Been diagnosed with Diabetes

[Saxum]

I have hyperglycemia a fair amount of my life but now my doctor is telling me I have Diabetes but has not classified it as Type 1 (pancreas not producing insulin) or type 2 but has not stated which type.  I have been put on 2 types of medication and insulin but insulin instructions made it impossible to take and work.  After several days doctor told me just ignore instructions on package and just take it any time of day I can.  He wants me to see a specialist (most listed as accepting insurance are gone, not taking insurance or not taking new patients but still on list) but very difficult to find a specialist, have tests done beyond basic ones or get physical therapy so avoid Cigna health insurance

Definitely noticed changes but not sure if more due to radical diet changes or medication.  My wife gave me my first insulin shot today.  

[Doc]

Sorry to hear that.  See if you can get a continuous glucose monitor like Freestyle Libre or Dexcom so you don't have to stick yourself.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Sorry to hear.  It sucks getting tangled up with doctors and the insurance companies that are bleeding everyone for what their worth.  I guess they know people wanna live so they all got us over a barrel.  Be careful and tread wisely or it will pile up even with insurance...

 

Number one reason why people go bankrupt is due to medical costs.  Number 2 is job loss.  

 

"1) Medical Expenses

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2019 found that 66.5% of bankruptcies in the U.S. were due to medical issues like being unable to pay high bills or due to time lost from work.3 Even with health insurance, high deductibles and copays, plus job loss, impact Americans.

Rare or serious diseases or injuries can easily result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills—bills that can quickly wipe out savings and retirement accounts, college education funds, and home equity.

Once these have been exhausted, bankruptcy may be the only shelter left, regardless of whether the patient or his or her family was able to apply health coverage to a portion of the bill or not. (Find out what you can do to avoid a financial meltdown when there's a medical emergency. Read Steering Clear Of Medical Debt.)"

 

https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0310/top-5-reasons-people-go-bankrupt.aspx

 

Good luck!

[Augie]

2 hours ago, Limeaid said:

I have hyperglycemia a fair amount of my life but now my doctor is telling me I have Diabetes but has not classified it as Type 1 (pancreas not producing insulin) or type 2 but has not stated which type.  I have been put on 2 types of medication and insulin but insulin instructions made it impossible to take and work.  After several days doctor told me just ignore instructions on package and just take it any time of day I can.  He wants me to see a specialist (most listed as accepting insurance are gone, not taking insurance or not taking new patients but still on list) but very difficult to find a specialist, have tests done beyond basic ones or get physical therapy so avoid Cigna health insurance

Definitely noticed changes but not sure if more due to radical diet changes or medication.  My wife gave me my first insulin shot today.  

 

Sorry to hear about your difficulties! Hope you get it all figured out. I have a buddy who is borderline diabetic and also has asthma along with heart issues and other things.  Glad he finally got his shots!

 

We struggled for years with many trips to doctors and ER visits with my wife. Wasted surgeries, a complete mess. She finally got the RIGHT doctor and one more surgery cleared it all up. I think of this since she just saw him today. That guy changed our lives, and maybe saved hers. All doctors are not the same. Hope you have a great one.  Best wishes! 

[Saxum]

In general I do not trust doctors for they are artists not scientists.  With same symptoms and measurements doctors can have different conclusions.

 

 

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

[Gugny]

10 hours ago, Limeaid said:

In general I do not trust doctors for they are artists not scientists.  With same symptoms and measurements doctors can have different conclusions.

 

 

 

Well in that case, just keep going to different doctors until one of them tells you it's just stress and all you need is a vacation.

[mead107]

Start looking into natural stuff. 

 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317051#_noHeaderPrefixedConten

[The Jokeman]

17 hours ago, Limeaid said:

I have hyperglycemia a fair amount of my life but now my doctor is telling me I have Diabetes but has not classified it as Type 1 (pancreas not producing insulin) or type 2 but has not stated which type.  I have been put on 2 types of medication and insulin but insulin instructions made it impossible to take and work.  After several days doctor told me just ignore instructions on package and just take it any time of day I can.  He wants me to see a specialist (most listed as accepting insurance are gone, not taking insurance or not taking new patients but still on list) but very difficult to find a specialist, have tests done beyond basic ones or get physical therapy so avoid Cigna health insurance

Definitely noticed changes but not sure if more due to radical diet changes or medication.  My wife gave me my first insulin shot today.  

