Diabetes In The News

Donate Pre-Owned Insulin Pumps

If you upgraded to another insulin pump, would you donate your old one that’s in excellent condition to someone who couldn’t afford it?  I know Elizabeth has changed insulin pumps three times.  There wasn’t anything wrong with two of them.  Contacted a hospital and offered these perfectly fine insulin pumps to the hospital to give to someone who has juvenile diabetes.  The diabetic nurse said the laws would not allow for it and she was sorry to say, she could not accept them for that reason.  However, she said she would be happy to use them so people could practice on how to use an insulin pump.  Thought that was pretty stupid!  Well, I’m working with one of the politicians in California and a representative has contacted the ADA to see their take on this.  Seems like a no brainer to us.  A perfect opportunity to salvage these insulin pumps and help someone in need.  Hope this can get moving in the right direction.  Laws that don’t benefit people need to be changed to assist the people that they were meant to protect.  Besides, it appears this may help people to gain better control of their chronic illness at a minimal cost of getting into an insulin pump.  Also, what about people that have a surplus of diabetic supplies?  Would you be interested in donating these supplies to others?  It appears the big insurance companies are more interested in their profit margin than finding  workable solutions for those dealing with this disease, as well as others.  Look at Anthem Blue Cross parent company $4.7 billion in profits in 2009, and Bluecross announced they are raising premiums by as much as 39%.  We all have to play a proactive role, and if you want something done it appears this is a classic example that you have to do it yourself.  Anyone interested?

Selecting The Right Pediatric Endocrinologist For Your Child

The objective is to obtain the best care possible for your child.  Ask questions.  If the PE or his staff is unwilling to address your concerns, immediately start the process of getting your child out of that system.All parents should ask themselves these questions:

1. Is the Pediatric Endocrinologist (PE) willing to listen and take your concerns into consideration and answer all your questions thoroughly?
2.  Do you feel comfortable with this doctor and the level of care provided for your child?
3.  Are you attempting to get your child on the insulin pump, and your PE is against it?
4.  Did your PE explain in simple terms why he/she believe it will not work for your child, or maybe this time isn’t the right time for your child to have the pump?
5.  Is the PE knowledgeable about the various insulin pumps on the market or is he/she promoting a particular brand?
6.  Has your child been on an insulin pump and is not getting good blood sugar results?
7.  What are the recommendations by the PE in regards to how your child can obtain the best blood sugar and Ha1c results with their present pump?
8.  Is the PE open to changing your child to a different pump that may better meet your child’s need?
9.  Does the PE know how many patients are on the various insulin pumps?
10.  Is the PE willing to share parents’ opinions about the pump their children are presently using?
11.  Do you feel comfortable with this doctor and the level of care provided for your child?

If you have answered no to any of these questions, you may want to consider taking your child to another PE specialist who will be open to your concerns and willing to address them.  In order to accomplish this, the following is recommended.

1.  Document all conversations with medical personnel at your PE’s office.
2.  It is easy to have a communication trail if you’re emailing.  This provides a continuous record of all dialogue between you and the medical authority; otherwise type it out, and indicate date and time of dialogue.
3.  Document all blood sugars from the pump.  Most pumps have a device to connect to the computer to retrieve the blood sugars and data from the insulin pump or from the glucose monitor.
4.  While your child is still under the care of their present PE, contact other PEs and visit their offices to get a feel for the kind of care they presently provide for their patients.  Always have a back up.  You never travel on a trip without a spare tire.  Take the same approach in caring for your child’s diabetes.  Develop relationships with other PEs before you run into a brick wall at your present facility.  The transition of leaving one facility to go to another will be much easier.
5.  Go to medical records and personally oversee the transfer of your child’s medical files to the hospital or doctor of your choice.  Do not rely on the PE or diabetic nurse to put forth such a request.  Tell the medical records department’s personnel to contact you once the file has been copied.  In order to expedite your request, provide them with the PE department’s fax number and contact person’s name and telephone number, so she/he may fax the documents to the PE of your choice.  It may take approximately two weeks or more if it’s going through their internal mailing system.
6.  Take your child to the emergency room of the hospital of your choice to receive pediatric endocrinology care.  This is an expedited way to get your child into their system.
7.  Always have a general practitioner so that this doctor can provide medical prescriptions or sign-off on documents as it relates to your child’s care in the event the child’s PE refuses to do so.  It is imperative you have proper documentation to substantiate why the present pump or injections are not working for your child.  You must present a paper trail which will substantiate a pattern of the doctor’s or facility’s unwillingness to provide the best care for your child, if you are unhappy with the level of care you are getting.  It is important to maintain blood sugar records, insulin dosing, carbohydrate intake, physical exercise.  It is important and I cannot stress this enough to continue dialogue with your child’s health care provider.   your child’s health and all Ha1c records.

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Diabetes Clinical Trials

Looking for Options for someone between 10 and 20 years of age recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes?

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes within the last three months, then this clinical trial may be of interest to you.

The DiaPrevent research study aims to find out if the investigational study vaccine, named Diamyd, may preserve the body’s ability to produce insulin in children and young adults with Type 1 Diabetes. As in other research studies, the study vaccine will be compared to a placebo (shots without the active drug). Two out of three participants will receive active study vaccine and one out of three will receive placebo. There is a 66% percent chance you will receive the investigational study vaccine Diamyd if you choose to participate in the study.

This study might be appropriate if you or a family member:

• Are between 10 and 20 years of age
• Have been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes within the past 3 months
• Meet other study entry criteria

If you qualify for this study, you will receive one shot at 4 different occasions and your diabetes will be monitored for a period of 2.5 years. All study-related procedures, laboratory tests, examinations and the study drug will be provided at no cost. The DiaPrevent research study will include 320 participants at 30 to 50 sites across the United States. We hope that the DiaPrevent study will lead to advancements in the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes.

For more information or to determine if you qualify for this research opportunity, please call toll-free 1-877-784-5302 or visit www.diaprevent.com/ya.aspx Click Here

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