My insulin Log

Not too long ago my wife reminded me that she was running low on her Bayer Contour Diabetic Test Strips and I needed to run to the store and pick some up. Not wanting to go out and run to the store I decided to check online and see if I could get some shipped to the house and even save some money in the process. I found some great low cost diabetic testing supplies.

As I searched I found a great site through E-bay that not only had the Bayer Contour test strips but many other different low cost diabetic test strips for just about every glucose meter you can think of. And the price was way lower than we have ever paid at the pharmacy or direct through the company itself. In fact we were able to get 100 strips for the price of 50. And I don’t know about you but I always like to save 50 percent on my money.

Of course, all those who have diabetes or are married to someone with diabetes you understand the high cost and are constantly looking for low cost diabetic testing supplies. Sometimes I think that the cost of the supplies and medicines put more strain on us than the actual disease itself. So when I found this site I was ecstatic at what I could save on my wife’s test strips and lancets. However, if you are like I was you may be a little apprehensive about buying your diabetic test strips and diabetic testing supplies online. You can relax because when you buy them through E-bay using PayPal like I did you are well protected.

Are you a diabetic and have no health insurance? I pity you since the average person with diabetes spends somewhere in the neighborhood of $13,000 a year on health costs. Compare this with the $2,500 a person without the disease spends and you can see why we are between a rock and a hard place with out health insurance. Obviously finding low cost diabetic supplies is mandatory for us.

I was personally turned down for health insurance coverage because I was considered “pre-diabetic” because it runs in my family. Every once in a while I will check my blood sugar with my wife’s glucose monitor and I have always been in a good range. I wonder how many others are stuck with no insurance or inadequate insurance to cover the high cost of their diabetes supplies.

I mentioned that I used my wife’s monitor, she does have diabetes and needs to check her glucose levels daily and as you may well know sometimes three or four times a day. The Glucose monitors last for a long time but finding low cost test strips can be a choir especially when you go through better than 50 a month. We have found that it is best to stay stocked up on them so that we do not have to run out to the pharmacy to grab a high cost bottle of test strips.

We have found some great low cost diabetic supplies including low cost test strips online. Test strips like Freestyle, Bayer Contour and One Touch can be found for over half price. In fact at one place we were able to save, even with shipping, better than 50 percent on strips that were unopened and did not expire until a year into the future. And I can guarantee that they will be used up way before then.

The cost of diabetes to Americans is two-fold. There is a the actual cost of the disease in money – as in supplies bought, health dollars spent, and even commerce lost because of the debilitating nature of the disease. There is also the cost to the individual that cannot be measured – the quality of life lost when the disease is not controlled, the effort it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle and the difficulties surrounding that.

What is the cost of diabetes on the typical American lifestyle? If the disease is not managed correctly, the cost can be tremendous. One of the biggest factors contributing to diabetes is obesity, and obesity is the fastest growing health epidemic in America today. The good news is this risk factor is completely preventable and manageable; the bad news is that up to 65% of Americans are overweight. Exercise is the number one method to prevent obesity and diabetes, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle in general. There are also some oral medications that can help prevent the onset of the disease to those with risk factors or a “pre-diabetic” condition.

Complications from diabetes include symptoms of low or high blood sugar, such as dizziness, sweating, weakness, shakiness and nausea. If blood sugar falls too low, those affected can faint or even go into a coma from low blood sugar. The long term complications from uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes include nerve damage and kidney damage, damage to the eyes, cardio-vascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and a much higher risk of infection from simple illnesses and wounds being unable to heal.

The monetary cost for diabetic supplies can also be tremendous. Testing for blood sugar levels can cost up to $0.81 per test, and for those who have to test their sugar levels up to 6 times a day, this can add up very quickly. Costs can also skyrocket when diabetes is uncontrolled or poorly controlled simply because the medical expenses from kidney problems, eye damage, cardio-vascular damage and more be tremendous.

Fortunately there are many programs out there that can help diabetics to get their testing supplies for free or at a much lower cost, even if they are currently insured or on government assistance programs like Medic-aide and Medicare. Most of these programs will work directly with the insurance company to figure out the lowest-cost avenue for the patient, and to present these options to the patient in an easy to understand and helpful manner.

Diabetes is a chronic disease. It takes a lot to keep this disease under control. Most experts in the medical field consider diabetic supplies as an awesome solution to keep the disease and complications related to it under control.

Most people are aware of the importance of purchasing diabetic supplies. However, they usually shirk away from including this in to their shopping list due to the cost attached to it. With a lot of study, development, research and efforts of the scientists, analysts and managers gone in to manufacturing these supplies, the cost is definitely high.

Another reason for such rocket shooting prices for these supplies is the effectiveness. These supplies definitely work towards maintaining healthy and safe glucose and insulin levels inside the body. The benefit of having these supplies handy is that one can resort to these in case of an emergency or while traveling. Living with diabetes is very easy via relying on diabetic supplies.

Since people with diabetes are vulnerable to a lot complication and require to undergo a various treatment options, it is important to keep a stock of requisite diabetic supplies. Some of the common complications associated to diabetes include renal failure, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, hypertension, tissue damage and general organ.

When it comes to the costs related to diabetic supplies, you need to make some efforts in order to enjoy the benefits. Purchasing these supplies straight away from a retailer, pharmacists or a drug store can cost a fortune. You should make a thorough research on these supplies in order to find out the best and at an affordable price.

Here are some tips you can take in to consideration in order to purchase these supplies at an affordable rate:

a) Discuss

First, you need to fix up an appointment with your doctor in order to make a list of the diabetic supplies you would actually require. Your health care practitioner will take in consideration your health condition and then prescribe the supplies reserved for you. Make sure you consider the list when making your own emergency kit.

b) Availability

Once you have the list of diabetic supplies try to look for the availability of these. Make a list of all the retailer and drug stores near your area that sell these supplies.

c) Compare

Comparison shopping is the key to find the supplies you want at an affordable price. Try to visit most of the shops and know about the discounts offered. Settle for the shop owners that provide the lowest prices and then bargain.

d) Online stores

Visiting online drug stores is the best option to purchase affordable diabetic supplies. Here, you would not face any hassles to roam about and visit drug retailers. All you require to do is to click the mouse button and the supplies required by you at your doorstep within a short period of time.

Following the steps mentioned above will let you purchase diabetic supplies at discounted prices.