Re: Another group newbie

[Guest guest]

Three or months for a suitable doctor is unacceptible.

Re: Another group newbie

I'd like to chime in here with a thought or 2 based on my experience. It is

true that you are not forced into seeing a specific doctor in Canada. You have a

choice from among those who are, at the time, seeking new patients. The problem

here in Ontario is that very few doctors are seeking or even reluctantly

accepting new patients when compared with the number of individuals who are

seeking a physician.

For my family, the search for a doctor lasted three years. Then, when you find

a doctor who is accepting new patients, you are required to attend what is

termed a " meet and greet. " During this appointment, no examinations are

performed and no treatment is offered. You size the doctor up, the doc sizes you

up and either of you is free to decline any future doctor-patient relationship.

As you get to know the doctor, you may find him/her to be not particulaly to

your liking. But if the choice is this doctor or no doctor it is really no

choice at all. It is, however, important to remember that a doctor may, at any

given time, fire a patient.

And specialists? When I was diagnosed as a type two, I was referred to an

endochronologist. The wait between my referral and my pending appointment was/is

3 and a half months. I don't know if that should be considered a long time but

when a prescribed medication comes with more side effects than I'm comfortable

in tolerating the wait seems long.

I have no experience with the helth system in any other province, but I do

know that they vary. I also know that problems with our Ontario health system

with its doctor and nurse shortage etc, tops the concerns of many voters. That

being said, it does offer basic health care to all Canadian citizens and to all

permanent residents like myself.

Living in the States, as I did for more than the first 50 years of my life,

there were times when serious illeness would have met with either no treatment

or financial ruin. When our system here in Ontario annoys me, I try to remember

that. We can do better though and in my judgment, ok is never good enough.

Sorry for the editorial. I didn't plan for it. Call it an occupational hazzard

left over from 2 former occupations.

Larry

[Guest guest]

Three or months for a suitable doctor is unacceptible.

Re: Another group newbie

I'd like to chime in here with a thought or 2 based on my experience. It is

true that you are not forced into seeing a specific doctor in Canada. You have a

choice from among those who are, at the time, seeking new patients. The problem

here in Ontario is that very few doctors are seeking or even reluctantly

accepting new patients when compared with the number of individuals who are

seeking a physician.

For my family, the search for a doctor lasted three years. Then, when you find

a doctor who is accepting new patients, you are required to attend what is

termed a " meet and greet. " During this appointment, no examinations are

performed and no treatment is offered. You size the doctor up, the doc sizes you

up and either of you is free to decline any future doctor-patient relationship.

As you get to know the doctor, you may find him/her to be not particulaly to

your liking. But if the choice is this doctor or no doctor it is really no

choice at all. It is, however, important to remember that a doctor may, at any

given time, fire a patient.

And specialists? When I was diagnosed as a type two, I was referred to an

endochronologist. The wait between my referral and my pending appointment was/is

3 and a half months. I don't know if that should be considered a long time but

when a prescribed medication comes with more side effects than I'm comfortable

in tolerating the wait seems long.

I have no experience with the helth system in any other province, but I do

know that they vary. I also know that problems with our Ontario health system

with its doctor and nurse shortage etc, tops the concerns of many voters. That

being said, it does offer basic health care to all Canadian citizens and to all

permanent residents like myself.

Living in the States, as I did for more than the first 50 years of my life,

there were times when serious illeness would have met with either no treatment

or financial ruin. When our system here in Ontario annoys me, I try to remember

that. We can do better though and in my judgment, ok is never good enough.

Sorry for the editorial. I didn't plan for it. Call it an occupational hazzard

left over from 2 former occupations.

Larry

[Guest guest]

Three or months for a suitable doctor is unacceptible.

Re: Another group newbie

I'd like to chime in here with a thought or 2 based on my experience. It is

true that you are not forced into seeing a specific doctor in Canada. You have a

choice from among those who are, at the time, seeking new patients. The problem

here in Ontario is that very few doctors are seeking or even reluctantly

accepting new patients when compared with the number of individuals who are

seeking a physician.

For my family, the search for a doctor lasted three years. Then, when you find

a doctor who is accepting new patients, you are required to attend what is

termed a " meet and greet. " During this appointment, no examinations are

performed and no treatment is offered. You size the doctor up, the doc sizes you

up and either of you is free to decline any future doctor-patient relationship.

As you get to know the doctor, you may find him/her to be not particulaly to

your liking. But if the choice is this doctor or no doctor it is really no

choice at all. It is, however, important to remember that a doctor may, at any

given time, fire a patient.

