[ladytaz]

Yesterday (Jan 9th). It was a good visit, I really like him, which I already knew from going with my sis when she saw him in Sept!

I told him about me having to learn everything on my own and what I've been doing and that I'm doing everything I can on MY part (besides more exercise, but nothing I can do about that) ... Told him I'm keeping my meals at or below 45g carbs and snacks at or below 25g of carbs. Told him that my meals are usually 30 - 35g tho. He said that was good.

About my numbers going higher and higher, and being all over the place, no rhyme or reason to it .... he said, well, that's the nature of the beast. I told him I know. So, he's changed my Glipizide dosage from 10mg once a day to 5mg twice a day. I doubt that's going to change anything. I've experimented with that before on my own, and it didn't change anything. But I'll try what he's said to do for now. He said, that if after a month a change for the better isn't seen, he'll put me on insulin.

He said Novolog or Novolin 70/30. Not sure which, but, since I don't have insurance, he's trying to keep my costs down as much as possible, and he meantioned that it was around $30 a vile. After I came home, I went to look up prices, Novolin was around $30, about 1/2 cheaper than Novolog. So Novolin must have been it. We talked a moment about Lantus, but there's the cost factor of that. We talked about the programs that help those that can't afford the meds. So that is an option as well. Altho, I see how the Novolin may help my day time numbers, later I thought about my morning numbers almost always being high and getting higher! (smacks self on forehead for not thinking about it and bringing it up while there!! DUH!) I don't think Novolin will help me any there. Will it? Anyone know?? Anyhow, I'll discuss it more with him at my next appointment on Feb. 6.

My BP was high for me, 148/85 pulse 98, this worries me a little. I've never had ANY probs with that before, I'm normally about 120/70, pulse around 72, but like he said, most people's BP is up when they first come to see him, nerves and all that. I was a bit nervous too, since it's been over a year since I've seen a doc and I'm worried about my A1c. So, he'll see how that (BP) is next month, and if it's still high, he'll put me on something for that.

OH and I've lost 7 lbs. since September! YaY!!!!

They also drew blood, had lots of trouble with that, can't get the vein (rolly polly veins), or when ya can, the blood doesn't want to come out, which is all usual for me! I've got crappy veins! LOL I could NEVER be a needle junky, that's for sure! WAY more trouble than it'd be worth! LOL He's doing the colesterol and A1c tests (I think that's all) with that. I'll know tomorrow what my A1c is. I'm nervous about it, but I also can't wait to find out!! LOL

My sis and I had our appoinments together, since I'm her "taxi" these days (she can't drive because of health probs). Her A1c .... 5.7!!! Three months ago it was 6.2!!!! BRAT!!! LOL She and I also go to see the dietician next week (She missed her appt for that in Oct). We got that all figured so that I can see the dietician on my sis's insurance, I'll come as a "guest" and be able to be seen Altho I know she won't tell me anything I don't already know, but as my sis said, doc want's me to see her, so just smile and nod at her! *giggles*

And other good news, altho my first appointment cost me $200, my "regular" appointments will only be $45!! YaY!! I was really worried about that!

Ok ... I think that's it about that! Just wanted to let y'all know I FINALLY saw an Endo and how it went!

[Keezheekoni]

Well, if you decide to go the Lantus/Humalog route, I can help you with some unopened/unexpired bottles (I think I have 2 Humalog and 1 Lantus left from my MDI days).

Let me know!

[Cyborg]

With regards to the blood pressure, I have my own monitor at home so I do check regularly. One thing I've found is that most nurses to do take an accurate blood pressure reading. I can have a nurse take it and get a high result, then the doctor, who is more careful, will get a good reading. I also seem to go up a bit while at the doctor's office. You can get a blood pressure kit to use at home and they really aren't that expensive...

[ladytaz]

Originally Posted by Rikki

Well, if you decide to go the Lantus/Humalog route, I can help you with some unopened/unexpired bottles (I think I have 2 Humalog and 1 Lantus left from my MDI days).

Let me know!

Alrighty, I will!! Thanks again Rikki!

[ladytaz]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

With regards to the blood pressure, I have my own monitor at home so I do check regularly. One thing I've found is that most nurses to do take an accurate blood pressure reading. I can have a nurse take it and get a high result, then the doctor, who is more careful, will get a good reading. I also seem to go up a bit while at the doctor's office. You can get a blood pressure kit to use at home and they really aren't that expensive...

Yea, I'm not so trustful of those machines they use either, nor most nurses abilities! LOL I do have a monitor here at home. Last night I was checking and it showed in my normal range. Altho I'm not sure how accurate it is either!
Right now it's showing a bit above. But I am a bit stressed right now, family and financial ****. So I'll wait til I'm a bit calmer and check it again later.

[grace girl]

My bp is always a little high when I go to the doc....but normally it's low. I've had many nurses and doc's over the years tell me that most people run a little high when they are at the dr's office.
Glad you like you endo! It makes such a huge difference.

[w5wjp]

I have lots of Humalog pens and a couple of vials of Lantus. Lots of pen needles and some syringes too.

Let me know.

[poodlebone]

Novolin isn't really one specific insulin, it's Novo's name for their line of human insulins, which are now limited to NPH & Regular, I believe. NovoLIN and NovoLOG are different things. The two Novolin insulins don't require a prescription. So, you could use both Novolin Regular for before meals and to correct high BG readings, and Novolin NPH as a basal insulin twice a day. Novolog acts faster than Regular and would also be good only for meals and to correct high readings. If cost is a big factor, the two Novolin insulins might be your best bet as you could get a vial of each type for less than the cost of a vial of Novolog.

Lilly's human, non-RX insulins are under the Humulin brand, and they also come in Regular and NPH. Then they have prescription Humalog, which is the equivalent of Novolog.

