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Old 02-09-2010, 11:15 AM   #21
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...you don't fit "the profile.
Neither did I, at the time of diagnosis. In my case, it was traced back to a government program to give all young men of a certain age a free trip to a marvelous part of the world ...

Agent Orange and Type 2 Diabetes - American Diabetes Association

I'm certainly grateful to the government with providing me extra (tax-free) income over the years. Is this a great country, or what
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Old 02-09-2010, 01:09 PM   #22
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You seem to be exhibiting a rather extreme "dawn phenomenon", which is chracteristic of most diabetics, even those with well-controlled HbA1c's (below 6.5).
My former sub commander/internist once told me that the "Dawn Effect" was the name of the phenomenon that all girls named Dawn had big breasts, or words to that effect.



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Old 02-09-2010, 01:20 PM   #23
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My former sub commander/internist once told me that the "Dawn Effect" was the name of the phenomenon that all girls named Dawn had big breasts, or words to that effect.



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Old 02-09-2010, 01:29 PM   #24
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Isn't everyone who's not a diabetic considered "pre-diabetic"?

It's like referring to living creatures as "pre-dead"...
Is diabetes a given for all of us, like death is?
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Old 02-09-2010, 02:15 PM   #25
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Is diabetes a given for all of us, like death is?
Heck - you're not going to live forever?
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Old 02-09-2010, 02:39 PM   #26
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I have to say that your "diagnosis" surprises me, too, since you don't fit "the profile."
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Neither did I, at the time of diagnosis. In my case, it was traced back to a government program to give all young men of a certain age a free trip to a marvelous part of the world ...
Took the words right out of my mouth.

A neighbor popped up Type 2 on testing about six months ago at age 60. He'd already been having symptoms of weight loss and so forth that rang a bell with his doctor a lot louder than it did with him. Once he'd responded to insulin and the immediate crisis was past, though, he recalled all those times he'd water-skiied* in Cam Ranh Bay and learned that it was probably an Agent Orange watershed.

The VA took one look at his DD-214 and his test results and put him straight on disability benefits. No fuss, hardly any bureaucratic admin.

* No, I mean real recreational water skiing on slalom skis behind a power boat. AFAIK that's not a military euphemism for some martial activity.
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Old 02-12-2010, 04:43 AM   #27
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I am planning to see my doctor about this, and would prefer to do that immediately, but I think I need play this right with regard to health insurance.

I'm guessing that if I were to be diagnosed as pre-diabetic, I might not be able to change health insurance plans, correct? So, if I want to change, I'd better do it before I see the doctor.

Here's the important question: If I am pre-diabetic, can I expect my medical expenses to increase significantly? If so, what would increase: doctor visits, medication, or both?
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Old 02-12-2010, 07:43 AM   #28
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Yep medical expenses went up at our house, more Dr. visits, more prescriptions-
Pre led to diabetes within a year , although DH is at healthy weight and has healthy eating, exercise habits, the family genetics caught up with him. The Dawn Phenomenon does him in every morning. Although he doesn't have to take meds for the diabetes He now takes 2 for heart related prevention. Remember before any formal diagnosis make sure you have any additional life insurance or longterm care insurance in place you might want.
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Old 02-12-2010, 10:03 AM   #29
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The following is more a question than a statement. If you change Health Ins companies and then almost immediatley have a diagnosis would you not be afraid that the would try to resind the policy leaving you with no Ins? Since you have been with the current company for a period of time it might be better to just stay and go to the doctor. The new company application also probably will ask if you have had any abnormal blood work test in the last few years and you have the results of that to consider.
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Old 02-12-2010, 10:19 AM   #30
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TromboneAl.... I know this doesn't make any sense but most everything I say usually doesn't. How about cutting back on that meat you've been eating? (you probably have already) A few months ago I also tried eating more meat after reading Good Calories, Bad Calories and my pancreatitis came back again. I know the pancreas is better known for insulin and diabetes but it also is connected with fat digestion. I just know that I really messed myself up trying to eat more meat after reading that stupid book.
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Old 02-12-2010, 01:07 PM   #31
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After more analysis, it looks like I'll probably stick with my current HSA plan (note than any changes would have been within Anthem Blue Cross). It has the generic and brand drug coverage, and seems a reasonable compromise between cost and benefits.

Happy2BRetired, you may be right, although I still have confidence in the Good Calories, Bad Calories book. If meat is as bad as most say, I should have gained weight and had significantly worse cholesterol numbers. Neither of those things happened. But it's complicated, I know...

I'm quite sure that this blood glucose problem was around before I started eating more meat.
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Old 02-12-2010, 01:36 PM   #32
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As related to the question of financial impact (e.g. doctor/drugs/etc.) on a diabetic (either T1 or T2) I'll just tell you the financial impact, based upon my condition as a T2.

