I make my own meals and buy the ingredients and have not found low carb expensive but that is all relative. Could you elaborate on what you budget for an average low carb meal vs high carb? I am very intrigued; not looking for a tit for tat argument on one specific low carb food item vs one specific high carb item. Part of it could be that my BMI fluctuates between 18.5-20 during the year and therefore a little food stretches a long way. We are all different individuals with different needs and goals so it rarely appears that 1 size fits all here.
So I spend a fair bit on my diet (which Iād describe as low-er but not low carb)āIām not talking about my own budget. But for people who are barely making ends meet (who will be worst affected by insulin pricing), it can be too expensive. Carbs can be super super cheapārice, beans, ramen, etc. Meat and eggs and fats are pricier for the calories. I agree that itās absolutely all relative as to whether thatās prohibitive or not, and lots of factors go into that.
Yes I agree that food on a low carb WOE can be expensive, but not prohibitive if you work at it. I do my own cooking. I also assume that you consider that insulin is paid for by some insurance plan and is minimal cost. Which may or may not be true.
I was Diagnosed as a T2 10 years ago with an A1c of 12.0, Now an A1c of 5.7 diet and exercise only. So. Looking at my medical cost. Age 73, Medicare advantage, Diabetes related only.:
One doctor visit per year, $0. cost of strips $0 (in plan) cost of Diabetes medication $0, Usually two lab test a year (in plan $60,). Gym membership $50 a month,
Running shoes, $300 dollars per year, entry fee for 5 and 10 K runs ($600 a year). And of course Cost of insulin $0.
I guess I spend a lot on exercise! I could cut out a lot by just going outside and power walking.
I think the point of the article is that if you have to pay out of pocket or you
have a high deductible you canāt afford insulin or food.
I donāt really need total my grocery bill each month so I am fortunate in that.
I donāt have any other medical conditions that require medical care.
I also donāt own a car.
What I donāt understand is how a drug that is made in the US, is cheaper in Canada than in the US!
Itās the obvious and huge mark up in the US that is NOT ok. If Canada can buy it and sell it to us for $30 a vial, than clearly there is a huge profit margin, especially considering the exchange rate, it actual works out to $22 US dollars a vial!!!
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I find it heartbreaking that we as the huge group we are, are not backing each other. Isnāt there enough shame and blame from people who know know, and now we are doing it?!
The basis of the article is that insulin is just to darn expensive. It is expensive for me, who has good insurance and it is life threatening expensive for those who donāt have good insurance. I have been reading and listening to many who have lost loved ones and who are in the ration situation. And to say these people are still eating heavy carbs is crazy. They canāt afford anything. When you have to decide, rent, medicine or food. Housing usually wins, which puts the others on the losing end.
And to say that people with diabetes have a choice is very difficult for me to shallow. Even if you think some with type 2 who are overweight caused their diabetes, is just plain crazy. They did not ask for their genetic make up that causes the weight problems. Sure many can reduce or hold off the disease but those genes are always there and will always effect how their food is used.
The problem is drugs of all sorts are just brutally expensive and life threatening. And it is not the weight of a person the is the only reason for more insulin. To lump everyone into one group is sad. There are many people who donāt eat carb heavy that need more insulin. There are many insulin resistance type 1ās just like type 2ās.
I have through my many, many years of this disease gone up and down with my insulin needs. And none were due to being too heavy. But life is complicated and hormones, stress, weather, medication changes, the list is huge, cause major fluctuations in insulin needs. So maybe we need to realize the amount I need might not be what you need. And what I need today might not be what I need tomorrow. Life happens but only if there is insulin in It!
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Because the real market takes place behind the scenes on the net price after pbm rebates instead of the list price ā which is what the consumers see and are at risk of having to pay sometimes.
For Many T2 extra insulin is required to survive. For many others it is a tool in the arsenal to control their diabetes not a requirement for life.
My opinion.
I am actually heading to Ohio to close out a family members estate (not diabetes related). lets just say there is a lot of uncontrollable T2ās there. It is very frustrating to watch people who i have known for 60 years disappear.
I appreciate that that was not your intention, Iām glad that you have clarified. My take on your position is that while you are right that many could reduce their insulin usage, the amount of insulin being used is not the cause of the problem that exists today. There is no shortage of insulin driving the price ever higher.
The issue with insulin price arises because there is a captive insulin market and there is greed. Insulin manufacturers know that Type 1s, because of the nature of their disease, must have it or die. No matter how badly they treat their captive customers they have no choice but to return, they cannot walk away from the product.
