My Diabetes My Way: June 2022 Update

Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way Newsletter for June 2022.

Enter Your Home Data
When you log in to access your records on My Diabetes My Way, you are able to add measurements you have recorded at home. If you measure your weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose or cholesterol, then you can add this data to your record. This means you don't have to keep paper lists or spreadsheets and means that all of your diabetes information is held in the same place. You can also set goals for these measurements, along with HbA1c and smoking status. For example, if you smoke and want to quit over the next few months, set a target date and work towards it. Similarly, if you would like to lose some weight or improve your blood pressure, you can log these goals too. Go to the “My Home Data” section within your record to get started.

One Million Step Challenge
Diabetes UK launch their "One Million Step Challenge" in July. The aim is to get people active over the next three months with a target of reaching one million steps by the end of September. If you can, you’ll need to take an average of at least 10,000 steps a day to reach the target. How you do them and where you do them is completely up you. Find out more at: https://step.diabetes.org.uk

To track your steps, we developed a link to Fitbit (www.fitbit.com) that allows you to add your activity tracker data to My Diabetes My Way. If you have a Fitbit device, log in to My Diabetes My Way and select “My Services”. You can then link your Fitbit account and connect your Fitbit records. When you do this, you will see a new section named “My Activity” where you can monitor your steps, heart rate and many other Fitbit measurements.

Even if you don't own a Fitbit device, you can still track your activity for free by downloading the Fitbit app on your smartphone and using Fitbit’s MobileTrack function. MobileTrack lets you use the Fitbit app without a Fitbit device by using your phone's sensors to track basic activity data including steps, distance, and calories burned. More information on MobileTrack can be found here: https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1875

Travel Tips for Summer
For most of us holidays abroad have been on hold but now times are changing. The My Diabetes My Way team would like to remind you of some resources that are available to ensure you have a fantastic holiday or trip. Some of the resources also apply to holidays in the UK and tips to cope with warmer weather in general. Preparation is key - here are some things to consider:
• Make sure you have enough of your medications to last your trip
• Arrange a travel letter with your healthcare team if required
• Remember your glucose and ketone monitoring equipment if you use it
• Remember your hypoglycaemia treatment if required
• Know your sick day rules
• Do some advanced research into healthcare in your chosen holiday location
• Discuss with your diabetes healthcare team in advance

Further reading and resources:
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-lifestyle/lifestyle/
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/internal/advice-to-help-you-care-for-your-feet-on-holiday

MDMW Mobile App
The free My Diabetes My Way mobile app is available for you to access on the go. If you haven’t already downloaded the app and would like to be able to access your diabetes records on your mobile device, search “My Diabetes My Way” on your app store, or see our setup guide for instructions: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/media/3463/mydiabetesmywaymobileappsetv10.pdf

We are planning some updates to the app in the coming months and will let you know when they are available. In the meantime, if you have any feedback, please let us know.

Free Online Course for Type 1 Diabetes
My Way Digital Health are hosting a Massive Open Online Course on "Understanding Type 1 Diabetes" on 13th and 14th July. The course is available to anyone with type 1 diabetes and people who care for them, including family, friends and healthcare professionals. The course offers a supportive shared learning experience for anyone living with Type 1 diabetes. To book your place, please visit https://understandingtype1.mydiabetes.com

My Diabetes My Way Admin
Due to the current situation with Coronavirus, it is taking us longer to collect mail, create new enrolment packs and send out registration paperwork for you to access your diabetes records. We are currently processing enrolment packs in batches every two weeks, but we are now happy for you to email us back a photo or scanned copy of your signed form to avoid any further delays.

Help and Support
If you have not yet managed to gain access to your diabetes records on My Diabetes My Way, or would like an update on the status of your registration, please let us know. You can contact us regarding any problems or request further help and support by emailing: mydiabetes.myway@nhs.scot

Thank you for your continued support.