Welcome to the club, I'm a Type 1 and on an insulin pump and also use a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) system to assist me. I'm also on Metformin to help me out as insulin alone wasn't cutting it because apparently  I'm a tad resistant to it. The specialist he probably referring to is an Endocrinologist and highly recommend finding one, my primary referred me to one and thankfully she was accepting patients at the time. All I can say is don't ever let one single bad sugar number cause you stress as this battle is a marathon not a sprint. 

Edited April 9, 2021 by The Jokeman

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

13 hours ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

oh wow— I totally forgot about those commercials! 

[ExiledInIllinois]

5 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

Well in that case, just keep going to different doctors until one of them tells you it's just stress and all you need is a vacation.

I don't think that's what he meant.  Why would anybody do that? 

[John from Riverside]

I am a type two diabetic and I’ve been dealing with that for years if you ever have any questions let me know it can be managed you do have to make some choices on things like what you eat and alcohol

[TBBills]

 

[DefenseWins]

I have also been diabetic (type 2) for many years. It's only in the last two years that I've been able to get things under real control. I am NOT a doctor and am NOT giving medical advice but I have learned that carbohydrates (bread, potatoes, rice) have a pronounced effect on blood glucose levels. I personally avoid alcohol almost 100% of the time. It's a small price to pay in my mind for better health. You may wish to look up the Keto diet as I have lost 80lbs and gotten my A1c levels down to the low 5's. I'd personally also recommend you check out the Beat Diabetes! channel on youtube. The man is NOT a doctor but the things I've learned watching his channel have helped me immeasurably. Good Luck!

[Saxum]

 

10 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

Well in that case, just keep going to different doctors until one of them tells you it's just stress and all you need is a vacation.

 

4 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

I don't think that's what he meant.  Why would anybody do that? 

 

In my case I went to 6 different doctors who each gave a different reason and medication. Some of the medication relieved symptoms temporarily. The 7th doctor told me it was psychosomatic and told me there was no physical basis for problem.  Went to 8th doctor, said it was plantars despite issue being ankle not foot and put my foot in a hard cast to soften up foot.  I was almost crippled and he said that should not have happened so ordered MRI.  Cyst size of a golf ball surrounding ankle bones, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, etc.  Cyst was removed but my entire foot architecture has been changed and never completely recovered.  Now I cannot even find shoes that have arches which fit.

[Mr Info]

On 4/8/2021 at 5:28 PM, Limeaid said:

In general I do not trust doctors for they are artists not scientists.  With same symptoms and measurements doctors can have different conclusions.

 

 

I have quite a lot of background and experience in this area. However, your statement makes me reticent to offer anything. It is unfortunate you have had experiences which led to this assessment. There are plenty good physicians but it is the patient’s responsibility to evaluate the doctor & services provided. It appears an endocrinologist would be your best resource. Perhaps consider one at a nearby university hospital. Most likely, they would have encountered a more disparate patient population that would assist in their diagnosis & treatment. Good luck.

[Shamrock]

I work in a High Risk Foot Clinic; if you were in Australia I’d say get a great Diabetes Nurse Educator. They help with things you may need; Endocrinologist, optometrist, phlebotomist, pharmacist, joining NDIS, podiatrist, dietitian, exercise physiologist... psychologist/ counsellor (it’s stressful, have someone you can talk about/ with honestly). Dot your I’s and cross your ‘t’s’ and work at it. 

[Gugny]

7 hours ago, Shamrock said:

I work in a High Risk Foot Clinic; if you were in Australia I’d say get a great Diabetes Nurse Educator. They help with things you may need; Endocrinologist, optometrist, phlebotomist, pharmacist, joining NDIS, podiatrist, dietitian, exercise physiologist... psychologist/ counsellor (it’s stressful, have someone you can talk about/ with honestly). Dot your I’s and cross your ‘t’s’ and work at it. 

 

@John from Riverside's foot was about to fall off, but it grew back when he started walking on it.

[Beerball]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

 

@John from Riverside's foot was about to fall off, but it grew back when he started walking on it.

It was about to fall off or it did fall off? Because if your statement is accurate and it didn’t fall off and it grew back he now has 3 feet. How is he on the dance floor?

[John from Riverside]

28 minutes ago, Beerball said:

It was about to fall off or it did fall off? Because if your statement is accurate and it didn’t fall off and it grew back he now has 3 feet. How is he on the dance floor?

I do not have 3 feet I have been told that I have three Legs