Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

PART TWO TO THE REST OF MY STORY. I READ SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAD THE SAME KIND OF SYSTOMS I WAS HAVING AT AGE 45 AND FOUND OUT I HAD ONE 6" BLOOD CLOT AND TWO 3" BLOOD CLOTS. NEVER THOUGHT THEY COULD HURT SO BAD. RIGHT UNDER MY RIBCAGE TOO. THEY HAD ME IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THREE WEEKS AND FINALLY TURNED ME INSIDE OUT AND FIGURED I WASNT A MENTAL CASE AND IT WAS BETWEEN MY COLON AND DIPHRAM. THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE THAT BIG. IM ON RAT POISON FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE THEY SAY. YAH !! BECAUSE F MY HUSBANDS AND MY MEDICAL BACK GROUND WE HAVE USED BOTH NATURAL AND PRESCRIPTION TO HELP ME WITH WEIGHT AND MY HEALTH AND PAIN. ITS WORKING GREAT. THE PROBLEM IS I CANT AFFORD 90.00 BLOOD CHECKS OUT OF POCKET AND NO ONE WANTS ME INSURANCE WISE. ANY HOW IM NEW TOO AND THANKFUL FOR THIS GROUP AND HOPE I GET SOME ADVICE AND MAYBE I CAN HEL SOMEONE ELSE. IF YOU NEED HELP WITH SUGGESTION ON SOMETHING E-MAIL ME OK. OR IF YOU CAN HELP ME DO THE SAME. THANK YOU EVERYONE. I KNOW YOU WILL BE A BLESSING TO ME.

Hi Pamie,

Just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear what you are going through. Being ill is hard, and as I am in the UK I cannot even imagine what it's like to be without insurance but I am sure the extra stress does not help.

I wish you all the best with your weight loss programme, but as a word of caution, please be careful what you take as certain weight loss pills have been known to cause clots and had to be taken off the market (too late for those who already took them, though).

I hope you figure something out soon - can you apply for medicaid or something similar (sorry, as I said I really don't know the US system)?

Take care and look after yourself! We're here if you need moral support and hopefully someone will have more useful information than I can give you.
Pip

You are a candidate for INR self testing, which involves about $7 per use. Weekly uses are recommended as an improvement over the every 3 to 5 weeks at the clinic, but I stretch mine out to every 7 to 10 days.

www.inrselftest.com

The meters, typically Roche Coaguchek or Hemosense InRatio, cost $2000 as prescribed with lower street prices on the "gray market" but I have not as of yet investigated if or how these devices fit into the various means of pharmaceutical aid for those unable to afford.

Ask your provider for resources that may be able to provide you financial assistance for these tests.

Do you have a case worker that is helping you with medical bills? You can also ask them.

I would go to the nearest public/teaching hospital and ask to speak with a social worker, not just a financial person. I would then tell them everything going on with you medically and financially. If they have provided services to you, they may help you apply for medicaid/ social security benefits because if you are approved, they will receive payment for the procedures you had done while there. Then they will most likely be able to get you into a public clinic where they will do the INR checks and prescribe the medications you need either free or at a reduced cost.. Any medical bill you have should be covered at a reduced rate under hardship financial programs since your combined income for two falls below the federal poverty level. It is not an easy process but that is where I would start. I wish you all the best and I will be praying for you and your husband. The city where I live has an organization that helps people who are low income, pay for medications and medical supplies. Not many people know about it though. That is why I suggested you speak with the hospital social worker. I would actually call and get an appointment to see her if it is possible so that you both have the time to problem solve your situation. Hope this helps.