Recent Posts by Annette Bell

Sep 7, 2024

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter

I know how you feel about the DUAG. It started off with lots of ideas and ambitions but nothing actually seemed to happen. Shame, it could have been a good resource. It was nice to have met you and the other members. I’m glad you’re still operating the website. Take care! Annette

Sep 7, 2024

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night

I think, but I’m not sure, that when I had a Libre I could turn off signal loss alarms but keep the low and high alarms switched on. Signal loss usually rights itself once signal is restored. I now use a Dexcom 1 and only tend to get signal loss alarms if I leave my phone in another room!

Aug 20, 2024

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter

I’m not sure if you know, but they don’t seem to be giving out DAFNE’s own carb books any more. At the refresher course they gave us the Carbs&Cals book and recommended that we download the accompanying app. so maybe they’re not bothering updating any more? I was remembering our DUAG meetings the other day. Are they still a thing? x

Jul 29, 2024

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter

Hi! Is the carb counting book on the app updated regularly? e.g. the CP value of jacket potatoes is different from the value given on my recent DAFNE refresher course. 🤔

Jul 25, 2022

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

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

Jul 23, 2022

Annette Bell 72 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 11, 2022

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

I have found that the readings aren’t far off actual BG except for high readings. I find the low alarms very useful as I was losing my sensitivity to hypos. Also my fingers are not sore anymore! I can play my cello without pain now. As for being active, I noticed that Nikita, one of the Strictly Come Dancing professionals, has a Libre sensor. You can’t get much more active than that! Very Happy

Apr 28, 2022

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

Hi lucy1gus2. I had the same problem with at least 4 of the sensors failing, sometimes within a couple of days. If you email the company with all details of the failed sensors they are happy and quite quick to replace them. I have found that, since placing the sensor further back on my arm so less likely to lie on it while asleep, I haven’t had any failures. Don’t know if this is just a coincidence! The hospital specialist advised me to set my low BG alarm to below 3.5 as I was having several, and this also helps me to be less reliant on the alarms and more on how I’m feeling. The sensors lag behind what is actually happening so it may be you were low but your body has already compensated. I hope this helps. Persevere! I was frustrated with mine at first and close to giving up, but now am quite happy with it once I’ve got used to its quirks!

Oct 25, 2021

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: Site Development / Upload problems

Is anyone else having problems when saving entries? When I hit save I get a page coming straight up asking me to login but it doesn’t work. When I’ve gone in to check my diary entries some are being duplicated and I have to delete them, and my latest entries aren’t there. I have a fully updated iPhone X.

Sep 17, 2021

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

Thanks Warwick, I’ll do that next time, but it did seem to settle down after the first day. It’s certainly much easier than finger pricking! Just to warn you to check that they have sent you FL 2 and not original ones. Looking at comments on the internet it looks like they have done the same to a lot of people. Presumably trying to dispose of old stock and hoping no one will notice, or is that just me being cynical?! 😂

Sep 9, 2021

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

After the first day it seems to have settled down and is close to BG readings. However, I ordered the Freestyle Libre 2, as that gives you alarms if BG is way out of the target range, but after attaching the sensor, realized that they have sent me Freestyle Libre which doesn’t. Very annoyed and still waiting for a reply to an email asking for a replacement. Confused

Sep 3, 2021

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre

Does anyone else use this? I decided to give it a try as thought it would make life easier. So far the readings have been way different from BG readings (I thought I would check if they were similar). BG was 14.7 and Libre said it was 8.2. Libre 3.3 and BG was 6.7. Hardly accurate! Has anyone else had this problem? It’s a very expensive way of getting your BG readings totally wrong! Just wondered if it’s just me!

May 1, 2019

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dosage auto-calculation in apps

What is your problem? If you don’t like the app don’t use it. The rest of us love it and find it really useful. Also, literacy is not to do with numbers. Some people with high IQ can have dyscalculia, the numeric equivalent of dyslexia. You don’t have to insult people who may have difficulty with numbers. This topic is now irrelevant anyway as the app no longer does the calculations for you. I use the app to show my diabetes nurses the graphs, which I also use to monitor trends and adjust my dosage when necessary. You’re happy using your spreadsheet. Great! We are happy to continue to use this great app as it is thanks.

