Recent Posts by marke - DAFNE Online

Mar 26, 2010

marke 657 posts

Anthony, wise advice, I agree I have learnt not to stress about results but just write them all down and look back and try to work them out. it can be a challenge but worth it in the long run , although I still find it tough letting others see my results.

By the way, nice to see someone from Oz contributing, I have been hassling your educators for a while to get people signed up. Its always a good thing to get a different perspective from people whose health care system might be different from ours and whose challenges may vary even though we ALL basically have the same problems, something that is clear I think on the first day of a DAFNE course when you meet a group of other people with pretty much the same problems as you.

Mar 26, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Iphone Apps

Chris, I don't necessarily object to you using our site to advertise your book and application, but please make clear it is nothing to do with DAFNE. Chris according to the website mentioned leads BERTIE which is another Diabetes Structured education course. This means although he is a Dietican he is not a DAFNE Dietician. You don't say how much your app will cost ?

The DAFNE Online one when Simon completes it, I'm sure will be free. Not to discourage people getting yours, but hey its our site we should be able to advertise as well ;-)

Mar 24, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Want to do DAFNE Course

I have to say I'm suprised , but not shocked, Steve. Government policy is to push the treatment of Type 2's into GP surgeries but NOT type 1, NHS Diabetes policy is that Type 1's should be seen by consultants at a hospital Diabetes centre. As Lizzie suggests generally GP's are NOT sufficiently trained to treat Type 1 and its potential complications. You should also be getting eye screening carried out at least once a year ( when they take pictures of your retina for potential damage). If you are covered by the same PCT as the hospital then you ARE eligible for a DAFNE Course, unfortunately you usually need to be referred and thus the 'problem' with not being seen by a Diabetes Consultant who fully understands the issues and necessary treatment.
Can I suggest you contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) here at your local PCT and get them to find out why you are NOT being seen at yuor local hospital by a Diabetes Consultant. Worst case they should be able to put you in contact with the Diabetes Centre at the hospital or even the DAFNE Educator and they should be able to tell you firstly how you get the treatment you are entitled too and secondly how you get onto a DAFNE Course at the hospital. Unfortunately a lot of centres have long waiting lists for the course, but if you are not on the list they you won't get on it !

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Mar 21, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / shortage of Test Strips

The last two prescriptions I have ordered I have had trouble getting the Lifescan test strips for
my Ultra Smart meter. The chemist claims there is a shortage from the manufacturers. Has any one else had any problems getting Lifescan test strips ?

I'm beginning to think I should look at other meters, if getting test strips for the Ultra Smart is going to be a problem.

Mar 17, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

I don't think its a simple cost comparison though. The costs of Diabetes are complex, if the right meter means you test regularly and have better control and hence avoid a hypo that results in hospital treatment or avoid complications then that is a major saving to the NHS regardless of the cost of the test strips. I apprciate your concerns relating to cost but its a very complex area.
I personnally would not change my meter to the latest and greatest unless I thought there would be a benefit to me. I'm interested in what is available and maybe trying out a new meter, but if it provided no benefit I would stick with my current one. Looking at the Accu-check mobile it STILL has an infra-red interface for connecting to a PC , so I would steer well clear of it. It seems Roche are determined to stay in the 80's while technology moves on. I'm not sure of what the benefits are supposed to be, it has an 'attached' finger pricker and supposedly no test strips to handle, but I can't really rate that as a benefit. I still need to prick my finger, I still need to put blood on the meter so no change there really. I prefer the lifescan ultrasmart. I can enter carbs and other stuff as well as recording BG's and it has a sensible USB interface that works reliably with a PC. We can also read the meter directly for uploading to the site, once the app to do it is complete. I would like to get hold of a Contour USB just to play with it and see if its better, but I wouldn't swap to it unless it is an improvement on my current meter.

Mar 16, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes and minor illness

no never experienced this, but personal experience is that GP's know about as much about Diabetes as the general public :-( Mine was impressed by 'modern' insulin pens, which told me straight away that I would be staying under my local hospital for Diabetes support for as long as possible. I don't really see why Diabetes would make yoor immune system work harder. If you are well controlled your immmune system is pretty much like everyone elses, with the exception that it ate all your islet cells of course ;^)
I do find it can push up my BG's though which 'could' be what is happening to you, what are your BG's when this happens ? higher, lower ?

