Please help me :(

A

anonymous

New member
Hi. I am writing because I have cystic fibrosis, and have lived with my illness for 30 years. My health is not quite as good as it once was, but I have given birth to two boys, ages 6 & 8, and have been fighting to live since I was born! Year after year doctors put a limit on my life expectancy, and year after year I beat every limit they gave me!

However, I need someone's help, and I don't know where to turn.

Because of my illness, and the affect on my body from cystic fibrosis (malnutrition and cf-related diabetes) my teeth are falling apart. I am unable to work, and can barely afford to live on my SSI/Disability. I am on Medicare and medicaid, but neither of these covers my dental health. I desperately need implants... but I have been researching the costs of these... and it is well beyond my means. Meanwhile, almost daily, I lose a little more of my smile. It is *really* effecting my life. I'm starting to have trouble eating, as my teeth chip and break whenever I eat. I am *so* embarrassed to even talk sometimes.

I don't know what to do. I'm frightened that all my teeth are going to give out... and I will be left with nothing.

I fight so hard everyday to overcome all the obstacles I have to face. My life is full of medicines and treatments. Now that I'm 30, I'm becoming afraid of my life taking a turn for the worse. I've read that tooth decay can lead to lung infections. Well, I've not been in the hospital for a year!!!! My cf doctor says that I'm becoming resistent to a lot of anti-biotics. I can't help but to think that my health would be better if I could get my teeth fixed.

I don't know where to even start looking for someone to help me. This isn't an affordable procedure for a lot of people with my problems. I was hoping that maybe someone might know of a cosmetic dentist that could maybe help me out. Or know how I could raise the money to start getting my teeth fixed. My credit history is poor because of all my past medical bills... so a lot of dentists will not even give me a consultation because of this...

I am *desperate* for help.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Katherine Barker

I can be emailed at used_valentine@hotmail.com
 
J

JazzysMom

New member
I am not sure how, but something clicks in my head that there is a way to connect your tooth decay to your CF since it could potentially cause problems with exacerbasted malnutrion/malabsorbiton if it becomes to difficult to eat. At this point I am not sure why that is connecting. What state do you live in? Do U have a social worker at your CF clinic? I dealt with this years ago when I worked at our local hospital & that is why something is clicking, but not quite there yet. Give me a bit of time to recall!
 
A

anonymous

New member
There isn't a cf clinic here. I'm in Des Moines, Iowa... and although there is a cf clinic for children, we adults have to deal with several different doctors for all of our issues.

I'm at my wits end trying to find help here! Medicaid seems to cover absolutely nothing!
 
D

debs2girls

New member
Do you have a local chapter of the Lions Club? Here they are very helpful for alot of things...they might at least be able to send you in the right direction...sorry I am not more help. I hope you find the help you need.
Debbie
 
A

anonymous

New member
Hey,

I just went to the dentist this week, and my teeth are decaying as well. However, I was told that this is due to years of inhaled steroids (Advair, Pulmocort), and my acid reflux and the meds I take for acid reflux (Protonix). Fortunately, my husband has pretty good insurance, so I'll hopefully be able to take care of them. There are all types of funding programs for situations like yours, though. You really should seek the help of a CF center. If I were you, I'd save up, and make an appointment at a really good CF center and fly there. I reccomend St. Vincent's Cf Center in NYC. They have social workers, lawyers, so many resources, and if they don't, they search until they find someone else who does. 2 examples: I had an awful circulatory-leg disorder, I went to probably 8 different specialists for 2 years, and no one knew what it was, I went there, they researched it, diagnosed it within 2 weeks. Also, I was on Social Security benefits for 5 years, then all the sudden, SS sent me a letter saying that I was never eligible in the first place, and demanded all the money back. (which I had spent on med bills)
They sent me a bill for 18,000! St. Vincent's social worker arranged for a grant-funded lawyer to fight it, who won. They handled the whole case for me, and I never had to pay the lawyer, SS, or anyone.

These major-city CF centers have so many resources. I really urge you to consider them.

Christian
 
A

anonymous

New member
I was a dental assistant for almost 15 years......I think you should look into dental schools that are looking for patients to work on. You can get high quality dental care at little(or maybe even NO cost). NYU in New York city has an implant fellowship at their dental school.(as far as I know...they did a few years back). So you have experienced Dentists going back to school to get certified in implant surgery. I believe Stoneybrook in Long Island NY has one too.

Also many hospitals have lower costing clinics. Maybe they can give you a payment plan. There is always a way!!!! Don't worry, you will find the answer. Two year colleges that offer dental hygiene programs are good to go to for low-cost x-rays (ask for copies) and cleanings. Maybe they can refer you to a dental school or Dentist that is understanding and offers affordable payment plans.

Good Luck!!!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I wish you a Hollywood SMILE<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
A

anonymous

New member
When my son needed dental work and we didn't have the money we contacted a local dental school. His name went on a list and they contacted us (within a couple of weeks) and we got the work done for free.
 
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