Diabetes and RVing

[Mr_D]

Every Wal*Mart, CVS, Walgreens, Costco, etc. has insulin, needles, test strips and everything else needed. They can call other stores and transfer a prescription easily.

BTW: Everyone is "insulin dependent", your body requires it, some need add'l insulin though to overcome a deficiency.

[coupevilleDF]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Every Wal*Mart, CVS, Walgreens, Costco, etc. has insulin, needles, test strips and everything else needed. They can call other stores and transfer a prescription easily.

BTW: Everyone is "insulin dependent", your body requires it, some need add'l insulin though to overcome a deficiency.

While you are right about the insulin, they do NOT carry the pump supplies which was part of the original dilemma. Many of these supplies are specific to the particular pump. Others have provided good options on how to get those long-term on the road.

While you are right about everyone being insulin depedent, if you were a diabetic, you would be aware of the common terms used to refer to type 1 diabetes who do not produce their own insulin requiring injections or pump to deliver it, and type 2 who do not create enough insulin and can be treated with other options but may include injections. The treatment and control issues are significantly different.

Type 1 for 48 years and now on a pump.

[Liem24]

Is it Type II diabetes she has?

[VP Chianese]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

BTW: Everyone is "insulin dependent", your body requires it, some need add'l insulin though to overcome a deficiency.

BTW everyone is dependent on water as well. Some more so than others. But no matter where you are in that scale if there isn't enough or in fact any water you will die. It is not merely a deficiency as you put it. It is the inability to produce enough insulin to keep everything in balance. Balance is the key not overcoming.

Try looking at this :

How The Body Processes Sugar :: Diabetes Education Online

[dnystrom]

This thread has went sideway's and should be closed as there are so much information with opinions that don't know nothing about this disease plus has nothing to do with rv's.
You folks out there that have all the answers should go to medical school and learn about this disease before you post your comments. Yeah, I'm mad. Try having diabetes. You wont't like it.

[dnystrom]

Originally Posted by Liem24

Is it Type II diabetes she has?

What is it you mean? Define type 2 please! Are you a diabetic?

[dnystrom]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Every Wal*Mart, CVS, Walgreens, Costco, etc. has insulin, needles, test strips and everything else needed. They can call other stores and transfer a prescription easily.

BTW: Everyone is "insulin dependent", your body requires it, some need add'l insulin though to overcome a deficiency.

Are you a diabetic?

[Gary RVRoamer]

I don't have diabetes experience, but my wife has been on chemotherapy for the last 8 years (infusions every 3 weeks plus a lot of meds) and we still spend 4-6 months in the RV every summer. Yes, it takes some pre-planning and advance contact with qualified doctors, plus use of the pharmacies (national chain or mail order) already mentioned by others, but it is all do-able.

We aren't as flexible in our itinerary as we used to be cause it simplifies things to visit docs already familiar with her needs, so we tend to travel in loops so that we can catch one of a known set of doctors as needed. You should be able to find an endocrinoloist somewhere along your path and make arrangements. We find that many medical offices are quite used to getting referrals from out-of-state, records via fax or email, etc. Your home doctor may be able to help find them (some are really good at this, and others maybe not so helpful).

Please reassure your wife that people manage these things all the time and that it is only a minor impediment to enjoying the RV lifestyle.

[MtnTrek]

Popping some corn for enjoyment during the side shows. Although, I only eat small amounts as an insulin diabetic. We've full timed also for about 4yrs.

Happy trails.

[TeJay]

I have been type 1 (insulin dependent) for 30 years. I have been on a pump for 20 years. We do not full time but that's not the reason. We just have not chosen to do so.

I can usually stock pile some supplies but not everything. And not usually for much more than 4 months. All my meds, pump supplies and insulin are on 3-month scripts. If I were to be out of town I know my stuff could be picked up at Wal-Mart or other chain stores.

The pump supplies are a different story. As stated they are unique to each pump therefore can only be supplied by your company. I would imagine, but have not tried it, those supplies could be sent to another address.

Those above items can be dealt with by planning as already stated. This part is a lot different. Last year Medi-Care (MC) got real touchy. I missed my 90 day Endocrinologists (ENDO) appointment by 1 (one) day because we were out of town. When my pump supplies were not delivered I called the supply company and was told that MC stopped my shipment of pump supplies because I missed the appointment. Yep they can and will do that.

I had to reschedule which took another two weeks. Then the DR. had to notify MC to assure that I had made my appointment. It was then and only then after I jumped through their hoops that they allowed my supplies to be shipped. That took another week because it came from CA.

