I had my endro appointment the other day with a doctor that I have seen on occasions when I wasn't able to see my endro. Now that my endro and my diabetic educator have left the hospital I'm having to see a different doctor and needing to find a different diabetic educator.
My appointment was a disaster that had left me frusterated and discusted with self and the provider.
My visit with the doc was short and fast and just felt totally rushed through my appointment and unable to get the info I needed out to her.
I got yelled at for not having a lot of blood tests on my pump. Tried to explain that due to my insurance and lack of funds, along with surgary this year in being off work 3 weeks, along with days off due to not feeling well, has left me behind on bills.
This year my insulin cost $168 a month, but Lilly (Humalog) has gone up in price every month after June. Went to the pharmacy the next month it went up by $10, so it was about $180, next month after that it went up again. Last month, I forked out $221 dallors for 6 vials of insulin. My total bill last month at the pharmacy $387.37 with my other meds and test strips. Test strips are running me close to $45 a month, since I reached my deducable.
When we started the appointment - I had given my insulin pump to the endro told her there will be barely any testing done due lack of funds. She called the nurse in and she took the pump to get readings.
When my paper work came back, she said your not testing and why. I told her, I already told you the reason why.
I had told my endro that due to there is barely any testing is cause I can't afford the test strips after buying insulin.
I got the rant of I'm about to take you off your pump and put you back on shots. Said having the pump is worthless if your not going to test your blood levels.
Chewed me out about my A1C being at 10. I felt worthless even before she said this. I just wanted to get up and walk out and tell her, you just don't get it.
I came back in saying what part of lack of funds and can't afford test strips after buying insulin at the cost I'm been getting them, don't you get.
Pulled her out the slips of what it has been costing me through the year. Told her how can I afford test strips. Told her I'm swipping the bottom of the bucket with bleeding finger tips. Told her I feel worthless cause I have to go to the food pantry to get food about every two weeks. Told her I feel like I'm an awful person in having to go there. Walk out of the pantry almost crying, cause they give you food that is high in carbs and sugar. Even after telling them I'm a type 1 diabetic.
Told her you can put me back on shots, but I'm still NOT going to be able to afford the insulin and test strips.
Told her my electrical has been turned off and my sister has bailed me out in paying for a $500 electrical bill, which pissed her off. I had to have a friend pay my house taxes of $700 that I couldn't afford this year, and another friend to help me with various bills to get me by till next pay period.
I went begging to my sister after trying to get payday loans, trying to sell my stuff to pay bills. I hurt me a lot in having to ask for help. I got the third degree from the ones I borrowed money from and got, "You need to manage your money better. Was told you need to see a financial councilor and stop buying extra stuff. Was till then I thrown down my bills and medical bills, told them, you figure it out for me than and see where can create more money...
She had said there is a program for Novolog where the insulin will only cost me $25 dollars - copay even though I have insurance. She submitted it to the pharmacy.
She didn't change my test strips and still on OneTouch. She said that OneTouch is more accurate than the generic brands and with me being sensitive need accuracy.
She called the Hospital Social Worker to work on a few things on getting assistance, and help with my hospital bills. Applying for a program something called Community Share. To where they either setup a payment arrangements, reduce your bill or cancels your bill.
She orders an ultra sound on my thyroid, which will be another bill (lab to be paid)
In this whole appointment, it lasted about 15 min. From chewing me out about the insulin pump, checking tyroid, doing a physical, checking sites where I do the infusion set. I felt rushed and unable to talk about what I needed to talk about.
The endro I had, had time for you, was never on the run, never rushed you. Sat and answered your questions and concerns.
Since we have MyChart at the hospital, I just wrote her a letter that would have gone into my chart. Telling her due to our last visit and I didn't have enough time to talk I need to present a few more concerns.
Told her I have paper work that needs to be filled out for work, in fact 3 papers that need to be filled and signed and faxed.
When I spoke to the social worker, I told her, I'm not really happy with my appointment. Told her I felt rushed and wasn't even heard like I usually am. Told her my endro left and later my diabetic educator left also leaving me in the dark.
Told her I get charged for my visits and they only last what 15 minutes. I spent more time with the social worker than I did with the doctor.
When I made my appointment again, I told the receptionist, I want an appointment that will be 45min appointment due to my concerns were not addressed.
Sorry for my rant, just really frustrated and irritated with the health care system.
I had broke down and applied for assistance for food stamps. I doubt I will get it. I feel such a worthless person at this point of time that I'm having to lean toward assistance. My diabetic care along with heart meds are killing me.
Sad part, where does ObamaCare suppose to help me in this? Along with others who are stuck in the position I am? All I see is a black tunnel with no light at the end.
I understand there are people who are far worse than I am in having to make hard decisions on what to pay and not to pay. It really shouldn't have to be like this.. Even with OmamaCare, it's not going to make it simple.
I'm hearing cause of ObamaCare doctors are leaving.
I just want to scream but really don't think that will do anything....
Was in WalMart with my sister today. She had visited me to help me to get some necessary stuff like soap, laundry soap and other misc items. I guess I was acting a little funny and she told me to check my blood sugars. BTW, my sister is a nurse. She had set the meter up and took my blood levels, was running low in the 50's. Started to feel ugly and getting argumentative. Tam grabbed a soda, opened it and have it to me to drink.
A person in line said your husband needs to take better care of himself. Started up on how people like me are a burden on society that her sister is a diabetic and takes excellent care. I turned around and totally ripped her a new one in front of everyone. Really can't remember what I really said, it must have been bad, since my sister won't repeat what I said.
Went to the car and feel asleep. Sister drove around to get stuff done while I slept and checking blood levels when she returned.
Sorry flustered by narrow minded people who don't get it, don't understand and are conceded in there ways.
I do appolize if I offended. Hope you understand what I wrote, I'm a horrible person in writing and spelling. My English teacher in college was irritated by me cause I was a horrible English student. She passed with a B with the understanding that I never ever taken another English class with her again.
Sorry.