Recent Posts by Garry - DAFNE Online

Oct 10, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Milking fingers causes low BG readings

Yes I'm sure that your meter information is correct as anything that takes up volume - as marke suggests - in a small sample is going to 'dilute' that sample and give a lower result.

When you finger ends are tender though and look like pin cushions there is no way that I would deepen the stab.

Yes, I encourage blood out of my fingers always. With this consistant approach I get reproducibility of results.
Recognising that BG meters do not give absolute mmol/L values and that so many factors affect the meter result I am satisfied to have reliable, repeatable numbers.
I use an Abbott Optium Xceed meter, the blood sample is only a tiny one - 0.6 Î¼L and I found results varied even between barely wetting the strip and giving it a large dollop of blood. Small blood samples gave lower results than large blood samples.
Unwashed hands gave remarkably different results from clean, dry hands.
So I just try and reproduce a consistent same size sample all the time from washed and dried hands.
With fingers feeling the way mine do - thatâ€™s a small blood sample from a minimum stab depth.
Regards
Garry

Oct 8, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / 3am tests

Carb free dinner is not necessary Louise1988.
Take your dinner as normal with the matching QA. BI dose as normal, at normal time.
You are only checking that your BI is right. We all need an established background insulin level to keep us ticking over, especially when comparatively inactive. So I hope you find that your before bed, 3 am and before breakfast BGs are ideally within 1 mmol/L â€“ donâ€™t fret if they are not though. No changes really necessary if they are pretty even. You do need plenty of days results to compare with one another though as lots of other things get in the way of our understanding the body - it is a dynamic â€˜fickleâ€™ machine.
You may wish to post again in a week or so when you have data. Please let us know your particular BI and typical dose/s. Currently, I split Lantus 27u at 06:30 and 27u 18:00 to 19:00. But Iâ€™m sure someone here will be able to advise you better, if using your type of BI.
Regards
Garry

Sep 26, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Think my Novorapid is too slow!

Although not a HCP please consider my perspective:
If you were not Diabetic and had a full set of fully functioning Islets of Langerhans containing their insulin secreting Beta cells...your blood sugar would still rise after eating. These cells need sense the rising blood sugar for them to secrete insulin.
So don't worry about it. High BGs after eating are normal and we need focus on getting the levels right prior to our next meal.
We are all individuals. We all have different digestion rates for particular types of foods. Some people find they don't need count some types of carbohydrate...and others of us find it absolutely necessary to tot up all carbohydrate.
I'm afraid that over the years I have regularly seen 14s, 15s and 16s after meals. I take Humalog QA and cope with my uptake rate by taking this insulin 15 to 40 minutes before eating. Bit of a pain when you guess the CHO wrong...but easily coped with by a second, compensation dose immediately after the meal.
If you made detailed notes and can recover sufficient data from the diary figures of your 8 years since DAFNE you may be able to pick out some of the meals that have a marked effect on your BGs. Some of them may surprise you.
I always find eating out a problem. Many a Chef adds sugar to his main course sauce to give it a shine...how do we know that and compensate with the requisite amount of insulin? I now always tell restaurant staff that I am Diabetic and ask them to let the Chef know no added sugar when ordering any meal now.
After 34 years I still muck it up though. Lots of things get in the way of our understanding the complicated thing that is the human body. Don't worry...just do your best.
Regards
Garry

Sep 20, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / ketones

Most DAFNE HCPs have access to free meters doled out by the manufacturers. Sweetheart your DAFNE team and I'm sure that they will be able to help.
Once you have one and are satisfied with the performance, phone Abbott on 0500467466 and tell them you are interested in an Optium Freestyle meter for use with both BGs and Ketones. They will normally send one out free....and thus you have 2 meters - 1 in use and 1 standby.
Talk to them at the same time asking about download capabilities of the meter and they will likely supply you with a USB download lead and software to suit your meter.
I have always found Abbott Laboratories a very helpful business. They always used to send out batteries for the meter too, when your low battery warning light comes on, but have stopped doing it as they say they are not now allowed by Royal Mail to send out batteries in the post!
Regards
Garry

