Anti-DAFNE experiment

[rachelha]

This is the latest theory on how to test less, not worry so much about my diabetes, but still have good control that my psychiatrist has come up with.

I am to test my blood sugar just twice a day (morning and night) and if I think I may be hypo, apart from one day per week when I test every couple of days to see if my ratios etc. are working right. The theory is that if I can not test and correct I will only eat a very strict low GI diet, eat regularly and have injections about 10 mins before eating so I will not need to correct. I stupidly admitted to having the odd binge at my last appointment, but this is now under control again anyway.

I have (reluctantly) agree to give this ago for 6 weeks. I had an hba1c done on Monday and will have another done in 6 weeks time to see how it has changed.

My doctors are convinced that I overly "micro-manage" my diabetes which then causes me anxiety and worry.

So far since starting this I have had 4 readings above 20 and 5 hypos. They do not seem to realise that you can do exactly the same thing one day as the next but get different readings. This goes against every thing I was told on the DAFNE course. I can not have correction doses at all. I have eaten well the last couple of days but have still had high readings and hypos.

I am not sure how much longer I am going to keep at it for, at the moment I just feel it is harming me if anything.

 

[Northerner]

I must admit, I would find it very difficult to follow those rules Rachel. I've always been very fortunate in not needing corrections, but would still find it hard not knowing what was happening. The only form of correcting I tend to do is to maybe add on a unit if I'm a bit on the high side pre-meal and wouldn't know to if I wasn't supposed to test. I can understand the reasoning - getting you out of the habit, but as you say a lot of the healthcare profession seem to think that levels will behave from one day to the next as long as you keep to a simple routine.

Hope you are able to 'keep with the programme' and that it benefits you, good luck! 🙂

 

[Freddie99]

I wouldn't be able to adhere to that on my days off. I've racked back on my testing but not to that extent. I find I do better when I don't stress about it too much. Hard to do I know. If things aren't going well then you need to call it a day. Courtesy of being a little apathetic towards my diabetes I'm actually doing better for it, until tomorrow when I change from Novorapid to Humalog.
I suppose what they want you to do is to let things roll and trust in your judgement more than anything. However, should you be able to do that, you need to be in decent nick. To get there you have to put in the hard work. Yawn.
Leaving out on corrections is daft to be frank. That's more dangerous than anything I suppose. Testing if you feel hypo is a wise one. Then again we all get ones that sneak past our radar.
I will be surprised if this doesn't do more harm than good. Penny to a pound that any decrease in HbA1c you may see will be due to more hypos. I'd put my money on you having a higher HbA1c at the end of this experiment.

 

[Northerner]

I could be wrong, but I'm sensing a little scepticism from you Tom...😉

 

[trophywench]

Rachel - I HAVE to ask this question - what do your Diabetes team think about this ruddy plan? - they surely to goodness can't be in on it?

 

[Freddie99]

I could be wrong, but I'm sensing a little scepticism from you Tom...😉

Does a bear sh*t in the woods?

 

[tracey w]

I know you have issues that you need to deal with, but this sounds ridiculous to me. How the hell can you know how much insulin to give if you dont test pre meal?

Have your diabetic team agreed with this. I think the highs/lows may stress you our more in the long term? sorry im sure this isnt helping you, just my perspective on it thats all? Good luck however you go forward with this, x

 

[bigpurpleduck]

Oh Rachel, this sounds horrible.

I can see the theory, but it's quite clear that the psychiatrist doesn't understand what diabetes is like in practice! 😱

I think it would probably do good to keep at it, simply to prove to them that it's a horrible approach. But it must be very difficult to persevere with yo-yoing BG making you feel rubbish.

I hope that either they notice the detrimental effect and take you off this plan, or that the 6 weeks goes in quickly!

Best of luck!

 

[rachelha]

My diabetes team are not aware of it so far as I know, but I was referred by them to the psychiatrist, and he works with them, so I think they would probably agree with it in principal. I may email my DSN blood test results on Monday and see if she thinks I should continue with it.

The stupid thing is when I was most "micro managing" my diabetes, when I was pregnant, I had the best hba1c results I have had since the honeymoon period. I was upset my it all, but find me a pregnant diabetic who is not worrying over their levels.

