Recent Posts by Phil Maskell

Aug 19, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Continuous glucose monitoring

I like the sounds of this Very Happy

Hope its not like loads of other promises that don't come to anything and its affordable, have wanted a CGM for sport for ages, but the running costs have put this out of reach.

Aug 13, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / sensitivity

Not sure why you would suddenly become more sensitive? Has anything changed? Maybe someone else can shed some light on this?

I have become a lot more sensitive to insulin since I have taken up cycling in a big way, the increase in exercise means I need a lot less insulin anyway, but ratios have also halved.

Phil

Jul 18, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Corn on the cob

I too wouldn't give any QA for veg or salad.

The problem might have been packet food, the carbs a packet reckons there is in something include carbs in veg (which there is), but I wouldn't count as background covers this, so packet amounts often higher than I would guesstimate. I often go hypo if I use figures directly from a packet.

Jul 17, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cycling

Hi,

I am a keen cyclist and struggling with MDI, on Levemir and NovoRapid.

Basically if my BG is over 10 I feel lethargic on the bike and can't keep up on group ride, therefore I have some QA, but if the ride is over 3+ hours, by the end I can't keep up cos I'm eating constantly.

Just wondered what/how others cope with endurance exercise?

Is a pump better for this type of exercise?

Would self funding a CGM help? I could tell later in a ride if I was going low or just tired!

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Phil

Jul 14, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: Site Development / results graphs

Jenny,

What I think you want is the 7 day trend graph, but over 30 days, I think this would be too squished up and unreadable hence the reason its not available. What I would possibly do is grab 4 different 7 day graphs to show the months data.

Hopefully that helps.

Phil

Jul 11, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / How to Remember If You've Done an Injection

Like the Novopen Echo there is Timesulin - http://timesulin.com/ a replacement lid that knows when you've taken the lid off for long enough to have done an injection, not just a check of amount in cartridge. Not 100% fool proff as you could take the lid off leave it then not inject, but its better than nothing and might be easier than changing your current pens/insulin.

Jul 11, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bionic Pancreas

Never mind a bionic pancreas, I would be happy with a real time CGM on the NHS. The hba1c and control could be so much better, like SimonC said reducing costs in complications down the line.

Jul 11, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic burnout

I get this alot, just naffed off with all the BG tests etc... I am a keen cyclist and the constant BG tests / hypos / gels on the bike, it just gets me down having to do it, plus when high I feel lethargic and can't keep up with the group (which naffs me off), so I give more insulin, then I'm hypo and don't have the energy or too busy eating to keep up!

I guess most diabetics must get this judging by the need for a thread and facebook group. Mentioned it to the GP once, he was shocked that I still felt like this after 30 years, I feel like its because of the 30 years I feel like this.

Phil

Jul 11, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Non Diabetics

Hi,

Just thought I'd put this out to see what other people had experienced.

I use Accu-Chek mobile, which if you don't know is a BG meter that doesn't use strips, but looks like an 90s mobile phone in design. I had it on my desk at work and someone came over and we were talking and she asked what it was I showed her and said it was a BG meter and I was diabetic, she didn't realise that BG changed and that having a few injections didn't just make diabetes better. I had to explain (felt the need to) about the yo-yo balancing act of being an artificial pancreas and keeping BG between 4 and 8 is blinking hard work, showed her the graphs on this site.

The only diabetes she had come into contact with was Type 2 where they had a few pills and tested once a day if they remembered, bit dif to DAFNE and a sporty Type 1, I do more than 10 BGs a day when doing a days cycling Shocked

What are other peoples experiences of non diabetics and there understanding of the issues. I hate it when you see something like 'Embarrassing Fat Bodies' and they keep talking about the risks of Diabetes due to being fat, I have never been huge, since cycling less so, but when I say I'm diabetic I know what alot of people must think! I wish Type 2 had a different name as we get the stigma for something that is managed completely differently.

Phil

Apr 2, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Wrong injection

Been there, on a 1:1 QA ratio I had 16 units of QA instead of BI, had quite a few snacks that day Wink

Mar 11, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Type 1 as a disability

Hi,

I have never really thought of Type 1 as a disability more a pain in the arse/arm/leg Very Happy

Would people on here class it as a disability?

I have just moved to a new house walking distance from a leisure centre and am trying to get a bit fitter and they have concessionary card that makes most things half price or free, this card is open to low income/benefits and disabilities, I just need a letter from GP or hospital, it feels wrong to even ask.

