posted
I have been lyme positive for over 2 years now and After 8 months of waiting for my first appointment with a lyme doctor I have finally started treatment. After thousands of dollars worth of blood tests that are not covered by my insurance, I have without a doubt tested positive with 9 lyme blood bands including the 2 the CDC recognizes. Of course I have tested positive with 4 active co-infections. I have been told they have invaded all my organs including my brain, I have meningitis,heart and lung issues, low liver function and all the other lovely conditions these diseases cause. Just too many to list now.
Because I am highly allergic to Doxycycline treatment will take even longer and it will be trial and error. I am in my first few weeks of treatment and this round of prescriptions are actually covered by insurance and I am grateful!!! But as you all know meds will change and my doctor has already given me a list of what I will need it the future and insurance WILL NOT cover many. The other half of my treatment are vitamins and supplements that I must pay for out of pocket. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and have many medical issues from living a lifetime with CP in addition to lyme. So, I am living on disability and have 2 teenage children to raise. I am already on the verge of becoming homeless at this time and we are having trouble keeping food in the fridge. I am all alone with absolutely no family or anyone to lean on. Its all up to me and only me. I absolutely can't afford to buy these supplements. Wondering if there are any companies or agencies out there that are willing to help with the cost of all these meds and supplements. I have been sick for so long and I don't see any positive change happening in the future only because I am poor. If anyone has info or links to cheap safe meds I would really really appreciate it. Also I am seeking a support group or counseling for lyme patients. I live in Washington County Maryland and my doctor is in Germantown MD so I would be willing to travel. I am very depressed and fighting hopelessness every day. I just need a little help and I just can't catch a break EVER!
Posts: 6 | From Maryland | Registered: Aug 2011
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
Free clinics? Local churches?
As for supplements, there are mail order places that will be cheaper than your local health food store, such as Vitacost.
You are in a rough spot. Because people are frequently not diagnosed and treated in a timely way, it gets very expensive.
Sometimes people think they are allergic to antibiotics because they have a herx reaction. Maybe you really are, but it would be important to be sure. If you stop every drug when it causes this reaction, then you will have a hard time getting any treatment at all.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
There are desensitization programs for treating antibiotic allergies...might ask your Lyme doc to consult an Allergist about this.
In the meantime, there are programs for people who are low-income and cannot afford prescription medications. Check out the Partnership for Prescription Assistance at http://www.pparx.org/
Salvation Army runs free medical clinics.
I am unaware of programs for help with supplements, but like Poppy said, websites can often have lower costs than local stores, and you can also call supplement companies and ask if they would be willing to send you samples first before you buy specific products to make sure those products will work for you so you aren't spending money in vein.
Websites I have found that have good prices on supplements:
Sometimes one or the other will be the better deal for the same supplement, so it is always good to comparison shop between the two sites.
Also, a Social Worker at a local hospital may be able to give you more information about State and Local programs to help those in need - such as help with utilities, food, rent, and medical care expenses.
Another thing to try is asking your doctor to prescribe larger amounts of tableted prescriptions so you can split the pills. Be sure to get the pharmacist involved with this so you are doing this safely.
Walmart, Costco, and some other pharmacies also tend to have lower costs in general on prescriptions. Costco has an online mail-order pharmacy (see http://www.costco.com/ ) that may offer you savings for getting 3 months worth of prescriptions at a time (e.g., only 1 copay instead of 3, lower dispensing fee, etc.).
I hope this is helpful - take care,
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
Here are some other links that I've found helpful. Even if they don't give you direct assistance you may get a good idea from them that will help you get what you need.
If you can get any assistance for food, shelter, clothing, children's needs... don't be ashamed to accept. That will free up some extra money for your medical bills.
I'm sorry to hear that you are in such a tight financial situation. It is sad that so many of us have to worry about this when we are so sick.
Take care
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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