[coronaalex]

#1059086

hi my name is Alex i was diagnosed with graves in Oct. of 2010 although i been dealing with the symptoms since mid of 2009 I never saw a Dr. I have been dealing with very severe symptoms since Oct. my arms and legs get so week that it debilitating i sometimes find it impossible to stand up, my legs just wont work! When im getting in or out of a car i have to lift my legs with my arms they become dead weight. I have laid in a hospital bed and been unable to sit up because my arms wont work. My heart rate is at all times between 110 and 130 and at many times as high as 189 and that is while my body is at rest. I’m starting to feel a constant pain in my chest because of it. I deal with dizziness and heart palpitation. I cant seem to ever get enough to eat and what i do eat is not digested properly. I have attempted suicide on one occasion. The illness has affected me mentally i go through a roller coaster of emotion. I stopped working in 2009 because of the symptoms and been doing odd jobs. The problem is that hear in San Antonio Texas im on a medical discount program that only discounts my treatment and i simply can not afford it. I am at the end of my rope staying with friends and at a homeless shelter, this disease is ruining my life i have worked since i was a teen and im now 35 i need resources ;-(

[bellatini]

#1172051

I don’t think they will refuse you. You must see a dr. I don’t think you have to see a specialist. Please just see someone!

[Kimberly]

#1172052

Hello – First, having thyroid levels out of balance can absolutely affect us mentally and emotionally. If suicidal thoughts continue to be a problem, we can have someone from the Foundation speak to you by phone. You can send your contact info to 877-643-3123 or to info@gdatf.org.

Second, it is *very* important that you become your own advocate and be extremely aggressive in seeking medical care. Graves’ is a condition that is likely to get worse over time if not treated – and can lead to complications such as bone/muscle wasting, heart issues, and a potentially fatal condition called thyroid storm.

Navigating the medical system is a challenging task, and there aren’t any easy answers, but here are some suggestions.

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following links, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

Contacting your state and county health and economic security departments can sometimes be a good starting point. Even if you are not Medicaid eligible, these offices can sometimes suggest other resources. Local hospitals, universities, or medical schools can also be good options.

There are a number of clinics in the U.S. that provide care on a free or sliding scale basis. The U.S. government’s Health Resources and Services Administration web site allows you to do a search by zip code. Although they don’t always offer specialist care, they can at least connect you with a physician that can order labs and prescribe medications. You can find them on the web at: http://www.hrsa.gov/index.html

Also, there is a non-profit organization called the Patient Advocate Foundation that helps individuals who are uninsured and underinsured seek access to medical care. You can find them on the web at: http://www.patientadvocate.org/

You might also consider contacting individual endocrinologists to see if they have suggestions for assistance. Referral sites for endocrinologists are available at http://www.aace.com and http://www.thyroid.org. On the AACE site, be sure and select the specialty “thyroid dysfunction.” We have also just launched a physician registry of doctors who have told us they have particular expertise in Graves’. To access the registry, go to the home page at http://www.gdatf.org and click on “physician registry” in the box on the top right-hand side of the screen. (You will need to be logged in with your forum ID/password to view the registry). Because we are just getting started, we might not yet have a lot of listings in your part of the country.

If you end up being prescribed a brand-name drug for treatment, many drug companies offer prescription assistance for patients who can demonstrate financial need. A doctor should be able to get her started with the paperwork.

Take care – please check back and let us know how you are doing!

[coronaalex]

#1172053

thank you for that info

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