Not new, but still naive...

2910 Views 16 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Richard157, Mar 26, 2009

muutus

Discussion Starter · Mar 21, 2009

Hi, my name is Travis. I am type 2-insulin dependent... 3 years now. My experiences with diabetes are mostly self-taught. I am just now learning the lessons of insulin, as I was only within the last month put on it.
Up until recently, I was an idiot and really didn't take care of my health. I ate pretty much whatever I wanted. I didn't monitor my blood sugar levels. I didn't exercise. I didn't take my meds. I was in total denial about the whole thing.
Things ran this way till just within the last month when I came down with pneumonia... I got so sick that I slept two whole days away and still didn't feel any better. I went to the ER and they told me about the release of extra sugars to combat sickness. Well, with me not taking care of myself, it was more than I could handle and the doctors tell me that if I had not gotten in to see them when I did, I might have died. It was a real wake up call.
Now, I'm finally doing the right thing and placing my health and my life at the highest priority.
I'm here at this site to find others who can help me better understand this disease and to share what I have learned so far with others.
So, to you all, I say "Hello" and "Goodbye" for now...

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

rubystar2

· #2 · Mar 21, 2009

Welcome, Muutus. I'm glad you had a wake up call, though I am sorry it had to be in such a serious way. There are a lot of smart people here to help you along the way. Have you attended any diabetes education classes or seen a registered dietician? That would certainly help. I think you'll be surprised how good you feel when you do take care of yourself.

muutus

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 22, 2009

No, actually, I haven't had the opportunity to see a dietician yet and I didn't know that such classes existed, but I think I might need to look into it... Thanks for the tip.

rubystar2

· #4 · Mar 22, 2009

Many local hospitals have diabetes education classes. Start by calling a hospital or two near you and see if it is offered. Many times insurance will pay for you to attend the classes. You can also find a registered dietician through the hospital, too. Let me know what you find and good luck!

muutus

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 22, 2009

Heh... Yeah, there's the problem. I'm yet another one of those people in this country (US) that has absolutely no health insurance. I'm working on getting help with my insulin through the drug company's assistance programs. I still have to get my doctor to fill out his half of the paperwork, but I have an appointment with him this Friday, so I think that will fall in line. As far as anything else goes though... I all ready have a $13,000 hospital bill for the recent visit that I'm trying to get assistance for. I know that my health is important, but I'm having to make the decision whether to get to specialist doctors (dieticians, edocrinologists, etc) or pay rent and buy groceries.
I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off, running around trying to make heads or tails of all the financial assistance forms, calling different state and federal offices and trying to maintain a fairly average life for myself. I think I'm going to look around these forums and seek some advice on how to manage this all without getting in too deep over my head. Thanks for the advice though...

See less See more

Richard157

· #6 · Mar 22, 2009

Hello Travis, welcome to our community. I have great sympathy for you having to pay for your hospital bills and for your diabetes treatment too. I hope it works out well for you. If you are going to see a dietitian then I suggest you see a diabetes educator who can help you understand how to manage your insulin, take your shot, etc. Many hospitals have a diabetes education center where there is a dietitian and diabetes educator with whom you can make appointments. Good luck to you!

Richard

muutus

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 23, 2009

Thanks, Richard. Nice to meet you. I plan on getting all the help that I can.

rubystar2

· #8 · Mar 23, 2009

I wish you the very best of luck. Unfortunately you are in a tough situation that more and more people are finding themselves in.

muutus

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 23, 2009

Yeah, I've only had health insurance through work once and that was at a job that I haven't been with for about the last 6-8 years. So, I didn't have any kind of health care when I was diagnosed. Mediacl bills have plagued me for the last 3 years (I rarely even got so much as a cold before my diagnosis... Go figure.) and I have struggled with various charities and hospital financial assistance programs for some time. I still "laugh" when I think back to when I was first diagnosed and the doctor informed me that "diabetes is one of the most expensive conditions to live with". So, funny... I laugh till I cry. lol

Anyway, nice to meet you, ruby.

