFNE course then you ought to as it brings you back to first principles. Although I am confused about the 89. What unit is this in? We are using mmol/L (here) and I have some knowledge of mg/dL.

On the grandparent level I have found that the tighter I keep the BGs the better I feel and the more I can do with the kids so I encourage you to do what you can to achieve good HbA1cs. About the finger pricks...I find that if my hands are dry the finger pricks hurt more so I use a non perfumed basic sorbolene hand cream, routinely, as if you do a test immediately after putting on the cream you do not get a clean drop.. I think the massage to rub in the cream also helps.

Good luck. Helen

The 89 is the figure I got after having a blood test to see how my blood glucose had been the last 12 weeks. It should be less than 60.
I find that the finger pricks hurt more if my hands are cold and since I live on Exmoor it is cold here. I use E45 hand cream when my hands get dry but I try to use washing up gloves to keep my hands soft.
I think that the DKA has made it much more difficult for me. Most of what the nurses told me in hospital didn't sink in. I just thought F..K I'm in big trouble now but at least it isn't dialysis or cancer. Then they said it might be cancer so that was bad. It wasn't so they let me go home. Everyone else on the ward had heart failure and were very fat which was depressing. The loos were horrible too. So I was thrilled to get home to my family and home cooked food. I couldn't see much - all blurry - but I felt lots better. A visit from the vet was ultra helpful far more than the GP who had misdiagnosed me in the first place. He gave me lots of tips. Also he pointed out that I could still ride so not much was wrong then!!!!
I'm going to find out when the course is on in MInehead and try to get there. I'll let you know how I get on!!!

Jan 22, 2016

Sh3ri3 3 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course

You can take a packed lunch or purchase from canteen (they gave staff rate as on course) we also went out for lunch to pub to test eating out / carb counting .

I'm sometimes still bewildered, good luck whatever you decide Smile

Jan 22, 2016

Popey81 5 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course

I suppose we all have different experiences with different nurses. There is not one bad word i can say about my week at the DAFNE course. I have come off this course with a whole new outlook on my diabetes.
Its definitely not a waste of time but can also understand your situation in getting to your local centre.
Reading up on your daily intake of foods dafne will near enough pin point how much insulin for everytime you eat. weather it be a meal, snack etc.
they will monitor your levels over the week and would work out your QA ratios BI intake to suit your needs.
1 week of travel to and from and prob a family member/friend to help out sounds a potch but its nothing compared to getting the training and advice on how to live comfortably and confidentally with your condition. Im sounding like the nag now haha Razz

Packed lunch is optional

Jan 22, 2016

annis54 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course

Sh3ri3 said:
Hi,

I agree with everything Matthew said. I wish I had been offered the course earlier. I have been almost 24yrs with diabetes and only after this wk (graduated today) do I feel I have an understanding and control of the condition.

In the grand scheme of things, 1week is nothing when living with diabetes day to day. The group environment and experience shared I think would make so much difference than the handbook alone.

Hope that helps

Sherie

I've not had it for that long. I was diagnosed on 5th March 2014 when I was taken straight from the surgery to Musgrove Park MAU. I thought I had flu but it was DKA which is much worse. It was beastly and I went blind. The food in the hospital wasn't very good either so I was very glad to get taken home for the weekend. My family did the insulin stuff and I just sat there rather bewildered. My grandson's godfather is type 1 and he came over the next day. He was marvelous and really cheered me up. He went on the DAFNE course and said it was rubbish. He knew how to cook for himself and they kept going on about ready made food which he doesn't eat. This put me off. Plus the getting there when I'm not driving.
However lots of people have found the course helpful so I might as well give it a go. The nearest is Minehead and with planning I ought to be able to get there. I usually babysit everyday so that'll be awkward. I don't expect that Max (age 3) will be welcome. I've written to ask when the course is which is a start. My endo is very keen on the course so she'll be pleased that I've caved in!!!
Does one bring a packed lunch?

Jan 22, 2016

annis54 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course

Popey81 said:
I have just completed the DAFNE course this afternoon. Monday morning i was quite sceptical about why i needed a week of education but after the first morning i could see why. DAFNE and its principals are great. Yeah its been my first week but i already feel that the control i have on my BG levels are 100 times better than the last year and im using a 3rd of the insulin (scared me at first but the prrof is in my diary).
It is a big ask i know to travel 9 miles there and back each day and take a week out of your time but its so worth it i promise you.
In some ways you could teach yourself out of a text book but the hands on support and attention you get off the nurses for the week is amazing. They learn off of you aswell as everyone is different. Also the other diabetics on the course you meet all have different stories and experiences to share and you learn from them also and vice versa.
So answer to you question is YES the course if worth going on. Happiest and the most confident i have felt with my diabetes in a long time.

