| Author | |
Matilda
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 17 2007
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1827
|
| Posted: Jan 03 2009 at 3:40pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
My friend Liz is 43 and is 5 months pregnant for the second time in 11 years. She had gestational diabetes and toxemia with her first child and now has gestational diabetes with this baby. She never had to check her sugar level before but they want her to now and she is shocked by the $150 per month price tag of the supplies (they want her to test 4 times a day. I know that some of you ladies have struggled with gestational diabetes. Is there any way to lower the cost? Insurance will cover the machine but not the supplies. Do you have any recommendations or advice?
__________________
Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11 , 10 , 9 & 5 ) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Marcia
Forum Pro
Joined: Aug 20 2007
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 437
|
| Posted: Jan 05 2009 at 7:39am | IP Logged
|
|
|
get the machine is my suggestion. It might help her manage her GD better. If she's hoping for a vaginal delivery she might want to consider this. Also meeting with a Dietitian would give her great ideas on eating six smaller meals.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Jan 05 2009 at 12:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Well, I was blessed to have it all covered by insurance, but she needs to make testing a priority. Not sure how her insurance works, but if she were to get a referral to an endocrinologist with the GD diagnosis the supplies might be covered.
Since she's 43, has previous history with GD, it's probable that her diabetes is worse or earlier onsetting than before. There are a lot of risks to the baby not keeping the sugars in check. And so often it can come to a point that just eating right isn't going to keep the numbers down. They should be telling her to check her ketones in the morning, her AM rising blood sugars, then 2 hours after her 3 main meals. She should also be regulating the number of carbs per meal, making sure they are complex carbs, and eating 6 smaller meals a day, with a combo of protein and carbs.
Since she's not even in 3rd trimester, there's a chance that her GD could get consideraly worst in the last months, as the placenta works overtime. That's the reason for the monitoring, as she might need to be on insulin.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
missionfamily
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 10 2007
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1859
|
| Posted: Jan 05 2009 at 12:22pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Charlotte-Does she just need a monitor and test strips for now? I know the test strips themselves can be rather expensive, but if you forego the insurance coverage of the expensive monitor and get a pharmacy brand one (they run about $20)....the strips and lancets are considerably cheaper. Mine are covered by insurance because of my referral to the high risk specialist for GD.
Perhaps her doctor's office would know if there is any way to work with the insurance coverage situation. It's worth asking.
And it's worth be diligent with this...even though it can be a struggle.
__________________
Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: Jan 05 2009 at 1:20pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Charlotte,
Do you know anyone in the area who had GD and might not be using their monitor any more and has leftover strips? that would at least get her started while she sorts this out. If she gets the official diagnosis, I can't imagine that the insurance company won't pay for the supplies. Also, there are companies that will work with you if you have insurance but some kind of medical condition requires a prescription co-pay that is outrageous. Coverage there varies too, but it's worth a shot. I've got the number of one of those places here, somewhere, so call me if she's interested.
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: Jan 05 2009 at 1:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Try these:
rxoutreach.com
Patientaccessnetwork.org
They were suggested to me because our copay for the Synagis shot is over $600 a month. didn't work out for us, but maybe it will be a help for her.
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Milehimama
Forum Pro
Joined: July 16 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 202
|
| Posted: Jan 05 2009 at 4:48pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have a Reli-On monitor from Walmart, which I had to pay out of pocket for. The meter is $9 and the strips are $20 ish for 50 - MUCH cheaper than the other brands!
My copay just for the monitor was $45...
If she is testing 4x a day, it will cost around $60 or so for a month's supply.
I've used this meter for my last 3 pregnancies. I also bought a BP cuff from WalMart for around $10. I have a history of high BP and pre-eclampsia and the doc wants me to check my BP during the day.
In addition - with very good control and a food log, her doctor may allow her to test fewer times per day. After seeing that my sugars are in the OK range, my doctor usually allows me to test 2x a day (one fasting, one 1 hour PP). Every doctor is different though, but it is worth bringing up at the appointment.
The supplement L-Carnitine has been shown to help regulate sugars in gestational diabetics. It might be worthwhile to research the supplement and talk with the doc about it. L-Carnitine is an amino acid available OTC with few side effects, but again, do your own research!
I'm on my 7th round of GD... I really do encourage her to speak to her dr. about options/testing, etc. and be very frank that the cost of the supplies is an issue. The dr. might decide fewer tests won't compromise health or have access to resources that can help.
In addition, there is a blood test called the A1C that can see if blood sugar has been well controlled for the previous 2 weeks.
__________________
Milehimama in Houston
Mother of 11 - 8 Church Militant and 3 Church Triumphant
Mama Says
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Forum Locked) 
4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Gestational Diabetes question
