Author: kathleen

  • New med and new doctor isn’t working

    I took a new medication — which was an old medication and it really back fired.   Literally no weight loss which was the reason even though I have severe diarrhea the entire time.  I think some of the other side effects were caused by the diarrhea, but I went off of it and am not completely over it.

    I'm not thrilled with the doctor's response, she denied some of my claims as to side effects — but did agree that we should hold off on trying any new drugs until this was completely out of my system and I had completely recovered.

    I don't really like her office — I have been to two of her offices — the intake for the weight loss program and her regular office, and both times arrived early and was seen way after my scheduled appointment time.  I really dislike my time not being valued.

    I complained on the patient survey.

    We'll see how the weight loss class goes. 

  • The joys of being blood sugar challenged

    Today was change everything.

    Change the infusion set, the transmitter and the sensor.  Just did the mandatory two finger sticks.

    Used the same blood finger stick and get one reading at 196 and one at 217.

    Really……

    And am hoping to go to Dexcom G6, when the transmitter expires in three months.

  • Plantar Fasciitis is back

    About a month ago I went to an orthopedist – foot specialist and my toe is finally not hurting after a steroid shot.  I went to the Ft Worth dog show, walked for miles to get from the parking space and back and have been having heel pain ever since.

    It quieted down, went walking again and it flared up again.  <Sigh>

    Formally diagnosed by the orthopedist and have heel inserts, tape, stretching and keeping off of it as much as possible.  It's a bit better.

     

  • A1c is Great

    Didn’t expect it because my Dexcom Clarity reports have sucked.

    My first A1C after Victoza was 7.0 and my latest A1c (the second after Victoza) was 6.9. 

    I have had a steriod shot, and I am expecting a second one in my heel on Wednesday.  After that I am looking for a pain management specialist though I have an appointment with an RA doctor in June, though I expect that to be a pat on the head.

    I saw an obesity specialist this week and am starting a weight loss class as soon as they have 5 people in it.  She also suggested an RA specialist, but then agreed on a pain management specialist but did not make a recommendation.  I’ll be asking my foot orthopod for that on Wednesday and the endo for that on Thursday.

    I’ve already seen the instructor and have implemented his suggestions.  I see him two more times in addition to the class.

  • New Weight Loss Journey

    Jenny Craig stopped working for me a long time ago.  I kept trying, but then the guilt made it worse.  I quit a few months ago and started doing some research.  Years ago I did a weight loss program I enjoyed that was led by a nuitrionist so I was looking for something like that.  I found a program put on by Baylor Scott and White, and signed up for it yesterday.  I met with the intake doctor and she put me back on topamine.  I also met with the nuitrionist in charge of the program.  He made some suggestions and we are not waiting for enough people to start the class.

  • Irritated with Texas Retirement System

    Got a letter from a third party on the behalf of TRS.  They wanted me to check my status to see if I was eligible for disability.  Well, I was pretty sure I wasn’t though there online questionnaire says I am.  My part time pay is too high.

    I am always get Medicare mail, and I’m pretty sure either TRS or Texas Retired Teacher Association has sold my information, though I am voting highest for the Association.

    I have logged a complaint with TRS.

  • New insurance is going well

    Just got three months worth of Neupro — on it for Restless leg.  $30 for three months after insurance and savings card

    I'm close to getting the two monthly prescriptions at the same time — Victoza and Dexcom.  They are about $100 a month, but that was true when I was doing the old insurance.

    My part of my doctor's visits are averaging less than the copays I was paying.

    I'm about $2500 from meeting my out of pocket.  

    The key is not to use the mail order pharmacy because they can't accept savings card from the manufacturer.

     

     

  • Update on Previous Post thank you @rubenhealth

    Here's the previous post:  http://www.kweaver.org/blog/2018/01/new-endocrinologist-thanks-to-rubenhealth.html

    Basically my second Endo ever can't get his act together and be in network with Aetna.  Sad because my new Endo is.

    The good news: no bills since I wrote the letter firing them, though I did get an invite to the new clinic.  I do occasionally see them try to rerun the initial office visits which still show them out of network.

    I'm also $2500 from meeting my out of pocket. 

    Interesting news is that Dr. Lyde is in Aetna's network as of 3/15.

     

  • Need to follow my own advice

    Last night, I ripped off a Dexcom sensor.  I kept wanting to call them and see if they would replace it but I didn't.

    Finally the receiver and iPhone app were behaving badly this evening, so I did feel the need to call, because I didn't understand the non-message I was getting.

    Long story short, a new sensor is on the way.  

    As soon as this transmitter ends, I'm switching back to the two remaining Medtronics sensors and building up a buffer.

  • Dexcom Receiver problem solved

    My biggest problem with the Dexcom receiver is locating the blasted thing 😉

    Seriously. 

    I lost one because it fell out of my pocket into a suitcase when I was packing for a cruise. I think I found it when I got to the ship. 

    Well, CVS/Caremark is forcing me to go to the One Touch meter. The case that comes with the Vario is perfect, it holds the meter assembly, a Tile, and the Dexcom meter perfectly. It's because of the form factor of the test strip holder. 

    I am not too broken heartened over the Countour Next loss as I am going off the pump when I am out of supplies and I like the way the One Touch app works on the Apple devices.