[LettinG0]

I agree with January. Go see a cardiologist. For peace of mind, if nothing else.

[January]

I just received a message that one of my antibiotics for my abscessed tooth was turned down by the pharmacy company that I have to deal with. The actual company is appealing it. If they lose, I will owe $1,600 for one course of antibiotics. I am shaking like a leaf. I don't have $1,600. I could have picked it up at the Dr's office for free, but it's never been a problem, so they just called it in for me. I had no idea how much it cost. I feel sick and in shock.
********
I just talked to someone else at the company and they have a patient assistance program if all else fails. Surely someone on an income such as mine qualifies...

[LettinG0]

Oh my goodness, January......hopefully the patient assistance program will take care of it.

[January]

Oh, I hope so. Without it, I'll die. Literally. So, I have to have it and I've already started taking it so it's not like I can give it back. Thank you for answering.

[cakeladie]

Kiya, you need to see a cardio doctor. Fibro is considered an AI and AI's tend to group together. For me it started with lupus, then fibro, RA and now pulmonary fibrus. So please call and get into a cardio doctor. Most likey they will do a stress test, an echo cardio gram and you might have to wear a holiter monitor for 24 hours. None of these test hurts but will give your doctor a good insite into what's going on with your heart.

Lupus has affected my heart. My heart is enlarged and I have a leaking vave plus fluid around my heart. So please call a cardio ASAP.

Jan, if the insurance is giving you issues and the doctors office has the meds can you go get them from them just so you have them and can start them before the weekend? If not I belong to another forum for lupus patients and there is help out there where you can get your meds a little or no cost depending on your income. My sister in law has parkensen's and did not have insurance for years and that is how she got her medicine.

Good luck and keep us posted

[January]

Ladie, I've got the medicine. The pharmacy gave it to me free of charge. Just now, after being on it four days, they are saying it will not be covered. I will need those resources the next time I take it though. This time, hopefully I can fit under the company's financial aid guidelines. I just don't have $1,600.

I think that's very good advice to Kiya. I'm really worried about her.

[cakeladie]

Me to

[~Christina]

Yes .. Make your own appt.. If need be call 911. Stay safe

[Kiya]

Originally Posted by cakeladie

Kiya, you need to see a cardio doctor. Fibro is considered an AI and AI's tend to group together. For me it started with lupus, then fibro, RA and now pulmonary fibrus. So please call and get into a cardio doctor. Most likey they will do a stress test, an echo cardio gram and you might have to wear a holiter monitor for 24 hours. None of these test hurts but will give your doctor a good insite into what's going on with your heart.

Lupus has affected my heart. My heart is enlarged and I have a leaking vave plus fluid around my heart. So please call a cardio ASAP.

I did not know these things!!! Thank you for telling me and SUPER BIG HUGS to you that this affected your heart!!! (Mom has a leaky valve, too).

Thanks all for your input - since I don't need a referral, I got one myself - I have an appnt in July.
((((((((all)))))))))

[Kiya]

((((((((((Jan!!!)))))))))))
Keep breathing - I know it is a shock, but I KNOW there's a way through this; we just have to find it. Like the patient assistant program or Bridges to Access or something.... Medicare patients have rights! (at least in theory). We just don't back down!!! Keep taking the med!

[cakeladie]

I am not all that great on this forum since I consider myself still really new. For example I have only posted twice and Christina had to tell me how to post because I could not figure it out. After I posted those 2 times I still can't remember how to post and I keep reading and rereading Christina's instructions but swish it's over my head oh well.

I have a point in all this. There are a lot of programs out there for help. Help with meds, help getting to the doctors etc. On the other forum I have helped a lot of people who did not have the resources for meds etc. If you need the information I can get it for you.

I am sure that somewhere on this forum they have something like that since this forum is much more advanced.

Kiya, I am worried about your heart. You have to be very careful and I think it goes without saying that we are worried about you and we care about you.

My grandfather died of a heart attack at the age of 50. My other grandmother the something. She also had an enlarged heart just like I do. My other grandmother died of a heart aneurysm. She was walking from the kitchen on a sunday to the front room to put on her shoes for church. She died before she hit the floor. 7 out of 8 of her siblings died of aneurysms.

When i call my cardio doc and say I don't feel right he gets me in real quick. I know you hate the ER I do to. When they see me instead of looking for what's wrong it's always blamed on the lupus.

Everyone take care. Rest when you can and Kiya promise if you start to feel worse you will call 911. Tell them that you think you are having a heart attack. that will get you right in and they will do more then just an EKG.

Since I can't leave my house much I value all of your friendships.

Liz I hope your vacation is going well. When do you return to work?


Sorry for the novel - my meds are kicking in.

[cakeladie]

Jan I am glad you got your medicine.

[Kiya]

I'll be fine. I'm always fine. Things seem big to me, but it's always nothing.
The fever will burn itself out (it's 101.5 now) eventually.... And i do have an apnt with the cardio on July 15th.
I'm still in my 30's. I'm doing everything I can to be proactive and I'm not in an emergency.
I'm more concerned with the stress levels of all of you on here - please take good care and be safe and as well as you can. (((((((((((Cake, All)))))))))))))

To bring maybe a good picture to mind, I'm sitting here at 1am; the windows wide open, the bats chirping outside, the breeze is finally cooling down and bringing the smell of rain to come. It almost makes me forget where I am since we don't usually get weather like this until August. It makes for a peaceful night.