What are other peoples opinions? Do I get some benefit out of being diabetic? Exercise costs me a fortune as it is in sugar eg. sports drinks/gels/bars etc...

Phil

Feb 24, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: Site Development / CSV export

Doubt this is any easy fix in the export as I'm guessing due to the nature of corrections QA/BI/CP will just be text/String/VARCHAR in the system.

It would need a bit of parsing / regex to extract the correction, but as you could type anything what would you parse on? I know the norm is to put 12+1 or 12-1, but what if someone put 12 - 1 or hit a typo and put 12=1 (- and = are next to each other, = and + same key).

I'm guessing a whiz with excel might have more joy?

EDIT: Just done a quite export of my results to check what I said wasn't rubbish, excel trys to be too clever which doesn't help, I had a QA of 4-1, it had this as 04-Jan which confused me for a bit!

Phil

Feb 18, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Help With Evening BI

Just to agree with Warwick, I find I have slight DP, but insulin sensitivity is increased with exercise, which is just enough to help the background insulin to help with this, so much so that on heavy training weeks I have to lower BI due to overnight/early morning hypos!

It's all a juggling act, never been able to juggle and my BGs often show this Crying or Very sad

Feb 5, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / gym and insulin qty

Warwick, another factor I have found to add to the list is stress.

I can have higher BG after a day at work, but plummet when I get on the bike cos whatever the body is doing to raise BG during stress is relieved during exercise on the bike, double whammy a hypo or carbs needed if caught.

Feb 4, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / gym and insulin qty

runsweet is quite good to see that other diabetics cope, but it is not as well used as here in all honesty.

Plus I think you need to find your own way with exercise, I have big problems as I do 10 - 15 hours cycling, I have gels and sports drinks in every jersey pocket and a special top tube bag for energy bars with slower release carbs as well as pure sugar.

The main problem with CV exercise is your muscles crave sugar to produce power, they send a signal to the liver to kick out glycogen as a fast response, without the pancreas creating insulin this sugar can't get out of the blood, so if you start exercise with little or no insulin on board your BG can shoot through the roof. The problem is too much and you have a hypo during, hence the massive amounts of sugar I carry as a precaution on the bike. For hours after exercise, even up 36 hours if you've done alot the muscles will be repairing and replenishing gylcogen which comes from the sugar in your blood some you may need to lower BI and just be careful with QA (this is trial and error as everytime you exercise is different).

Hope some of that waffle makes sense and helps.

Phil

Feb 4, 2014

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / New to dafne

Feeling frustrated is very normal, for me double figures are also quite common Crying or Very sad

If you look at other posts here, the best bet is to do a fasting base level test to check Levemir is correct, go 24 - 48 hours with no carbs (not all together), overnight, then on a dif day miss breakfast and possibly lunch, then on another day miss diner. If levemir is correct it should hold you at roughly (with a few mmol) at the same level for the full 24 hours.

Hope this helps.

Phil

Dec 5, 2013

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DP and new breakfast

I have tried low carb for breakfast and I seemed to get a rise by mid morning, but this was some time ago.

I originally tried to Almond milk, but have added raw Almonds before meals and bed, only a few, seems to be working, not sure if this is luck or not as only tried this for a few weeks.

Dec 5, 2013

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DP and new breakfast

Hi,

This isn't so much a question as news. I have suffered from Dawn Phenomen for ages or so I thought, rising throughout the morning, not sure where I read it, but it was something similar to the fiollowing info...

http://www.joybauer.com/photo-gallery/best-foods-for-type-2-diabetes/Almonds.aspx

Basically Almonds slow the break down of carbs removing spikes which I think I was getting after breakfast rather than too much DP. I used to have Quaker oat so simple with semi-milk, changed this to Alpro Almond Unsweetened Milk (not the best tasting, but getting used to it) and for the last few weeks my BG has been between 4 and 8 which is unheard of for me Very Happy

Following this I am now adding 10 - 20 Almonds prior to any main meal to see if this can cut other mealtime spikes.

Hope this info is useful to others.

Phil

Nov 21, 2013

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Continuous Blood Glucose Monitor

This looks good, if it ever happens, they talk of a CGM version too...

http://www.integrity-app.com/

Not being invasive you could wear that (if the sort the size and look out) all the time, would be good for me while cycling, never sure if hypo or tired on long rides!

Nov 18, 2013

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / hypo on sundays

Its your body reacting to the thought of work the next day Sad

Nov 12, 2013

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Rice cakes

According to this:

http://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/food/rice-cakes/carbohydrate

1 regular cake is 7.3 carbs I would round this off to 1 CP depending on my BG before, if less than 6 I probably wouldn't inject.