Anthill

· #10 · Mar 24, 2009

Hey and welcome to DF muutus , I see that you are in a bind over insurance and a $13,000 in debt US WOW that's a hole in the ground that you don't need, Anyway the thing for you is all about carbohydrates and I know you love your food as we all do and there's the exercise. So whats your program??

muutus

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 24, 2009

Well, let's see...

The staff at the hospital wasn't very helpful as far as setting me up on any program, but I have done quite a bit of research and I have sort of developed my own program, at least until I get in to see MY doctor this Friday and see what he has to say. But, for now, I eat a very low-carb diet: meats, cheeses, nuts; but I fill in gaps with a good dinner salad every night and a multivitamin every morning. I check my glucose levels almost religiously (4-5 times a day), keeping records complete with daily and weekly averages. I make sure to take my Lantus every night before bed, but I only take my Novolog when my glucose levels are high, due to the cost. I try to get some exercise in, but it's still slow in coming. Seems like I never really have the time...

Other than that, it's been live and learn. Nice to meet you, by the way.

See less See more

rubystar2

· #12 · Mar 24, 2009

Sounds like you're doing pretty good. Great job! Be sure you get some healthy carbs, though. Really, they are necessary for good health. Maybe some whole grain bread and a small serving of fruit on occasion. I have found low carb tortillas make excellent meal starters. I roll meat and pickles in them instead of making a sandwich. I've put chicken and veggies in them kind of like a fajita. You can get pretty creative with them. But it sounds like you know what you are doing. Keep up the good work.

MissMeg

· #13 · Mar 24, 2009

Hello there!!! First off let me Welcome you to the Forum.... Sorry to hear of your situation.... but I may have some ideas of help for you-- when I went through my divorce I had no medical insurance either-- I went to the local public aid office and applied for emergency assistance for medical --- and guess what since I was on insulin I got approved that day... even got a number and a temporary card before I left.. and they will back date your medical bills for 3 months.. It is worth a try. I was a little red cheeked at first to be on public aid but then I figured that is what it is there for.. and I know that I have paid enough taxes to use it if I needed it... I ended up not needing it other than for insulin but I did have it. Now I am on Aetna and can't wait to get into my endocrinologist and get a pump !!! Yippie yea yippie

Best of luck to you...

See less See more

muutus

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 25, 2009

Nice to meet you, Meg... Thanks for the advice. I had been playing with the idea of going to public aid, but haven't gotten on that yet. I probably should, shouldn't I? Guess, I'll give them a call and see what they can do. Couldn't hurt, right? I know from past experience that they don't like to give out medical cards to single, white males with no children, but it might be different now that I'm insulin dependent... Hadn't thought of that. Thanks!

Anthill

· #15 · Mar 25, 2009

You are sounding like a success story and so good on you. Many people don't realize what's involved in this disease until you become a diabetic.
My father as Type 2 and now he understands what's it like going low.

muutus

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 26, 2009

My uncle is type 2 insulin dependent as well, so I kind of had a very rough idea what it was all about as a kid. I remember watching him test his blood, plan his meals and give himself injections. But this was 30 years ago and I hadn't realized just how advanced the research and care has gotten. I remember when my uncle tested his glucose levels, he had to cross reference a color chart on the side of the bottle of test strips. I remember sugar-free candy that tasted terrible. I remember it seemed like hell on crack.
Now that I am older and technology has made care for the disease easier (and now that I have to cope with it), I see that it's not nearly as bad as I thought it was. I wouldn't say that it's easy, either, more of a good-sized inconvenience. I make it work for me though.

See less See more

Richard157

· #17 · Mar 26, 2009

Travis, my diabetes started 63 years ago and I tested my urine instead of my blood. I did not know I was supposed to eat a low carb diet. I used insulin taken from animals for over 30 years. Your uncle did not have it so bad. Lol!

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.