Recent Posts by marke - DAFNE Online

Feb 5, 2010

marke 657 posts

Hi,
May I recommend you read the online handbook that gives you the answer here . You don't really need a HCP just a better memory ;-)

Feb 5, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Red Wine/Tonic Wine

carbohydrates no, sugar mmm maybe. There are 1000's of Red Wines all are different, generally I find Red wines lower my BG however not
all do. Part of the problem is wine bottles never list any additives on them and you never quite know whats in them. The only real answer is to experiment and only drink those that don't raise your BG's. Look on the bright side they are good for your heart even if they raise your BG a bit ;-)

Feb 5, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Simple Form to assist Meal CP Calculation

Guys,
Can I suggest you post your email addresses to each other via our private message facility i.e the message inbox in the left hand menu on every page. Posting your email address on a public forum is not a good idea since spammers scan ALL websites for email addresses to send spam to. I don't want us to be responsible for your email boxes filling up with spam.

Sorry to be paranoid but there are bad people out on the net you know....

Feb 4, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Restaurants with carbohydrate info

lizzie,
you need a new phone :-) Most mobiles today have internet access which is why we have a mobile version of the site

Feb 3, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Restaurants with carbohydrate info

Ruth,
This seems like a very good idea, I will look at adding something to the carb counting pages so that people can 'add' the sites that do provide this information. I'm sure it will benefit a lot of people, especially if it works on the 'mobile' version of the site since you could then check if the restaurant you are in has a list and then go to it !

Feb 2, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE strapline poll

Well our Poll to help choose a new DAFNE phrase or 'strap line' to go if a new logo is a bit of a non-event. Only 53 people have voted
so far out of a membership of 2000+. Not a very good turn out I'm sure you will agree.
Part of the reason for DAFNE Online is to put you in touch with the people who control 'DAFNE', to give you a say in its future. This is one such opportuntity, admittedly not a major one however if people don't contribute then we may not get as many opportunities in future.
So come on people get to that voting page and vote, you know it makes sense !!

You can vote here

Jan 25, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Site Development / Glycaemic Index

Alan,
While I think this is a good idea, I'm not sure about referencing an external source that we have no control over. The web is a free for all publishing media where often the facts are only a minor inconvenience. For that reason I would rather ask DAFNE Central if they can provide us with GI infromation to publish ourselves. That way it comes from the 'DAFNE' source and hopefully can be considered accurate. I will ask the question and post what I get in response back here

Jan 24, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Questions ? / GLUCOPHAGE

Hi,
You don't give any indication of how long you have been taking them, a day, a week, a month ? I don't think you can expect any drug to
work immediately although when you were prescribed the Metformin they should have given you some indication at least of how quickly
they will take effect. I think you should ALWAYS carry on taking them unless you agree with your Diabetes team that you will stop taking them. If they are not working why not contact your Diabetes Team and ask them why they are not having the expected effect.
Out of curiosity, have you always been insulin resistant ? I ask because a lot of DAFNE Centres will not take people with insulin resistance
onto the DAFNE course, mainly because their 'requirements' are different to Type 1's in general who tend not to be insulin resistant. Thats
not to say people with insulin resistance cannot do the DAFNE course, it just tends to be 'easier' if all participants have the same general background in terms of their Diabetes requirements.

Jan 19, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Access to courses.

Vic,
The answer to this is not currently, however one of the reasons for having the DAFNE User Group ( DUG) and electing the DAFNE User Action Group (DUAG) is to try to do something about this. There is a forum on this site dedicated to the DUAG/DUG where you can find more information. You should have been given a form to join the DUG when you did your DAFNE course, ideally we would like more people to fill in these forms and join. All the info about the DUAG and DUG is in the forum, but
basically its the 'user' part of the DAFNE programme that will help influence the future of DAFNE and promote DAFNE both to Diabetics and Primary Care Trusts ( who
fund the DAFNE course). It is by 'pressuring' PCT's to run DAFNE that we can increase the opportunity of all Diabetics to benefit from the course.

Jan 7, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Site Development / Meter Upload Development

Hi,
Bit shifting, bit stuffing I should coco, for my sins I started life in 'low level' hardware programming before 'maturing' to websites. If you can email mail
us the C++ or the link where you got it I would be glad to take a look. Also any other software you have developed for the Ultra Smart. I have one of these meters so can test it as well. To be honest it would be fun to get my hands dirty with some 'real' code again, instead of all this web stuff :-)
Just email it to the address in the contact at the bottom of each page, I will receive it.