People wonder why doctors are not wanting to take MC patients??? Well that's why. According to my ENDO I am in good control. Of her 1,500 patients she really only needs to see me every 6 months but MC will not allow her to make that decision. It's MC who makes the decision. Now how utterly STUPID is that. Who's should know better MC or the ENDO??? The system is not made to be efficient it's made to operate STUPID as indicated by this mess.

Why not see the ENDO for a full work up? Then 3 months later get an A1C to determine how well I'm in control? Then do another ENDO in 3 months? That makes sense but MC will not allow it.

I'm 72 with NO negative effects or complications from the disease after 30 years. Oh yes, I'm the only one in my entire family on both sides as far back as I can trace.

All of you type 2 diabetics. You can and should cure yourselves yes cure yourselves so you don't have to deal with any diabetic issues while traveling. There is a cure for you. What is it?? It's called diet and exercise. We don't have a diabetes epidemic in this country. We have folks who are non-compliant. Folks who won't loose the weight and watch their diet as I have done for the past 30 years. If I had not I would have been dead a long time ago.

Yes it is a bit upsetting for me. There is no history of diabetes in our entire family. It's not my fault and there is no cure for me. There is for Type 2 folks. Why not do the smart thing and take advantage of it??? I wish I could.

TeJay

[TeJay]

One more piece of statistics regarding the disease of diabetes. Out of every 100 diagnosed diabetics approximately:

90% are TYPE 2 (Controlled with a combination of some insulin, pills, diet and exercise).

10% are TYPE 1 (totally insulin dependent.)

According to two endocrinologists that I have had over the years of the 10% TYPE 1 probably 5% are non-compliant. Which means they really don't follow the doctors orders either. Of the other 90% who are TYPE 2 I don't know what percentage are non-compliant. I'm guessing it's also a high percentage.

I realize life is about choices but why do folks choose to destroy their health instead of doing what is needed to live healthy?? Then they want an immediate fix with a pill.

TeJay

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by TeJay

All of you type 2 diabetics. You can and should cure yourselves yes cure yourselves so you don't have to deal with any diabetic issues while traveling. There is a cure for you. What is it?? It's called diet and exercise. We don't have a diabetes epidemic in this country. We have folks who are non-compliant.

It is certainly not true that Type 2 diabetics can control it with only diet and exercise. We have a couple friends who do eat the correct foods and exercise a lot; however, they still have to take medication. One shoe does not fit all. Your statement can really be hurtful to those that do the right things but still need other methods.

Diabetes management: How lifestyle, daily routine affect blood sugar - Mayo Clinic

[TeJay]

There are exceptions. That however does not excuse the actions of most. I am very familiar with this disease. I have studied it for many years and have kept mine under control as evidenced by my lack of issues.

Those that follow their DR's guidelines should not find my statements hurtful. They observe first hand as I have just how few actually do.

Every time my DW and I attend large gatherings of mostly older couples we hear the same comments over and over and over.
"Yea I know I need to cut back."
" I know I shouldn't have that second piece of cake."
" Boy that ice cream sure is good with the cake."

And on and on and on. While I split one cookie with my Wife or take one bite of the BD cake with a 1/4 cup of ice cream.

I stated that I do not know the percentage of TYPE 2 who do not follow their DR's orders. Which means that there is a certain number who do. Those that do follow the guidelines will/may still have to take additional medications for some time. There are also many who will as I said, cure themselves.

I understand how my comments may not be taken kindly but non-compliance with doctors orders is the primary reason why we have an epidemic of diabetes. I would think more would/should be upset. After all it does effect all our health care costs.

TeJay

[klebs]

Originally Posted by TeJay

I understand how my comments may not be taken kindly but non-compliance with doctors orders is the primary reason why we have an epidemic of diabetes. I would think more would/should be upset. After all it does effect all our health care costs.

TeJay

You are correct. They are not taken kindly. Anybody with T2 knows what he needs to do to get rid of or at least minimalize it and doesn't need to be reminded in an RV forum of the orthodoxy of diabetes vs. dieting. The OP did not ask for advice about that. Rather, he wanted to know about how to deal with his wife's T1 on the road. I am in his same situation and wished to know about how fulltimers deal with doctors and prescriptions for my own T2. There are lots of threads out there about T2 diabetes and you should find one where it doesn't sound like you're trying to teach grandma how to suck eggs. I would rather talk about RV'ing.