Guest guest Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Just venting and asking for ideas here. My son as some of you may know is living on disability and trying to raise 2 daughters on his own. I called him this morning and he was crying, can't get out of bed. His right ankle is sooooo bad he can't walk. What does someone with CMT and no insurance do? He won't go to the hospital because of no insurance, and I don't know if MDA pays for any surgeries or anything? Does anyone know, or have any ideas? You can't just walk in and get treated for the typical sprained ankle, when CMT is the issue, and he didn't even sprain it. Donna in Indy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I am so sorry to hear about your son. > > Just venting and asking for ideas here. > > My son as some of you may know is living on disability and trying to raise 2 daughters on his own. > > I called him this morning and he was crying, can't get out of bed. His right ankle is sooooo bad he can't walk. > > What does someone with CMT and no insurance do? > > He won't go to the hospital because of no insurance, and I don't know if MDA pays for any surgeries or anything? > > Does anyone know, or have any ideas? > > You can't just walk in and get treated for the typical sprained ankle, when CMT is the issue, and he didn't even sprain it. > > Donna in Indy > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Donna, MDA can pay a lot of things and refer you to other resources if they can't. Call them. Many hospitals have programs that offer free medical care to low income people. Ask at any hospital. If his income and resources are extremely low, is it possible he will qualify for medicaid. Your states medicaid web site probably has some figures to estimate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Donna, I am unclear if your son actually sprained his ankle, or it just felt weak on arising, or if he is wearing AFOs or an ankle brace or what kind of shoes? I would wrap the ankle in an Ace bandage, and soak it in heated water several times a day to start, and stay off of it. If there is redness or swelling, call your doctor immediately or go to the ER. I would also suggest consult with someone at your local MDA. The exact cause of the pain needs to be identified first. A simple X ray will tell you more. I don't see why this can't be done in an emergency room, if this is such need. Some doctors allow patients to pay medical bills off slowly, expecially if one is living on a fixed income. There is no reason to suffer needlessly. CMT feet and ankles are nothing to screw around with. Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Donna, In my city they have a program for people with no insurance that is free. They also have a health clinic. Call a nerve doctor and see if he wants do it for free. my son has the same problems with his ankles. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 So sorry to hear of your son's challenges. Not sure if this helps as I live in Canada and don't know much about your health care system. I watched an episode of Dr. Oz last week that focused on free clinics for individuals without health coverage. I believe there is a link at his website. Warm wishes, Re: Help - son can't walk Donna, MDA can pay a lot of things and refer you to other resources if they can't. Call them. Many hospitals have programs that offer free medical care to low income people. Ask at any hospital. If his income and resources are extremely low, is it possible he will qualify for medicaid. Your states medicaid web site probably has some figures to estimate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Donna, I'm currently dealing with a swollen right ankle, due to a mis-diagnosis by local podiatrist it was not treated quickly enough with proper meds and turned into full-blown venous stasis, my calf is swollen to triple size, toughening of skin and scabbing at ankle and top of foot. I am wearing compression stocking w/my neuro's approval. This is serious, so get him to a competent doc ASAP, don't wait and let it get worse. I've been on 3 rounds of antibiotics, 2 of sulfa and now steroids. Supposedly venous stasis is common for CMT because, for obvious reasons, we don't walk around much like most people. This may not be what your son has, but pls don't delay in finding out and getting reatment. Good luck! Jeanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Where do you live, I'm going to move there! Geri <In my city they have a program for people with no insurance that is free. They also have a health clinic. Call a nerve doctor and see if he wants do it for free. my son has the same problems with his ankles.> > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 How is your son? Geri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 they health clinic is based on your income, but my nephew got insurance free though the health department. i am in michigan From: hotwheels@... Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:17:57 -0500 Subject: Re: Help - son can't walk Where do you live, I'm going to move there! Geri <In my city they have a program for people with no insurance that is free. They also have a health clinic. Call a nerve doctor and see if he wants do it for free. my son has the same problems with his ankles.> > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 I work at a county hospital. We serve mainly patients who do not have insurance and are not likely to ever pay us. All of us (who work here) are paid by the county. The trade off is mainly convenience. We are the place that many end up and the lines are long, waits for appointments can be weeks, but those in our care get world class treatment that MY insurance would balk at. I know that most communities have hospitals like this one, it all depends upon your local government structure. I second and third the advice to call around and find out where these caregivers are in your community + check into how MDA can help. Holli > > Donna, > > In my city they have a program for people with no insurance that is free. They also have a health clinic. Call a nerve doctor and see if he wants do it for free. my son has the same problems with his ankles. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Thank you Holly. Can I ask what state you re in? Here in Indy, those things seem to be kept secret almost. Donna From: hmm_md <hmm_md@...> Subject: Re: Help - son can't walk Date: Monday, October 19, 2009, 4:53 PM I work at a county hospital. We serve mainly patients who do not have insurance and are not likely to ever pay us. All of us (who work here) are paid by the county. The trade off is mainly convenience. We are the place that many end up and the lines are long, waits for appointments can be weeks, but those in our care get world class treatment that MY insurance would balk at. I know that most communities have hospitals like this one, it all depends upon your local government structure. I second and third the advice to call around and find out where these caregivers are in your community + check into how MDA can help. Holli > > Donna, > > In my city they have a program for people with no insurance that is free. They also have a health clinic. Call a nerve doctor and see if he wants do it for free. my son has the same problems with his ankles. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 I did get a hold of MDA today, and they arranged for Tom to have an " emergency " visit to the clinic on Monday. Thanks for all your posts, we'll see what they can do on Monday. Donna In Indy > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 Donna ..please let us know about your son and what the MDA has to say. Geri > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 Hi Donna, Hope MDA is helpful. I'm in Los Angeles County, California. Our neighboring County to the South (Orange and San Diego Counties) do not have County hospitals so it is very dependant on the local governments. Holli > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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