Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Oh, how I missed the runaround....

Oh, Pam! Thank you for your understanding. I am properly humbled to think that you have had to fight this battle with your situation. I can't imagine trying to find an oncologist on Medicaid, or trying to fight for reconstructive surgery! I guess I can't complain too much. After all, it's only pain, and we've all had that.

Want to know what's really insane? Medicaid won't treat us for our crippling or life threatening diseases, but they will pay for braces. Yep, good ol' orthodontic braces. I'm taking my kids in before school starts back up to take advantage of this. I figure that if I'm going to work my AS off for years, paying into the "system" the whole time, only to have them put me through hell while I'm too sick to work, I'm going to take advantage of the things that they will cover.

My prayers are with you, Pam. Hope that everything will work out and you can get the surgery you need.

Hi Chelle,

Wow! I am impressed that they will actually pay for braces there. Here people can't hardly find a dentist that will take medicaid to have a tooth pulled! I know of one dentist who will take it here, but only for children. There is a low-cost clinic, but sometimes can take forever to get in.

I must have worded my last post wrong. I had a hard time finding a PCP with just medicaid. But my oncologist, he will see anyone. I was fortunate to have good medical insurance, so didn't have a problem. But he would have seen me without it. One of his nurses told me if he has a patient who just can't pay, he will find a way for them. She told me he even called a couple of his friends back east to pitch in to pay for a PET scan for a patient who had no insurance, yet didn't qualify for medicaid either. He is a wonderful doctor.

And don't discount yourself saying "its only pain" I think that is one thing that some health care professionals who don't understand what pain does to a person get us to try to do to ourselves. Make us feel that "well its only pain" Good doctors know that if a persons pain is treated, then they can function better in other aspects of life. I'm sure everyone here knows that being in pain wears you down physically as well as emotionally. I really do hope you can find a doc that will treat your pain as it should be treated. You certainly don't need that added stress right now.

And good for you for taking the kids in to get braces if they need them. Don't let anyone make you feel like you shouldn't be "using tax-payers money" to have it done. (have heard that one before) Look at is as you are using the taxes you paid in as a savings account and now can get your kids the help they need.

ok... coming down off my soapbox now LOL I really do wish you the best.
Hoping easier days are coming your way

hugs,
Pam