Sage's Journal

[CactusFlower]

hugs, Hope and San, thank you.

So. Currently, my insurance covers it. (medicare, the federal insurance for disabled and elderly, for our friends in other countries) I'm hoping that continues, given that the orange (expletive) signed an Executive Order rescinding Biden's order about lowering drug prices. We'll see what happens. The Ozempic has no generic and considered a "tier 3" med, which means if insurance didn't cover it, it wouldn't happen. It's nearly $1200 every 6 weeks without insurance. I can do the injection ok, but it's hard. it is a light sting but also leaves a light bruise. The glucose monitor, at least, doesn't sting. There's nothing but the pressure when I put it on. I suppose that's good. I also ordered these bandage-like covers that help keep it clean and such. And the app for it can silence all but the lowest blood sugar alarms while I sleep, cause that is SHRILL. Learning a whole new way of eating is annoying, and I don't mean just the food. It's the little "have some protein before bed" and "better little frequent meals than the big three." Eh, I'll find some kind of routine that works.

Talked to my therapist about the political climate. I did not want to be back in this state of terror and not knowing what's coming. And what he's done only so far is horrible. just reading some news headlines spirals me into panic attacks. Anyhow. I have to stop now, or I'll spiral again. I've been throwing myself into my crocheting and cozy peaceful games and the like, and my reading.

On a funny note, I had to put ben-gay on my hands because they were hurting the other day. Then my nose itched and I scratched it without thinking. I could only smell menthol for a couple hours. LOL Then for more positivity, I'm off FB and Instagram and found the federated replacements for those, so I'm realling enjoying being on Pixelfed. I even found a free place for a simple blog in the Fediverse. No centralized control, it's awesome. Everyone has been so supportive and nice in these better places. It definitely feels like decent community again after so, so long.

I'm going to have to be careful and really watch my mood. I can also see that the whole diabetes thing combined with the political junk is bringing on depression too. Sometimes I just want to sleep and not think. I'm fighting taking a nap right now, and it's only 11:30am. Ugh.  Just... ugh.

[CactusFlower]

Still here. Not so great, really. Just terrified and sick of what's been going on, now I have to worry if I'll even HAVE disability and Medicare this month. Several near-panic attacks even though I've been limiting the doomscrolling as much as I can. I've moved to more positive safer online places, but I still have to have some news just to know what's happening and not be taken by surprise.

Bro went and got Dutch Brothers the other day. My mocha was NOT the sugar free one I ordered. I was jittery and hyper for a couple hours and the ol' sugar spiked high. Not enough to set off an alarm, but I clearly was not given what I ordered and couldn't finish it. Explained why it tasted good, though. LOL Still, a little scary. Not even plain pasta spiked it anywhere near that bad.

Trying to focus and do what I can with what I'm capable of. So I'll be creating a little "How to Protest Safely" flyer in English and Spanish and dropping those in various free Little Library boxes around town soon. If I don't do something, I'll just freak out for the next four years.

On a positive note, though, I got some writing edited, submitted a poem to a local contest, and a couple others to a literary journal. Also made a calendar to easily see when various places have open submission windows. I will not be silenced.

[sanmagic7]

good for you, CF, on not allowing what's going on to silence you.  i'm standing right next to you for the next 4 yrs.  somehow we'll get thru it.  i love the idea of protest fliers.  how very cool!

changing eating patterns and food types is a big big ask.  keep going, ok?  i know it can take a while, so i hope you're able to be patient w/ yourself.  i know you're doing this for your health, and that's a strong motivator. 

sending love and a hug filled with awareness and strength. 

[CactusFlower]

Hugs back, San, thank you!

Well, isn't that lovely. (sarcasm)  I got a letter from the insurance company. Medicare itself will not cover a continuous glucose monitor unless you:
A - are on insulin (I'm not)
B - Or have tried changing medications AND have had a "level 2" hypoglycemic event after changing meds
C - Or have had a "level 3" hypoglycemic event and have an attestation from someone that they had to help you during it.

So because I'm not bad enough to take insulin, they won't pay for them unless I almost die. Yet the ones I've had on so far have already detected WHEN  the hypoglycemic event is most likely to occur, when a couple almost occurred, and proves that I've learned how to prevent it. And because it's Medicare itself, an appeal is pointless.

I called my pharmacy and thank the gods, the discount card I have on file will make them affordable for me per month and it's cheaper than anywhere I can find online, even Canada. Still, a budget cost I hadn't wanted. I'm also kind of afraid to find out what my other meds may be the next time they need refills. I'm scared something I need will have gone up because that mango poop stain is letting the companies do so. There was an article about a young guy with asthma whose mom is suing because his asthma meds went from around $40 to over $500 and he died. I don't need this additional stress.

If you have ANYTHING that's a prescription, sign up for the GoodRx discount info for them and take it to your pharmacy to put on file. It might save your life.

[sanmagic7]

thanks for the good RX tip, CF.  good to know.  the whole medicare thing is such a circus of horrors at times. and, yeah, who knows what the future will bring.  here's hoping we survive, mentally and physically.  love and hugs

[CactusFlower]

Hugs, san, thank you.

Doc will handle the appeal, apparently Ozempic is insulin in a way and therefore I qualify.  Good. We'll see how that goes. And not increasing the dose right now, just continuing. Although cutting out all that sugar did have the effect of my losing 8lbs. not terribly surprising. And she's ok with a small treat now and then as long as I'm aware of how it causes peaks and drops. I'll probably turn to fruit first for all its benefits and I do like certain ones.

