As the economy worsens and drug costs rise, some diabetics are being priced out of needed care.
So what happens when diabetics are forced to choose between rent and refills? Many seek alternative ways to make ends meet, turning to generous doctors and foreign vendors if they have inadequate insurance coverage or funds.
Juanita Tharp, 74, of Fort Worth, Texas, said she has fallen into a "doughnut hole" in her Medicare coverage and must now pay out of pocket for her insulin.
"I've had a little help from my doctor giving me samples," she said, "because each vial of insulin costs nearly $100, and I use three a month."
Though Tharp's testing supplies are covered by Social Security and Medicare, the enormous cost of her insulin alone has forced her and her husband to dip into their savings.
"Any extras or ... trips or anything like that, no -- we just have to use this just to pay our bills and our medications," she said.
Tharp's situation has also led her to the increasingly popular Canadian market. There, insulin is "anywhere from $21 a vial to $43 a vial, plus your shipping -- which is still half the cost," she explained.
A more extreme method for making supplies last is to eat less. For most diabetics, injections are given several times a day in relation to the amount of sugar and carbohydrates consumed. By consuming fewer carbohydrates, less insulin is needed.
Though this may seem like a great way for some to slim their waistline and save their wallets, spreading resources thin may also mean testing the body's limits.
For good health, "the objective is to keep your blood sugars as close to normal as possible and do whatever you need to get that done," said Dr. Keith Campbell, a certified diabetes educator and professor in diabetes care at the Washington State University College of Pharmacy.
Using medicine appropriately "will save so much money in the long run," Campbell said. "You know how much a kidney transplant is or a leg amputation is?"
There are immediate effects of poor diabetes management, as well. Unattended glucose levels can bring about diabetic comas. In addition, the disorienting effects of low blood sugar levels have been known to account for auto accidents and injuries on the job.
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