Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bec on February 17, 2012 at 6:37am

Hi Pam,
Sorry to hear you are feeling overwhelmed - been there several times over the years ;)
When were you diagnosed? You may be honeymooning (even if diagnosed prior to taking insulin)...
I have been on Humalog for meals/food and Lantus for years - all insulin has the potential to make you gain weight (synthetic horomone) if you abuse it that way (a lot of people just keep eating the same and think if they take the right amount insulin that means they are managing...not always so).
I would suggest you test every 2 hours and at 3 am - whenever my BGs go bonkers that's what I do, as it really helps me find a pattern and I would track using a food journal...maybe there are some things that are 'toying' with your numbers. Also, have your doctor go over ALL your medications.
I hope you find the support you need here - it has helped me tremendously in the short time I have been on TuD (I do not have contact with my family - but am fortunate to have an amazing husband, son, and mother-in-law at home with me).
I'm not sure if anything I've said will help, but sometimes just being able to VENT it out is helpful :)
All the best,
Bec :)

Permalink Reply by Pam on February 17, 2012 at 8:28am

Thank you Bec. What is honeymooning? I'm not familiar with alot of terms used here. :P I've hardly been eating anything...trying to get my #'s to come down...I'm doing between 30-45g. of carbs a meal. Sometimes more, sometimes less. The nutritionist gave me 45 for each meal and then 30 for a snack at night. That really seemed like alot to me compared to what I was/am doing. As far as testing every 2 hours, I can't do that because I have to watch how many strips I am using. My co-pay isn't met on Medicare yet and so my insurance's cost is $73 for a box of 100!! I can buy them cheaper on the internet. Are you Type 1 or Type 2. They seem to be really prejudiced against Type 2's....I have a friend who's Type 1 and she can get all kinds of help with insulin, strips, etc.....but they (meaning insurance cos.)....act like it's all of our fault that we have diabetes.

I've been wondering if I've been misdiagnosed...been 20-21 years ago....could I be a Type 1?? The doctor I was going to at that time was not too great and wasn't even board certified.

Thanks for taking the time to comment and make suggestions.

Permalink Reply by Phill Dill on February 17, 2012 at 9:35am

what meter do you use? as i have a meter or 2 here they just need batteries and i have about 1000 strips for it as well. it is a breeze 2. i now use the contour usb meter so i can send the results to dr office. I would have to send it COD to you.

Permalink Reply by Pam on February 17, 2012 at 1:34pm

Phill, I use Freestyle Lt. I just love it because it barely takes any blood at all! I can only get certain ones because of Medicare. I'm on disability for several reasons. I've got a Contour here, needs a new battery...also have a couple of other's too that need batteries OR strips. I don't know how anyone can test more than a few times a day with the cost of strips. I certainly can't. Unless they are Type 1 and then I think they can get insulin and strips for free through some "help" program for Type 1's....it's something like that. My friend is Type 1 and she told me that. That's what I meant by the discrimination of Type 2's.....not fair!! I am on disability for a reason,have worked since I was 14 and paid taxes all of my life including property taxes...so I feel I should be entitled to some help as well. You can get a free meter at the drop of a hat but it doesn't help if you don't have or can't afford the strips. **sigh** Thank you so much for the offer. I really appreciate it.

My Freestyle hooks up with the doctor too but they've just recently implemented that system so haven't used it yet.

Permalink Reply by Phill Dill on February 17, 2012 at 2:08pm

I just want this stuff that I already paid for to go to someone that can use it and needs it as well. I just cant ship it due to cost. I test 4-6 times a day and it is a pain but worth the effort as my numbers are getting there now but a long way to go for my goal.

Permalink Reply by Pam on February 17, 2012 at 2:16pm

Do you have a free clinic in your city Phill? We have one here that doctor's volunteer at (and nurses) and they willing accept those types of things for people who can't afford them.

Permalink Reply by Phill Dill on February 17, 2012 at 2:18pm

Yes I donate lots there when I can get there as it is miles away.

