• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

diaries

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
aymes

aymes

Senior Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Does everyone here keep diaries for their sugar readings? I've done the dafne course and know how important it is to keep a diary, and know how much better my levels stay when I write it all down but I seem to have a complete block when it comes to doing it, I manage a couple of days then get relaxed about it and forget.

Has anyone got any tips? I was very good at doing it during the dafne course, and in the month or so before hospital appointments so can manage when I know I'm being checked up on but don't seem to be able to discipline myself!
 
I've kept a diary since I was diagnosed about 6 months ago. I put the figures inot a spreadsheet so I can highlight the highs and lows - makes them really stand out and shows how good/bad control is over time.

Your meter probably stores quite a lot of readings - I think mine stores about 200, so you could always look back through that.
 
I don't keep a written diary, but using a meter which can download the readings onto a pc onto software provided by the mfr is a great help.
There is even the facility to record the amount or type of medication and when used.

The reports can be shown in many formats and if I forget one day for loading, it will download any missed days.

I also load them onto the same software on a netbook which is easily carried and the nurse/ medic can see what info they want and over a customisable timescale.

If you want details, PM me.
 
aymes said:
Does everyone here keep diaries for their sugar readings? I've done the dafne course and know how important it is to keep a diary, and know how much better my levels stay when I write it all down but I seem to have a complete block when it comes to doing it, I manage a couple of days then get relaxed about it and forget.

Has anyone got any tips? I was very good at doing it during the dafne course, and in the month or so before hospital appointments so can manage when I know I'm being checked up on but don't seem to be able to discipline myself!
Click to expand...

i have the same problem i will tell myself that the only way i am gonna control my blood sugars is to keep my dafne diary but then i just do it for a couple of days then forget about it ! i think i have a massive problem with self discipline.
 
I do have a meter that I can download the data from but I usually use my mini meter as it's so much easier to carry around! The dafne diary is great, space for putting amount of carbs and when I keep it my levels are noticably better and any problems easy to sort. Think it is just a self discipline thing, I might get one if my housemates to insist on seeing it every day or something so I know someone os going to look at it!
 
I did for the first few months but then figured no one else looked at it, I can remember the last few days and the meter carries 14 days of readings so what's the point?
 
I use the OneTouch Ultra Smart meter which also allows me to keep track of food, insulin and exercise. I also have a Humalog Memoir pen which remebers my last few shots. Very useful for someone with a terrible memory like me (did I take my last shot?)

What I really need though is a system that automatically senses my BGs and connects to my insulin pens (wirelessly) then sneds them to my computer and to my doctors.

Even better, would be a pump that autosenses my BGs an adjusts the dose on the fly.
 
Alistair, the point is to see the bigger picture. Your doctors need to be able to look at your diary to see what your day to day sugars have been like. The HBA1C can only tell them so much. For example, if it is good, it might be because you have been doing all the right things and your blood sugars have been great. But it is an average, so it might also be that you have had highs and lows all over the place and they have averaged out to a good level. In order to find out which it is, the doctor needs to see your daily readings. The daily diary can also isolate problems if you have had highs or lows at a certain time of day. Or if you change your insulin you can track what effect that is having. You generally have a better idea of how you are managing in the long term, not just over a couple of days.

I have only been able to use the DAFNE diary, other did not have space for top up injections or carb counting. I am not as good as I could be, but I have vastly improved since DAFNE. I do however have some emotional issues with it, I find it hard to show it to the doctor. I feel they are somehow judging me, like I am a kid again and showing a teacher my homework.

I would love to use the software others have talked about, but I only have an Apple laptop which is not compatible with my meter software or any meter software I have found. I am trying to save and get a PC so hopefully I will be able to use the software soon.
 
Thanks Lizzie,

I do see the point and if there are changes to levels i'll start again. Not even the diabetes specialist ant the hospital looked at or even asked for the diary!

As for PC / Mac, if youa re an avid MAC user, you may well have an iphone in whcih case taken a look at this http://www.martoon.com/diamedic/ very cheep from the apps store, easy to use and no need to carry a book
 
Lizzie said:
I would love to use the software others have talked about, but I only have an Apple laptop which is not compatible with my meter software or any meter software I have found. I am trying to save and get a PC so hopefully I will be able to use the software soon.
Click to expand...

Lizzie

What model of Mac do you use?
If you have an intel duo chip, you can load a program (not virtual pc) which lets you use your mac for both windows and mac os.
 
Thanks guys but I have an ibook which is more than five years old, I got it before they started having parallel operating systems on macs. I also do not have internet access on it so can't download things but I could try and download the software onto a memory stick at my work (where I do have internet access) and then put it onto my laptop at home.
 
I was given a diary when in the hospital which was provided by Novo Nordisk who make NovoRapid & Levemir. I keep it with my testing kit and still use it even though I now have a 'OneTouch Ultrasmart' meter. The diaries can be sourced from the Novo Nordisk customer care line which is 0845-6005055.
 
You can get diaries from your clinic, and most of the meter companies post you them if you use their meter. But I found them to be too limited - no space for carb counting or top up insulin, just 4 spaces for insulin which are separate from the blood sugar readings. But I love the DAFNE diaries because they allow me to put in my insulin and carbs parallel to my blood sugar readings so I can join everything together more. You can get them from DAFNE, can't find the order form but you can email or phone them, the address is available on their website.
 
I've never kept a diary and have never been given one from my GP clinic. I must ask about one as it sounds a good idea to keep a record.
 
Lizzie said:
Thanks guys but I have an ibook which is more than five years old, I got it before they started having parallel operating systems on macs. I also do not have internet access on it so can't download things but I could try and download the software onto a memory stick at my work (where I do have internet access) and then put it onto my laptop at home.
Click to expand...

I phoned the careline (ultrasoft) and received all the required software and drivers plus a usb cable for free.
All the software is for pc not mac
 
i quite fancy one of thse dafne diaries... couldnt really see anything on their website about it. do i just email them and ask if the could send me a dafne diary?
 
AlanJardine said:
I use the OneTouch Ultra Smart meter which also allows me to keep track of food, insulin and exercise. I also have a Humalog Memoir pen which remebers my last few shots. Very useful for someone with a terrible memory like me (did I take my last shot?)

What I really need though is a system that automatically senses my BGs and connects to my insulin pens (wirelessly) then sneds them to my computer and to my doctors.

Even better, would be a pump that autosenses my BGs an adjusts the dose on the fly.
Click to expand...
i loved your idea and that is what it is i dont think there is a diabetic in the world who wouldnt want it if we are able to tell what the weather is on mars im sure these scientist peeps could do something
 
I am really bad at keeping diaries now. for the past 18 months or so I just can't be that bothered. I'm making a real effort though at the moment because i'm going to the hospital on thursday and want something to show them. Am finding it hard going and it's only been 1 week.

I found some diaries froma couple of years ago and it's interesting to see what insulin doses i was using and how many highs and lows I had.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top