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Little Money, No Insurance, No Doctor ... How do I get diagnosed?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/25/2008 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
I have some sort of bowel condition, what I don't know. My symptoms started in 1998, the year my father died, and they have gotten much worse over the years. For the past ten years, I've been taking care of my mother, who recently died. Taking care of someone else doesn't leave much time to worry about one self. I picked this forum because I think my father may have had Crohn's. He died of infection cause by fistulas between his bowel and bladder. I think he may have been hiding the problem for years. I have little money, no insurance, no doctor so how do I get diagnosed?
Posted 6/25/2008 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Buddha,
Welcom to the forum. There is not a great answer for you. There are some less expensive ways to get treatment for mundane problems but the tests and specialists needed to get a definitive treatment for an unknown bowel problem and espescially IBD is not that easy. I would suggest if it is possible getting a job with insurance-Some of the starter jobs I have had have had the best insurance though lousy pay. I had to work a full time job for the insurance and a part time job for the extra money when I was first getting sick. I know though that might not be an option for you. Hopefully someone else will come along with additional ideas.
Posted 6/25/2008 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Chas036 I find your post to be quite offending and racist. Those types of comments have no place on this "support" board.

Buddha443556 welcome to HealingWell. Is there any way you might possibly be able to apply for some kind of state assistance? I can't imagine having this disease and having no insurance. I will keep you in my prayers that somehow you can find some help and answers.
Posted 6/25/2008 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with nanners, I live in Canada, where if you are on assisstance it is all paid for but the STATE in the US, I am sure they must have something. You need to be looked after, you could get worse. No one should be ever turned down, especially in the richer countries. Hope you find something quick. Let us know what you end up doing. Hang in there, and welcome!
Posted 6/25/2008 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I'm trying to get state assistance but need a disability statement. I've contacted a local specialist by mail and will follow up with a call this week. I also have contacted one of my mother's doctors. I'm going to a mobile medical van today in my neighborhood, don't expect any help, doctor works for the state. I've applied for SSI and SSDI.

I'm too honest for my own good (and so I've been told), otherwise I just go to the local emergency room, just not in me to do something like that with no way to pay. Hard enough asking for help.
Posted 6/25/2008 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
You do not describe your symptoms... If they are severe enough (e.g. blood in stool, significant weight loss and fatigue), I would say to go to the ER. They do work out payment plans if you have some capacity to pay. Regardless you will not be turned away and the ER staff may be able to better direct you to free or low-cost resources. In my town these have long wait times but they are available. Good luck.
Posted 6/25/2008 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
I live in Canada so it's different here but I was under the impression that U.S. county hospitals were free and can't turn people away. You may have to wait forever in the waiting room but at least you will get seen in the ER. Good luck to you!

Posted 6/26/2008 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
I got a medical referral from the Medical Van, so it's back to a state assistance office then they send me to a specialist. If I have all their paper work. Also got a prescriptions for Bentyl 20mg? My mothers doctor called back or at least the office manager did. So I'm getting somewhere. Now if I can just keep a roof over my head I'll be fine ... sort of. Wish there was a book to navigate all these hoops they got me jumping through.

I really appreciate your replies and prayers.
Posted 6/26/2008 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah Buddha!!!!!!, hopefully you are on the road to a diagnosis and getting to feeling better. Keep us posted on what the docs say.
Posted 6/26/2008 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Buddha

Welcome to HealingWell and the Crohns Forum.  I am Kitt and I am glad you are getting somewhere with your issues.

Now moving to Canada is not an option and I respect that you have self  esteem and that you were able to let that comment go.

Also in our state we do not have free county hospitals and I am not sure about the rest of USA but I think perhaps people misundertand which hospitals are designated as county hospitals. 

The rule that you do need to be aware of is you may present to any ER in the USA and you can tell them you feel you have an emergency which you would if you have severe sx and no one can turn you away because you have no funds.  In fact the hospitals can be fined for not providing you with a Medical Screening Exam.  The nurses and physicians are not even allowed to discuss funds with you as we are there to take care of the patients.  If you have no funds, a payment plan can be set up with the Hospital Business Office, one that you can live with. But this can be dealt with after you have received care.

So please do not be afraid to go to an ER if you feel you need too.  In this county we take care of patients in crisis.

I am proud of you for going through all the red tape to get benefits to help you.

May your God bless you and know that the members here care for each other and you are part of the HealingWell family.

Welcome to you

Kitt

Posted 6/26/2008 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Buddah, that sounds like a good start. You really need to see the specialist. Hopefully you will be able to get on medicaid or something similar soon. When I first became sick I applied for medicaid and was diagnosed and treated by medicaid doctors-Actually I was in rural upstate New York so I ended up in the best teaching hospital in the state (IMO) with the head of rhuematology as my doctor. My copays at the time were fifty cents a visit and fifty cents per perscription if I could afford to pay it.
Sj
Posted 6/26/2008 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
Buddah, I live in canada so I dont really have any information for you, but my heart goes out for you and I hope for the best; I just know how tough it was for me without the added worry...
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