Diabetic Retinopathy - Help!

(Minip) said:

Hello everyone.

My girlfriend has cataracts (though she's only 21) and diabetic retinopathy. We have finally, after
considerable effort, saved enough money to take care of one of her cataracts. After this procedure
is done we have to get the diabetic retinopathy taken care of. We are uninsured, but employed, and
as such no financial institution is willing to help us. I understand there are a few laser
surgeries to take care of diabetic retinopathy (though Lasik is apparently not an option as we were
told it was). But no one, and I have done -extensive- research, will tell me how much it costs to
have such a thing repaired. I would kill for even a rough estimate right now. No doctors will quote
me over the phone (And no one can diagnose her until her cataracts are removed), I can find no
pricing anywhere online.

We are just two people trying our very hardest to make sure that this gets taken care of, and every
penny of this is going to wind up coming out-of-pocket. (Just as the cataract removal has). I don't
think it's such a stretch then, that I should know just how much money we're going to wind up
spending here. This cataract removal is going to completely drain our bank account, and I need to
know as soon as humanly possible how much money it is, in fact, I need to save.

Has anyone had this procedure done? Without insurance? Any estimate, please help!! I'm going crazy
over here. 🙂

Thanks Avery

sorry to hear(read) about your situation.

The doctors are correct, the cataract must be removed in order to see what's going on. And Lasik is
not the type of laser treatment for retinopthropy. Retinopthropy is occurs when high BGs, over time,
weaken the blood vessels in the eye. The blood vessels bleed into the gel of the eye itself. In an
attempt to solve the problem, the body creates new blood vessels to supply the blood to the retina
that it is not getting from the damaged blood vessels. However, most if not all of the new vessels
are weak and bleed as well. Over time the blood clots and is slowly leeched away. In that process
scar tissue develops that puts pressure and tension on the retina itself that can lead to further
damage, even tearing of the retina.

The laser treatment is used to cauterize the damaged blood vessels and stop the bleeding. Treatment
can last through one session or through several sessions depending on the amount of damage. A single
session can consist of a handful of individual laser burns or more than a thousand burns. The laser
is aimed by hand and fired in rapid succession using a foot pedal as the trigger.

In my case, each session cost a little over 1000.00 (one thousand) dollars U$ before insurance. If
you use an ophthalmologist who does not have their own laser you will have to go to a local hospital
that has one(that your ophthalmologist has privileges at and is allowed to use their laser.) In that
case you will have a higher bill to cover the hospital's separate fees.

You should contact the Lion's Club and social services in your area. Both can often provide funds
for those who cannot afford the procedures. With social services, there is help, but there is a lot
of paper work that must get done. Make sure you have it all completed before the laser surgery.

Good luck and I hope she is seeing again soon.

Mack© Type 1 since 1975 alt-support-diabetes.orgalt-support-diabetes.orgOpen ↗ insulin-pumpers.orginsulin-pumpers.orgOpen ↗

In tribute to the United States of America and the State of Israel, two bastions of strength in a
world filled with strife and terrorism.

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the
President, or that we are to stand by the President
right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile,
but is morally treasonable to the American public."

...Theodore Roosevelt

My cataract removals were around $2300 each, although i had insurance at that time, I remember the
bills. I also had angiograms to diagnose the retinopathy, twice. This is where they inject dye and
look in the eyes to see the problm and asses it, Then I had some laser work done in my right eye. I
have had several broken vessels, and almost had a vitrectony, where the eye is removed and cleaned
and replaced. The angios were around $1500 each and the laser proceedures around $2000. I saw a
retinal specialist that cost really big bicks, but was worth it. There are a couple of things you
need to do. You need to search on line for oragnizations for the blind near you. Fnd out if they can
help you. Here in Vegas, the is at least one foundation, I know of that gives indigent care, thru a
really fine doctor. She donates her time, etc. Also contact social services where you live. There
are services in place for the blind, that may give you a running start as to where to go and who to
talk to. I am thinking that you might want to investigate Medicaide. I never went this far. Also,
talk tothe doctors. If nothing else, try to negotiate a deal. If the work can all be done in the
office ( mine was ), you might arrange to get a discount or pay it off in installments. Look, I
laughed so hard when it was told to me, and it was bitter laughter, untill I arranged it. If this
young lady has eye problems this early in life, some of the diabetic organizations might tell you
where to turn. I would be searching the internet for the websites of these, right now. This is not
the time to be proud and not expect or accept help. I will look and post what I find. If you are in
a small town, you might have to adjust where you live. I've had retinopathy for years. I do have
problems and I don't see well, but I see well enough ... I'm not out of the game yet. If I find
anything that will be of help, I'll send it to you. Trust me, this is so scary, this eye problem, bt
i know what i would have done had it been necessary, and what I've already said is the route I would
have chosen. Rainbow

