Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Aug 5, 2022

Sally Mac 27 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Dawn Phenomenon

Hi@novorapidboi26, I did I have to admit have a bit of an "I can manage on pens quite adequately thanks" when my second pump broke in 8 months of use. Of course how foolish was I? I wouldn't be without it now. As you say it is the last thing to try and for the majority, it works wonders which is all anyone would want.

Out of interest, which pump did you pick or were you given only one choice?

Aug 5, 2022

novorapidboi26 1,818 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low carbing / fasting?

Sally Mac said:
Are you low carbing?

No, but I acknowedge that a low carb diet works wonders but I just love the carbs......fortunately DAFNE helps with that but its never perfect....

Aug 5, 2022

novorapidboi26 1,818 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Dawn Phenomenon

Sally Mac said:
Hi, it sounds like you were disappointed to now be on a pump. I hope that's not the case.

No, not at all.....I love it.....

Its just that thats the main reason a pump was considered for me, it was the last thing to try.......

I know some people go on pumps for no obvious reason but for me, in Scotland, in 2013, I had to have a good one... Laughing

Aug 5, 2022

Sally Mac 27 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

Hi @marke, I didn't realise that it was all about where you lived. I am still shocked to still keep hearing these stories. I would agree about the details of the trends, that's where the sensors come into their own. The good news is that tech is developing at such a rate for Type 1's, I am sure there will be a difference soon, i.e.., in our lifetimes. It can feel like a full-time job sometimes, but I can see that I'm lucky in that I have access to the sensors, a pump and a great hospital, DSN and consultant. I would hate to think how I would manage otherwise.

Aug 4, 2022

marke 655 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

I also get the Dexcom via NHS funding. Sadly its the old story of post code lottery. I stayed under Guy's hospital in London when I was put on a pump. They have far more resources than my local hospital and they were happy to fund me, my local hospital won't fund Libre's let alone the Dexcom. Hopefully this will change in the coming years when they see the benefits of Diabetics having CGM's and the long term money it will save the NHS.
With regards to the accuracy, even with blood tests the rules state 'Under the new standard, meters will need to meet the accuracy guidelines 95% of the time: Within ± 0.83 mmol/L of laboratory results at concentrations of under 5.6 mmol/L. Within ± 15% of laboratory results at concentrations of 5.6 mmol/L or more' . A Libre or Dexcom measures inter-cell fluid sugar so at best it will be slightly less accurate than BG tests. Sorry but any test like this is never 100% accurate, its a best estimate. The advantage of Libre/Dexcom is the trends it shows i.e a warning you are heading low. Currently you can't use them as your only means of dosing insulin. One day that will change, but who knows how soon

Aug 4, 2022

marke 655 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Using Sensors in hot weather?

At the risk of advertising a business, I was using patches from www.diabeticsupply.co.uk . These are patches that go over the sensor and provide a bigger sticky part. They work pretty well for me when I put the sensor on my arm. I'm using a Dexcom G6 and tend now to put it on my stomach. I'm waiting for the Dexcom G7 which will be smaller and lower profile. I'm hoping I can put that on my arm without knocking it all the time ! When I had a Libre I lost several sensors that way Sad

Jul 28, 2022

Sally Mac 27 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Dawn Phenomenon

novorapidboi26 said:
Never really cracked it but a must to tame it is definitely a split dose of basal insulin, preferably Levemir......this allows you to focus solely on the overnight portion of the day, which means you can really push that basal dose to its limit overnight...

I also benefited from taking my overnight basal dose right before bed, as opposed to 12 hours after my morning dose.....this allowed me to have a larger, stronger dose working by the time the liver woke up at 3/4 am...I compensated for any deficit in the evening with my meal time bolus....no that I noticed any significant issues...

I also broke the fast as quickly as possible as this signals the liver to stop which helps stop the rise in levels throughout the morning...

eventually ended up on the pump...

Hi, it sounds like you were disappointed to now be on a pump. I hope that's not the case.

Jul 28, 2022

Sally Mac 27 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low carbing / fasting?

novorapidboi26 said:
From time to time I find my self missing meals due to work commitments, which naturally perform a basal test, whichi is nice......

I dont follow a low carb diet though continously......some people find that following a low carb diet can make you more sensitive to protein and may need to account for this when calculating bolus....

Are you low carbing?

