Recent Posts by Alan 49

Nov 8, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Swollen ankles

When I had swollen ankles I went to my GP and she prescribed water tablets - which reduced the swelling. I would recommend a visit to your GP, Beccy.

Oct 28, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Jelly Babies

I've bought a couple of bags of Bassett's jelly babies and they're really nice - a treat as well as a treatment!

Oct 28, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter)

I think this device will be really useful for holidaying abroad - when you're in a different environment, eating different foods and doing different things. As I understand it, swimming in a pool won't affect the sensor either.

Oct 15, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / IBG STAR - reliable readings??

I know nothing about smart phones - so you'll have to bear with me on this one. Is there now a smart phone that also functions as a BG mater?

Oct 13, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / sugar in urine

Why would sugar in your urine affect you getting a C1 licence?

Oct 12, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / New Glucose testing system

I read somewhere that the sensor takes a reading every minute. If it did the reading every two minutes, would it last twice as long? This would make it more affordable - even for the NHS. Of course it would lower Abbott's profit margin.

Sep 30, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / New Glucose testing system

I'd like to get one of these when they become available:

https://www.freestylelibre.co.uk/default.aspx

Sep 16, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Change of routine and injection times

I think the '3am bit' is the time you will be getting up so that you can get to the airport and check-in at 4am.

I always make sure my BGs are fairly high when I fly anywhere - the last thing you want is a hypo at an airport, or worse still, on the plane. I test my BGs more frequestly as well.

Sep 5, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Artificial Pancreas

That's too technical for me to comment on. Let's hope the scientists who design these things have thought of that as well.

Aug 31, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Artificial Pancreas

This is an interesting article on the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28810813

Aug 22, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Jelly Babies

I am thinking of changing my 'emergency carbs' from Dextro glucose tablets to jelly babies. How many jelly babies make 1 CP?

Aug 11, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Calculating QA with Carb/Sugar Content

As I understand it, the Nutritional Values on most packaged food will contain the sugar content and the Total Carbohydrate value (including the sugars). I always use this value to calculate the CPs of a meal, regardless of the Glycaemic Index, which is normally not shown.

Aug 5, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / BEER AFTER DINNER

Yes, strong lagers are usually low in sugar and the higher alcohol content in them (as Warwick says) can lower your BG - so possibly a 'double whammy'. Beers like bitter or Guiness certainly contain more CPs, which should be counted.

Jul 28, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Weight

I've lost 1.5 kilos by eating less and doing 30 minutes exercise - every day. This works for me.

Jul 25, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Non Diabetics

I was diagnosed at the age of 24 - a year after I got married (51 years ago). I found out a few years later, that my parents thought my diabetes was the result of my wife's cooking!

Jul 19, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Nutritional Values on package food

I always use the Nutritional Values on package food to calculate my Carbohydrate Portions and most times they are very helpful. When they are in tabular form they are easy to read - there is a column for values per 100g and a separate column for values per pack. I have problems, however, when they are just text - a string of words and numbers. The text size is usually quite small - too small for my poor old eyes - and on a couple of occasions I have used the 'per 100g' value instead of the 'per pack' value and not injected enough QA.

Has anybody else had this problem?

Jul 13, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE MONITORING DIARIES

Pat
I print my own diaries and you are welcome to have a copy of the Word documents I've created for the detail pages and the cover. The trouble is that you'll need A5 size plain paper (for the detail pages) and I use A5 size photographic paper for the cover, but I suppose you could have a plain paper cover.. You'll also need (of course) a printer that can accept A5 stationery, and a stapler to allow you to staple the middle of an A5 page.

Jul 5, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / Nutrition Scales

I've got 'Nutriscales' from Lloyd's pharmacy - it obviously shows the weight of the food, but it comes with a list of food items with code numbers. When you weigh the item, you enter the code and it shows the amount of carbs, calories and other info. I found it all a bit fiddly for my feeble brain, but I think it can be useful.

