[jiboosmom]

#1062415

I am so sorry you have to go through this. Our medical system is truely broken.

I wonder if your family doctor would have better luck referring you to a surgeon for removal of your thyroid. Honestly, an endocrinologist will most likely reccomend you have your thyroid remvoed, and with they goiter as a facter, s/he would probably recommend surgery over RAI.

I hope that your primary care physician can beef up his or her letter to Medicaid to push this through!

Good luck!
Susan

[Michelle77]

#1062416

Thank you, I did speak with my doctor this afternoon and she has me coming back in. Maybe after the scarry incident this morning she will be able to help me speed this process up a bit.

[Michelle77]

#1018050

I was diagnosed with Graves in December of this past year (2010). My thyroid is massivly enlarged and I feel like it continues to grow everyday. I am Hyperthyroid and my family doctor has me on 5mg Methimazole (2 pills 3 times daily) and 20mg Propranolol (1 pill 2 times daily). I have not yet been to see an endo…I’m a full time student and my husband makes little to no wages currently due to his work being extremely slow. We are currently on food stamps because we can barely even afford gorceries. I applied for Medicaid, per my family doctor, and even with a Letter of Medical Necessity written from her to the Medicaid office they still denied me. I have already filed an appeal but I am really starting to feel hopeless. The goiter’s on my neck are starting to severly push on my throat, I have a hard time swallowing food and get it caught in my throat quite often. This morning I woke up actually gasping for air and it thru me into a panic attack. I am so fatigued and stressed and feel like I have been hit by a truck everyday that I’m losing sight on the light at the end of the tunnel. I guess my question to all of you is does anyone have any other-anvenue ideas for me, insurance-wise, so that I can get going on the treatment that I desperately need? We have absolutely no way of paying out of pocket for my treatment and fighting with Medicaid is taking every last little bit of energy that I have. Thank you all in advance for any advice or support…
Signed,
Wiped out!

[snelsen]

#1062417

Michelle, I am so so glad you called your doc and she will see you. I really do think you will get some action on this situation! And, I have had the surgery, as many others on the board, so if that is what ends up being planned for you, be grateful, and we will support you with information and our experiences.
look forward to hearing from you again soon.
Shirley

[Kimberly]

#1062418

Hello – Hopefully, your doctor was able to provide some good suggestions, as she would be most familiar with the resources that are available in your area. Another option would be to check with your state’s Health Department or Welfare Department. Even if you can’t qualify for state assistance, sometimes these state agencies can be helpful with potential resources. Local hospitals, universities, or medical schools might also be able to provide recommendations.

Have you discussed your financial situation with your doctor? Many drug companies have special programs for patients with financial difficulties, and your doctor should be able to get you started with the paperwork.

I know that the insurance issues are very frustrating, but PLEASE keep fighting to make sure you are getting the care that you need…don’t be afraid to use the Emergency Room if you have to!

[stamark]

#1062419

How are you doing? I’m new to this whole thing as well, so I don’t have any good advice, just wanted you to know I’m hoping for the best for you. Were you able to get into the doctor and figure anything out? What a scary experience! I hope you are able to get some answers and some insurance help very soon.

[Michelle77]

#1062420

Thank you all so much for the advice and support! It means so much to know that there are people out there that understand the feelings that go along with this disease.

I haven’t been to my doc yet but I have an appt on Friday. I was still in panic mode when speaking to her nurse and they mentioned something about possibly being able to refer me for emergency surgery so I believe surgery is the route they are leaning towards. My doc does know about my financial situation and the last visit I had with her she told me to start with Medicaid and we would go from there. When I see her Friday I will discuss all these ideas/options with her and see what she thinks. I will go ahead and contact the state agency as well.

I haven’t had any more trouble breathing since the other day so that is a plus. I sometimes have a slight difficulty depending on how I’m holding my head but I’ve learned how to deal with that. But if anything like the episode I had the other day happens again, believe me I or my husband will be dialing 911 asap.

I just want to say thank you again so so much for the support and understanding! When I was first diagnosed I felt so alone. With the exception of my husband, it felt like NO ONE understood the fatigue, insomnia, tremors, irritability, brain in a cloud, heart pounding symptoms that went along with a "bad day." Because there were "good days" sometimes, it felt like my teachers at school and some others thought I was just faking it…which was so very frustrating. Especially when some days you just don’t even have the energy to explain. Just to know that there is a community of people out there that have been through or are still going through this is so comforting.

[snelsen]

#1062421

Hi Michelle, I feel the same way. It has been such a lifesaver for me. And we will be able to help others, simply by understanding! It makes such a difference!
Shirley

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