pacemaker infection

Hello everybody, here is an update on what is going on. I went to my family doctor and got a prescription for an antibiotic for 10 days. The drainage has slowed down yet my cardiologist is STILL acting like its no big deal. I am seeing my family doctor again on Monday, 09/09 and the cardiologist on Thursday the 12th when he plans to just look at the incision. They wanted to send me to an infectious disease specialist but again the lack of insurance made them change their mind unless I could come up with a $500 co pay. I am also planning to consult a lawyer next week so if it turns out that the cardiologist negligence turns into something tragic my grandkids who I have custody of will have something to live on.

6 Comments

infectious disease

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-06 03:09:21

Even if you have to pay for it out of pocket, go to the infectious disease specialist asap!!!! $500 sounds awfully high, I would call the specialist and talk to them about a payment plan or reduced fee. Either way, just do it, you can't afford not to. If the infection does not get under control, if the pm ends up having to come out, if you end up in the hospital for a few weeks on iv antibiotics, $500 will be a drop in the bucket. Untreated or incorrectly treated pocket infection can quickly end up in any of those scenarios.

I'm sorry to sound alarmist and gloom and doom, but please take this very seriously and be proactive. No dr will look after you like you can, sometimes you just have to ignore them and take matters into your own hands. Time is of the essence, do not wait around 10 days to see if the latest is going to work. You need cultures and you need them NOW, make sure you are on the correct med. Good luck.

Listen to Tracey

by PacerRep - 2013-09-06 06:09:30

Infections are no joke, if he put you on an antibiotic then there is a high probability that you have one. Is this the same cardiologist that put the pacemaker in (did the surgery?). If that's the case he may be down playing it in hopes it clears up to keep his infection rate down. Get a second opinion

medicaid?

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-06 09:09:21

It sounds like you should easily qualify for medicaid. Have you tried the ER, see if you can get the referral that way? Or can your gp refer you to the infectious disease specialist? Do you have a case worker who might know of other resources? If this goes on untreated, it can kill you at worst, leave you in the hospital for weeks at best. Don't stop fighting.

pacemaker infection

by thackertwin - 2013-09-06 09:09:32

I hear you guys and without getting into a lot of personal information. I have NO income. I live with a family member because the only income we have is the kids child support. I have been looking for work but it isnt going anywhere. My family member is not able to help and other than that I really have no where to turn. I had help with covering the pacemaker surgery and doctor visits until August 1. It was dropped because my cardiologist said I was fine. (Yes the same one that put the pacemaker in) My cardiologist just needs to make a phone call to refer me back to the program and all will be covered again. But he so far refuses to make that call. I went from November to April with a dead pacemaker. I complained that it was sore in May and June and was told "it was just healing". It wasn't until July when I started having the drainage problems that I finally got an appointment. I was given 2 weeks of antibiotics then and am still fighting the issues. I asked the infectious disease dr to work with me and they refused. I know I seem stubborn but when you get $350 a month child support and only $200 a month to feed them it doesn't go far. I get no support at all from their mother. They are both adhd and require a lot of dr appointments. No I am not making car payments. I drive a car with no air and no heat. Most our money goes to gas and clothing for school. They both go to schools that require uniforms.

pacemaker infection

by thackertwin - 2013-09-06 10:09:13

Don't qualify for medicaid. We checked into that already. ER wont do a referral and my family doctor is actually a nurse practioner and cant make the referral. I had to have my cardiologist do it. ER has said, "That I just needed to see my cardiologist for further treatment." I also don't qualify for disability. I am doing a lot of praying and contacted every place I could possibly come up with to get some help with this situation. I am only 56 so I don't qualify for senior services. I will start again on Monday making phone calls.

Leads

by PacerRep - 2013-09-08 01:09:53

Those leads in your chest are a direct highway to your heart. The staph will travel down those wires, and once it's in your heart...you've got a big problem.

Stop screwing around with it, please.

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