Q. I want to start
using an insulin pump, but my insurance won’t pay for one. I spotted a pump for sale on eBay the other
day. Is it safe to buy one from there?
A. Please do not get a pump from eBay! I’m a fan of that site, but it isn’t the place to purchase important medical equipment. A pump provides a life-saving service. One that is advertised on eBay, which is an online flea market, could be used, reconditioned, damaged, sold as new when it isn't new at all, etc. A pump should be purchased from a reliable source. Many people who are initially turned down by their insurance carrier are often accepted later. Have one of the pump companies contact your insurance company on your behalf. They may be able to turn things around for you.
Q.
Yesterday, my emotions were all over the place. I’m comfortable and then suddenly feel like
crying. Does this happen often with
diabetes?
A.
Mood swings can be caused by a variety of different things
including stress, medications, and blood sugar swings. To see if your blood
sugar level is the cause, test it during one of your emotional moments and see
if it is within your target range. To help maintain your blood sugar level in a
healthy range, stay physically active, take your diabetes medication as directed,
don't skip meals, and choose foods that have a lower glycemic index value. The glycemic index ranks the effect that foods
may have on blood glucose levels; high values may cause a more rapid rise, and
lower values may have a slower, gentler effect. In the past, the glycemic index
was highly unreliable, but the University of Sydney has compiled a more
reliable list that is posted at (glycemicindex.com). Discuss additional treatment options with
your health care team.
Q. The weather is
getting really strange. Please help me
prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.
You gave us a list last year. Can
you please repeat it?
A. I’m in Florida,
so I’m getting ready too. To prepare for
rain, storms, power outages, or evacuation, follow the general recommendations
suggested by your local government – keep cash on hand in case ATM machines
stop working, fill your car’s gas tank, secure important documents in
watertight bags, etc. To care for your
diabetes, place at least a two-week supply of the following items into a
watertight container or bag:
- Prescriptions
- Emergency
numbers
- Syringes
and insulin pen needles
- Alcohol
swabs
- Insulin
pump supplies
- Test
strips, lancets, and lancing device
- Extra
glucose meter and pump batteries
- Low
blood sugar treatment snacks-glucose tablets, hard candies, juice boxes,
cans of regular soda, etc.
- Glucagon
emergency kit to treat severe insulin reactions
- Other
medications
Keep extra insulin in the refrigerator. If you lose power, your fridge should remain
cold for several hours. After that,
transfer the insulin into a cooler with ice packs, but don’t allow it to touch
the ice. Once opened, insulin can remain
at room temperature for about a month, but will spoil at temperatures higher
than 86 degrees.
- For more great articles by Janis Roszler, visit the e-version of our magazine at walgreensdiabetes.com
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