The web address is http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/lloydspharmacy-nutriscales-17928

May 26, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Important DAFNE question

1) I'm not aware that my HCP uses DAFNE online.

2) I rarely see any responses from HCPs. More HCP involvement would certainly be welcome. I have just scanned the first ten topics in the 'Questions for HCPs' forum and I haven't seen any HCP responses. It's a good job we have some very smart Graduate contributors, like Warwick, Novorapidboi and a few others, who offer sound advice to lots of questions.

3) I don't have a smart phone, so APPs don't APPeal to me.

May 14, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

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

Like Garry, I use the Lilly Humapen Memoir pen and find it invaluable. You have to be on Humalog QA insulin to use it,

There is something called Insulcheck, which tells you how much time has passed since your last injection. This could help and they claim it fits most disposable and re-usable pens.
See the advert on page 44 of the current Balance magazine or visit www.insulcheck.com

Apr 13, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Levemir clogging needles

Hello Joanne,
Yes I'm still getting the 'clogging' problem if I try to re-use a needle. I have to use a new needle for each Levemir injection. I'm glad in a way, that you're getting the same problem - I thought it was just me!
As you can see from my previous posting, I tried using my spare Novopen 4, which was OK for a couple of days, but then it started clogging.
I use BD Micro-Fine 5mm pen needles - what needles do you use?

Mar 8, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / stress

As glen4 says: an adrenaline rush can cause high blood-sugars. The adrenaline triggers the liver to release glucagon (?) into the blood because the body assumes you're going to require extra energy. When I go swimming, my BG is always higher afterwards. My HCP explained that going to a swimming bath and meeting people you know etc, can cause the adrenaline rush.

Jan 21, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Glucose monitoring contact lenses

Evidently it tests the glucose content of your tears - I would have thought there might be some delay in blood glucose affecting tear glucose - could this be a problem?

Jan 19, 2014

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / My Blood Glucose Diary - problems

WELL DONE MARK!

Dec 31, 2013

Alan 49 284 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all!

Nov 8, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Swollen ankles When I had swollen ankles I went to my GP and she prescribed water tablets - which reduced the swelling. I would recommend a visit to your GP, Beccy.

Oct 28, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Jelly Babies I've bought a couple of bags of Bassett's jelly babies and they're really nice - a treat as well as a treatment!

Oct 28, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Cyborg Times (new BG meter) I think this device will be really useful for holidaying abroad - when you're in a different environment, eating different foods and doing different things. As I understand it, swimming in a pool won't affect the sensor either.

Oct 15, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / IBG STAR - reliable readings?? I know nothing about smart phones - so you'll have to bear with me on this one. Is there now a smart phone that also functions as a BG mater?

Oct 13, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / sugar in urine Why would sugar in your urine affect you getting a C1 licence?

Oct 12, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / New Glucose testing system I read somewhere that the sensor takes a reading every minute. If it did the reading every two minutes, would it last twice as long? This would make it more affordable - even for the NHS. Of course it would lower Abbott's profit margin.

Sep 30, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / New Glucose testing system I'd like to get one of these when they become available: https://www.freestylelibre.co.uk/default.aspx

Sep 16, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Change of routine and injection times I think the '3am bit' is the time you will be getting up so that you can get to the airport and check-in at 4am. I always make sure my BGs are fairly high when I fly anywhere - the last thing you want is a hypo at an airport, or worse still, on the plane. I test my BGs more frequestly as well.

Sep 5, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Artificial Pancreas That's too technical for me to comment on. Let's hope the scientists who design these things have thought of that as well.

Aug 31, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Artificial Pancreas This is an interesting article on the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-28810813

Aug 22, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Jelly Babies I am thinking of changing my 'emergency carbs' from Dextro glucose tablets to jelly babies. How many jelly babies make 1 CP?

Aug 11, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Calculating QA with Carb/Sugar Content As I understand it, the Nutritional Values on most packaged food will contain the sugar content and the Total Carbohydrate value (including the sugars). I always use this value to calculate the CPs of a meal, regardless of the Glycaemic Index, which is normally not shown.

