Comments on: The Diabetic Partner Follies, Act 21: Heart Troubles

By: Bernard Farrell

Bernard Farrell — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:46:43 +0000

That’s shocking about your insurance not covering test strips. Have you considered calling your state attorney general’s office? I hope you can get this straightened out. I can’t even imagine using a pump without being able to test.

I’ve just switched meters and don’t have time to get a new prescription right now. It’s a WaveSense KeyNote meter and found an online supplier that lists these at $19 for 50 strips, which was a pleasant surprise. E-mail me if you want more details.

By: LaurenK

LaurenK — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:57:09 +0000

As for insurance not covering things, I am a type 1 diabetic in CA and my insurance does not cover INSULIN, let alone test strips, supplies, syringes, etc. I wish there were a federal law requiring these things to be covered.

By: LindaB

LindaB — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:15:19 +0000

I cannot believe your insurance will not cover testing supplies or other meds. Something is not right there. In the meantime ,at least for testing stuff, CVS has had the best deal. If you buy there true track meter the test strips are very reasonable. I pay arouind 51.00 for 100 strips and about 32.00 for 50 strips. Ask for samples from your doctor everytime you go and definitly look into the laws and statutes in your state.

Diabetes is a very emotional rollercoaster. Whether you are the diabetic or the person living with the diabetic,or in my case both, learning all you can is half the battle. I keep educating myself,both here and on medical blogs. Every diabetic is different. Every case is different. My treatment may not work for my husband. His not for me. You and your spouse are your best advocates for getting done what needs to be done. as good as your physician is when they do not have diabetes they can never really know what is like day to day.
For the both of you talk to each other about concerns and issues. talkto a neutral party,counselor, diabetic educator, etc. talk to someone else with diabetes.This is a good place to start we all have it or live with a person who does and whether we all rant or rave,complain or anything else,there is always someone dealing with alot of the same stuff and DOES understand. Sometimes just kniowing you guys are not the only ones makes all the difference in the world.

By: Monica

Monica — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:00:06 +0000

There’s a state law for Texas, requiring the insurance companies to cover supplies-as I posted above, insulin pumps, test strips, meters, syringes, and insulin. I live in Texas, and unless there’s something I am clearly missing or something that was not stated in the letter, the insurance company can’t legally do that in TX.

Here’s the law…..
http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/IN/content/pdf/in.008.00.001358.00.pdf

I found it here
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/diabetes.htm

By: Monica

Monica — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:53:23 +0000

Per the law mentioned in Texas:

Also, antioxidants, particularly Alpha Lipoic Acid, reverse cardiac autonomic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathies. Since at a cellular level, damage from D is caused by oxidation of free radicals produced from glycolysis/krebs cycle, supplemental antioxidants prevent D related damage-this includes retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. However, gastroparesis is “special” and does not always improve through antioxidant supplementation.

http://www.amazon.com/Antioxidants-Diabetes-Management-Oxidative-Disease/dp/0824788443

Here’s a “free” version of this book….
http://rapidshare.com/files/90582735/anoxindima.rar

An antioxidant that the French most commonly prescribe to reverse retinopathy.
http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2000/01/01/1755.html

Last, Dr. Bernstein’s book, which describes how he reversed his complications, after 40 years with D. This is a must read.
http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bernsteins-Diabetes-Solution-Achieving/dp/0316167169/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214021629&sr=1-1