Sep 19, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / ketones

If you would like 'live' ketone levels you may wish considering another meter.
I use an Abbott Optium Xceed meter for which you are able to be prescribed Ketone test strips in addition to the normal Blood Glucose testing strips.
Urinanalyis test strips are OK but only give you results of what has already happened...not much use when you are wanting early warning of things going awry when ill.
This meter and Ketone test strips give you a much tighter range for Ketone analysis too...down to 0.1 and although I havn't researched the accuracy of these low value results, I gain confidence from them as they seem to reflect how I am feeling at the time of illness.

Regards
Garry

Aug 23, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Centrizine Hydrochloride and an affect on insulin sensitivity

Took an anti histamine tablet a day, for 5 days, after being bitten on the leg, by a fly in the garden.
Big itch driving me crackers and some swelling which I was concerned about.
Insulin resistant and normally have to use QA ratios of 2:1 or 2.5:1 and 2:1 with meals but found I needed to knock the dinner ratio back particularly to 1.5:1.
Has anyone else noticed this?
Maybe I am erroneously connecting two things here. Would appreciate help from HCPs or another forum user who may use these tablets on a more regular basis.
Regards
Garry

Aug 12, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI

Likely ... like most of us ... that your BI does not last 24 hours.
It only lasted 20 to 21 hours max for me and with that evidence, plus HCP advice, led me to my current split BI ... which works for me.
Regards
Garry

Aug 10, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Cocoa

I'd be OK if I remembered to drink my Cocoa.
Regards
Garry

Aug 8, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI

Your late morning eating seems to sway things for you.
Why not try 10:00 am 12 u BI and 10:00 pm 10 u BI ... still 22, but split and once the time needed for your body to adjust has gone by, you may be able to see improved morning results.
Although a lot less insulin sensitive than you, I personally find that a change in Total Daily Dose of BI from 56 to 54 u makes a big difference across the whole day....so I am comparitively sensitive to BI adjustments and as a consequence I change these split doses only when my BG figures surely demonstrate the necessity. Might be a change too far to make when going on holiday though, as you will need focus on adequate BG control when away. Perhaps leave it for a while.
Regards
Garry

Aug 6, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Advice welcomed!

Take it that entry 03/08 18:40 should read BI 8?
Looking from afar, the majority of your entries are in the red. Personally speaking, I always see that as BI adjustment needed. If you need make lots of + compensation doses...that seems to say that BI needs upping.
What BI do you use?
Regards
Garry

Aug 5, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI

What happened Sunday Gill. Where did the morning go?
9.2 Sunday night and you list 3.5 CP. Your comment seems to suggest you consumed 2 x 1.7 CPs. But you take no QA and no BI. There must be info missing as how did you get to 3.4 BG at 08:18?
Difficult to comment rationally without all necessary information.
Take your time and wait to see a distinct pattern emerging. Once you are sure, you can confidently make needed changes.
Don't rush. We are all individuals and I think others have talked of Lantus changes taking longer for them to be sure about the outcome.
I think an unbalanced split BI may help you overcome your morning hypos and help you flatten out your food intake pattern.
Regards
Garry

Aug 5, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI

Your corrections can just be listed as 07:14 2.5, 07:31 1.5 and 10:12 1.5.
Any thoughts about having breakfast earlier?
Your BI is of course working throughout this early daytime.
Regards
Garry

Aug 5, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: Site Development / Message Inbox

Already do that marke with the HCPs at the hospital...but I would prefer not to share my whole diary in a more open forum.
The format below, with it's restricted date range, gives the opportunity to focus in and perhaps emphasise points to others.
Regards
Garry

Aug 2, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: Site Development / Message Inbox

Would it be possible to add the facility to include diary entries when sending messages direct to one another using the Message Inbox?
Regards
Garry