Sep 25, 2018

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / BG entries

No, it’s not ok. Just entered my night time BG and it’s given it loads of 0’s ending in a 1 again. Sigh. Is anyone actually taking any notice of my postings or am I wasting my time? Question

Sep 25, 2018

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / BG entries

Ok, that seems to be ok now, but I can’t see my results for today on my phone. I really don’t want to have to go to the website every time I want to check my results for the day! I recently updated to iOS 12.

Sep 23, 2018

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / BG entries

It’s just done it again. Is it because we’ve just had an update and the app isn’t updated yet?

Sep 22, 2018

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / BG entries

My BG result is adding loads of 0’s with a 1 at the end. Why please? (iPhone 7) Been fine up until tonight 🤔

Sep 23, 2015

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Apple watch

Ok, point taken! Wink

Sep 23, 2015

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dosage auto-calculation in apps

If anyone is interested, I received this e-mail reply to the one I sent re this subject:

Dear Mrs Bell

Thank you for your e-mail. Details of compliance investigations are confidential, however we are able to provide some general information on apps.

Full details of the guidance on â€˜Medical device stand-alone software including appsâ€™ can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medical-devices-software-applications-apps/medical-device-stand-alone-software-including-apps

This guidance sets out why apps in some instances are considered to be medical devices and in the section entitled â€˜Software appsâ€™ there is a reference to the measurement of blood sugars.

Apps that are considered to be medical devices should have a CE mark as this shows it has met the legal requirements for safety, quality and performance when it is used as the manufacturer instructs.

We trust this information is helpful.

Yours Sincerely

Leo Syron
Compliance Inspector
European Regulatory Affairs
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
4th Floor, 151 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 9SZ
Tel 020 3080 7207
Fax 0203 118 9809
Mobile: 07770 678 430
To report suspected non-compliant medical device:
E: [email protected]

To report suspected counterfeit products:
E: [email protected]

Sep 5, 2015

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Apple watch

Hi. Is the app going to be available for the Apple watch eventually?

Aug 28, 2015

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dosage auto-calculation in apps

JenC said:
Unfair to direct frustrations at the site admin - to have an app at all is such an improvement on how things used to be. I have Type 1 diabetes 20 years and really appreciate advances such as this which make life that little bit easier - like carrying around tatty diaries in your handbag.

Yes, the auto calc function was very useful - but a simple calculation can be done (like you would have to have done previously!)

If you read my post properly, you'll see that I wasn't having a go at site admin, it was a copy of an e-mail which I sent to the MHRA.

Aug 26, 2015

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Dosage auto-calculation in apps

I have sent this e-mail to the address you provided. Probably won't make any difference, but I wanted to make my feelings, and opinion, known!:

I am a DAFNE graduate and have been using this app ever since completeing the DAFNE course in 2008. I was appalled when I realised that the latest update has removed the auto calculation of QA insulin from the app.The auto calculation of QA insulin is an invaluable component of this app as I have variable insulin doses depending on time of day. It also reminds me to reduce my dosage if my BG is low, especially before driving, as a low BG when driving is extremely dangerous for myself, and other road users! I think it is very short sighted of you to insist that this part of the app be removed as it will make diabetic control for DAFNE graduates more difficult and, therefore, could, in the long term, end up costing the NHS more money in hospital admissions. Obviously, we donâ€™t rely entirely on this calculation, and use it at our discretion, but it is a useful guide in moments of uncertainty, e.g when going hypoglycaemic! It is not a â€œmedical deviceâ€ as it does not have to be followed strictly. It is, as I say, just a very useful guide, which can be ignored if required. There are obviously no diabetics in the team which made this decision. Maybe you should talk to some, especially DAFNE graduates!
I have spoken to my diabetes nurse and she thinks this is a ludicrous decision too. She doesnâ€™t see how this can be classed as a medical device either.

I sincerely hope you will rethink & reverse this decision.

Annette Bell (Mrs)

Aug 20, 2015

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone 6

Why has the Auto QA calculation been removed? I found it very useful with my 1:1.25 ratio.

Apr 21, 2015

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone 6

Ok, tried that & it worked thanks.

