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Permalink Reply by JP on May 9, 2011 at 12:07pm

I've wondered the same thing. Those of us with good healthcare are so fortunate. I, for one, cannot imagine dealing with the costs of diabetes on my own - I would be broke. But there are non-profit charity care programs that qualifying diabetics can access. Also, some clinics will give out free insulin samples from the pharmaceutical (sp?) reps.

Are there any meds you can take to help with the peripheral neuropathy in your feet?

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Permalink Reply by Robert on May 9, 2011 at 12:22pm

I am taking Gabapentin (the generic of Neurontin); I take six (6) 600-mg. tablets per day; two tablets at a time, three times a day; and I also take 1000 Units of vitamin E and 1000 units of vitamin D. It helps a little, but not very much. I was on Cymbalta at one time and then the doctor prescribed Ultracet; and the pharmacist caught the error - that combination can cause death as a side effect. I have also been on Hydrocodone but that did not help at all. I have tried topical ointments but nothing helps. I was on Lyrica at one time and that did not help. I am thinking of looking into electrical appliances as an alternative. I do not know what to do.

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Permalink Reply by JP on May 9, 2011 at 12:41pm

Gosh I'm sorry, Robert. I've had T1 diabetes since I was 15 and I'm now 33. I haven't been the greatest diabetic, especially during my teenage years and early 20's. I'm now starting to get even so slight tingly in my feet and I'm aware that none of it can be reversed once it starts. Knowing that I am doing my best to get my A1c down (it's around 7.8) and hope to go on a pump soon.
Thank goodness your pharmacist was diligent and caught the combined prescription error. How scary! I'm so sorry you have to deal with the constant pain in your feet. How does it affect your ability to walk or excercise? I would imagine walking can be very painful. Have you gone to see a pain management specialist?

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Permalink Reply by Tom S on May 11, 2011 at 3:22pm

You can safely increase your gabapentin dose. Most of my problem is at night and I take 1200mg at about 7 pm for that. During the day, if I have issues, I take 600 - 900 mg dose - but my needs during the day are seldom. I suggest you take with your doctor about possibly increasing your dose.

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Permalink Reply by Robert on May 11, 2011 at 8:11pm

I agree with you - I will speak to my doctor. However, I did take 1200 mg. about an hour or two before my bedtime; that makes 4800 mg. this day of Gabapentin.

Rob

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Permalink Reply by Nyxks on May 9, 2011 at 1:04pm

I'm also on Humalog (10 units at each meal) and Lantus (50 units at bedtime)

I'm on the Star Solo for the Lantus as well and just got my script filled yesterday at a cost of 116.89 (I do not have insurance to cover the cost so have to pay out of my own pocket). I can't remember what the cost of the humalog was, but when I got it I got two boxes of the stuff (5 cartridges each), I'm on the pen for of humalog, but I use cartridges to put into the pen itself not a disposable pen like the lantus is.

Only thing I do know is that the Insulin has put me into CC debt something which I've not known till being out on the stuff, I can't get it payed for because I do not qualify for it and I've looked into Trillium to help pay for it but for various reasons I don't meet the requirements (I'm in ontario, canada), so you can say I'm the working poor I work to pay for my insulin but can't live on what I make because of the cost of diabetic supplies (I test min of 6 times a day before and after meals, though really its upwards of 10 because I work out and tend to test before going to bed).

Its costly and I know if my folks where not able to get me my test strips at a senior discount I'd not be testing as often as I do since each 100 strips cost cost to 100 bucks, same goes for the needles for the insulin if it wasn't for my folks getting them with a seniors discount I'd not be taking the insulin as I should because the 100 needles only lasts a max of 25 days, which means the closer to the end of the month it gets the less I inject and test because I'm running short on supplies (which means I will go without testing for a meal or two during the month, I'll go without the dosage of meal time insulin so I have enough needles to last the month - I don't like doing it and my endo doesn't either but its a rock and a hard spot when one can't afford to live and buy ones medication at the same time).

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Permalink Reply by Robert on May 9, 2011 at 3:24pm

I use the Humalog Kwik-Pens; and I buy the BD Nano needles. I hate to admit it, but I use the same needle more than once. It is not like I am sharing needles with Tommy, the druggie down the street, or anything. I am the only one who uses that needle; and a box of needles (100 to a box) costs me $31.00 total; my insurance covers my diabetic testing supplies 100%; so I am lucky in that resort. Walking is precarious at best; I have to hold on to things and I use a walking cane. When I was taking Metformin I developed renal failure; my kidneys just shut down totally and I had to be hospitalized; this was reversed by medication. On Comcast cable there is a channel named "DLife" - in Houston it is Comcast cable channel # 45; and they have very informative shows; all about diabetes in one form or another. This is a horrible disease indeed.

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Permalink Reply by Brock G on May 10, 2011 at 6:56am

Robert there is no shame in admitting using the needles more then once. I have been doing it for the past 28 years without any issues.

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Permalink Reply by dishers on October 11, 2012 at 4:54am

Nyxks do you have a Diabetes Centre near you? I also live in Ontario and I know that they centre will help out those that can't affort to buy there supplies. check it out if you havn't already.

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Permalink Reply by Zoe on May 9, 2011 at 3:14pm

Hi Robert - Yes, I like you, am retired (at least semi-retired) and am grateful every day I have good insurance.

Just a suggestion: YOu might want to consider switching from a sliding scale for your mealtime insulin, which is pretty old school and not as effective as using an insulin:carb ratio. It's a lot more effective way to dose your bolus, taking what you need for the food you are actually eating. Should help you get those numbers down a bit.

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Permalink Reply by Robert on May 9, 2011 at 3:26pm

THANKS. I will definitely try that.

Thanks again.

Rob

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Permalink Reply by Robert on May 10, 2011 at 6:41am

Has anyone ever tried the NEUROPATHY SUPPORT FORMULA that is advertised on the Internet. I am hesitant about buying it as it is a little pricey. There are so many 'snake oil salesmen' on the Internet that you have to be careful. The results for this Neuropathy Support Formula sound almost too good to be true. Just wondering.

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