Matthew

Lots of people have said that they found the DAFNE course helpful which is promising. I shall have to go otherwise the diabetic staff will give up on me. I'm starting to think that if I do go and it isn't all it's cracked up to be I'll at least be able to say I gave it a go. Trouble is I live 2 miles due south of Dunkery and at February half term we often have bad weather. Last year I was ill and couldn't go. The diabetic nurses were very annoyed that I didn't turn up and were not at all sympathetic. I had a bug and was being sick and an ambulance came at 2 am to sort me out. Still didn't apologise and said that if I had attended the DAFNE course I would have known what to do if I got a bug. At that point I told them that it was the first chance I had got to attend the course and I hadn't expected to catch a tummy bug. I was so cross I just put the phone down. Surprisingly I got a phone call from the practice nurse who was very kind and I went to have a chat with her. She knows how far it is to Taunton and Wellington and there isn't a bus from Wheddon Cross. I do have a car but since I had DKA (wretched GP thought I had type 2 not type 1 so I got an appointment a week after the blood results arrived. Then I spent 3 days in hospital being rescued which cost far more to the NHS than an immediate trip to the hospital which is what he should have told me to do) my sight is poorer and my confidence has taken a knock.
Anyway I'm going to do the course and see what happens. It sounds a terrible waste of time but at least it is free! Does one bring a packed lunch?

Jan 22, 2016

annis54 6 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course

Andrew McDermott said:
Humalog reaches its peak of action between 1 and 1 and a half hours after injection , others such as novorapid peak after about 15mins. The insulin needs to act on the ingested carbohydrate. If injecting too late in the process you are not getting the best efficiency from the insulin which is why you have been asked to inject before your meals and would also result in higher BG levels....

It's great that you don't eat ready meals and in dafne you will learn about carbohydrate content on breads rices pastas potatoes etc that I'm sure must make up part of your meals. You will also find your carb to insulin ratio which may vary from one part of the day to the next.

You should feel positive that you have the opportunity to improve your lot even if the logistics are difficult for you.

I must say that the dafne course is fantastic and well worth attending. ... keep up the good work. Let us know how you get on..... Andy

So that's very useful. I'm making a big effort to inject at the correct time. I do eat bread and potatoes and different breads affect me differently. I now buy the multi grain bread from Tesco and I have 3 slices for lunch with some cold meat. I eat several cherry tomatoes and about 4 inches of cucumber. Also an apple. I mug of tea and this gets a 10 of Humalog. I tend to have the same lunch each day. Porridge for breakfast. I have a mug of tea at tea time. Then supper is a meat, potatoes and 2 veg meal. Sometimes there is a pudding and I have another shot to cover this. Pasta makes my blood sugar go right up so I don't have it very often. I've cut back on wine which I do miss but there it is.
It is a logistical nightmare for me to get to Minehead for 5 consecutive days. Someone will have to take me and hang around while I'm there. Could they come too or don't they like that?
Still waiting to hear if there is a course this Spring. My Endo's secretary isn't all that efficient. I've sent a letter so hopefully I'll get a reply soon.
As I said if I don't go they'll just nag until I do!!!!!

Jan 28, 2016 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Pump failure. Hi, I am in Australia and the system here is that your private health fund buys your pump and then a Diabetic Educator (often in private practice) teaches you how to use it. About 15 months ago I received a letter from my pump manufacturers saying that my pump was now out of warranty (3 years). At Christmas time I asked my endocrinologist to put in an application on my behalf to my health fund for a new pump. I received notification yesterday saying that the replacement pump had been denied as it was "fully functional"! Has anyone had a pump fail? What were the signs of approaching death? How old was the pump? Currently the clip is unable to be put back onto the pump so I am carrying it in a pockets where it regularly bungees to the floor/pavement etc and I wear it in a sock pinned to PJs. This is causing damage to the outer skin but all appears to be working... Helen

Jan 28, 2016 HelenP 218 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Johncook I did something similar but you will be very careful and do lots of tests and make decisions based on the readings you get. Be vigilant! I ended up running towards the low teens until the danger period was over. Then had to bring it down. I have only done it once I think it makes you less complacent...more careful. Helen.

