How do you record your blood sugar results?

[Robinredbreast]

For the past couple of years, I have used a note book or an exercise book, with content of carbs, Insulin units, food I've eaten
( if different from my usual foods) sickness, work, days out etc, hospital appt, or a visit to GP, just everyday things that I can then go back and view if needed.

Best wishes RRB

 

[fleurtess]

It doesn't work out insulin ratios, but the Diabeties:M app allows you to input carbs, protein and fat content. It also has a calculator that allows you to select extended bolus for proten and fat and it gives you times to inject to cover protein and fat.

Sounds great bit a lot of input needed

 

[Heathenlass]

I use the Diabetes Connect app - search for 'diaconnect' on the app store.

Pretty good really.

I was wondering about DAFNE; how long has it been going? When I was first diagnosed I was taught carb counting (back in the last century) and may have gone on a course many moons ago - is that possible? When did they start becoming a standard?

Best

Dillinger

Back in Ye Darke Ages, we were taught carb counting and more about the effect of diet regarding diabetes than DAFNE ever has. . The problem was that there was ( and still is!) a discrepancy on the standard of information given around the country. Hence the introduction of a" standard" course. DAFNE.

DAFNE has been around in the UK since around 2000 or so, and it not the only and definitive course for Type 1 . There have also been some excellent locally run courses up and down the country, some which go further than DAFNE in personal management . DAFNE is the most expensive course to run, as it is contracted from Germany where it originated, but as far as I can tell, there hasn't really been updates on since its inception in the UK, whereas locally run courses often do update their information. All of these courses are useful in delivering structured education regarding dose adjustment at a basic level, sick day rules, the effect of exercise , but in my opinion some of what DAFNE teaches is flawed, so when it doesn't work, participants are left feeling they are to blame .

I feel that DAFNE is as good as anything as an introductory course, but ideally needs to be updated and upgraded, or else have a follow up course as happens with some of the local ones. DAFNE educators have expressed frustration ( to me, informally ) that they cannot deviate in any way from the DAFNE format because of the existing contract, something that doesn't happen in the locally run courses where there is far more freedom and flexibility.

@Dillinger , you have not missed anything you don't already know, and I think your own knowledge surpassed DAFNE a long time ago

Signy

 

[fleurtess]

Back in Ye Darke Ages, we were taught carb counting and more about the effect of diet regarding diabetes than DAFNE ever has. . The problem was that there was ( and still is!) a discrepancy on the standard of information given around the country. Hence the introduction of a" standard" course. DAFNE.

DAFNE has been around in the UK since around 2000 or so, and it not the only and definitive course for Type 1 . There have also been some excellent locally run courses up and down the country, some which go further than DAFNE in personal management . DAFNE is the most expensive course to run, as it is contracted from Germany where it originated, but as far as I can tell, there hasn't really been updates on since its inception in the UK, whereas locally run courses often do update their information. All of these courses are useful in delivering structured education regarding dose adjustment at a basic level, sick day rules, the effect of exercise , but in my opinion some of what DAFNE teaches is flawed, so when it doesn't work, participants are left feeling they are to blame .

I feel that DAFNE is as good as anything as an introductory course, but ideally needs to be updated and upgraded, or else have a follow up course as happens with some of the local ones. DAFNE educators have expressed frustration ( to me, informally ) that they cannot deviate in any way from the DAFNE format because of the existing contract, something that doesn't happen in the locally run courses where there is far more freedom and flexibility.

@Dillinger , you have not missed anything you don't already know, and I think your own knowledge surpassed DAFNE a long time ago

Signy

I like what you say and the DAFNE course here in Dumfries does do follow up courses. There is nothing else in this neck of the woods and drs don't know enough to help. The practice nurse knows even less. Follow ups with specialist nurses are none existent.
I am impressed with your knowledge

 

[novorapidboi26]

I eat what I like and like what I eat.

Do you find it east to get "100% on target" while eating what you like......?

What do you like?

 

[fleurtess]

Do you find it east to get "100% on target" while eating what you like......?

What do you like?

Yes I do find it quite easy. I will have either a doughnut or slice of cake once a week and just take the insulin for that treat

 

[novorapidboi26]

Yes I do find it quite easy. I will have either a doughnut or slice of cake once a week and just take the insulin for that treat

and the rest of the time?

 

[fleurtess]

and the rest of the time?