Mar 15, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Advice on sugar levels after exercise

Hi, You don't say when you are exercising in relation to your injections. You are not experiencing an 'artificial high' as Alan says its your body pumping out 'energy' for your muscles to
use that causes the high and without insulin to make use of it, it stays in your blood. The issue may be that your QA has worn off and so your don't have any insulin to help 'process' the blood sugar. Correction doses after exercise are not a good idea. The effects of exercise can last upto 24 hours afterwards and as soon as you put insulin into your system all that
blood sugar can then be used lowering your BG. Thats why its recommended that you reduce your BI before exercise.
Without the missing info its hard to give any advice, the same goes for Debs, when you say you exercised before breakfast, is this before any injections ? if so that would make sense for the reasons above, no insulin to process the blood sugar. you have to think about the insulin profile ( its in the DAFNE handbook) and the effect it will have on exercise and food intake. Its important to remember the after effect of exercise as well as this can catch you out hours later ( or even the next day).

Mar 15, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How good is dafne

Vic, I am shocked your were told only to do 4 test per day. I was told to test as many times as necessary and to test more if I'm ill or changing ratio's etc. I was never told that there was 'no need to do more'. If ever you feel low then do a test regardless of the number you have done already.
With regards to hypos, it does sound like your background was not correct. I suspect the morning high results are due to the 'dawn phenomenon' (see posts in 'Questions for HCPs' forum), I like probably many other people have the same issue with morning BG's. The problem is BI is probably not going to fix the issue. I won't replicate the discussions here as it has been covered on the other forum. Is it possible to split Lantus into two doses ? Maybe a question for your Diabetes team, I am on Levimir and find it much better now I have split it too two doses one in the evening and one in the morning. I know BI is supposed to be largely even over 24 hours but the reality is often different and splitting it may help resolve the issue, but thats something to decide on advice from experts ( rather than other graduates)

Mar 12, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

I'm not sure it is a good suggestion guys, Java is a platform independent language ( well at least it should be if we keep it away from Microsoft). That means it doesn't know or care what the hardware it runs on is. It may be that you can get at a COM port in java but generally it would be frowned upon since its breaking the platform independence rules. This software needs to access the COM ( serial) port to talk directly to the meter.

Sorry if thats a bit techie, I don't know what level of IT you all understand, obviously I do it full time, hence the geeky posting ;^)

Mar 9, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

hi, i believe it will work under Vista and NiVZ I should have mentioned I am runnnig windows 7 so your software will work on it ! I don't very much it will work on Linux unfortunately, Linux works completely differently from windows under the 'covers' and the software NiVZ uses is very much based on windows .

Mar 9, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

Hi, you should have no trouble getting the software or cable for the lifescan ultra easy the URL is http://www.lifescan.co.uk/OurProducts/Accessories/InterfaceCable.aspx and they will send it to you for free. I have to say it is a million times better than Roches bizarre insistance on sticking with Infra-red. I used to use their meters and software but after a PC upgrade the infra red would never work again and roche were far from helpful. I have tried to get a smart-pix device to test for DAFNEOnline but Roche are not interested and their customer support is not fit of that name.
I would be interested to hear if anyone does get a contour USB meter and if its any good, as I said previously I don't intend to pay for one when they will get all the money from the NHS for my test strips if I use one.

Mar 7, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition.

my explination would be before I developed diabetes I had days like that and it obviously was nothing to do with hypos since I wasn't a diabetic. Some days you just feel cr*p, it doesn't have to be your Diabetes its just life ;-) I think we can fall into the trap of over analysing everything and expecting there to be any answer for everything. Sadly life's not like that, sometimes there is just no explination. Somedays my BG can go high for no apparent reason, it just happens, somethings has kicked off in my body and has caused my BG's to rise with no apparent reason. The next day things are back to normal. The only thing I do is shrug my shoulders and accept it happens.
I guess thats part of the problem with Hypo warnings, sometimes they are not warnings at all they are something else. All we can do is test, test and test again since thats the only way we can be sure.

