Newly diagnosed - no insurance - what do I do now?

Hi,
I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
a bunch of samples for Actos.

My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Brad Pardee

HI Brad,

Sorry to hear about your bad news... Just about everyone here has heard
similar tidings from the doctor at one time or another. Do not despair.
There is a lot you can do to take charge and control your diabetes, and
still have a normal life! From the suggestion from your doctor that you can
control with diet and exercise, I assume you are diagnosed as a type 2...
Most of us are T2s, also, but you will find many knowledgeable and caring
T1s here, as well....

For starters, I recommend the page on the asd website authored by Jennifer.
Here is the link:

http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm

Good luck to you.... I am sure many others will be along presently with lots
of good advice.

Will, T2

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

"Brad Pardee" <bp51414@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:u7rki21457bvar7pkg5r77nvkfhct4k47b@4ax.com...
> My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
> looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.

This first, Brad: http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/...0Diagnosed.htm

Then get a copy of Gretchen Becker's Type 2 Diabetes; The First Year.

Hopefully some of the Americans will be along soon to give advice on
surviving without insurance!

Nicky.

--
A1c 10.5/5.3/<6 T2 DX 05/2004
No Metformin, 100ug Thyroxine
95/72/72Kg

x-no-archive: yes

Brad Pardee wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
> week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
> no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
> tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
> thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
> said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
> a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
> My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
> looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.

Go here, get a free or cheap blood glucose meter (the Walmart Relion is
hte cheapest to use over time due to low cost of strips) and adjust your
diet to keep your bg under 140 at all times post meal:

http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/...0Diagnosed.htm

The books you might want to consider getting at your library that I
think are the most informative and helpful on the issue of diet would be
Gretchen Becker's "The First Year" for type 2 DM, Dr. Bernstein's
Diabetes Solution (much of which is available for free at his web site:

http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/, and the original Protein Power,
byt the Eades.

I know it's scary to have a DM diagnosis and no health insurance, but
the Very Good News is that the most important things you can do to
manage it are dietary modifications guided by your bg meter and
exercise. Even a 15 minute walk 45 minutes after a meal can make a huge
difference in your bg increase. Building muscle helps your body use
more glucose, too.

Susan

Brad Pardee wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
> week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
> no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
> tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
> thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
> said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
> a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
> My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
> looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
> Brad Pardee

Brad ... you should have had an opportunity to continue
your health insurance through COBRA ... it is a program
that gives you the opportunity to continue whatever
health insurance you had through your employer. Check
with your former employer to see if you still have the
opportunity to continue your health insurance at your
own cost. If you had coverage in September, it sounds
like it may not be too late.

It is going to be difficult to find coverage as a diabetic
unless you get hired on by a company that can just add
you to their group. Continuing your old insurance, even
at your own cost, is worth checking out ASAP.

best of luck

Paul

Brad - most pharmacuetical companies have patient assistance programs
that your doctor's office can help you access, or you can contact the
company directly. I don't remember who makes Actos but that would be
easy to find out on Google.
As far as continuing medical care, the COBRA option is the best,
although usually pricey. If you cannot go that route, contact a
community heath center in your area NOW - the ones in my town have a
couple of month wait to get in. These places will see you on a sliding
scale payment.
Good Luck

Brad Pardee wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
> week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
> no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
> tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
> thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
> said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
> a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
> My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
> looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
> Brad Pardee

Brad - check with your Walmart - they have a new low cost drug program.

sharppointy1 wrote:
> Brad - most pharmacuetical companies have patient assistance programs
> that your doctor's office can help you access, or you can contact the
> company directly. I don't remember who makes Actos but that would be
> easy to find out on Google.
> As far as continuing medical care, the COBRA option is the best,
> although usually pricey. If you cannot go that route, contact a
> community heath center in your area NOW - the ones in my town have a
> couple of month wait to get in. These places will see you on a sliding
> scale payment.
> Good Luck
>
> Brad Pardee wrote:
> > Hi,
> > I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
> > week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
> > no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
> > tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
> > thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
> > said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
> > a bunch of samples for Actos.
> >
> > My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
> > looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
> >
> > Any suggestions?
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Brad Pardee