Aug 2, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI

Gill. Here is my last 10 days. I am unable to include a BG Diary other than here. I'll ask if this facility can be added when creating a direct message through Message Inbox.
Regards
Garry

Aug 1, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Optium Xceed meter renewal

No. Not as far as we know.
I like my Xceed too Smile

Regards
Garry

Aug 1, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI

Personally I just use 1. Your entry is good and everyone will know what you mean.
BGs have come down with a bump...but stick with it and let things settle out. You may need do more BG testing to keep a closer check on things.
Regards
Garry

Jul 31, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI

Please click the blue hyperlink Message Inbox in the top right hand corner of your screen.
Regards
Garry

Jul 25, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / insulin pump

Good on 'yer.
Pleased it's going so well for you.
Regards
Garry

Jul 24, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / ulcers

You may have some kind of infection coming on and that's sending your BGs haywire.
We all become insulin resistant when an infection takes hold.
You may not have any symptoms yet, but my BGs normally tell me 1 or 2 days before the grot arrives.
The mouth ulcer may be indicative of your overall condition....I sound like I should be selling Bob Martin cure all tablets for man's best friend!
Regards
Garry

Jul 23, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / ulcers

Do you mean a mouth ulcer or stomach ulcer?
Regards
Garry

Jul 22, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / batteries for the accu-chek

Abbott - manufacturers of the Optium Xceed, will send you out a replacement battery, here in the UK, usually within 2 days. I am very pleased with my 2 meters. One is in everyday use and the other a spare which only gets used for the occasional overnight test.
Current battery has been in daily service for 10 months.
Odd use meter battery must be 14 or 15 months old now.
Regards
Garry

Jul 12, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb Free Foods

Welcome

Veg crisps may have beetroot and parsnip in there...and personally they bump my BGs every time.
You should find the CHO value on the packet to help you decide whether they are suitable to use in your particular situation.
Regards
Garry

Jul 10, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Lantus - times

Normally at 06:40 and around 18:00 each day.
Currently split 26u and 26u.
Regards
Garry

Jul 8, 2013

Garry 328 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise

Good read. Thanks Warwick.
Regards
Garry

Oct 10, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Milking fingers causes low BG readings Yes I'm sure that your meter information is correct as anything that takes up volume - as marke suggests - in a small sample is going to 'dilute' that sample and give a lower result. When you finger ends are tender though and look like pin cushions there is no way that I would deepen the stab. Yes, I encourage blood out of my fingers always. With this consistant approach I get reproducibility of results. Recognising that BG meters do not give absolute mmol/L values and that so many factors affect the meter result I am satisfied to have reliable, repeatable numbers. I use an Abbott Optium Xceed meter, the blood sample is only a tiny one - 0.6 Î¼L and I found results varied even between barely wetting the strip and giving it a large dollop of blood. Small blood samples gave lower results than large blood samples. Unwashed hands gave remarkably different results from clean, dry hands. So I just try and reproduce a consistent same size sample all the time from washed and dried hands. With fingers feeling the way mine do - thatâ€™s a small blood sample from a minimum stab depth. Regards Garry

Oct 8, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / 3am tests Carb free dinner is not necessary Louise1988. Take your dinner as normal with the matching QA. BI dose as normal, at normal time. You are only checking that your BI is right. We all need an established background insulin level to keep us ticking over, especially when comparatively inactive. So I hope you find that your before bed, 3 am and before breakfast BGs are ideally within 1 mmol/L â€“ donâ€™t fret if they are not though. No changes really necessary if they are pretty even. You do need plenty of days results to compare with one another though as lots of other things get in the way of our understanding the body - it is a dynamic â€˜fickleâ€™ machine. You may wish to post again in a week or so when you have data. Please let us know your particular BI and typical dose/s. Currently, I split Lantus 27u at 06:30 and 27u 18:00 to 19:00. But Iâ€™m sure someone here will be able to advise you better, if using your type of BI. Regards Garry