I was diagnosed in 2001, at the age of 53 - now 62.

I see my PCP for managing my T2. I'm lucky to have her in the role, since her late mother lived with her till her passing and also had T2, which my doctor managed.

I see my PCP every six months, including having a blood panel/urine tests done (includes A1C and to ensure no kidney problems).

Since diabetics are prone to possible heart problems, I also go to a heart care group every six months to manage my cholesterol numbers (all three).

The price for the four appointments? Just my deductable ($15 for the PCP; $25 for the heart specialist).

I pay a deductable for my test strips, but since I don't have much variation in numbers, I only check once a week. When I was first diagnosed, I checked four times a day - but as things settled down (and I learned more), I wasn’t as anxious. Annual co-pay for strips is only around $50.

I don't take meds for the T2 (currently managed via diet/exercise) but I do take two prescriptions for hearth health (co-pay works out to $61/month).

I would say that my situation is not much of an impact financially, at all. However, there are folks that spend much more due to being "brittle diabetics" (I'll let you look up the term).

Once you get over the initial emotional part of it and realize that you can manage this on your own (with a little help from your family not to sabotage your efforts) along with your PCP and other medical support, you will find that it is not a problem at all. At least in my case, I'm certainly better physically and I certainly am more aware of what I eat.

However, I will say that after almost 10 years, I would still kill for a slice of Pizza Hut's Supreme (no, not one slice since I was diagnosed)...
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Old 02-12-2010, 02:14 PM   #33
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I am betting that probably half the US population over 60 is pre-diabetic. My wife ( normal weight, age 61) had a fasting number of 116. The doctor did not seem concerned. Her other blood work numbers were good. She tested with my meter about a month later and she was 93. Cut some of those carbs and walk everyday. I walk after I eat at night. I would also recommend this.
Buy a meter then buy strips on ebay and keep a check yourself.
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Old 02-12-2010, 03:52 PM   #34
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My former sub commander/internist once told me that the "Dawn Effect" was the name of the phenomenon that all girls named Dawn had big breasts, or words to that effect.
Well, that would certainly be some type of "sugar high".
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Old 02-12-2010, 03:54 PM   #35
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I bought myself a Walmart meter and have checked my own readings many times. I have yet to have a reading over 100, even 1 hour after eating. My A1C number was 6.
If your instantaneous measurements are always under 100, wouldn't you have to be spiking pretty high at other times in order to have an HbA1c of 6, which is equal to an average blood glucose of 136?
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Old 02-12-2010, 04:03 PM   #36
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I'm past the early denial stage, and have read most of two books, but I'm getting tired of the "exercise and lose weight advice" that they all give, because this is what I look like

WarmShower2.jpg

and my 6 days/week exercise includes 4-5 hour bike rides, weight-lifting, etc. I've missed maybe 4 days in the last two years.

Since the blood test last Saturday I've lost 3 pounds on the Stress and Fear diet plan.

I'll be using my glucose meter tomorrow, and hopefully will see the doc next week. If it weren't for the election results in Massachusetts, I'd probably already have seen him.

I'm holding out a little hope that this is related to hyperthyroidism, (which can cause higher BG) which I've suspected I have.
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Old 02-12-2010, 04:43 PM   #37
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T-Al,

You may be stressing out unnecessarily over a single "elevated" reading, assuming it was even correct. It is my understanding that many things can cause a temporary elevation of blood sugar, including something as simple as a common cold.
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Old 02-12-2010, 09:27 PM   #38
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Heres hoping subsequent test are better! I think we have similar fears about Ins.

I use to not go as often as I should for the same reasons. Then I found my states high risk pool and the cost to join is not bad at all and they have to take you the pamphlet says, no medical underwriting. With that as a back stop or if necessary a new home for six months and one day in Mass. I feel free to use my private Ins as long as I have it.

My understanding is you can always change plans within an Ins. company as long as the benefit level drops. This is how the company we use explains it.

Best wishes for better test results.
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Old 02-12-2010, 10:27 PM   #39
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If your instantaneous measurements are always under 100, wouldn't you have to be spiking pretty high at other times in order to have an HbA1c of 6, which is equal to an average blood glucose of 136?
Beats me. I'm pretty much like Al...still trying to figure out what the heck most of this means. All I can say is that the doctor's office told me my last results were all in the "normal" range, so I'm not going to argue with them. As I said earlier, I have started a serious exercise program and I have cut back on carbs in my diet, so perhaps those changes have made a difference in a relatively short time.
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Old 02-12-2010, 10:32 PM   #40
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T-Al,

You may be stressing out unnecessarily over a single "elevated" reading, assuming it was even correct. It is my understanding that many things can cause a temporary elevation of blood sugar, including something as simple as a common cold.
What he said. Try not to worry, Al.
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