I don't have insurance, but I keep a "medical money" fund. I add to it
all the time, sometimes more, sometimes less, but it's there for the
everyday expenses of diabetes. Also, I don't carry credit card balances,
but I keep an empty card with a high balance just in case. Ted can give
you good advice on where to buy the cheapest medications, if and when
you need them. Diet and excercise can be your biggest help, along with
testing. I use Tru-Track from Walgreen's but I believe Wal-Mart brand is
cheaper. I have other meters, but I like Tru-Track and it seems to be
consistent with the higher priced meters. Some things you can't scrimp
on IMO, and they would be regular eye checks, any problems with feet and
legs, lab work to catch developing problems, and a BG monitor/BG test
strips to test often, especially at first. Good luck, and I hope you
find a job with benefits soon.

--
Cheri

Brad Pardee wrote in message ...
>Hi,
>I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
>week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
>no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
>tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
>thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
>said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
>a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
>My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
>looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>
>Any suggestions?
>
>Thanks!
>Brad Pardee

Brad Pardee wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
> week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
> no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
> tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
> thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
> said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
> a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
> My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
> looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>
> Any suggestions?

Brad, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but if there is any good that
comes from that it's that you caught it now rather than later.
Millions of Americans have diabetes and don't even know it. There is
much to learn about this very complicated disease and there will be
time for you to learn it.

My suggestions to start with are...

1) try to make a consultation appointment with an endocrinologist who
specializes in diabetes. I'm aware that you don't have health
insurance right now but if one appointment may be worth the fee and
he/she could give you some good basic infomation, including turning you
on to a diabetes educator and program in your area.

2) You can get great basic information at both of these sites...
www.diabetes.org and www.joslin.org The ADA site also has some very
good message boards on there with lots of newbies to diabetes just like
yourself who will help you take these very confusing and important
first steps.

Most important, realize that like snowflakes no two diabetics are
alike. You will have your own personal dietary and exercise needs.
Try to find a doctor or diabetes educator who you can afford and who
you trust. You may even be surprised to discover what many diabetics
have, that having this disease and dealing with it in a proactive
manner will make you healthier than most people who don't have it at
all.

Best of luck in your journey.

Kurt

On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 10:42:28 -0500, Brad Pardee <bp51414@alltel.net>
wrote:

>Hi,
>I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
>week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
>no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
>tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
>thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
>said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
>a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
>My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
>looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>
>Any suggestions?
>
>Thanks!
>Brad Pardee

Hi, Brad --

I feel your pain. I don't have medical insurance, either, but
fortunately, there are quite a few people here who understand what
it's like not to have a "medical team," or to have an incompetent one.

I can stay in control with diet and exercise because of the
information I've learned from this group. You've already been given
some good links. I've also read the books by Gretchen Becker, Dr.
Atkins and Dr. Bernstein. (I'm not getting a commission for
mentioning these books -- darn it.)

I will also tell you that I have *not* been in control for the past
several weeks. But that isn't because I don't know what to do -- it's
because I haven't been doing it. Did quit smoking, though, so I'm
hoping the "good things" will catch up with me. :-)

Good luck to you.
Blue
T2/D&E/June 2005

In article <u7rki21457bvar7pkg5r77nvkfhct4k47b@4ax.com>,
Brad Pardee <bp51414@alltel.net> wrote:

> Hi,
> I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
> week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
> no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
> tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
> thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
> said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
> a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
> My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
> looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>
> Any suggestions?

There are tons of free resources on the web and in public libraries.
Contact your local hospitals to see if they offer a free diabetes
education course or ask if they have a diabetes support group. These are
usually free.

Contact local social work agencies in your area to see what medical
resources are available to you. If there's a public health office in
your community, stop by to see what they can do for you.

