I was in WalMart earlier today and I was looking for some things, including socks. I don't think I need diabetic socks yet, but after a phone call I made a few days ago trying to get into a experimental trial program so I could get checked up on the diabetes I have, I seriously started thinking about what would happen if I had to manage this disease more aggressively. There I was in the sock section and I saw an average deal on 10 pair of crew socks. Behind me I saw some diabetic socks and I was a very shocked to see what the price was for 2 pair of them. The price of 10 pair of 'regular' socks were less than 2 pair of diabetic socks. The only difference I could see was the diabetic socks allowed for better circulation. My solution? I picked up the regular crew socks and made sure they were a size larger. Hopefully they won't be as tight as the socks I have now.

Right now the only way I can deal with diabetes cost wise is finding ways of getting what I need on the cheap or doing without. It has been over two months since I bought test strips from WalMart, which has a package that is the cheapest out there. They aren't the most accurate, but to get test strips that are good costs $1 a strip on average. The travel WalMart brand is $20 for 50 so they may not be great but they get the job done. The reason why I called the experimental trial group was I've had an abrasion on my ankle that hasn't healed in over 6 months. The trial is studying things like that. I tried a lot of things to heal it but nothing worked. I did see there is medication that might work but the cost of it, if I can get it without a prescription, is about $40. After a lot of research I found a few people who claimed chest rub like Vicks VaporRub would heal the wound. Sure enough, I used it at $3 a jar and it has helped on the abrasion and an issue I had with two toenails is cleared up.

It's a pain having to find a work around for this disease. The easy way calls for hundreds of dollars a month to shell out, not counting doctor's visits. People like me without insurance have to use any alternative to get by. I feel like I did many years ago when I sold plasma to cover some bills. I didn't want to do it, didn't like doing it, but all things considered, it was a way of getting checked up and getting money at the same time. I may not have given up an arm and a leg, but I did give a pint of plasma for a check up.