Apr 21, 2015

Annette Bell 72 posts

Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone 6

Has there been an update over the weekend that would prevent my iPhone keeping entries? I have saved all my entries, &, when I look at my diary online they are all there, but all of Sunday 19th, Monday 20th and this morning's breakfast (Tuesday 21st) are missing on my iPhone app. I have tried several times to "download latest entries" by dragging the diary page down, but to no avail. None of my settings have changed. Any suggestions? (Today's lunchtime seems to be there - weird!) Confused

Sep 7, 2024 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter I know how you feel about the DUAG. It started off with lots of ideas and ambitions but nothing actually seemed to happen. Shame, it could have been a good resource. It was nice to have met you and the other members. I’m glad you’re still operating the website. Take care! Annette

Sep 7, 2024 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Libre Link 2 alarm signal loss in the night I think, but I’m not sure, that when I had a Libre I could turn off signal loss alarms but keep the low and high alarms switched on. Signal loss usually rights itself once signal is restored. I now use a Dexcom 1 and only tend to get signal loss alarms if I leave my phone in another room!

Aug 20, 2024 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter I’m not sure if you know, but they don’t seem to be giving out DAFNE’s own carb books any more. At the refresher course they gave us the Carbs&Cals book and recommended that we download the accompanying app. so maybe they’re not bothering updating any more? I was remembering our DUAG meetings the other day. Are they still a thing? x

Jul 29, 2024 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: Site Development / On line carb counter Hi! Is the carb counting book on the app updated regularly? e.g. the CP value of jacket potatoes is different from the value given on my recent DAFNE refresher course. 🤔

Jul 25, 2022 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre Unfortunately the NHS will only prescribe the Freestyle Libre. Dexcom is too expensive!

Jul 23, 2022 Annette Bell 72 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 11, 2022 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre I have found that the readings aren’t far off actual BG except for high readings. I find the low alarms very useful as I was losing my sensitivity to hypos. Also my fingers are not sore anymore! I can play my cello without pain now. As for being active, I noticed that Nikita, one of the Strictly Come Dancing professionals, has a Libre sensor. You can’t get much more active than that!

Apr 28, 2022 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre Hi lucy1gus2. I had the same problem with at least 4 of the sensors failing, sometimes within a couple of days. If you email the company with all details of the failed sensors they are happy and quite quick to replace them. I have found that, since placing the sensor further back on my arm so less likely to lie on it while asleep, I haven’t had any failures. Don’t know if this is just a coincidence! The hospital specialist advised me to set my low BG alarm to below 3.5 as I was having several, and this also helps me to be less reliant on the alarms and more on how I’m feeling. The sensors lag behind what is actually happening so it may be you were low but your body has already compensated. I hope this helps. Persevere! I was frustrated with mine at first and close to giving up, but now am quite happy with it once I’ve got used to its quirks!

Oct 25, 2021 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: Site Development / Upload problems Is anyone else having problems when saving entries? When I hit save I get a page coming straight up asking me to login but it doesn’t work. When I’ve gone in to check my diary entries some are being duplicated and I have to delete them, and my latest entries aren’t there. I have a fully updated iPhone X.

Sep 17, 2021 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre Thanks Warwick, I’ll do that next time, but it did seem to settle down after the first day. It’s certainly much easier than finger pricking! Just to warn you to check that they have sent you FL 2 and not original ones. Looking at comments on the internet it looks like they have done the same to a lot of people. Presumably trying to dispose of old stock and hoping no one will notice, or is that just me being cynical?! 😂

Sep 9, 2021 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre After the first day it seems to have settled down and is close to BG readings. However, I ordered the Freestyle Libre 2, as that gives you alarms if BG is way out of the target range, but after attaching the sensor, realized that they have sent me Freestyle Libre which doesn’t. Very annoyed and still waiting for a reply to an email asking for a replacement.

Sep 3, 2021 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Freestyle Libre Does anyone else use this? I decided to give it a try as thought it would make life easier. So far the readings have been way different from BG readings (I thought I would check if they were similar). BG was 14.7 and Libre said it was 8.2. Libre 3.3 and BG was 6.7. Hardly accurate! Has anyone else had this problem? It’s a very expensive way of getting your BG readings totally wrong! Just wondered if it’s just me!

May 1, 2019 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dosage auto-calculation in apps What is your problem? If you don’t like the app don’t use it. The rest of us love it and find it really useful. Also, literacy is not to do with numbers. Some people with high IQ can have dyscalculia, the numeric equivalent of dyslexia. You don’t have to insult people who may have difficulty with numbers. This topic is now irrelevant anyway as the app no longer does the calculations for you. I use the app to show my diabetes nurses the graphs, which I also use to monitor trends and adjust my dosage when necessary. You’re happy using your spreadsheet. Great! We are happy to continue to use this great app as it is thanks.

Sep 25, 2018 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / BG entries No, it’s not ok. Just entered my night time BG and it’s given it loads of 0’s ending in a 1 again. Sigh. Is anyone actually taking any notice of my postings or am I wasting my time?

