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Post by morriganstorm on Jan 9, 2012 2:34:08 GMT -5
I start my second semester of college on Tuesday... I was almost suspended from college because last semester I had so many problems with pain that my grades suffered a bit. Luckly I was able to appeal it but I worry about my future with college and even work. My attendance at work has never been great given the amount of times I get sick. I've been suffering from this for the past 11 years now and over the past year we are just now looking into Endo. My doctor tells me it's time to get the laproscopy done and I couldn't agree more. I now feel pain %100 of the time even if it's mild. If I am on my cycle, it's hell. We have me on microgestion just to keep the edge off but I fear it isn't working well at all.
The more pain I feel, the more I just want answers. However, I have no idea how I will be able to pay for this surgery. I've already tried to contact on clinical trial and was told they cannot help me. Unemployed and a college student am now looking into state coverage. But the truth is, there isn't any bit of money I have that could cover these medical costs that I need. How do you ladies do it? Are any of you in my situation? I have no idea where to start and it's really wearing down on me. I worry for my future. I know my body and I know something is wrong.... If I can get the surgery paid for some how, I plan to have it done over the summer as I won't be in summer classes. I know that a laproscopy isn't a cure of any sorts. I just want to know what I am dealing with. I want to go to the next step so that maybe I can feel better. But because healthcare really isn't that great in the states and my own personal situation, I have no idea how that is even going to be obtainable.
I am starting to lose it emotionally due to all of this. :/
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Post by Heather on Jan 9, 2012 12:54:16 GMT -5
Morrigan, I know how hard it is to balance everything. I've had a cold for over a week, yesterday was really bad and I just wanted to be taken care of. But when I asked my husband to take care of me, he said "You're always sick." We had a long talk about that, but it's times like these that I just don't want to try anymore.
Have you looked into Care Credit? It's a credit card that can only be used for medical/dental/veterinary charges. Other than that, most hospitals/doctors will set up payment plans with you. Hopefully one of these options will work for you. Hang in there.
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Post by 1234 on Jan 9, 2012 16:01:53 GMT -5
Morrigan, I'm sorry--I gather than your university doesn't cover any of the costs of lap? Is tehre anyway you can get on your parents' insurance (sorry, I don't know your situation better!) and it can cover the cost?
You're in such a tough situation. I hope you can get an answer somewhere.
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Post by omaklackey on Jan 9, 2012 21:48:51 GMT -5
There are payment plans at hospitals that they can set up, or the care credit card that was suggested as well. If they know your paying "cash" they can give you an estimate of the cost at your preop appointment. I believe a surgery without insurance is around 10,000. Obviously that's a lot of money and I know with my health I have been tempted to use my school loans for Dr's visits but I don't. (I'm first year Nursing Student at a local community college) There is also insurance companies that you can "buy" into and even though the monthly payments can be pretty bad... its still cheaper then NO insurance.
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Post by morriganstorm on Jan 10, 2012 3:26:14 GMT -5
Thank you so much for the replies. It really breaks my heart to hear your own troubles as well.
I am unable to get on my parents insurance as I am married, live in another state and will be 26 in two weeks. My husband has yet to get benefits at his work and I am unsure when he will. Right now, all I have is state family planning which covers my birth control and visits to planned parenthood where I see my doctor. Sadly, planned parenthood can only do so much, especially with Endo. I was given a number to call so that I could find a specialist who may be willing to do a sliding scale fee. Payment plans are an option but I worry about being able to make said payments. I feel as though I am digging myself into a bigger hole even though I have no choice but to... I am looking into state medical, being unemployed and all my husband and I don't make very much. I take out student loans for cost of living as it was the only way that I could attend school seriously. I am attending community college though so my resources are limited. I am awake now because of the pain even though classes start tomorrow... It's really wearing on me and I don't want to get too a head of myself as I haven't gotten a diagnoces yet. I am worried that though I feel pain and have many symptoms of Endo that they won't find anything and I will be left with no answers and hospital bills that I cannot pay. Did any one else have this fear?