And start getting some exercise.

Good luck!

I find that to be true when I run into problems with my diabetes too.
Not for lack of knowing some days, but for lack of doing. Quitting
smoking is wonderful, and I believe the good things will. In the earlier
days, I had lots of times where I wasn't doing so good, but reading the
group every day always keeps me on track (sooner than later these days.)

--
Cheri

BlueBrooke wrote in message ...

>I will also tell you that I have *not* been in control for the past
>several weeks. But that isn't because I don't know what to do -- it's
>because I haven't been doing it. Did quit smoking, though, so I'm
>hoping the "good things" will catch up with me. :-)
>
>Good luck to you.
>Blue
>T2/D&E/June 2005

Brad Pardee wrote:

> Hi,
> I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
> week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
> no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
> tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
> thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
> said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
> a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
> My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
> looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
> Brad Pardee


Brad...

I'm so sorry you had to join us... and I'm also so sorry your insurance
ran out.

I am also concerned that your doctor would say you can control with diet
and exercise... but not tell you how. And then give you some samples of
Actos... but not tell you how to get more or what it was supposed to do
for you. And not try to schedule a follow up appointment!

If you still like this doctor, I would suggest you make a followup
appointment. Pay for it out of pocket. But make the most of your
money. Come armed with a list of questions. People here can help you
with questions you'll want answered. Do not leave until you have all
your questions answered in ways you understand. You're not paying by
the hour... so get all you can out of the visit. Explain that you don't
have insurance and ask that the doc work with you to come up with an
appointment plan that you can afford. Maybe that means every 3 months,
a quick A1c and check in... maybe every 6. Talk to him and lay it on
the table.

It will be well worth your investment.

If he wants you to take meds... you can use that time to get a
prescription. If meds are involved, ask for ones that have generic
versions. They're much much cheaper.

Also, you'll want to get the results of any tests you've already taken.
Get them on paper. If you can't afford insurance, you'll have to
start taking charge of your own care. And having those test results
will help.

The reality is many people cannot afford health care, but there are ways
to take care of yourself even in that position. Make every dollar you
spend count.

In the meantime, as a diabetic, you'll want a glucose meter and strips.
There are many at different prices. Shop around until you find one
that fits your budget. I've heard Walgreens has an economical version.

As you work on ways to navigate the health care system without
insurance... this is the advice I give all newbies. It might help.


There is so much to absorb... you don't have to rush into anything. Begin
by using your best weapon in this war, your meter. You won't keel over
today, you have time to experiment, test, learn, test and figure out just
how your body and this disease are getting along. The most important
thing you can do to learn about yourself and diabetes is test test test.

More than most anything, what you eat will affect your diabetes and
your blood glucose numbers.

And more than anything you eat, carbs will affect your diabetes and
your blood glucose numbers.

So, the most important information you can begin to compile about
yourself, is how your body handles carbs.

This sounds like you would need a low carb food plan right?

You don't... what you need to uncover is YOUR Personalized Carb Number.

Which actually works better for most everyone. Because low to one
person is wildly high to another, but waaaaay too low for someone
else.

Is low carb less than 30g a day? Is it anything less than the
Pyramid reccomendations?

Finding your Personalized Carb Number is easy.

Here's how you can figure out your own Personalized Carb Number.

The single biggest question a diabetic has to answer is:

What do I eat?

Unfortunately, the answer is pretty confusing.

What confounds us all is the fact that different diabetics can get great
results on wildly different food plans. Some of us here achieve
great blood glucose control eating a high complex carbohydrate diet.
Others find that anything over 75 - 100g of carbs a day is too
much. Still others are somewhere in between.

At the beginning all of us felt frustrated. We wanted to be handed
THE way to eat, to ensure our continued health. But we all
learned that there is no one way. Each of us had to find our own path,
using the experience of those that went before, but still having
to discover for ourselves how OUR bodies and this disease were coexisting.

