Hi all, I was just wonder what treatment or technology you would most like to see. I'm sure that a cure is on the top of everone's list so other than a cure what is at the top of your list of things you would like to see happen in 2012..
As for me I would like to see FDA approval of an accurate non-invasive glucose monitoring system. I would not care whether it is a contrinous or intermittent device just as long as it's portable. For me poking my finger several times a day for testing is a painful hassle. I 'm OK with injections since the are not nearly as painful. I would rather do 10 injections that just one finger stick..
Easy glucose monitoring would be of great benifit to all types of diabetics. Frequent testing is the gold standard for controlling blood sugar levels. For T2's it would take away the main excuse for not testing frequently. to many T2's avoid the pain and hassle. If they would only test they would see what is happening to their health and hopefully take action to slow the progression of their disease. A good meter is the best tool I know of to keep you on track .If I stray from my diet or slack up on exercise my meter will let me know in a hurry.
Thanks for listening and please let me know your most wanted.
Excellent question. Here are some things I would like to see:
1. More accurate glucose monitoring - I don't care if it's via fingerstick or CGM, but I want some sort of way to monitor my BG levels that leaves less of a question in my mind regarding the accuracy of the results. Too often, I burn through 2 or 3 test strips just trying to get an accurate reading. We know tight control helps improve outcomes, but it's really hard to achieve tight control when the tools we have are so inaccurate.
2. Guaranteed access to basic supplies for all Type 1s - I see too many posts on here from type 1s who are between jobs or insurance and not sure how they will go about obtaining insulin and test strips, the basic things all type 1s need to survive. People with end-stage renal disease automatically receive Medicare coverage (regardless of age). Why is it that in the U.S. you can get full coverage for a condition that, in some cases, is the result of not receiving adequate care, but you can't get guaranteed access to the tools and medicine that will prevent such a horrible outcome?? I really feel that type 1 diabetes is a unique medical condition because of the immediate requirement type 1s have for insulin - many of us could be dead within a couple of days if we didn't have access to insulin. For me, this is more frightening sometimes than the disease itself, and I want to see a national program that guarantees all type 1s access to the basics.
3. More competition/lower costs - I want to see this for everything (insulins, insulin pumps, test strips). It seems like this just might happen too. There are several new insulin pumps slowly making their way onto the market and competition will likely result in lower costs.
For me, it's all of the above by MyBustedPancreas and FHS. I would also add that insurance and Medicare should not be allowed to limit the number of test strips that anyone taking insulin, Type 1 or Type 2, receives.
I'm Type 1 and end up buying out of pocket in addition to my covered supply every month. My sibling is Type 2 on insulin and People's Health/Medicare only allow 2 test strips per day...that is just plain stupid in my opinion. Pay now or pay later. I don't get the reluctance to cover preventive items.
Yes, I could not agree more! They don't want to pay for the test strips NOW which is relatively cheap when compared to paying for the complications associated with poorly-controlled diabetes. And one of the most important tools you need for control is a home BG meter.
Test strips are crazy expensive and I've known other type 1s who, when without insurance, tested maybe only once or twice a day. I've done the same myself and let me tell ya, it's scary as hell to inject insulin without knowing what your BG is!! There's just no excuse for that. The complications are so serious and so expensive when they happen.
Thats one of the reasons that an accurate non-invasive test system would be great, no more test strips to buy just the initial cost of the monitor/meter, Even if the monitor/meter cost 500 or even 1000 dollars it would still be less than the cost of the strips that a typical T1 or insulin dependent T2 uses in a year. Just think if you only test 4 times a day that's 1460 strips a year at around a dollar a strip that really adds up fast. Insurance companys could pay out over a thousand dollars for a meter/monitor and still save itself money in strip cost alone not to mention the savings from better control and fewer complications.
Yes underlined to more accurate BG meters, & non-invasive ways to test BG, doesn't have to be a Continuous monitor but that would be really great,
But my real wish is for improved Pump Infusion sets, that somehow could indicate after a set change that absorbtion is bad, so I get rid of the 2 or 3 hour period of wondering if it is going to work or not.