Hi, I think like you I am missing meals, but not intentionally. It sounds like you are missing your meals due to work stuff, I am missing mine as its just too darned hot to eat which actually works well. When I do eat though, I do try to keep it as low carb as possible. I have found though that I need a good dose of carbs (30-40g) so I can sleep hypo free throughout the night. Seems to work ok at the mo. I like the low carb approach generally, less carbs, less insulin. However like you say you have to be careful of the protein content. Just when I thought I had it sussed, nearly !!

Jul 28, 2022

Sally Mac 27 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Using Sensors in hot weather?

Warwick said:
I've used the clear burns bandages successfully to keep the sensors in place. You need to cut a hole the size of the transmitter, but I've been able to get it to stay attached for weeks.

Hi Warwick, another good option, thanks. Will try that as well.

Jul 27, 2022

Warwick 434 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Using Sensors in hot weather?

I've used the clear burns bandages successfully to keep the sensors in place. You need to cut a hole the size of the transmitter, but I've been able to get it to stay attached for weeks.

Jul 26, 2022

Warwick 434 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low carbing / fasting?

When I went back to a higher carb diet after being on a low carb diet for a few weeks, I found that I needed far more insulin than I had previously needed for the carbs. My insulin to carb ratios was about double what they had previously been. It took about three days before they returned to normal.

When I intermittently fast, I need less basal, I guess because there is less glycogen in the liver being discharged into the bloodstream.

Jul 26, 2022

Sally Mac 27 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

novorapidboi26 said:
Sally Mac said:
Hi All, I am amazed to hear of the inaccuracies that the Libre sensor is giving some people. I have not used it myself as I use a Dexcom G6 which is 100% accurate every time. Have you tried using another sensor @lucy1gus2?
, Hi, I never calibrate the Dexcom G6 sensor, that is the joy of using it.

How often do you need to calibrate the dexcom?

Jul 26, 2022

Sally Mac 27 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Using Sensors in hot weather?

Hi, thanks for your reply, novorapidboi26 - Im not using Libre, although I know lots of others are. I think @MichaelJ's help was useful, or it was for me. Have you tried his help?

Jul 26, 2022

novorapidboi26 1,818 posts

Topic: Questions ? / I between blood glucose levels

Providing you ae confident the basal is right as well as your ratios, the way to tackle mid meal spikes is to play about with the pre-bolus timings....so basically increase the time between dosing and eating.....see how that goes, it can potentially be different for each meal time and for certain foods....

With BI adjustment I tend to stick to the facts and what DAFNE taught me......gather the data and make adjustments from it.....if you have adjusted and its still not holding steady you need to keep adjusting until it does....it may only be a small adjustment but could also be very big........the menopause could very well be responsible....

Jul 26, 2022

novorapidboi26 1,818 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Dawn Phenomenon

Never really cracked it but a must to tame it is definitely a split dose of basal insulin, preferably Levemir......this allows you to focus solely on the overnight portion of the day, which means you can really push that basal dose to its limit overnight...

I also benifted from taking my overnight basal dose right before bed, as opposed to 12 hours after my morning dose.....this allowed me to have a larger, stronger dose working by the time the liver woke up at 3/4am....I compensated any defecit in the evning with my meal time bolus....no that I noticed any significant issues....

I also broke the fast as quickly as possible as this signals the liver to stop which helps stop the rise in levels throughout the morning....

eventually ended up on the pump....

Jul 26, 2022

novorapidboi26 1,818 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low carbing / fasting?

From time to time I find my self missing meals due to work commitments, which naturally perform a basal test, whichi is nice......

I dont follow a low carb diet though continously......some people find that following a low carb diet can make you more sensitive to protein and may need to account for this when calculating bolus....

Are you low carbing?

Jul 26, 2022

novorapidboi26 1,818 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Baking

I would weigh the whole cake and then weight the portion I want to eat, that would allow a calculation to take place.....

Jul 26, 2022

novorapidboi26 1,818 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Using Sensors in hot weather?

Not normally to be honest but recently my Libre has came off within 12 hours of initial application, which is strange as normally my sensors can stay on for 4 weeks..... Very Happy

I got waterproof patches to go over the sensor which has helped.....

I do think though that the real reason is becaue I have applied the sensor on to an area that hasn't been properly cleaned. The marks the Libre leaves are difficult to remove....

Jul 26, 2022

novorapidboi26 1,818 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Challenge of hot weather and following DAFNE

Sally Mac said:
Hi all, we are all having this very hot weather at the moment, how do you manage the whole "eating" thing during this very hot weather to the DAFNE guidelines?

For me when it's hot I really do not want to eat, but try my best to follow the advice given, even though a lot of the things I am consuming don't have many carbs in them at all. Never a good idea for someone who lives with Type 1. What are you eating on these hot days?