Hey Mack, that's a really good description you wrote and good advice ... Rainbow

I just went seaching around, and you need to get ahold of the closest Lion's Club. One of their
websites specifically mentions help with cataract surgery, for people unable to pay. There was a
bunch of websites, so look for the ones neaest you. Rainbow

Hey sweetie, go here www.healthyvision2010.org There was a TON of info on services to people without
money, I didn't check it all out, but there was a bunch of stuff. I searched in google for
organizations for people with diabetic eye disease. There was alot. This is a start for you. Can I
give you a word of advice ? I assume that if she is 21, you are young, as well ? Don't try to fight
this and pay it on your own. Try to get some help. If need be, later on, you can donate your own
time to these organizations. All kinds of unexpected charges can happen and you might need more
money than you have. Offer what you have to the doctor, I did this, and I got a discount, but I
still owed big bucks. Some of these organizations will have experience you don't. Let them help you.
If you live in a big enough city, you may have a teaching hospital that will help and some big
cities have services for the visually impaired, thru social services. I'd hate to see a young couple
having to struggle with this problem and destroy you fiancially before you even start. These things
are set up to help. At the very least they can steer you to a doctor who will help. I really hope
she does well. Rainbow

Hey everybody,

Thanks for the help. I actually got an estimate from someone, finally. $2001 dollars. Ya, the one is
kinda silly. And 200-300 for the exam. Well, it's not good, I admit. It's going to take us a while
to save, but we'll make it. But please, I seem to have not made myself clear in the earlier post.
This no-financial-help thing isn't pride. Believe me, if I can get help, I will. (And I will be
contacting all the organizations listed, thank you so much). It's a matter of having gone through
the medacaid/medacare (I forget which is which) application 3 seperate times, and being denied. Even
with notes from two doctors who both say in their letters "totally disabled" (admittedly, perhaps a
bit of an overstatement), as well as "must have medical help", "has to be put on meda(care/caid)".
I've called this place myself many times and gotten into long conversations with these people.. and
they just won't budge. Also we've been turned to several help organizations. Basically one each for
everytime we see a doctor or eye exam clinic, etc. And every one of them turns us down for one, if
not more, of these reasons:

1) She's over 18, 2) She's not pregnant (and has no kids), 3) She has a job

Now I admit, there are people in the world who need more help than we
do. All of the reasons to deny us listed above are.. I don't want to say "valid". Suffice it to say
I understand that there are people in the world who fall into all three catergories, and I can
only imagine how desperately they need help. But us having a job doesn't make up for the fact
that we have to pay bills just like everyone else. And at the end of the day, even with two
incomes, it'll take some time to save up all we need.

But I have faith. Life has taught me if you're willing to work for something, you can have it, no
matter how far-fetched it seems.

PS Someone's post mentioned Las Vegas.. that's exactly where we are, so if you have that contact
information you would be helping us out very much.

[email hidden] (rainbow) wrote in message news:<3860-4046003D-51@storefull-
3112.bay.webtv.net>...

Quoted message said:

Hey sweetie, go here www.healthyvision2010.org There was a TON of info on services to people
without money, I didn't check it all out, but there was a bunch of stuff. I searched in google for
organizations for people with diabetic eye disease. There was alot. This is a start for you. Can I
give you a word of advice ? I assume that if she is 21, you are young, as well ? Don't try to
fight this and pay it on your own. Try to get some help. If need be, later on, you can donate your
own time to these organizations. All kinds of unexpected charges can happen and you might need
more money than you have. Offer what you have to the doctor, I did this, and I got a discount, but
I still owed big bucks. Some of these organizations will have experience you don't. Let them help
you. If you live in a big enough city, you may have a teaching hospital that will help and some
big cities have services for the visually impaired, thru social services. I'd hate to see a young
couple having to struggle with this problem and destroy you fiancially before you even start.
These things are set up to help. At the very least they can steer you to a doctor who will help. I
really hope she does well. Rainbow

Followup. I have tried to contact Dr Eva Lang, but there's something wrong with the number listed.
Dr Carr's office still has a valid number, however. I will be contacting them tomorrow (Tried to
call today, they're already closed) to try and find Dr Liang.

