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**tbh** · 13-02-2009, 23:05

you need to get a referral from your specialist

Friends · 07-03-2009, 03:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackrhythms

It's an intensive week, but such an eye-opener. Things I thought I was fully aware of, it turns out I had been very poorly educated on!

I totally endorse everything Blackrhythms is saying about DAFNE. I've been insulin dependant for the last 30 years and have gone through every type of new insulin, pump, pens, diet etc. I thought DAFNE would be a refresher course with maybe a few new developments thrown in. I was so wrong. Its been by far the best thing I have done since I became a professional full time diabetic (as opposed to the part timers :-)).
Before DAFNE my HBA1c's were ok - some good, some not so good. I consider myself active and have never let diabetes stop me from doing anything. However it was not until I went through the full week programme that you see how bad the traditional diabetes approach is. For example and this turns out to be very common - I was overdosing my insulin by 20 -30% every day and then having to top up with snacks to counteract lows.

Doing the proper DAFNE programme basically re-engineers your complete insulin regime and gives you a credible but highly practical and pragmatic approach to eating, exercise, sick days, nights out and basically life in general. As I said earlier I have tried and abandoned many approaches over the years but this approach is simple but radically different from anything else. I have been following the DAFNE approach now for nearly two years.
A word of warning though - DONT TRY AND TEACH YOURSELF DAFNE. It really does require the full weeks programme in your diabetic clinic as they radically reengineer your insulin regime and to make it work you need this expertise to help and assist you.

Ireland is actually way ahead of many countries with supplying diabetics with the medication they need, but this is the first time ever that I was given a methodology to use insulin properly. I did some triathalons last year for the first time. I could have done them pre-DAFNE but using the DAFNE programme made it so much easier. And enjoyable. Overall my mystery highs and lows have disappeared and I am now in complete control of my diabetes.
I cant recommend the programme enough - my consistent and reduced HBA1cs prove this but just as important my 24/7 quality of life is on a par if not better than a non-diabetic.

My biggest regret is that I did not have the opportunity to do this 30 years. I know I have gone on a bit and risk sounding like a fundamentalist born again diabetic but every diabetic should/must give DAFNE a go.

**tbh** · 07-03-2009, 13:21

thanks for that Eddied, great post.

atmmusa · 07-03-2009, 19:31

hmmmm.I asked about it in Mater and they told me they didn't do DaFNE. They offered me ''BURGER'' (BERGER?) instead <lol> telling me it's the same but im not too sure<?> has anyone heard about it? there doesn seem to be anything on the web.I am a bit disappointed, should I change the Hospital?

stinkybum · 10-03-2009, 22:23

Hey there - glad i found this thread.
I started the DAFNE course on Monday and wasnt able to go today cos my daughter got really ill and i had to take her to the doctors. I've had to forgoe my place and i'm gutted about it but i'm hoping to get another place soon as i really want to get a pump.
As far as i've been told by friends, F*&TH (in the mater) doesnt offer the DAFNE. He doesnt advocate the pump very much either.
From what i've learned in one day on the course is so much better than what i was told when iwas diagnosed 10 years ago. The eduction i had was DREADFUL and as much as i did research and read up on carbs etc, to have someone who has put it into practice help me work it out was brilliant !! Its not just how much insulin to carbs but its also seeing patterns in your levels and how to adjust when you have a run of highs or lows.

As regards an a1c of 5.3%, i'd hate that. You'd need to be low most of the time to achieve that !! I had an a1c for 5.5% at one point during pregnancy and i was literally teetering on hypo the whole time. It was horrendous and it would be impossible for me to take the risk of running so low for so long with a toddler to mind. Ugh !! I upped it to 6.2% and although they werent happy, i was safer to be around.

