Do You Have What It Takes? My Dr Thinks I Do, Woo Hoo!

So, while I don't know exactly what the insurance companies think is "enough" to qualify for a CGMS, I've been told I've got it. While my endo is not my insurance company, it's a good sign! Glad to see my lows are getting me something. There's some saying about there's always some good to be seen in every bad/negative situation...right?

My 2 hour endo appointment yesterday brought more than the CGMS news, it also included:

- A 1 hour wait for my doctor b/c the patient before me couldn't figure out how to adjust his insulin shots to CST from PST. Thankfully, they got it all figured out. The other reason was that her husband was late, her nanny didn't know where to go and her sister was late...so her kids couldn't get to where they needed to be, so she was dealing with family drama. I felt bad, that had to be incredibly frustrating for her...I'm just happy I brought a book!

- New medication!!!! Who wouldn't be excited about that, right? Yep, I'm 23 and taking cholesterol medication. So, now, not only do the majority of the diabetes commercials with senior citizens not represent me, the cholesterol med commercials don't either. It's not a big deal, and sort of funny...it just makes me feel old.

- More medication!!! Even MORE exciting than a new medication! I'm "weaning" myself onto Neurontin. Last night I moved up from 300mg to 600mg. Within an hour of taking it I felt drunk, drowsy and incredibly out of it. The nice thing about it was I slept like a rock. Neurontin is a pretty standard treatment for diabetic neuropathy, from what I understand, but reading about it's other uses is pretty funny. Wikipedia lays it out nicely...it also helps alcoholics, meth and coke addicts break their addictions and prevents seizures. Perhaps this means I'm being protected from a drug and alcohol addiction and ever having a seizure? Yes? Maybe?

- Some changes in my basal rates and a discussion about needing to change my schedule. Hopefully the slight changes will help until my schedule gets worked out. :)

- An approval (not that I needed one, but it was nice to know her thoughts) on trying to get into a nursing program. She thinks it's a great idea...now if only I could get my family to approve the idea...

- A 2 hour drive home. Bay Area traffic sucks.

CGMS Envy

While I've heard of the imperfections with the CGMS's, I still would LOVE to have one! My pump isn't perfect either, but I wouldn't dream of giving it up.

In December I'm eligible for a new pump. I'd also like to get a CGMS. BUT, from what I've been told, my insurance company will be looking for numerous readings in the 50s prior to approving coverage for a CGMS. I have a number of problems with this...

#1: The insurance companies will not approve a device that's proven to be a helpful tool for diabetics, unless they have enough complications. What constitutes "enough"? How much danger do I need to be in to warrant a useful tool?

#2: This encourages diabetics to put themselves at risk of having, a widely-known danger, lows. Let me tell you, as soon as the pump representative "unofficially" told me what the insurance company would be looking for, I adjusted my pump settings. Twice last weej I was stuck on a train with no food or juice (it's not allowed-though I frequently bring some anyway) with my sugars in the 40s.

#3: The insurance companies don't even cover a great deal of the pump or CGMS supplies. Even when I had "100% Rx coverage" it only covered about 30% of my pump supply order! I realize these products are expensive - but they're life-changing!

#4: If insurance companies are allowed to do this to diabetics - 1 - how much further will they be allowed to push us? 2 - what do they do to people with other medical issues?

#5: By not approving a proven aid in the management of an incredibly complicated disease, the insurance companies are PUNISHING those who have decent control of their sugars! If they were approving all diabetics with imperfect sugars, they'd be approving every single diabetic.

#6: The CGMS alerts for high sugars too! Why in the world aren't people with high A1c levels & multiple high readings allowed access?!?! It can help them too!

#7: Most insurance companies had even more restrictive regulations on CGMS approval just a year ago and only eased up when thousands of diabetics started and signed petitions. Why is it they will only change their policies when they're threatened with the idea of their injustice being publicized? It's infuriating!

I did absolutely nothing to get diabetes - I do not deserve to be punished for having it, nor do you!

Here's to hoping Christmas will not only bring a shiny new pump - but a CGMS too!