Sep 26, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Think my Novorapid is too slow! Although not a HCP please consider my perspective: If you were not Diabetic and had a full set of fully functioning Islets of Langerhans containing their insulin secreting Beta cells...your blood sugar would still rise after eating. These cells need sense the rising blood sugar for them to secrete insulin. So don't worry about it. High BGs after eating are normal and we need focus on getting the levels right prior to our next meal. We are all individuals. We all have different digestion rates for particular types of foods. Some people find they don't need count some types of carbohydrate...and others of us find it absolutely necessary to tot up all carbohydrate. I'm afraid that over the years I have regularly seen 14s, 15s and 16s after meals. I take Humalog QA and cope with my uptake rate by taking this insulin 15 to 40 minutes before eating. Bit of a pain when you guess the CHO wrong...but easily coped with by a second, compensation dose immediately after the meal. If you made detailed notes and can recover sufficient data from the diary figures of your 8 years since DAFNE you may be able to pick out some of the meals that have a marked effect on your BGs. Some of them may surprise you. I always find eating out a problem. Many a Chef adds sugar to his main course sauce to give it a shine...how do we know that and compensate with the requisite amount of insulin? I now always tell restaurant staff that I am Diabetic and ask them to let the Chef know no added sugar when ordering any meal now. After 34 years I still muck it up though. Lots of things get in the way of our understanding the complicated thing that is the human body. Don't worry...just do your best. Regards Garry

Sep 20, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / ketones Most DAFNE HCPs have access to free meters doled out by the manufacturers. Sweetheart your DAFNE team and I'm sure that they will be able to help. Once you have one and are satisfied with the performance, phone Abbott on 0500467466 and tell them you are interested in an Optium Freestyle meter for use with both BGs and Ketones. They will normally send one out free....and thus you have 2 meters - 1 in use and 1 standby. Talk to them at the same time asking about download capabilities of the meter and they will likely supply you with a USB download lead and software to suit your meter. I have always found Abbott Laboratories a very helpful business. They always used to send out batteries for the meter too, when your low battery warning light comes on, but have stopped doing it as they say they are not now allowed by Royal Mail to send out batteries in the post! Regards Garry

Sep 19, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / ketones If you would like 'live' ketone levels you may wish considering another meter. I use an Abbott Optium Xceed meter for which you are able to be prescribed Ketone test strips in addition to the normal Blood Glucose testing strips. Urinanalyis test strips are OK but only give you results of what has already happened...not much use when you are wanting early warning of things going awry when ill. This meter and Ketone test strips give you a much tighter range for Ketone analysis too...down to 0.1 and although I havn't researched the accuracy of these low value results, I gain confidence from them as they seem to reflect how I am feeling at the time of illness. Regards Garry

Aug 23, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Centrizine Hydrochloride and an affect on insulin sensitivity Took an anti histamine tablet a day, for 5 days, after being bitten on the leg, by a fly in the garden. Big itch driving me crackers and some swelling which I was concerned about. Insulin resistant and normally have to use QA ratios of 2:1 or 2.5:1 and 2:1 with meals but found I needed to knock the dinner ratio back particularly to 1.5:1. Has anyone else noticed this? Maybe I am erroneously connecting two things here. Would appreciate help from HCPs or another forum user who may use these tablets on a more regular basis. Regards Garry

Aug 12, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI Likely ... like most of us ... that your BI does not last 24 hours. It only lasted 20 to 21 hours max for me and with that evidence, plus HCP advice, led me to my current split BI ... which works for me. Regards Garry

Aug 10, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Cocoa I'd be OK if I remembered to drink my Cocoa. Regards Garry

Aug 8, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI Your late morning eating seems to sway things for you. Why not try 10:00 am 12 u BI and 10:00 pm 10 u BI ... still 22, but split and once the time needed for your body to adjust has gone by, you may be able to see improved morning results. Although a lot less insulin sensitive than you, I personally find that a change in Total Daily Dose of BI from 56 to 54 u makes a big difference across the whole day....so I am comparitively sensitive to BI adjustments and as a consequence I change these split doses only when my BG figures surely demonstrate the necessity. Might be a change too far to make when going on holiday though, as you will need focus on adequate BG control when away. Perhaps leave it for a while. Regards Garry

