Medicare Coverage of CGMs

"Dexcom will now work with CMS over “the coming months” to implement coverage, enabling those on Medicare to finally get CGM reimbursed. Dexcom previously expected coverage in 2018, but given the early ruling, diaTribe wonders if G5 reimbursement through Medicare could even come as early as later in 2017."

https://diatribe.org/cms-announces-critical-first-step-toward-medicare-coverage-cgm?utm_source=diaTribe&utm_campaign=f53b061d71-diaTribe_Mailer_120&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_75cdadd67f-f53b061d71-411810781

Dry Skin, Dry Eyes with Type 1

For more than ten years I have had very dry skin, especially on my lower legs, and ankles. Dry skin loves sugar, and diabetes can cause that dryness. I use Lubriderm on my skin to keep the itching and dryness down to a minimum. I used to scratch my legs in my sleep, and dried blood was there in the morning. One link below from WebMd gives a quiz and information about diabetes and dry skin.

I also have very dry eyes, and have used eye drops (artificial tears), several times day and night for several years. My ophthalmologist prescribed a medication (Restasis) that is supposed to help my eyes to start producing their own tears again. It has helped a little, but not much. Here is a link about diabetes and dry eyes.

http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/complications/eye-care/chous_sept2006

http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-skin-15/rm-quiz-diabetes-affects-skin?ecd=wnl_dia_012117&ctr=wnl-dia-012117_nsl-promo-v_2&mb=UMJ%40CFgbw6kMs2%2fs8NsB%2feHnVev1imbCtuIN8LuideU%3d

Enlite 530G vs Dexcom G4 Sensors

Gary Scheiner, author of "Think Like A Pancreas", wore both an Enlite sensor and a Dexcom G4 sensor for eight weeks so he could make a comparison. The results may surprise you.

http://integrateddiabetes.com/sensor-vs-sensor/

Type 1 Cure? A New Approach

A new approach to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes. It involves finding "...a way to offer individualized and personalized therapies for people with diabetes much in the same way cancer treatment does today." It is hoped that a cure may found within the next six years.

https://asweetlife.org/city-of-hope-new-approch-to-cure-type-1-diabetes-in-six-years/

Increasing Cost Of Insulin

Here is a very good article on the increasing cost of insulin.

http://thediabeticjourney.com/drug-companies-are-profiting-huge-off-of-insulin/

Medicare Covering SOME CGMs

Medicare will cover SOME CGMs now!!

The following article on Diabetesmine answers a lot of questions concerning Medicare coverage of CGMs. If you have Medicare coverage, you should read this!!

http://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine

Diabetic's Guide To Coffee

I have posted about caffeine raising my blood sugar level. Many of my friends have said caffeine affects them in that way. Here is a more thorough guide to coffee and how it may affect your diabetes.

http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetes-slideshows/520-a-diabetic-s-guide-to-coffee?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DC_20170114_B&utm_term=1button#1

8 fitness myths debunked

Interesting article. This may change your way of exercising.

http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/8-fitness-myths-debunked

Type 1 and DKA, Education

There is too much misdiagnosing of diabetes in the US. Type 1 diagnosed as type 2, and people with diabetes not being told that they have diabetes. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can occur in people of all ages. In some cases DKA occurs in some of these misdiagnosed individuals. That has been known lead to death in some instances. There is a new program that is attempting to help this situation. The program has been introduced in Ohio, and several other states are joining the project.The educational program described below should help.

"Along with two national parent advocates, Michelle Berman and Debbie Healy, and Malissa Sarver, Beyond Type 1 will raise awareness about T1D and DKA by deploying print materials to every pediatrician office in the state of Ohio, altogether, that’s over 250 pediatricians. The materials include multiple print posters with T1D warning signs in English and Spanish, a parent handout, and a survey."

http://portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/12831/beyond-type-1-offers-education-on-type-1-diabetesdka

Five Facts About Type 1 Diabetes

Five facts involving type 1 diabetes. Some are rather surprising. See the link for more detail.

1. The Number of Children Diagnosed T1 in the United States is Virtually the Same Number as the Number of Adults.

2. A Majority of People with Diabetes Don’t Make Use of Technology That Can Help.

3. Hypos Happen, Even in Hospitals.

4. Pumps or Pens? According to Diabetes.co.uk, just one in 1,000 people – or about 6 percent – use a pump to administer insulin.

5. Our Survival Rates Are Still Climbing.

https://timesulin.com/5-surprising-type-1-diabetes-statistics/

Slow Dance....A Poem

Slow Dance

This is a poem written by a teenager with cancer.
She wants to see how many
people get her poem.
The poem made me think of my son who died on Dec 19 with terminal cancer. It really hit home with me!
It is quite a poem, please pass it on.
This poem was written by a terminally ill young girl in a
New York Hospital.

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask, “How are you?”
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
with the next hundred chores running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,'Hi'
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last..
When you run so fast to get somewhere,
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

This young girl has 6 months left to live, and as her dying wish, she wanted to send a letter telling everyone to
live their life to the fullest, since she never will.
She'll never make it to prom, graduate from high school,
or get married and have a family of her own.