And specialists? When I was diagnosed as a type two, I was referred to an

endochronologist. The wait between my referral and my pending appointment was/is

3 and a half months. I don't know if that should be considered a long time but

when a prescribed medication comes with more side effects than I'm comfortable

in tolerating the wait seems long.

I have no experience with the helth system in any other province, but I do

know that they vary. I also know that problems with our Ontario health system

with its doctor and nurse shortage etc, tops the concerns of many voters. That

being said, it does offer basic health care to all Canadian citizens and to all

permanent residents like myself.

Living in the States, as I did for more than the first 50 years of my life,

there were times when serious illeness would have met with either no treatment

or financial ruin. When our system here in Ontario annoys me, I try to remember

that. We can do better though and in my judgment, ok is never good enough.

Sorry for the editorial. I didn't plan for it. Call it an occupational hazzard

left over from 2 former occupations.

Larry

[Guest guest]

Funny, you've been on exactly the same insulin regimens as me, in exactly

the same order. First Regular (Toronto) and NPH, then Humalog and NPH, then

Humalog and Lantus, and now Humalog in my pump. I've heard that NovoRapid is

supposedly better in pumps than Humalog, more consistent in absorption and

such, so I'm thinking about asking to switch sometime in the future just to

see.

Jen

Re: Another group newbie

I use Humalog in my pump. I just learned that Novalog is called NovoRapid

here in Canada... who knew! It has never even come up as a possibility, and

I know little about it, but starting to read up on it a bit more. Does

anyone have experience using Novolog in a pump?

Before the pump I was on Humalog and Lantus. Lantus only became available

here in 2005, and prior to that I was driving over the border regularly, so

I'd buy it over the counter and bring it back. It did work better than the

NPH. Prior to that I was on Humalog and NPH for years, and really struggled

with NPH. Prior to that was Regular and NPH. Now that was a fun roller

coaster ride!

I use the Minimed Paradigm 512, which is an older model pump, but new to me.

It's out of warranty, so it's operating on a wing and a prayer. So far it's

working fine - our work insurance won't cover a new one, just for the

supplies.

In answer to 's post, who asked:

Hope the endo can help both of you! Do you use Humalog or Novalog in your

pump? I have a Disetronics spirit pump.

[Guest guest]

Funny, you've been on exactly the same insulin regimens as me, in exactly

the same order. First Regular (Toronto) and NPH, then Humalog and NPH, then

Humalog and Lantus, and now Humalog in my pump. I've heard that NovoRapid is

supposedly better in pumps than Humalog, more consistent in absorption and

such, so I'm thinking about asking to switch sometime in the future just to

see.

Jen

Re: Another group newbie

I use Humalog in my pump. I just learned that Novalog is called NovoRapid

here in Canada... who knew! It has never even come up as a possibility, and

I know little about it, but starting to read up on it a bit more. Does

anyone have experience using Novolog in a pump?

Before the pump I was on Humalog and Lantus. Lantus only became available

here in 2005, and prior to that I was driving over the border regularly, so

I'd buy it over the counter and bring it back. It did work better than the

NPH. Prior to that I was on Humalog and NPH for years, and really struggled

with NPH. Prior to that was Regular and NPH. Now that was a fun roller

coaster ride!

I use the Minimed Paradigm 512, which is an older model pump, but new to me.

It's out of warranty, so it's operating on a wing and a prayer. So far it's

working fine - our work insurance won't cover a new one, just for the

supplies.

In answer to 's post, who asked:

Hope the endo can help both of you! Do you use Humalog or Novalog in your

pump? I have a Disetronics spirit pump.

[Guest guest]

Funny, you've been on exactly the same insulin regimens as me, in exactly

the same order. First Regular (Toronto) and NPH, then Humalog and NPH, then

Humalog and Lantus, and now Humalog in my pump. I've heard that NovoRapid is

supposedly better in pumps than Humalog, more consistent in absorption and

such, so I'm thinking about asking to switch sometime in the future just to

see.

Jen

Re: Another group newbie

I use Humalog in my pump. I just learned that Novalog is called NovoRapid

here in Canada... who knew! It has never even come up as a possibility, and

I know little about it, but starting to read up on it a bit more. Does

anyone have experience using Novolog in a pump?

Before the pump I was on Humalog and Lantus. Lantus only became available

here in 2005, and prior to that I was driving over the border regularly, so

I'd buy it over the counter and bring it back. It did work better than the

NPH. Prior to that I was on Humalog and NPH for years, and really struggled

with NPH. Prior to that was Regular and NPH. Now that was a fun roller

coaster ride!

I use the Minimed Paradigm 512, which is an older model pump, but new to me.