Jan 28, 2016 Ben in the Stow 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / mySugr app Just wondering if anybody else has had experience good or bad with the mySugr logbook app. I've been using it for the last month and have found it pretty helpful, especially the bolus calculator (it's got the certified medical device status going on). Not sure if the HbA1c estimator is gimmick or not yet. Anyway I'd just love a way to export my data from it to this site. Can you do that with a csv file?

Jan 28, 2016 JohnCook 3 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Johncook Accidentally dosed 21 units BI instead of 0 at breakfast. Then used reduced QA of 8units instead of 12. Not sure how to proceed for rest of day? Location is Adelaide SA

Jan 27, 2016 Gdorean 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dosage auto-calculation in apps Hello all, I've just logged onto this site for the first time and am a bit dizzy at how good the iPhone app and info on here are. Brilliant, but obviously not having the calc thing sucks big time. Nevertheless, finally seeing what's going on here has reinvigorated me. Cheers

Jan 27, 2016 Trish Skidmore 18 posts	Topic: General Discussion / freestyle libra Thank you

Jan 27, 2016 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / freestyle libra yes a number of people, there is a long thread on this forum, about it. search for freestyle libre. Secondly no its not available on the NHS, Abbott the manufacturer are in discussions with the NHS but don't hold your breath :-(

Jan 26, 2016 Brumfoodie 10 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Maths Test novorapidboi26 said: Use the smartphone app 'MyFitness Pal', a quick scan of the barcode or a manual search and you will find someone has likely done all the legwork for you....... also handy if you were to add additional items to your meal, the website at least shows the total carb amount for each item combined......yay... I use Fat Secret for most foods -and it doesn't need the intrusive sign up that"My Fitness Pal " seems to need .Very simple to change serving size : grams, cups ounces....

Jan 26, 2016 Warwick 423 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / 2 Hour rise after a meal and HbA1c results I was given the opportunity to wear a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) for a weekend. Up until then, I thought that my BGs were fine after eating muesli as they were generally similar values before and 4 hours after eating it. However, the CGM showed that they were spiking at 17 within an hour of eating the muesli. I haven't touched it since and I now try and avoid foods that have many carbs in them. My HbA1C has dropped from 6.5 to 5.8 as a result. As novorapidboi26 says, injecting or bolusing 15-20 minutes before eating a high carb meal can reduce the spikes.

Jan 26, 2016 Trish Skidmore 18 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / freestyle libra Hi can you tell me if the Freestyle Libre is available on the NHS free please. Thank you Trish

Jan 26, 2016 Trish Skidmore 18 posts	Topic: General Discussion / freestyle libra Hi does anyone use the freestyle Libre and can you get it on the NHS

Jan 26, 2016 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / 2 Hour rise after a meal and HbA1c results I suppose it will be different for everyone but I found that mid meal numbers where keeping my HbA1c up a wee bit.............. I have now went on a pump and its much better.......... make sure to experiment with dose timing.........at starting point of 15 minutes before eating should be considered for Novorapid at least....

Jan 26, 2016 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Maths Test Use the smartphone app 'MyFitness Pal', a quick scan of the barcode or a manual search and you will find someone has likely done all the legwork for you....... also handy if you were to add additional items to your meal, the website at least shows the total carb amount for each item combined......yay...

Jan 26, 2016 novorapidboi26 1,819 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course DAFNE is great and the time spent with others like you is invaluable........ if its and issue to get to the clinic ask for help with transport..........is it far away? can you stay in a hotel? all questions to be asked..... you can also go through an online course provided by the Bournemouth Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, link below; BDEC Diabetes Learning Programme

Jan 25, 2016 lbouchier 2 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb counting whey protein I tend not to do my cardio in the gym, just weights so you could have a point here alright. A bit if trial and error since and I'm getting closer to where I want to be now. Thanks Gmac.

Jan 25, 2016 AMcD 38 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / 2 Hour rise after a meal and HbA1c results BG Results will raise after meals but perhaps not as much as you think. The various insulins have different effects. I had a 24 hour monitor attached for 7 days and I was pleasently suprised that my BG almost flat lined throughout the day and night except after high carb pizza but even with that the results were very good... I use novorapid in a pump... the HBA1C is a measure of your average control. It is used as a guide for overall control si it's an average.Don't be too concerned if your control is good as you state 4 to 5 hours after meals. .. Andy

Jan 25, 2016 Popey81 5 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / 2 Hour rise after a meal and HbA1c results I understand that during meals you BG readings can nearly double so they say to avoid checking inbetween. So if every 4 to 5 hours my bloods seem to have good control but in between their going up before coming down, what affect would this have on my HbA1c results??

