cant eat, cant drink. I have no insurance and neuro wants me to have some doc put a scope down my throat to figure out why I keep choking when I drink and eat. he says they'll admit me. really doc!!!! come on!! I HAVE NOOOOO INSURANCE!!!! RINGING ANY BELLS YET?!?!?! my dh wants me on a dmd and we all know dmd's wont cure anything and wont recover any damage. I am the way I am going to be. I have 2 ears and to many people talking into them. I get confused easy now and cant concentrate when more than one person talks to me. my speech is affected now and I talk slow and garbled and im embarrassed to speak in public. I just want my pillow and blankie and a nice comfy bed to block out the world. Have I leaped into spms??

KittyLady, if you need to be in the hospital they have to admit you regardless of your ability to pay. It really does sound like you need some medical attention. Sounds like you're in the midst of an exacerbation and maybe they can give you some IV solumedrol that would calm the neurological symptoms down.

I'm really sorry you're having such a hard time right now. There should be some social workers at the hospital that might know of some low or no cost ways to get medical attention since you don't have Medicare or Medicaid just yet.

Since I know about the hospital all too well - you can apply for intergent care if you are admitted to the hospital.

I am so sorry to hear of your rough patch. Just know that you are on my mind and in my prayers. Hug.

Most communities have out reach programs, or womens' centers to go for information on how to get help. Hospitals do have to take you regardless of your ability to pay. Most doctors will accept you, if they truely know you need that test. I didn't have insurance either, when my own health issues presented. I had 4 surgeries, and I did ask the doctors to reduce their fees. If you tell the doctor the truth about your situation, most of the time they are willing to help. They may even know how to go about getting financial aid. The public hospital I went to has a patient advocasy department. They waved some of my costs through that department. Don't loose hope, and go get that test OK? This can turn out even without insurance. You just have to search for those programs willing to help. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. ginnie

I hesitate to comment on this serious issue, but I think the choking and swallowing issue is MS. I have had it in fairly mild form myself (on occasion badly) and have seen considerable numbers of MS people who have it, back when I went to support groups. I had it just tonight but I quickly recovered. Putting a tube down your throat--that is unpleasant, although if they knock you out you may be able to tolerate it. It was the only test I could not tolerate, and doctors have told me it affected them the same way. Since it is probably MS, I would suggest that it will simply stress you to go through the test. Of course, some other problem COULD be discovered with this test.

What they were trying to see, in my case, when I failed to be able to tolerate this test, was whether or not I had an ulcer from too much acid. Later, I found a doctor who does the Heidelberg test, where one swallows a tiny radio in a pill, which is later excreted, to measure one's stomach acid. I had NO stomach acid, so taking antacids was, most of the time, not a good idea. However, I could not tolerate the hydrochloric acid that doctor wanted me to take, to replace stomach acid, and went on to take digestive enzymes. I rarely have stomach problems now. My stomach area pain was in part due to Porphyria, another disease I have which was undiagnosed, and which was not diagnosed until years after my MS dx. In this disease, the nerves to the stomach (and other organs) can become inflamed and cause acute pain.
But I gather that is not your present problem, KittyLady--it's the swallowing the doctor is wondering about.

Kitty Lady,

So sorry that you are having a tough time lately. The endoscopy might reveal something that can be treated to decrease the choking. I had this proceedure a while back for a similar reason. It was done under a light general anesthetic...and it was the best sleep that I have had in months.

Hopefully the hospital can get you some assistanace financially for your stay and proceedures. What a worry that must be.

In the meantime, you might try putting things through a blender so that it goes down easier. I found that it is easier to swallow cold or cooler smoothie type drinks, taken through a straw. You can put some nutritious things in such a drink like fruit, yogurt, powdered greens, protein powder etc. Maybe worth a try.

In my thoughts and prayers.
With love, Erika

There should be no such thing as, no health ins. in the U S A.
Get the to the ER and let them figure it out. The medicare wait
may be waived, because you have applied and this is serious.

Please go and feel better soon.

i'm so sorry you're going thru all this.
however, i agree with the others. please call your dr and do what he says.
the hospital has to treat you regardless of ability to pay.

make sure your dh advocates for you in such ways that he tells them only one person must speak at a time.

while dmd's can't cure MS they might be able to give you back some of what you've lost. and, they might be able to delay further disease. if these options are offered to you please consider them. when i was on copaxone tx i received aid from the chronic disease fund and my co-pay was only $30/mo.

i'm sending prayers for you.

I somewhat disagree with everybody else. I say this as I had been in a similar boat - rapidly got worse, ability to speak/think/eat/move, and no insurance or fat pocketbook.

While a hospital does have to treat you, they do not have to alleviate you of the financial responsibility for that care.

Medicare is a long and often drawn-out process. Medicaid may be an option - the key is a diagnosis & letter from your doctor stating you are "fully and totally disabled". Having medicare or SSDI is deemed equivalent to being classified as disabled - but it is not the only way to be considered disabled adult. Be aware the qualifying factors for medicaid are a bit different in each State. Usually they will consider and cover (if approved for medicaid) any medical related expenses from 3 months prior to the medicaid approval. Not sure how long it may be for you untill you get Medicare but this may be an option?

Dysphagia can be MS caused. Neurogenic dysphagia or neuro-esophagial dysfunction can be MS related - but may be due to other causes/reasons. The tests determine the disfunction & cause - but don't traditionally "fix" the issue of swallowing & choking. A speech therapist may be able to teach you some coping tricks. I suggest searching online for SLP dysphagia exercises or tips. I for example have to sit stock upright with a pillow behind my back, eat slowly and small bites, have to hold my chin a certain way to swallow with less chocking, etc

If it were me and my spouse would be jointly financially impacted AND the medical charges wouldn't fix me, then I would say "Thanks, but not until I can afford this". *this would not apply if the hospital and doctors are agree to provide charitable/indigent care* Please note that this is my personal opinion and you should probably consider it like a grain of salt - because I am not you-

A big hug & blessings to you - I wish I had a magic pill for you that would make everything better! {make that a magic shot, since it's tough to get a pill down without choking... }