diabetes Diabetes, Medications,

[Papa Jack]

I have a few questions , I was going to post on the claims research forum but it says I cannot start a new subject...or something like that.

I am rated at 80% from the VA for PTSD and Diabetes.

1) I am Diabetic, VA Diagnosed me. VA provides my Metformin.

I have friends who I served with in Nam, most all have Diabetes, One in Texas gets shoes and socks from the VA about every 6 months.

I asked him how he got the ugly shoes ? He said from the VA and If I had Diabetes I could get em too... Just had to ask and to be fitted by the VA.

So I asked the VA dr. How can I get shoes and Socks ? He says do you have sores on your feet ? NO, my feet are pretty good other than Fungus and some loss of feeling... He says, then you don't get shoes....

So, are shoes available and if so, whats the deal getting em ????

2) Medications: Prior to getting into the VA I had a local DR., Because I had high blood pressure and Cholestrol, I was on several meds.for treatment.

Quinapril

Atenolol

Hydrochlorothiazide

Zocor ( Cholesterol )

I asked the VA dr. about getting these meds thru the VA ? NOPE, you had high B/P before we diagnosed the high blood sugar...However, they did issue me Simvastatin in place of the Zocor. They also started me on low dose aspirin and they issue that as well.

I thought that when I was 80% I was intitled to ALL my meds ?????

So one day I was having a VA check up, and the Dr wrote a Rx for Lisinapril, she said it would help my B/P and protect my kidneys....( I am already taking QUINAPRIL and I listed it in my list of meds. ! It was in my files ). I didn't take the pills, I knew better. She called a few days later and asked how I was doing, I asked her about the Lisinapril and informed her that I was taking Quinapril..... Ohhhhh my goodness, I see that now on the computer, I'm so sorry, do not take those meds ,you are already taking the same drugs.!

Seeee, here is the problem, every time I go to the VA I sign in on the computer and it lists all my Medications and asks if I am still taking them, I mark all the boxes, and I carry a list of all my meds. So now I have VA meds and non VA Rx's, and sometime or other there is going to be a BIG mistake because they don't pay attention !!

Sooooo, How do I get the VA to give me my drugs ?

I attend my Viet Nam Unit reunions, they are held every two years, talking with the guys ( most all of them have Diabetes....and B/P and Cholesterol ) I find that most all are 100% one way or another ( PTSD or whatever..) and they are getting their meds from the VA.

I am also finding that there is a wide difference in the way the VA treats the vets. from one state to another. Some have no problems at all, some have to jump thru hoops.

This is the first of several questions, I hope you guys can offer some answers, I'll get into my claim at a later post......Thanks for your time !! "Papa Jack" ps: as of the 10th of July, I am once again PAPA JACK, my grandson #4 was born, Life is GOOD ! my gene pool lives on....

[jbasser]

I approved your post. Welcome. Your Doc is a real piece of crap. You are entitled for all medications for all conditions at 50 percent with no co pay.

March your bad self down to the patient advocate and complain and while your at it ask for a different doc.

If your feet bother you you are entitled to shoes. This is not your docs decision, it is Prothstetics department. Your doc is only responsible for the referral.

Sorry you have to go through this. You can still file a claim for Aggravation from the HTN to your DMII.

J

[Pete53]

The Dallas VA gives all Diabetics special shoes for safety and other reasons. I never got the socks I will look into it. The point I am making is improper footwear can cause a diabetic other problems.

Your Doctor is a piece of crap I take most of the meds you are taking and the VA pays for them.

JBasser gave you the right answer. I would be at the VAMC to see the Patient Advocate and also talk to the Administration.

What VAMC do you go to ?

[Papa Jack]

The Dallas VA gives all Diabetics special shoes for safety and other reasons. I never got the socks I will look into it. The point I am making is improper footwear can cause a diabetic other problems.

Your Doctor is a piece of crap I take most of the meds you are taking and the VA pays for them.

JBasser gave you the right answer. I would be at the VAMC to see the Patient Advocate and also talk to the Administration.

What VAMC do you go to ?

This all happened while I was assigned to the Vancouver Washington facility....The Dr. that told me NO about the shoes was a new one to me, his first time with me. I spent exactly 7 minutes with him in the exam room for a checkup to renew my meds . He left the room and so did I and I haven't been back there since.

The Dr. that turned down my meds was a Nurse Practioneer, she hated men and vets I think...She once chewed me out because my wife had called to make my appointment for a check up...Thats a long story but a good one, sometime I'd like to tell in on this forum, I understand she is no longer working there, thank god and country !

The Va just opened a new facility in Hillsboro Oregon, it's only 6 miles drive and so far it has been a good experience. I haven't pushed the thing about my meds yet because after the first time I just gave up .

Thank you for the reply !! Papa Jack

Ohhhh by the way, when you "move" a message, where does it go and how can I find it ? I click on the little arrow box and nothin happens......

[Papa Jack]

This all happened while I was assigned to the Vancouver Washington facility....The Dr. that told me NO about the shoes was a new one to me, his first time with me. I spent exactly 7 minutes with him in the exam room for a checkup to renew my meds . He left the room and so did I and I haven't been back there since.

The Dr. that turned down my meds was a Nurse Practioneer, she hated men and vets I think...She once chewed me out because my wife had called to make my appointment for a check up...Thats a long story but a good one, sometime I'd like to tell in on this forum, I understand she is no longer working there, thank god and country !

The Va just opened a new facility in Hillsboro Oregon, it's only 6 miles drive and so far it has been a good experience. I haven't pushed the thing about my meds yet because after the first time I just gave up .

Thank you for the reply !! Papa Jack

Ohhhh by the way, when you "move" a message, where does it go and how can I find it ? I click on the little arrow box and nothin happens......

OHHHHHHH by the way, never mind......I found the moved post, just had to open my eyes...... "PJ"

[LarryJ]

Welcome home, Jack.

[john999]

I got the diabetic shoes, socks, cane and orthotics due to my feet and DMII. That doctor is crazy. You want to avoid getting sores on your feet at all cost. The shoes are a preventive measure. If you get diabetic sores on your feet it means weeks if not months on antibiotics usually via infusions through a pick line, and maybe even surgery to clean up the sores or infection. I had three weeks of those IV infusions for staff infection in my feet. No fun at all. Feet heal very slowly even if you are not diabetic.