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Medco is still showing the order cancelled, but I am figured they didn't get it until late in the day and won't hollar at humans until the end of the day on Monday.
A hint: any medication you REALLY REALLY need, and you are mail ordering? Make sure you have at least a month overlap. They tell you that in the documentation. They say always get a 1 month script and a 90 day script at the same time. You don't want to run out! And they don't seem to care if you might.
iShape is working out well. I signed up yesterday and it became live today. Entering my Diet Gourmet food was very easy. I like the way it tracks everything.
No person is intimately involved in your workouts -- but then I haven't had that at all since I started working with the local online personal trainer. A few nags about a food diary that does not work, and that's about it.
Okay, he did tell me what weights to buy.
But the workouts aren't flexible at all. iShapes are. You can move the iShape workout to a different day, you can change to a different exercise, etc.
Live and learn!
If you are interested in iShape, they do have a referral program. Please email me at kathleen_w-weblog8301 at mailblocks.com and I will "set you up". That will give me a free month.
code: theWebSocket; - A weblog of Al Hawkins, RN
A year-long intensive glucose management protocol using a blood glucose goal of less than 140 mg/dL at a mixed medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) resulted in a 6% absolute reduction in in-hospital mortality — a 29% relative risk reduction, according to results reported here at the 33rd Critical Care Congress, the annual meeting of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
One of the more common things to discuss on the insulin pumper logs is how to manage blood sugar during surgical procedures. This article is definately worth registrating, printing and keeping if you have to go to the hospital.
Apparently the paperwork was in processing, as the computer system now says my Zyrtec was approved.
The online system still says the prescription was cancelled, but since we're talking about a matter of hours.
I do like that we can harrass computers these days rather than having to deal with people.
Managed Care SUCKS!
About a week ago, I sent off a set of prescriptions to Medco Health plan. If you look at my insurance plans fine print, they manage care some medications, in particular, allergy medications.
By the way, Zyrtec is $50 for 90 days with my plan. Claritin is $20.99 for 30 days from drugstore.com. Guess what I want to do?
The doctor has to fill out an additional form, and if they don't fill it out right you don't get it.
They claim they haven't heard from the doctor yet.
They gave me an 1-800 and a case number to check on it.
Well, I tried the case number and the computer is claiming it has been denied.
Don't worry, we're not done yet.
I'm pretty disappointed with my online personal trainer. I asked him questions via email on Wednesday and didn't get a response.
So I'm trying Shape Magazine's IShape and will let everyone know how it goes.
Here's what I like about it so far -- signed up for it today. It lets you substitute exercises -- something that the personal trainer didn't seem up for. It lets you move workouts. Something else he couldn't deal with.
It tracks for the user alot better than his software did.
Still using it every single day.
I do have an extremely LONG day on Monday, and may not make it.
Got a call from the doctor's office -- please send an email documenting why you are on Zrytec.
ARGH!
I know they are managing care this, but I'm a teacher. Sinus headache last night because I spent the day in another room's dust testing. Which reminds me, I'm going to request highly that I test my few 11th graders in my room for the next round rather than TAAS testing in the library. We had over 40 students test and that test died two years ago. So sad, but that's a different blog.
I could try the Claritin thing, but why should I pay $20.99 from Drugstore.com for 30 days, when I am paying for insurance benefits that allow for $50.00 for a 90 day supply. And I AM paying $200.00 in insurance. Yeah, I use it too
Yep, I've managed to do at least 20 minutes on it every day I've gotten it. I've gotten in at 8:30 from a teacher workshop and STILL managed to do it.
So it was a wise decision.
I'm also going faster -- not bad for only having it two weeks, I've managed to increase my workout speed by .5 mph.
And today is it's 2 week anniversary!
I came very close to qualifying at both dog agility trials today. These were much longer courses than I've been used to, and the last course was the hardest as we were doing "Jumpers with Weaves". Unlike regular dog agility, there are no obstacles that require the dog to slow down, so it goes VERY VERY fast. In fact, we were almost qualifying until the very end, except we were moving a bit too slow.
I'm glad in a way it was a missed obstacle that NQed us, as its very disappointing to lose on time.
Also managed to increase my treadmill rate by .5 mph. It's easy for me to go faster, when I know I am only 20 minutes, and since it was a long day, I only had 20 minutes for doing the treadmill -- if I exercise too late, it's hard for me to sleep.
So far, I'm managed at least 20 minutes on the treadmill every day since I got it.
Big Dog and I earned another agility title -- and a tough one for me -- Open JWW Preferred. She really put the brakes on during the weaves, which I probably needed. But I finished the course in pretty good shape and we ran clean.
We're still having problems with the Excellent course, but they have a few more obstacles and can be a lot longer.
We run excellent both classes today.
And the treadmill was an excellent idea. I only did 20 minutes today, started having some heel pain and I'd like to be able to run tomorrow early. BUT we got home way to late to do any at all if I was going to a gym.