Mar 2, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

thanks for pointing this out, but I would NEVER pay for a meter. The meter companies make a lot of money from test strips and its in their interest to get you using their meters so you use their test strips. If they are giving them away it might be attractive, but if they want me to pay and then make a profit from me on the test strips then its not so attractive.

I don't know for sure the 'list' price for contour strips but the retail price for 50 is around the same price as a meter. Yes, I know we don't
pay for them but the NHS does.

Feb 26, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Correcting high blood glucose levels

Hi, there are doctors/HCPs on the forum/site however you have to remember they are all very busy people so sometimes a response can take a while. The answer is there WILL be some clear science behind it since DAFNE is based on research both from the original in Germany and here, the research is still continuing. The question is can it be explained in simple terms ?

Feb 26, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Site Development / Glycaemic Index

Alan,
This is the only response I have had so far, now you have reminded me I will chase it up again.

"will run past some educators and get back to you; I know they are not keen to give more information in the DAFNE course (hence we have not developed any GI resource) as GI is a difficult area."

Feb 26, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Acquiring a Glucoject Dual S system

I would speak to your Diabetes team see if they can get you one. I would never pay for any diabetes equipment, the manufacturers want you to use their meter because of the money they make from test strips which is substantial. If your diabetes team can't help it wouldn't hurt to try the manufacturer see if they will send you one.

As for it being pain free, I'm afraid I don't believe it. It has to break the skin to draw blood and in doing so there must be a risk of some pain. Its
just the way life is, but if you want to try this stabber why not it can't be any worse than the others and it might be better.

Feb 21, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How good is dafne

I think the fact that you are all on here, means you have benefited from DAFNE and want to continue to do so. We have seen very little negative feedback on the course although Vic is correct that maybe not everyone will continue to follow DAFNE principles.
However I would prefer to look at the positives, even if you don't follow DAFNE religously if you test your BG's more or even just take
your Diabetes more seriously then DAFNE has had a positive effect on you. I think too many people set themselves very high targets
and expect to be able to keep their BG's perfect using DAFNE. Sadly life is not that simple, as Vic correctly says it requires continued
effort and dedication and not everyone can manage that. Hopefully this site will help people with that by letting them talk to other graduates and get encouragement from others. But don't be discouraged if it all seems to go wrong, just keep at it, keep believing and ask others
if there are things you are struggling with. One of the great things for me about the course was to sit in a room with other Diabetics and realise my problems were the same as theirs, i wasn't unique or alone in my struggle with BG's others were exactly the same.

DAFNE is fantastic and hopefully one day all Diabetics will be able to benefit from it, once we convince PCT's that short term investment can provide long term savings in reduced treatment for Diabetics.

Feb 16, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge

John,
I don't think the DAFNE CP value is wrong, its a guideline not a rule set in stone. As I said before different people have different insulin needs for the same food. In addition its a generic value for porridge and different brands all have different ingredients ( apart from the obvious !). So the thing to remember when looking at the CP booklet or this site is its a guide and yuor requirements may vary.

Feb 16, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics?

Mike,
One thing I would add, is that getting the scores wrong occasionally won't necessarily wreck your health. The complications caused by Diabetes develop over time, so the main issue with getting it wrong in the short term are things like Ketatosis but fortunately that is pretty rare. I'm not encouraging you to be complacent just warning you that over the years there will be times when your control 'slips' slightly, you shouldn't get too worked up over this I'm sure most people on this site who have been diabetic for 10 years+ will have had the occasional period where things have not gone quite right. The secret is, to get back on the wagon as soon as possible and get things back under control. Thats one of the reasons for this site existing, its recognised that the long term support for DAFNE graduates is lacking from the DAFNE Programme. The hope is this site will help remedy that by giving DAFNE graduates support and information ongoing over the years, helping them to stick to the DAFNE regime and thus greatly reduce the risk of complications and hospital treatment for their condition.

I look forward to seeing your posts on your 20th and 30th anniversaries of being a diabetic :-)

Feb 15, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge

I would suggest its more likely your breakfast ratio, remember that you are more likely to have higher BG's ( and possibly a higher ratio) in the mornings because of the hormones our bodies release to wake us up. Most people tend to need more insulin in the morning, but the key to all of this is 'most' we are all different and even though the CP value is correct it doesn't necessarily mean that your insulin requirements for that amount of CP's are 'standard'. basically the only solution is trial and error. I think its very unlikely you are hypoing, so would suggest upping your insulin a bit and seeing what effect it has. Again remember the key to these things is a step wise, change one thing approach.