Jan 4, 2010

marke 657 posts

Topic: Site Development / Recipes

Sam,
I will try to look at doing some pages to allow this kind of info to be entered in the near future. I have had a few problems recently getting my development system to work again after upgrading to windows 7, not microsofts fault I should add for once ;-) Its working
again now so I will try to come up with something.

Dec 10, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Celebrating Christmas with DAFNE

Hi, I probably shouldn't say this but hey honesty is the best policy. One days high BG is not going to do you any harm, whilst I agree we diabetics need to be careful don't stress on breaking the rules occasionally. Even with the best carb counting in the world and the best management of your BG's occasionally you are going to go slightly off track. My advice would be enjoy xmas !! keep good records of your blood testing and your carb intake then gradually you will learn from your mistakes. We don't complete the DAFNE course as experts in carb counting and BG control, we leave it with the tools to learn to become experts ( one day). The key is building up experience and learning how YOU react to foods of varying amounts.
Sorry I don't have any real tips , apart from enjoy xmas with the knowledge that you are now in control of your condition and you will learn from any mistakes you make !

P.S I will be having xmas pudding even if it does raise my BG :-)

Nov 27, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Should I split my Levemir?

Alan,
You don't really supply enough BG readings to draw conclusions. However splitting your Levimir dose is usually done because it doesn't last 24 hours NOT because of hypos in the morning. This is more likely caused by your BI being too high, however as I say without more evidence its dangerous to jump to conclusions. I would suggest you speak to your DAFNE Educators or a DAFNE aware Diabetes consultant before making any changes. I had my Levimir dose split before I went on a DAFNE Course and had DAFNE people around to advise me. Although you could split it on your own, I'm not sure its a good idea.

Nov 20, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / sugars in the 20's who to call in aust.

Russ,
Unfotunately there are not many people signed up from Oz as yet so you may not get a response from them. I am not a HCP but my advice would be don't panic. Your BG's are not ideal but given the way they are going up and down I wouldn't be hugely concerned about Ketones just yet. Your BG's are erratic and without lots of background information it might be hard to identify the exact cause on here. You
really need the help of an expert. I'm not sure how it works in Oz, do you have a Diabetes Consultant or Nurse you see regularly can they help with advice ? Sorry I can't help more. One thing I would say, earlier in the year I had to take Steriods and they cause Insulin Resistance. My BG's were up like yours for a few months and as far as I can tell it has done me no long term damage, well apart from the stupid idea of helping with a diabetes website, but thats another story :^)

Nov 20, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook?

ian,
I have passed your question onto DAFNE Central as they 'own' the Course Handbook. If they say ok, I will make it available on the site. It would be in PDF format because they don't like us putting the docs on here in word format mainly because they could be changed and re-distributed as the 'real' thing. I'm not suggesting any one on here would, but its the could rather than would thats the issue.

Nov 19, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: Site Development / Recipes

how about someone posts a recipe on this thread with roughly the details you want, even if its just plain text. We can then use it as the basis to feed something back to you about how it could look. We can then refine it until it is basically what you want and we can then implement it formally.

Nov 19, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Rising morning BG knowing the 'Dawn' Phenomenon is not present

tracy,
Why are you so sure its not 'Dawn' ? Its effects are not necessarily text book and as you would expect. As I understand it ( and i'm NOT a HCP), 'dawn' is basically your body releasing hormones to get you moving in the mornings its effects can vary and can last right through the moring not just literally at dawn. I'm not suggesting it IS 'dawn', I just wanted to be clear why you are sure its not.

Nov 19, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: Questions ? / BG Diary at Clinic

John,
Can I just clarify when you talk about your HCP not having time and the review only lasting an hour are you talking about DAFNE reviews or your normal Diabetes Clinic reviews. The whole point of DAFNE is its a tightly controlled and audited programme where the standard of support and care is supposed to be the same regardless of location. Having a review that only lasts an hour is NOT my experience of DAFNE.
I would be very interested to learn if this IS the case in your area both from a DAFNE Online perspective and from my role in the DAFNE User Group.

