Hello : 

Anybody on here living with Diabetic parents in the U.S.? What sort of medications do they use? Any recommendations for Health Care, Insurance etc? Also, how do you measure their 'sugar' level? 

you will find the suger level measurement kit on any pharmacy such as Walmat, Walgreen. I know few diabetics-parents in US. They use insulin and they bring all the medicine from Nepal. I don't think the pre-existing conditions are covered by most of the insurances.

Thank you for the reply. I already bought a couple kits but they don't seem to be that accurate.

Wonder how much would a regular check up cost..

footy: use accu-chek, that's what i use in lab to check glucose level in the media my cell cultures are growing and it's pretty darn accurate.
idk about the medications though, one of my family members has been diabetic for last 35 years or so and he's still in good health, no medications at all, everything is in control through diet!

 Medication is metformin. Make sure they get enough physical in a day. And focus on food with low glycemic index. Get the kidney function test done, at least once. Let me know if you know more info.

With regards to them and the insurance, given that they have pre-existing condition, try www.pcip.gov. And, starting 2014, there pre-existing clause will not exist!

The most prescribed medications in the US for diabetes are metformin, glipizide, actos, januvia, jantumet (januvia and metformin together) The most popular insulin are novolog, novolin, byetta, lantus solostar and humalog. Most of them come in pens or 10 ml vials. I dunno what these medications are called in the indian pharmaceutical market. I wish I could give you suggestion on the insurance but unfortunately I don t know any.

My mom has diabetes too and i did some research for her insurance companies. Yes, there are companies that has insurance coverage for visitors with pre-existing conditions but will be higher. In my mom's case, it was some where around $250-$300. Definitely its gonna be higher but its up to you to decide if its worth it or not. I hope it helps. Follow the link below:
  http://lmgtfy.com/?q=health+insurance+for+visitors+with+pre-existing+conditions

Footyfan,
Why do you think the glucose checking kits are not accurate? The glucose level never stays the same throughout the day. It's different before you eat and after you eat. My guess is they probably are accurate.

For check ups, there should be free clinics that you can go to. Just search for free diabetes clinics in your state on google. I searched for VA and this is what i came up with: http://www.vafreeclinics.org/virginia-free-clinics.asp

Diabetes, if goes uncontrolled can have devastating long-term effects (for some people it can go from Type II to Type I for which you have to get insulin shots everyday). If your parents aren't on any medications and after trying to control through diet, i hope you're doing everything right. I suggest you read up on how to manage diabetes. There are tons of resources online.

 Accu check and minute clinic in CVS pharmacy are doing free diabetes monitoring program. They do free A1c, glucose and cholesterol tests. Check with your local minute clinic to see if they are offering that service. This is just a one time deal though. Your best bet is to get insurance though. The medications, doctor visits and lab can be pretty expensive and  diabetes requires constant monitoring. If your parents have been on diabetes medication for a while now, have the doctor do a kidney test as well. Sometimes they provide ACE inhibitors which are usually used for blood pressure but in people with diabetes, it is used to protect kidneys. GOOD LUCK

My sincere advise metformin or sitagliptin so called januvia or combination of metformin + januvia named janumet and glipizide, gliclazide are common prescription with glimiperide , problem k cha bhane. Sab dabai haru bikh pani hunchan recent studies show I mean side effect kidney problem bhayeko Manche lai metformin zhan khatarnaak ra zhan damage garcha kidney lai, ra audat ma dialysis tira lagcha, tyestai glipizide ra glimiperide haru le zhyappa sugar ghatucha, sujhao/ yo cha ki daktar sanga sallah Linus , please mahango bhaye née, baru facebook ma doctor sathi add garnu ., urine with microalbumin fasting blood sugar ra Khama khaye pachi ko 2 ghanta pachi ko sugar jaslai pp bhanincha ra last ma glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) awasya pani jachaunu hola. Yaad rakhnus na Taulera bina paramarsha ko ausadhi dinu khatarnaak ra bikh nai sabit huncha maximum time ma mero anubhav ma, ma euta sakriya chikitsak bhayeko Nata ma bhandai chu. Afnai bubA AMA Hun dhyan dinus ani act garnus.

 Thanks a lot, people. 

My mom's diabetic and she's been walking for like an hour or two everyday...
I'm gonna buy the accucheck meter to check her sugar level from now... 

Accucheck is good. 

@ Footyfan,
walking is good way to control sugar level for diabetic patients but at the same time we should be careful about too much walking might lead a patient to hypoglycemia and may be deprived of energy due to hypoglycemia ( very low level of Glucose). Lots of diabetic people to to hypoglycemic shock. I am sorry if I scared you but just wanted to assure you that too much walking sometimes may not be good.

 Thx Nepali_eagle. Is she supposed to walk on empty stomach or after eating something? What are some of the food options that'd help lower the Sugar level? We measured her sugar level last week and it was 215 (fasting). We thought the machine had broken down but then when I checked mine, it was 82. 

On the same note, both my parents are patients of high blood pressure. Everytime they returned Nepal , their blood pressure escalated. They are arriving here again soon. Stupid questions, I know, and guess I already know the answer but what do you recommend 'not eating' while here?

 Thanks Bairagi Kailo. 

Behoove_me, You might find this helpful. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/HI00027/NSECTIONGROUP=2