I was sent some articles on fairly new drugs that are supposed to be good for patients with diabetes, CKD and even cardiac issues. I am curious if anyone is one these drugs or has heard about them.
The first two links are scientific journal aritcles.
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nam11.safelinks.protection....
These are less clinical but evidence based
Bassetmommer, I am interested in learning more about this too and will read the other links with interest.
From the 1st link what stands out to me is this quote: " “When multidisciplinary teams can identify high-risk patients and ensure targeted delivery of these therapies, as appropriate, we could greatly reduce the burden of heart and kidney disease for millions of people with Type 2 diabetes. Improving the cardiovascular and kidney health of as many people as possible – reducing morbidity, mortality and health care expenditures – are the primary goals.”
At present for many of us we seeing each specialist, the focus is on the one malady and not taken in tandem with other chronic conditions. Unfortunately many of us are finding that our docs are driven more "for profit" and seeing as many patients as possible in their workday than moving toward a more team approach.
As more prescribed meds and treatments are added to the individuals arsenal, more responsibility falls on the patient to try to "balance" the effects of one on another. Do I want to focus primarily on treating my lung condition or my kidney, heart or diabetes?
While I am very grateful for the advances in science and treatments available, I am becoming more overwhelmed by the choices because of little guidance from my docs.
It can be frustrating when the docs do not look at the whole picture. I am lucky since my healthcare team are all in the same ACO (accountable care org) and do know each other and talk. I also insist on it. I did not always have that and I had issues with prescriptions. As patients, we need to learn to become advocates for our health and work with a team and not settle for anything else.
These articles talk about some of these drugs that deal with multiple symptoms. Sounds good until you read the fine print in some of them. My husband was on Byetta. It was extremely expensive and although it did help in some what with his diabetes, it was not worth the extra cost and side effects. They say it helps lose weight. Well yes, but that is becasue you are in the bathroom all the time pooping you head off. lololo
It looks like these articles are talking about the SGLT2i drugs. I follow a lot of nephrologists on Twitter (highly recommend). This line of drugs seems to be causing a lot of excitement in the heart and nephrology communities, especially for kidney patients who have diabetes. It's worth printing out one of the articles and bringing it with you to your doctor on your next visit. Hopefully your doctors are following these advances.
On one of the reports the drugs mentioned were Farxiga, Januvia, and Invokana. At the present time, there are no generics and the cost would be prohibitive with most, but not all insurance policies.
It mentions Jardiance. I am on Januvia and it is outrageous. But when I was on commerical insurance, the company had a deal where it cost me only $5.00. I had to go off of that deal when I went on Mediscare. Such a pile of crap......
I agree. When researching them I found out the drug companies have one more shot at holding off generics before others can market one. While I know why I just wish there were better plans to cover Part D.
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