Just my 2p Very Happy

Nov 12, 2013

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BD Pen Needles

Thanks Alan, glad they've not stopped them Very Happy

Changing the name on the system will of course confuse my GP surgery, they can never find what I want on the system, but still had until recently Actrapid and Insultard on there!

Nov 11, 2013

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Counting Carbohydrates

I do find labels can be a bit misleading though, if its a ready meal with veg in they have to count the carbs in tomatoes and such which in a salad I wouldn't count as my BI should cover little bits like this so they are often a bit higher than I would guesstimate at. Say it says half portion is 39g (who eats just half?) I would probably inject for 7CP rounding off as I have found I often go hypo using the exact figures.

Just my 2p Very Happy

Nov 11, 2013

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Endurance Exercise and BG

Update,

Went out on a 100+ miler (6+ hours) on my own so I could test.

Fasting BG was 12
Breakfast: 4CP - Had normal 1:1 4 QA and BI of 6, normally 13 and have had 8 before when cycling.
1.5 hours into ride BG15.5 (already had 1 gel at this point, guessed as too cold to take gloves off, Garmin said -3c when I set off!)
2.5 hours into ride BG 22.8 (had 4 QA)
Lunch BG 6.8 no QA (had bacon sandwhich, 3-4CP)
6 hours into ride BG 5.3
7 hours into ride BG 8.3
Home after ride before dinner BG 5.3 (14CP, noraml 1.5:1 would be 21QA, had 10QA as risk of hypo)
1 hour after dinner check BG 8.9
2 hour after dinner check BG 6.8
Before bed BG 6 (BI normally 15, lowered this to 7)

Throughout the day I had energy bars, gels and sports drinks totalling 26CP.

Morning BG 11.2 - bit high, but after yesterday happy with this.

All in all I am more happy with this, not sure why I had the 15.5 and 22.8, but after QA this all fell into place. Next time I will probably have a bit more BI in the evening after.

Hope this report helps others judge the best way to try and deal with this rubbish, only downside to this approach is it costs a fortune in gels/drinks! Very Happy

Phil

Nov 11, 2013

Phil Maskell 194 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BD Pen Needles

I have moved over the years from 8 then 6, 5 down to 4, I have quite few at the moment, but might put a prescription in if they are looking at stopping them!

Aug 19, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Continuous glucose monitoring I like the sounds of this Hope its not like loads of other promises that don't come to anything and its affordable, have wanted a CGM for sport for ages, but the running costs have put this out of reach.

Aug 13, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / sensitivity Not sure why you would suddenly become more sensitive? Has anything changed? Maybe someone else can shed some light on this? I have become a lot more sensitive to insulin since I have taken up cycling in a big way, the increase in exercise means I need a lot less insulin anyway, but ratios have also halved. Phil

Jul 18, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Corn on the cob I too wouldn't give any QA for veg or salad. The problem might have been packet food, the carbs a packet reckons there is in something include carbs in veg (which there is), but I wouldn't count as background covers this, so packet amounts often higher than I would guesstimate. I often go hypo if I use figures directly from a packet.

Jul 17, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cycling Hi, I am a keen cyclist and struggling with MDI, on Levemir and NovoRapid. Basically if my BG is over 10 I feel lethargic on the bike and can't keep up on group ride, therefore I have some QA, but if the ride is over 3+ hours, by the end I can't keep up cos I'm eating constantly. Just wondered what/how others cope with endurance exercise? Is a pump better for this type of exercise? Would self funding a CGM help? I could tell later in a ride if I was going low or just tired! Any help and advice would be appreciated. Phil

Jul 14, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: Site Development / results graphs Jenny, What I think you want is the 7 day trend graph, but over 30 days, I think this would be too squished up and unreadable hence the reason its not available. What I would possibly do is grab 4 different 7 day graphs to show the months data. Hopefully that helps. Phil

Jul 11, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How to Remember If You've Done an Injection Like the Novopen Echo there is Timesulin - http://timesulin.com/ a replacement lid that knows when you've taken the lid off for long enough to have done an injection, not just a check of amount in cartridge. Not 100% fool proff as you could take the lid off leave it then not inject, but its better than nothing and might be easier than changing your current pens/insulin.

Jul 11, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bionic Pancreas Never mind a bionic pancreas, I would be happy with a real time CGM on the NHS. The hba1c and control could be so much better, like SimonC said reducing costs in complications down the line.