The ozempic injections do leave bruises, but I've always bruised easily. Hopefully the arnica cream I got will help. Lunch out tomorrow with my BFF, let's see how much I bring home in leftovers.

[sanmagic7]

i think some people use ozempic for weight loss, too, CF, so not surprising you've already lost weight.  very glad it will be covered by your insurance.  and, yeah, not a bad thing to incorporate more fruit into your diet, right?  sounds like you are nailing this.  keep it up!  love and hugs

[CactusFlower]

Totally, san. It's a severe appetite suppressant, and you feel full sooner so you can't eat as much. Like, it will make you feel terrible if you do. Ever eat so much your tummy physically feels tight and hurts? That. Today was a hard one. it's been on the low side with a lot of alarm dips. And I couldn't figure out how to fix it. Low enough to take a glucose tablet twice, shove down some greek yogurt, then a chicken salad sandwich, all within 3 hours. I just want uninterrupted sleep.

the arnica cream also isn't really doing much for the bruises. I'm thinking it's not a strong enough concentration, maybe.

I've also been doing a digital cleanse. Like, getting rid of websites I really don't need or don't use enough to make an account worth it. Goodness, it's so much more than I thought. I've only been through the shopping and gaming categories and I've done 131 line items. Although it does make me feel lighter, in a way. Whatever helps these days with everything else going on. At least it's a productive kind of avoidance, right?

[sanmagic7]

CF, i not only think it's a productive type of avoidance, but also a healthy 'clearing out'.  well done, you! 

i hope you are able to figure out how to manage and balance the diet stuff.  sounds like something went out of whack a little.  and, thanks for explaining the ozempic thing.  i didn't really know how it worked.  it makes sense to me now. love and hugs 

[CactusFlower]

Issue figured out! That particular glucose monitor sensor was having issues near the end of its placement and throwing a couple false lows here and there. (this is why I do my own research) I put on the next one a day early and it's working just fine. And of course, I then get an email about the company discontinuing the Libre 2 in September, so be sure to get your provider to write a new Rx for the 3+!  LOL eh, it's apparently smaller, has a better distance range and can be on for 15 days instead of 14. *shrug* My PCP won't have a problem with it.

Had a good day yesterday. BFF and I went and had Salvadorean food for lunch, then had a folding/stapling party where we got issues of our zine put together. Then we watched "World's End". I love Simon Pegg movies and hadn't seen that one. It was great! Didn't realize Martin Freeman was in it. It was a fun time. We also put together the mini-zine about How To Protest Safely to distribute. Having that to focus on has helped some of the anxiety that balls up with every new thing in the news.

Random thought: I turn 55 in may. There will be quite a few restaurants where I can get the senior discount now. LOL

[Chart]

What a lovely post CactusFlower. Thank you for sharing, your positives warmed me up.
 

[Papa Coco]

CactusFlower,

It's good to read that things are starting to get better. We're all sort of in this thing together, and when one of us feels better, we all feel a little better with you.

I use those glucose monitors, and they are very helpful in letting me learn how to better take care of myself. I'm really glad you have been able to get them covered by insurance.

[sanmagic7]

one of the perks of turning 'old', CF, is that restaurant discount!  lol, indeed!

'how to protest safely' sounds interesting.  i just walked in the streets!  of course, back then, it wasn't as dangerous.  i think it's a good idea.

i'm glad for you that you'll be able to stay on top of your glucose monitoring, that it's being updated but your PCP will provide you w/ the Rx.  i have an author friend who actually wrote a book on why using those is a good idea.  i'm glad it works well for you. 

keep up the good work.  love and hugs

[CactusFlower]

Thank you, Papa, San, and Chart!

Just got the text earlier that the new monitor Rx has been sent to the pharmacy. I do kinda look forward to the new one being a little smaller. I found a great resource at https://tcoyd.org, which is a nonprofit org called Take Control of Your Diabetes. The founder has a lot of experience and is an endocrinologist with a history of work at both the Veterans Admin and University of California-San Diego. So, not another money-making charlatan. He also wears a monitor and has for a long time. Lots of really good info and resources on there.

BFF and I went out and distributed the zine and flyers. It was an exhausting few hours, but loads of fun. Bein it was on the economic boycott day, we chose to have lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant and use cash. That was nice, albeit paying with cash felt weird after so long. Literally, the only thing I use cash for anymore is getting change at the laundromat.

Therapy is going well enough. Of course, we talk about the huge amounts of anxiety the news gives me. I should ask her to revisit the careplan, since everything went so scary, I haven't thought much about my usual stuff. Well, consciously as much. I dissociated a lot due to the news and such.

Just... keepin' on. Doing what I can.

[sanmagic7]

Cf, i'm with you on the anxiety about the news stuff.  it's frickin' scary.  i've already asked a pharmacist if he thought medicare would still pay for vaccines - i need tetanus, shingles, and hep B - in a few months.  he thought it would all still be good, which was kind of reassuring to hear, but who really knows.

and congrats to you for doing your part.  my D and i also refrained from shopping on fri.  i'm with you, getting change for the laundry is about my only deal w/ cash anymore.  strange how that's changed.

so glad your new GM will be smaller, and that you found a resource that seems helpful.  you are doing so good with all this.  keep it up!  love and hugs