I've actually been on it for at least 20 minute every day since I got it.
I also did a fantastic job of managing my blood sugar today. Both times before I went into the ring, I had a good level -- between 120 and 110 both times.
On of the people on the insulin pumper's list said that the new Guardian by Minimed ONLY alarms if the blood sugar is out of range. It doesn't report what your blood sugar is.
They also apparently don't care if it's covered by insurance or not.
I'm waiting on Therasense's version for sure now.
I've actually had some massive sinus infection and have felt horrible since Thursday.
BUT, have been on the treadmill every day, for at least 20 minutes -- those two days were days I wouldn't have made it to the gym so it is paying off. I've been doing between 40 and 60 minutes the rest of the week I've had it.
I am REALLY REALLY enjoying being able to come home and work out.
However, it can be difficult when a little beagle throws toys at you and bellows at you because she wants you to play with her.
reviewjournal.com -- News: Friend says girl died after complaints mishandled
Who missed this? Hope mom goes to jail.
It's great!
I've been on it for 40 minutes total today.
I'm tired, and heading to bed early for a change.
I'm working with a trainer who does online training. His business website is http://www.scfitness.com and his website for online training is at http://www.scfitnessonline.com
And it's coming more and more together every day.
I decided what I needed to do was to make working out as user friendly as possible.
I've moved my fitness ball -- which I haven't used downstairs in the study where the treadmill is going. My shoes are there too.
I also contacted the personal trainer, found out what weights I'd need to get started, puchased them and put them downstairs.
I've moved all my workout clothes to the closet in that room, but it could be more attractive.
Bottled water is in the fridge.
I am also going to buy some plain white cheap hand towels. I am debating on whether or not I should put a hamper in the room so I can just do all the workout things together in their own load. If I do, I want to move some things out of that closet and into the outside storage shed.
I am so jazzed and so happy to be out of the gym got closed doldrums.
Those of you who have been reading for a while, will know I was a member at a gym that I absolutely loved. They greeted me by name and acted like they cared.
Well, the company that owns them shut them down. They converted our memberships to the local country club that they own. All of their part time employees were fired, and two of the four full time employees.
Well, it's not the manager's fault, but I am just not comfortable there. First, I have tried the country club scene, and it isn't for me.
Second, the people who work out at the gym are positive dirty -- and the worst part is that the worst culprits are people who have positions at the club. For example, the tennis pros sweat all over the treadmills, and then don't bother to wipe that sweat up.
Of course, these are the same people who are rude both in and away from the athletics area. And the country club wait staff are rude too. I went to two parties and the grill, and in all cases, and I'm sure weight is the issue, I wasn't waited on until I took the first move.
Then they got new fitness equipment and I'm sorry again, the transition hasn't gone well.
First, their new weight equipment is just too confusing. They were supposed to have someone on the floor to help people, and maybe he was helpful to others but I have not have had positive experiences with him.
Second, the new cardio equipment wasn't set up right. Apparently they didn't have electrical outlets in the right place and it took over a week to get that fixed. And then as soon as they got all of them up, they started breaking.
They have also treated a long term employee badly. They basically demoted him -- putting him on the desk which he can't leave -- which keeps him from training HIS clients when he is on duty. He has to work extra hours if he was to train people.
And that doesn't even get into the space. The athletics area is just too small. The locker area is down a flight of stairs which this time of year is always coold. There isn't much room to get dressed down there and only room for 3 people to use mirrors at a time.
Upstairs has a dressing area, but only room for 2 people at a time.
There was a line for the showers in the morning at least once.
They didn't have enough room to have cardio, weights and stretching in one area, so moved the free weights and stretching into another room -- which is not only inconvenient but most of the members wouldn't use. AND most of the trainers didn't use, making the cardio room hard to navigate.
So I'm going to get a treadmill that I can fold up and roll out of the way when someone comes to visit. I'll be able to watch whatever TV station I want, and I can workout however I want. I'm also going to hire a local personal trainer that does quite a bit of his program online.
I can also work out little bit at a time, which might help these heel spurs.
And it's coming on Wednesday after school. Got it from Sears. It was a good deal, it feels good walking on it, -- at least the one in the store. The cheapest was definately cheaper -- didn't feel good at all. One of my friends said she's wished she'd spent a bit more and gotten a studier one when she bought hers.
I'm getting with a personal trainer to find out what equipment I need, besides the treadmill and the ball. I'm going to go back to Sears -- apparently I have a $25 gift card coming -- and buying weights after I've talked with the personal trainer.
... and I decided to try and call him in the middle of the message and now I have a shopping list.
I know a lot of diabetics are paranoid over the drug industry. The diabetic press is real bad about encouraging this paranoia -- and might be the source. I know that a lot of articles question if the reason there isn't a cure is that the drug companies are afraid they will lose market share on insulin, etc.