Greedy people will take advantage where they can unless they are properly and fairly regulated. So far the regulators have failed at their job. They have allowed the greed of the insulin manufacturers, the middle men, and the insurance companies to go unchecked.
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My wife and I are both diabetics. I was working on my taxes today and so far I have uncovered over $4,000 in out of pocket medical expenses. In addition, medical insurance premiums were slightly over $12,000.
Speaking of insulin needs, my normal amount is around 35U/day. When I had to take prednisone, my TDD of insulin shot up to over 150U/day and my bgās would still remain over 200. So to those of you blaming diabetics for their insulin requirements, think of all of the medical reasons that can contribute to insulin resistance. It doesnāt all come from those with poor diet/exercise choices.
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Yes, but do we do the same with people who have asthma, or cancer or Parkinsonās or depression or dementia. Do we shame and blame them for their condition. Why does our society have such a hard time realizing that type 2 is a genetic problem. They have everything stacked against them and fighting that uphill (mountainous) battle is so very challenging. And than when you add poor medical care, poor options for exercise
, poor food choices the battle gets harder.
The areas of the country that have large numbers of diabetes are also some of the poorest areas where the fast food restaurant is the easiest and cheapest. And where the closest medical facility could be hours away.
Letās just try to be a little more supportive and understanding here. Sure some just donāt want to make the effort, I have known many but I have also known many people with cancer who donāt work at it. So I will say again some compassion and understanding could go along way and make us all much happier.
And the bottom line here, insulin is just way to expensive and whether you need 15 units a day or 150 units a day, everyone deserves what they need to stay alive and happy.
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When McDonaldās has $1.00 meals and money is very tight, at least you are eating, It is easy to criticize peopleās choices, but I still say we need to walk in their shoes especially if we have enough education and money to make better choices.
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Remember, Nothing is free.
Remember, Nothing is free, someone is paying for it.
It is not always that easy or simple. It can be HARD to stay on a diet. Food can be an addiction just as alcohol or drugs or smoking. People can have cirrhosis of the liver and still not be able to stop drinking or lung cancer and still canāt quite give up their cigarettes.
You have a lot of people out there that donāt have the will power to stay with it. From my personal experience and from observing other people struggle with these types of issues I have come to the opinion that you need a motivating force that gives you the will power and drive to stick with it. For everyone that is something different and some people will never find it.
I will also say that some Type 2s are just EXTREMELY insulin resistant. (Yes, some Type 1s can be insulin resistant too but I donāt think ever to the extreme that Type 2s can be). I have know people to require 400-500 units a day to keep their blood sugars down. Medical science doesnāt known why some are more than others. (I figure if they knew the answer to that then maybe they could fix the problem all together). Low carb would probably help reduce their insulin requirements but when you are reducing from āa lotā chances are it is still going to be āa lotā after the reduction. (For example, if a dress cost $10,000 and it was 50% off, $5,000 is still a lot of money for a single dress).
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I just want to say that I think you need to look in the mirror. I would say more but Iām too angry to do so. Despite your protests, you have blamed the victims, congratulations.
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Though i a real emergency I wish all diabetics knew how to use Regular insulin, it is way too expensive for a drug we need to survive. I do not believe in low carb for everyone. for myself, one unit drops me 200 points. I am underweight, I use 16 total units per day after 40 plus years type I. I have to eat carbs, or I cannot even get a bolus to keep my BG steady. It just falls and falls. I have type I family members and type II. Iām not blaming anyone. We are all different.
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This is a really good point. Some of us are managing other health conditions where diet plays a role, or have other life circumstances where eating low-carb is simply not feasible. I think low-carb would actually benefit me, but trying to do so with multiple severe food allergies (including dairy, eggs, avocado, and all the other restrictions/precautions that come with life-threatening food allergies) while also working full-time and travelling, itās just not a feasible way for me to eat at the moment.
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Which is one reason amongst many why Walmart can sell older generation Novo Nordisk manufactured insulin and retail for less that $25/10 ml vial. The US health care system is FOR PROFIT. As long as this is the case, we the consumersand our ability to pay are the profit
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OMG, yes having cut back my air travel from 200,000+ miles a year to under 70,000, dealing with 9-12 hour time changes, crossing international date line back and forth totally confusing digital pens, meters, cgm and other equipment, turning down exquisitely prepared meals and deserts in the front cabin, not knowing half the time what foods are put in front of me in the strangest places in Asia I totally agree with your travel and other challenges.
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