[Diabetes-Talk] Newly Diagnosed Diabetic Popping In

[Lisa Belville]

Hi, all.


Thanks to everyone who responded with tips and tricks as well as a warm 
welcome.


I'm in the process of getting the Prodigy voice glocometer.  My GP wrote 
the prescription, but Medicare wants my eye doctor to provide a letter 
of necessity.  I've been blind since birth and haven't seen an actual 
ophthalmologist for nearly 30 years.  I'm having my GP write the letter 
and see if Medicare will accept it.    Would Medicare accept something 
from Social Security indicating that I'm blind?  I remember having to 
re-certify to continue receiving SDI a few years ago, and they didn't 
even require a doctor's visit.


I've met with a nutritionist and have some good ideas for healthier 
meals and snacks.  The challenge for me is portion control and balancing 
carbs for every meal.


My biggest obstacle will be finding someone to assist me with learning 
how to test my sugar.  We live in a very rural area and finding a 
diabetic educator has not been easy.  If worse comes to worse, I can get 
my sister or father to help, they're both type II diabetics.  I would 
prefer not to, though.


I'm feeling more positive, though.  My A1C is down to 6.7 as of my last 
lab test.   I've cut out most soda and pasta, but I want to do better 
with losing weight.


Lisa


Lisa Belville
missktlab1217 at frontier.com

On 1/21/2020 7:33 AM, Jamie Gurganus wrote:
> Welcome to the list! You can easily and independently test your blood sugar with the Prodigy Voice meter. Your local pharmacist should be able to order it for you, but just make sure they order the one that says voice after it. Others on this list will probably chime in and tell you where they have purchased theirs, because some pharmacies don’t carry it.
>
>       Jamie
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jan 21, 2020, at 6:39 AM, Lisa Belville via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hi, all.
>>
>>
>> Last July I was diagnosed with type II diabetes.  My A1C was 7.6 and my sugar level was 145, these were the results of the fasting labs which prompted the diagnosis.  In October my A1C was 7.2 and my fasting sugar was 125.
>>
>>
>> I've been on Metformin since July.  My Dad and sister are also type II, and both of them take Metformin but my sister is on the XR version. I'm lucky in that I haven't had some of the severe gastro-intestinal issues my dad and sister have.
>>
>>
>> I have started eliminating things like soda and excessive sweets, and reading food lables more closely, but it can be so overwhelming and confusing.  I know carbohydrates can be more harmful than straight sugar, so I'm trying to find things low in carbohydrates that I actually like.  My weaknesses are rice, pasta, and anything chocolate.  <sigh and grin>  I like the riced cauliflower, so that's a start.
>>
>>
>> My doctor told me that some people manage their type II diabetes with Metformin and diet changes and never check their sugar levels.  she didn't seem concerned about that, but did ask me at my second appointment what my blood sugar was doing and I couldn't tell her.
>>
>>
>> So, my challenge now is finding a glucometer I can use independantly.  I'm totally blind and live alone.  I have Medicare as well as Medicade coverage.  What should I ask for and how can I get someone to show me how to use it.  If worse comes to worse I can get my dad or sister to show me, but I'd just as soon do it myself if possible.
>>
>>
>> Thank you so much and I look forward to everyone's opinions and answers.
>>
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Lisa Belville
>> missktlab1217 at frontier.com
>>
>>
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