[NoelD]

Hey fellow Georgian

[JasonJayhawk]

ladytaz,

If you're on Novolin (same as Humalin), that's under the "Regular" or "R" class of insulin. If you want to save even more money, you can get Novolin in "generic" form at Wal-mart in their "Reli-on" brand. You can check it out on the pharmacy section of Walmart's website. I think it's roughly $20 a bottle (1000 units). Like all regular insulins, it does not require a prescription in most states.

The Reli-on brand is actually made by NovoNordisk, they just changed the labels for Walmart.

Oh yeah, and make sure to get a prescription for it to save on sales tax. Same with test strips and any other medical supplies... the Rx will avoid the sales tax on your medical stuff.

[ladytaz]

Originally Posted by grace girl

My bp is always a little high when I go to the doc....but normally it's low. I've had many nurses and doc's over the years tell me that most people run a little high when they are at the dr's office.
Glad you like you endo! It makes such a huge difference.

Yep, I agree! Altho I'm not overly concerned, I am still concerned some, due to my dad and all his heart probs for the past 30 some odd years .... because of that I am at risk. So, I'll just keep an eye on it! And yep to the Endo liking as well! Totally agree!!

Originally Posted by w5wjp

I have lots of Humalog pens and a couple of vials of Lantus. Lots of pen needles and some syringes too.

Let me know.

Thanks SO much!! I REALLY appreciate y'alls offers of help!

Originally Posted by poodlebone

Novolin isn't really one specific insulin, it's Novo's name for their line of human insulins, which are now limited to NPH & Regular, I believe. NovoLIN and NovoLOG are different things. The two Novolin insulins don't require a prescription. So, you could use both Novolin Regular for before meals and to correct high BG readings, and Novolin NPH as a basal insulin twice a day. Novolog acts faster than Regular and would also be good only for meals and to correct high readings. If cost is a big factor, the two Novolin insulins might be your best bet as you could get a vial of each type for less than the cost of a vial of Novolog.

Lilly's human, non-RX insulins are under the Humulin brand, and they also come in Regular and NPH. Then they have prescription Humalog, which is the equivalent of Novolog.

Thanks for the explanation and information! I don't really know much at all about insulins. I do know he said a 70/30 one tho and it did start with Novo ... lin or log I'm unclear on. We talked about so much, yanno ... brain kinda went on overload I think! LOL

Originally Posted by NDLOraDBA

Hey fellow Georgian

Hello!!!

Originally Posted by JasonJayhawk

ladytaz,

If you're on Novolin (same as Humalin), that's under the "Regular" or "R" class of insulin. If you want to save even more money, you can get Novolin in "generic" form at Wal-mart in their "Reli-on" brand. You can check it out on the pharmacy section of Walmart's website. I think it's roughly $20 a bottle (1000 units). Like all regular insulins, it does not require a prescription in most states.

The Reli-on brand is actually made by NovoNordisk, they just changed the labels for Walmart.

Oh yeah, and make sure to get a prescription for it to save on sales tax. Same with test strips and any other medical supplies... the Rx will avoid the sales tax on your medical stuff.

Thanks so much for the information! Every little bit helps!!!

I'm so glad to have a doctor who is concious of my lack of insurance and is willing to do what he can to help me put out as little money as possible to get the care I need!

Oh and as to my A1c ... dummy me .... I called too late yesterday, they'd already closed office and aren't open today! So I'll have to wait til Monday. I wish I'd have remembered to call sooner yesterday, but I've had a migrain for 3 days now, yesterday and the night before it was TERRIBLE, it's MUCH better today, but still just under the surface right now.

[Just_Plain_John]

Looks like you are getting lots of good advice here, so I'll just add a few bits.

Lots of diabetics end up on BP medication to protect our kidneys. We tend to collect protein in the kidneys due to "reabsorption", essentially the stuff just washes back in like a clogged sink drain, instead of flowing 1 way as it should. There's no way for diet or anything to change that fact, so we end up on the BP meds to both correct our BP and protect the vital kidneys. Fortunately, it's a generic, and one of the few 'scrips that isn't expensive.

Glad to hear you are making such an effort, that's great !

Don't think that exercise has to be an hour of aerobics - ANY exercise will help us use our natural insulin or injected insulin better. Five minutes of trotting briskly up and down the stairs 3x a week is a help, anything is.

Keep up the good work, be well !

[ladytaz]

Originally Posted by Just_Plain_John

Looks like you are getting lots of good advice here, so I'll just add a few bits.

Lots of diabetics end up on BP medication to protect our kidneys. We tend to collect protein in the kidneys due to "reabsorption", essentially the stuff just washes back in like a clogged sink drain, instead of flowing 1 way as it should. There's no way for diet or anything to change that fact, so we end up on the BP meds to both correct our BP and protect the vital kidneys. Fortunately, it's a generic, and one of the few 'scrips that isn't expensive.

Glad to hear you are making such an effort, that's great !

Don't think that exercise has to be an hour of aerobics - ANY exercise will help us use our natural insulin or injected insulin better. Five minutes of trotting briskly up and down the stairs 3x a week is a help, anything is.

Keep up the good work, be well !

Yea, I've been learning about the kidney protection and all that from being here! I'm just hoping ... yanno! I know about the exercise too. I have problems with my knees as well as my back. That's what makes it so difficult. Stairs are out of the question, just spent two weeks having to go up and down a flight of stairs a couple/few times a day (going up is something awful for me) and my knees have hurt me each and every day since As for walking, I can only walk so far before I'm in a load of pain. I can't make it thru 30 minutes of grocery shopping before I just want to leave everything and go, but I force myself to get it finished, and then when I get home I've got to rest for a good couple hours before I can really get moving around again. It sucks, big time, but I still try and do the best I can tho.