Urgent help for my mom- Diabetes

TechGirl31 · 06-22-2009, 10:59 AM

My mother is a diabetic. She is having problems stabilizing her blood sugar..her doc currently has her on Metphormin 1000mg, 80 units of Lantus, 8 units of Humalog, a day for diabetes, then she takes Simfastin, 80 mg day for cholesterol , 20mg lisinopril ( doc said it protects her kidneys and liver from the other meds) , and levothyroxin for thyroid, 175 mg a day...A1C was 9.1. on her last fasting bloodwork. To top it all off, she's retired, on medicare, and has a supplement plan that isn't paying for her drugs...she ends up paying almost $1000 a month for drugs.... If you know anything about diabetes can you please let me know all the information you have...we're struggling here to figure this all out. To Top it all off she has been told she is insulin resistant and is now starting another med for that.

Josuanna · 06-22-2009, 11:51 AM

Is she on low carb yet? Is she overweight? She can save a lot of insulin by not eating carbs. And, of course, the Simvastatin.

I am a doctor and a pharmacist, so feel free to ask.

tortoise2 · 06-22-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechGirl31

she ends up paying almost $1000 a month for drugs

If you have not already done so, Google $4 generics to see if any of the meds are on the generic lists.

Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution online excerpts

TechGirl31 · 06-22-2009, 01:56 PM

She is on low carb and has been for years.....also..none of the drugs she takes are on the $4 List.

NurseMonkee · 06-22-2009, 02:46 PM

Check this website:
Blood Sugar 101

Lots of great information from one of our fellow members on this board. She knows a lot about Diabetes.

CramerNH · 06-22-2009, 02:59 PM

You havent mentioned this so Im going to ask.. Im not a doctor but I do work in the medical field -

Is your mother seeing a Registered Dietician who specializes in Diabetes??? If not, why????

Thats an awful lot of prescriptions to be on without any food-monitoring, if its the case she isnt being seen by an RD.

Do not leave out pharmacies that are housed in Grocery stores... I found more 4.00/rx listed at one of our grocery stores than Wallyworld.

Another option you can do is to contact the prescription companies directly... there are new programs available that they may be able to help offset the costs. Keep in mind, there are some that require the doctor to write a "Letter of Medical Necessity" for submission... that is another option available.

Secondly - I would contact your local "Ask a Nurse" hotline - most hospitals will offer 24 hour round the clock information pertaining to free Diabetes support groups out in the community - I would highly suggest that..

And most importantly - she needs (or whomever is helping to advocate her care) to discuss these issues with her primary care physician.

Here are a few sites for you to research with your Mother.. I send this information to my own patients/dpoa's for helping them to understand Medicare-ese

Medicare.gov - Diabetes Information
Medicare.gov - Medical Nutrition Therapy

CramerNH · 06-22-2009, 03:03 PM

Also - being on Medicare - has she attempted to file for her state's Medicaid program??? That is another option available...

vessel of prayer · 06-24-2009, 06:49 AM

Oh my, I feel for your mom. I cant afford mine either, too young for medicare, and not qualified for medicaid. I hope you can find a good solution. My prayers are with you.

06-22-2009, 10:59 AM	#1
TechGirl31 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: I live in my house. Posts: 2,399 Gallery: TechGirl31 Stats: 222/215/200 WOE: Low fat...for now to please my doc Start Date: 04/09/07 ..restart low fat 6/01/08	Urgent help for my mom- Diabetes My mother is a diabetic. She is having problems stabilizing her blood sugar..her doc currently has her on Metphormin 1000mg, 80 units of Lantus, 8 units of Humalog, a day for diabetes, then she takes Simfastin, 80 mg day for cholesterol , 20mg lisinopril ( doc said it protects her kidneys and liver from the other meds) , and levothyroxin for thyroid, 175 mg a day...A1C was 9.1. on her last fasting bloodwork. To top it all off, she's retired, on medicare, and has a supplement plan that isn't paying for her drugs...she ends up paying almost $1000 a month for drugs.... If you know anything about diabetes can you please let me know all the information you have...we're struggling here to figure this all out. To Top it all off she has been told she is insulin resistant and is now starting another med for that. __________________ [COLOR=Red]Carol[/COLOR]

06-22-2009, 02:59 PM	#6
CramerNH Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 257 Gallery: CramerNH	You havent mentioned this so Im going to ask.. Im not a doctor but I do work in the medical field - Is your mother seeing a Registered Dietician who specializes in Diabetes??? If not, why???? Thats an awful lot of prescriptions to be on without any food-monitoring, if its the case she isnt being seen by an RD. Do not leave out pharmacies that are housed in Grocery stores... I found more 4.00/rx listed at one of our grocery stores than Wallyworld. Another option you can do is to contact the prescription companies directly... there are new programs available that they may be able to help offset the costs. Keep in mind, there are some that require the doctor to write a "Letter of Medical Necessity" for submission... that is another option available. Secondly - I would contact your local "Ask a Nurse" hotline - most hospitals will offer 24 hour round the clock information pertaining to free Diabetes support groups out in the community - I would highly suggest that.. And most importantly - she needs (or whomever is helping to advocate her care) to discuss these issues with her primary care physician. Here are a few sites for you to research with your Mother.. I send this information to my own patients/dpoa's for helping them to understand Medicare-ese Medicare.gov - Diabetes Information Medicare.gov - Medical Nutrition Therapy __________________ STARTING WEIGHT: 300.0 Last Weigh-in: 249.6 Current Weigh-in: 247.2 Goal Weight: 170.0 Last edited by CramerNH; 06-22-2009 at 03:02 PM..

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06-22-2009, 11:51 AM	#2
Josuanna Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Palatinate, Germany Posts: 116 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: Josuanna Stats: 180/150/140 WOE: Atkins Start Date: May 2006	Is she on low carb yet? Is she overweight? She can save a lot of insulin by not eating carbs. And, of course, the Simvastatin. I am a doctor and a pharmacist, so feel free to ask.

06-22-2009, 01:56 PM	#4
TechGirl31 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: I live in my house. Posts: 2,399 Gallery: TechGirl31 Stats: 222/215/200 WOE: Low fat...for now to please my doc Start Date: 04/09/07 ..restart low fat 6/01/08	She is on low carb and has been for years.....also..none of the drugs she takes are on the $4 List.

06-22-2009, 02:46 PM	#5
NurseMonkee MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,441 Gallery: NurseMonkee WOE: Low-Carb Start Date: Summer 08	Check this website: Blood Sugar 101 Lots of great information from one of our fellow members on this board. She knows a lot about Diabetes.

06-22-2009, 03:03 PM	#7
CramerNH Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 257 Gallery: CramerNH	Also - being on Medicare - has she attempted to file for her state's Medicaid program??? That is another option available...

06-24-2009, 06:49 AM	#8
vessel of prayer Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW FL Panhandle but wish I was where there is SNOW Posts: 10,110 Gallery: vessel of prayer Stats: 186/148.8/143 -will get to 130 5'3" WOE: woe Doris and Loretta Start Date: 09/10/2005	Oh my, I feel for your mom. I cant afford mine either, too young for medicare, and not qualified for medicaid. I hope you can find a good solution. My prayers are with you.