Nov 19, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Need a kick up the backside! :(

like the others I don't think criticism is the way to make you change, support is a much better option. I can assure you that you are NOT alone in letting things slip from time to time. Its VERY easy to get in a rut and let things slide slowly but surely. This IS something recognised by the DAFNE Programme and was something identified at the DAFNE Collaborative this year. However, unfortunatley, identifying an issue and solving it are two different things. There is awareness that some people need more than just a weeks course and an occasional get together after that. Hopefully something will happen in the not too distant future.
For me you should look for the positives, you are obviously still doing some recording of your BG's as shown, you recognise you are letting things slip and have asked for opinions which is a GOOD thing and posting your BG's is a brave thing that most of us find difficult to do. Hopefully this site can help provide some support and encouragement.
For me my biggest suggestion is to try to record all your results and keep testing regularly. Its hard to draw conclusions and offer advice about your readings due to the gaps in them. It could be your high early moring readings are due to 'Dawn phenomenom' or it could be from late night snacking. Its hard to be sure. This is why its important to do the tests even if you know its snacks that are the cause.
Anyway keep posting and keep trying, I'm sure we all want to help where we can !

Nov 19, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE

Bit late to this conversation ( must have missed it somehow), a few points:
There ARE meters that let you enter this stuff, I have a Lifescan Onetouch UltraSmart and I can enter CP's exercise, BG's etc. It has a USB cable and I got the cable, software and meter free. The software is ok and NiVZ is working on apps to link these devices into the site.
I would be interested in trying the iphone app that already exists as well as anything developed. One of the issues for me is that the iphone app development environment is macintosh only I believe. Whilst I love my iphone, I really can't move away from windows bad though it is.
It may also mean its hard to port apps to Windows Mobile, symbian etc. I'm not really sure having only ever developed on larger equipment.
Still if we can find anyone to try development then why not.
I also agree the issue with a 'smart' app is it is very hard to give generic advice regarding diabetes, everyone is different and has different needs, better to have a recording device that provides information in a manner that allows the user to make their own decisions based on their own experiences.

Nov 19, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Swine Flu

I've got mine saturday. No need to worry ! The vaccine wouldn't be given nationally if there was any chance it could cause major side effects. Anyway the alternative is get iswine flu and take Tamiflu, now there IS something with well documented side effects, give me a sore arm any day ( well just a day would be nice ;-) ).
It will be interesting to see which areas get their diabetics done first, I'm in South East Kent PCT like Debs......

Nov 19, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook?

Claire, click on the text 'Contact DAFNE Online' at the bottom of any page to send us an email. If you list in the email your maiden name, the dafne centre/hospital you did the course at and the approx time you did the course we can get you verified. Unfortunately DAFNE Central do not have a central register of DAFNE graduates only the DAFNE Centres do. Work is going on to try to change this but graduates need to sign forms to approve this due to Data Protection Laws. To verfiy you, we contact DAFNE Central and they contact your DAFNE Centre to verify with them you did the course. They then feed back to us and we change your account to graduate status this only takes a day or two.

Nov 1, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Pizza

I'm afraid the DAFNE book is a 'generic' list based on average values NOT a precise list of every type of food. You also need to factor in an individuals ratios as well. There is also a lot of 'fat' in Pizza that can affect the speed of absorbtion of the carbs. As ever we are all individuals and so no book will provide perfect answers for everyone. It will be interesting to hear other peoples experiences though !

Nov 1, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Type 2 & DAFNE

Meg, Sorry but to me the test just proves that your immune system has attacked the insulin producing cells and that you therefore don't produce much or any insulin. You can also be insulin resistant which is what type 2's are, which is another problem entirely. I know we are just discussinig semantics here, however as I said previously insulin resistance can cause 'issues' with DAFNE because the person in question may have completely different issues than the rest of the attendees on the course.
That said, I DO agree that all Diabetics benefit from diabetes education and some DAFNE Centres DO take people with insulin resistance. In addition there may be a possibility to run a DAFNE Course with a number of people who have insulin resistance so that everyone is tackling similiar issues.
I also agree that its not as simple as being Type 1 or Type 2, which is what I was trying to get at originally. I wish ALL Type 1's ( and 1.5's) could do DAFNE and get its big benefits !!

Oct 30, 2009

marke 657 posts

Topic: Questions ? / Type 2 & DAFNE

hi, as is my style I will preface what I'm about to say by making clear I am a Diabetic NOT a HCP/consultant/DAFNE Educator.
I don't think you can actually prove you are Type 1/Type 2/ or any other type, because life just isn't that simple :-( DAFNE is aimed at and works best with people
who are NOT insulin resistant and require multiple injections of background and quick acting insulin. Some DAFNE Educators are happy to include people with Insulin resistance and some are not. Ultimately the course is NOT aimed at people with insulin resistance and the issue is if you include such people they can skew the course because they have issues that the rest of the attendees do not. However as I say people with insulin resistance are not by default excluded and at some DAFNE Centres may be able to attend DAFNE.