I had an a1c of around 6.5% for years but it all went pete tong when i got ill and i lost my way. God i hope DAFNE helps me get back on track.

philten · 23-03-2009, 10:14

Hi stinkybum, how did you get on the DAFNE course? I attend the mater but have neglected to make another appt with the Diabetic clinic as not too happy with it in there and thinking off changing to tallaght maybe. If the mater don't do it might make my decision easier

stinkybum · 23-03-2009, 18:29

I dont know for sure that they dont do it, i'd just be very very surprised - they've always poo-poo-ed the idea.
I got on the DAFNE course by asking at my clinic - i went through my consultant initially but they are bloody brilliant in Beaumont. the girls in the clinic are fantastic and i have a whole heap of respect for them.
I'm gasping to do the course now as i've had a bit of a taste of it and i just really want to totally understand it and get cracking.
Good luck.

1967 · 23-03-2009, 19:23

As someone who was diagnosed type 2 christmas eve 2007 woke up in intensive care 3 days later to be told i was diabetic and that i had died my blood sugars were 96.4.I am on Byetta and was wondering if anyone else uses it as you dont adjust dosages or anything like that its a fixed dose everytime.

stinkybum · 23-03-2009, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1967

As someone who was diagnosed type 2 christmas eve 2007 woke up in intensive care 3 days later to be told i was diabetic and that i had died my blood sugars were 96.4.I am on Byetta and was wondering if anyone else uses it as you dont adjust dosages or anything like that its a fixed dose everytime.

Hey there - you might get more responses if you start a new thread. teh DAFNE course is specific to type 1 diabetes and me, for one, doesnt know much about T2. Sorry and good luck with the Byetta - i hear the s/e can be a bit rough.

graflynn · 31-03-2009, 18:26

I cannot believe that I stumbled on this thread!!! I have been searching for an online type 1 diabetes community for about two years now.

Anyway, I was trying to gather information to have DAFNE implemented in the Diabetes Clinic in Limerick and came across the official DAFNE website. It lists all the centres that run it in Ireland.

The reason more centres don't provide it is because it take a bit of money to set up and maintain. I assume in the long run the clinics will save money because after completing the course you only have to attend your clinic once a year unless you run into problems (wouldn't it be fan-flippin-tastic to not have to be trekking to the clinic 4 times a year).

So, I contacted the Diabetes Federation of Ireland to get some info on how to make this happen in Limerick - there are only 2 Dafne centres outside of Dublin, which has 3. I got some of the info and I'm ready to take on the next step. I'm hoping that there are more people like me who see something that's going to improve their life, that they deserve and others deserve and go for it?

**tbh** · 31-03-2009, 18:53

fair play Gra! and welcome to boards

niamh.brady · 08-07-2009, 10:06

Hi guys,

I don't know where all the old DAFNE posts have gone, but I've searched and can't find one so I am starting another one.

I moved to the diabetic clinic in UCHG last month and, as hoped, they put me on the waiting list for DAFNE. I was advised that the wait list worked out as an 11 year wait!!!! 2 weeks later I got a call with a cancellation appointment so I am doing the course at the end of the month (July 27th).

I know that it is full time over 5 days (and have checked all the websites), but can anyone offer more insight into what happens, what is discussed, expected etc? Has anyone whose done it found a huge improvement in their management?

Thanks

graflynn · 08-07-2009, 14:17

Hi Niamh,
Congrats on getting on one so soon. I know a guy who did his in February and he just raves about it. The first thing they do is sort out your long acting insulin (this may involve a basal rate test - nothing too worrisome). Then they start at the beginning with the basics. They go through carb counting, finding your insulin to carb ratio for each meal, how to handle excercise, alcohol, etc.

This may sound very basic but they do tailor it to each individual plus you get to meet other type 1's face to face. And the bonus for me would be that you only have to attend the clinic once a year afterwards - unless you want to.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Grainne.

niamh.brady · 08-07-2009, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by graflynn

Hi Niamh,
Congrats on getting on one so soon. I know a guy who did his in February and he just raves about it. The first thing they do is sort out your long acting insulin (this may involve a basal rate test - nothing too worrisome). Then they start at the beginning with the basics. They go through carb counting, finding your insulin to carb ratio for each meal, how to handle excercise, alcohol, etc.

