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Jan 25, 2016
AMcD
38 posts
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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 |
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Jan 25, 2016
Popey81
5 posts
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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?? |
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Jan 22, 2016
macthecat
1 post
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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 |
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Jan 22, 2016
annis54
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course
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!!! |
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Jan 22, 2016
Sh3ri3
3 posts
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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 
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Jan 22, 2016
Popey81
5 posts
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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 |
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Jan 22, 2016
annis54
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course
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? |
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Jan 22, 2016
annis54
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course
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? |
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Jan 22, 2016
annis54
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course
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!!!!! |
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Jan 22, 2016
Sh3ri3
3 posts
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Sad but true, I learned more in one week than I have in my 24years with the condition. I hope sooner rather than later this is a standard thing for all newly diagnosed diabetics and existing diabetics get the chance to attend. |
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Jan 22, 2016
Sh3ri3
3 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course 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 |
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Jan 22, 2016
Popey81
5 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course 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 |
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Jan 21, 2016
AMcD
38 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course 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 |
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Jan 21, 2016
annis54
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course OK so 89 is way too high. This may have been caused by my not injecting the Humalog until after my lunch or supper. The nurse was horrified when I told her I did this and said that I must have the injection before I started eating and not after. Trouble is you don't always know what you are going to eat. Her reply was well from now on you have to know and that's that. Perhaps the figure will be lower but I'll have to see.I always use a fresh lancet for every blood glucose test. I always use a fresh needle for each injection. I do feel bullied to attend the DAFNE course and it would be easier for me to have a text book about it but so far no text book has turned up. The course lasts for 5 full days and the nearest place is at Minehead hospital but it only happens once a year or so. There are other places but they are a lot further away. I would have to drive there and since I had DKA driving has been a bit more difficult. I don't have anyone to take me for 5 consecutive days all the way to Taunton for instance. This is where the people organising the courses have not realised that a text book miight be better for people who live in the middle of nowhere. Plus how is one expected to remember everything? I don't eat ready made food so the bit about reading what it says on the box for a ready made meal will be irrelevant. It would have helped to have been told in the first place that you have to inject the Humalog before you eat not afterwards. Maybe I didn't remember that bit since I'd only been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after I got DKA and I couldn't see at all well. There were lots of leaflets but these just vanished because I couldn't read them. Anyway I suppose I'll have to do the course because otherwise I'll only be nagged until I do. Minehead is 9 miles away and they do this course in February (I think) so not much fun getting there first thing in the morning. I'm going to see when they are doing it. Does anyone know about the bg monitor that isn't invasive? Some Israelites are doing one for type 2 diabetics someone said. Meanwhile thanks for the replies; they were helpful. |
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Jan 20, 2016
AMcD
38 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course Also do you change the finger pick needle often. . That helps a lot... Andy |
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Jan 20, 2016
AMcD
38 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course The target hba1c level is somewhere between 48 and 53 depending on lifestyle and circumstances. .. some feel that 48 is too tight.... however at 89 your levels are not in target range... In my opinion you really should attend the dafne course...... it will help you feel better in the short term and will provide long term health benefits. .. Andy |
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Jan 20, 2016
Garry
328 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course 89 is a mmol/mol reading HelenP.Regards Garry |
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Jan 19, 2016
HelenP
218 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course 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 |
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Jan 19, 2016
annis54
6 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Is it worth attending a DAFNE course I'm being urged to attend a DAFNE course to help lower my HB1AC figure which was 89 last time. Trouble is I live in the country and driving to the course is a problem. There was one at Minehead hospital (nearest) last February but I had a bug then so I couldn't have gone even if I had signed up. It was also at half term so awkward with the grandchildren.Does anyone know if the course is on in Minehead every year? I might be able to get a lift. Also if I don't do the course I'll just get nagged until I do. And I'd love to have a blood glucose monitor that just fits over your finger so no jabbing which is painful. A bit like an oxygen monitor. Is there one to buy in the UK? |
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Jan 16, 2016
lbouchier
2 posts
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Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb counting whey protein Hi,I've been going to the gym for some time and always used to take some whey protein isolate after my sessions which were mainly resistance based. I used to take the protein & a banana. The protein has the following carbs: 1.8g per serving or 5.8 per 100g I would take 2 servings and banana. I was counting this(incorrectly I believe) as 1.8g x2 =3.6g + 2CP for banana = 5.6 CP. As I was just after exercise I used to take 4 units of novo rapid and this always worked out well, no hypo or high readings. Now I believe my above calculation for the CPs in the protein was incorrect. I've also changed to taking some protein pre workout. The total amount of carbs in grams I have pre and during workout is 7.2 grams. I calculated this as 0.72CP. Having a reading of 8.0 pre workout this morning I consumed this without any novo rapid as I didn't want a hypo during the session. Afterwards my reading was 17.3. What did I get wrong?!? My maths? Or is this because all the carbs were all liquid based and therefore took effect quicker? I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks, L. |
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Jan 16, 2016
Simon
574 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Can DAFNE consider changing from the use of CP’s to g of carbohydrate? I'll close this now as the discussion deadline has passed - see the comments from Sally below:Thank you to all who have taken time to add your valuable comments, the next DAFNE Executive board meeting is on 25th January, I will share your comments and views with the rest of the group and let them know that though we have had a small response the majority seem to be in favour of sticking with CPs, I will also feed this back to the educator network meetings which will be taking place over the next couple of months. Thanks again for your input Sally |
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Jan 15, 2016
Brumfoodie
10 posts
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Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Maths Test At least we have the 100g values listed. USA imports have portion size values -then say how many portions are in the pack. I'm good at maths but even I find that impossible. I was reduced to weighing out jellybeans to reach 19g weight as that would contain 20g carbs when a 40g serving contained 38g carbohydrate. (16 beans if you're interested ).Not something to attempt during a hypo.......and really slow to eat. |
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Jan 15, 2016
Brumfoodie
10 posts
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Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Eating in Japan - any tips? The carb content of food in Japan turned out to be pretty simple to estimate. Rice served with a meal was typically 3tablespoons worth -3CP- and noodles were similarly constant in quantity. Portions were small but there was a wider variety of different items in a meal so I got plenty of practice in totalling tiny numbers. I added 0.5 CP to the total of each meal to allow for the sugar included in sauces and pickles served with rice. It seemed to work. Only problem? Eating a fried egg served on a flat plate using chopsticks - but thats another story...
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Jan 15, 2016
michaelj
45 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Best worldwide travel insurance for type 1 diabetics Try Diabetes Uk. I did a 5 week self drive tour of New Zealand in Jan 2014 and found them very reasonable with three levels of cover. No problems with existing ailments and easy to obtain. Have also used Saga and although they are considered to be expensive have found them sometimes cheaper than other sites as they are used to dealing with older people where infirmaties are quite common, so quite happy to cover pre-existing conditions |
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Jan 12, 2016
Alan 49
280 posts
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Topic: General Discussion / Can DAFNE consider changing from the use of CP’s to g of carbohydrate? In view of all the comments above, is this still on the cards? |