Aug 5, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / BEER AFTER DINNER Yes, strong lagers are usually low in sugar and the higher alcohol content in them (as Warwick says) can lower your BG - so possibly a 'double whammy'. Beers like bitter or Guiness certainly contain more CPs, which should be counted.

Jul 28, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Weight I've lost 1.5 kilos by eating less and doing 30 minutes exercise - every day. This works for me.

Jul 25, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Non Diabetics I was diagnosed at the age of 24 - a year after I got married (51 years ago). I found out a few years later, that my parents thought my diabetes was the result of my wife's cooking!

Jul 19, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Nutritional Values on package food I always use the Nutritional Values on package food to calculate my Carbohydrate Portions and most times they are very helpful. When they are in tabular form they are easy to read - there is a column for values per 100g and a separate column for values per pack. I have problems, however, when they are just text - a string of words and numbers. The text size is usually quite small - too small for my poor old eyes - and on a couple of occasions I have used the 'per 100g' value instead of the 'per pack' value and not injected enough QA. Has anybody else had this problem?

Jul 13, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / DAFNE MONITORING DIARIES Pat I print my own diaries and you are welcome to have a copy of the Word documents I've created for the detail pages and the cover. The trouble is that you'll need A5 size plain paper (for the detail pages) and I use A5 size photographic paper for the cover, but I suppose you could have a plain paper cover.. You'll also need (of course) a printer that can accept A5 stationery, and a stapler to allow you to staple the middle of an A5 page.

Jul 5, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: DAFNE Graduate Group (DGG) / Nutrition Scales I've got 'Nutriscales' from Lloyd's pharmacy - it obviously shows the weight of the food, but it comes with a list of food items with code numbers. When you weigh the item, you enter the code and it shows the amount of carbs, calories and other info. I found it all a bit fiddly for my feeble brain, but I think it can be useful. The web address is http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/lloydspharmacy-nutriscales-17928

May 26, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Important DAFNE question 1) I'm not aware that my HCP uses DAFNE online. 2) I rarely see any responses from HCPs. More HCP involvement would certainly be welcome. I have just scanned the first ten topics in the 'Questions for HCPs' forum and I haven't seen any HCP responses. It's a good job we have some very smart Graduate contributors, like Warwick, Novorapidboi and a few others, who offer sound advice to lots of questions. 3) I don't have a smart phone, so APPs don't APPeal to me.

May 14, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / How to Remember If You've Done an Injection Like Garry, I use the Lilly Humapen Memoir pen and find it invaluable. You have to be on Humalog QA insulin to use it, There is something called Insulcheck, which tells you how much time has passed since your last injection. This could help and they claim it fits most disposable and re-usable pens. See the advert on page 44 of the current Balance magazine or visit www.insulcheck.com

Apr 13, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Levemir clogging needles Hello Joanne, Yes I'm still getting the 'clogging' problem if I try to re-use a needle. I have to use a new needle for each Levemir injection. I'm glad in a way, that you're getting the same problem - I thought it was just me! As you can see from my previous posting, I tried using my spare Novopen 4, which was OK for a couple of days, but then it started clogging. I use BD Micro-Fine 5mm pen needles - what needles do you use?

Mar 8, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / stress As glen4 says: an adrenaline rush can cause high blood-sugars. The adrenaline triggers the liver to release glucagon (?) into the blood because the body assumes you're going to require extra energy. When I go swimming, my BG is always higher afterwards. My HCP explained that going to a swimming bath and meeting people you know etc, can cause the adrenaline rush.

Jan 21, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Glucose monitoring contact lenses Evidently it tests the glucose content of your tears - I would have thought there might be some delay in blood glucose affecting tear glucose - could this be a problem?

Jan 19, 2014 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / My Blood Glucose Diary - problems WELL DONE MARK!

Dec 31, 2013 Alan 49 284 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Happy New Year Happy New Year to all!