Aug 6, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Advice welcomed! Take it that entry 03/08 18:40 should read BI 8? Looking from afar, the majority of your entries are in the red. Personally speaking, I always see that as BI adjustment needed. If you need make lots of + compensation doses...that seems to say that BI needs upping. What BI do you use? Regards Garry

Aug 5, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI What happened Sunday Gill. Where did the morning go? 9.2 Sunday night and you list 3.5 CP. Your comment seems to suggest you consumed 2 x 1.7 CPs. But you take no QA and no BI. There must be info missing as how did you get to 3.4 BG at 08:18? Difficult to comment rationally without all necessary information. Take your time and wait to see a distinct pattern emerging. Once you are sure, you can confidently make needed changes. Don't rush. We are all individuals and I think others have talked of Lantus changes taking longer for them to be sure about the outcome. I think an unbalanced split BI may help you overcome your morning hypos and help you flatten out your food intake pattern. Regards Garry

Aug 5, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI Your corrections can just be listed as 07:14 2.5, 07:31 1.5 and 10:12 1.5. Any thoughts about having breakfast earlier? Your BI is of course working throughout this early daytime. Regards Garry

Aug 5, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: Site Development / Message Inbox Already do that marke with the HCPs at the hospital...but I would prefer not to share my whole diary in a more open forum. The format below, with it's restricted date range, gives the opportunity to focus in and perhaps emphasise points to others. Regards Garry

Aug 2, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: Site Development / Message Inbox Would it be possible to add the facility to include diary entries when sending messages direct to one another using the Message Inbox? Regards Garry

Aug 2, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI Gill. Here is my last 10 days. I am unable to include a BG Diary other than here. I'll ask if this facility can be added when creating a direct message through Message Inbox. Regards Garry

Aug 1, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Optium Xceed meter renewal No. Not as far as we know. I like my Xceed too Regards Garry

Aug 1, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI Personally I just use 1. Your entry is good and everyone will know what you mean. BGs have come down with a bump...but stick with it and let things settle out. You may need do more BG testing to keep a closer check on things. Regards Garry

Jul 31, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Increase of Lantus/BI Please click the blue hyperlink Message Inbox in the top right hand corner of your screen. Regards Garry

Jul 25, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / insulin pump Good on 'yer. Pleased it's going so well for you. Regards Garry

Jul 24, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / ulcers You may have some kind of infection coming on and that's sending your BGs haywire. We all become insulin resistant when an infection takes hold. You may not have any symptoms yet, but my BGs normally tell me 1 or 2 days before the grot arrives. The mouth ulcer may be indicative of your overall condition....I sound like I should be selling Bob Martin cure all tablets for man's best friend! Regards Garry

Jul 23, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / ulcers Do you mean a mouth ulcer or stomach ulcer? Regards Garry

Jul 22, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / batteries for the accu-chek Abbott - manufacturers of the Optium Xceed, will send you out a replacement battery, here in the UK, usually within 2 days. I am very pleased with my 2 meters. One is in everyday use and the other a spare which only gets used for the occasional overnight test. Current battery has been in daily service for 10 months. Odd use meter battery must be 14 or 15 months old now. Regards Garry

Jul 12, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb Free Foods Welcome Veg crisps may have beetroot and parsnip in there...and personally they bump my BGs every time. You should find the CHO value on the packet to help you decide whether they are suitable to use in your particular situation. Regards Garry

Jul 10, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Lantus - times Normally at 06:40 and around 18:00 each day. Currently split 26u and 26u. Regards Garry

Jul 8, 2013 Garry 328 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cycling and exercise Good read. Thanks Warwick. Regards Garry