Dealing with Diabetes2 and remembering Goldi Community Group
A support group for individuals with Type2 diabetes. Encouragement, empathy, advice, and personal experiences from members dealing with the illness. A friendly environment with compassion and support as our main objective.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174491.php
I am not using insulin but still test on some days I get free strips but I try to keep to a low GI diet so its not so important to test if not using insulin,
I still have high glucose on waking up and diet seems not to effect it!
Routine self-monitoring of blood glucose levels by people with type 2 diabetes who are not taking insulin is an ineffective use of health resources as the modest benefits are outweighed by the significant cost of test strips, suggest 2 studies in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal.
In Ontario, blood glucose test strips are the third largest cost for the Ontario Public Drug Programs in 2007/08, accounting for $100 million or 3.3% of drug expenditures. Usage of test strips increased by almost 250% from 76,320 people in 1997 to 263,513 people in 2008. Almost 53% of people aged 65 and over with diabetes received diabetes test strips by 2008. Sixty-three per cent of patients not receiving insulin used blood glucose test strips in 2008.
"In light of the overall costs and questionable benefits of blood glucose self-monitoring in many patients, more focused policy decisions regarding test strips have been proposed in several jurisdictions," write Muhammad Mamdani of St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and coauthors in a study on options to reduce test strip usage. They project that expenditures associated with blood glucose self-monitoring will exceed $1 billion in Canada and suggest policy changes could lead to cost reductions.
I am not using insulin but still test on some days I get free strips but I try to keep to a low GI diet so its not so important to test if not using insulin,
I still have high glucose on waking up and diet seems not to effect it!
Routine self-monitoring of blood glucose levels by people with type 2 diabetes who are not taking insulin is an ineffective use of health resources as the modest benefits are outweighed by the significant cost of test strips, suggest 2 studies in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal.
In Ontario, blood glucose test strips are the third largest cost for the Ontario Public Drug Programs in 2007/08, accounting for $100 million or 3.3% of drug expenditures. Usage of test strips increased by almost 250% from 76,320 people in 1997 to 263,513 people in 2008. Almost 53% of people aged 65 and over with diabetes received diabetes test strips by 2008. Sixty-three per cent of patients not receiving insulin used blood glucose test strips in 2008.
"In light of the overall costs and questionable benefits of blood glucose self-monitoring in many patients, more focused policy decisions regarding test strips have been proposed in several jurisdictions," write Muhammad Mamdani of St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and coauthors in a study on options to reduce test strip usage. They project that expenditures associated with blood glucose self-monitoring will exceed $1 billion in Canada and suggest policy changes could lead to cost reductions.
This is how they used to do it befor strips.
However, if you constantly cheat with foods or are not responsible or have an eating problem you need to check with meals all the time to stay on top of it.
But I am sure there are many who say the heck with the strips, and just get the A1C test all the time. Maybe if people did that more the pharma co would come down on the strips.
You always see the free meters on Tv but you never see free strips even though you can get them from the companies now and then but not enough to help.
When I was first Dx I got everything free then they changed the rules and we had to pay for it all. I liked it better the way it started out because I tested more, I didn't mind sice all diabetics got it free then. Again people need to bitch!!
It is a crime to make people pay who cannot afford it and will have to do without food or other things to just pay for their test strips. I used to have to pay for them, but I got on a government program and now I dont pay for any diabetic supplies. It sure helps.
It has helped me to know when I "feel" like I am hypo, and I test and see that I am or not, and it has even helped when I have become
severely agitated about something.... and I tested REALLY high then, so I knew I had to 'walk it off' and take some meds, as well.
Of course, this is with diabetes2, so, don't know what those that are on insulin have to do.
Yes, I do agree that we all need to "unite" and get some attention, that it isn't fair that people have to pay so much for testing strips, especially, if they have no insurance. They are like a $1.00 a strip here, without insurance -- awful!
I test at least four times a day and I hate the cost of those strips. It just isnt fair. I sure would like to be able to breathe into something and have my blood sugar recorded. Wouldnt that be wonderful?
I know a few people on the pump and they love it.
People need to fight the system together unite as with anything, if not no changes will take place. Once someone else comes into play with a cheaper good model and lower strip prices, it is a matter of time before the leaders start lowering their prices. As with all competitive things it probably won't happen in our lifetime but would be nice if it did.
I would ask about it for sure. But I understand you have to wait a lifetime for any surgery there.So get in line now! Lol
Yes, I eat regular also, so it would be good I think.
I guess you can't have everything. I figuer it will be a month from the time I see the hip doc on the 14 and have all my pre opt stuff done. that isn't bad but I pay too. We will see.
Ask your Doc about it.
I am so glad that you are going in for your surgery on your hip. I know it makes you apprehensive and a little frightened. I felt like that all the time too. But once it is over and you can get on with healing, you will be so happy, I am sure :)