Our Personal Afrezza Experiences

[Charlie]

A thread for personal experiences/ family/ close friends etc.

I'll put out the first one.  I've been on Afrezza for 6 months and at the last Endo appointment I was asked to do another Spirometry test.  Last time it, was at the Endo's office; so convenient.
Since that time, the doctor tells me that legislation has been passed to help eliminate $ for referral to Pharamaceutical companies to prescribing physicians.  I was given an order requisition to have one taken by a third party, in this case a hospital.  After three frustrating phone calls to schedule I got a call back to get my test.   My endo listened to my airflow and stated it sounded very clear, but on the order he writes "patient with cough using Afrezza inhaled insulin.  And adds "ICD10=r05".  I didn't read this until I got home.  Made me kind of angry that he wrote this, in all probability to cover his liability.

I have had a botched Apnea surgery (large whole in septum) which creates a constant drain which is the reason for the cough. I do not cough when I take the Afrezza.  My endo is a good guy and really trying to make it work for me BUT the ENT who I saw today said infatically that the cough was a result of nasel drain.  Since I can exhale enough breath to fill a balloon and am not too concerned about it as the ENT said he'd gladly give explaination to the Endo if I happen to run into a problem.  One more hurdle.  So here is one more issue that may have an affect on retention of patients using Afrezza.

[liane]

It's too bad you had to go to another facility for your spirometry, but I'm not sure why you're upset with the diagnosis code. Unfortunately, physicians are saddled with having to provide a code for everything. Your physician needed a code in order to have the spirometry done. R05 is simply cough - about as non-specific as anyone could come up with. There is no code for "assessment of lung function prior to starting Afrezza". I wouldn't worry too much about it - it's just the way the medical world runs nowadays. I know there are days I struggle to come up with a code (any code) that will allow to order a specific test or medication. But it's just a game we play to keep the bean counters happy.

[Charlie]

thank you for your reply.  It wasn't the code per say because I didn't know what the code meant until you interpreted it.  I think the quick moment of anger was that the Doctor said I sounded very clear, but, added "chronic cough".  For me it was like leading the wittness.  If the person administering the test hears anything it would be independent of any description and that person's interpretation would be founded based only on his or her "own" empirical evidence.  And I hear you.  The word "angry" may have been to strong to describe being told I sound fine and then reading the words "chronic cough".  I'm hoping that the statistical element that I can evacuate the air necessary isn't compromised by words.

Thanks Again.

[Deleted]

Feb 5, 2020 21:22:21 GMT -5 Charlie said:

thank you for your reply.  It wasn't the code per say because I didn't know what the code meant until you interpreted it.  I think the quick moment of anger was that the Doctor said I sounded very clear, but, added "chronic cough".  For me it was like leading the wittness.  If the person administering the test hears anything it would be independent of any description and that person's interpretation would be founded based only on his or her "own" empirical evidence.  And I hear you.  The word "angry" may have been to strong to describe being told I sound fine and then reading the words "chronic cough".  I'm hoping that the statistical element that I can evacuate the air necessary isn't compromised by words.

Thanks Again.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. The main issue is that your A1C will drop if you use Afrezza properly and your ENDO will be amazed.   He will ask you how often do you go HYPO and you will say virtually NEVER.  He will be amazed and really look at Afrezza differently and he will have you come back in 6 months and your A1C will be even lower.  And you lungs will be better than ever.  Many diabetics on Afrezza have said their lung function improves because your Blood Glucose is getting back to normal. Hopefully you have a CGM and you can show your ENDO your results and your TIME IN RANGE (TIR).  That will be the new measurement in the future.  A1C will be a thing of the past.  Best of Luck. 

[Charlie]

Thanks Casper. I actually scared myself when I took too much and got a 66. Someone on another thread said when they went towards Hypo they grabbed some cake with there hand and shoveled it in. I over did it with some peaches I preserved with the number bouncing up to 200 then took another 12 units and was ok. I can't begin to imagine havin to use a needle with a longer duration time for correction. That was a good lesson; but I rememberd the thing about going Hypo using this fantastic drug and it's nature to help stay above 60. And yes. The endo was amazed by my great improvement before taking Afrezza.

[peppy]

Feb 6, 2020 2:03:39 GMT -5 Charlie said:

Thanks Casper. I actually scared myself when I took too much and got a 66. Someone on another thread said when they went towards Hypo they grabbed some cake with there hand and shoveled it in. I over did it with some peaches I preserved with the number bouncing up to 200 then took another 12 units and was ok. I can't begin to imagine havin to use a needle with a longer duration time for correction. That was a good lesson; but I rememberd the thing about going Hypo using this fantastic drug and it's nature to help stay above 60. And yes. The endo was amazed by my great improvement before taking Afrezza.

Charlie are you type one or type two?

Type two? 12 unit my clue.

Asking your endo for a 6 month lung appointment, Perhaps you created your own problem?
The endo needed a reason for your insurance company to pay.
Didn't like what they said?
too bad, so sad.

Orange juice Charlie. they used to say, if you are going low, have some orange juice.