Ask questions, but remember each of us discovered on our own what works best
for us. You can use our experiences as jumping off points, but eventually
you'll work up a successful plan that is yours alone.

What you are looking to discover is how different foods affect you. As I'm
sure you've read, carbohydrates (sugars, wheat, rice... the things our
Grandmas called "starches") raise blood sugars the most rapidly. Protein
and fat do raise them, but not as high and much more slowly... so if you're
a T2, generally the insulin your body still makes may take care of the rise.

You might want to try some experiments.

First: Eat whatever you've been
currently eating... but write it all down.
Test yourself at the following times:

Upon waking (fasting)
1 hour after each meal
2 hours after each meal
At bedtime

That means 8 x each day. What you will discover by this is how long
after a meal your highest reading comes... and how fast you return to
"normal". Also, you may see that a meal that included bread, fruit or
other carbs gives you a higher reading.

Then for the next few days, try to curb your carbs. Eliminate breads,
cereals, rices, beans, any wheat products, potato, corn, fruit... get all
your carbs from veggies. Test at the same schedule above.

If you try this for a few days, you may find some pretty damn good
readings. It's worth a few days to discover.

Eventually you can slowly add back carbs until you see them affecting your
meter.

The thing about this disease... though we share much in common and we
need to
follow certain guidelines... in the end, each of our bodies dictate our
treatment and our success.

The closer we get to non-diabetic numbers, the greater chance we have of
avoiding horrible complications. The key here is AIM... I know that
everyone is at a different point in their disease... and it is progressive.
But, if we aim for the best numbers and do our best, we give ourselves the
best shot at heath we've got.
That's all we can do.

Here's my opinion on what numbers to aim for, they are non-diabetic numbers.

FBG under 100
One hour after meals under 140
Two hours after meals under 120

or for those in the mmol parts of the world:

Fasting Under 6
One hour after meals Under 8
Two hours after meals Under 6.5

Recent studies have indicated that the most important numbers are your
"after meal" numbers. They may be the most indicative of future
complications, especially heart problems.

Listen to your doctor, but you are the leader of your diabetic
care team. While his /her advice is learned, it is not absolute. You
will end up knowing much more about your body and how it's handling
diabetes than your doctor will. Your meter is your best weapon.

Just remember, we're not in a race or a competition with anyone but
ourselves... Play around with your food plan... TEST TEST TEST. Learn what
foods cause spikes, what foods cause cravings... Use your body as a science
experiment.

You'll read about a lot of different ways people use to control their
diabetes... Many are diametrically opposed. After awhile you'll learn that
there is no one size fits all around here. Take some time to experiment
and you'll soon discover the plan that works for you.

Best of luck!

Jennifer

BlueBrooke <bluenospambrooke@gmail.com> wrote:
: On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 10:42:28 -0500, Brad Pardee <bp51414@alltel.net>
: wrote:

: >Hi,
: >I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
: >week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
: >no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
: >tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
: >thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
: >said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
: >a bunch of samples for Actos.
: >
: >My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
: >looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
: >
: >Any suggestions?
: >
: >Thanks!
: >Brad Pardee

: Hi, Brad --

: I feel your pain. I don't have medical insurance, either, but
: fortunately, there are quite a few people here who understand what
: it's like not to have a "medical team," or to have an incompetent one.

: I can stay in control with diet and exercise because of the
: information I've learned from this group. You've already been given
: some good links. I've also read the books by Gretchen Becker, Dr.
: Atkins and Dr. Bernstein. (I'm not getting a commission for
: mentioning these books -- darn it.)

: I will also tell you that I have *not* been in control for the past
: several weeks. But that isn't because I don't know what to do -- it's
: because I haven't been doing it. Did quit smoking, though, so I'm
: hoping the "good things" will catch up with me. :-)

: Good luck to you.
: Blue
: T2/D&E/June 2005

Blue,

If you have just stopped smoking, and are losing control of your bg's be
careful as it is also very easy to gain weight at such a time, making the
getting back in line much harder down the road.