I keep aware of how I feel. It's not difficult. I will usually leave 3 hours before I eat again after a treat. Then adjust as needed for what ever I am going to eat. Always checking in my app what carbs are first. On some days I have injected up to 6 times instead of the normal 5 times. 2 levimur and novorapid as many times as needed

 

[novorapidboi26]

that's good...............

I just find that not all foods work out the way you want them to, especially 2 hours post meal.........

and of course the bigger carb loads are even harder to manage.........

 

[fleurtess]

that's good...............

I just find that not all foods work out the way you want them to, especially 2 hours post meal.........

and of course the bigger carb loads are even harder to manage.........

Yes bigger carb loads means bigger dose of insulin. After 4 hours your levels should hopefully be where they were before eating. I have a rule of thumb. If carbs are 36.5g then I make that 4 units of insulin. Anything over 35.6 goes to the next number. The worst offenders are rice dishes. Curry and rice can be up to 110.9g that equals 11 units. You must take the curry as well as rice into consideration. That is my rule of thumb. It works well for me. I take the carbs. Say food is 45.9g and sweet is 35.7g. Add them together = 80.6g = 8 unit. if your levels before eating are higher than 9 you need to add 1 or 2 units of insulin. For instance 1 unit = 10g. I hope this helps

 

[PATRICK317]

glooko is a good and easy app

 

[fleurtess]

glooko is a good and easy app

Thank you I will get it now

 

[fleurtess]

Thank you I will get it now

I took a look at glooko and it's not for me. I'd have to subscribe to it and purchase a connector to go from my meter to my phone. Nope not for me would cost too much. The carbs and call I have works very well

 

[PATRICK317]

My fines pal is free

 

[fleurtess]

My fines pal is free

I'll stick with carbs and cals. But thank you

 

[novorapidboi26]

Yes bigger carb loads means bigger dose of insulin. After 4 hours your levels should hopefully be where they were before eating. I have a rule of thumb. If carbs are 36.5g then I make that 4 units of insulin. Anything over 35.6 goes to the next number. The worst offenders are rice dishes. Curry and rice can be up to 110.9g that equals 11 units. You must take the curry as well as rice into consideration. That is my rule of thumb. It works well for me. I take the carbs. Say food is 45.9g and sweet is 35.7g. Add them together = 80.6g = 8 unit. if your levels before eating are higher than 9 you need to add 1 or 2 units of insulin. For instance 1 unit = 10g. I hope this helps

Thanks for taking the time.......

I am actually pumping so I am knees deep in all of the carb counting and dosing tweaking, its just that it never works as well as 100% in target, which for me is 4-7mmol....

 

[fleurtess]

Thanks for taking the time.......

I am actually pumping so I am knees deep in all of the carb counting and dosing tweaking, its just that it never works as well as 100% in target, which for me is 4-7mmol....

I don't know anything about how a pump works I'm afraid. I just inject as many times as I need. I was under the misguided information that with a pump it did the work for you. Seems not. I think I prefer injecting

 

[fleurtess]

I don't know anything about how a pump works I'm afraid. I just inject as many times as I need. I was under the misguided information that with a pump it did the work for you. Seems not. I think I prefer injecting

I am between 4 to 7mmol all the time now

 

[novorapidboi26]

I don't know anything about how a pump works I'm afraid. I just inject as many times as I need. I was under the misguided information that with a pump it did the work for you. Seems not. I think I prefer injecting

Well, it does pretty much..............

But its just the same as injecting in that getting the timing of the dose to perfectly match the digestion of your food isn't the same each time.......

I am not seeking advice or anything, I am just pointing out that unless you cut the carbs down low, getting half decent blood sugar, for me, between meals is murder.........

 

[fleurtess]

Well, it does pretty much..............

But its just the same as injecting in that getting the timing of the dose to perfectly match the digestion of your food isn't the same each time.......

I am not seeking advice or anything, I am just pointing out that unless you cut the carbs down low, getting half decent blood sugar, for me, between meals is murder.........

I know what you mean. Before anything goes in the mouth I check the carbs and adjust accordingly. I seem to have found that magical balance of low sugar levels between meals. Yes for 2 hours levels go up but by the end of 2 hours I am still in single figures. At the end of 4 hours I really need to eat and sometimes grab a chocolate medley, and still I will take 2 units for that keeping me in single figures