Stupid question - medical and help

[monkeygirl]

Please don't flame me I am in not trying to ask for handouts and am not in a bad situation yet.

My situation is that last Sunday I woke up with almost no movement in my left hand(I'm 24 so I didn't expect anything serious). Tues. I went to the Dr. He made me do a bunch of tests with my hands and ruled out pretty much everything except he thought I might have had a stroke. I had an MRI. No stroke but they're still not sure what's wrong.

I'm on steroids for a week and am going to physical therapy Monday. 2 neurologists aren't sure what's wrong. I haven't been working for a couple months but I had money saved and was ok.

I'd started looking again for a job and had a couple interviews I had to cancel because what i do requires a lot of typing. I can only type with 1 hand now and cant think of anything I could do with mostly 1 hand. I am going to owe a lot of money for the MRI and other costs. So far it is not better and am just wondering if there is ever temporary state help if this lasts for months or if anybody knows of a job you're ok with having 1 hand?

Sorry about the typing it's hard for me now

[tracyb]

sorry dont know but I wll be praying for you and hope they find something out soon.

[mlayton1994]

I dont know but, I am sending you prayers and hugs.

[monkeygirl]

thank you tracy and mlayton. i just needed to complain and thank you so much.

[Nimue]

you can try to file for temporary disability, I am not sure what all you need to do but you could ask your Dr.

[miralys]

I know in Florida there are several organizations which help with job placement for those with disabilities. I would check with your local and state government agencies (Health Department, state employment agencies, etc). It can't hurt to try. I hope you get better soon.

[ebgreen74]

Please don't flame me I am in not trying to ask for handouts and am not in a bad situation yet.

My situation is that last Sunday I woke up with almost no movement in my left hand(I'm 24 so I didn't expect anything serious). Tues. I went to the Dr. He made me do a bunch of tests with my hands and ruled out pretty much everything except he thought I might have had a stroke. I had an MRI. No stroke but they're still not sure what's wrong.

I'm on steroids for a week and am going to physical therapy Monday. 2 neurologists aren't sure what's wrong. I haven't been working for a couple months but I had money saved and was ok.

I'd started looking again for a job and had a couple interviews I had to cancel because what i do requires a lot of typing. I can only type with 1 hand now and cant think of anything I could do with mostly 1 hand. I am going to owe a lot of money for the MRI and other costs. So far it is not better and am just wondering if there is ever temporary state help if this lasts for months or if anybody knows of a job you're ok with having 1 hand?

Sorry about the typing it's hard for me now

You need to apply for disability/SSI asap!

[joni1269]

You need to apply for disability/SSI asap!

ITA - do not wait. It takes years for disability to come through, but the first check is from the date you filed, til check date. Also, they use your earnings from recent quarters, so you want to file as close to the last date you worked as possible.

If you do file for disability, be aware they usually deny your first request. A close friend (with MS) applied at the age of 22, and was declined. She hired a lawyer, and he said that they denied her because of her age. She did end up getting it eventually. I would start the Legal Aid / Pro Bono process now, so you can get a lawyer for free. That process can be quite lengthy as well.

Good luck! Keep on the doctor's until they find out what is wrong. Have you been tested for MS?

[PreciousDarlin]

Since your not working, you might qualify for medicaid until you get back to work. It would cover any future medical bills and might even go back and cover the ones you've already had (if you apply this month, and are approved, it will cover the whole month). I know here in KY, they have a thing called a SpinDown for those that have accrued high medical bills that don't qualify for medicaid. It takes all your medical bills, and you end up paying WAY less than the total amount because the state picks up a protion of it. Don't know if that helps, but it's my two cents.

[tracey74]

SSI/disability is hard to get anymore.I get it for a heart defect that is/can be life threatening and a few other things.most dont get accepted unless its a life threatening illness or can become life threatening.and every few months you have to do a mountain of paperwork and have a dr state your condition and whether or not it will improve and how it affects you from not working,and the effect it has on your overall health.and dr's have to supply proof now adays.I know my dr had to.like the ultrasound of my heart and other medical proof of my other disabilities.a lawyer handling these kind of things can help but they have a tough time too getting it.my parents signed me up in 88 but I guess I was denied.then i resigned up again in 92 or somewhere around there the lawyer told me I could get back benefits when i first signed up.well it came down to it since no one reapplied after being turned down that I wasnt eligible for back pay.so now if youre turned down and you reapply it starts from when you reapply.its all a p.i.t.a(pain in the a**)depending on your illness some will require you to get a mental health evaluation,and other such tests at one of thier DRs to see if you are still eligible once youre on it.Im not saying that you cant sign up but you need to know whats causing this b4 you sign up since they want a reason for why you are applying.and these lawyers charge about $600 to get it for you .which to me is a lot when you dont usually get a big check when its awarded and it takes a few months to get your first check.theres a lot of people I know that deserve it and cant get it but the ones that dont deserve it get it.its tough to be approved for.once you find out what caused it then id talk to your dr and see if he thinks its a good idea since he will have to provide proof of your condition.and if they think it will improve or will be able to work some kind of job then they will deny you since it goes before their medical board. Im sorry if Im babbbling and not saying you dont deserve ssi but Im just stating its hard as heck to get approved for it.and then once you are they are wanting to reevaluate you every so often .also if you get medical bills and cant take care of them take all bills to the dept of human services(welfare office in some states) and show them you cant afford your medical bills and why and you might be issued a medical card. which is getting rediculous with them covering things also.but thats another story.its worth a shot anyway and good luck and hope you get better and find out the reason why youre having problems

[schsa]

Dump the neurologists and try an orthopedist. Someone who specializes in sports injuries. The problem with doctors is that they look at things from the view point of their own speciality. Neurologists look at nerves. Orthopedist will look at the muscles and bones. If they have negated a stroke then it could be something as simple as a pinched nerve in your shoulder that is causing the problem in your hand. Find another specialist and get another opinion.

[freebielover]

I'm sorry that happened, definitely check out multiple types of doctors. I don't know how the aid programs work in your state, but if you're not working you can definitely file for free or reduced care to help with the medical bills. Good luck and I really hope they figure out whats going on.

[monkeygirl]

Thanks so much. I will check these things out. I really hope it just goes away but so far it's the same. I really do want to work. The Dr. asked about my working situation so I think he'd help if he could. Schsa I agree with you about other specialists. I was sorta annoyed that I was only getting an MRI of my brain and not not having my arm/wrist looked at. I live in WA and there are good aid programs I just don't know where to go. I guess I can try asking the physical therapist about what to do.

[queenangie]

Ask for Charity Care from the MRI company/hospital where you had the test.

Hugs & prayers for a quick healing, and a job too.

[monkeygirl]

I went to the physical therapist today and he told me it'll be months until I'm back to normal. I'm having another MRI done. This time on my neck. I was also told it could be MS. Thanks so much for your concern.

[dlwt]

Look up Basic Health Plan in phone book, they base your premiums on actual salary. Good luck. Maybe check with welfare for temporary help