Feb 10, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition.

Clare,
Thanks from me too for clarifying the issue. Its good to have input from HCP's as well as us 'diabetics'. Hopefully all our users appreciate that HCP's are all very busy people and its a great help when we get their input.

Feb 10, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb Links section added

Just wanted to let you know that we have added a new section to the 'Carb Counter' area called Carb Links. It is a list of websites that contain carbohydrate information. Users can add their own entries as and when they find sites that provide good information. Over time hopefully we we build up a comprehensive list of sites that will be a useful reference for carb info on the net.

Feb 10, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Restaurants with carbohydrate info

Hi,
I have now added a new section to the carb counting area called carb links. The idea is we can all add entries for sites we find that provide carb info. Over time hopefully we will buiild up a comprehensive list of sites that provide this information so that we can all benefit.

Feb 9, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition.

Carolin,
Can you clarify what you are saying, are we talking about Hypo recognition or DAFNE generally. I would have thought all diabetics try to avoid hypos, believe me its not something we particularly enjoy ;^) . We also try to keep within DAFNE targets which is the point of DAFNE. However if we are talking hypo awareness and lack of it then of course avoiding hypo's is a priority.

When you talk about aiming at the upper end of the range, is this connected with trying to restore hypo warnings ? Is there any guidance over how long it might take to regain warning signs. Obviously individuals will vary in both their warning signs and the time it takes to regain them, however a rough indicator on how long the aim of top end DAFNE BG's should be maintained would be useful.

Feb 9, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and high BG

Hi,
Not sure I like the sound of QA before exercise, especially if it involves the 'area' of injection since exercise speeds up the absorbtion of insulin. This would mean a bigger 'hit' of insulin to take the sugar out of the blood, increasing the risk of Hypo I would have thought.

I would take advice before injecting pre-exercise. I occasionally had high BG's after exercise, however it always went back down on its own
and I would rather be a bit high than having to be picked up off the floor....

Mar 26, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Help Anthony, wise advice, I agree I have learnt not to stress about results but just write them all down and look back and try to work them out. it can be a challenge but worth it in the long run , although I still find it tough letting others see my results. By the way, nice to see someone from Oz contributing, I have been hassling your educators for a while to get people signed up. Its always a good thing to get a different perspective from people whose health care system might be different from ours and whose challenges may vary even though we ALL basically have the same problems, something that is clear I think on the first day of a DAFNE course when you meet a group of other people with pretty much the same problems as you.

Mar 26, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Iphone Apps Chris, I don't necessarily object to you using our site to advertise your book and application, but please make clear it is nothing to do with DAFNE. Chris according to the website mentioned leads BERTIE which is another Diabetes Structured education course. This means although he is a Dietican he is not a DAFNE Dietician. You don't say how much your app will cost ? The DAFNE Online one when Simon completes it, I'm sure will be free. Not to discourage people getting yours, but hey its our site we should be able to advertise as well ;-)

Mar 24, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Want to do DAFNE Course I have to say I'm suprised , but not shocked, Steve. Government policy is to push the treatment of Type 2's into GP surgeries but NOT type 1, NHS Diabetes policy is that Type 1's should be seen by consultants at a hospital Diabetes centre. As Lizzie suggests generally GP's are NOT sufficiently trained to treat Type 1 and its potential complications. You should also be getting eye screening carried out at least once a year ( when they take pictures of your retina for potential damage). If you are covered by the same PCT as the hospital then you ARE eligible for a DAFNE Course, unfortunately you usually need to be referred and thus the 'problem' with not being seen by a Diabetes Consultant who fully understands the issues and necessary treatment. Can I suggest you contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) here at your local PCT and get them to find out why you are NOT being seen at yuor local hospital by a Diabetes Consultant. Worst case they should be able to put you in contact with the Diabetes Centre at the hospital or even the DAFNE Educator and they should be able to tell you firstly how you get the treatment you are entitled too and secondly how you get onto a DAFNE Course at the hospital. Unfortunately a lot of centres have long waiting lists for the course, but if you are not on the list they you won't get on it ! Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Mar 21, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / shortage of Test Strips The last two prescriptions I have ordered I have had trouble getting the Lifescan test strips for my Ultra Smart meter. The chemist claims there is a shortage from the manufacturers. Has any one else had any problems getting Lifescan test strips ? I'm beginning to think I should look at other meters, if getting test strips for the Ultra Smart is going to be a problem.