[Charlie]

Hi Peppy

Thanks for replying. It's probably my lack of understanding you is on my side.
After 6 months I'm still learning. Over dosing based on the carbs I anticipated was definately my error in judgement.
It was a routine necessitity for the Endo I'm sure. He's been a great doctor for me. If i keep orange juice around I will drink it so I don't keep it in the house. But I bought some mandarine oranges and will keep a few of those in the house based on your suggestion.
What I wanted to say in the original post is that a hopital testing makes it less easy for the Endo and more inconvenient (no big deal for me) for the patient. It's just another hurdle I thought would be good to share. I don't know if these will continue to be part of the usage of Afrezza but I'm willing to do what I need to do to be able to continue to use it. I was really surprised that I had such a low number. User error.

[agedhippie]

Feb 6, 2020 23:49:13 GMT -5 Charlie said:

Hi Peppy

Thanks for replying. It's probably my lack of understanding you is on my side.
After 6 months I'm still learning. Over dosing based on the carbs I anticipated was definately my error in judgement.
It was a routine necessitity for the Endo I'm sure. He's been a great doctor for me. If i keep orange juice around I will drink it so I don't keep it in the house. But I bought some mandarine oranges and will keep a few of those in the house based on your suggestion.
What I wanted to say in the original post is that a hopital testing makes it less easy for the Endo and more inconvenient (no big deal for me) for the patient. It's just another hurdle I thought would be good to share. I don't know if these will continue to be part of the usage of Afrezza but I'm willing to do what I need to do to be able to continue to use it. I was really surprised that I had such a low number. User error.

Get glucose tablet, personally I like the Walgreens ones but each to their own. The measurements are exact, you won't want to eat them normally, and nothing acts faster (except gel and that's just disgusting).

[Charlie]

thanks AgedHippie. I'll get some tomorrow. An exact measurement would be something useful as a tool to know precisely when and should I need it again.

[od]

Feb 5, 2020 19:15:36 GMT -5 Charlie said:

A thread for personal experiences/ family/ close friends etc.

I'll put out the first one.  I've been on Afrezza for 6 months and at the last Endo appointment I was asked to do another Spirometry test.  Last time it, was at the Endo's office; so convenient.
Since that time, the doctor tells me that legislation has been passed to help eliminate $ for referral to Pharamaceutical companies to prescribing physicians.  I was given an order requisition to have one taken by a third party, in this case a hospital.  After three frustrating phone calls to schedule I got a call back to get my test.   My endo listened to my airflow and stated it sounded very clear, but on the order he writes "patient with cough using Afrezza inhaled insulin.  And adds "ICD10=r05".  I didn't read this until I got home.  Made me kind of angry that he wrote this, in all probability to cover his liability.

I have had a botched Apnea surgery (large whole in septum) which creates a constant drain which is the reason for the cough. I do not cough when I take the Afrezza.  My endo is a good guy and really trying to make it work for me BUT the ENT who I saw today said infatically that the cough was a result of nasel drain.  Since I can exhale enough breath to fill a balloon and am not too concerned about it as the ENT said he'd gladly give explaination to the Endo if I happen to run into a problem.  One more hurdle.  So here is one more issue that may have an affect on retention of patients using Afrezza.

"...legislation has been passed to help eliminate $ for referral to Pharamaceutical companies to prescribing physicians..."

Please help me understand.

[Charlie]

those were the exact words my endo used to explain why he no longer gives the spirometry test in his office. I didn't research his statement. I do know that some doctors get kickback money for promoting certain pharmaceuticals.  I live in southern california.


I'd really like to exit this conversation now.   Am interesred in other Afrezza users in this group who would like to talk about what they have experienced and possibly part of their own learning curve.

[od]

Feb 8, 2020 13:22:09 GMT -5 Charlie said:

those were the exact words my endo used to explain why he no longer gives the spirometry test in his office. I didn't research his statement. I do know that some doctors get kickback money for promoting certain pharmaceuticals.

Thank you.  Which state?

[joeypotsandpans]

Charlie what basal are you taking? I very rarely if ever go below 80. I haven't had to take a spirometry test since my first one a couple of years ago. My endo is phenomenal, I am so lucky to have him...he's been a prescriber and huge advocate from day 1

[Charlie]

Thank You OD and Joey

I'm a type 2. Take no Basil injection. Mostly, I've got a handle on this. My average is around 130 but would like to get closer to the 100 mark. I've had only one read out in the 60s; the one I mentioned / several at 88 with fewer under 100 and more above 135. I'm so happy to have this drug; just don't want to lose it because of the system that is in place. Spirometry on Monday. thanks for the best wishes all.
Back at you too.

[mnkdfann]

Feb 8, 2020 13:22:09 GMT -5 Charlie said:

those were the exact words my endo used to explain why he no longer gives the spirometry test in his office. I didn't research his statement. I do know that some doctors get kickback money for promoting certain pharmaceuticals.  I live in southern california.


I'd really like to exit this conversation now.   Am interesred in other Afrezza users in this group who would like to talk about what they have experienced and possibly part of their own learning curve.

WYMI: "I would very much like to be excluded from this narrative."