Feb 5, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Hypo recognition. Hi, May I recommend you read the online handbook that gives you the answer here . You don't really need a HCP just a better memory ;-)

Feb 5, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Red Wine/Tonic Wine carbohydrates no, sugar mmm maybe. There are 1000's of Red Wines all are different, generally I find Red wines lower my BG however not all do. Part of the problem is wine bottles never list any additives on them and you never quite know whats in them. The only real answer is to experiment and only drink those that don't raise your BG's. Look on the bright side they are good for your heart even if they raise your BG a bit ;-)

Feb 5, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Simple Form to assist Meal CP Calculation Guys, Can I suggest you post your email addresses to each other via our private message facility i.e the message inbox in the left hand menu on every page. Posting your email address on a public forum is not a good idea since spammers scan ALL websites for email addresses to send spam to. I don't want us to be responsible for your email boxes filling up with spam. Sorry to be paranoid but there are bad people out on the net you know....

Feb 4, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Restaurants with carbohydrate info lizzie, you need a new phone :-) Most mobiles today have internet access which is why we have a mobile version of the site

Feb 3, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Restaurants with carbohydrate info Ruth, This seems like a very good idea, I will look at adding something to the carb counting pages so that people can 'add' the sites that do provide this information. I'm sure it will benefit a lot of people, especially if it works on the 'mobile' version of the site since you could then check if the restaurant you are in has a list and then go to it !

Feb 2, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE strapline poll Well our Poll to help choose a new DAFNE phrase or 'strap line' to go if a new logo is a bit of a non-event. Only 53 people have voted so far out of a membership of 2000+. Not a very good turn out I'm sure you will agree. Part of the reason for DAFNE Online is to put you in touch with the people who control 'DAFNE', to give you a say in its future. This is one such opportuntity, admittedly not a major one however if people don't contribute then we may not get as many opportunities in future. So come on people get to that voting page and vote, you know it makes sense !! You can vote here

Jan 25, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Site Development / Glycaemic Index Alan, While I think this is a good idea, I'm not sure about referencing an external source that we have no control over. The web is a free for all publishing media where often the facts are only a minor inconvenience. For that reason I would rather ask DAFNE Central if they can provide us with GI infromation to publish ourselves. That way it comes from the 'DAFNE' source and hopefully can be considered accurate. I will ask the question and post what I get in response back here

Jan 24, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / GLUCOPHAGE Hi, You don't give any indication of how long you have been taking them, a day, a week, a month ? I don't think you can expect any drug to work immediately although when you were prescribed the Metformin they should have given you some indication at least of how quickly they will take effect. I think you should ALWAYS carry on taking them unless you agree with your Diabetes team that you will stop taking them. If they are not working why not contact your Diabetes Team and ask them why they are not having the expected effect. Out of curiosity, have you always been insulin resistant ? I ask because a lot of DAFNE Centres will not take people with insulin resistance onto the DAFNE course, mainly because their 'requirements' are different to Type 1's in general who tend not to be insulin resistant. Thats not to say people with insulin resistance cannot do the DAFNE course, it just tends to be 'easier' if all participants have the same general background in terms of their Diabetes requirements.

Jan 19, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Access to courses. Vic, The answer to this is not currently, however one of the reasons for having the DAFNE User Group ( DUG) and electing the DAFNE User Action Group (DUAG) is to try to do something about this. There is a forum on this site dedicated to the DUAG/DUG where you can find more information. You should have been given a form to join the DUG when you did your DAFNE course, ideally we would like more people to fill in these forms and join. All the info about the DUAG and DUG is in the forum, but basically its the 'user' part of the DAFNE programme that will help influence the future of DAFNE and promote DAFNE both to Diabetics and Primary Care Trusts ( who fund the DAFNE course). It is by 'pressuring' PCT's to run DAFNE that we can increase the opportunity of all Diabetics to benefit from the course.

Jan 7, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Site Development / Meter Upload Development Hi, Bit shifting, bit stuffing I should coco, for my sins I started life in 'low level' hardware programming before 'maturing' to websites. If you can email mail us the C++ or the link where you got it I would be glad to take a look. Also any other software you have developed for the Ultra Smart. I have one of these meters so can test it as well. To be honest it would be fun to get my hands dirty with some 'real' code again, instead of all this web stuff :-) Just email it to the address in the contact at the bottom of each page, I will receive it.