Much easier said than done, I know. If you teeth can take it, try chewing
gum.

Wendy

"Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom> wrote in message
news:c8CdnSXKpsfYGLfYnZ2dnUVZ_rqdnZ2d@inreach.com. ..
>I don't have insurance, but I keep a "medical money" fund. I add to it
> all the time, sometimes more, sometimes less, but it's there for the
> everyday expenses of diabetes.
>

And remember -- diabetes may not be the only medical problem you have to
deal with. You can trip & fall on your face or sprain or break something.
(done that)
You can get cancer. (done that too -- & the regular checkups & tests related
to that can rival dm in costs, not even counting the original surgery &
treatment)
You can get really really sick & need to go in the hospital. (not done that
yet!)
All the things that can & do happen to non-diabetics!

And none that are "someone else's fault" that you may have some chance of
getting them to pay for even much later & inadequately.

If I could be sure that all I had to cover was diabetes I'd drop my
insurance & wait it out until Medicare, it's under 3 years now.
bj

On Mon, 9 Oct 2006 10:26:20 -0700, "Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom>
wrote:

>I don't have insurance, but I keep a "medical money" fund. I add to it
>all the time, sometimes more, sometimes less, but it's there for the
>everyday expenses of diabetes. Also, I don't carry credit card balances,
>but I keep an empty card with a high balance just in case. Ted can give
>you good advice on where to buy the cheapest medications, if and when
>you need them. Diet and excercise can be your biggest help, along with
>testing. I use Tru-Track from Walgreen's but I believe Wal-Mart brand is
>cheaper. I have other meters, but I like Tru-Track and it seems to be
>consistent with the higher priced meters. Some things you can't scrimp
>on IMO, and they would be regular eye checks, any problems with feet and
>legs, lab work to catch developing problems, and a BG monitor/BG test
>strips to test often, especially at first. Good luck, and I hope you
>find a job with benefits soon.

NO one should be put n a bind because they develop diabetes or
any other disease that they do not bring on themselves.

We do not live in a jungle but supposedly a civilized society.
I may be wrong on this point.

The greedy try to convince us that we should give
them all under the ploy of free enterprise.

Freedom means an equal opportunity for all. Not
an elite few. If you accept their questionable
claims that you should be an economic slave
because they are special, you are a sucker,

Health care is not a luxury for a select few.

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

Gantlet wrote:
>
> well most low carbers will tell you to buy books on low carb.
>
> those that are not religious about diet will tell you especially in the
> begining to work with
> your doctor and dietitian in regards to diet and exercise.
>
> Tom
>
>

But with no job and no insurance numerous visits to a doctor and a
dietitian will be expensive. I'm not going to recommend any diet books
but I have seen many people recommend a book called Diabetes solution. I
don't know how good it is having not read it but I did bookmark the
online version of it.

http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/readit.shtml

It might be that initially Brad will have to go the poor mans route by
following whatever advice the doctor at the physical gave him and
reading up on Diabetes. Me, I bought a book for some general reference
and for my family to read. I thought it might help them better
understand what I'm dealing with.

On Mon, 9 Oct 2006 20:33:19 +0000 (UTC), "W. Baker" <wbaker@panix.com>
wrote:

>BlueBrooke <bluenospambrooke@gmail.com> wrote:
>: On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 10:42:28 -0500, Brad Pardee <bp51414@alltel.net>
>: wrote:
>
>: >Hi,
>: >I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
>: >week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
>: >no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
>: >tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
>: >thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
>: >said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
>: >a bunch of samples for Actos.
>: >
>: >My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
>: >looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>: >
>: >Any suggestions?
>: >
>: >Thanks!
>: >Brad Pardee
>
>: Hi, Brad --
>
>: I feel your pain. I don't have medical insurance, either, but
>: fortunately, there are quite a few people here who understand what
>: it's like not to have a "medical team," or to have an incompetent one.
>
>: I can stay in control with diet and exercise because of the
>: information I've learned from this group. You've already been given
>: some good links. I've also read the books by Gretchen Becker, Dr.
>: Atkins and Dr. Bernstein. (I'm not getting a commission for
>: mentioning these books -- darn it.)
>
>: I will also tell you that I have *not* been in control for the past
>: several weeks. But that isn't because I don't know what to do -- it's
>: because I haven't been doing it. Did quit smoking, though, so I'm
>: hoping the "good things" will catch up with me. :-)
>
>: Good luck to you.
>: Blue
>: T2/D&E/June 2005