This may sound very basic but they do tailor it to each individual plus you get to meet other type 1's face to face. And the bonus for me would be that you only have to attend the clinic once a year afterwards - unless you want to.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Grainne.

Thanks Grainne, I'm very excited. I think that I got on so soon as it is Galway Races week and noone wanted to be driving into and out of Galway city that week, but I don't care about how long it takes once I'm on it.

5 full days of learning so it must be very intensive. It would be great to know once and for all how much insulin I need - on my first appoint. with the clinic they couldn't believe that I'd been put on so much long-acting and so little short-acting before and advised that changing this should give me better control over my sugars and my weight - so yipee alround!

graflynn · 09-07-2009, 09:44

I'm excited for you too! I'd give a lot to be going on a DAFNE - aaahh it's the simple things in life that us diabetics want

I'm trying to campaign for DAFNE to be adapted in Limerick but with cutbacks in the HSE, it's difficult. I think there should be a similar programme in every clinic in the country not just the chosen few.

A huge step in this campaign would be if more people with diabetes knew about these programmes and started asking for them - power to the people and all that. If you could, I know this might be impossible but, if you could post a day by day account of what you learned on the course, it might encourage more people to get in on the action.

BTW are you from the Clare side of Galway or the other? I live in Clare!

10-03-2009, 22:23	#20
stinkybum Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 26 Adverts \| Friends	Hey there - glad i found this thread. I started the DAFNE course on Monday and wasnt able to go today cos my daughter got really ill and i had to take her to the doctors. I've had to forgoe my place and i'm gutted about it but i'm hoping to get another place soon as i really want to get a pump. As far as i've been told by friends, F&TH (in the mater) doesnt offer the DAFNE. He doesnt advocate the pump very much either. From what i've learned in one day on the course is so much better than what i was told when iwas diagnosed 10 years ago. The eduction i had was DREADFUL and as much as i did research and read up on carbs etc, to have someone who has put it into practice help me work it out was brilliant !! Its not just how much insulin to carbs but its also seeing patterns in your levels and how to adjust when you have a run of highs or lows. As regards an a1c of 5.3%, i'd hate that. You'd need to be low most of the time to achieve that !! I had an a1c for 5.5% at one point during pregnancy and i was literally teetering on hypo the whole time. It was horrendous and it would be impossible for me to take the risk of running so low for so long with a toddler to mind. Ugh !! I upped it to 6.2% and although they werent happy, i was safer to be around. I had an a1c of around 6.5% for years but it all went pete tong when i got ill and i lost my way. God i hope DAFNE helps me get back on track. Last edited by stinkybum; 10-03-2009 at 22:32.*

31-03-2009, 18:26	#25
graflynn Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Co. Clare Posts: 345 Adverts \| Friends	[diabetes] DAFNE - anyone done it? I cannot believe that I stumbled on this thread!!! I have been searching for an online type 1 diabetes community for about two years now. Anyway, I was trying to gather information to have DAFNE implemented in the Diabetes Clinic in Limerick and came across the official DAFNE website. It lists all the centres that run it in Ireland. The reason more centres don't provide it is because it take a bit of money to set up and maintain. I assume in the long run the clinics will save money because after completing the course you only have to attend your clinic once a year unless you run into problems (wouldn't it be fan-flippin-tastic to not have to be trekking to the clinic 4 times a year). So, I contacted the Diabetes Federation of Ireland to get some info on how to make this happen in Limerick - there are only 2 Dafne centres outside of Dublin, which has 3. I got some of the info and I'm ready to take on the next step. I'm hoping that there are more people like me who see something that's going to improve their life, that they deserve and others deserve and go for it?

