AskNadia: My Doctor Refuses to Prescribe Me Enough Insulin
Dear Nadia:
I use an insulin pump, and since we have changed insurance plans, I have a new Doctor, who will not give me enough insulin to last me a month. I have told him that I run out of insulin every month.
Andrew
Sacramento Ca
Dear Andrew:
That is outrageous. Is your physician an endocrinologist? Does he understand insulin pump therapy? His lack of concern for your monthly insulin requirements is alarming. I have never heard a story such as yours. Given your circumstance, you need to advocate for yourself. I would urgently request an appointment with an endocrinologist or a medical facility that understand insulin pump therapy.
Review your health plan to find a new physician. Then call them and interview them to make sure they understand insulin therapy. Explain your situation to them and ask them if they would follow your previous healthcare professional treatment who prescribed the monthly insulin your required.
People with diabetes who have health insurance should not have to fight their Doctor about a life or death medication that helps them maintain good glucose control. It seems unfathomable that your medication is under prescribed.
I am sorry you have to go through this. Especially in your situation where you have worked out a diabetes self-management plan with your previous physician that works for you. To stand in front of a new Doctor who refuses to honor your therapy must feel very dis-empowering and discouraging.
Go online and Google “Insulin Pumpers Group.” They are an excellent resource for you. You might meet someone who was in a similar situation, and they can share how they handled it.
Some of the insulin pump groups are for Type 1’s. If you are a Type 2 on an insulin pump, Look for a group that has both Type 1’s and Type 2’s.
Please keep me posted on your progress. We all will want to know how you resolve your insulin shortage.
Disclaimer:
Nadia’s feedback on your question is in no way intended to initiate or replace your healthcare professional’s therapy or advice. Please check in with your medical team to discuss your diabetes management concerns.
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About Nadia:
AskNadia (ranked #1 by Google), named “Best Diabetes Blog for 2017 by Healthline and with 24 nominations, Nadia Al-Samarrie’s efforts have made her stand out as a pioneer and leading patient advocate in the diabetes community.
Nadia was not only born into a family with diabetes but also married into one. She was propelled at a young age into “caretaker mode,” and with her knowledge of the scarcity of resources, support, and understanding for people with diabetes, co-founded Diabetes Interview, now Diabetes Health magazine.
Under her reign- Diabetes Health magazine was named one of the top 10 magazines to follow in the world for 2018 by Feedspot Blog Reader
Nadia has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and other major cable networks. Her publications, medical supply business, and website have been cited, recognized and published in the San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, Ann Landers advice column, former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, Entrepreneur magazine, Houston News, Phili.com, Brand Week, Drug Topics, and many other media outlets.