Hi, Wendy --

>If you have just stopped smoking, and are losing control of your bg's be
>careful as it is also very easy to gain weight at such a time, making the
>getting back in line much harder down the road.

Oh, yes -- I know this too well. I've gained 27 pounds since I quit
smoking. :-(

It's okay, though. I knew what was going on. You're right -- it is
very hard to get back in line, but I've been working on that for the
past several days and have made good progress so far.

The morning that I quit smoking, my fasting was 87 mg/dl. Since then,
it has been as high as the 150s, but today it was 119 mg/dl, so I'm
getting back on it, and it's going back down. I'm sure I had some
horrible spikes (one over 220 mg/dl) -- I just didn't bother to test.
I knew I wasn't eating right, so "testing testing testing" didn't
apply. I "test test test" to learn what's bad for me -- I already
knew I was being "bad." :-)

I'd like to say I put off quitting because I was worried about the
weight gain, etc., etc., but the fact is I put it off because I was
just afraid to quit. So after I quit and things went all crazy, I
just determined to let it run it's course, which I think it has. I
know the BG levels and weight gain aren't ideal, but neither was
smoking. And since I've been overweight for 14 years or so, and
probably diabetic for that long, too, I didn't think another month
"for the cause" would be too terribly awful. ;-)

>Much easier said than done, I know. If you teeth can take it, try chewing
>gum.

I think this is excellent advice,and I did try it. Unfortunately, I
think I picked up the wrong brand, because I think it spiked me. Then,
on the other hand, I was eating so much crap, who knows what the
culprit was? :-)

Thanks, Wendy, for posting this because you are absolutely right. It
*is* hard to get back in line. But it can be done. :-)

Blue
T2/D&E/June 2005

They have a good deal but WalMart is only discounting Generic drugs.
To the best of my knowledge there is no Generic version fo Actos. If
there was then the insurance I have would be requiring it. As it is even
with insurance I have to pay quite a bit for the stuff.

sharppointy1 wrote:

> Brad - check with your Walmart - they have a new low cost drug program.
>
> sharppointy1 wrote:
>
>>Brad - most pharmacuetical companies have patient assistance programs
>>that your doctor's office can help you access, or you can contact the
>>company directly. I don't remember who makes Actos but that would be
>>easy to find out on Google.
>>As far as continuing medical care, the COBRA option is the best,
>>although usually pricey. If you cannot go that route, contact a
>>community heath center in your area NOW - the ones in my town have a
>>couple of month wait to get in. These places will see you on a sliding
>>scale payment.
>>Good Luck
>>
>>Brad Pardee wrote:
>>
>>>Hi,
>>>I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
>>>week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
>>>no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
>>>tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
>>>thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
>>>said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
>>>a bunch of samples for Actos.
>>>
>>>My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
>>>looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>>>
>>>Any suggestions?
>>>
>>>Thanks!
>>>Brad Pardee
>
>

On 9 Oct 2006 10:08:24 -0700, "sharppointy1" <sharppointy1@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>Brad - check with your Walmart - they have a new low cost drug program.
>

Only in Florida so far.

On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 10:42:28 -0500, Brad Pardee <bp51414@alltel.net>
wrote:

>Hi,
>I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
>week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
>no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
>tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
>thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
>said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
>a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
>My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
>looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>
Get your generic meds from http://www.rxoutreach.com/ for $20 per
quarter. Sometime next year walmart will roll out their $4 per month
for a bunch of generics.

