[EricaD]

Hi I am desperately seeking information . My name is Erica and i am having prolific retinopothy problems. i have no healthcare. I am a writer and a comic and i'm 34 yrs old. i live in los Angeles.

Here is what i think i need:

1) An insulin pump. maybe someone has one they want to sell because they upgraded? maybe there is an organization that donates them? I need one to help contol my blood sugars. 22 yrs using insulin shots hasn't helped much. Even if it's just for a little while it might help. Anybody know anyone that might want to sell or donate a used one?

2) Information about Los Angeles based free or low cost healthcare for diabetes. maybe theres a place that i can get an insulin pump that way?... preferabley somewhere that is not as scary as and is less depressing than one of the places i went a few years ago that looked more like a methadone clinic than anything else. i have a day job that wont let me sit in a clinic for 5 days straight waiting in a line. I could probably get away with a day or so or a weekend if i need to.

3) information about medi-cal for diabetics: Last i checked i dont qualify because i have no kids and i'm not homeless. Is that still true? Are there any loop holes for that?

4) Information/ real opinions on approaches to retinopothy: i've had this problem before, but it's much worse now. i once had a laser surgery about 5 yrs ago and it was he scariest most depressing thing ever. I got this done at some scary place in a bad part of town. I had nightmares about it for a year. Anyways i've heard that the laser surgery makes you blind in all the places they laser, is that true? i don't want that. But the doctors seem to say you have to get it. Are there other things to do that work? if i dont do it will it only get worse or will it just sortof be the same? Are there any alternative therapies that have helped some of you?

5) What woould you do if your long lost impovereished sister had this problem? step by step what would you have her do? i am super panicked and afraid of losing my vision and i was just seen by an opthamologist who examed me because i was in an unrelated car accident and he says i should run to get this done like yesterday and i know it's bad because i have been wearing an eye patch like some sort of crazy looking pirate when I am writing and i am a comic and a writer and i need my vision for wotk and well also because i like it, seeing i mean.

Anyways please please forgive me for saying so much before I even know you i am just soo scared and all alone and glad to find you because i've been hunting around on the internet for days and days trying to find dtuff out oooooall by myself and I know its very important for me to do something right away.
I am also trying to find a clinical study that may help me Anybody know of one of those that would be right for the retinopothy or maybe an islet cell one or something?

Whew. I'm less frantic than this normally, really. thanks. Erica

[Dewey]

Originally Posted by EricaD

Hi I am desperately seeking information . My name is Erica and i am having prolific retinopothy problems. i have no healthcare. I am a writer and a comic and i'm 34 yrs old. i live in los Angeles.

Here is what i think i need:

1) An insulin pump. maybe someone has one they want to sell because they upgraded? maybe there is an organization that donates them? I need one to help contol my blood sugars. 22 yrs using insulin shots hasn't helped much. Even if it's just for a little while it might help. Anybody know anyone that might want to sell or donate a used one?

4) Information/ real opinions on approaches to retinopothy: i've had this problem before, but it's much worse now. i once had a laser surgery about 5 yrs ago and it was he scariest most depressing thing ever. I got this done at some scary place in a bad part of town. I had nightmares about it for a year. Anyways i've heard that the laser surgery makes you blind in all the places they laser, is that true? i don't want that. But the doctors seem to say you have to get it. Are there other things to do that work? if i dont do it will it only get worse or will it just sortof be the same? Are there any alternative therapies that have helped some of you?

Hi Erica,

I'm not too sure about some of the other info. (i.e. Medi-cal and LA Based health care - perhaps some California members could give some input here?), but I have heard of places such as Diabetes Angel Network, that aid in getting needy Diabetics supplies such as strips and other items. As far as insulin goes, Eli Lilly has a program available called the Lilly Cares Program. However, certain conditions must be met in order to receive insulin. Animas offers discounted rates on pumps, as well as interest-free payment plans to those who need a pump but do not have insurance coverage. They are very willing to work with people, so it would be worth it to give them a call (1-877-937-7867). Sometimes, you can find pumps on eBay, but listings are usually removed before the auctions end.

As far as your eyes are concerned, I cannot really give a good answer on that, because I'm not experienced in that area. While I have heard of such vitamins as Ocular Rx, I'm not really sure about where they can be found or how much they cost. I will say this about vitamins...I'd definitely give them a try, as there's nothing to lose in doing so (other than some money if they don't work). The reason I say this, is my best friend, who has Hodgkin's Lymphoma, was getting tired of waiting for his second treatment method to begin (for his worsening condition & pain). He stumbled upon herbal capsules called "Cat's Claw" (derived from a root), and decided to give them a try. After about a month of usage, he no longer needs his cane and the pain in his left femur (which is/was mostly consumed by cancer) diminished (I'm Not pushing or selling Anything, just offering suggestions as asked for). I was very surprised by this, as at one point, not even his Vicodin was helping the pain. He no longer needs nor takes his Vicodin. So, it's worth a try to check into vitamins, as a supplement. Researching on the internet is definitely a useful tool in finding helpful supplements/vitamins. Just make sure you're not on sites that sell the items, rather informational sites.

Sure hope this helps, and please note, I am Not trying to push or sell Anything, just offering ideas. Hopefully, others will give some good input as well. Good luck and hope you find the aid you need.

Sincerely,
Dew

[lgvincent]

Lilly Cares can be contacted through a toll-free number, it's:

800/545-6962


I don't know if you get a recording at that number or if you can actually talk to someone, though. They can also be reached at:

Lilly Cares
P. O. Box 230999
Centreville, VA 20120

However, a doctor has to fill out and send in the request, so it would probably be a good idea to ask the doctor you may be using if he has the forms needed for the request. If not, maybe he can get the forms through the above number.

I'm aware of the Angel Network that was supposed to offer free glucose strips and meters but the last few times I've been to their website it has not been operating so I don't know if that site is still useful or not. I'll see if I can find the web address for it, just in case.

I'm afraid I don't know much about the other things.

[am1977]

Hi and welcome, Erica

I'm sorry that you are struggling right now. Diabetes is a difficult challenge we have all been given and then when you throw life in general on top of it...well, I think it's fair to say we all know how it is. All you can do is the best you can, so please don't give up.

As far as needing diabetic supplies, you might want to try the insulin pumpers site. I think it's www.insulin-pumpers.org (please correct me if I am wrong, someone ) . I think the guy who runs the site might be able to help you out there.

Unfortunately (and fortunately) I don't know too much about retinopathy. I'm hoping some others will jump in here and offer you some information. I'm pretty certain that you want to monitor it carefully with your doctor. Being that you don't have insurance, I don't know if that is something you can do right now. But I would try and see if there are any clinics or that sort of thing around. I know you mentioned some of the places you checked out were kind of sketchy, perhaps you can go to a hospital and see if they could offer you help or even see if they could suggest a good clinic for you. As diabetics, we really do need good doctors to help us manage our disease and I hope you find that for yourself.

I know you are scared....I get scared too at times, most of us probably do. Please know you aren't alone and if we can help, I know we will try.

Take care of yourself