Definitely esating less carbs, more salads etc......

Fortunately DAFNE is set up to allow you to either have carbs or not......without any significant effect to glucose levels.....

Although the heat does tend to change the insulin resistance and so basal may need to go up or down....

Jul 26, 2022

novorapidboi26 1,818 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

Sally Mac said:
Hi All, I am amazed to hear of the inaccuracies that the Libre sensor is giving some people. I have not used it myself as I use a Dexcom G6 which is 100% accurate every time. Have you tried using another sensor @lucy1gus2?

How often do you need to calibrate the dexcom?

Jul 25, 2022

Sally Mac 27 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

Hi Annette, oh gosh. That's weird as I get my Dexcom paid by the NHS along with my pump. I didn't realise that about Freestyle Libre. That would of course explain why there are so many people using it. You learn something every day with Diabetes it seems! Smile

Jul 25, 2022

Annette Bell 58 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

Unfortunately the NHS will only prescribe the Freestyle Libre. Dexcom is too expensive!

Jul 25, 2022

Sally Mac 27 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

Hi All, I am amazed to hear of the inaccuracies that the Libre sensor is giving some people. I have not used it myself as I use a Dexcom G6 which is 100% accurate every time. Have you tried using another sensor @lucy1gus2?

Jul 23, 2022

Annette Bell 58 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

With driving you are still required to do a finger prick test. I always try to make sure this is above 7 before I drive so it’s got somewhere to go if it starts to drop. I agree, if you get a low reading but don’t “feel” low then you should double check. Mine is usually not far off.

Jul 23, 2022

RachelClement 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

I have been using Libre 2 for around 18 months, I find the additional information it gives you both useful and worrying. Diabetes has taken over my life where for the past 25 years using a glucose meter I had a good HbA1C but my diabetes did not rule my life.

I recently discovered the Libre readings at the lower end can be very different to BM (which is gold standard). Unfortunately no consistent pattern and often occurs in situations before I have taken corrective action, so not due to delay on Libre. In the past I have corrected unnecessarily resulting in a high glucose reading. As a result I am now checking any low or high reading on the meter! High readings generally match as do normal range, but low glucose readings can be as much as 3 different ie the difference between normal range and a hypo!!
How do we stand for driving? Would the law say we were hypo? It’s a worry and I am quickly loosing faith in the system.

Aug 5, 2022 Sally Mac 27 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Dawn Phenomenon Hi@novorapidboi26, I did I have to admit have a bit of an "I can manage on pens quite adequately thanks" when my second pump broke in 8 months of use. Of course how foolish was I? I wouldn't be without it now. As you say it is the last thing to try and for the majority, it works wonders which is all anyone would want. Out of interest, which pump did you pick or were you given only one choice?

Aug 5, 2022 novorapidboi26 1,818 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low carbing / fasting? Sally Mac said: Are you low carbing? No, but I acknowedge that a low carb diet works wonders but I just love the carbs......fortunately DAFNE helps with that but its never perfect....

Aug 5, 2022 novorapidboi26 1,818 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Dawn Phenomenon Sally Mac said: Hi, it sounds like you were disappointed to now be on a pump. I hope that's not the case. No, not at all.....I love it..... Its just that thats the main reason a pump was considered for me, it was the last thing to try....... I know some people go on pumps for no obvious reason but for me, in Scotland, in 2013, I had to have a good one...

Aug 5, 2022 Sally Mac 27 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre Hi @marke, I didn't realise that it was all about where you lived. I am still shocked to still keep hearing these stories. I would agree about the details of the trends, that's where the sensors come into their own. The good news is that tech is developing at such a rate for Type 1's, I am sure there will be a difference soon, i.e.., in our lifetimes. It can feel like a full-time job sometimes, but I can see that I'm lucky in that I have access to the sensors, a pump and a great hospital, DSN and consultant. I would hate to think how I would manage otherwise.