For your BG sticks go to ebay.com. Sticks are about 1/2 of walmart
price.

To record your BG's and almost everything a T2 needs see sig.
_____________________________________
http://www.healthdiabeticsoftware.com/ Free

Brad, I am sorry to hear that you are one of the many millions uninsured
people in America. This is not working for us.

If you are unemployed perhaps you can quality for medicaid. If not
eligible, I imagine every city hospital has a clinic for people who
cannot afford to go to doctors on their own because of a lack of
insurance.

I hope you can find some resources. Many drug companies are involved in
programs to aid the poor in obtaining meds.

I dont know what city you live in, but I hope it is one with social
programs.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Loretta

--
In tribute to the United States of America and the State
of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
terrorism.

On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 20:30:18 GMT, Jennifer
<jenniferNOSPAM@earthlink.net> wrote:

>> My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
>> looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Brad Pardee
>
>
>Brad...
>
>I'm so sorry you had to join us...
<snip>

Brad, I've read through all the responses.

First, take a deep breath, sit back and relax.

Then print out the post by Jennifer that I just snipped
here. At this stage, in your position, I could not improve
on that. Read it again, print it out, put it into practice
and come back with lots of questions once you start testing.

To help with the testing, here are some tips I post from my
own experience:

Wash your hands in warm water first, and shake them to get
the circulation going. Check your lancet - it should be
adjustable. Mine is Soft-clix, made by Roche and is usually
painless. I get an occasional tiny sting, and it lets me
know if it's getting blunt sometimes, but I've tested nearly
5000 times in the past 4 years without any trauma. That's
from a guy who was, and is, needle-phobic.

Start with the second lowest setting (1 or 1.5), hold it
firmly against your skin on the side of a finger near the
tip. Don't flinch when you release the button. The button
releases a spring-loaded tiny needle which makes a tiny hole
in your skin and instantly retracts. Incidentally, using the
sides has two advantages - there are less nerve-ends than on
the pads, and it doubles the number of test-points so you
can rotate through the positions.

Massage gently (milking a cow) until a drop of blood forms
sufficient to put on the test strip. If this setting doesn't
provide an adequate quantity, move the lancet setting up one
notch for the next one. If you got a large sample and it
hurt a little, go to the lower setting.

And that's all there is to it. Sometimes it helps to shake
your hands a little more, or warm them up if it's cold. The
manufacturers advise changing the lancet needle every time;
I change mine when I remember or if it gets a bit blunt -
that's about once a month or every 150 tests :-) You do what
you are comfortable with.

Cheers Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1000mg, ezetrol 10mg
--
I have no medical qualifications beyond my own experience.
Choose your advisers carefully, because experience can be
an expensive teacher.

Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.

On Mon, 9 Oct 2006 13:24:15 -0700, "Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom>
wrote:

>I find that to be true when I run into problems with my diabetes too.
>Not for lack of knowing some days, but for lack of doing. Quitting
>smoking is wonderful, and I believe the good things will. In the earlier
>days, I had lots of times where I wasn't doing so good, but reading the
>group every day always keeps me on track (sooner than later these days.)

Hi, Cheri!

Yup -- it was definitely for lack of doing.

The smoking was part of it but it just seems like September was the
month from hell! Nothing really big -- just a bunch of little stuff
all at once. I don't have much of a schedule anyway, but the one I
*did* have was totally trashed, stuff that I was counting on wasn't
there anymore -- *people* I was counting on and had faith in showed me
that it was misplaced. Stuff like that.

I don't know if I was as distracted and busy as I thought I was, or
just using it as an excuse -- but that doesn't matter now. :-)

Now that I have just about all my killfiles implemented I agree with
you -- this group helps a lot. :-)


Blue
T2/D&E/June 2005

Susan wrote:
> Even a 15 minute walk 45 minutes after a meal can make a
> huge difference in your bg increase.

Why 45 minutes afer a meal?