Permalink Reply by Bec on February 17, 2012 at 2:13pm

I was diagnosed a Type 1 about 14 years ago (and I'm confused by a lot of the terms on here, the numbers mix me up too because I am in Canada) - I use syringes, and take Humalog and Lantus; I have long thought my diagnosis was years overdue.

Anyways, sorry I didn't respond sooner, this must have slipped through the radar (I currently have a teething toddler)...honeymooning is (as I was told) the months - years after you are diagnosed and start treating; lots of dosage changes, etc during this time. Your meal allowments are pretty standard.

I can totally relate to the expense of strips - we have been without benefit coverage for years (my husband got a new job and they have benefits, so we feel like we won the lottery!) and the only financial assistance I was able to get for anything was for strips through the Canadian Diabetes Association, but they only cover up to $800, with my strips costing about $90 a box and using up to 2 boxes a month, that money doesn't go very far (especially when we are completely out of pocket for syringes, insulin, etc).

Perhaps you were misdiagnosed - really hard to say. Hopefully, your team and you can get you back on track ;)

Permalink Reply by Pam on February 17, 2012 at 2:29pm

Hi Bec....you weren't late in responding....I just asked that a little earlier but I tend to get lost in here or jumping around reading this and that! lol Ok....well the honeymoon is long over for me! :D lol Maybe I'm on my 2nd honeymoon since I started the insulin in Nov. :P

We have Medicaid here that is "supposed" to help with the strips but they gave me (and alot of others) a spend down...which is very confusing to explain...but in other words it's like having that as a co-ay EACH month so it's useless to me!! I think they work it out that way so they don't have to pay anything. I'm just $22 short of my co-pay on my MediCARE so a box of 100 would cost me $73 and I can't afford that and feel rather rebellious about paying it if I could....so I got them much cheaper off of the internet! It is a nightmare what they do to sick people. I used the pens (for now) but if things change I will have syringes to buy also.

I'm SOOOOO happy for you that your hubby got a job with insurance! Woo Hoo!!

I know I was tested as a teenager (possibly younger) for diabetes but it was okay....was never tested again til in my 30's....then it was a big YES for diabetes and high-blood pressure. I may be crazy but I really believe that a new job I had started, with a horrible supervisor caused the new "health" problems. From stress! I also developed TMJ from clenching my jaws under the stress. Well, that's all water under the bridge now.

Thanks for replying back.....now I know. God bless you with your little "teething toddler".

Permalink Reply by Bec on February 17, 2012 at 5:55pm

I'm not 100% sure but I think the honeymoon ref is for insulin treatment - so...if this is your first go with that it could be like a first honeymoon :P
I've noticed that things are very complicated w/insurance, etc. in the US - it can be that way in Canada too, I am grateful I live in Ontario (I can also claim my prescriptions on my income tax, though I'm not exactly sure how much of that I am getting back!).
AND, you are ABSOLUTELY NOT crazy to think that stress can bring about health troubles, I completely believe that (I do not have relationships with my family anymore -very complicated and sorted affair!- but when I was 19 I went DKA and had to move back in with my father, I was there for 18 months and during that time I had hives all over my body...I went to 3 allergists, had countless bloodwork done and they never found anything...I moved out, they disappeared!!).
Enjoy your weekend :)

Permalink Reply by Phill Dill on February 17, 2012 at 7:05am

First off Levimere will take 3 weeks to find out what the real effect will be on most people this is from knowing 12 family members on it as I am back on Lantus. Findout if you can take Novolog it is about the same as Humalog mix. Also maybe take metformin along with Byetta the side effects are nausa, it goes away in 2 weeks or so, and weigh loss. There is another med that is oral called Januvia that may work as well. Hope these help in some way and let me know what you try and the outcome of it all.

Permalink Reply by Pam on February 17, 2012 at 8:31am

Ahhhhh, maybe that is the problem then Phill. It's not been long enough. I've been back on the Levemir since 2-2. I do take Metformin ER 500mg x 2. I have heard about the Januvia and was just reading about it the other day.

I think somehow I may have gotten into the wrong group. ??? I was reading a bunch of posts about Lantus and Levemir so I clicked to get into that group and now it says Lantus and Humalog. Talk about confused! lol

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page