Fingers crossed!

--Mike

By Mike Grafton (Mike_Grafton) on Thursday, February 10, 2022 - 10:44 am: Edit

My dad has much the same problems with his balance and sight from his untreated diabetes.

But he is still all there, so we have that.

We found that moderate exercise (stationary bike for example) was helpful for all of his symptoms...

By Joe Carlson (Jrc) on Monday, February 14, 2022 - 02:23 pm: Edit

SVC,

Thanks for all the updates. Very said to hear of SPP strokes. Though the life changes are hard he knows what his medical problems are and is cooperating. Thank you all for being such good friends to him.

I presume he has type 2 diabetes which is a metabolic disease and easier to control. I have type I which requires insulin. The oral medications are much cheaper than insulin.

Have the doctor tested his A1C level? The goal is keep in between 7% and 8%. The test determines the % of red blood cells that have sugar permanently bonded.

Once he is on Medicare A and B there are Medicare advantage plans that provide enhanced RX coverage. If he requires insulin He should look into NOVOCARE. They provided me free insulin last year because I make less than 4x federal poverty level.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Monday, February 14, 2022 - 09:21 pm: Edit

Thanks for all the warm thoughts. I pass them to Steve and he is greatly appreciative.

Steve suffered a setback recently when he picked up a secondary infection. He has been in the hospital (not rehab) for several days of massive antibiotic doses. We hope to get him back into rehab soon.

Since his diabetes hit in his 60s it is type II. I convinced the nurse to run an A1C on the first night and it was over 8.

By Joe Carlson (Jrc) on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - 02:23 am: Edit

A1C is good news. At least it wasn't 15 like me when was diagnosed 24 years ago and I lost 30 pounds.

His A1C is almost in range. Have they checked his kidney functions. High BP can cause the kidney to leak proteins. when he is stable he sound take a diabetes class.

Again if I can offer support, answer question send me an email.

He is a good person. Doesn't desire what happened. Tell him I am praying for him as many others are

Take care of as well.

By Steven Zamboni (Szamboni) on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - 12:16 pm: Edit

I was able to drop my A1C from 9-something to 6 with oral meds without insulin, so there are options if he's still down at that range. Some of them require decent kidney functions, though, so those may be a focus for the next steps.

(Type 3c with aberrations here, or "Type-one-and-a-half" according to my doctor.)

By Joe Carlson (Jrc) on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - 04:33 pm: Edit

I have Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in the adult (LADA). I have the presence of the GAD antibodies. Beta islet cells in the pancreas secret insulin. I don't have any functioning beta Islet cells so I require insulin.

Diabetes is manageable but frustrating to every day follow routines. The desire to get well is very important. The technology is available now to make management more effective. I have a Decom 6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that check my blood sugar levels every 5 minutes. I have an app on my cell phone that alerts me if I am too high or too low.

By Steven Zamboni (Szamboni) on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - 06:14 pm: Edit

I have a Libre2 sensor stuck in my arm. It changed this whole process from abstract nagging to something you can actually see and steer. I know I'd be in much worse shape without the constant visual feedback from the sensor. The scanner also uploads to the doc, so they get the charts and logs as well.

(What's left of my pancreas was stitched to what's left of my small intestines. I'm a migraine headache for an endocrinologist.)

By Joe Carlson (Jrc) on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 - 07:13 pm: Edit

These CGMs are great. Your surgery doesn't sound very fun.

As a type 1 I found out that I was susceptible to thyroid problems. Ended up with hasimoto's disease. Then para thyroid problems. Then cancerous nodules. Now no thyroid and osteoporosis is under control.

By Roger Rardain (Sky_Captain) on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - 05:37 pm: Edit

I must chime in to agree about the CGMs.
I've been using the Freestyle Libre for several years, and it has allowed me to control my diabetes.
I also don't have to prick my fingers multiple times each day.

The odd part is that my health insurance won't cover it.
So, they'll cover the results of uncontrolled diabetes, but not the method to help control it. Hunh.

SVC, please give SPP my best wishes.
I am sure he can come out the other side with reasonable health.
I too have had minor vision issues due to my diabetes. Some treatments are available, but getting something injected into ones eyeball was not fun.

By MarkSHoyle (Bolo) on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - 06:21 pm: Edit

So, they'll cover the results of uncontrolled diabetes, but not the method to help control it. Hunh.