08-07-2009, 10:06	#27
niamh.brady Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 58 Adverts \| Friends	DAFNE - diabetes course Hi guys, I don't know where all the old DAFNE posts have gone, but I've searched and can't find one so I am starting another one. I moved to the diabetic clinic in UCHG last month and, as hoped, they put me on the waiting list for DAFNE. I was advised that the wait list worked out as an 11 year wait!!!! 2 weeks later I got a call with a cancellation appointment so I am doing the course at the end of the month (July 27th). I know that it is full time over 5 days (and have checked all the websites), but can anyone offer more insight into what happens, what is discussed, expected etc? Has anyone whose done it found a huge improvement in their management? Thanks

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13-02-2009, 23:05	#16
tbh meh... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: 10, Ireland Road, Ireland Posts: 13,242 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Long Term Illness, The Thunderdome	you need to get a referral from your specialist

07-03-2009, 13:21	#18
tbh meh... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: 10, Ireland Road, Ireland Posts: 13,242 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Long Term Illness, The Thunderdome	thanks for that Eddied, great post.

07-03-2009, 19:31	#19
atmmusa Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 35 Adverts \| Friends	hmmmm.I asked about it in Mater and they told me they didn't do DaFNE. They offered me ''BURGER'' (BERGER?) instead <lol> telling me it's the same but im not too sure<?> has anyone heard about it? there doesn seem to be anything on the web.I am a bit disappointed, should I change the Hospital?

23-03-2009, 10:14	#21
philten Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 42 Adverts \| Friends	Hi stinkybum, how did you get on the DAFNE course? I attend the mater but have neglected to make another appt with the Diabetic clinic as not too happy with it in there and thinking off changing to tallaght maybe. If the mater don't do it might make my decision easier

23-03-2009, 18:29	#22
stinkybum Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 26 Adverts \| Friends	I dont know for sure that they dont do it, i'd just be very very surprised - they've always poo-poo-ed the idea. I got on the DAFNE course by asking at my clinic - i went through my consultant initially but they are bloody brilliant in Beaumont. the girls in the clinic are fantastic and i have a whole heap of respect for them. I'm gasping to do the course now as i've had a bit of a taste of it and i just really want to totally understand it and get cracking. Good luck.

23-03-2009, 19:23	#23
1967 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Waterford Posts: 349 Adverts \| Friends	As someone who was diagnosed type 2 christmas eve 2007 woke up in intensive care 3 days later to be told i was diabetic and that i had died my blood sugars were 96.4.I am on Byetta and was wondering if anyone else uses it as you dont adjust dosages or anything like that its a fixed dose everytime.

31-03-2009, 18:53	#26
tbh meh... Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: 10, Ireland Road, Ireland Posts: 13,242 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Long Term Illness, The Thunderdome	fair play Gra! and welcome to boards

08-07-2009, 14:17	#28
graflynn Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Co. Clare Posts: 345 Adverts \| Friends	Hi Niamh, Congrats on getting on one so soon. I know a guy who did his in February and he just raves about it. The first thing they do is sort out your long acting insulin (this may involve a basal rate test - nothing too worrisome). Then they start at the beginning with the basics. They go through carb counting, finding your insulin to carb ratio for each meal, how to handle excercise, alcohol, etc. This may sound very basic but they do tailor it to each individual plus you get to meet other type 1's face to face. And the bonus for me would be that you only have to attend the clinic once a year afterwards - unless you want to. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Grainne.

09-07-2009, 09:44	#30
graflynn Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Co. Clare Posts: 345 Adverts \| Friends	I'm excited for you too! I'd give a lot to be going on a DAFNE - aaahh it's the simple things in life that us diabetics want I'm trying to campaign for DAFNE to be adapted in Limerick but with cutbacks in the HSE, it's difficult. I think there should be a similar programme in every clinic in the country not just the chosen few. A huge step in this campaign would be if more people with diabetes knew about these programmes and started asking for them - power to the people and all that. If you could, I know this might be impossible but, if you could post a day by day account of what you learned on the course, it might encourage more people to get in on the action. BTW are you from the Clare side of Galway or the other? I live in Clare!