Healthy Vision 2010 has been a good resource, I must admit. I've managed to collect phone numbers
from over 20 help-organizations from it's pages, and those linked through it. I've contacted a few
people so far, and I'm getting the same response as always (Can't help for reason x), but I'll keep
trying, and hopefully one of these will pay off. Thanks again for the help people.

-Avery

[email hidden] (rainbow) wrote in message news:<28974-4046AF62-82@storefull-
3117.bay.webtv.net>...

Quoted message said:

Look up Dr, Eva Liang in the phonebook. The office is over by Mt. View Hospital. She has a
foundation to help people ... I don't know the name. She is in the same office with Dr. Tyree
Carr, who did my surgeries. She is very good. Their office should be able to help you. If you are
having trouble here with social services or medicaide, you ned to get a lawyer, a free one, to
help you. Social services here is a real pain in the butt. My mom was just denied service from the
parabus because she wasn;t handicapped enough. Heck, she's been riding the little bus for 7 years
! Now, she had a good day when she was re-evaluated and now she has to ride the regular bus, We
are appealing ! If you can't find out the info, call channel 3, KVBC-TV, they have run stories on
this and should be able to help you find the right resource. Their community service record is
above all the rest. They do alot to help folks and are very nice, and you should be contacting
them asap. I would
! Good luck !
Rainbow

[email hidden] (Minip) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hey everybody,

Thanks for the help. I actually got an estimate from someone, finally. $2001 dollars. Ya, the one
is kinda silly. And 200-300 for the exam. Well, it's not good, I admit. It's going to take us a
while to save, but we'll make it. But please, I seem to have not made myself clear in the earlier
post. This no-financial-help thing isn't pride. Believe me, if I can get help, I will. (And I will
be contacting all the organizations listed, thank you so much). It's a matter of having gone
through the medacaid/medacare (I forget which is which) application 3 seperate times, and being
denied. Even with notes from two doctors who both say in their letters "totally disabled"
(admittedly, perhaps a bit of an overstatement), as well as "must have medical help", "has to be
put on meda(care/caid)". I've called this place myself many times and gotten into long
conversations with these people.. and they just won't budge. Also we've been turned to several
help organizations. Basically one each for everytime we see a doctor or eye exam clinic, etc. And
every one of them turns us down for one, if not more, of these reasons:

1) She's over 18, 2) She's not pregnant (and has no kids), 3) She has a job

Now I admit, there are people in the world who need more help than we
do. All of the reasons to deny us listed above are.. I don't want to say "valid". Suffice it to
say I understand that there are people in the world who fall into all three catergories, and
I can only imagine how desperately they need help. But us having a job doesn't make up for
the fact that we have to pay bills just like everyone else. And at the end of the day, even
with two incomes, it'll take some time to save up all we need.

But I have faith. Life has taught me if you're willing to work for something, you can have it, no
matter how far-fetched it seems.

PS Someone's post mentioned Las Vegas.. that's exactly where we are, so if you have that contact
information you would be helping us out very much.

[email hidden] (rainbow) wrote in message news:<3860-4046003D-51@storefull-
3112.bay.webtv.net>...

Quoted message said:

Hey sweetie, go here www.healthyvision2010.org There was a TON of info on services to people
without money, I didn't check it all out, but there was a bunch of stuff. I searched in google
for organizations for people with diabetic eye disease. There was alot. This is a start for you.
Can I give you a word of advice ? I assume that if she is 21, you are young, as well ? Don't try
to fight this and pay it on your own. Try to get some help. If need be, later on, you can donate
your own time to these organizations. All kinds of unexpected charges can happen and you might
need more money than you have. Offer what you have to the doctor, I did this, and I got a
discount, but I still owed big bucks. Some of these organizations will have experience you
don't. Let them help you. If you live in a big enough city, you may have a teaching hospital
that will help and some big cities have services for the visually impaired, thru social
services. I'd hate to see a young couple having to struggle with this problem and destroy you
fiancially before you even start. These things are set up to help. At the very least they can
steer you to a doctor who will help. I really hope she does well. Rainbow

Sorry about your problem. Having the surgery is 1/2 the problem. Once it is done, and now, she
should take in lots of carotene to prevent the reticnopathy from returning. She can get carotenes
from any dark green, orange & yellow vegetable. Check with the people that perform the procedures as
to whether carotenes might be bad for cataract formation. I dob't think so but make sure. Good luck

Also check out the Knights Templar Eye Foundation

knightstemplar.orgindex.htmOpen ↗

--
Brandy dx 6/99 T2 using Humalog/Lantus + metformin