Yep, wasn't that the supposed selling point for ObamaCare.... prevent major issues through early treatment.....

By Jessica Orsini (Jessica_Orsini) on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - 07:58 pm: Edit

Bolo: it falls into a weird zone. While it's covered by Medicare (and most major plans) for Type I, Type 2 coverage slipped a fair lot when the rules were loosened in 2018.

By Garth L. Getgen (Sgt_G) on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - 10:42 pm: Edit

I've asked about the Freestyle Libre and was told that TriCare won't cover it for Type-II, only Type-I. But I would still like to learn more about the device. How does it communicate with the display/reader? Bluetooth? If so, what is the range? I work in a secure room, so Bluetooth must be pre-approved and cell phones must remain outside the room (we have phone lockers). I know there's another brand that, based off the TV commercials, seems to need a constant connection to the phone / display device, so that one is a No-Go for me. Again, based off the TV commercials, it appears the Libre uses a manual on-demand connection, not a constant connection, yes? If so, I might be able to get it approved for use, assuming I can get a prescription for it.


Garth L. Getgen

By Roger Rardain (Sky_Captain) on Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 12:30 am: Edit

Garth;

With the Freestyle Libre devices there are 2 options.
- Option 1 uses a dedicated reader, and gets readings on demand. Reception range is close, with in an inch, but can scan through a heavy coat.
The device stores readings internally for 8 hours. The reader stores readings for 45 days. Hooking the reader to your computer, readings can be uploaded to a website to share with your healthcare doctor. This is what I use.

-Option 2 is using a NFC enabled smartphone (bluetooth?)with the appropriate app to collect the readings, also on demand.
I am not familiar with Option 2, so I don't have the answers for it.

By Garth L. Getgen (Sgt_G) on Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 01:01 am: Edit

With a range of only an inch, it should be relatively easy to get that approved. We have a Major who has Bluetooth-enabled hear aids and he got those approved to wear inside the room. I doubt the brand that requires a continuous connection would be allowed.


Garth L. Getgen

By John Wyszynski (Starsabre) on Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 08:04 am: Edit

I have the Dexcom G6; about a year and half.

Insurance company covers 80%. I am type 2. I think covering test strips cost as much. I accumulated a small stockpile before telling the pharmacy to stop refilling.

Bluetooth range is about 25 feet with a five minute sample time. Works with a dedicated receiver which looks like a mini smartphone. Or works with newer smart phones. There is now a feature to share reading with other cell phones to allow others to monitor your numbers.

I had no problem getting the dedicated receiver approved for use inside a secure DoD facility.

[ADD] It also has a alarm if your numbers goes out of range.

By Steven Zamboni (Szamboni) on Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 12:04 pm: Edit

Libre has a free trial with a 14-day sensor, probably using the phone version. (Was just looking that up for SPP.)

I use the dedicated reader. With 8 hours of storage, it's easy to just leave it at home. If you're gone for 9 hours, it just leaves a 1-hour hole in the charts. The reader sounds the alarms, so this will depend on how important those alarms are to you.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 02:13 pm: Edit

Steve's internal medicine doctor will decide which is best for him. Doctors have proven notoriously uninterested in what I suggest to them or tell them friends on internet suggested.

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 03:10 pm: Edit

Did steve Petrick choose a health advocate?

Some one to make medical decisions in case he is unable to make such choices for himself?

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Thursday, February 17, 2022 - 10:00 pm: Edit

Yes. He and his brother chose Me.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Saturday, February 19, 2022 - 12:02 am: Edit

I saw Steve Friday. He was released from the hospital and taken back to Arbors. He will be released from there to go "home" in 1-3 weeks, depending on progress. He will get an eye test to see if he can drive next week. That may affect where he can live; no car means moving closer to the office.

By David Zimdars (Zimdarsdavid) on Monday, February 21, 2022 - 03:03 am: Edit

Hi, I am very sorry hear that Steve Petrick suffered a series of strokes. Please give him my best wishes and relate my prayers for his recovery. Sincerely, Dave

By Kenneth Lin (Old_School) on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - 02:02 pm: Edit

Just seeing this, I am so sorry that this happened.

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - 05:55 pm: Edit

So sad.
Steve was brought down by a threat he couldn’t shoot.

By Hugh Bishop (Hugh62) on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - 08:33 am: Edit

Get well soon, we all miss you and our prayers are with you.