Jan 4, 2010 marke 657 posts	Topic: Site Development / Recipes Sam, I will try to look at doing some pages to allow this kind of info to be entered in the near future. I have had a few problems recently getting my development system to work again after upgrading to windows 7, not microsofts fault I should add for once ;-) Its working again now so I will try to come up with something.

Dec 10, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Celebrating Christmas with DAFNE Hi, I probably shouldn't say this but hey honesty is the best policy. One days high BG is not going to do you any harm, whilst I agree we diabetics need to be careful don't stress on breaking the rules occasionally. Even with the best carb counting in the world and the best management of your BG's occasionally you are going to go slightly off track. My advice would be enjoy xmas !! keep good records of your blood testing and your carb intake then gradually you will learn from your mistakes. We don't complete the DAFNE course as experts in carb counting and BG control, we leave it with the tools to learn to become experts ( one day). The key is building up experience and learning how YOU react to foods of varying amounts. Sorry I don't have any real tips , apart from enjoy xmas with the knowledge that you are now in control of your condition and you will learn from any mistakes you make ! P.S I will be having xmas pudding even if it does raise my BG :-)

Nov 27, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Should I split my Levemir? Alan, You don't really supply enough BG readings to draw conclusions. However splitting your Levimir dose is usually done because it doesn't last 24 hours NOT because of hypos in the morning. This is more likely caused by your BI being too high, however as I say without more evidence its dangerous to jump to conclusions. I would suggest you speak to your DAFNE Educators or a DAFNE aware Diabetes consultant before making any changes. I had my Levimir dose split before I went on a DAFNE Course and had DAFNE people around to advise me. Although you could split it on your own, I'm not sure its a good idea.

Nov 20, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / sugars in the 20's who to call in aust. Russ, Unfotunately there are not many people signed up from Oz as yet so you may not get a response from them. I am not a HCP but my advice would be don't panic. Your BG's are not ideal but given the way they are going up and down I wouldn't be hugely concerned about Ketones just yet. Your BG's are erratic and without lots of background information it might be hard to identify the exact cause on here. You really need the help of an expert. I'm not sure how it works in Oz, do you have a Diabetes Consultant or Nurse you see regularly can they help with advice ? Sorry I can't help more. One thing I would say, earlier in the year I had to take Steriods and they cause Insulin Resistance. My BG's were up like yours for a few months and as far as I can tell it has done me no long term damage, well apart from the stupid idea of helping with a diabetes website, but thats another story :^)

Nov 20, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook? ian, I have passed your question onto DAFNE Central as they 'own' the Course Handbook. If they say ok, I will make it available on the site. It would be in PDF format because they don't like us putting the docs on here in word format mainly because they could be changed and re-distributed as the 'real' thing. I'm not suggesting any one on here would, but its the could rather than would thats the issue.

Nov 19, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: Site Development / Recipes how about someone posts a recipe on this thread with roughly the details you want, even if its just plain text. We can then use it as the basis to feed something back to you about how it could look. We can then refine it until it is basically what you want and we can then implement it formally.

Nov 19, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Rising morning BG knowing the 'Dawn' Phenomenon is not present tracy, Why are you so sure its not 'Dawn' ? Its effects are not necessarily text book and as you would expect. As I understand it ( and i'm NOT a HCP), 'dawn' is basically your body releasing hormones to get you moving in the mornings its effects can vary and can last right through the moring not just literally at dawn. I'm not suggesting it IS 'dawn', I just wanted to be clear why you are sure its not.

Nov 19, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / BG Diary at Clinic John, Can I just clarify when you talk about your HCP not having time and the review only lasting an hour are you talking about DAFNE reviews or your normal Diabetes Clinic reviews. The whole point of DAFNE is its a tightly controlled and audited programme where the standard of support and care is supposed to be the same regardless of location. Having a review that only lasts an hour is NOT my experience of DAFNE. I would be very interested to learn if this IS the case in your area both from a DAFNE Online perspective and from my role in the DAFNE User Group.

