RE: new to a fib

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. It really irritates me that

doctors would put you in the hospital immediately for this. I know

when they first diagnosed me with a-fib it was in the ER. I was 38

at the time. They immediately wanted to hospitalize me. That didn't

happen. After my 2nd episode I was hospitalized for 3 days while

they started me on Tambocor (nasty drug as far as I'm concerned and

it only made me worse - I understand it works for some people but not

me which is why I call it nasty.) I wish I had sufficient background

info before this happened, because I probably would've avoided it.

Anyway, a-fib is not a reason to hospitalize you, especially as in

your case, it is the first recorded incidence of the condition. Yes,

you may need conversion to NSR, but protecting you from stroke is the

big thing, and that does not require hospitalization. Why the

medical profession insist on milking people that don't have much

money or insurance is beyond me.

One thing that might help you though in terms of your finances is

that you can possibly deduct some of your medical expenses on your

income taxes. You'll have to fill out the " long form " and itemize

your deductions, so keep receipts of everything you have to pay for.

BAsed on the sound of how much you make, and knowing how much your

bill is probably going to be, you'll quickly hit the threshold for

being able to deduct medical expenses.

When I was in the hospital for that 3 day stay, I was under an 80-20

medical plan. I also make substantially more than you, but after a

year, my wife and I were still paying on that 20%. So, I don't envy

you financially. You may want to go to the IRS website, and look at

last year's long form and play with your number on it to see how you

could work the numbers to your advantage.

Good luck!!

Bruce

> Sept 1st I went into the emergency room. I was having shortness of

> breath, and a total lack of energy. I was shocked, then horrified

to

> find out it was my heart. I'm 36 years old. When they said I had an

> irregular heartbeat....... Well I still haven't quite gotten used

to

> this whole thing. I got out of the hospital sept 5th. I didn't have

> health insurance, they said I make too much money to qualify to get

> help with the bills. 7.00 an hr and I make too much money. So not

> only do I get to deal with my nice new heart condition, but I also

> have to deal with trying to get the money to pay for all my medical

> treatments, meds and labwork. I found I been having anxiety

attacks,

> I've never had them before. Dispite what ever came up financially

> I've always been able to meet the bills, and still have a little to

> put aside. But now....... God I just don't know what to do.

> Butch

[Guest guest]

Hey Butch

Im like you only younger 33. I was working 70 to 80 hours a week now Im working

none. I also didnt have any insurance and stayed in the hospital for 3 days one

day in ICU talk about scaring someone. As I was thinking about how I was going

to pay for this I remembered that I was a Vet so I contacted the VA in

Birmingham Al and they got me in. If you have ever did any military service that

would be an option. By they way what part of the country are you in? You will be

fine.

Lee

new to a fib

Sept 1st I went into the emergency room. I was having shortness of

breath, and a total lack of energy. I was shocked, then horrified to

find out it was my heart. I'm 36 years old. When they said I had an

irregular heartbeat....... Well I still haven't quite gotten used to

this whole thing. I got out of the hospital sept 5th. I didn't have

health insurance, they said I make too much money to qualify to get

help with the bills. 7.00 an hr and I make too much money. So not

only do I get to deal with my nice new heart condition, but I also

have to deal with trying to get the money to pay for all my medical

treatments, meds and labwork. I found I been having anxiety attacks,

I've never had them before. Dispite what ever came up financially

I've always been able to meet the bills, and still have a little to

put aside. But now....... God I just don't know what to do.

Butch

[Guest guest]

Hi, I had no health insurance for my first visit with AF. They were

very nice when I was in CICU for my stay, but I had a hard time finding

a doctor that would see me. I gave up, then my next visit the ER

doctor said you need to see a cardiologist, I tried again to make an

appointment and they said go to the ER and that I could not make an

appointment without insurance or a job. I finally got insurance, but

found out I had a pre-existing condition so it did not cover any of it

for one year. I owe so many doctor bills it is crazy, and I still don't

get any straight answers about AF other than it will not kill you. I

have had some tests done and my heart is good except for the occasional

AF. You are lucky you are a vet and can get some care. Good luck

Peggy

Sept 1st I went into the emergency room. I was having shortness of

breath, and a total lack of energy. I was shocked, then horrified to

find out it was my heart. I'm 36 years old. When they said I had an

irregular heartbeat....... Well I still haven't quite gotten used to

this whole thing. I got out of the hospital sept 5th. I didn't have

health insurance, they said I make too much money to qualify to get

help with the bills. 7.00 an hr and I make too much money. So not

only do I get to deal with my nice new heart condition, but I also

have to deal with trying to get the money to pay for all my medical

treatments, meds and labwork. I found I been having anxiety attacks,

I've never had them before. Dispite what ever came up financially

I've always been able to meet the bills, and still have a little to

put aside. But now....... God I just don't know what to do.

Butch