Pretty good medical news

[pameladean]

I forgot to include this in the previous post. When one is diagnosed with diabetes, at least at an HCMC Clinic that uses MyChart, a huge raft of obligations springs up in one's list of Matters that Require your attention, all marked "overdue" even though you had no idea about any of this just the day before. I've been doggedly working my way

Comments

[naomikritzer]

That is exactly why I tend to carefully fold up patient information sheets, stash them in my purse, and forget about them. It's a self-defense mechanism.

Also, I was flabbergasted and enraged when I found out my health insurance didn't cover routine eye exams. My eyes are part of my body and glaucoma runs in my family. What the hell, you know? (Mind you, my teeth are also part of my body and of course dental stuff is not remotely covered ever by anyone, in part because of the myth that if you are virtuous with toothbrushing you will never have any problems ever.)

[pameladean]

I know, it's completely stupid. Even if you buy dental insurance, it has so many weird loopholes that you still pay a lot out of pocket. I remember my outrage when my dentist told me that dental insurance will cover an actual crown for your molar but not the process of preparing the molar for the crown, without which, of course, it cannot BE crowned at all. I don't think they should be let get away with that, any more than regular health insurance companies should be allowed to make routine eye care a fancy extra that only people with a lot of money can have covered. It should be right in there with flu shots.

P.

[naomikritzer]

When I was 13 years old and spent a year in the UK with my family, at some point in the spring I needed my teeth cleaned. We were there on a tourist visa and had private insurance for our medical care, which did not include dental, so my mother made an appointment for me at a nearby dentist and gave me some cash to pay for it.

They cleaned my teeth and when I tried to pay, they looked at me in utter astonishment. "You're under sixteen," they explained. "All dental care is covered." "But I'm not British," I said (which was obvious from my accent). "And I brought money to pay." "You are under sixteen," they said, firmly and more slowly, and I went home with the money.

[asakiyume]

"You are under sixteen," they said

Imagine that: a time and place where a government felt that it was the right thing to offer a level of care to all people. Period. Just that. All people. Makes me weep for here and now.

[pameladean]

Thank you; me too!

And I'll try not to be deflated.

P.

[mamculuna]

My husband was diagnosed with diabetes last year and we went to those classes. I was amazed but he took it to heart, stopped with the bread, milk, candy, and ice cream, took metformin, lost about 40 pounds, and got his A1C back down into the normal range within 6 months. He's still eating well, but he does not eat consistently AT ALL. He nibbles all day long and a good bit of the night--he just switched to nuts and cheese and cole slaw and almond milk. I really hope it lasts, and I hope it goes the same way for you.

[pameladean]

I already stopped with things like soda, candy, and ice cream when I turned up pre-diabetic, and this particular regimen strongly discourages reducing carbohydrates too far -- you are supposed to limit them but not reduce them beyond two or three servings per meal and one per snack.

It is nice to hear that grazing is not necessarily the stroke of doom for getting good numbers, though; thanks, and best of luck to your husband.

P.

[mamculuna]

My husband is a big guy so they told him he should have at least 100 grams of carbs a day, but he switched to whole grains instead of simple sugars. I think that made a lot of difference. And he was probably eating 200+ grams before! No wonder his a1c was high. But I think he also just ate less. Losing weight is easier for a big guy.

Our counselor told him that many small "meals" were actually better for keeping blood sugar stable. Maybe the consistency thing is to have one pattern or another--not graze one day, have a huge meal the next, combine the two the next, etc.

Good luck, again!

[pameladean]

*sulking* I already switched to whole grains, ten years or more ago. I think my diabetes is not really a result of diet, it's genetics plus my antihypertensives, several of which are known to raise blood sugar -- and probably a strong tendency to be sedentary, which I have conquered for nine months of the year more or less but revert to in the winter..

I bet you're right about the grazing -- as long as that's what one does all the time, and maaaybe as long as one eats consistent amounts more or less, it works all right. I guess I'll find out.

P.

[pameladean]

Actually, this must have freaked out a lot of people, because it's noted on the patient information sheet AND the actual pill bottle. But I appreciate your mentioning it, as it would have been, yes, disconcerting.

P.

[firecat]

Congratulations for getting through all that stuff.

My diabetic eye exam has always been covered under my medical insurance; it's not routine eye care.

If you hate the dietary guidelines, there are other ways.

[pameladean]

Thank you.

I got a letter from the insurance company detailing the difference between preventive and maintenance care, and diabetic care is not preventive, so I pay out of pocket until I meet the deductible. Obviously I should have gotten diagnosed earlier in the year. With luck I can find a better plan next time.

Please, could you tell me what are the other ways? LJ private message or email are fine if you don't want to discuss it in the comments. pddb at demesne dot com.

P.

[firecat]

Sent you email.