Aug 4, 2022 marke 655 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre I also get the Dexcom via NHS funding. Sadly its the old story of post code lottery. I stayed under Guy's hospital in London when I was put on a pump. They have far more resources than my local hospital and they were happy to fund me, my local hospital won't fund Libre's let alone the Dexcom. Hopefully this will change in the coming years when they see the benefits of Diabetics having CGM's and the long term money it will save the NHS. With regards to the accuracy, even with blood tests the rules state 'Under the new standard, meters will need to meet the accuracy guidelines 95% of the time: Within ± 0.83 mmol/L of laboratory results at concentrations of under 5.6 mmol/L. Within ± 15% of laboratory results at concentrations of 5.6 mmol/L or more' . A Libre or Dexcom measures inter-cell fluid sugar so at best it will be slightly less accurate than BG tests. Sorry but any test like this is never 100% accurate, its a best estimate. The advantage of Libre/Dexcom is the trends it shows i.e a warning you are heading low. Currently you can't use them as your only means of dosing insulin. One day that will change, but who knows how soon

Aug 4, 2022 marke 655 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Using Sensors in hot weather? At the risk of advertising a business, I was using patches from www.diabeticsupply.co.uk . These are patches that go over the sensor and provide a bigger sticky part. They work pretty well for me when I put the sensor on my arm. I'm using a Dexcom G6 and tend now to put it on my stomach. I'm waiting for the Dexcom G7 which will be smaller and lower profile. I'm hoping I can put that on my arm without knocking it all the time ! When I had a Libre I lost several sensors that way

Jul 28, 2022 Sally Mac 27 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Dawn Phenomenon novorapidboi26 said: Never really cracked it but a must to tame it is definitely a split dose of basal insulin, preferably Levemir......this allows you to focus solely on the overnight portion of the day, which means you can really push that basal dose to its limit overnight... I also benefited from taking my overnight basal dose right before bed, as opposed to 12 hours after my morning dose.....this allowed me to have a larger, stronger dose working by the time the liver woke up at 3/4 am...I compensated for any deficit in the evening with my meal time bolus....no that I noticed any significant issues... I also broke the fast as quickly as possible as this signals the liver to stop which helps stop the rise in levels throughout the morning... eventually ended up on the pump... Hi, it sounds like you were disappointed to now be on a pump. I hope that's not the case.

Jul 28, 2022 Sally Mac 27 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low carbing / fasting? novorapidboi26 said: From time to time I find my self missing meals due to work commitments, which naturally perform a basal test, whichi is nice...... I dont follow a low carb diet though continously......some people find that following a low carb diet can make you more sensitive to protein and may need to account for this when calculating bolus.... Are you low carbing? Hi, I think like you I am missing meals, but not intentionally. It sounds like you are missing your meals due to work stuff, I am missing mine as its just too darned hot to eat which actually works well. When I do eat though, I do try to keep it as low carb as possible. I have found though that I need a good dose of carbs (30-40g) so I can sleep hypo free throughout the night. Seems to work ok at the mo. I like the low carb approach generally, less carbs, less insulin. However like you say you have to be careful of the protein content. Just when I thought I had it sussed, nearly !!

Jul 28, 2022 Sally Mac 27 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Using Sensors in hot weather? Warwick said: I've used the clear burns bandages successfully to keep the sensors in place. You need to cut a hole the size of the transmitter, but I've been able to get it to stay attached for weeks. Hi Warwick, another good option, thanks. Will try that as well.

Jul 27, 2022 Warwick 434 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Using Sensors in hot weather? I've used the clear burns bandages successfully to keep the sensors in place. You need to cut a hole the size of the transmitter, but I've been able to get it to stay attached for weeks.

Jul 26, 2022 Warwick 434 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low carbing / fasting? When I went back to a higher carb diet after being on a low carb diet for a few weeks, I found that I needed far more insulin than I had previously needed for the carbs. My insulin to carb ratios was about double what they had previously been. It took about three days before they returned to normal. When I intermittently fast, I need less basal, I guess because there is less glycogen in the liver being discharged into the bloodstream.

Jul 26, 2022 Sally Mac 27 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre novorapidboi26 said: Sally Mac said: Hi All, I am amazed to hear of the inaccuracies that the Libre sensor is giving some people. I have not used it myself as I use a Dexcom G6 which is 100% accurate every time. Have you tried using another sensor @lucy1gus2? , Hi, I never calibrate the Dexcom G6 sensor, that is the joy of using it. How often do you need to calibrate the dexcom?

Jul 26, 2022 Sally Mac 27 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Using Sensors in hot weather? Hi, thanks for your reply, novorapidboi26 - Im not using Libre, although I know lots of others are. I think @MichaelJ's help was useful, or it was for me. Have you tried his help?

Jul 26, 2022 novorapidboi26 1,818 posts	Topic: Questions ? / I between blood glucose levels Providing you ae confident the basal is right as well as your ratios, the way to tackle mid meal spikes is to play about with the pre-bolus timings....so basically increase the time between dosing and eating.....see how that goes, it can potentially be different for each meal time and for certain foods.... With BI adjustment I tend to stick to the facts and what DAFNE taught me......gather the data and make adjustments from it.....if you have adjusted and its still not holding steady you need to keep adjusting until it does....it may only be a small adjustment but could also be very big........the menopause could very well be responsible....