Sep 25, 2018 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / BG entries Ok, that seems to be ok now, but I can’t see my results for today on my phone. I really don’t want to have to go to the website every time I want to check my results for the day! I recently updated to iOS 12.

Sep 23, 2018 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / BG entries It’s just done it again. Is it because we’ve just had an update and the app isn’t updated yet?

Sep 22, 2018 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / BG entries My BG result is adding loads of 0’s with a 1 at the end. Why please? (iPhone 7) Been fine up until tonight 🤔

Sep 23, 2015 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Apple watch Ok, point taken!

Sep 23, 2015 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dosage auto-calculation in apps If anyone is interested, I received this e-mail reply to the one I sent re this subject: Dear Mrs Bell Thank you for your e-mail. Details of compliance investigations are confidential, however we are able to provide some general information on apps. Full details of the guidance on â€˜Medical device stand-alone software including appsâ€™ can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medical-devices-software-applications-apps/medical-device-stand-alone-software-including-apps This guidance sets out why apps in some instances are considered to be medical devices and in the section entitled â€˜Software appsâ€™ there is a reference to the measurement of blood sugars. Apps that are considered to be medical devices should have a CE mark as this shows it has met the legal requirements for safety, quality and performance when it is used as the manufacturer instructs. We trust this information is helpful. Yours Sincerely Leo Syron Compliance Inspector European Regulatory Affairs Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 4th Floor, 151 Buckingham Palace Road London SW1W 9SZ Tel 020 3080 7207 Fax 0203 118 9809 Mobile: 07770 678 430 To report suspected non-compliant medical device: E: [email protected] To report suspected counterfeit products: E: [email protected]

Sep 5, 2015 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Apple watch Hi. Is the app going to be available for the Apple watch eventually?

Aug 28, 2015 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dosage auto-calculation in apps JenC said: Unfair to direct frustrations at the site admin - to have an app at all is such an improvement on how things used to be. I have Type 1 diabetes 20 years and really appreciate advances such as this which make life that little bit easier - like carrying around tatty diaries in your handbag. Yes, the auto calc function was very useful - but a simple calculation can be done (like you would have to have done previously!) If you read my post properly, you'll see that I wasn't having a go at site admin, it was a copy of an e-mail which I sent to the MHRA.

Aug 26, 2015 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Dosage auto-calculation in apps I have sent this e-mail to the address you provided. Probably won't make any difference, but I wanted to make my feelings, and opinion, known!: I am a DAFNE graduate and have been using this app ever since completeing the DAFNE course in 2008. I was appalled when I realised that the latest update has removed the auto calculation of QA insulin from the app.The auto calculation of QA insulin is an invaluable component of this app as I have variable insulin doses depending on time of day. It also reminds me to reduce my dosage if my BG is low, especially before driving, as a low BG when driving is extremely dangerous for myself, and other road users! I think it is very short sighted of you to insist that this part of the app be removed as it will make diabetic control for DAFNE graduates more difficult and, therefore, could, in the long term, end up costing the NHS more money in hospital admissions. Obviously, we donâ€™t rely entirely on this calculation, and use it at our discretion, but it is a useful guide in moments of uncertainty, e.g when going hypoglycaemic! It is not a â€œmedical deviceâ€ as it does not have to be followed strictly. It is, as I say, just a very useful guide, which can be ignored if required. There are obviously no diabetics in the team which made this decision. Maybe you should talk to some, especially DAFNE graduates! I have spoken to my diabetes nurse and she thinks this is a ludicrous decision too. She doesnâ€™t see how this can be classed as a medical device either. I sincerely hope you will rethink & reverse this decision. Annette Bell (Mrs)

Aug 20, 2015 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone 6 Why has the Auto QA calculation been removed? I found it very useful with my 1:1.25 ratio.

Apr 21, 2015 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone 6 Ok, tried that & it worked thanks.

Apr 21, 2015 Annette Bell 72 posts	Topic: DAFNE Online Mobile / iPhone 6 Has there been an update over the weekend that would prevent my iPhone keeping entries? I have saved all my entries, &, when I look at my diary online they are all there, but all of Sunday 19th, Monday 20th and this morning's breakfast (Tuesday 21st) are missing on my iPhone app. I have tried several times to "download latest entries" by dragging the diary page down, but to no avail. None of my settings have changed. Any suggestions? (Today's lunchtime seems to be there - weird!)