Please take good care everyone!!!!

[lizardlady]

WOW! I haven't check this thread in a couple of days. Boy howdy did I miss a bunch.

Jan, if all else fails with paying for the medication what about asking for help paying the bill through the community fund here at PC? $1,600 for one course of meds jeeze loiuse!

Kiya, I learned while acting om my Mom's behalf that cardiac patients and patients brought in by ambulance get taken straight back to an examine room in the ER. Maybe it was taking advantage of the system, but I once had her transported to the ER by ambulance because I knew she would be taken right back. Mom had dementia, kidney failure and hear problems. There's no way she could've handled sitting in the waiting room for hours. Be forewarned though that in my area you have to pay for non-emergency transport. It's good that you are seeing a cardio doc next month.

Cakeladie, hon, you do just fine posting to the forums. You are supportive and give good advice. I had to work Thursday (meetings I had to attend). I'm back on vacation until July 6th!

[Kiya]

Liz- Not here... I went in by ambulance with a gastritis, crying out in pain with every "contraction". They rolled me in and then rolled me out... no rooms.... had me sit in the lobby for 6 hours with no pain meds. thought i'd die.
even with heart stuff, they do a quick EKG in triage, and determine if you need treatment right away or not... if it's normal, it's 4-6 hours in the lobby; if at all. I left once... no point - lady who did my EKG (sitting up in a chair with underwire bra on) said "I've been living with this for 40 years! There's nothing wrong!" There'd even been a family before me who still hadn't gotten in after they'd taken 7 people back who came in after me when my heart was in a riot. You only get seen immediately if you're having a heart attack, in cardiac arrest, or having a stroke (or some other life threating emergency of course). (I sound to myself like I'm whining). i'm so sick and tired of not being listened to (unless I'm just plain crazy, like they think :/ )

Day 6 of 101 temp and stomach swelling with any food I eat. REALLY praying and hoping I get an AWESOME cardiologist who knows her stuff and can LISTEN and help me get somewhere moving toward REAL health.
Glad you're back, btw!

-Kiya, I learned while acting on my Mom's behalf that cardiac patients and patients brought in by ambulance get taken straight back to an examine room in the ER. Maybe it was taking advantage of the system, but I once had her transported to the ER by ambulance because I knew she would be taken right back. Mom had dementia, kidney failure and hear problems. There's no way she could've handled sitting in the waiting room for hours. Be forewarned though that in my area you have to pay for non-emergency transport. It's good that you are seeing a cardio doc next month.

[Kiya]

I think you're fine on this forum, too Cake! I'm also new ... newer than you in fact!
Sometimes I think I post too much... or complain too much.... But if i'm ok, you're certainly ok here.

[cakeladie]

I am so sorry Kiya that you have to deal with an ER like that. It' not right.

In the last year the 2 times I have had to go to the ER I was taken right back. The first time I went right from my doctors office and he called it in and when I got there they could tell I could not breath and took me right back for an EKG and then right to a critical room. I could not breath and that is the worst feeling ever. When they came to do my blood gas I did not think anything of it but when they came running back into my room they nearly gave me a heart attack. My blood gas was 67 and my O2 was under 90. they were going to admit me but my dad was at home on hospice I needed to be with him and I could do breathing treatments at home. I do about 4 a day. My insurance will not pay for O2 just yet.

The last time was for my heart but what got be right back is that they had closed the ER parking lot and you had to walk across the street and it was in the 90's. My BP was already 171/130 and I could not stop throwing up. But the walk made it hard for me to breath so they took me right back.

I felt bad for the people waiting. if I came in via ambulance I would have been taken right in. it's not fair

[lizardlady]

Kiya, sounds like you have a crappy ER at your hospital.

[January]

((((( Kiya )))))

You are not whining and you are not crazy. You are ill and the whackos in the ER are too stupid to do anything about it! Grrrrr on them! I prescribe gatoraide and tylenol. I know it's not good for your kidneys but you need to bring the fever down some.

Cake, you're doing great in this thread. You just keep right on posting. I'm sorry you were so sick. Now you have all of us to hang around with and visit with on here. New friends are always a good thing.

[lizardlady]

Kiya, what about a cool soak in the tub or a shower to help bring your temp down?

[lizardlady]

Some times I have to shake my head about myself. I'm feeling kind off today. Not so much a flare, kind of achy, kind of tired, just not myself. I told myself I'd take the day off from working outside and kind of hide out in the house putter around.

Wellllll, on the way back from the barn after feeding the horses I stopped to pull some weeds, That lead to edging the flowerbed, which lead to... you probably see where this is going. I worked in the yard until the heat drove me back in the house. And the way my thinking goes since I'm already nasty dirty I might as well go do some more yard work when I cool off. So much for my "quiet" day around the house.

[cakeladie]

Your fur babies would love and could use (and you could use one to) a nice day of cuddles and reading and maybe a bowl of popcorn

[cakeladie]

I agree with Liz, Kiya maybe a cool bath or shower will help and leave of has much clothes has you can.

[Kiya]

((((((((((all)))))))))))))
very tired today. fever still 100 despite Tylenol and advil. not fully "Resting" since life goes on, but I don't do much as is.
thinking of you all!!!!!

[~Christina]

Kiya, When are you seeing your Doctor about this fever? I feel so bad for you. Are you pushing fluids? Please try to