Category: In the News

June 30, 2004

Cutting Back on Medications Has Adverse Effect on Health Status

There are lower cost alternatives to some of the meds I’m taking, but so far, they just aren’t as effective.

For example, I could go from fast acting insulin to regular. Instead of a 2 hour delay, there would be a 4 hour delay. AND I’ve used that insulin, and it is really hard to manage things with it.

Medco Layoff Hits Quietly

It worries me. I haven’t been pleased with either Caremark or Medco. Insulin handling with both are stressful, though Caremark was a bit more considerate.

DB’s Medical Rants » Patient’s rights and managed care

And of course, this is one that I’m going to be on the side of — if the doctor orders, the insurance company should pay.

I feel 100% better because of my pump. The cheaper alternatives just weren’t doing it for me.

Insurance should cover it.

There is a deal going on now — the insurance company denied a claim on a CPA machine because my doctor didn’t show medical necessity. Who requests a CPAP machine for someone who doesn’t need one?

Okay, the true issue is that my CPAP machine was over 5 years old and we all agreed it needed to be replaced since the newer technologies have compliance information and apnea information.

The rest of the issue is that the insurance companies tend to deny new masks unless the doctor’s have proof that the patient is compliant. Bit of a catch 20/20 here. At least we’re talking $600 and not $6000.

Actually it pertains to me. The people that I have trained agility with have noticed that Marcie (big beagle), often “stops” me from running when I am not feeling well. Often when I was having GERD related asthma, she would actually stop and urinate to get me to stop.

Last Thursday night my blood sugar was a tad low and she wouldn’t work.

And tonight, my blood sugar was also low while I was on the treadmill and she insisted that she HAD to go out now.

Seeing as how I came close to dropping a pickle jar on her last year when I was low (yes, I dropped the jar, missed the dog), you can see why she might learn to stop me when low.

June 22, 2004

AMNews: June 28, 2004. Bariatric surgery patients need care for a lifetime … American Medical News

Another reason(s) to resist bariatric
surgery.

My sleep doctor is really pushing it on me.

PalmOne reports profitable quarter | CNET News.com

PalmOne reports profitable fourth quarter.

This is good since I sort of survive on my Palm.

NEJM — Absence of an Effect of Liposuction on Insulin Action and Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease

wnbc.com – Education – Conn. Teacher Fired After Student Pricks Finger On Used Needle

I’ve never made a secret that I inject and use needles. I make sure my students know in advance that they need to avoid my desk and my personal items. I keep a sharp container in my desk and dispose of everything in it.

But he’s right, he was sloppy and used poor judgement.

(If the article is gone — basically teacher with diabetes and Hepatitis C dropped an insulin needle on the floor and a student picked it up and pricked herself).

Inhaled Insulin Formulations Continue to Show Promise

The doctor that diagnosed me “promised” the inhaled insulin. I have been on asthma drugs, and I am not thrilled with that mode of delivery. It seems to waste quite a bit of medicine.

I also have a feeling they force the patient to comply, rather than dosing the insulin on needs — that’s the beauty of the insulin pump.