Are you struggling with the cost of diabetes? Let's talk about it!

A lot has changed in your life since the day your doctor told you that you have Diabetes Mellitus. The things you eat, the way you exercise, the cost of your monthly medications, and the cost of your blood sugar tests can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. This is a common problem for many people living with diabetes. So today, let's talk about how we can reduce these costs a little, control our diabetes well, and live a relaxed life.

What are the main costs of diabetes?

Since diabetes is a condition that stays with us for a long time, there are ongoing costs. Let's look at what the main expenses are.

• Visiting the doctor: You will need to see your doctor at regular intervals to check your condition. Maybe once a month, or once every three months.
• Lab Tests: Blood sugar tests (such as Fasting Blood Sugar and HbA1c) are required regularly. These are the only way to know exactly how well your diabetes is under control.
• Medicines and supplies: There is a monthly cost for things like daily medication, possibly insulin injections, a glucometer and test strips to check your blood sugar levels at home.
• Treating complications of diabetes: This is the most expensive part. If diabetes is not properly controlled, it can lead to serious complications like vision loss, kidney damage, nerve damage, and heart disease. The treatment for these can be very expensive.

Things you can do to reduce costs

Okay, so let's now look at some simple, practical ways we can use to reduce this expense burden. Some of these you may already be doing.

1. Talk to your doctor about generic medications.

This is very important. There can be two types of the same medicine on the market. One is the medicine that comes with a brand name . The other is the generic medicine.

Simply put, a generic drug is a drug that contains the same chemical ingredients as the brand-name drug, in the same form, in the same amount, and has the same effectiveness, but at a significantly lower price.

For example, take the drug `(Metformin)`, which is commonly prescribed for diabetes. This is the generic name. Sometimes your doctor may prescribe you a brand name like `(Glucophage)`. Both of these have the same effect. However, the price of the drug with the brand name is usually higher.

Very important: Never go to the pharmacy and switch medications on your own. Be sure to talk to your doctor about this and ask, "Can I use a generic of this medication?" You should only switch medications with his or her approval and advice.

2. Make the most of government healthcare

The government hospital and clinic system in our country is a great strength for diabetic patients.

• Government Clinics: You can register with the diabetes clinic at your local government hospital. There, you can get the medical advice, tests, and most of the medications you need for free . This can save a large portion of your monthly expenses.
• State Pharmaceutical Corporation (Pharmacy): If you are buying medicine privately, try to buy medicine from state pharmacies or affiliated pharmacies. Usually, the prices are slightly lower than other private pharmacies.

3. A healthy lifestyle is the best investment

This is the best way to save money in the long run.

• Good diet control: Control your diet according to the advice of your doctor or nutritionist. Reducing foods high in sugar, flour, and fat will help control your blood sugar levels.
• Regular exercise: It is very important to walk and exercise until you sweat for at least 30 minutes a day.

When you do these things right, your diabetes will be well controlled. What happens then? Over time, your doctor may be able to reduce the amount of medication you take. Also, the risk of costly complications, such as damage to your eyes, kidneys, and nerves, which we discussed earlier, will be greatly reduced. This means you can avoid big expenses in the future.

Diabetes is something that needs to be managed, not the end of life. And so is the cost. With a little planning and smart thinking, you can significantly reduce these costs, stay healthy, and live a happy life. If you have any more questions about this, don't be shy and talk to your doctor.