Jul 11, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Diabetic burnout I get this alot, just naffed off with all the BG tests etc... I am a keen cyclist and the constant BG tests / hypos / gels on the bike, it just gets me down having to do it, plus when high I feel lethargic and can't keep up with the group (which naffs me off), so I give more insulin, then I'm hypo and don't have the energy or too busy eating to keep up! I guess most diabetics must get this judging by the need for a thread and facebook group. Mentioned it to the GP once, he was shocked that I still felt like this after 30 years, I feel like its because of the 30 years I feel like this. Phil

Jul 11, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Non Diabetics Hi, Just thought I'd put this out to see what other people had experienced. I use Accu-Chek mobile, which if you don't know is a BG meter that doesn't use strips, but looks like an 90s mobile phone in design. I had it on my desk at work and someone came over and we were talking and she asked what it was I showed her and said it was a BG meter and I was diabetic, she didn't realise that BG changed and that having a few injections didn't just make diabetes better. I had to explain (felt the need to) about the yo-yo balancing act of being an artificial pancreas and keeping BG between 4 and 8 is blinking hard work, showed her the graphs on this site. The only diabetes she had come into contact with was Type 2 where they had a few pills and tested once a day if they remembered, bit dif to DAFNE and a sporty Type 1, I do more than 10 BGs a day when doing a days cycling What are other peoples experiences of non diabetics and there understanding of the issues. I hate it when you see something like 'Embarrassing Fat Bodies' and they keep talking about the risks of Diabetes due to being fat, I have never been huge, since cycling less so, but when I say I'm diabetic I know what alot of people must think! I wish Type 2 had a different name as we get the stigma for something that is managed completely differently. Phil

Apr 2, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Wrong injection Been there, on a 1:1 QA ratio I had 16 units of QA instead of BI, had quite a few snacks that day

Mar 11, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Type 1 as a disability Hi, I have never really thought of Type 1 as a disability more a pain in the arse/arm/leg Would people on here class it as a disability? I have just moved to a new house walking distance from a leisure centre and am trying to get a bit fitter and they have concessionary card that makes most things half price or free, this card is open to low income/benefits and disabilities, I just need a letter from GP or hospital, it feels wrong to even ask. What are other peoples opinions? Do I get some benefit out of being diabetic? Exercise costs me a fortune as it is in sugar eg. sports drinks/gels/bars etc... Phil

Feb 24, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: Site Development / CSV export Doubt this is any easy fix in the export as I'm guessing due to the nature of corrections QA/BI/CP will just be text/String/VARCHAR in the system. It would need a bit of parsing / regex to extract the correction, but as you could type anything what would you parse on? I know the norm is to put 12+1 or 12-1, but what if someone put 12 - 1 or hit a typo and put 12=1 (- and = are next to each other, = and + same key). I'm guessing a whiz with excel might have more joy? EDIT: Just done a quite export of my results to check what I said wasn't rubbish, excel trys to be too clever which doesn't help, I had a QA of 4-1, it had this as 04-Jan which confused me for a bit! Phil

Feb 18, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Help With Evening BI Just to agree with Warwick, I find I have slight DP, but insulin sensitivity is increased with exercise, which is just enough to help the background insulin to help with this, so much so that on heavy training weeks I have to lower BI due to overnight/early morning hypos! It's all a juggling act, never been able to juggle and my BGs often show this

Feb 5, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / gym and insulin qty Warwick, another factor I have found to add to the list is stress. I can have higher BG after a day at work, but plummet when I get on the bike cos whatever the body is doing to raise BG during stress is relieved during exercise on the bike, double whammy a hypo or carbs needed if caught.

Feb 4, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / gym and insulin qty runsweet is quite good to see that other diabetics cope, but it is not as well used as here in all honesty. Plus I think you need to find your own way with exercise, I have big problems as I do 10 - 15 hours cycling, I have gels and sports drinks in every jersey pocket and a special top tube bag for energy bars with slower release carbs as well as pure sugar. The main problem with CV exercise is your muscles crave sugar to produce power, they send a signal to the liver to kick out glycogen as a fast response, without the pancreas creating insulin this sugar can't get out of the blood, so if you start exercise with little or no insulin on board your BG can shoot through the roof. The problem is too much and you have a hypo during, hence the massive amounts of sugar I carry as a precaution on the bike. For hours after exercise, even up 36 hours if you've done alot the muscles will be repairing and replenishing gylcogen which comes from the sugar in your blood some you may need to lower BI and just be careful with QA (this is trial and error as everytime you exercise is different). Hope some of that waffle makes sense and helps. Phil

