[Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom and Medicare.

Tue Oct 2 18:38:54 UTC 2018

Veronica and others,

Great points. Thanks for sharing.

And yes, ideas about diabetic diets have changed quite a bit through the years. I was diagnosed in the mid-80s, and back then, it was a lot more restrictive, thinking it was all about sugar and not just carbs in general. I was the kid with the angel food cake for her birthday where half was iced, and guess what half I was given. Yep, it sucked.

But, nowadays, the focus is completely on carbs and insulin ratios. This is why there is less of a focus on specific foods and all the focus is on carbs. As diabetics, we really can eat whatever we want, we just need it to fit into our specific, individual daily goals.

Having said this, it doesn't mean me or anyone else always follows what specific plan we are on. Essentially, if my A1-C is good, that's what I focus on. Mine have been good for years now, so, I don't worry too much about the specifics 😊

I eat as healthy as possible, allowing myself to indulge in treats from time-to-time, and exercise as much as I can. For me, I swim, do yoga and run almost daily, but diet and activity looks different for everyone. And again, if our A1-Cs are in target ranges, that's the biggest accomplishment.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, October 2, 2018 11:21 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom and Medicare.

Lisi, first, thanks for your honesty. I too have struggled with diet compliance, for lack of a better word. When I was diagnosed with type 1 at age 34, it took me about ten years before I got up the courage to eat with another diabetic because I was so afraid of being scolded. Over the years I have found my coping strategies and learned how to use my pump when I wasn't being a perfect diabetic and you know, I've enjoyed life. We all find our own paths and sort out things as we go. During my first three years living with diabetes, they changed the diet four times. This started me out as a bit of a skeptic. But we are all different and if we're lucky, we have a good endocrinologist or someone with whom we can forge a good relationship.
But this list is full of great ideas and it's good that we all get our butts kicked once in awhile. <grin> So I hope you'll come to find, as I have, that this is a very safe place to hang out and just be yourself. I really don't believe in the word compliance anyway. We're all doing the best we can in the moment. It's a 24/7 thing and we just have to figure out how it works in our own lives. So pat yourself on the back because you're alive. Then enjoy the time here with us.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Estelnalissi via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2018 12:20 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Estelnalissi
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom and Medicare.

Dear Veronica and Bridget,

Veronica, every word of encouragement is a help. Thank you for your patience.

Bridget, I appreciate your explanation though I knew protein doesn't lower glucose. I would eat mostly protein after eating too many carbs in the hope that if I deleted most carbs for a day it would give insulin enough time to cope with my carb overdose. I hesitate to write about my poor habits. I'm sure no one here would mistake my confidences as suggestions for good control. I may be the only one on the list who struggles with diet compliance . If so, I hope something will work its way on to the list that might nudge me in a better direction. If not, then others here who might be too embarrassed to admit their struggles might learn from the responses I get for the many of you with such admirable maintenance.

Always with love,

Lissi

-----Original Message-----
From: Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2018 10:40 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Veronica Elsea
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom and Medicare.

Lissi, I too struggled with my testing routine because as someone who has trouble getting enough blood, I was not very successful at testing when I was away from home. With the G6, I do a test or two on the first day until I see that it is warmed up and matching my meter. Then, frankly, I don't test again until 10 days later when I insert the next sensor. After three months of doing this, now when I actually do a finger stick, I'm pretty amazed at how easily I get blood. And yes, you can see exactly what is happening with your glucose levels when you eat and exercise. I was surprised at how many foods made my readings jump right after eating, but then really drop two hours later. I've learned a lot about what and when to eat and how to manage my insulin to match what I'm doing. I sure wish I'd had this 30 years ago, okay, 25. I might have been a bit overwhelmed at first. <grin> But the people at Dexcom told me that it could be as soon as November, just no way to know. I just hope they don't stick something stupid in the contract that messes up us using it. My plan is just to keep calling. After all, if I self-pay, nobody can tell me when to order the next batch, right?
Hang in there and here's hoping Medicare gets its act together soon.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club.
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Estelnalissi via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2018 6:04 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Estelnalissi
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom and Medicare.

Dear Veronica,

Thank you so much for mentioning the monthly cost for Dexcom sensors. I realize the cost must vary depending on the insurance plans and their combinations. Testing my BG isn't easy for me so Dexcom 06 sounds like a blessed solution. Having a ball park idea of the dexcom's cost helps me remain realistic as well as helping me to keep up the finger sticks until the 06 is approved.

My endo's nurse practitioner has designed a system she feels is acceptable requiring 2 sticks instead of 4 a day: once when I first get up in the morning and then two hours after breakfast one day, lunch the next day and supper the third day and then starting the following day after breakfast again. After many years as a diabetic I hadn't accomplished the four tests a

day protocol. I'm more than grateful to her.

As for the Dexcom, I was thinking that if it tests fairly continually, it would know when I go for carbs sweet ;or savory. There would be no telling myself when I ate big carbs that I will make up for it later by eating proteins heavily.

By the way, I cooked a recipe from a Betty Crocker cookbook of 30 minute meals for diabetics which my husband is willing to have again. It's a skillet taco meal with 100 percent whole grain minute rice, ground beef, corn, tomato paste, salsa, crushed tomatoes water and onions cooked in a deep skillet. I used a dutch oven because I used more ground beef and onions

than the recipe called for. I'll share the recipe on or off list if anyone is interested. I like it that there will be leftovers.

I don't post often, but I read almost all of the messages here with appreciation and best wishes to all of you.

airadil at dslextreme.com

Always with love,

Lissi

-----Original Message-----
From: Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2018 5:33 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Veronica Elsea
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Dexcom and Medicare.

Hi everyone!
Well, I am now a very unhappy camper. Today I officially start on Medicare.
Boo hiss! I hereby declaire my supplemental insurance a giant waste of money. If Medicare covers something, they will pay a little bit more. If Medicare denies, they will too. You all probably know where this is going.
My next batch of Dexcom sensors will be paid completely out of pocket, which is over $300 per month. But I'm not going backwards. According to Dexcom, Medicare has officially approved the G6, but they just don't have a contract yet. How stupid is that. The contract could be sorted out by the end of the year. They will then have an upgrade program for Medicare recipients who are using the G5. But it makes no sense for me to go through all the prior authorizations and stuff to go backwards for a month or two or three. And I can't imagine what takes six months to be written up in a contract. Is this where they bundle it with an inaccessible meter? Is this where we could potentially have another fight over not being required to use the receiver?
This is where someone with NFB or somewhere should be on the alert and working with Dexcom and Medicare. But that's not happening either.
Now I get to go find out if everyone was telling me the truth about the Omnipod. But hey, my supplemental plan would buy me a hearing aid. It's amazing how private insurance companies have to offer continuity of care when you change plans. But the government, nope!
Well, time to start buying lottery tickets I guess. <grin> Anyway, thanks for listening. I'll keep you posted and I'm back to doing some research again.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club.
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

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