Newly Diagnosed Diabetic with No Money to Pay for Supplies

[tm]

Here's the question from a site visitor:

Hi My son has just been diagnosed with diabetes, type 2 he is 35 and is really scared and has no insurance, I have brought the first round of pills and it broke me. He is unable to get a medicare card, can you send me or him any information on diabetes in general and care, he is on pills and any info on getting help on discounts on meds, don't know what will happen next month with the meds. thanks

[tm]

HERE'S THE ANSWER:

Thanks for visiting our web site.  You may not be aware that a major cause of diabetes is the diet you eat.  If your son changes his diet, it will help stop the symptoms he is having at no additional cost and he might be able to completely avoid the need for medication.  Before he changes his diet, be sure he checks with his doctor.

The main problem in most people's diets are all fats (except uncooked olive oil, flax oil and fish oil), refined sugar and refined white flour products; white rice is also not healthy for diabetics. Many foods you buy in the stores contain these unhealthy ingredients so check the labels to avoid them.

High fiber foods such as oat bran and oatmeal, wheat bran, carrots (raw), apples (raw), lentils, all beans, most vegetables and raw nuts are especially good foods for diabetics. In general raw vegetables are excellent as are most raw fruits (check the glycemic index article links below for more information).  When buying foods at the store, check labels for fiber content (look for 3 grams or more per serving).  

Here is a list of the best foods for people with diabetes, based on 2012 scientific data:
http://www.diabetes-guide.org/best-foods-for-diabetics.htm
http://www.diabetes-guide.org/best-foods-for-diabetics-2.htm

For some more ideas on healthy diets to control blood sugar levels, check out the following pages on our web site:

http://www.diabetes-guide.org/glucose-meter.htm
http://www.diabetes-guide.org/diabetic-diet.htm
http://www.diabetes-guide.org/glycemic-index.htm
http://www.diabetes-guide.org/glycemic-list.htm
http://www.diabetes-guide.org/weight-loss-diabetes.htm
http://www.diabetes-guide.org/diabetes-diet.htm
http://www.diabetes-guide.org/american-diabetes-association-diet.htm

Also, check out the diet information on this page:
http://atkins.com/

It is very important for your son to check his blood glucose levels regularly though, so we do recommend that you get a blood glucose meter.   I looked on the web for you to see if you could get a free glucose meter, but could not find one.  Try entering your local zip code at this web page to get local information for your area from the American Diabetes Association and possibly a free glucose meter:
http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/whatslocal.jsp

[PaCoalMiner]

the problem isnt gettting the glucose meter/monitor they are free on the internet, just google "free glucose meter/monitor" , but the problem is the glucose test strips and affording the medication of which I feel the test strips is a scam. Like in the 70's, when Kodak came out with the Instamatic. The camera was cheap and the film was expensive ($30 for 10 photos). So the glucose meters/monitors are mostly provided free of charge so as they get you with the .02 cent strips that they charge .80 cents to over $1.00+

The markup on the strips is "herendous" !!!  Price gouging !!

If you go online, and search "free glucose monitors/meters" you can fudge the info and get monitors/meters, strips free to an extent.  If these companies can screw us, then screw them by fudging the info and get the supplies free  . . . . .  to an extent.

I and my wife and children are the "working poor", we dont make enough to purchase the med supplies, yet do not have insurance and/or make about $200 over the poverty level to qualify for any type of Govt assistance.

Sooo, make sure you vote for President Obamas National Health Care plan. If the low income can get "free" medical care and med supplies and the Congressmen can get "free" medical care/supplies, well then why cant we, the "working poor" get it from our tax money we pay to provide others with such.