How to SAVE money on medications while treating diabetes

The cost of health care seems to continually increase. Even with health insurance, the cost of treating your diabetes can be expensive. On average a person takes 7-10 medications with a co-pay. The cost of each co-pay is much less than the original cost but when you have to pay it 10 times in one month you feel the pinch. The folks on medicare usually have to deal with the "donut hole" half way through the year. This is where prescriptions are no longer covered until the patient has paid so much out of pocket.

There are a few things you can do to save a buck. Of course the steps that will work for you depend on what your income is, your current insurance or lack of, and what medications you take.

 The following can help you save big money:

1.  Ask for samples from the doctor. The worst thing you will be told is "No". Drug companies send representatives or "reps" to doctors offices to "educate the doctor and other health care professionals" about  each medication . They also provide the facility with samples to "encourage" the doctor to begin using the medication in the practice and write new prescriptions.  Some  reps come as often as  bi-weekly to their largest clients. They leave samples every time. So ask often because many patients are seeking the samples.

2. Some medications can be cut in half. This proposes an interesting situation. Ask the doctor if he will write a prescription for double your normal dose. You can cut these in half which gives you double the amount of pills for the same co-pay.  Check with the pharmacists about which medications can be cut in half.
3. If you have insurance, find out the maximum amount of pills/doses they will cover at one time. It would be foolish to continually pay a co-pay every month when your insurance will cover a 90 day supply. Just think you could reduce the amount of co-pays you are responsible for from 12 to 4 in one years time.

 4. Ask for generic. Some medications don't have a  "generic" such as insulin, byetta, victoza, actos etc. Often the "generic" of a medication is manufactured by the same company who makes the name brand. A generic medication provides the same treatment for a lower cost.

5. Check the website of each medication you take.  Many manufactures offer on-going programs, coupons, and promotions. Use the medication name as a search word. Include the words "patient assistance". One insulin company I am familiar with offers a coupon for a free vial of insulin. One person can use this twice in the same year. Another blood glucose meter company offers up to $50 off a persons monthly co-pay of testing strips for life. The following links will take you directly to the patient assistance page.

Eli lilly company manufactures humalog  insulin:
http://www.lilly.com/responsibility/patients/Pages/programs.aspx

Novo-nordisk manufactures levemir and novolog insulin:
http://www.novonordisk-us.com/documents/article_page/document/Patient_Assistance_Home.asp

Sanofi-adventes manufactures Lantus and apidra insulin.
http://www.sanofi.us/l/us/en/layout.jsp?scat=87F38F0D-2316-48D4-8E83-B687305CCAE9

6. Do your own research or ask the doctor about two different medications available in one pill. Some medications like actosplusmet is actos and metformin  in one pill. By doing this you cut one co-pay completely out. Keep in mind the  "2 in 1" medicationsions cannot be cut in half.

7. Check with your doctors office for local assistance programs.  In my area, patients who qualify financially can get their medications for no charge.


 Important people you will want to ask questions to are your doctor, his nurse, and your pharmacist.  This guys deal with medications all day long.  

Caffeine and Diabetes

Many people use caffeine as "kick" they need to get them started in the morning. Later, more caffeine is needed to maintain the "kick" throughout the day. A consistent amount of caffeine is required to maintain the higher energy level. This begs the questions...Is this impacting my blood sugar? Can I have this much energy without a constant dependence on caffeine?

  We know caffeine can foul up blood sugar control.  Caffeine impairs the action of insulin in the blood.  Consequently the amount of sugar will increase. If just 250 mg per day is taken in. You can see a difference.

Some common examples:

-2-2 1/2 cups black coffee(250 mg)

-Alka-seltzer wake up call (65 mg /tablet)

-Ben and Jerry's coffee ice cream (70 mg)

-Cocoa powder (8.4 mg/Tablespoon)

-Dark chocolate (14 mg /square)

-Diet coke(45 mg per can)

In addition to all the other things like food, exercise, stress, and medications, we now know caffeine will influence blood sugar. 

Fluctuations in blood sugar alter energy levels. Did you know caffeine can also cause dehydration and zap your energy? It works like a "water pill". So you will want to avoid  having it just before exercise. Plain water is better to stay hydrated with.

Some "side effects" include:

-anxiety symptoms

-increased blood pressure

-increase risk of osteoporosis

-heart palpitations

-increased stress hormones

-insomnia(inability to sleep),etc.

  It provides a quick energy burst but it is short lived. 

Lately caffeine has hit a all time high in consumption with energy drinks, latte's, soda's supplements, etc

  For longer lasting energy it is better to ditch the caffeine drinks and eat complex carbohydrates. They digest much more slowly than refined carbohydrates as well. They provide a consistent supply of energy. You don't have to rely on a caffeine laced beverage and wonder how it will effect your blood sugar. Also regular exercise plays a big part. Stay adequately hydrated too.

How can I lower Blood Sugar naturally?

 

Are you frustrated with high blood sugar? You are not alone. Many people are tired of the worry. I have included a short list of tricks to lower blood sugar.  
The following can be very helpful when lowering blood sugar. They can play a critical part in blood sugar control.


1. Exercise:  By walking for at least 20 minutes per day you can lower blood sugar all day by about 30 points. I have personally compared blood sugar and exercise records of several patients to verify this.  When you exercise, naturally the muscle to uses insulin more effectively.

2. Weight loss: This has a dramatic impact on blood sugar reduction.  If you are able to lose just 5% of your current weight insulin resistance is significantly reduced. You will see lower numbers on your blood sugar monitor.


3. Manage stress:  I know what you are thinking. How in the world do I reduce all the stress I am under ? In recent weeks I have seen several patients who experienced about a 100 point increase in blood sugar. This was in response to a stressful event in their life.  Current blood sugar records can be compared to  the past 2-3 months. Stressful events such as  job loss, financial trouble, pending divorce, worsening health, death in the family, etc. can cause a consistent 100 point increase.  
On the flip side, as the stress reduced so did their blood sugar.
4.  Eat regular meals:  It is difficult for your body to handle barely any carbohydrate for one meal and over 100 grams at the next. Try eating about 45 grams of carbohydrate for all 3 meals. Don't skip meals either!! 

5. Eat high fiber foods. Fiber slows down the absorption of carbohydrate in to the blood.  For example, lets compare white and wheat bread. One slice of each type has comparable amounts of carbohydrate. White bread is quickly broken down and puts a burst of sugar into the blood all at once. Wheat bread is broken down more slowly. It gives a  smaller consistent amount of sugar over time. Your body can better handle the latter.

6. Get more sleep. Definitely easier said than done. A well rested body performs at a lower stress level.

7. Take Cinnamon. A small study showed when 1,000 mg or 1 teaspoon of cinnamon was taken daily a 19% reduction in blood sugar and a 27% reduction in LDL or "Bad" cholesterol. I thought I could get enough cinnamon by adding it to food. I tried adding 1 teaspoon to one slice of french toast and even a bowl of oatmeal. The results were disgusting. I suggest the capsules.


8. Take Chromium Picolinate. This is known to improve insulin sensitivity. This over the counter supplement is generally found in 200 and 400 mcg. 400 mcg is suggested.




Remember to always follow what your doctor tells you. Make sure he or she knows what supplements you are taking.