In today’s economy, everyone is struggling to find ways to save money. Those of us with diabetes know too well the expense of our supplies. However, in these times it is imperative we are not being too frugal to our health’s detriment. Our money-saving efforts are deemed counterproductive if we end up in the hospital due to a skin infection from re-use of a dulled lancet or needle. So I must ask you, in these tough economic times are you skimping away your health?

First, let’s review two things we can do to save big and cut long-term costs: Staying in blood glucose control, and exercise. Staying in control saves money. Whether you are Type 1 or 2, it behooves you to test as your doctor and care team prescribe. Tempted to save that extra $1-$4/day by not testing as prescribed? You’ll end up on that rollercoaster sugar ride feeling lousy and end up…well… testing, more than prescribed. You’ve just defeated your purpose. Most glucose test strips cost about $0.75-$1 per strip. Control eradicates use of extra strips of the rollercoaster ride.

Thinking of re-using your lancets to cut testing costs? Beware. According to Judith Slover-Zipf (MSN ANP-BC, CDE, BC-ADM ), “Never re-use lancets. Re-use is not recommended by the manufacturers.”

Want to save $1-$3 daily? Drop those coffee or soda splurges instead of strips. I cut out my daily Dunkin Donuts Latte-Lite. Testing is worth that extra $1-$2/day than succumb to the effects, as well as expense, of complications.  

Exercise is a diabetics’ surefire activity to decrease long term expense, by manifesting health.  I’m not going to get on my high horse and preach. I know you know exercise is beneficial. Just realize by not exercising you erase the chance of discovering how valuable it can be. For over 36 years, it has kept me in glucose control. It’s a de-stressor and keeps the cardiovascular, muscular and emotional systems in optimal health. Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated.  Just 30 minutes daily of low aerobic exercise can make a big improvement in how you feel, how you look, how much glucose control you have. Plus it lowers your Glycohemoglobins (A1C). If you don't exercise much, just walk. Start out 20 minutes a day, work it up to 30 minutes a day. You can walk to and in your office, in your neighborhood, in your shopping mall, or up and down stairs, getting an even more rigorous work-out. As Nike says “Just Do It”.  

For those of us on insulin, never buy expired insulin and always ensure potency upon receipt. Using expired insulin is not an option – ever! According to Slover-Zipf, ”Insulin in a pump should be discarded after three days and not used. The activity or movement can damage insulin."

That brings us to needles, tubing, reservoirs. Thinking of reusing your needle? According to Slover-Zipf, “We teach never to reuse lancets or needles. The fine needles are easily damaged after first use.”    

“Anyone who wants to save money on infusion sets/tubing [should] check with their pump company," recommends Ceil Smth-Snyder (RD,CDE), a Medtronic Consultant. She adds ”Concerns about longer wear, over-exceeding manufacturer recommendations could cause skin infections. Most companies recommend what the product is FDA-approved for, which is stated on the package insert. For most tubing sets/reservoirs, it's three days max”.    

To save money, remember:

1) Test your blood glucose as prescribed.

2) Exercise daily.

3) Research your diabetes products to request recommendations regarding your product use/re-use. A comprehensive listing identifying diabetes products can be found here. 

Until next time, be well