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Post by JC on Jan 10, 2012 7:38:43 GMT -5
Hey there! I'm sorry things are so stressful for you right now. The medical insurance thing is so frustrating and I hate that some people can't get care because of money. I remember last year I spent about $1,000 of my student loan money just on co-payments! I even have insurance! We maxed out our flex spending and things started to really pile up. There are numerous programs that can be available to you based on what your situation is (financial, children, etc). Usually the state funding is where I'd start looking. Next, you can look into programs that are specific to the county you live in. States allocate funds just like an HMO does to all of the counties and each county provides a specific program either at no cost or low cost. Here is some health care programs that I was able to dig up for Hennepin County in Minnesota. I'm not sure if you were aware of these programs but definitely take a look and see if you and your husband can qualify: hennepin.us/portal/site/HennepinUS/menuitem.b1ab75471750e40fa01dfb47ccf06498/?vgnextoid=8f23aa5d45d04210VgnVCM10000049114689RCRD
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Post by 1234 on Jan 10, 2012 9:09:42 GMT -5
Morrigan, I just wanted to let you know that the fear of a lap finding nothing is a fear all of us have had. I was terrified before my surgery that I'd wake up and they'd tell me there was nothing wrong with me, and all these years of pain were just in my head. the level of pain you're dealing with isn't normal--you're incredibly strong to keep going with all of that pain. I hope that one of these programs works for you. Insurance in this country is really cruel.
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Post by morriganstorm on Jan 11, 2012 2:25:04 GMT -5
Jenaya: Thank you so very much! I am going to make an appointment tomorrow to see if I can go in and talk with them to get the ball rolling. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. <3
Rustmyrtle: It's good to know I am not alone in those feelings in an odd way. I suppose everyone get's scared at one point or another. I am starting to feel like this pain defines more of who I am than I would like it to and I don't even know what I am dealing with %100.
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Post by JC on Jan 12, 2012 7:18:13 GMT -5
OH YAY! I hope you can qualify!!! Definitely update us and let us know what happens!
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Post by morriganstorm on Jul 8, 2012 2:46:46 GMT -5
I just wanted to give you ladies an update. I got approved for state medical about a month ago. I made my first appointment back then and the soonest they could get me in was this coming Tuesday. I have spent this whole last month so nervous. What if this doctor doesn't listen to me? What if I am not taken seriously? I already had that happen once and it set me back a whole year on getting this figured out. Meanwhile things have gotten worse symptom wise. I had to start working over the summer as I wasn't able to take summer classes. I was so nervous about working because of how much these symptoms are affecting my quality of life. I have already missed work and I haven't been there that long. I feel down right terrible because I am not this person who is ill all the time. Or at least I never wanted to be. Either way, I worry about working and have wondered about maybe looking into a different job that isn't so hard on me. (I work in retail) But I have no idea where to start...
Any way, everyone was so kind to me here I just felt like updating to let you all know where I was at. I really hope this appointment goes well in a few days and that I may finally have some answers to what feels like something that has completely taken over my life in a lot of ways...
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Post by Karen on Jul 8, 2012 7:26:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the update. I'm sorry you're not doing better. Please let us know how the appointment goes?
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Post by semicolon on Jul 8, 2012 9:30:44 GMT -5
If this doc doesn't take you seriously, you will find one who will! I realize with the state insurance sometimes you don't have as much choice, but there are good doctors out there and now you actually have insurance to help with this process. Sometimes you have to look in the mirror and give yourself a pep talk before seeing a new doc, because you deserve a diagnosis and deserve a better quality of life.
I hope the appointment goes well. Is anyone going with you? Did you write some things down of what you want to ask about? Thanks for checking in, it's great to hear from you.
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Post by morriganstorm on Jul 9, 2012 17:08:07 GMT -5
Thank you <3
My husband is going with me. He see's what I go through more than anyone and he really wants to be another voice. And I quote from him,"I am sick of seeing my wife suffer." Do you ladies have any suggestions for talking with the doctor? I am really, REALLY nervous about it. :/
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Post by chibineko717 on Jul 9, 2012 19:33:49 GMT -5
I'm glad you got insurance and are seeing a doctor. I hope it goes well.
I know how it is with school. I graduated last year but faced many issues with professors and make up work. I'm glad you did not take summer classes since summer term is usually shorter and hopefully you can get a lap before you go back to school. It is easier to drop classes like you did than it is to get an incomplete. I had one surgery around the end of spring quarter in 2010 so I had to take incompletes for 3 classes that had to be made up by the end of fall. But my endo came back in fall so I had to take 3 more incompletes. I had to make up all those classes right before graduation and my professors were not very helpful or understanding. It seems they are too bothered to help people finish their incompletes.
Make sure when you go back to school that you talk to your professors and the dean or administrator above them so that you can prepare for whatever endo throws at you.
As for questions for your new doc, make sure to ask them about how they remove the endo if found (excision, burning, draining, etc.) Also try to get medical records from you doctor(s) so that it makes it easier if you have to go to multiple docs.
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