Diabetes ain't NO JOKE!

[Elliots]

Skip, get yourself tested. If your brother is overweight that is bad. If he loses weight his condition can improve and if he is very, very lucky even go away. It sounds to me like you are now "Your brother's keeper". You have to watch what and when he eats. You have to make sure he takes his medication. Many people who first discover they are diabetic are non-compliant with the Physician's instructions and that causes more problems. If your brother has problems with the medication and its effects and side effects go back to the Physician. If you have no medical insurance he may now be covered by Obama care. I do not take Obama care so I do not know what the coverage is. I do not know how "Public Assistance" works in Texas but in New York State there are people with "Public Assistance" or something like "Family Care Plus" or "Health Plus" that only get medical care, dental care and pharmacy. I am a Dentist in NYC and I work on poor people on Medicaid. The regulations and eligibilty for these programs vary from state to state. Please go WITH your brother to find out if he is covered and what he is covered for.
As for his uninsured medical bill they can often be settled by going to wherever he was treated, saying you cannot pay (And be able to prove it) and they might take a much smaller amount as settlement, maybe even as little as 10% or less. Those big numbers on his bill are to maximize payment from health insurers, they take less from most people whose insurance they accept.
If you would like to speak to me my cell is 917 698 1876. I do not always carry my cell so I will get back to you. I am a Dentist and I do not give medical advice but I might be helpful with the insurance minefield he may have to navigate. My email is burgred3825@yahoo.com

[Disgirl]

Glad he came through it Skip. Now he just needs to change his lifestyle. Get yourself checked. I have lost my father and his father to it so I know I need to watch for it myself. And my children need to be careful too. The hospital will most likely accept a small monthly payment from him for the rest of his life. It is what they do.
Barb

[blueluv]

Hey skip

Hope you don't mind me chiming in. Just wanted to say that I'm glad your brother is doing better.

[Joe]

Skip

Glad he is well. I've been type 1 for 35 years. It's a HUGE life changing event! With a lot of life style changes and education, management, he will be OK!!

Joe

[blueluv]

Can anyone recommend a good diabetic cookbook?

[terps]

Skip, you can get a glucose meter at Walmart for around $15.00. And they sell 20 test strips for $9.00. So you can test yourself right away.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Ult...onitor/3555238
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Ult...trips/10379492

Just fast for 8 hours overnight eating nothing and drinking only water. Then test yourself in the morning. I saw my uncle die from complications of diabetes and it's no fun. I don't have type 2 diabetes, but still test myself every few months to make sure my glucose level is below 100 after fasting. I wish more people would test themselves on a regular basis, especially if they are overweight and sedentary.

If you haven't had a yearly checkup by a doctor lately, then it's probably a good time to get a physical.

There is hope for type 2 diabetics. A doctor in England noticed that diabetics that had staple surgery would no longer be diabetics. He thought if type 2 diabetics would go on a strict, almost starvation diet, that they could reverse the disease. The results were pretty good. Read about it at the links below.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/85...in-a-week.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...etes-diet-cure

[farebox]

Skip, glad to hear your brother is okay for now. I went though something similar about nine years ago while driving an bus here in San Antonio. Type 2 diabetic... Watch the food and take meds, depressed at first. Just be glad to be alive.

[Skip]

great.. last week in the ER.. they did a CAT SCAN.. and found something abnormal.. so they were going to do a MRI.. since he was feeling much better and could go to MRI.. they found 2 spots.. my dad only told me that.. they are looking more.. he mentions.. possible light stroke or strokes.. in past..

i will get more info later..

[Second Hand Pat]

Oh dear Skip, Hugs to you both.

[blueluv]

Stay strong, the both of you. I hope I'm not crossing any lines, but I'll keep you guys in my prayers.

[Skip]

thanks ya'll..

i was out of town yesterday.. so i missed the visit.. but will go today.. see whats up..

[Skip]

he is still in hospital..

they did a test to get average of blood sugar over the last few months.. it was over 300.. and it was confirmed.. he had 2 small strokes.. in the brain.. today.. they are going to check the back of the heart for damage.. and he will be taking insulin 4 times per day..
i told the counselor about some other behaviors he had.. and it kind of confirmed some thoughts the medical staff had.. when they were told he lived with brother.. they thought i was his "keeper".. like he was special.. i said nope.. not case..
so they are getting a social worker/behavior specialist.. to make sure there is no mental illness going on also..
i have to run to walmart to buy him his stash of needles .. and blood meter..

[Altum Nut]

Hope all works out.
Both my wife and daughter are type 1 insulin dependant.
You got that right...no joking matter.

...Ralph

[Elliots]

Did the Hospital put your brother on some type of medical coverage? In NYC they would but I do not know what happens in Texas. That will take the worry of paying for treatment and medication out of both of your lives!!!

[SMB2]

Skip all the best for your brother.
As somebody who has spent a professional lifetime taking care of the surgical complications of Diabetes, you are right, DM is no joke. It requires considerable vigilance to health care on the part of the patient, which at first can seem overwhelming.
But with some practical life-style changes and adherence to a good medical regimen he should hopefully come out of this scary introduction to DM and get back to a "normal" life.