Jan 22, 2016 macthecat 1 post	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb counting whey protein When I exercise (which is first thing in the morning) I eat a banana before I go to the gym which is about 3.5cp. I normally run 9k in 45mins and during that time I drink an isotonic drink which is 1cp. I then do weights different parts of my body on different days ( I go five days a week). I then as I leave the gym have a protein shake 2cp. I only inject my background before going and don't inject any quick acting. Sometimes when you do to much weight training it can raise your bloods. When I have breakfast I don't usually adjust I just inject for the cps I'm eating. This is because in the past my bloods have crashed down by lunchtime causing me to have a hypo. Hope this helps your query. GMac

Jan 22, 2016 annis54 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course HelenP said: Hi, I would say if you can do a DAFNE course then you ought to as it brings you back to first principles. Although I am confused about the 89. What unit is this in? We are using mmol/L (here) and I have some knowledge of mg/dL. On the grandparent level I have found that the tighter I keep the BGs the better I feel and the more I can do with the kids so I encourage you to do what you can to achieve good HbA1cs. About the finger pricks...I find that if my hands are dry the finger pricks hurt more so I use a non perfumed basic sorbolene hand cream, routinely, as if you do a test immediately after putting on the cream you do not get a clean drop.. I think the massage to rub in the cream also helps. Good luck. Helen The 89 is the figure I got after having a blood test to see how my blood glucose had been the last 12 weeks. It should be less than 60. I find that the finger pricks hurt more if my hands are cold and since I live on Exmoor it is cold here. I use E45 hand cream when my hands get dry but I try to use washing up gloves to keep my hands soft. I think that the DKA has made it much more difficult for me. Most of what the nurses told me in hospital didn't sink in. I just thought F..K I'm in big trouble now but at least it isn't dialysis or cancer. Then they said it might be cancer so that was bad. It wasn't so they let me go home. Everyone else on the ward had heart failure and were very fat which was depressing. The loos were horrible too. So I was thrilled to get home to my family and home cooked food. I couldn't see much - all blurry - but I felt lots better. A visit from the vet was ultra helpful far more than the GP who had misdiagnosed me in the first place. He gave me lots of tips. Also he pointed out that I could still ride so not much was wrong then!!!! I'm going to find out when the course is on in MInehead and try to get there. I'll let you know how I get on!!!

Jan 22, 2016 Sh3ri3 3 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course You can take a packed lunch or purchase from canteen (they gave staff rate as on course) we also went out for lunch to pub to test eating out / carb counting . I'm sometimes still bewildered, good luck whatever you decide

Jan 22, 2016 Popey81 5 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course I suppose we all have different experiences with different nurses. There is not one bad word i can say about my week at the DAFNE course. I have come off this course with a whole new outlook on my diabetes. Its definitely not a waste of time but can also understand your situation in getting to your local centre. Reading up on your daily intake of foods dafne will near enough pin point how much insulin for everytime you eat. weather it be a meal, snack etc. they will monitor your levels over the week and would work out your QA ratios BI intake to suit your needs. 1 week of travel to and from and prob a family member/friend to help out sounds a potch but its nothing compared to getting the training and advice on how to live comfortably and confidentally with your condition. Im sounding like the nag now haha Packed lunch is optional

Jan 22, 2016 annis54 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course Sh3ri3 said: Hi, I agree with everything Matthew said. I wish I had been offered the course earlier. I have been almost 24yrs with diabetes and only after this wk (graduated today) do I feel I have an understanding and control of the condition. In the grand scheme of things, 1week is nothing when living with diabetes day to day. The group environment and experience shared I think would make so much difference than the handbook alone. Hope that helps Sherie I've not had it for that long. I was diagnosed on 5th March 2014 when I was taken straight from the surgery to Musgrove Park MAU. I thought I had flu but it was DKA which is much worse. It was beastly and I went blind. The food in the hospital wasn't very good either so I was very glad to get taken home for the weekend. My family did the insulin stuff and I just sat there rather bewildered. My grandson's godfather is type 1 and he came over the next day. He was marvelous and really cheered me up. He went on the DAFNE course and said it was rubbish. He knew how to cook for himself and they kept going on about ready made food which he doesn't eat. This put me off. Plus the getting there when I'm not driving. However lots of people have found the course helpful so I might as well give it a go. The nearest is Minehead and with planning I ought to be able to get there. I usually babysit everyday so that'll be awkward. I don't expect that Max (age 3) will be welcome. I've written to ask when the course is which is a start. My endo is very keen on the course so she'll be pleased that I've caved in!!! Does one bring a packed lunch?