Feb 4, 2014 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / New to dafne Feeling frustrated is very normal, for me double figures are also quite common If you look at other posts here, the best bet is to do a fasting base level test to check Levemir is correct, go 24 - 48 hours with no carbs (not all together), overnight, then on a dif day miss breakfast and possibly lunch, then on another day miss diner. If levemir is correct it should hold you at roughly (with a few mmol) at the same level for the full 24 hours. Hope this helps. Phil

Dec 5, 2013 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DP and new breakfast I have tried low carb for breakfast and I seemed to get a rise by mid morning, but this was some time ago. I originally tried to Almond milk, but have added raw Almonds before meals and bed, only a few, seems to be working, not sure if this is luck or not as only tried this for a few weeks.

Dec 5, 2013 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DP and new breakfast Hi, This isn't so much a question as news. I have suffered from Dawn Phenomen for ages or so I thought, rising throughout the morning, not sure where I read it, but it was something similar to the fiollowing info... http://www.joybauer.com/photo-gallery/best-foods-for-type-2-diabetes/Almonds.aspx Basically Almonds slow the break down of carbs removing spikes which I think I was getting after breakfast rather than too much DP. I used to have Quaker oat so simple with semi-milk, changed this to Alpro Almond Unsweetened Milk (not the best tasting, but getting used to it) and for the last few weeks my BG has been between 4 and 8 which is unheard of for me Following this I am now adding 10 - 20 Almonds prior to any main meal to see if this can cut other mealtime spikes. Hope this info is useful to others. Phil

Nov 21, 2013 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Continuous Blood Glucose Monitor This looks good, if it ever happens, they talk of a CGM version too... http://www.integrity-app.com/ Not being invasive you could wear that (if the sort the size and look out) all the time, would be good for me while cycling, never sure if hypo or tired on long rides!

Nov 18, 2013 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / hypo on sundays Its your body reacting to the thought of work the next day

Nov 12, 2013 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Rice cakes According to this: http://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/food/rice-cakes/carbohydrate 1 regular cake is 7.3 carbs I would round this off to 1 CP depending on my BG before, if less than 6 I probably wouldn't inject. Just my 2p

Nov 12, 2013 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BD Pen Needles Thanks Alan, glad they've not stopped them Changing the name on the system will of course confuse my GP surgery, they can never find what I want on the system, but still had until recently Actrapid and Insultard on there!

Nov 11, 2013 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Counting Carbohydrates I do find labels can be a bit misleading though, if its a ready meal with veg in they have to count the carbs in tomatoes and such which in a salad I wouldn't count as my BI should cover little bits like this so they are often a bit higher than I would guesstimate at. Say it says half portion is 39g (who eats just half?) I would probably inject for 7CP rounding off as I have found I often go hypo using the exact figures. Just my 2p

Nov 11, 2013 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Endurance Exercise and BG Update, Went out on a 100+ miler (6+ hours) on my own so I could test. Fasting BG was 12 Breakfast: 4CP - Had normal 1:1 4 QA and BI of 6, normally 13 and have had 8 before when cycling. 1.5 hours into ride BG15.5 (already had 1 gel at this point, guessed as too cold to take gloves off, Garmin said -3c when I set off!) 2.5 hours into ride BG 22.8 (had 4 QA) Lunch BG 6.8 no QA (had bacon sandwhich, 3-4CP) 6 hours into ride BG 5.3 7 hours into ride BG 8.3 Home after ride before dinner BG 5.3 (14CP, noraml 1.5:1 would be 21QA, had 10QA as risk of hypo) 1 hour after dinner check BG 8.9 2 hour after dinner check BG 6.8 Before bed BG 6 (BI normally 15, lowered this to 7) Throughout the day I had energy bars, gels and sports drinks totalling 26CP. Morning BG 11.2 - bit high, but after yesterday happy with this. All in all I am more happy with this, not sure why I had the 15.5 and 22.8, but after QA this all fell into place. Next time I will probably have a bit more BI in the evening after. Hope this report helps others judge the best way to try and deal with this rubbish, only downside to this approach is it costs a fortune in gels/drinks! Phil

Nov 11, 2013 Phil Maskell 194 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BD Pen Needles I have moved over the years from 8 then 6, 5 down to 4, I have quite few at the moment, but might put a prescription in if they are looking at stopping them!