Treating Type 2 without insurance, can it be done?

3848 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by LarryT, Jun 17, 2011

ThoseBackPages

Discussion Starter · Oct 28, 2010

Looks like im going to be losing my medical coverage.

What are the best ways to self management going forward,
knowing that im not going to be able to get medical assistance,
just cant afford it.

my only "medication" i take is 500mg Metformin ER, once a day.

i test my BGS twice a day. i can use a lancet many times, so i'll get a lot of mileage out of those. two strips a day isnt bad, and i can probably cut that down to one strip a day.

i take vitamins:

Mens Multi-vitamin, once a day
B12 - 5000mg
E 400
D 1000

that covers everything that i take daily.

ive got my diet and exercise down pretty good,
which i believe has lead to good control of my diabetes

im just wondering if this is going to be doable.

thank you for taking the time to ready this, and of course,
i appreciate any input from anyone

Thanks,
Eric

See less See more

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

Shanny

· #2 · Oct 28, 2010

It ain't easy, but I think it can be done, especially since you have such tight control. Metformin is very cheap & often available as one of the $4 prescriptions at many pharmacies. Walmart or other discount store meter/strips are cheaper than most too . . . Walmart ReliOn strips are $40 for 100 strips.

I hope by the time you are able to obtain coverage again, the new regulations will have kicked in so that you aren't penalized for your pre-existing condition.

Save

onaughmae

· #3 · Oct 28, 2010

Metformin is very cheap as Shanny says...in some places you can even get it free. The walmart strips are cheap also. I think the only thing you might need to "save up" for is at least a twice a year blood check at the dr office. But, they say those at home A1C tests are pretty accurate...so that will help.

Save

breezeonby

· #4 · Oct 28, 2010

ThoseBackPages said:
Looks like im going to be losing my medical coverage.

What are the best ways to self management going forward,
knowing that im not going to be able to get medical assistance,
just cant afford it.

my only "medication" i take is 500mg Metformin ER, once a day.

i test my BGS twice a day. i can use a lancet many times, so i'll get a lot of mileage out of those. two strips a day isnt bad, and i can probably cut that down to one strip a day.

i take vitamins:

Mens Multi-vitamin, once a day
B12 - 5000mg
E 400
D 1000

that covers everything that i take daily.

ive got my diet and exercise down pretty good,
which i believe has lead to good control of my diabetes

im just wondering if this is going to be doable.

thank you for taking the time to ready this, and of course,
i appreciate any input from anyone

Thanks,
Eric

You are totally in control with your diabetes. Like Pam said, you might need to save up to see your doctor a couple times a year. The Metformin is cheap. You can always try for prescription assistance at NeedyMeds. Good luck Eric, you are a great role model!

Save

edvegan

· #5 · Jun 16, 2011

ThoseBackPages said:
Looks like im going to be losing my medical coverage.

What are the best ways to self management going forward,
knowing that im not going to be able to get medical assistance,
just cant afford it.

my only "medication" i take is 500mg Metformin ER, once a day.

i test my BGS twice a day. i can use a lancet many times, so i'll get a lot of mileage out of those. two strips a day isnt bad, and i can probably cut that down to one strip a day.

i take vitamins:

Mens Multi-vitamin, once a day
B12 - 5000mg
E 400
D 1000

that covers everything that i take daily.

ive got my diet and exercise down pretty good,
which i believe has lead to good control of my diabetes

im just wondering if this is going to be doable.

thank you for taking the time to ready this, and of course,
i appreciate any input from anyone

Thanks,
Eric

Eric:

Why you concerned about diabetes at all with A1C you have. I have A1C 7.5% and I call it 'controlled diabetes'. Please, explain, I'm totally puzzled...

edvegan

Save

edvegan

· #6 · Jun 16, 2011

onaughmae said:
Metformin is very cheap as Shanny says...in some places you can even get it free. The walmart strips are cheap also. I think the only thing you might need to "save up" for is at least a twice a year blood check at the dr office. But, they say those at home A1C tests are pretty accurate...so that will help.

If I were you, I would drop everything you use and start on Lantus. You would save money, I believe!

edvegan

Save

Shalynne

· #7 · Jun 16, 2011

Eric ...

Everyone else has offered the best advice. It is fortunate that you've worked your meds down to Metformin alone. Just want to reaffirm that we're all pulling for you!

Ed, getting the numbers down is Round One in our battle. Keeping 'em down is the rest of our lifelong (hopefully non-violent) war.

Eric is one of our staunchest D-warriors. His story is amazing! He knows the field better than most of us.

Save

moon

· #8 · Jun 16, 2011

Dang about losing your insurance - that bites.

For lab tests, even cheaper than the Bayer over-the-counter, is this program designed to help people without insurance or resources. There are no pre-qualifying hoops. You order tests online, go to the participating lab closest to you (check out 'locate a lab' tab) for the draw, and get the results yourself. An A1C is only $13.56 and other tests equally discounted.

Online Medical Lab Tests | Blood Tests

Thankfully you're going into this with good control and w/out the expense of insulin. Small favors, I know.

Save

Shanny

· #9 · Jun 16, 2011

edvegan said:
Eric: Why you concerned about diabetes at all with A1C you have. I have A1C 7.5% and I call it 'controlled diabetes'. Please, explain, I'm totally puzzled...

Ed? Does your doctor agree that your diabetes is controlled? Using this formula [eAG(mg/dl) = (28.7 X HbA1c) – 46.7] an A1c of 7.5 equates with an average blood glucose of 168.55 mg/dl, which seems too high for me, 140 being the jumping off point for incurring internal unnoticeable damage to blood vessels, kidneys, retinas, etc.

Save

Jeremymc1

· #10 · Jun 16, 2011

Eric,

Sorry to hear about your situation. What line of work are you in?

Cheers,

Jeremy

Save

LarryT

· #11 · Jun 17, 2011

Eric,

From my point you are in a great position to do well without the coverage. As several point out the Metformin xR is very reasonably priced.
I just today received email notification that my 'Mail-in A1c' was ready! That is a $9 test from WalMart and was happy to see my A1c back down to 5.7. Of course the doc will do labs mid-July but still this should give me a good perspective as to accuracy. The link to on-line 'discount Lab tests is something I will take a look at

Thank you for bringing this subject up, I have 16 months of Cobra insurance left then several months of no insurance before age 65.

Save

1 - 11 of 11 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.

Top Contributors this Month