[kimfly]

I am new here and new to diabetes in general, in other words it has not sunk in yet. I have not been to a doctor for complicated reasons.

I suspected I might have it ...bought a testing kit and reading started at around 350 two weeks ago..now they are down to 230 on average after I stopped drinking and starting to diet and exercise.

The question is they were at 220 then after lunch to day eating 100 carbs..it went to 325...is this normal?

And when does someone start needing to take medicine for diabetes, at a certain level or after they can not maintain levels with out it?

How bad are the levels that I am getting? When do I start crying?

[rzrbks]

kimfly,

It appears that you need to get to the Dr. as soon as possible.
The Dr. should do a fasting test, you fast for 12 hr and then take BS test.

But 220 is not normal.

Normal is less than 120 before eating. and about the same two hours after eating. really should be in the 85-100 range.

Your Dr. will make suggestions and etermine whether you can control it with diet or whether you need meds or insulin.

It's really not horrible .

kimfly, it is much better than the alternative.

[lgvincent]

I do wish you would see a doctor quickly. It does appear your blood sugar readings may not be in the normal range for a person without diabetes but you really need a doctor to make that determination.

[HeatherP]

Hi Kim. I'm sorry that things don't look too good. You need to see a doctor, so that he/she can order the appropriate blood tests.

I'm not going to claim that Diabetes is a picnic - it's not. However, once you know you have it, you can begin to deal with it. It's both emotional and physical. I'm sure you've heard the horror stories. I watched my mother in denial from the time I was born. It isn't easy. My best advice is to accept it, and begin to treat/deal with it as soon as possible. That means that you need to see a doctor for blood tests and then a dietician/CDE ASAP. This person may very well be your best tool in learing about this disease and how to cope w/ it and how to treat it.

There's a lot of us here that have probably been through what you're experiencing right now, so I welcome you, and encourage you to share your fears, questions and experiences!

HeatherP

[Jon]

I know everybody is telling you to see a doctor right away. And that really is the best advice. But I also understand denial. You think that if you don't go to the doctor and get a diagnosis, then you don't really have it and it will go away. But you already know that you have the symptoms, and you believe it is diabetes or you would not be here. The sooner you get in to see a doctor, the sooner you will start feeling good again, and you can get on with your life. Depending on what type you have, you may be able to control it with diet and excercise. Or you may have to start taking shots. Either way, not getting it under control will cause serious problems in the very near future. I read somewhere that before insulin, the average diabetic would live up to a year after being diagnosed. I don't want to sound too harsh, but I want to stress the importance of getting help now.

And as far as when to start crying, you are always welcome to cry here. We have all done it at one time or another.

[EdnBama]

Kim ...

Diabetes can be a scary prospect ... at least at first. Many of the people who write here will attest to that. I even noticed that when some celebrities with diabetes were on Larry King Live recently talking about it, they all commented how scared they were when first diagnosed. If I hadn't been in such shock, and scared thinking about diabetes affected my grandfather, I might have cried too!

It is important that you see a doctor and get a good diagnosis of what's going on with your body.

Although you didn't explain what you have done in terms of diet, it's good that you realize the importance of modifying your diet and you can share your experience with the doctor so he/she can get a better idea of what's going on.

From my experience, the hardest part about being diabetic is figuring out the food -- especially in terms of realizing that we can't approach food the same again. It sounds like you know that already so you really have started tackling the hardest part.

The main thing now is to determine if perhaps oral mediciations or even insulin shots are required to help you get those numbers down further.

A secondary object, but nearly as important, is to figure out if you have any early signs of damage ... or at least getting a baseline assessment so that doctor's can tell later if you are developing related problems.

I wish you well. It's not an easy road you are being dragged to, but with the help of family and friends -- and the good folks here in this forum -- you will be helped along and will do just fine.

--Ed

[kimfly]

Wow, thanks so much for all the replies. I am thinking about the doctor appointment issues now. The problem I have at the moment is that due to the nature of my work, I can't have diabetes and still work. So I need to find other work before I have any offical word on it.

Also I need to learn about insurance issues. I have Blue Cross of California at the moment with a high deductable and am wondering if I should change insurance or etc before "offical" diagnosis.

Is it possible to go to a doctor, get some test and pay cash and not even tell him/her who I am? I know that sounds crazy, but I think I really need to be careful. I am almost more afraid of the insurance companies than I am of the diabetes.

Does anyone know who I could contact about insurance issues to find out more about coverage? It appears from initial research that there are about $3,000 a year in costs? Does that sound about right?

[rzrbks]

Much will depend on the plan of action your Dr. and CDE take.

Meds will add to the cost; insulin types will differ, delivery systems will determine what costs run.

Each case is very different, unique, and special as is each person.

As for Cali. information, Heather and Jon know a great deal as do others on the board.

Good luck, kimfly

[kimfly]

What is a CDE?

[notme]

I can't blame you for having a fear of insurance companies Kim. I worked for several years just to keep my insurance benefits. Your best bet for insurance is to get it through employment. Once any of the insurance companies hear diabetes the door is shut. As far as diabetes cost go, it varies widely and I doubt anyone here could give you a correct answer. If you are controlled by diet and exercise you will have a much lower out of pocket yearly. You will still have lab work bills and endo bills, but not the expense of medication. If you are a type one like myself, your costs will be much higher. I use and insulin pump and it is a very expensive (but effective) way to manage diabetes. There are lots of very good long acting insulins out there that work almost as good as the pump and the cost is quite a bit less. So you see, it can vary.