Mar 17, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter I don't think its a simple cost comparison though. The costs of Diabetes are complex, if the right meter means you test regularly and have better control and hence avoid a hypo that results in hospital treatment or avoid complications then that is a major saving to the NHS regardless of the cost of the test strips. I apprciate your concerns relating to cost but its a very complex area. I personnally would not change my meter to the latest and greatest unless I thought there would be a benefit to me. I'm interested in what is available and maybe trying out a new meter, but if it provided no benefit I would stick with my current one. Looking at the Accu-check mobile it STILL has an infra-red interface for connecting to a PC , so I would steer well clear of it. It seems Roche are determined to stay in the 80's while technology moves on. I'm not sure of what the benefits are supposed to be, it has an 'attached' finger pricker and supposedly no test strips to handle, but I can't really rate that as a benefit. I still need to prick my finger, I still need to put blood on the meter so no change there really. I prefer the lifescan ultrasmart. I can enter carbs and other stuff as well as recording BG's and it has a sensible USB interface that works reliably with a PC. We can also read the meter directly for uploading to the site, once the app to do it is complete. I would like to get hold of a Contour USB just to play with it and see if its better, but I wouldn't swap to it unless it is an improvement on my current meter.

Mar 16, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetes and minor illness no never experienced this, but personal experience is that GP's know about as much about Diabetes as the general public :-( Mine was impressed by 'modern' insulin pens, which told me straight away that I would be staying under my local hospital for Diabetes support for as long as possible. I don't really see why Diabetes would make yoor immune system work harder. If you are well controlled your immmune system is pretty much like everyone elses, with the exception that it ate all your islet cells of course ;^) I do find it can push up my BG's though which 'could' be what is happening to you, what are your BG's when this happens ? higher, lower ?

Mar 15, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Advice on sugar levels after exercise Hi, You don't say when you are exercising in relation to your injections. You are not experiencing an 'artificial high' as Alan says its your body pumping out 'energy' for your muscles to use that causes the high and without insulin to make use of it, it stays in your blood. The issue may be that your QA has worn off and so your don't have any insulin to help 'process' the blood sugar. Correction doses after exercise are not a good idea. The effects of exercise can last upto 24 hours afterwards and as soon as you put insulin into your system all that blood sugar can then be used lowering your BG. Thats why its recommended that you reduce your BI before exercise. Without the missing info its hard to give any advice, the same goes for Debs, when you say you exercised before breakfast, is this before any injections ? if so that would make sense for the reasons above, no insulin to process the blood sugar. you have to think about the insulin profile ( its in the DAFNE handbook) and the effect it will have on exercise and food intake. Its important to remember the after effect of exercise as well as this can catch you out hours later ( or even the next day).

Mar 15, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How good is dafne Vic, I am shocked your were told only to do 4 test per day. I was told to test as many times as necessary and to test more if I'm ill or changing ratio's etc. I was never told that there was 'no need to do more'. If ever you feel low then do a test regardless of the number you have done already. With regards to hypos, it does sound like your background was not correct. I suspect the morning high results are due to the 'dawn phenomenon' (see posts in 'Questions for HCPs' forum), I like probably many other people have the same issue with morning BG's. The problem is BI is probably not going to fix the issue. I won't replicate the discussions here as it has been covered on the other forum. Is it possible to split Lantus into two doses ? Maybe a question for your Diabetes team, I am on Levimir and find it much better now I have split it too two doses one in the evening and one in the morning. I know BI is supposed to be largely even over 24 hours but the reality is often different and splitting it may help resolve the issue, but thats something to decide on advice from experts ( rather than other graduates)

Mar 12, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter I'm not sure it is a good suggestion guys, Java is a platform independent language ( well at least it should be if we keep it away from Microsoft). That means it doesn't know or care what the hardware it runs on is. It may be that you can get at a COM port in java but generally it would be frowned upon since its breaking the platform independence rules. This software needs to access the COM ( serial) port to talk directly to the meter. Sorry if thats a bit techie, I don't know what level of IT you all understand, obviously I do it full time, hence the geeky posting ;^)

Mar 9, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter hi, i believe it will work under Vista and NiVZ I should have mentioned I am runnnig windows 7 so your software will work on it ! I don't very much it will work on Linux unfortunately, Linux works completely differently from windows under the 'covers' and the software NiVZ uses is very much based on windows .

