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....

[LarryJ]

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.

Or, you end up like my cousin did..................we just buried the upper portion of the guy.........the rest had been removed, inch by inch, due to foot problems that led to gangrene that led to dialysis that led to.........well, you get the picture.

Damn shame, he was a good old boy.

If he had just taken care of his feet.

Oy Vey!

[dman001948]

Or, you end up like my cousin did..................we just buried the upper portion of the guy.........the rest had been removed, inch by inch, due to foot problems that led to gangrene that led to dialysis that led to.........well, you get the picture.

Damn shame, he was a good old boy.

If he had just taken care of his feet.

Oy Vey!

I would also like to add that with Type 2 debetics, The VA WILL NOT give you the Strips and lancets to measure your blood sugar. I'm service connected for Type 2 due to Agent Orange. They (Va) gave me a reader, 1 box of strips to stick in the reader, one box of lancets to poke yourself with and meds. They will continue the Meds but, NOT ANYTHING esle they said I'm on my own..duh...I'm service connected at 20% just for the Type 2 and over 50% overall..I thought if you were service connected everything was covered? Well, ITS NOT!!

They said (va) that I have to progress to Type 1 before they give me the strips and lancets..duh again...Isn't the whole point is to try and not advance to type 1 or at least slow it down. Well, without the tools to momitor myself..guess what? I see type 1 right arourd the cornor.

Does Anyone know where it states in the VA regs where we don't get this items and service connected for the conditon? I sure would like to read that. You can reach me at dman00194875@msn.com.

Dennis Rick

[johnjjr]

Dman,

Whoever told you that you were on your own and the VA wouldn't supply testing supplies for DM II was full of crap. I was dx'd DM II in '06 and have recieved all my testing supplies free of charge from the VA ever since. If they refuse to supply you with the needed supplies free, talk to your patient advocate.

Edited July 15, 2010 by johnjjr

[johnjjr]

BTW

DM II does not progress to type 1.

[retiredat44]

I would like to chat with some people who have Diabetes.. I would like to compare my expereinces with illenss .. I have some questions about some of my symptoms:unsure:

thanx..

[dman001948]

Dman,

Whoever told you that you were on your own and the VA wouldn't supply testing supplies for DM II was full of crap. I was dx'd DM II in '06 and have recieved all my testing supplies free of charge from the VA ever since. If they refuse to supply you with the needed supplies free, talk to your patient advocate.

Thanks for the reply and I kinda figure that..the smoke is about to start..Damn Phoenix VA and USE to like them...Now pee on them, I'll take my business to the Tucson VA...I live in Casa Grande, kind of in the middle of the two..

Again thanks for the reply's

Dennis