One of my biggest concerns about full timing is that I am diabetic. It is currently well controlled, my A1C ranges from 5.4 to 5.7. However, I have one major physical annually and a mini check up in between with blood tests at both (every 6 months). I have my eyes checked annually and dental cleaning every 6 months. I would appreciate hearing from some full time RVers who are also diabetic to see how they manage their condition while on the road. Thank you.
Barbaraok said
12:57 PM Apr 27, 2016
Lots of us have a place where we have established a relationship with a primary physician and stop in once a year. We spend the winter in the Mesa, AZ area, so we have established our care here. Are you Type I or Type II. Either are managed easily by lots of people who fulltime. Blood tests can be obtained at most hospitals with results fax back to your physician. Use nationwide drug service like Walgreens, CVS, WalMart for meds and transfer as necessary. People full time will all sorts of aliments, not a problem at all. Just discuss it with your physician, schedule out when, where you'll get tests done and what sorts of possible changes you might make as a results of those tests.
John U said
03:30 PM Apr 27, 2016
Dan and Ruth,
I am a "brittle" diabetic. My A1C is over double yours and a good day for me is only in the 240 range on my blood sugar meter. Bounce from 42 to 240 to over 800. At 42 it is coma time. Take NOVOLOG 70/30 3X a DAY @ 122 per shot. TAKE 2, THAN FULL 60 TWICE with the needle inserted. Not LOL. Became a diabetic 20 yrs ago but does show up mid 40ish in our family. Has not impacted my RVing a bit except when on either coast sometimes have to fly home to DFW for Dr.s twice yearly visit. Like my Dr. and am part of a study group where on the test meds stay 120's but off or placebo group series back to 240's immediately. Makes it easier to be a teetotaler! LOL!
Agree get with a national pharmacy but DO NOT recommend Walgreens as 3 times last year they gave me the wrong med and did not want to correct it or gave me BS till my attorney contacted them. Prefer Costco as their prices are very hard to beat and you do not have to be a member to use their pharmacy though we are members. Only bad item @ Costco is their Novolog needles as they do not have generic ones like WalMart does so they want 36-38 bucks a box for a hundred needles whereas WalMart is $9 bucks for 50 or 100 depending on the store. Most are for $9 for 50 but 2 in DFW area are $9 for 100. Have never complained just puts a smile on my face as I purchase my needles and water there.
Would also recommend that you put your doctor's card in your wallet with all your Meds listed on it and also do same in a prescription bottle tie wrapped to the second shelf from the bottom on the left in your refrig so an EMT or Paramedic could find it just in case.
If you have any personal ? re diabetics feel free to PM me.
Enjoy your travels with Ruth.
John
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
06:30 PM Apr 27, 2016
Greetings, Alie here. It sounds like you have your diabetes under control so becoming a full timer should not be difficult for you. If you have a good relationship with you MD you can get by with annual visits since you are controlled. I agree with the others have suggested- find a national pharmacy that you are comfortable with, remember that regardless of where you are there are walk-in clinics or 911 for emergencies. You can always have your MD fax an order for an A1C to a local hospital if you want them on a regular basis. If you are checking your blood sugars on a regular basis you might feel okay with annual A1C as I do. Jim and I travel all over the country. I make it a rule that someone in the park who is full time there is aware that I am diabetic. And I have reassured Jim that I know how to dial 911. I rarely have high blood sugars but once in a while I do have a drop, so I make sure I have easy assess foods to reboast as needed. If you decide to go full time send a private message and I will send you my phone number as back up. Even though I am retired I will always be the nurse lol. Good luck, safe travels.
Dan and Ruth said
05:59 PM Apr 28, 2016
Barbaraok wrote:
Lots of us have a place where we have established a relationship with a primary physician and stop in once a year. We spend the winter in the Mesa, AZ area, so we have established our care here. Are you Type I or Type II. Either are managed easily by lots of people who fulltime. Blood tests can be obtained at most hospitals with results fax back to your physician. Use nationwide drug service like Walgreens, CVS, WalMart for meds and transfer as necessary. People full time will all sorts of aliments, not a problem at all. Just discuss it with your physician, schedule out when, where you'll get tests done and what sorts of possible changes you might make as a results of those tests.
I am Type 2. Good advice on the national pharmacies, we currently use the one at the clinic. I guess it's time to change. It is nice to know this is not a huge problem, thanks for the input.
Dan and Ruth said
06:09 PM Apr 28, 2016
John U wrote:
Dan and Ruth,
I am a "brittle" diabetic. My A1C is over double yours and a good day for me is only in the 240 range on my blood sugar meter. Bounce from 42 to 240 to over 800. At 42 it is coma time. Take NOVOLOG 70/30 3X a DAY @ 122 per shot. TAKE 2, THAN FULL 60 TWICE with the needle inserted. Not LOL. Became a diabetic 20 yrs ago but does show up mid 40ish in our family. Has not impacted my RVing a bit except when on either coast sometimes have to fly home to DFW for Dr.s twice yearly visit. Like my Dr. and am part of a study group where on the test meds stay 120's but off or placebo group series back to 240's immediately. Makes it easier to be a teetotaler! LOL!
Agree get with a national pharmacy but DO NOT recommend Walgreens as 3 times last year they gave me the wrong med and did not want to correct it or gave me BS till my attorney contacted them. Prefer Costco as their prices are very hard to beat and you do not have to be a member to use their pharmacy though we are members. Only bad item @ Costco is their Novolog needles as they do not have generic ones like WalMart does so they want 36-38 bucks a box for a hundred needles whereas WalMart is $9 bucks for 50 or 100 depending on the store. Most are for $9 for 50 but 2 in DFW area are $9 for 100. Have never complained just puts a smile on my face as I purchase my needles and water there.