Mar 9, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter Hi, you should have no trouble getting the software or cable for the lifescan ultra easy the URL is http://www.lifescan.co.uk/OurProducts/Accessories/InterfaceCable.aspx and they will send it to you for free. I have to say it is a million times better than Roches bizarre insistance on sticking with Infra-red. I used to use their meters and software but after a PC upgrade the infra red would never work again and roche were far from helpful. I have tried to get a smart-pix device to test for DAFNEOnline but Roche are not interested and their customer support is not fit of that name. I would be interested to hear if anyone does get a contour USB meter and if its any good, as I said previously I don't intend to pay for one when they will get all the money from the NHS for my test strips if I use one.

Mar 7, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition. my explination would be before I developed diabetes I had days like that and it obviously was nothing to do with hypos since I wasn't a diabetic. Some days you just feel cr*p, it doesn't have to be your Diabetes its just life ;-) I think we can fall into the trap of over analysing everything and expecting there to be any answer for everything. Sadly life's not like that, sometimes there is just no explination. Somedays my BG can go high for no apparent reason, it just happens, somethings has kicked off in my body and has caused my BG's to rise with no apparent reason. The next day things are back to normal. The only thing I do is shrug my shoulders and accept it happens. I guess thats part of the problem with Hypo warnings, sometimes they are not warnings at all they are something else. All we can do is test, test and test again since thats the only way we can be sure.

Mar 2, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter thanks for pointing this out, but I would NEVER pay for a meter. The meter companies make a lot of money from test strips and its in their interest to get you using their meters so you use their test strips. If they are giving them away it might be attractive, but if they want me to pay and then make a profit from me on the test strips then its not so attractive. I don't know for sure the 'list' price for contour strips but the retail price for 50 is around the same price as a meter. Yes, I know we don't pay for them but the NHS does.

Feb 26, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Correcting high blood glucose levels Hi, there are doctors/HCPs on the forum/site however you have to remember they are all very busy people so sometimes a response can take a while. The answer is there WILL be some clear science behind it since DAFNE is based on research both from the original in Germany and here, the research is still continuing. The question is can it be explained in simple terms ?

Feb 26, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Site Development / Glycaemic Index Alan, This is the only response I have had so far, now you have reminded me I will chase it up again. "will run past some educators and get back to you; I know they are not keen to give more information in the DAFNE course (hence we have not developed any GI resource) as GI is a difficult area."

Feb 26, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Acquiring a Glucoject Dual S system I would speak to your Diabetes team see if they can get you one. I would never pay for any diabetes equipment, the manufacturers want you to use their meter because of the money they make from test strips which is substantial. If your diabetes team can't help it wouldn't hurt to try the manufacturer see if they will send you one. As for it being pain free, I'm afraid I don't believe it. It has to break the skin to draw blood and in doing so there must be a risk of some pain. Its just the way life is, but if you want to try this stabber why not it can't be any worse than the others and it might be better.

Feb 21, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How good is dafne I think the fact that you are all on here, means you have benefited from DAFNE and want to continue to do so. We have seen very little negative feedback on the course although Vic is correct that maybe not everyone will continue to follow DAFNE principles. However I would prefer to look at the positives, even if you don't follow DAFNE religously if you test your BG's more or even just take your Diabetes more seriously then DAFNE has had a positive effect on you. I think too many people set themselves very high targets and expect to be able to keep their BG's perfect using DAFNE. Sadly life is not that simple, as Vic correctly says it requires continued effort and dedication and not everyone can manage that. Hopefully this site will help people with that by letting them talk to other graduates and get encouragement from others. But don't be discouraged if it all seems to go wrong, just keep at it, keep believing and ask others if there are things you are struggling with. One of the great things for me about the course was to sit in a room with other Diabetics and realise my problems were the same as theirs, i wasn't unique or alone in my struggle with BG's others were exactly the same. DAFNE is fantastic and hopefully one day all Diabetics will be able to benefit from it, once we convince PCT's that short term investment can provide long term savings in reduced treatment for Diabetics.

