insulin pump

[Deondarling]

Hi, I'm not sure what I am doing, as I have never left a post on a site before. So I am hoping that I am in the right place for what I am trying to accomplish and I apologise if I'm not. I am a insulin dependent type 2 diabetic of 4 years. My A1cs are horrible, my needle anxiety is even worse. I tried to get an insulin pump and during my trial period loved it. However my insurance does not provide pumps to type 2 diabetics, no exceptions. My husband is a disabled Vietnam Veteran and as his caregiver I do not have outside employment. We have 3 school age children and live on a very limited income. So purchase of the device is completely out of our reach. My strength is going down hill rapidly. I had a resent episode with my Lantus that put me in the ER, I hit a vein in my abdomen with 40 units of Lantus and within 25 minutes my blood sugar was at 36 and crashing. I have been too terrified to take it since. If anything happens to me there is no one to care for my family. Are there any programs available to help me get a pump?

[sweetsarabear]

Do you have a diabetes educator ? Most times they are a good source of info. If not call one near you. Explain your situation and maybe they can lead you to someone. Another thought is how about the Lions club in your area ? Check them out too or any other organizations like that. I know its hard let us know how your doing ok ?
:silly:

[Blair]

Deondarling, welcome to the forum. I'm so sad to read that insurance won't cover something that seems to be so necessary for you

Can you approach governmental authorities on this one? There must be something you can do about this?

I have found the following site that explains of certain authorities that might be of aid to you. I truly hope you will find something there that will help you:

click here please

the "Medicaid" seems like a good point to start.

[Deondarling]

Thank you everyone for the insights. I do have an educator and she is great. The needle issue is not one of technique but more of childhood trauma, it goes beyond education or itellect. My insurance is through the government (CHAMPVA) for the families of disabled Veterans. Most providers do not accept it because if is very poor pay, infact Doctors more often loose money on CHAMPVA patients. I am too young for Medicare and not yet in kidney failure. My friends encouraged me to seek out the manufacuters on line to see if there were any programs but I haven't found any to help me get a pump. Medicaid or Basic Health in my state would only be available to me if we did not have the CHAMPVA coverage. I will investigate the organizations that you all have mentioned aand see where that gets me. Thank you all again. Hey have any of you tried or no of any one who has tried the inhaled insulin? My insurance may pay for that, I'm just a little lery of it. What do you know about it?

[Blair]

I understand. the coverage you got isn't good to provide for your needs but does form an obstruction in receiving proper medication. That's a shame. Very, very inconsiderate to say the least, and personally I think the pharmaceutical industries and medical establishment are looking after the quest for money more than after the preservence of patient's health, which is completely against the original code of ethics doctor's swore in to when becoming doctors. I'd go as far as to see a definite link of cooperation in self-serving financial goals - with the patient as victim. Health becoming business... who could have thought that

I'm not aware of someone I know using the inhaled insulin, but have found an article explaing the pro's and contra's. Please click the following:


here

[Tiptoeheather]

There are benefits you can do to raise the money for one or there are churches that will help you out with this.... i will thinking about you and good luck!!!

Heather S :silly:

[Blair]

Hi Heather S, welcome to the forum I am happy you joined.

[Vytautas]

Hello Deondarlin,

i have to say i'm sorry about your situation, but there is always hope.

One way that has been suggested to me by my friend is to look for sponsors that will help you pay for the pump. For egzample companies, politics. You can find such if you know where to look, but i'm not sure about other countries. Here the head of our club sponsors a few pumps every few months (my friend got in).

The other thing is to talk with the manufacturer representatives and talk about reducing the price and maybe a possibility to pay over time.

There is still one more way: gather money by going to a TV programe. What this does is basicaly promotes companies that chip in and sometimes even help the manufacturer step down a little. But this should be used as a last resort.

Using "pens" is harder but if you find the needed balance you can control your diabetes fine.

[Tiptoeheather]

Thanks, this is so neat i never knew there was a website like this. I think its a great thing that diabetics can get together and chat and learn so much more stuff than we have ever known.:lol:

[Blair]

Thanks Heather S., I hope to see a lot of you here

Vytautas, those are very original ideas. I hope Deondarling will take them in consideration