Spring/Summer 2006 Newsletter

Newsletter - summer 2006

Hi everyone, hope all the exams are out of the way and you can turn your attention to summer.

Holidays

If you are planning to travel abroad during the holidays and would like advice on travelling across time zones, caring for insulin in a hot country, or how to sunbathe safely with a pump; then please don’t hesitate to contact the children’s diabetes team for further information.

GOOD BOOKS you may wish to purchase are:

1.Type 1 diabetes in children, adolescents and adults by Ragnar Hanas

2. Pumping Insulin by Walsh & Roberts.

Both books can be obtained from good bookshops or Amazon.co.uk

HANDY HINT

Some other pump users have found this tip helpful.

To aid healing at your pump sites try applying natural vitamin e oil found in the capsules from the chemist. You have to pierce the capsule and then apply the oil to the skin. Tea tree cream is another remedy to try.

Pump Support Group

If anyone is interested in starting or joining an insulin support group then please contact Carole Gelder on 0113 2066604.

Useful website addresses

Here are some useful websites, which you might like to put in your favourites.

Our very own www.leedsth.nhs.uk/sites/diabetes
www.yorkshirediabetes.com
Caroline Hill pump accessories email carolinehill@ntlworld.com or web address www.carolinescovers.co.uk.

Go on check them out.

Urgent

1.meter warning

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a safety warning following reports of problems with the following meters:

Blood glucose meters manufactured by Abbot Diabetes care

Freestyle and freestyle mini

Medisense optium exceed

Blood glucose meters manufactured by Lifescan

Lifescan one touch

Lifescan In duo

Lifescan Pocket scan

The problem reported is that the units of measurement may inadvertently change from mmol/l to mg/dl, thus resulting in the meter user thinking that the blood glucose levels are too high as test results displayed in mg/dl are 18 times higher than those expressed in mmol/l.

Results such as this could result in adjusting insulin doses incorrectly thus causing hypoglycaemia.

If you use one of the above meters then please contact the manufacturer who will replace affected meters free of charge.

Abbott Diabetes Care customer helpline: 0500 467466

Lifescan Customer care: 0800 121200

In the meantime make sure you meter is reading in mmol/l every time you test and change your battery immediately when the low battery symbol appears.

For more information visit the MHRA website at www.mhra.gov.uk/

2. Flexlink alert

Users of Accu-Check flexlink pump set are warned that the tubing can fully or partially separate at the luer lock connection. This could mean a loss of insulin leading to hyperglycaemia. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have received several reports of serious incidents where people have experienced hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis.

Users are advised to change to an alternative set such as Accucheck Tender or Rapid.

For further help and advice contact the diabetes team or Accucheck Pump Careline on 0800 731 2291

Important information for young drivers

If you are over 17 and are learning to drive or have passed your test then this information is for you.

By law you must inform the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you take insulin or tablets for your diabetes.

Following these guidelines will ensure a safe journey.

Plan your journey carefully
Always carry blood glucose monitoring equipment and insulin/medication
Be prepared for traffic delays
Always carry some form of identification
Always keep hypo remedy and extra biscuits, fruit or sandwiches in the car
Stop for a snack every 2 hours
Don’t miss meals or snacks
Don’t drive if your blood glucose levels are below 5 mmol/l
Check you blood glucose levels before driving to make sure they are above 5mmol/l. If not then treat as hypo, wait 45 minutes and test again before starting your journey
Check blood glucose levels regularly during a long journey

What to do if you feel hypo whilst driving

Park the car safely
Remove the ignition keys and change seats
Treat with high glucose food or drink followed by a starchy snack such as a sandwich
Check your blood glucose levels to make sure they are above 5mmol/l
Wait at least 45 minutes after feeling better before resuming your journey

REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVE A HYPO AT THE WHEEL YOU COULD BE CHARGED WITH A DRIVING OFFENCE AND MAY LOSE YOUR LICENSE

Further information can be obtained from DVLA, our website and literature from the diabetes team.

Dates for your diary

Teddy bears picnic for younger children and families (0-8years) 12 midday outside the Lakeside Café at Roundhay Park

Education sessions:

Weds 26th July 1030-12 MD Neonatal Seminar room SJUH “ Holidays & Activities” (Ages 9 to 12 years)

Thurs 27th July 2.30 – 4pm Post Grad suite SJUH “Holidays & Activities” (Ages 13 to 15 years)

Tues 8th August 2.30-4pm School Room LGI “ Holidays & Activities” (Ages 9 to 12 years)

If you would like to book onto an education session and haven’t already done so please don’t hesitate to contact one of us.

LEEDS DIABETES WEEK

Thursday 28.9.06 6-9pm Parents evening for all to be held at St James’s hospital site.

Saturday 7.10.06 City Wide Focus on Diabetes for all ages. Thackray Medical Museum Watch out for further information on this in the local press and posters nearer the time.

Wednesday 11.10 .06 Evening Focus group for Transition to adult services. Would you like to join the team to share your views on how this can be managed smoothly? If so we would welcome both parents and children/adolescents to this evening. Please speak to a member of the Leeds Children’s Diabetes Team for more information.

Finally

We would like to wish you all an enjoyable summer from the Leeds Children’s Diabetes Team