Diabetes Question

[oldcj5guy]

My first wife was diabetic, and we were fortunate that when I was making my final rounds prior to getting out of the marines that her doctor on base was a like minded guy and hooked us up with a 2yr supply of all stuff from needles and strips to meds.

Best advice I have for those of you that might need a supply is to start feeling around for a local pharmist that you can garner a relationship with. If an emergency happened, they would more likely to help you out with a drug like this than one of the ones that could be attributed with a druggie.

[Big_Saw]

Sounds like he isn't on the severe end of diabetic. I'll bet diet changes would get him off the needle. But you know, I'm not sure I blame the guy. Sounds like he's weighed the options and would rather live out whatever time he has his way than live 'forever' by playing by the rules. Guess that's the ultimate example of balking at the Nanny State mentality. How many of us smoke or are overweight, etc.? Hard to judge the man. Still, if he was my dad, I'd share your concerns and bug him to change.

+1............

[Oddball]

Sounds like he isn't on the severe end of diabetic. I'll bet diet changes would get him off the needle. But you know, I'm not sure I blame the guy. Sounds like he's weighed the options and would rather live out whatever time he has his way than live 'forever' by playing by the rules. Guess that's the ultimate example of balking at the Nanny State mentality. How many of us smoke or are overweight, etc.? Hard to judge the man. Still, if he was my dad, I'd share your concerns and bug him to change.

[David M.]

He's "on the needle" as he calls it. Still eats his biscuit and sausage, then a biscuit and jelly, non of it sugar free, and at 78 yrs old he won't change any time soon. I told him I was going to put on his headstone "I did it my way". He may outlive me....Thanks again for all the input. David

[Oddball]

Unfortunately, lots of people with medication-dependent conditions won't do well in a SHTF situation. Diabetes is a tricky one. There are types and degrees. You can have the kind where insulin isn't produced and the kind where insulin is produced but can't be utilized. And, you can have varying degrees of either.

The best plan would be to understand what kind of diabetes one has and to what degree. Some can reduce or eliminate the need for injected insulin and be managed with oral meds by really understanding the effects of what they eat and their level of activity (and stress). Oral meds would last a lot longer and be easier to manage.

While injectable insulin doesn't have a long shelf life and has to be refrigerated, you might be able to have it last at least a while by burying it. Depending on your location of course, you could keep the temp cool and stable. Honestly, a lot of people will be lost in hard times not because they're naive and didn't prepare but because of illness. Just one more reason to take care of yourself.

[David M.]

Thanks everbody! I'll see what I can find out about stocking up. I talked to him about it several months ago, one thing for sure, he grew up in the country and he doesn't like altering his diet to help fight the problem. Gotta love him.

[kenno]

You folks with insulin dependant relitives need to form a activist group to get info on long term storage insulin (it will vary per patient) but you can use Katrina as a lever, but BE POLITE! Health care workers are over worked even on a normal day and they have family related stress as well. Like anyone else, if they get overstressed, thier brains shut down and they go into the 'Uh-Huh' mode. I have seen ER doctors go into PTSD mode for days and fail to recognise loved ones after a long 'Dirty' shift.
I know it is hard for you,,,it is hard for them as well.

[Rustyshakelford]

There are currently about a zillion homeopathic chemists trying to find a naturally occurring alternative for insulin. I have yet to find one that is not a commercial gimmick, or in need of further clinical trials.

The best advice I can give you is to consider your situation when preparing and storing foodstuffs, as diet and physical activity seem to be the most definitive markers of a diabetic's state of well-being.

I wish I could help more, but I am not an MD, and my knowledge is pretty much primarily trauma-based....If I were you, though, I'd try seeking out some form of long-term storage of insulin (as far as you can stretch it), stock up, and rotate regularly.

I had a roomate in college that was insulin dependant. I know there are many types of insulin, but he would buy the stuff twice a year and kept it in the fridge. He said it never went bad, but I am not even close to being a DR.

[Big_Saw]

My dad has diabetes, one of my concerns is the availability in getting his insulin should a event occur. I looked into buying it in bulk but the shelf life is a concern. Anybody else pondered this?

There are currently about a zillion homeopathic chemists trying to find a naturally occurring alternative for insulin. I have yet to find one that is not a commercial gimmick, or in need of further clinical trials.

The best advice I can give you is to consider your situation when preparing and storing foodstuffs, as diet and physical activity seem to be the most definitive markers of a diabetic's state of well-being.

I wish I could help more, but I am not an MD, and my knowledge is pretty much primarily trauma-based....If I were you, though, I'd try seeking out some form of long-term storage of insulin (as far as you can stretch it), stock up, and rotate regularly.

[snal]

Yep! It just hit me this week! My dad also has diabetes. Let me know what you find out about this! I have no idea what the shelf life is, but I figured I could load up a bit on syringes while I find out.

[David M.]

My dad has diabetes, one of my concerns is the availability in getting his insulin should a event occur. I looked into buying it in bulk but the shelf life is a concern. Anybody else pondered this?