Life of a diabetic person in India?

ncr10 · Post by **ncr10** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 11:13 am

I am in my early 40s and an insulin dependent diabetic. Have been living in US since last 15 years. I and my wife have been discussing about R2I from last couple of months. Somehow, I think that with the great social life in India, we can live a less stressful life that will improve my health esp with my diabetes. I know a couple of people in my relation who are diabetic but most of them are above 60 and not on insulin. I wanted to know how is life for a diabetic person in India with respect to cost of medicines (insulin), healthy life style, social acceptability of a young diabetic person (well, 40 is not young but it may be considered a young age for diabetes) etc. My plan is to move to India and lead a simple, content, happy, no-stress and "retired" life. When I say retired, I mean to stay away from corporate world but work for schools, NGOs etc to keep myself busy. I would not consider my life in US as very stressful but we feel that there is always some kind of perpetual pressure related to job, money, career, kids education etc. Not sure, if all these pressure points will go away in India but one thing for sure is that we will go to India with this single point agenda of not getting into rat race. We are not able to achieve this mind set in US though. Since, I am diabetic, situation is little bit more complicated with respect to deciding R2I. Does anyone know the cost of insulin and situation of overall diabetic care in India? I am very satisfied with the Drs in USA but I strongly think that living in a stress less environment will make my heath much better and quality of health care can be compromised. Is that the right thinking?

return2blore · Post by **return2blore** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 5:04 pm

My FIL is now 79 and is diabetic for the past 47yrs. He is insulin dependent for the past 30 + yrs. He is doing very well by all standards. If this helps.

okonomi · Post by **okonomi** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 6:47 pm

I know an "oldish" relative in India, who has been on insulin (started with tablets for type 2...and then transitioned on to insulin because of the scare of side effects of oral drugs) for 15 years.

US prices on drugs (all drugs) have been on the rise for a few years. McCain and Klobuchar are joining together to help out the drug buying Americans -- they will (have they already?) introduce a bill to help us get drugs from Canada by mail-order. US-pharma industry and insurance industry is opposed to that. Perhaps taking the patient to India is a good strategy.

Any how, going to India for a stress-free life, is something that has to be tested out in each case. Some seem to have it; and others get more stress than before. And besides, Indian foods are pretty highly glycemic, aren't they ? However, drugs for diabetes are widely available, check the prices at MedIndia.net. India is a competitive market, there are gobs of brand names in India. 100IU of fast acting Insulin can be bought for about 600-800 rupees.... depending on the brand.

http://www.medindia.net/drug-price/insulin.htm
You may have to register at the site to get the prices.

rajradio · Post by **rajradio** » Sat Jan 10, 2015 7:21 pm

ncr10;590497I am in my early 40s and an insulin dependent diabetic. Have been living in US since last 15 years. I and my wife have been discussing about R2I from last couple of months. Somehow, I think that with the great social life in India, we can live a less stressful life that will improve my health esp with my diabetes. I know a couple of people in my relation who are diabetic but most of them are above 60 and not on insulin. I wanted to know how is life for a diabetic person in India with respect to cost of medicines (insulin), healthy life style, social acceptability of a young diabetic person (well, 40 is not young but it may be considered a young age for diabetes) etc. My plan is to move to India and lead a simple, content, happy, no-stress and "retired" life. When I say retired, I mean to stay away from corporate world but work for schools, NGOs etc to keep myself busy. I would not consider my life in US as very stressful but we feel that there is always some kind of perpetual pressure related to job, money, career, kids education etc. Not sure, if all these pressure points will go away in India but one thing for sure is that we will go to India with this single point agenda of not getting into rat race. We are not able to achieve this mind set in US though. Since, I am diabetic, situation is little bit more complicated with respect to deciding R2I. Does anyone know the cost of insulin and situation of overall diabetic care in India? I am very satisfied with the Drs in USA but I strongly think that living in a stress less environment will make my heath much better and quality of health care can be compromised. Is that the right thinking?

It all depends on what stresses you. A good psychological evaluation will tell you what stresses you and then you can decide if r2i is rigjt for you. India and usa have stressors that stress you in different ways

Harry37 · Post by **Harry37** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 1:42 am

My brother in law is diabetic and takes medicine on a regular basis. I advice him against coming to canada coz of his condition. I live in canada. He has access to aryuveda and different kind of medicine at minimal cost. Ramdev has a camp for biabetics for 200 dollar a week for complete treatment. There are lot of holistic treatments available in india.

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Sid · Post by **Sid** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:20 am

My dad is diabetic for as long as I can remember (30+ years). Insulin in Rajasthan is subsidized too (I think).

cmdrsk · Post by **cmdrsk** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 4:50 am

As long as one is not dependent on a JOB for money, has other secure means of income your health will be far better.

I have visited India quite often in last 3 years for duration of atleast a month. A week before return to US i do my blood work. Due to my lifestyle for the short vacation all my parameters Blood Sugar, Cholesterol and other major parameter fall in place.

Once I return to US all shots up , its just the weather conditions, stress and no physical activity.

okonomi · Post by **okonomi** » Sun Jan 11, 2015 10:23 am

cmdrsk;590533As long as one is not dependent on a JOB for money, has other secure means of income your health will be far better.
I have visited India quite often in last 3 years for duration of atleast a month. A week before return to US i do my blood work. Due to my lifestyle for the short vacation all my parameters Blood Sugar, Cholesterol and other major parameter fall in place.

Once I return to US all shots up , its just the weather conditions, stress and no physical activity.

OK...so I get piqued easily... and google .... and find this:
[QUOTE] WebMD Archive

It's hard to dispute that most of us live life at breakneck speed. It's the nature of a fast-paced society, where numerous family, social, and work obligations can easily overpower your precious time and resources. But for people with diabetes, both physical and emotional stress can take a greater toll on health.
When you're stressed, your blood sugar levels rise. Stress hormones like epinephrine and cortisol kick in since one of their major functions is to raise blood sugar to help boost energy when it's needed most. Think of the fight-or-flight response. You can't fight danger when your blood sugar is low, so it rises to help meet the challenge. Both physical and emotional stress can prompt an increase in these hormones, resulting in an increase in blood sugars.
People who aren't diabetic have compensatory mechanisms to keep blood sugar from swinging out of control. But in people with diabetes, those mechanisms are either lacking or blunted, so they can't keep a lid on blood sugar, says David Sledge, MD, medical director of diabetes management at The Ochsner Clinic Foundation in Baton Rouge, La. When blood sugar levels aren't controlled well through diet and/or medication, you're at higher risk for many health complications, including ........

Diabetic and On Insulin? Take a Quality of Life Quiz.

The quality of life quiz would a good one for the OP.