As I see it, it's not the drug industry, but the trial lawyers.
Company X comes out with a new drug call it Y. It goes through the FDA pipeline -- which is about a 10 year process.
They release Y to the public, and a small subset of the population has a side effect that they missed in clinical testing.
Then Company X gets sued, having to pay out a lot of money, and now Y isn't profitable.
This actually happened to me. The only drug that has controlled my gastric relux is propulsid. Several doctors decided to prescription to populations that were not covered by the package directions and they got sick (I think heart related complications). The manufacturer wanted to avoid the lawsuits, so they pulled it off the market and all related medications have also been pulled. As a result, I no longer have access to that drug or any of the related drugs, and we can't seem to control my GERD.
First, their pumps are really water tight. I really don't have any qualms about spending a day out in the backyard in the pool. Of course, it isn't happening in February, and I wouldn't spend every minute in the pool, but I've been know to spend some time there. It's in the shade a lot of the day. (We do live in Texas).
Second, every single person I've ever met who works for Animas is happy where they work. You hear it in their voice.
If you have a problem they fix it. The clip has broken off my pump twice -- now I am tempted to buy a spare, because it always breaks on the weekend, first on Saturday, second on a Friday with a Monday postal holiday, so it does mean I'm without the clip for a few days, and I use my clip! And I haven't been charged once.
Donetta -- the local pump trainer is just absolutely wonderful! I cannot say enough about her.
Well, they have one issue. Their billing system is a bit strange. Don't get me wrong, I get bills, I pay them and I get receipts. It's just every time they send me a bill, every single transaction from day 1 is on it. I used to a bill that has last month's balance, this month's transactions, and the new balance.
And heck that might a good thing.
First, I will admit to some FUD (Fear, Uncertainly and Dismay) that they were bought by Abbott.
Here's what I like about Therasense. If you call freaked out because your meter is acting weird, and you are a new diabetic, do they do not treat you like you are stupid. FYI: Lifescan did treat me like I was stupid when I couldn't get their One Touch Ultra Smart to work -- and I wasn't a new user and I wasn't freaked out. I went through 8 test strips to get one blood test to work. I do have a One Touch Ultra just in case something happens with Freestyle. (Long story, but Animas is handing out free Ultra Smarts). The secret -- you can't bleed to much with their meters and test strips.
The other thing about the Freestyle, is that the test strip doesn't care if you don't bleed enough or you bleed too much. If you don't bleed enough, you have time to give it enough blood to make the meter happy -- yeah the blasted things are vampires.
Every single dealing I've had with Therasense Freestyle has been cool. Well, they don't do email as well as I would like, but they do phone really well. (I have trouble with doing phones since I'm a classroom teacher who has students from 8:00 - 4:00) The good news, is they do phone outside that window.
Medtronic MiniMed: Protect My Child
Unfortunately this is by Mini-Med. Sorry, but after watching the insulin-pumpers list since June, and reading the archives back through March, these are not people I want to to trust with my life.
They've apparently screwed up every new device they released this year.
The Paradigm system only works with properitory infusion sets. (FYI -- this is why I always have hated Macs).
The BD Monitor that links with the Paradigm 512 and 712 gives off error messages on 3 out of 5 test strips (okay, maybe it's 2 out of 5), to just about everyone who has used it. The only people who don't seem to follow some really bizarre instructions.
They sold a bunch of insulin pumps as water tight (or was that proof -- there is some difference between the terms), then had most of them fail -- giving too much insuiln in most cases -- as soon as they got damp. I was just thinking about a pump then, and we have a pool so I was sure glad not to have gotten one of those, and have an Animas that is water proof.
A group of people have been harassed by the company for bills they were told had been paid by their insurance companies or were told were forgiven as long as 4 years ago. Usually co-pays.
A large number of people hate their new insulin set -- the Quick Set Plus. While I attribute a lot of that feeling to a "who moved my cheese feeling", I feel their pain, as I tried SpectraRX sets and hated them for many of the same reasons -- and I really wanted to like those sets.
It seems it won't be available for a couple of months, so hopefully Therasense's Navigator will be on the close horizon.
And it is definately NOT a company I want to use to deliver me a closed loop system.
I've never been fond of government sponsored research and am even less so right now.
I honestly feel that diabetes research, heart disease research, etc. should be privately funded, and not funded by the government.
I even feel that way about space research these days -- it was different when it was a defense related thing, but it isn't now. In fact, I just said to my husband that putting money into going to Mars right now, is like buying a plasm TV when you can't make the mortgage payment.
I think we're much better off if we, as a government spend money for educating everyone rather than working on special interest projects. Of course, I'm a teacher ... but I wouldn't be teaching in public school if I didn't believe that.
President Proposes Increase in Medical Device Budget for FY 2005
This link explains a lot on what goes on when it comes to medical device approval.