Jan 22, 2016 annis54 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course Popey81 said: I have just completed the DAFNE course this afternoon. Monday morning i was quite sceptical about why i needed a week of education but after the first morning i could see why. DAFNE and its principals are great. Yeah its been my first week but i already feel that the control i have on my BG levels are 100 times better than the last year and im using a 3rd of the insulin (scared me at first but the prrof is in my diary). It is a big ask i know to travel 9 miles there and back each day and take a week out of your time but its so worth it i promise you. In some ways you could teach yourself out of a text book but the hands on support and attention you get off the nurses for the week is amazing. They learn off of you aswell as everyone is different. Also the other diabetics on the course you meet all have different stories and experiences to share and you learn from them also and vice versa. So answer to you question is YES the course if worth going on. Happiest and the most confident i have felt with my diabetes in a long time. Matthew Lots of people have said that they found the DAFNE course helpful which is promising. I shall have to go otherwise the diabetic staff will give up on me. I'm starting to think that if I do go and it isn't all it's cracked up to be I'll at least be able to say I gave it a go. Trouble is I live 2 miles due south of Dunkery and at February half term we often have bad weather. Last year I was ill and couldn't go. The diabetic nurses were very annoyed that I didn't turn up and were not at all sympathetic. I had a bug and was being sick and an ambulance came at 2 am to sort me out. Still didn't apologise and said that if I had attended the DAFNE course I would have known what to do if I got a bug. At that point I told them that it was the first chance I had got to attend the course and I hadn't expected to catch a tummy bug. I was so cross I just put the phone down. Surprisingly I got a phone call from the practice nurse who was very kind and I went to have a chat with her. She knows how far it is to Taunton and Wellington and there isn't a bus from Wheddon Cross. I do have a car but since I had DKA (wretched GP thought I had type 2 not type 1 so I got an appointment a week after the blood results arrived. Then I spent 3 days in hospital being rescued which cost far more to the NHS than an immediate trip to the hospital which is what he should have told me to do) my sight is poorer and my confidence has taken a knock. Anyway I'm going to do the course and see what happens. It sounds a terrible waste of time but at least it is free! Does one bring a packed lunch?

Jan 22, 2016 annis54 6 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course Andrew McDermott said: Humalog reaches its peak of action between 1 and 1 and a half hours after injection , others such as novorapid peak after about 15mins. The insulin needs to act on the ingested carbohydrate. If injecting too late in the process you are not getting the best efficiency from the insulin which is why you have been asked to inject before your meals and would also result in higher BG levels.... It's great that you don't eat ready meals and in dafne you will learn about carbohydrate content on breads rices pastas potatoes etc that I'm sure must make up part of your meals. You will also find your carb to insulin ratio which may vary from one part of the day to the next. You should feel positive that you have the opportunity to improve your lot even if the logistics are difficult for you. I must say that the dafne course is fantastic and well worth attending. ... keep up the good work. Let us know how you get on..... Andy So that's very useful. I'm making a big effort to inject at the correct time. I do eat bread and potatoes and different breads affect me differently. I now buy the multi grain bread from Tesco and I have 3 slices for lunch with some cold meat. I eat several cherry tomatoes and about 4 inches of cucumber. Also an apple. I mug of tea and this gets a 10 of Humalog. I tend to have the same lunch each day. Porridge for breakfast. I have a mug of tea at tea time. Then supper is a meat, potatoes and 2 veg meal. Sometimes there is a pudding and I have another shot to cover this. Pasta makes my blood sugar go right up so I don't have it very often. I've cut back on wine which I do miss but there it is. It is a logistical nightmare for me to get to Minehead for 5 consecutive days. Someone will have to take me and hang around while I'm there. Could they come too or don't they like that? Still waiting to hear if there is a course this Spring. My Endo's secretary isn't all that efficient. I've sent a letter so hopefully I'll get a reply soon. As I said if I don't go they'll just nag until I do!!!!!