Comments on: Diabetes Reality Bites http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html A gold mine of straight talk and encouragement for people living with diabetes Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:28:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Nicole http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html/comment-page-1#comment-271273 Nicole Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:50:21 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5727#comment-271273 Amy, As a commuincations and marketing employee with a large DME I find your posts and this blog exceptionally informative. Thanks to outspoken diabetes advocates, I now know how to help provide you with better care and supplies. I couldn't agree more about the myth of the healthcare team, and in my industry, I see it first hand. Please consider visiting the blog I write and administrate for our business, I try to discuss comprehensive topics on a daily basis, and please feel free to leave suggestions. I'll definitely keep coming back here! Nicole Amy,

As a commuincations and marketing employee with a large DME I find your posts and this blog exceptionally informative. Thanks to outspoken diabetes advocates, I now know how to help provide you with better care and supplies.

I couldn’t agree more about the myth of the healthcare team, and in my industry, I see it first hand.

Please consider visiting the blog I write and administrate for our business, I try to discuss comprehensive topics on a daily basis, and please feel free to leave suggestions.

I’ll definitely keep coming back here!

Nicole

]]> By: Jan http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html/comment-page-1#comment-269488 Jan Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:31:33 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5727#comment-269488 I also do want to make it clear that, at some point, you the caretaker/parent or PWD will know yourself/your child better than the CDE or endo and you should empower yourself to make the final decision regarding adjustments. That the endo or CDE can make a suggestion that is a bit "off", as sometimes diabetes management is an art rather than a science and sometimes you just have to trust your own judgment over that of the "experts." But it is crucial that the endo team will write the prescription in such a way that you can get the maximum number of strips if you need more, that they will help you get the continuous monitor if you need it -- I see this as their main purpose. The only CDEs that I have found were able to make accurate adjustments and suggestions were the ones that had Type 1 themselves. Having access to the nutritionist (I personally did not find very useful, though some might), eye doctor, etc. under one roof is great. Endo can also spot other medical problems that may arise as a result of diabetes or help you with 504 issues with the school. I also do want to make it clear that, at some point, you the caretaker/parent or PWD will know yourself/your child better than the CDE or endo and you should empower yourself to make the final decision regarding adjustments. That the endo or CDE can make a suggestion that is a bit “off”, as sometimes diabetes management is an art rather than a science and sometimes you just have to trust your own judgment over that of the “experts.” But it is crucial that the endo team will write the prescription in such a way that you can get the maximum number of strips if you need more, that they will help you get the continuous monitor if you need it — I see this as their main purpose. The only CDEs that I have found were able to make accurate adjustments and suggestions were the ones that had Type 1 themselves. Having access to the nutritionist (I personally did not find very useful, though some might), eye doctor, etc. under one roof is great. Endo can also spot other medical problems that may arise as a result of diabetes or help you with 504 issues with the school.

]]> By: Lauren http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html/comment-page-1#comment-266695 Lauren Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:33:35 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5727#comment-266695 Wow, as a regular poster on this blog, I am really annoyed by this new crop of ranters who are basically mocking others rather than addressing serious questions. As a regular reader and commenter, I have often said things in my comments that are not popular, and therefore I know Amy is very tolerant and appreciative of the diversity of opinions among her readers. However, many of these most recent posts (such as the one above) are disrespectful, immature, and often absurd -- not to mention completely uninformed about the entire subject of this blog, the reality of living with diabetes. What a shame. Wow, as a regular poster on this blog, I am really annoyed by this new crop of ranters who are basically mocking others rather than addressing serious questions.

As a regular reader and commenter, I have often said things in my comments that are not popular, and therefore I know Amy is very tolerant and appreciative of the diversity of opinions among her readers. However, many of these most recent posts (such as the one above) are disrespectful, immature, and often absurd — not to mention completely uninformed about the entire subject of this blog, the reality of living with diabetes. What a shame.

]]> By: Denny http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html/comment-page-1#comment-265938 Denny Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:06:13 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5727#comment-265938 Hey Amy: I pray every night to Obama in hopes that he will deliver us from diabetes. I know he will and I can sense that you know he will do this for us no matter what. I think a good start will be the total takeover of healthcare by the federal government. I don't think private businesses should be allowed to make a profit on diabetes. The government can fix this and find a cure for us. Not the private sector? Why do you accept advertisements from the private sector? Perhaps the government could fund this site rather than you having to lie down with the devil to keep this going? Be creative and reject advertisement from businesses. We dont need them! Hey Amy: I pray every night to Obama in hopes that he will deliver us from diabetes. I know he will and I can sense that you know he will do this for us no matter what. I think a good start will be the total takeover of healthcare by the federal government. I don’t think private businesses should be allowed to make a profit on diabetes. The government can fix this and find a cure for us. Not the private sector? Why do you accept advertisements from the private sector? Perhaps the government could fund this site rather than you having to lie down with the devil to keep this going? Be creative and reject advertisement from businesses. We dont need them!