 

[Catwoman76]

This is the latest theory on how to test less, not worry so much about my diabetes, but still have good control that my psychiatrist has come up with.

I am to test my blood sugar just twice a day (morning and night) and if I think I may be hypo, apart from one day per week when I test every couple of days to see if my ratios etc. are working right. The theory is that if I can not test and correct I will only eat a very strict low GI diet, eat regularly and have injections about 10 mins before eating so I will not need to correct. I stupidly admitted to having the odd binge at my last appointment, but this is now under control again anyway.

I have (reluctantly) agree to give this ago for 6 weeks. I had an hba1c done on Monday and will have another done in 6 weeks time to see how it has changed.

My doctors are convinced that I overly "micro-manage" my diabetes which then causes me anxiety and worry.

So far since starting this I have had 4 readings above 20 and 5 hypos. They do not seem to realise that you can do exactly the same thing one day as the next but get different readings. This goes against every thing I was told on the DAFNE course. I can not have correction doses at all. I have eaten well the last couple of days but have still had high readings and hypos.

I am not sure how much longer I am going to keep at it for, at the moment I just feel it is harming me if anything.

Hi rachelha I have never heard of this and it's obviously a scary issue with you. The odd thing is this week I didn't put a script in for my 2 lots of test trips until tuesday(forgot)! and I was a bit low on test strips at home, so I decided to just test morning and before bed, my test results before bed:-
5.4 3.9 6.0 4.6
Breakfast:- 7.4 7.5 8.0 4.8

So I have been thinking that I might continue this for a few more days and compare BS to last weeks 4 tests a day. I have now got my new lot of test strips and I will see how it goes.
Could you talk with your DSN or Doctor and find out what they think. Try not to worry too much and I hope you have a good weekend. Sheena

 

[rachelha]

Well I have had the result of the hba1c done before starting this, 8.4. I am not sure how I feel about that, it is not as bad as I feared but does not really show how awful my readings are. I have received a copy of a letter the psychiatrist has sent to my GP and the diabetic clinic so they are aware of what is going on.

 

[Catwoman76]

Well I have had the result of the hba1c done before starting this, 8.4. I am not sure how I feel about that, it is not as bad as I feared but does not really show how awful my readings are. I have received a copy of a letter the psychiatrist has sent to my GP and the diabetic clinic so they are aware of what is going on.

Hi rachelha I am willing to go the same distance as you, just to give you a bit of support. As I said in my previous thread I had to test only twice a day because I only had a small amount of test strips left, so I will do it with you and maybe we could compare BS's. It's going well so far and I have had a couple of lows in the morning but no highs ( that I'm aware of). Try to keep going and the 6 weeks will be up before you know it. Take care Sheena

 

[novorapidboi26]

If your having problems with anxiety etc then giving something a go is worth it I suppose, I just hope your not expected to continue with 2 tests a day........

Unfortunately diabetes is not as simple as meeting carbs with insulin, its a constant battle with our own bodies functions and well, hormones.........

How often were you testing before this plan?

Good luck with it all, hope it brings something positive...!🙂

 

[rachelha]

Hi rachelha I am willing to go the same distance as you, just to give you a bit of support. As I said in my previous thread I had to test only twice a day because I only had a small amount of test strips left, so I will do it with you and maybe we could compare BS's. It's going well so far and I have had a couple of lows in the morning but no highs ( that I'm aware of). Try to keep going and the 6 weeks will be up before you know it. Take care Sheena

Sheena, That is such a nice thing of you to offer, but I would hate for your control to go off too.

I feel as though my levels have been a bit better the last couple of days, but obviously I dont actually know. I was even in single figures on waking yesterday which is a very rare occurance. I am still having a hypo just about every day though, but a different times each day.

 

[Catwoman76]

Sheena, That is such a nice thing of you to offer, but I would hate for your control to go off too.

I feel as though my levels have been a bit better the last couple of days, but obviously I dont actually know. I was even in single figures on waking yesterday which is a very rare occurance. I am still having a hypo just about every day though, but a different times each day.

I decided to just test twice a day for a shorter time, as an experiment really. Obviously if there were hypo's going on or I was Hyper then I would test. I really would like to continue doing it ,so it's my decision only. So off we go, when was your start date rachelha? Sheena