I agree with everyone else that the sooner you see a doctor the better for your health, but I also understand the need to try to have everything in place. I would suggest that you find new employment quickly and get signed up on their insurance plan. Make sure you understand the fine print when it is presented to you. Look for pre-existing condition clauses and also see if there is a time frame that they consider something pre-existing. A few companies will require you to have a blood test before employment. This will show your high blood sugar immediately unless you have gained great control of your numbers.

In the meantime, watch everything you eat CAREFULLY. Try to limit your simple carbohydrates. Simple being foods that break down into sugar quickly. These foods are things like potatoes, rice, white bread, cookies, crackers or anything sugary. Juice and regular sodas are killer. Complex carbos will be a much better choice. Things like beans, protiens and veggies. Exercise is key. A bare minimum of 30 minutes a day. Make sure you test often while you are waiting. Take a morning reading before breakfast so you know where your starting point is. Try and test two hours after your meals so you know what foods you might need to avoid and what ones work. Ultimately, you would like to see your blood sugar below 150 after a meal. If you have a blood test for employment, your numbers should be below 125 to pass.

Most of all, our advice is only that. A doctor is going to know more about your personal needs than we will. He will determine what type of diabetes you have and your best course of treatment. We can always tell you what we have done to make our lives easier, but not everything will be the same for you. Just like people, diabetes is different for everyone.

I wish you the best of luck..... Don't waste time in getting treated!

Nancy

[webpundit]

Hi Kim,

Even with good insurance (thank God my company pays mine) my health costs are $1000. This includes

• Insulin: I pay $25+$25=$50 for the 2 types of insulin I use per month. Those are the co-pays. I dunno the actual prices.
• Glucose Monitors, Strips, Syringes etc.: This is about $100 per month. But that's only because I have to pay only 10% of my supplies!!!!
• Doctor Visits: Your endocrinologist will procably ask to meet with you once every 3 months. My copay is still $40 for that. I see one type of doctor or the other every month, like Opthalmalogist, my podiatrist or dentist.

I tried to get individual insurance when I was between jobs, but naturally, nobody would give me any. So think hard about that before you let your insurance company know.

It seems like you have Type 2 where your body is still producing insulin, but it's not enough. When I was diagnoised I had readings in the 600's. Type 2 is nicer than Type 1, cuz in most cases you don't have to take those hateful insulin shots.

Hope all that helps. I wish you good health, Kim.

In silent prayer,
WP

[rzrbks]

kimfly

What is a CDE?

Certified Diabetes Educator--the person with whom you will work most closely to control your Diabetes and who will be your best source of information about how you can control your disease best.

at least that's been my experience

[EdnBama]

Collette ...

I don't know if there are labs that will test you for diabetes anonymously. However, I do know there are labs here that test anonymously for sexually transmitted diseases (AIDS, etc.) ... Not sure about where you live.

There might not be much demand for anonymous glucose testing ... whereas people really don't want others to know about sexually transmitted diseases.

Might be interesting to find out though if such testing is available.

--Ed

[DeusXM]

Reading through all this, I can't help but feel grateful that I don't live in the US. You say that insurance companies refuse to provide cover if you declare you have diabetes? That breaks god knows how many international human rights laws, and it's punishable by prosecution here.

And all this panicking over costs...jeez, it's really, REALLY frightening. How on earth can anyone charge you for the right to stay alive, that's absoutely disgusting and barbaric. I knew that the US healthcare system wasn't exactly the best in the world, but are you serious? You have to pay for diagnosis, care and meds? This is just wrong!

You say that your job and diabetes are incompatible. May I ask what your current occupation is? There are very few jobs which you can be outrightly banned from simply for having diabetes, since that's disability discrimination.

You should NOT need to take this s***. Without wanting to sound unduly harsh, what are you more frightened of, insurance companies or dying? Whether or not you get officially diagnosed, you are still going to have diabetes, and if you don't get it treated, and treated RIGHT NOW, the sad fact is that you WILL die, and it will be a very horrible and painful death and you'll probably lose at least a leg before it's eventually over.

Ask yourself if it's really worth it.

And on a final note, I'd ask all the Americans here to seriously consider forming some kind of protest group, maybe in coalition with other people with chronic conditions and lobby for a half-decent welfare state. The US is the only Western nation with absolutely no state provision for the sick, and ****, even poverty stricken nations like China somehow manage to provide for their people.

Sorry to sound so aggressive but it seriously p****s me off to actually see what kimfly is having to go through because it's just plain barbaric and inhuman. No-one in the modern world should have to suffer like this.

[HeatherP]

Kim,

Ok, there may be hospitals in your area that do free or low-cost b/s screening "clinics". It is ok for you to pay cash to a dr for a visit - they'll want you to pay up front though. Diabetes is not a good thing to have when it comes to insurance. If your insurance is thru your employer, then you should be able to obtain it. Forget trying to get it individually. The info Nancy (notme) posted was accurate and look for pre-existing conditions clauses. I don't know if diabetes qualifies you under the disability act, which would keep you from losing your job. If there's a local chapter of the American Diabetes Assoc, they may be able to help you with info.

If you absolutely have to, you can see the doctor and pay for your meds and supplies w/o insurance, but it gets very expensive. Plus, if for example, you have T1 and need to take insulin, you have a higher risk of hypoglycemia which may cause problems at your job, and then they'd find out. On the other hand, if you go so high you end up in a coma, that's not good either. In CA, the law mandates the ins co's to pay for our diabetic meds and supplies and specialists and CDE visits. At least we have that over some other states.

Your best bet is to change jobs ASAP so that you can begin to take better care of yourself. The longer your sugars are high, the more damage you are doing to yourself.

I'm sorry you're in this situation. I hope that you can resolve it quickly and get on with your life and feeling better!

Take care of yourself,
HeatherP

P.S. DeusXM, you are absolutely right!