Nov 19, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Need a kick up the backside! :( like the others I don't think criticism is the way to make you change, support is a much better option. I can assure you that you are NOT alone in letting things slip from time to time. Its VERY easy to get in a rut and let things slide slowly but surely. This IS something recognised by the DAFNE Programme and was something identified at the DAFNE Collaborative this year. However, unfortunatley, identifying an issue and solving it are two different things. There is awareness that some people need more than just a weeks course and an occasional get together after that. Hopefully something will happen in the not too distant future. For me you should look for the positives, you are obviously still doing some recording of your BG's as shown, you recognise you are letting things slip and have asked for opinions which is a GOOD thing and posting your BG's is a brave thing that most of us find difficult to do. Hopefully this site can help provide some support and encouragement. For me my biggest suggestion is to try to record all your results and keep testing regularly. Its hard to draw conclusions and offer advice about your readings due to the gaps in them. It could be your high early moring readings are due to 'Dawn phenomenom' or it could be from late night snacking. Its hard to be sure. This is why its important to do the tests even if you know its snacks that are the cause. Anyway keep posting and keep trying, I'm sure we all want to help where we can !

Nov 19, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / recording, meters, software & DAFNE Bit late to this conversation ( must have missed it somehow), a few points: There ARE meters that let you enter this stuff, I have a Lifescan Onetouch UltraSmart and I can enter CP's exercise, BG's etc. It has a USB cable and I got the cable, software and meter free. The software is ok and NiVZ is working on apps to link these devices into the site. I would be interested in trying the iphone app that already exists as well as anything developed. One of the issues for me is that the iphone app development environment is macintosh only I believe. Whilst I love my iphone, I really can't move away from windows bad though it is. It may also mean its hard to port apps to Windows Mobile, symbian etc. I'm not really sure having only ever developed on larger equipment. Still if we can find anyone to try development then why not. I also agree the issue with a 'smart' app is it is very hard to give generic advice regarding diabetes, everyone is different and has different needs, better to have a recording device that provides information in a manner that allows the user to make their own decisions based on their own experiences.

Nov 19, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Swine Flu I've got mine saturday. No need to worry ! The vaccine wouldn't be given nationally if there was any chance it could cause major side effects. Anyway the alternative is get iswine flu and take Tamiflu, now there IS something with well documented side effects, give me a sore arm any day ( well just a day would be nice ;-) ). It will be interesting to see which areas get their diabetics done first, I'm in South East Kent PCT like Debs......

Nov 19, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Do you have access to the Online Handbook? Claire, click on the text 'Contact DAFNE Online' at the bottom of any page to send us an email. If you list in the email your maiden name, the dafne centre/hospital you did the course at and the approx time you did the course we can get you verified. Unfortunately DAFNE Central do not have a central register of DAFNE graduates only the DAFNE Centres do. Work is going on to try to change this but graduates need to sign forms to approve this due to Data Protection Laws. To verfiy you, we contact DAFNE Central and they contact your DAFNE Centre to verify with them you did the course. They then feed back to us and we change your account to graduate status this only takes a day or two.

Nov 1, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Pizza I'm afraid the DAFNE book is a 'generic' list based on average values NOT a precise list of every type of food. You also need to factor in an individuals ratios as well. There is also a lot of 'fat' in Pizza that can affect the speed of absorbtion of the carbs. As ever we are all individuals and so no book will provide perfect answers for everyone. It will be interesting to hear other peoples experiences though !

Nov 1, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Type 2 & DAFNE Meg, Sorry but to me the test just proves that your immune system has attacked the insulin producing cells and that you therefore don't produce much or any insulin. You can also be insulin resistant which is what type 2's are, which is another problem entirely. I know we are just discussinig semantics here, however as I said previously insulin resistance can cause 'issues' with DAFNE because the person in question may have completely different issues than the rest of the attendees on the course. That said, I DO agree that all Diabetics benefit from diabetes education and some DAFNE Centres DO take people with insulin resistance. In addition there may be a possibility to run a DAFNE Course with a number of people who have insulin resistance so that everyone is tackling similiar issues. I also agree that its not as simple as being Type 1 or Type 2, which is what I was trying to get at originally. I wish ALL Type 1's ( and 1.5's) could do DAFNE and get its big benefits !!

Oct 30, 2009 marke 657 posts	Topic: Questions ? / Type 2 & DAFNE hi, as is my style I will preface what I'm about to say by making clear I am a Diabetic NOT a HCP/consultant/DAFNE Educator. I don't think you can actually prove you are Type 1/Type 2/ or any other type, because life just isn't that simple :-( DAFNE is aimed at and works best with people who are NOT insulin resistant and require multiple injections of background and quick acting insulin. Some DAFNE Educators are happy to include people with Insulin resistance and some are not. Ultimately the course is NOT aimed at people with insulin resistance and the issue is if you include such people they can skew the course because they have issues that the rest of the attendees do not. However as I say people with insulin resistance are not by default excluded and at some DAFNE Centres may be able to attend DAFNE.