On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 10:42:28 -0500, Brad Pardee wrote:

> Hi,
> I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
> week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
> no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
> tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
> thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
> said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
> a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
> My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
> looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
> Brad Pardee

I recommend two books - you can probably find them at a library near you -
"Diabetes for Dummies" and Richard Bernstein's "Diabetes Solution" -
neither should be read as gospel, but they have good information. You
might look at Metformin - it is a generic drug; I don't know what the
actual cost is. IMHO - the things you're going to want to do are: reduce
carb intake severely and exercise like crazy.

Hi Brad,

Sorry you had to join the "club", but glad to meet you. You've come to a
good place. We've all been where you are now. I discovered my BG problem
last November, and am now able to keep my BG within desirable limits.

Do you have glucometer? If not, please get one. It will be your best
avenue for learning to control your BG. And to learn how to use the
glucometer effectively, follow this link:
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm. Don't worry, it is
easy read and understand.

Are you doing any exercise? If so, good; if not, plan to start. Exercise
helps your muscles take up glucose where it can do its job, and thereby
reducing it in your bloodstream. Walking is one of the most effective and
uncomplicated exercises you can do.

These are the very basics. However, rest assured others will come along
with great advice. :-)

Please come back often and ask as many questions as you like. The only
stupid question is the one you didn't ask.
--
Michelle, T2
diet & exercise



"Brad Pardee" <bp51414@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:u7rki21457bvar7pkg5r77nvkfhct4k47b@4ax.com...
> Hi,
> I'm new to this group because I was just diagnosed with diabetes a
> week and a half ago. At this point, because I am out of work, we have
> no health insurance, so I'm trying to find what I can on the net to
> tell me what to do. The doctor (my physical with him was the last
> thing covered by the insurance that ended at the end of September)
> said that it would be controlled by diet and exercise, and he gave me
> a bunch of samples for Actos.
>
> My question is where to I go to learn what the heck I do now? I
> looked at WebMD, but I just got lost in it.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
> Brad Pardee

"Mkp" <mkp@6url.com> wrote in message news:4p0dafFgk8qaU1@individual.net...
> Susan wrote:
>> Even a 15 minute walk 45 minutes after a meal can make a
>> huge difference in your bg increase.
>
> Why 45 minutes afer a meal?

Because it's a good bet that a T2 will blunt the spike doing it that way.

Nicky.

--
A1c 10.5/5.3/<6 T2 DX 05/2004
No Metformin, 100ug Thyroxine
95/72/72Kg

x-no-archive: yes

Mkp wrote:
> Susan wrote:
>
>> Even a 15 minute walk 45 minutes after a meal can make a
>>huge difference in your bg increase.
>
>
> Why 45 minutes afer a meal?
>
>
>

Just my habit because it seems to catch and prevent the biggest spike
for most folks, anecdotally. By testing, you might want to adjust the
timing.

Susan

On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 20:48:47 GMT, guys@consolidated.neet (guy) wrote:

>The greedy try to convince us that we should give
>them all under the ploy of free enterprise.

Bullseye!

"Superfly Silverman" <notreal@spamguard.com> wrote in message
news:fYyWg.44689

> But with no job and no insurance numerous visits to a doctor and a
> dietitian will be expensive. I'm not going to recommend any diet books but
> I have seen many people recommend a book called Diabetes solution. I don't
> know how good it is having not read it but I did bookmark the online
> version of it.
>
> http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/readit.shtml
>
> It might be that initially Brad will have to go the poor mans route by
> following whatever advice the doctor at the physical gave him and reading
> up on Diabetes. Me, I bought a book for some general reference and for my
> family to read. I thought it might help them better understand what I'm
> dealing with.


i found just eating what most healthy people eat and not sitting around all
day was all i needed.
i also found that knowing carbs will cause my blood sugar to go up helped
motivate me to become more active. i was given 2 choices. either cut the
carbs or increase activity. with out the carbs it would have taken away
that motivation. any diet that motivates you to become more active in my
book is the better choice. it didnt take much either but i did push myself
to become stronger and healthier.

Tom