Feb 16, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge John, I don't think the DAFNE CP value is wrong, its a guideline not a rule set in stone. As I said before different people have different insulin needs for the same food. In addition its a generic value for porridge and different brands all have different ingredients ( apart from the obvious !). So the thing to remember when looking at the CP booklet or this site is its a guide and yuor requirements may vary.

Feb 16, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Is life expectancy limited for diabetics? Mike, One thing I would add, is that getting the scores wrong occasionally won't necessarily wreck your health. The complications caused by Diabetes develop over time, so the main issue with getting it wrong in the short term are things like Ketatosis but fortunately that is pretty rare. I'm not encouraging you to be complacent just warning you that over the years there will be times when your control 'slips' slightly, you shouldn't get too worked up over this I'm sure most people on this site who have been diabetic for 10 years+ will have had the occasional period where things have not gone quite right. The secret is, to get back on the wagon as soon as possible and get things back under control. Thats one of the reasons for this site existing, its recognised that the long term support for DAFNE graduates is lacking from the DAFNE Programme. The hope is this site will help remedy that by giving DAFNE graduates support and information ongoing over the years, helping them to stick to the DAFNE regime and thus greatly reduce the risk of complications and hospital treatment for their condition. I look forward to seeing your posts on your 20th and 30th anniversaries of being a diabetic :-)

Feb 15, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / porridge I would suggest its more likely your breakfast ratio, remember that you are more likely to have higher BG's ( and possibly a higher ratio) in the mornings because of the hormones our bodies release to wake us up. Most people tend to need more insulin in the morning, but the key to all of this is 'most' we are all different and even though the CP value is correct it doesn't necessarily mean that your insulin requirements for that amount of CP's are 'standard'. basically the only solution is trial and error. I think its very unlikely you are hypoing, so would suggest upping your insulin a bit and seeing what effect it has. Again remember the key to these things is a step wise, change one thing approach.

Feb 10, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition. Clare, Thanks from me too for clarifying the issue. Its good to have input from HCP's as well as us 'diabetics'. Hopefully all our users appreciate that HCP's are all very busy people and its a great help when we get their input.

Feb 10, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Carb Links section added Just wanted to let you know that we have added a new section to the 'Carb Counter' area called Carb Links. It is a list of websites that contain carbohydrate information. Users can add their own entries as and when they find sites that provide good information. Over time hopefully we we build up a comprehensive list of sites that will be a useful reference for carb info on the net.

Feb 10, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Restaurants with carbohydrate info Hi, I have now added a new section to the carb counting area called carb links. The idea is we can all add entries for sites we find that provide carb info. Over time hopefully we will buiild up a comprehensive list of sites that provide this information so that we can all benefit.

Feb 9, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition. Carolin, Can you clarify what you are saying, are we talking about Hypo recognition or DAFNE generally. I would have thought all diabetics try to avoid hypos, believe me its not something we particularly enjoy ;^) . We also try to keep within DAFNE targets which is the point of DAFNE. However if we are talking hypo awareness and lack of it then of course avoiding hypo's is a priority. When you talk about aiming at the upper end of the range, is this connected with trying to restore hypo warnings ? Is there any guidance over how long it might take to regain warning signs. Obviously individuals will vary in both their warning signs and the time it takes to regain them, however a rough indicator on how long the aim of top end DAFNE BG's should be maintained would be useful.

Feb 9, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Exercise and high BG Hi, Not sure I like the sound of QA before exercise, especially if it involves the 'area' of injection since exercise speeds up the absorbtion of insulin. This would mean a bigger 'hit' of insulin to take the sugar out of the blood, increasing the risk of Hypo I would have thought. I would take advice before injecting pre-exercise. I occasionally had high BG's after exercise, however it always went back down on its own and I would rather be a bit high than having to be picked up off the floor....