It's out of warranty, so it's operating on a wing and a prayer. So far it's

working fine - our work insurance won't cover a new one, just for the

supplies.

In answer to 's post, who asked:

Hope the endo can help both of you! Do you use Humalog or Novalog in your

pump? I have a Disetronics spirit pump.

[Guest guest]

I use Humalog in my pump. I just learned that Novalog is called NovoRapid here

in Canada... who knew! It has never even come up as a possibility, and I know

little about it, but starting to read up on it a bit more. Does anyone have

experience using Novolog in a pump?

Before the pump I was on Humalog and Lantus. Lantus only became available here

in 2005, and prior to that I was driving over the border regularly, so I'd buy

it over the counter and bring it back. It did work better than the NPH. Prior to

that I was on Humalog and NPH for years, and really struggled with NPH. Prior to

that was Regular and NPH. Now that was a fun roller coaster ride!

I use the Minimed Paradigm 512, which is an older model pump, but new to me.

It's out of warranty, so it's operating on a wing and a prayer. So far it's

working fine - our work insurance won't cover a new one, just for the supplies.

In answer to 's post, who asked:

Hope the endo can help both of you! Do you use Humalog or Novalog in your

pump? I have a Disetronics spirit pump.

[Guest guest]

I use Humalog in my pump. I just learned that Novalog is called NovoRapid here

in Canada... who knew! It has never even come up as a possibility, and I know

little about it, but starting to read up on it a bit more. Does anyone have

experience using Novolog in a pump?

Before the pump I was on Humalog and Lantus. Lantus only became available here

in 2005, and prior to that I was driving over the border regularly, so I'd buy

it over the counter and bring it back. It did work better than the NPH. Prior to

that I was on Humalog and NPH for years, and really struggled with NPH. Prior to

that was Regular and NPH. Now that was a fun roller coaster ride!

I use the Minimed Paradigm 512, which is an older model pump, but new to me.

It's out of warranty, so it's operating on a wing and a prayer. So far it's

working fine - our work insurance won't cover a new one, just for the supplies.

In answer to 's post, who asked:

Hope the endo can help both of you! Do you use Humalog or Novalog in your

pump? I have a Disetronics spirit pump.

[Guest guest]

I use Humalog in my pump. I just learned that Novalog is called NovoRapid here

in Canada... who knew! It has never even come up as a possibility, and I know

little about it, but starting to read up on it a bit more. Does anyone have

experience using Novolog in a pump?

Before the pump I was on Humalog and Lantus. Lantus only became available here

in 2005, and prior to that I was driving over the border regularly, so I'd buy

it over the counter and bring it back. It did work better than the NPH. Prior to

that I was on Humalog and NPH for years, and really struggled with NPH. Prior to

that was Regular and NPH. Now that was a fun roller coaster ride!

I use the Minimed Paradigm 512, which is an older model pump, but new to me.

It's out of warranty, so it's operating on a wing and a prayer. So far it's

working fine - our work insurance won't cover a new one, just for the supplies.

In answer to 's post, who asked:

Hope the endo can help both of you! Do you use Humalog or Novalog in your

pump? I have a Disetronics spirit pump.

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to our group. I hope you find what you are looking for here.

Connie

Another group newbie

Hi there. You've already met husband Larry, and maybe have heard a little

about me from him, so now let me introduce my own self.

There's a lot to say about me I suppose. However, due to the particular

interest of this group, I would like to share that I have had Type 1 diabetes

for the better part of forever - okay, it just seems that way - it's now been

almost 20 years, since the late 80s, seems eons ago now. It was a shock to me at

the time because, after all, I was almost 30 at the time, and who got 'juvenile

diabetes at that age. Well, apparently I did, and I started on insulin right

away - back when Regular and NPH were all the rage. Now that was a fun roller

coaster ride.

I think I can now measure the length of this illness by the number of

different meters that have accumulated under my bathroom sink. But my newest

piece of equipment is my insulin pump which I think is the greatest since sliced

bread. Since starting it in January, my A1C has gone down from a 12.3 to an 8.3

in 4 months - nothing short of a miracle says my endo. I'm now working at

getting it lower. We'll see how that goes.

In addition to the much better control, the pump gives me so much flexibility.

After the failure of multiple daily injections, the pump is quite a breath of

fresh air. I did find it ironic though, that only a couple of months of feeling

more normal that the pump allowed me, that Larry was diagnosed with Type 2,

which was a bit of a reality check, and one that brought a whole new set of

accessibility challenges to deal with, some of which he has already written

about.

This seems like this is a very good group that you have got here, and it is a

pleasure to be part of it. I'm looking forward to sharing, and to learning.