Jul 26, 2022 novorapidboi26 1,818 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Dawn Phenomenon Never really cracked it but a must to tame it is definitely a split dose of basal insulin, preferably Levemir......this allows you to focus solely on the overnight portion of the day, which means you can really push that basal dose to its limit overnight... I also benifted from taking my overnight basal dose right before bed, as opposed to 12 hours after my morning dose.....this allowed me to have a larger, stronger dose working by the time the liver woke up at 3/4am....I compensated any defecit in the evning with my meal time bolus....no that I noticed any significant issues.... I also broke the fast as quickly as possible as this signals the liver to stop which helps stop the rise in levels throughout the morning.... eventually ended up on the pump....

Jul 26, 2022 novorapidboi26 1,818 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Low carbing / fasting? From time to time I find my self missing meals due to work commitments, which naturally perform a basal test, whichi is nice...... I dont follow a low carb diet though continously......some people find that following a low carb diet can make you more sensitive to protein and may need to account for this when calculating bolus.... Are you low carbing?

Jul 26, 2022 novorapidboi26 1,818 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Baking I would weigh the whole cake and then weight the portion I want to eat, that would allow a calculation to take place.....

Jul 26, 2022 novorapidboi26 1,818 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Using Sensors in hot weather? Not normally to be honest but recently my Libre has came off within 12 hours of initial application, which is strange as normally my sensors can stay on for 4 weeks..... I got waterproof patches to go over the sensor which has helped..... I do think though that the real reason is becaue I have applied the sensor on to an area that hasn't been properly cleaned. The marks the Libre leaves are difficult to remove....

Jul 26, 2022 novorapidboi26 1,818 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Challenge of hot weather and following DAFNE Sally Mac said: Hi all, we are all having this very hot weather at the moment, how do you manage the whole "eating" thing during this very hot weather to the DAFNE guidelines? For me when it's hot I really do not want to eat, but try my best to follow the advice given, even though a lot of the things I am consuming don't have many carbs in them at all. Never a good idea for someone who lives with Type 1. What are you eating on these hot days? Definitely esating less carbs, more salads etc...... Fortunately DAFNE is set up to allow you to either have carbs or not......without any significant effect to glucose levels..... Although the heat does tend to change the insulin resistance and so basal may need to go up or down....

Jul 26, 2022 novorapidboi26 1,818 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre Sally Mac said: Hi All, I am amazed to hear of the inaccuracies that the Libre sensor is giving some people. I have not used it myself as I use a Dexcom G6 which is 100% accurate every time. Have you tried using another sensor @lucy1gus2? How often do you need to calibrate the dexcom?

Jul 25, 2022 Sally Mac 27 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre Hi Annette, oh gosh. That's weird as I get my Dexcom paid by the NHS along with my pump. I didn't realise that about Freestyle Libre. That would of course explain why there are so many people using it. You learn something every day with Diabetes it seems!

Jul 25, 2022 Annette Bell 58 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre Unfortunately the NHS will only prescribe the Freestyle Libre. Dexcom is too expensive!

Jul 25, 2022 Sally Mac 27 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre Hi All, I am amazed to hear of the inaccuracies that the Libre sensor is giving some people. I have not used it myself as I use a Dexcom G6 which is 100% accurate every time. Have you tried using another sensor @lucy1gus2?

Jul 23, 2022 Annette Bell 58 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre With driving you are still required to do a finger prick test. I always try to make sure this is above 7 before I drive so it’s got somewhere to go if it starts to drop. I agree, if you get a low reading but don’t “feel” low then you should double check. Mine is usually not far off.

Jul 23, 2022 RachelClement 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre I have been using Libre 2 for around 18 months, I find the additional information it gives you both useful and worrying. Diabetes has taken over my life where for the past 25 years using a glucose meter I had a good HbA1C but my diabetes did not rule my life. I recently discovered the Libre readings at the lower end can be very different to BM (which is gold standard). Unfortunately no consistent pattern and often occurs in situations before I have taken corrective action, so not due to delay on Libre. In the past I have corrected unnecessarily resulting in a high glucose reading. As a result I am now checking any low or high reading on the meter! High readings generally match as do normal range, but low glucose readings can be as much as 3 different ie the difference between normal range and a hypo!! How do we stand for driving? Would the law say we were hypo? It’s a worry and I am quickly loosing faith in the system.