I have called all of the LLMDs in my area and none accept Medicaid.
What do you do when you have no money and no way to get any.
My cardiologist is treating me with 200 mg of Doxy daily until I can figure something out-but what?
I cried tears of joy this morning but now tears of frustration.
I have already had open heart surgery because of this disease-I am very sick!
Are there any suggestions-I am waiting on Social Security but that could be forever-I might not live that long.
Please Help!!!!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
i'm so sorry for you.....
please go to my newbie links, copy the entire thing, and then print this off....
financial burdens compiled by melanie reber pages 74 - 92; outstanding info there.
also in my table of contents, for FINANCIAL BURDENS, i believe there are a few more general comments there without links!! print that off too as it's newer info from members thru their own personal, tragic experiences. thoughts and prayers headed your way.. Posted by JKM03 (Member # 17788) on :
PM sent
[ 18. November 2008, 08:14 PM: Message edited by: JKM03 ]
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
astria,
what step is your SSDI, disability insurance, claim at??
1st ... you submitted and have NOT been rejected
2nd....RECONSIDERATION
3rd ... waiting for admin law JUDGE HEARING?
4...appeals council ??
Posted by astriapage (Member # 17120) on :
My SSDI had been denied one time and I have a lawyer now-she said it could take up to a year.
Im afraid I wont be around then!!
What do you do
And yes I am willing to travel out of state if not to far-
Any suggestions?
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
there are many abx protocols you can easily follow if you can get your PCP to prescribe the meds. This worked for us for a long time. You need 400 mg of Doxy. You are not taking enough.
many protocols are pretty standard for starting off, so perhaps you could educate yourself and get the meds from a covered doctor. As long as you have Medicaid, your only cost should be an LLMD if you need to see one.
Posted by MY3BOYS (Member # 17830) on :
if your cardiologist is willing to help, maybe print off the tx guidelines and bring to cardio. if get to LLMD that accepts medicaid ask cardio to corrdinate tx for you so can have coverage.. (have LLMD guide tx and cardio can follow on if insurance is an issue) sounds like you may have a doc in your corner for you...best wishes
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
I second the opinion that 200 mg a day isn't enough - most of us on doxy took 400 mg.
Posted by Erica741 (Member # 15186) on :
That such financial obstacles to doctors and treatment continue to exist baffles me. Are there any programs that offer financial assistance for Lyme patients to get treatment?
I am fortunate that between my disability and my parents' help, finances have not yet been an issue in my treatment. However my fortunate circumstances make me all the more frustrated (and also feel guilty) when I continue to hear that more often than not, Lyme patients struggle to pay for their medications and even LLMD appointments.
I can understand given the politics and associated risks of treating chronic Lyme why the LLMDs don't take insurance, especially Medicare and Medicaid which would put them right on the government's radar.
What I don't understand is why there aren't patient financial assistance programs through ILADS, LDA, etc. If the "haves" donate and also get their family and friends to donate, there should be a lot more assistance available to at least pay for LLMD appointments and the costly initial labwork.
Many drug companies will offer free or discounted medications if the doctor completes the required forms.
Still it seems that the biggest obstacle continues to be access to the LLMDs.
If your state has a Lyme disease association, you may be able to get financial assistance through them or at least info about any state and local resources.
Posted by steelbone (Member # 14014) on :
If it was me i would look at the salt vit C protocol or the MMS protocol. Both are very cheap and some people swear by them..
Of course they have there side effects...
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
you can self treat if you know enough which it sounds like you dont.
for starters get the doxy dose bumped to 400mg day and stay on it for awhile.
get probiotics take at night away from abx.
save $$ for llmd and start reading. a lot.
cheers
derek
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
I just take it step by step.
RE: Getting SSDI or SSI. I contacted a state rep and explained my case.
6 months later they called and asked if I heard anything yet. I said no.
The next week I received a call from the SS office to come on in.
My attorney really did not help much as far as I can see and as far as the worker for SS could tell.
As far as treatment for lyme disease. That has been tricky. I do what i can when I can.
2008 has been the best. Came down sick in 2001.
But, I have had help this year with gifts from others for supplements and other medical needs.
It has made a world of difference.
I still stress over how I am going to get well with the resources I have.
But, have been amazed how things have gone.
I try and take the first step and not look beyond that. I get too scared when I try to look at the big picture.
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
I went from earning $50,000 a year (I would be making $7,000 a month now if I had not gotten too sick to work) to going through my savings and no income.
To living on SSI of $632 a month.
I am thankful for the SSI income but this was not the plan.
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