]]> By: Lauren http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html/comment-page-1#comment-260836 Lauren Sat, 07 Mar 2009 06:21:58 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5727#comment-260836 Speaking for myself, as a type 1, I have a hard time understanding the concept of "diabetes education." I don't get it. I have yet to speak to a "diabetes educator" who has a deep understanding of what type 1 is all about. I'm very skeptical of these educators; I could learn a lot more from Wikipedia or just googling "type 1 diabetes." I am only a med student, I haven't even taken step 1 of the boards yet, but I was asking lots of questions of these educators that they couldn't answer. They couldn't even cite studies or tangible, independently verifiable evidence to back up their A1c recommendations (such as my 5.2% A1c being "too low," as I was told). That is a big problem. They just seemed to parrot a "one size fits all" out-of-date protocol that was useless and meaningless to me. I don't like the idea of a care team, for myself at least. That whole concept rubs me the wrong way. I don't anticipate needing a care team unless I wind up in the ICU, God forbid. It's just as well that this idea turns me off because I have no doubt my Blue Cross wouldn't hear of covering any part of it. Speaking for myself, as a type 1, I have a hard time understanding the concept of “diabetes education.” I don’t get it. I have yet to speak to a “diabetes educator” who has a deep understanding of what type 1 is all about. I’m very skeptical of these educators; I could learn a lot more from Wikipedia or just googling “type 1 diabetes.” I am only a med student, I haven’t even taken step 1 of the boards yet, but I was asking lots of questions of these educators that they couldn’t answer. They couldn’t even cite studies or tangible, independently verifiable evidence to back up their A1c recommendations (such as my 5.2% A1c being “too low,” as I was told). That is a big problem. They just seemed to parrot a “one size fits all” out-of-date protocol that was useless and meaningless to me.

I don’t like the idea of a care team, for myself at least. That whole concept rubs me the wrong way. I don’t anticipate needing a care team unless I wind up in the ICU, God forbid. It’s just as well that this idea turns me off because I have no doubt my Blue Cross wouldn’t hear of covering any part of it.

]]> By: Joseph Kim, MD, MPH http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html/comment-page-1#comment-260557 Joseph Kim, MD, MPH Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:42:46 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5727#comment-260557 There really is a strong need to improve diabetes education among patients. So many individuals need personalized attention and careful counseling. However, they only get peripheral education and are expected to "learn as they go along." There really is a strong need to improve diabetes education among patients. So many individuals need personalized attention and careful counseling. However, they only get peripheral education and are expected to “learn as they go along.”

]]> By: M http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html/comment-page-1#comment-260416 M Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:02:34 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5727#comment-260416 I've not often seen "lucky" and "Kaiser Permanente" used in the same sentence! I’ve not often seen “lucky” and “Kaiser Permanente” used in the same sentence!

]]> By: Jan http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html/comment-page-1#comment-260361 Jan Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:23:10 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5727#comment-260361 Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, a part of Columbia Medical Center, is a comprehensive diabetes center in New York City that offers care, endocrinologist, nutritionist, eye doctor, CDE, all under one roof. They take most insurance. I highly recommend them for any and all who live within two hours of New York City. We did transfer to a very highly rated center in Westchester County, since it was so close to home. The new center would not fight insurance for our strips, limiting us to six per day. Naomie Berrie's Pediatric Endocrinologist (Dr. Mary Pat Gallagher) makes sure my niece is covered with enough blood sugar strips (she is 12; hence highly erratic blood sugars) so she can test as many times as we need to and has also helped us get coverage for the cgms. Although we still had to fight for it, her input was crucial. Naomie Berrie also works with adults with Type 1, as well as children and adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, a part of Columbia Medical Center, is a comprehensive diabetes center in New York City that offers care, endocrinologist, nutritionist, eye doctor, CDE, all under one roof. They take most insurance. I highly recommend them for any and all who live within two hours of New York City. We did transfer to a very highly rated center in Westchester County, since it was so close to home. The new center would not fight insurance for our strips, limiting us to six per day. Naomie Berrie’s Pediatric Endocrinologist (Dr. Mary Pat Gallagher) makes sure my niece is covered with enough blood sugar strips (she is 12; hence highly erratic blood sugars) so she can test as many times as we need to and has also helped us get coverage for the cgms. Although we still had to fight for it, her input was crucial. Naomie Berrie also works with adults with Type 1, as well as children and adults with Type 2 Diabetes.

]]> By: Reed http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html/comment-page-1#comment-260355 Reed Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:15:48 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5727#comment-260355 Amy - Thanks (again) for representing the needs of people living with diabetes. And I agree that we need a network that shares information with those that help us with our treatment plan. But I think the insurers (public & private) need help. Here's a big (and possibly crazy) idea: a diabetes medical network with centralized patient data and access to the med professionals necessary to deliver results. We'd start small & the insurers would fund our trial. Success would be defined by the % of diabetics with targeted A1Cs. The benefits should exceed costs as the $s spent on quality preventative care is small compared to $s spent on complications. Amy – Thanks (again) for representing the needs of people living with diabetes. And I agree that we need a network that shares information with those that help us with our treatment plan. But I think the insurers (public & private) need help. Here’s a big (and possibly crazy) idea: a diabetes medical network with centralized patient data and access to the med professionals necessary to deliver results. We’d start small & the insurers would fund our trial. Success would be defined by the % of diabetics with targeted A1Cs. The benefits should exceed costs as the $s spent on quality preventative care is small compared to $s spent on complications.

]]> By: Scott Strange http://www.diabetesmine.com/2009/03/diabetes-reality-bites.html/comment-page-1#comment-260320 Scott Strange Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:24:06 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5727#comment-260320 Yep, I seem to spend more time managing the folks on my "team" (esp the insurance company) than I do managing my condition. Yep, I seem to spend more time managing the folks on my “team” (esp the insurance company) than I do managing my condition.

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