Would also recommend that you put your doctor's card in your wallet with all your Meds listed on it and also do same in a prescription bottle tie wrapped to the second shelf from the bottom on the left in your refrig so an EMT or Paramedic could find it just in case.
If you have any personal ? re diabetics feel free to PM me.
Enjoy your travels with Ruth.
John
Hi John,
So far, no insulin for me, I do take metformin. Mostly I watch what I eat being very careful with carbs. Plus I lift weights 5 days/week and walk 3 miles a day. Some days it's hard to keep after it, but the result is worth the effort. I feel lucky to be able to control this thing so far. Also, thanks for sharing your story and the offer to contact you, it is very generous. If you can work it out, I know I can.
I appreciate the heads up on Walgreens, too bad, they are all over it seems.
Have a great summer on the road!
Dan and Ruth said
06:15 PM Apr 28, 2016
Alie and Jims Carrilite wrote:
Greetings, Alie here. It sounds like you have your diabetes under control so becoming a full timer should not be difficult for you. If you have a good relationship with you MD you can get by with annual visits since you are controlled. I agree with the others have suggested- find a national pharmacy that you are comfortable with, remember that regardless of where you are there are walk-in clinics or 911 for emergencies. You can always have your MD fax an order for an A1C to a local hospital if you want them on a regular basis. If you are checking your blood sugars on a regular basis you might feel okay with annual A1C as I do. Jim and I travel all over the country. I make it a rule that someone in the park who is full time there is aware that I am diabetic. And I have reassured Jim that I know how to dial 911. I rarely have high blood sugars but once in a while I do have a drop, so I make sure I have easy assess foods to reboast as needed. If you decide to go full time send a private message and I will send you my phone number as back up. Even though I am retired I will always be the nurse lol. Good luck, safe travels.
Hi Alie,
Like you, Ruth is also a nurse having worked in ICU departments for about 30 years now. Jim and I are both fortunate in that respect it seems. I like the idea of switching to annual lab work and will discuss it with my MD at my appt. in May. Will also ask about faxing the A1C order as well. I did not know that was an option. And as with John, I thank you for sharing your story and offer for contact, it is great to find people that are willing to assist. Barring something unfortunate happening to the stock market, we are forging ahead with the plan. Hopefully we'll cross paths out there. Here's to you and Jim enjoying a wonderful summer together.
One of my biggest concerns about full timing is that I am diabetic. It is currently well controlled, my A1C ranges from 5.4 to 5.7. However, I have one major physical annually and a mini check up in between with blood tests at both (every 6 months). I have my eyes checked annually and dental cleaning every 6 months. I would appreciate hearing from some full time RVers who are also diabetic to see how they manage their condition while on the road. Thank you.
I am a "brittle" diabetic. My A1C is over double yours and a good day for me is only in the 240 range on my blood sugar meter. Bounce from 42 to 240 to over 800. At 42 it is coma time. Take NOVOLOG 70/30 3X a DAY @ 122 per shot. TAKE 2, THAN FULL 60 TWICE with the needle inserted. Not LOL. Became a diabetic 20 yrs ago but does show up mid 40ish in our family. Has not impacted my RVing a bit except when on either coast sometimes have to fly home to DFW for Dr.s twice yearly visit. Like my Dr. and am part of a study group where on the test meds stay 120's but off or placebo group series back to 240's immediately. Makes it easier to be a teetotaler! LOL!
Agree get with a national pharmacy but DO NOT recommend Walgreens as 3 times last year they gave me the wrong med and did not want to correct it or gave me BS till my attorney contacted them. Prefer Costco as their prices are very hard to beat and you do not have to be a member to use their pharmacy though we are members. Only bad item @ Costco is their Novolog needles as they do not have generic ones like WalMart does so they want 36-38 bucks a box for a hundred needles whereas WalMart is $9 bucks for 50 or 100 depending on the store. Most are for $9 for 50 but 2 in DFW area are $9 for 100. Have never complained just puts a smile on my face as I purchase my needles and water there.
Would also recommend that you put your doctor's card in your wallet with all your Meds listed on it and also do same in a prescription bottle tie wrapped to the second shelf from the bottom on the left in your refrig so an EMT or Paramedic could find it just in case.
If you have any personal ? re diabetics feel free to PM me.
Enjoy your travels with Ruth.
John
I am Type 2. Good advice on the national pharmacies, we currently use the one at the clinic. I guess it's time to change. It is nice to know this is not a huge problem, thanks for the input.
Hi John,
So far, no insulin for me, I do take metformin. Mostly I watch what I eat being very careful with carbs. Plus I lift weights 5 days/week and walk 3 miles a day. Some days it's hard to keep after it, but the result is worth the effort. I feel lucky to be able to control this thing so far. Also, thanks for sharing your story and the offer to contact you, it is very generous. If you can work it out, I know I can.
I appreciate the heads up on Walgreens, too bad, they are all over it seems.
Have a great summer on the road!
Hi Alie,
Like you, Ruth is also a nurse having worked in ICU departments for about 30 years now. Jim and I are both fortunate in that respect it seems. I like the idea of switching to annual lab work and will discuss it with my MD at my appt. in May. Will also ask about faxing the A1C order as well. I did not know that was an option. And as with John, I thank you for sharing your story and offer for contact, it is great to find people that are willing to assist. Barring something unfortunate happening to the stock market, we are forging ahead with the plan. Hopefully we'll cross paths out there. Here's to you and Jim enjoying a wonderful summer together.